Undoubtedly, the Corporation, leveraging its deep resources, had successfully seized the high ground in public opinion.
While there might be some fluctuations in this process, out of deference to the Corporation's influence, most factions generally wouldn't risk ruffling their feathers at this time.
Having claimed the moral high ground and established legitimacy, the next course of action was obvious.
To defend the Corporation's reputation and punish the unidentified faction, the Glamoth Empire, for its brazen provocation and the immense losses inflicted, the Corporation unanimously passed a resolution: employ "swift and decisive" measures to discipline the Glamoth Empire and deter other powers in the universe.
---||---
Pier Point Star Tally—normally bustling with merchant ships heading to various destinations. But now, while merchant vessels remained numerous, the spaceport was dominated by warships of staggering size, armed with weaponry that glinted menacingly under the starlight.
"Diamond, I believe this is an extremely erroneous decision."
The blonde woman in a business suit, whose android nature was subtly visible, Pearl of the Ten Stonehearts, expressed her view to the other figure in the chamber, her voice calm, gentle, yet devoid of warmth.
As a member of the Corporation, she wasn't ignorant of its dirty dealings; in fact, they were commonplace. But as an android, Pearl was fundamentally different from humans, placing particular emphasis on 'fairness.' And now, the Corporation was practically flaunting its unfairness, almost daring anyone to question its blatant bias.
"I do not approve of this operation either. But unfortunately, it is a unanimous resolution passed by the Board of Directors," Diamond replied, his voice extremely calm, yet betraying hints of annoyance and dissatisfaction. "That fellow Osvaldo certainly picked a good time."
The most appropriate way to handle this situation should have been for his Strategic Investment Department to clean up the mess.
Diamond was confident he could have done it perfectly. Success, contrasted with the Market Development Department's failure, would have almost certainly secured victory for Strategic Investment. He would gain the director's seat and realize his ambitions.
However, Osvaldo's reckless actions had dragged the Corporation into a completely unnecessary war. This was even more foolish than the past Border Star Trade Wars; at least those yielded benefits from fringe planets.
But this war... Balmung, a waste planet, requiring conflict with one, possibly even two, Emanators. And all the Corporation stood to gain was the vague potential profit Osvaldo spoke of.
Unfortunately, even though it was a losing proposition, the Corporation was now committed, like an arrow nocked on a bowstring that must be released. After the public declaration of war, numerous factions across the universe were watching, waiting to see the Corporation's next move. Any sign of weakness would impact the Corporation's plans and even Diamond's own future prospects.
Therefore, even Diamond, who detested Osvaldo, even the many Board members who disapproved of him, even knowing full well Osvaldo was simply using this to save his own skin—for the sake of the Corporation's interests, and their own—the dissatisfied could only hold their noses and endure, following Osvaldo down this path.
"I understand, but... if we fail."
"Fail?" Diamond looked strangely at Pearl. "You think... the Corporation will fail?"
There wasn't much anger in his voice, only amusement. While many within the Corporation disliked the outbreak of this war—seeing it as a bad investment—their reasoning stemmed purely from 'profit,' believing there was little benefit even in victory. This perspective was built on absolute confidence.
From Osvaldo to Diamond, every director, even every ordinary employee of the Corporation, regarding the war, not a single one believed the Corporation could possibly lose.
Anyone who understood the sheer scale and power of the Corporation wouldn't entertain the notion of failure, especially against a small, unknown nation like the 'Glamoth Empire' that had never been heard of before.
Even during the past Border Star Trade Wars and Emperor Wars, the Corporation only faced temporary setbacks; ultimate victory always fell into their hands.
And now, a senior cadre he personally selected, an android no less, was expressing such concerns.
He chuckled teasingly, "Pearl, I understand your tension regarding the war. Using jokes to lighten the mood is indeed a good method."
"However, for an Intellitron like you to make such a joke is quite rare."
"..."
"Mr. Diamond, I am not joking..." Pearl replied, slightly displeased.
"If that's the case, then you might need to have your thought processes checked, my dear subordinate." Diamond merely smiled, then opened his arms wide, gesturing towards the observation deck, towards the arrayed warships, and declared in a raised voice: "Look! Look at those Corporation warships on display! Do you think this Corporation could lose to some nameless little country?"
It would be a grave mistake to assume the Market Development Department's thirty-odd large warships constituted the Corporation's main force. Those vessels were merely 'assistance tools' specifically allocated to Osvaldo for 'free trade.' That fleet, seemingly powerful enough to match the entire forces of many factions, was actually just loose change for the real Corporation.
These warships now arrayed in the spaceport—these were the Corporation's most advanced mainline fleet, built to combat the Antimatter Legion. The largest class of ships numbered in the thousands. Smaller vessels were countless.
Furthermore, if needed, the Corporation's Technology Development Department's massive shipyards could construct warships at a speed that would astound anyone. As long as raw materials were available, production was endless.
And obviously, the one thing the Corporation never lacked was raw materials.
Of course, in the Corporation's view, dealing with a mere Glamoth Empire probably wouldn't require entering a full war footing. According to the Board directors, simply sending the Corporation's Preservation Emanator for a visit and displaying these stockpiled warships should be enough.
The so-called Glamoth Empire would surely flee at the mere sight, making the most rational choice.
However...
Before the Corporation's fleet could even finish resupplying and launch its punitive expedition against the reckless Glamoth Empire that had caused such huge losses, dire news flooded in from the Corporation's interstellar monitoring departments.
Northern Interstellar Market under unknown attack. Northern Market Hub requested tactical guidance several hours ago.Contact lost with Northern Interstellar Market.Southern Interstellar Market attacked by unknown forces three-quarters of a system hour ago. Contact lost.
...North, South, East, West—before the Corporation could even react, alert signals poured in from its various nodes and branches across the universe, reporting attacks. Contact was lost with alarming speed. They didn't even know what was happening. The only discernible transmission amidst the static was:
"Victory belongs to Glamoth!"
"Fight for Her Majesty the Empress!"
At the Corporation's main monitoring center in Pier Point, the map displaying the Interastral Peace Corporation's sphere of influence shrank at light speed. From covering the entire known universe, it dimmed until... only Pier Point, the Corporation headquarters within the Qlipoth star system, remained illuminated.
"...What in the world is going on!"
At the Corporation's Board meeting, the previously confident directors roared with furious questions and disbelief. In just a few system hours—not even enough time for the fleet to fully prepare—all of the Corporation's nodes had been attacked and fallen silent with unimaginable speed.
Blaming it on that 'Glamoth Empire'? What a joke! Even Emperor Rupert back in the day! Even the Swarm that once plagued the unive
rse! Even those despicable Denizens of Abundance, even the hateful Antimatter Legion! None of them could have crippled the Corporation like this in such a short time!
It was well known that the defenses at the Corporation's various nodes, established to resist the Antimatter Legion and raiding Denizens of Abundance, should have been able to hold out much longer, even against a Legion led personally by a Lord Ravager... even if they fell, they should have been able to transmit something back!
However, no matter how unbelievable or impossible they found it, the dimmed map of the Corporation's influence remained unchanged.
"Ding~"
Following a crisp chime, a message intruded upon the internal Corporation meeting. Then, a projection appeared.
"Alright, made it in~ Hmm... judging by the looks on you bigwigs' faces, I guess you received our little present? How'd ya like it?"
"...Who are you?! How dare you hack into the Corporation's internal network!" a director demanded.
"Ah... Oh, right, forgot to introduce myself. Name's Silver Wolf. Kinda part of that 'Glamoth Empire' you're at war with... eh!" The Silver Wolf in the projection froze mid-sentence, then turned her head as if talking to someone off-screen, complaining: "Firefly, you didn't give me any official title!"
"How am I supposed to sound intimidating talking to these corporate types with no rank!"
"...Didn't you say you wanted to be free and didn't want one?" another gentle voice replied, tinged with helplessness.
"Ah... Right! Wait, if I don't have a position, why am I doing so much work... Damn it... Fine, just make one up! Make it sound cool, high-ranking, otherwise, won't I just embarrass you too?"
"...Shadow Empress? Sounds... kinda lame! Ha! Pheebe, you little-!"
"Let me pick myself... You barely set up any options!"
"Fine, fine, this one's okay... Iron Cavalry Marshal. That sounds pretty good! I'll make do with this!"
"Ah, sorry... I'm good now." Amidst the stunned silence of the Corporation's Board directors, the projected Silver Wolf finally sorted herself out. Seeing their expressions upon turning back, she gave an awkward laugh, then cleared her throat twice, attempting to put on a stern facade: "Ahem. I am Silver Wolf, Iron Cavalry Marshal of the Glamoth Empire! That's it."
"..." The Board directors were silent. If the other voice in the projection belonged to the Glamoth Empress, then her conversation with this hacker girl—who looked like she hadn't even fully matured—was like children playing house... It had a distinct air of 'amateur hour.'
"Okay, introductions done. You don't need to bother anymore. All Corporation nodes across the universe have already been captured by fleets dispatched by the Glamoth Empire. If you don't believe me... here, these are your managers at the various nodes and branches..." Silver Wolf waved her hand, and numerous screens popped up.
Images from the various branch planets became instantly clear. Except for nodes located within other factions' territories, all the familiar Corporation-occupied planets now flew the flag of Glamoth. Although the design in most places was exquisite, the sight of Silver Wolf's chibi face plastered on them added a layer of absurdity.
Besides the flags, the Corporation employees and managers were being guarded by figures clad in Firefly armor. The visible fleet of magnificent, bright silver Firefly warships sent a chill down their spines.
"Alright, you believe me now? Of course, it doesn't matter if you don't~"
"Anyway, I just came to deliver a message."
"The Qlipoth star system, where Corporation headquarters is located, has been surrounded by the fleet of my Glamoth Empire! You can now choose to surrender, or you can choose to resist fiercely."
"Our generous and merciful Empress intends to give you half a system hour to discuss your decision... Tch, honestly, I say just blast this whole planet already, save us the trouble."
"Hey, don't take that seriously! I was just saying!"