Chapter 451: Ch
Hearing this, everyone nodded and thought that indeed, that was the case. "But at the beginning of the Federation, it would already have plenty of high-level buildings and technological capabilities provided by us, giving it that much of a foundation, right?"
Again, everyone nodded and began to realize where this was going. "That means the Federation will, at that point, have the technological capabilities to form powerful fleets and legions. What it would need are financial and material resources to build them. And that could be—"
Before Kallus could finish, Garrick unconsciously spoke. "And that could be provided by any one of us, right? For example, my Tier 3 state, the Titian Clan, could provide both the financial and material resources, and it could gain the right to control these forces?"
"Indeed, just as you said. But let me tell you this, Lord Garrick. That doesn’t mean the fleet is yours, nor does it mean it will be controlled by your people."
"Instead, it would mean that you have rights over it, but not ownership."
"And as for who will pilot and command these fleets, I have a plan for that as well. And I think you all will be satisfied once you hear it."
Garrick and the others frowned at this moment, but they also understood the reasoning behind Kallus’ words.
After all, if there were such a deal with such minimal requirements, then wouldn’t that mean everything else was a lie? And at the same time, wouldn’t it be unfair to three... no, four parties?
The Dark Sun Empire, the White Moon Wolf Empire, the Legion of Dark Angels, as well as the Azura Imperium.
They had all paid a significant price just to obtain those few hundred ships provided to them by the Celestial Void Empire. Were they now supposed to believe that they could have received an entire fleet simply by covering the cost of the materials themselves?
Compared to a few hundred ships, who could say such a deal would be fair to those four parties?
And above all that was the consideration of the Federation itself.
They might be joint owners, but the Federation would have its own management. It would merely be influenced by them. That didn’t make it their personal heirloom, right?
Pushing those thoughts aside, however, Garrick and the others grew curious about what Kallus had in mind regarding the soldiers and pilots who would be operating these ships in the not-so-distant future.
Garrick, as well as another Tier 3 power, the matriarch named Alice Grace, belonging to the Beast Race—more specifically, the White Tiger Race, a powerful race with multiple subordinate lesser races under it, making it one of the most formidable Tier 3 powers that even Tier 1 states like the Star Empire dared not provoke, either directly or indirectly—looked toward Kallus.
"Please, speak your mind, Emperor Kallus," she said with a faint smile and a look of interest on her face.
Kallus smiled back at her and said, "One thing that everyone has in common here is that within their own population there are people who lack the opportunity to truly let their abilities shine."
"Some because they come from poor families and simply don’t have the resources, while others have the will but face roadblocks that prevent them from reaching places where their talents could be uncovered and allowed to shine like the stars across the vastness of space."
"Obviously there are various other reasons for this as well and not the only one i mentioned above. And given that everyone has limited resources and populations far greater than they can properly manage, and beacuse of that such talent often ends up being mismanaged."
"And even though everyone here—or at least most of you..." Kallus changed his words as he looked toward the Tier 1 powers and even a few Tier 2 powers whose internal situations were far too chaotic, making them unable to truly provide opportunities to those who deserved them.
Seeing their awkward expressions, he couldn’t help but rephrase his words in his own way, making it clear that these things should change going forward, before continuing.
"And these people end up suffering within society, doing odd jobs. This is something common, just as I said... though not in my Empire."
Saying that, he paused, gave everyone a sweeping glance, and continued. "So what I want is to select these people from throughout everyone’s territory—if you all sign and join this Federation, that is."
"I will train them in a place that I can’t tell you about, and after their training, which shouldn’t take more than a year, deploy them into the fleets that are created during that same time frame."
"And let me tell you this. The number of fleets would depend on the situation, and not every fleet would be provided to you all."
"Most of them will instead be independently utilized and controlled by the Federation itself, as they will be directly participating in the wars that we will have to wage in order to solidify the Federation’s territory and fulfill the other parts of our discussed goals and agenda."
Kallus made this clear to them from the very beginning, telling them that while they could possess such power, it would be both limited and never truly theirs, so as not to give them any unnecessary ideas or false expectations.
Garrick, Alice, Valoria, the other Tier 3 powers, followed by the Tier 2 and Tier 1 powers, all fell into contemplation.
After a moment, Alice nodded her head and said,
"Fair enough. These conditions are acceptable. Though I want an assurance. Wherever you train these people, I hope you won’t brainwash them to be on your side."
"Their loyalty should stay with the Federation and its members, not with your own Empire. If that happens, then what would be the point of forming this Federation in the first place?"
Alice was direct with her words and didn’t hesitate or pause when she made her point.
Kallus nodded his head without showing any expression or reacting in any different way, as it was only a general concern to bring forward. Being leaders, everyone had their own way of speaking.
He replied, "You have my assurance, Lady Alice. And because of that very reason, I have proposed choosing people from each of our own races and populations to act as Federal soldiers, and not from my own people."
"And as for brainwashing, I won’t be doing that, nor is there any need to."
"Their loyalty will be bound only to the Federation, and they will be trained as such."
"They will only follow what the Federation’s ruling authority wants them to do, and only when it directly or indirectly benefits the Federation and its members without harming them."
"And even if it does require action against any member state, that would only happen with sufficient evidence and a genuine need to demand such action."
"That would ensure that no matter who holds more influence within the Universal Stellar Federation, they won’t be able to make decisions that harm other member states without just cause or in a way that negatively impacts the Federation as a whole."
"Besides that, I have one more thing to add, and this is for everyone at this table."
"I want to say it before you make your decision to join the Stellar Federation and that is this if it is ever found that any member state has betrayed the Federation and the interests of the other members, that member state will be expelled from the Federation.
They will then face the Federation’s retaliation, along with the retaliation of its member states, until nothing remains of it.
The retaliation will only stop once total annihilation has been achieved."
Kallus gave everyone a sweeping look. At the same time, a portion of his aura leaked out, instantly suffocating everyone in the room without sparing a single person.
He did this to make them understand just how serious he was.
Everyone’s body shook under Kallus’ authoritative gaze, as well as the mighty aura that bore down upon them like heavenly celestial mountains placed atop their heads.
The display astonished them, but at the same time made them consider his words with the seriousness they deserved.
A couple of seconds passed in silence. Then minutes.
At last, just as the eleventh minute began, Lady Alice spoke once again, becoming the first to break the silence.
"This is also acceptable. For we don’t want to feed someone who has no shred of loyalty within them, now do we?
"This should also make everyone here understand that this opportunity, while great, comes with its own fair share of restrictions. Only those who think in the long term can truly choose what is better for them."
Saying that, she glanced at a few people before turning to look at Kallus. "I, representing my race, the White Tiger Clan, am ready to formally join the Universal Stellar Federation in hopes of creating a space that fosters mutual growth."
