Chapter 360: Large-Scale Educational Program

After the meeting concluded, Jason walked out of the conference room, feeling dizzy and overwhelmed. The sheer volume of information presented was staggering.

Everyone shared the same immediate impression.

A Tier-K civilization... it was hard to summarize in a single sentence. Humanity had witnessed many strange things across the stars, but the sheer self-destructive madness of the Planet Dige civilization could fill an entire volume on societal collapse.

Jason pondered the matter in silence before letting out a melancholic sigh. "The gap between a Tier-K civilization and a Tier-L civilization isn’t just measured in technological advancement—it is fundamentally rooted in ideology.

Even if we suddenly handed them the industrial productivity of an interstellar civilization, they wouldn’t have the maturity to wield it. They would simply destroy themselves faster."

"That scientist, Luther... what a tragedy. He was too idealistic. He didn’t do anything inherently wrong; he was just an academic trapped in an ivory tower with an overly rigid, meticulous worldview."

"He genuinely assumed the entire global population would think as rationally and objectively as he did, and that they would uncover the scientific truth behind their false gods. He never imagined his efforts would culminate in global annihilation."

Walking beside him, Austin nodded in somber agreement. "It is like handing a destitute beggar an astronomical lottery jackpot. Lacking the financial discipline and wisdom to manage it, the sudden wealth only destroys them."

"Luther was an exceptional talent... what a waste," Austin sighed repeatedly, genuine sorrow in his voice. "If he had been born into a civilization like ours, his brilliance would have truly flourished. Instead, he failed to fix his broken world, accelerated its demise, and ended up taking his own life."

Jason shared the sentiment, but the dead could not return. He shook his head. "If I had been in Luther’s position, could I have corrected such a distorted religious civilization? I have turned the problem over in my mind, and I still have no viable solution."

"A cultural momentum built over a hundred thousand years is an unstoppable tide. No single individual can turn it back.

It is a nearly impossible task unless a civilization produces waves of visionary reformers over centuries, a succession of Renaissances and Scientific Enlightenments to systematically dismantle religious dogma."

Jason gave a self-deprecating smile and waved his hand dismissively. "Let us set that aside for now. The data we recovered confirms Gaia’s existence beyond doubt. The real challenge now is figuring out how to secure it."

"The electromagnetic frequencies Luther identified are ubiquitous in their archives, and our intelligence teams have isolated them. Our immediate task is to decode these signals, initiate communication, entice the entity, and either capture it... or convince it to accompany us willingly."

"My primary concern is whether it has a localized physical core. If the entire global ocean constitutes its single organism, capturing it becomes impossible. We cannot simply drain an entire planet’s oceans. We need to locate a central core."

Austin gestured with a troubled look, his voice tight with concern. "Jason, if your precognitive instincts are warning you of an imminent annihilation-level catastrophe, we should withdraw immediately! We don’t have to capture the Gaia entity here."

"If the risk is truly that severe, abandoning the operation is our safest move."

Jason shook his head. Handing a data tablet to Austin, he said, "Review the technical readouts again. With its nanometer-level matter manipulation and atomic-scale fabrication capabilities, are you truly prepared to abandon this prize and run?"

"A biological production engine of this scale makes me suspect it is a natural, planetary-scale L-3 lifeform. If we tame this Gaia organism, the Federation’s industrial manufacturing output could surge tenfold, perhaps even a hundredfold."

"Besides, my instincts tell me the impending danger isn’t being triggered by Gaia itself; there must be an external factor. I cannot justify abandoning this breakthrough without at least attempting contact."

Austin let out a quiet breath. He didn’t press the objection; he understood Jason’s ambition. An innate biological trait capable of precise atomic assembly was an ability that would make even advanced interstellar civilizations envious.

Conversing in low voices, the two stepped aboard a planetary shuttle.

The transport had recently arrived from deep space, carrying an assortment of Senior Scientists, systems engineers, and two diplomatic officials: Peter and his department colleague.

The two officials had largely served as figureheads in the diplomatic corps, yet today they had eagerly volunteered for the front lines, likely treating the deployment as a high-stakes sightseeing excursion. Jason had approved their transfer without dwelling on it.

The two genetically identical officials sat in the passenger cabin, excitedly whispering about their historic diplomatic assignment: initiating first contact with the Sea God Umorlu!

"Umorlu sounds far too barbaric. Why don’t we just call it Gaia?" Peter asked enthusiastically.

"Gaia denotes Earth in classical mythology, so that doesn’t fit either!" his colleague countered.

"What about naming it the Ocean Maiden? Do you think this mass of algae could condense into a humanoid form... maybe even a stunning woman? Imagine the possibilities..." The two broke into quiet, suggestive chuckles.

Though they kept their voices barely above a breath, Jason’s enhanced physical senses picked up every word clearly.

His brow furrowed, and he cleared his throat with a sharp, dry cough.

The two men froze instantly, chills breaking out across their arms.

Having governed the Federation for decades, Jason naturally commanded an intimidating presence. A single, direct glance was enough to make the two diplomats shrink back into their seats. His colleague, in particular, seemed utterly terrified of Jason.

They immediately straightened up, schooling their expressions into masks of deep, scholarly contemplation.

"What do you propose our opening strategy should be?" Peter asked abruptly, turning the spotlight entirely onto his partner.

The diplomat was caught off guard, glaring at Peter in silent annoyance for tossing him into the fire. His face flushed bright red under the pressure.

Admitting ignorance in front of the Supreme Commander was out of the question. Squinting hard, he scrambled for an answer until a sudden spark of inspiration struck.

Clearing his throat, the diplomat adopted a solemn, authoritative tone. "Our primary approach must be... education!"

"We must educate it systematically!"

"This Sea God entity is functionally a nascent intelligence, much like an infant that was unintentionally exposed to the toxic behavior of the Planet Dige natives. However, an infant’s worldview is entirely malleable, and its behavioral habits can easily be reshaped. We need to provide it with proper, civilized guidance!"

"...Notice how it has remained completely dormant over the past few days? It is highly probable that it is quietly observing our forces and analyzing the broad-spectrum electromagnetic signals our military is transmitting."

"We must seize this window to direct its intellectual growth! If we guide its cognitive patterns toward human logic or even convince it that it belongs among humanity, our objective is secured. It will willingly board our starships without resistance."

Jason raised an eyebrow, the sternness in his expression softening. He remained silent, but inwardly approved.

The proposal aligned directly with the conclusions drawn during the strategic briefing. It seemed these diplomatic functionaries were capable of practical analysis when pressured.

The primary unknown remained Gaia’s developmental speed. If its foundational worldview was still in its embryonic stage, human intervention could successfully correct its ideological trajectory.

A sentient being’s cognitive framework does not form in a vacuum, nor does it grasp advanced concepts like calculus by pure instinct. Rapid intellectual maturation requires exposure to an organized society and structured interactions.

If a human infant were confined to an isolated chamber with only sustenance provided, devoid of education and social contact, it would mature into nothing more than a feral beast guided by primal instincts. It would lack the capacity for language or reasoned thought.

Similarly, a duckling raised exclusively among chickens will grow up believing itself to be a chicken.

Although the Gaia organism evolved at a terrifying pace, it had never undergone structured, systematic education. The Federation still had a golden opportunity to mold its consciousness.

The optimal objective was simple: condition Gaia to perceive itself as human.

Cultivating a human-centric identity would permanently neutralize any risk of future rebellion. If the entity identified with humanity, serving the Federation would feel completely natural. At the very least, its core values and ethical framework had to mirror human civilization.

"Therefore, this comprehensive educational directive is fully approved," Jason concluded.