The werewolf Spar declared, "All the energy crystal mines on Gemini belong to us werewolves. Earthlings must join our Sea Wolf Galaxy as our vassals, obeying every command from us werewolves. You must provide us with troops, food, and weapon manufacturing and maintenance. Earth and Gemini will become our supply stations for advancing into the universe, and in return, our great werewolves will protect your safety so you remain unviolated in the cosmos."

As Spar finished speaking, Fang Yanmeng immediately erupted, "Nonsense! You are dreaming in daylight!"

"Doing so is clearly trying to make us slaves!"

Spar became furious, pointing a finger at Fang Yanmeng, "Who are you to speak to the great Spar? That's right, I intend for you to be my slaves, but don't worry. I will make special accommodations for high-ranking officials like you Earthlings; you will certainly become high-grade slaves, certainly not receiving the same treatment as those low-grade wastes."

An Jie stood beside Li Qi and suddenly interjected, "Chairman, just agree to it. We cannot escape. They have completely surrounded the star cluster where Gemini is located, and our ship is broken. If you don't agree, your life will be in grave danger."

Li Qi said coldly, "Director An truly cares for me. It's just my bad luck that the ship broke down at such a critical moment. I really suspect someone is causing trouble behind the scenes."

An Jie bowed his head very low. "Chairman, even if we manage to return to Earth, what then? You just said yourself that our space power is in no way comparable to the werewolves'. They will reach the Solar System sooner or later. Wouldn't we be coerced by them then anyway? If we agree to their demands, we can still command respect and influence on Earth."

Xu Jing remarked, "Director An, the way you speak, you sound like their lobbyist. Are you perhaps also a werewolf?"

An Jie was still trying to justify himself, "How could that be? I am a standard Earthling. Our ancestors have always lived in the Great Dragon Nation. Chief Xu can check if you don't believe me."

Fang Yanmeng rose, "There is no point wasting more time with these beasts. Let's return to Gemini and prepare to fight the werewolves."

An Jie rushed ahead, blocking the doorway. He opened the door and said to those in the lounge, "You all stay here quietly. It is far too dangerous outside."

Slam! The heavy iron door shut. I strode forward quickly, smashed the door open with a punch, sending sparks flying everywhere. An Jie, standing outside, hadn't even managed to run away before I seized him and pulled him back, "Director An, where do you think you are going?"

An Jie's face drained of color in fright. "I'm not going anywhere! I'm going to urge the maintenance crew to fix the ship quickly."

I replied, "Go back inside and wait first. The ship can wait for repairs. The werewolf issue hasn't been resolved; why are you in such a hurry to leave?"

Li Qi sat ramrod straight, An Jie trembling before her. Li Qi glanced at Spar on the screen and said, "What if we refuse your demands?"

Spar sneered, "You have no choice. Do you think you can still return to Earth? Hahaha! Even if you did return to Earth, so what? I will annihilate the humans on Gemini and then destroy your Earth. Only by agreeing to my terms do you have a chance to live. This is even showing deference to others; if someone hadn't interceded, I would prefer to wipe out all of you humans!"

Li Qi's tone remained flat and calm: "Spar, do you truly believe you possess that capability? You will pay a terrible price for your arrogance."

Spar laughed, "Very well, we shall see. If I don't show you some colors, you foolish humans will never learn fear. We shall meet again shortly!"

The communication ended. Li Qi cast a glance at An Jie. "Director An, do you have anything to say?"

An Jie was still stealing glances at the alloy door that had been smashed by a single punch. He couldn't believe what had just happened was real. Li Qi's words brought him back to reality. He gritted his teeth and said firmly, "Qiqi, let me speak frankly. This vessel is under our control. Please accept Spar's terms, or you are truly in danger."

Li Qi asked, "I don't understand. Why are you doing this? Is it simply because you are of the same race? After two hundred years of life on Earth, have you been unable to integrate into our circle?"

An Jie's face showed shock. "You... you already know?"

Li Qi responded, "Do you think everything can be hidden from us?"

An Jie gritted his teeth again and made a decision. "Qiqi, don't think that just because your bodyguard broke down that door means you are safe. You should know I care for you. If it weren't for that, you would all have died long ago. I have locked down this ship; none of you can escape. Stay here obediently until the werewolf leader finishes wiping out the resistance on Gemini. Then we will go to Earth together, eliminate Earth's armed forces, and you people can continue your jobs, leading those humans to serve the Sea Wolf Galaxy."

Li Qi smiled, "Why should we escape? The conditions here are quite good. It's not too late to leave after watching the grand finale of this Gemini tour."

At that moment, An Ming received alerts from the ship and rushed over with his men. They used their weapons to herd us together. An Ming walked up to Liu Xue and said, "Liu Xue, don't be afraid, I won't harm you. For your sake, I would gladly give up the wealth and status I am owed. As long as you cooperate quietly, you will be fine."

"Pah!" Liu Xue spat at An Ming, entirely unladylike. An Ming wasn't angry; he wiped his face and stepped away from Liu Xue. He addressed us: "Don't move, or these weapons won't be polite to you. This is space; all flight systems on the ship are locked down. Don't think about escaping, or you'll only explode in space. Once the Sea Wolf fleet completes its mission, you will be free."

Li Qi questioned, "What if we refuse to help you clean up Earth's affairs? Will you kill us right now?"

An Jie said helplessly, "For the sake of the bigger picture, I really will have to act. Qiqi, don't force my hand."

Li Qi gestured toward the sofa in front of her to An Jie. "Sit down. Let's talk about your An family matters."

An Jie couldn't figure out what Li Qi intended, but since her bodyguards were subdued by his own people, he should logically hold the dominant position. Yet, in reality, he felt like he was being led by the nose. After thinking it over, An Jie sat down, believing there was no need to conceal anything further at this stage.

"Qiqi, actually, our An family is the spy contingent the Sea Wolf people planted on Earth. Our mission was to monitor Earth's development and, at the appropriate time, guide the Sea Wolf people to seize the results of your construction efforts. Simultaneously, we were tasked with finding the long-lost Heart of the Universe within the Solar System."

"Heart of the Universe?" The women looked confused.

An Jie, who remained a courteous gentleman when facing Li Qi, explained, "Yes. Based on the information I've accessed, the Heart of the Universe should be what you call the Energy Heart—the energy stones. They contain the universe's most potent power, a force that can dominate any weapon and easily destroy any star system. I know you used those four energy stones on the Hope warship, but Earthlings have never seen that vessel. As long as you hand over those four energy stones, you will be free."

Li Qi stated, "So that was your goal. Has two hundred years not been enough time for you to integrate into Earthling society? Getting the Heart of the Universe is absolutely impossible, and not a single energy crystal mine on Gemini will be taken by you!"

An Jie pleaded, "Qiqi, look at the situation! You are still so stubborn. Having the Heart of the Universe in your hands is a complete waste of its potential. Trading them for your lives is the wise choice. Listen to me, I like you; I wouldn't harm you."

Li Qi replied, "I'm sorry, I already have a husband I like. And who says the Heart of the Universe is a waste in our hands? You'll soon see just how much use it has."

"What do you mean?" An Jie was perplexed. "Did you foresee the werewolf invasion?"

Fang Yanmeng retorted, "Do you think we are all fools? Is your An family the only clever one in this entire universe?"

An Ming snapped, "Shut up! Or I'll have someone blow your head off!"

Fang Yanmeng shot back, "Fine. If you have the guts to fire that gun, try it!"

The trusted subordinates of the An family were all using the Federation's latest multi-function rifles, capable of firing large-caliber bullets, shooting twenty crossbow bolts, functioning as flamethrowers or laser guns, and even emitting an electric net to instantly capture resistors. However, this gun had an unknown secret: its functions could be locked down by the onboard computer system.

Upon hearing Fang Yanmeng's challenge, the An family subordinates quickly checked their guns, and their faces immediately changed. "Our guns are disabled! How can this be? We've never heard of this happening!"

An Jie knew the situation brooked no delay. First, these hostages could be used to exchange for the Heart of the Universe; second, Earth still needed them to manage things to serve the werewolves. "Throw your guns down and seize them!"

Bang bang! Li Qi's bodyguards took action. Four people held off more than twenty without showing any sign of defeat. Seeing the situation turn critical, An Ming let out a cry, and his body instantly began to change. Suddenly, a flash of white light and a flash of blue light erupted, and the werewolves before them shattered limb by limb, falling dead.

My two laser swords moved out simultaneously. These werewolves possessed no power to resist. The flames from the two swords pressed against An Ming from the front and back, cornering him. His ears had just started to stretch out when the shock made him pull them back in. "You... who are you?"

I retracted the laser swords. "Zhao Qian!"

Upon hearing this, both An Jie and An Ming collapsed. "We've been tricked! What are you going to do to us?"

I replied, "Nothing much. Just let you watch a show. Don't worry, I won't kill you; otherwise, who would contact Spar?"

An Jie demanded of Li Qi, "You lied to me. The Earth Federation doesn't lack interstellar combat capability; you deliberately concealed it from the Earthlings."

Li Qi explained, "Star warfare has little to do with ordinary citizens, so there was no need to inform them to avoid causing panic. Didn't you want to know if the Heart of the Universe has any effect on us? Just watch closely."

An Ming looked up at me and asked, "What do you intend to do with us? Forcing us to lie to the Spar leader is absolutely out of the question. And what about our families back on Earth?"

I assured him, "Relax, I have no need to use you to trick the werewolves. This battle must be fought so that the werewolves are completely convinced. As for your families on Earth, they are fine, but two hundred years without correcting your aggressive mindset means you cannot escape some form of punishment."

"Hmph," An Ming sneered, "We are well aware of Earth's technological development. Even with some recent leaps, you couldn't possibly have that many warships available. You had better release us, or the ten thousand werewolf battleships will be more than you can handle."

I replied, "Alright. We'll take it one step at a time, like watching a play unfold."