Chapter 397: The Return
Fifteen years after Bular’s departure, a larger diplomatic delegation from the Troi Civilization finally arrived in the Genesis System, much later than Luo Wen had anticipated.
Based on calculations, Bular would have completed his initial negotiations and reported the situation back to his civilization. With their Quantum Communication System, there would have been no delay in transmitting information. It should have taken no more than five years for a more professional diplomatic team to assemble and arrive via ships equipped with Warp Drive.
Could the Troi fleet assemble a professional diplomatic delegation? With over 200,000 warships and an estimated population of hundreds of millions aboard, finding the necessary personnel should not have been an issue. Moreover, given their intent for peaceful negotiations, such a delegation should have been prepared before they even set out.
As for ships equipped with warp drives? That should have been even less of a problem. Even if only 20% of their fleet had warp capability, this would amount to 40,000 ships—easily sufficient to assemble a visiting fleet of a few hundred vessels.
So what caused the delay? Considering the available intelligence, the Swarm’s intelligent entities speculated that the Troi Civilization had likely been waiting for Ji personnel. After all, joining the Interstellar Technological Confederation required the presence of at least a nominal representative of the Confederation’s leader, the New Ji.
As it turned out, the Swarm’s hypothesis was correct. The newly arrived Troi fleet announced its personnel upon entering Swarm territory. According to the report, this diplomatic team not only included nearly 10,000 personnel but also over a dozen Ji representatives.
Luo Wen and several intelligent entities watched the Troi fleet’s slow advance, accompanied by an escort of Primordial bodies, deep in thought.
“Overlord,” said Morgan, his tone tinged with concern, “according to the Troi Civilization, the Ji’s nearest garrison point is about 100 light-years away. If they departed fifteen years ago, right after Bular left, then their warp drive technology must allow for speeds of at least seven light-years per year.”
Morgan, who had been responsible for Swarm research and rarely participated in military operations, was present now due to the need for analytical insights rather than combat. In addition to the Blades, several research-oriented intelligent entities were also in attendance.