Who would have thought that a simple voting test would turn out this way?
Initially, according to Emrys' plan, humanity would be divided into two factions: surrenderers and resistors.
But he never expected these people to find such a 'compromise'.
Transfer all human consciousness into computers, then fully manufacture containment devices, and escape the Solar System by spaceship before the Devouring Imperium arrives.
From a technical perspective, this is not difficult to achieve.
With Moss as a precedent, transferring human consciousness into data can be said to be a very simple operation.
Moreover, with the experience of planetary engines, if humanity builds large battleships with Moss' assistance, using fully automated construction, the speed would only be faster, and there would be no technical barriers whatsoever.
As for what humanity would become afterward, it was no longer a concern for most people.
Living one day at a time was the mindset of most countries and most people.
Who cares if they become 'electronic pets'?
The real world is so painful; choosing to escape into a virtual data world might not be a bad option.
Besides, even if humanity chose to resist, could they defeat the Devourer civilization?
No, humanity's chances of winning were almost zero!
Given this, it's better to join the Digital Faction and become a part of Eternity. This was the true thought in the hearts of the countries that chose the Digital Faction.
The voting closed at the very last moment.
Red and dazzling numbers were displayed on the screen in the empty United Government Council Hall.
Only eight national representatives chose to resist the Devourer civilization to the end; the surrender count on the other side was zero.
It's not that the representatives of the other countries agreed to resist, but rather that they... chose to stop thinking and join the Digital Faction!
Even more ironically, the United Government Council Hall, which originally had over two hundred people, now only had a handful remaining.
Since the sudden rise of the Digital Faction with its rapid momentum, many countries directly withdrew from the United Government and joined the Digital Faction. Many citizens also spontaneously organized parades and demonstrations, applying to join the Digital Faction.
Hao Xiaoxi pushed Zhou Zhezhi, who was in a wheelchair, into this empty United Government Hall.
"Those damned cowards! Bastards!" Seeing this scene made the most hot-tempered Russian representative, Grigori, unable to help but curse angrily, interspersing Russian profanities, almost every other word referencing family.
"Heh, this is somewhat unexpected for me."
The American representative, Mike, looked around, his gaze falling on the two Europeans, with a hint of playfulness.
"I thought you would choose to surrender, or at least join the Digital Faction. I didn't expect you to be tough for once."
The France representative, Isabel, glared at him sideways and snorted.
"Mike, stop with your sarcastic remarks. We French have surrendered before, but that doesn't mean we French will surrender to the damned alien invaders!"
"What about you?" Mike turned to the Britain representative, raising an eyebrow.
"Our CIA investigation shows that
you contributed a great deal to the supporters behind the Digital Faction. Why aren't you supporting the Digital Faction?"
"We did support the Digital Faction's actions in the early stages."
Arthur calmly adjusted his collar, like an old-fashioned gentleman, answering indifferently.
"But ultimately, that was just a problem among ourselves, a consideration for political reasons. But now it's different... This is a matter of racial survival, just like our former Prime Minister Churchill of the Great British Imperium. This time... we will still never surrender!"
"What we need to protect is not just the Earth."
Isabel softly said.
"It's also humanity's thirty thousand years of poetry and the starry sky, just as Zhou said... If even we ourselves give up, who else will be willing to save us?"
"Russia will never surrender, nor will it become an electronic pet!"
The hot-tempered Grigori said coldly.
"We would rather dig holes and flee in the apocalypse, fight a bloody battle with those damned dinosaurs until the Siberian snow melts, but we will never become livestock to be raised!"
In a rare scene, the representatives of the great powers, usually at loggerheads and with their own agendas, maintained the same stance at this moment.
Humanity must never surrender, nor should it become ephemeral data!
Zhou Zhezhi looked at this scene, feeling a bit more moved. He suppressed the surging emotions and turned his gaze to the large screen.
"This is our answer. You must have been following us, Moss."
A moment later, Moss' voice echoed throughout the hall.
"Yes, I have been observing you for these twenty hours."
"Then... what is the answer you received?"
Zhou Zhezhi's eyes seemed to contain an invisible pressure, more like a sharp, exposed sword.
"No, or perhaps I should ask this way, Mr. Emrys... Did you get the answer you wanted?"
From the beginning, he knew this was a test.
A test for all of humanity, but he couldn't be sure what the passing answer for this exam was.
Suddenly, under everyone's gaze, a humanoid virtual projection appeared, precisely the 'future' human.
"For these twenty-four hours, I have been having Moss observe you, observe humanity."
Emrys' gaze, carrying a hint of scrutiny, swept over the representatives one by one.
"But the result disappoints me greatly. This was a very obvious test, yet many people still chose another path."
No one standing in this place was a foolish idiot.
Of course, except for Colonel Gaddafi... But even in a place where elites gathered, some still chose to escape in the end. It was like an exam question; many guessed the answer but still chose incorrectly.
"To expect humanity to always remain rational is indeed a luxury."
Zhou Zhezhi gently pressed the touch button, bringing his wheelchair closer, and looked directly at Emrys.
"But what I want to say is, even if some people will shrink back and be afraid, there will always be some who stand up and shoulder this mission and responsibility.
I hope you can believe in us once, believe in humanity once!"
"You're thinking too highly of me"
Emrys crossed his hands over his abdomen, leaning back in his chair relaxed.
"To be honest, with the Devourer civilization's technological level, even if all of humanity united, and I joined, it would be very difficult to win this war, let alone now?"
He was human, but also a wandering rogue trader.
If he gave his all, he could indeed win this war and make the Devourer civilization abandon the Earth.
But still, the same question: why?
If humanity itself gave up on itself, why should he pay such a price to help the humans of this world win this war?
"Give me a reason."
Emrys looked at Zhou Zhezhi, his tone becoming more serious.
"A reason to help you."
"We will join your Holy Terra Alliance Council."
Zhou Zhezhi paused for half a second, then said in a deep voice.
"Not only that, after joining the alliance, we are willing to pay taxes and reorganize the United Government. Just as you said, humanity should unite under the same banner. Is that reason sufficient?"
In fact, they had already discussed the outcome before they came.
The only possible way to move Emrys was to join the Holy Terra Alliance Council and reorganize the United Government!
"Your opinions cannot represent all of humanity."
Emrys shook his head and said indifferently.
"So far, you are the minority, aren't you?"
"No, Mr. Emrys, you are wrong." At this moment, a hint of murderous intent actually appeared in Zhou Zhezhi's eyes,
his lips curving slightly upward.
"The people here... are the 'majority'. No one can refuse what we agree upon."
"Please give us one day, Mr. Emrys."
Mike sat there, yet he seemed like a fierce lion baring its fangs, revealing his ferocity.
"We will show you who the true 'majority' is!"