"And look at these internal memorandums," Silver Moon said as she uncovered another stack of documents. "The government had already decided long ago that war was the only solution. They believe that only by completely defeating Tana II can they secure full control over the asteroid."
Rowan continued reading, only to discover even more disturbing information. One file, marked TOP SECRET, revealed that Tana I had already signed weapons procurement agreements with several off-world arms dealers and was preparing to acquire advanced weapon systems far beyond its current technological capabilities.
"These weapons are far beyond anything they currently possess," Silver Moon said as she analyzed the technical specifications. "If they're deployed, Tana II won't stand a chance."
"More importantly," Rowan said grimly, "these weapons could cause irreversible ecological damage across the entire star system. They clearly haven't considered the consequences."
"We're out of time," Silver Moon warned. "The security systems will return to normal any minute."
The two quickly returned every document to its original place, making absolutely certain they left no trace behind. Their infiltration had gone flawlessly. Not a single alarm had been triggered.
Back at the hotel, neither of them could shake the weight of what they had discovered. The truth they had uncovered had completely overturned everything they had previously believed about the conflict.
"So now we know the truth," Rowan concluded. "Tana II has genuinely been seeking a peaceful resolution from the beginning. Tana I, meanwhile, wants war so it can claim all the benefits for itself."
"That makes tomorrow's meeting with Tana II's envoy even more important," Silver Moon said. "We need to understand their true intentions."
"Exactly." Rowan nodded firmly. "We have to stop this unnecessary war. The truth must come to light, and peace must be preserved."
The next morning, Minister Carlisle personally arrived at the hotel to see Rowan and Silver Moon off. According to the arrangements, they would travel aboard a medium-sized transport vessel to Tana II and meet with its diplomatic representatives.
"Special Envoy," Carlisle said earnestly as they stood on the landing platform, "this meeting is of enormous importance to us. I hope you'll see the true nature of Tana II."
"Please rest assured," Rowan replied calmly, fully aware of the truth he had discovered the previous night. "We will evaluate their sincerity objectively and fairly."
"This vessel is equipped with the latest communication systems," Carlisle said, gesturing toward the transport ship behind him. "You may contact us at any time. If you encounter any trouble, we will provide immediate assistance."
Silver Moon noticed that although the ship appeared to be a civilian transport vessel, it was equipped with a surprising amount of military hardware.
"This ship's defensive capabilities are impressive," she quietly transmitted to Rowan.
"It seems they're nervous about this meeting as well," Rowan replied.
The ship's captain, an experienced middle-aged man named Marcus, briefly explained their flight plan.
"It'll take approximately six hours to reach Tana II. We'll be taking the safest route available."
"The safest route?" Silver Moon asked.
"Yes," Marcus explained. "We'll avoid the military confrontation zones between the two planets. It'll take slightly longer, but it minimizes unnecessary risks."
As the ship traveled smoothly through space, Rowan and Silver Moon sat in the passenger cabin, watching the stars while discussing the evidence they had uncovered.
"Based on everything we've learned," Rowan said, "Tana II has genuinely been pursuing peace. Today's meeting should confirm that."
"But I still feel something doesn't add up," Silver Moon said thoughtfully. "If Tana I never intended to negotiate, why did they agree to let us meet Tana II's envoy?"
"Perhaps they believed they could use us to deliver a stronger message," Rowan speculated. "Or perhaps they wanted us to witness Tana II's so-called hypocrisy."
"Either way," Silver Moon reminded him, "we have to remain neutral. The truth will reveal itself eventually."
The ship continued its journey peacefully through the void. According to Captain Marcus, they were about three hours away from Tana II when, upon entering the neutral zone between the two worlds, the ship's alarm system suddenly activated.
"Unknown aircraft detected," Marcus reported tensely. "They appear to be military fighters."
Rowan and Silver Moon immediately hurried to the bridge. Through the viewing ports, they could see three fighters rapidly approaching. Judging by their design, they were clearly military aircraft belonging to Tana II.
"They're hailing us," the communications officer reported.
"Put them through," Marcus ordered.
A cold voice soon echoed through the bridge.
"Unidentified vessel. You have entered the defensive zone of Tana II. Stop immediately and submit to inspection."
"This is a diplomatic mission from the Galactic Peace Organization," Marcus responded. "We have been invited by the government of Tana II for diplomatic negotiations."
"We have received no notification regarding any diplomatic delegation," the voice replied, becoming even more severe. "Stop your vessel immediately, or we will take enforcement action."
Rowan and Silver Moon exchanged a glance. Something about this situation felt deeply wrong.
"Perhaps it's a communication delay," Silver Moon suggested. "Or a failure within their military command structure."
"Continue negotiating," Rowan told Marcus. "Our visit was officially authorized."
Marcus tried again.
"We possess official diplomatic documentation verifying our identity and purpose. Please contact your superiors for confirmation."
But the response shocked everyone aboard.
"Our scanners indicate that your vessel carries weapons systems, which violates diplomatic regulations. This is your final warning. Stop and submit to inspection immediately."
Marcus checked the ship's systems in confusion.
"We do carry defensive weapons, but that's standard protocol for diplomatic missions."
"They're deliberately creating trouble," Silver Moon said quietly. "This isn't normal."
At that moment, the three fighters suddenly accelerated and assumed attack formation. They spread out, surrounding the transport vessel from three different directions.
"Warning! Enemy craft have entered attack position!"
The ship's defense systems blared urgently.
"What the hell is happening?" Marcus gripped the controls tightly. "Are they really going to attack a diplomatic delegation?"
"Prepare evasive maneuvers," Rowan ordered calmly. "But do not return fire."
The fighters of Tana II seemed to have lost patience. The lead pilot issued a final declaration.
"You have refused inspection procedures. We now classify you as hostile. Commencing attack."
"What?!" Marcus shouted in disbelief. "Have they lost their minds?"
The first laser beam shot from the lead fighter, striking the transport ship's shields directly. The impact shook the entire vessel.
"Shield strength reduced by twenty percent," the technician reported.
The other two fighters immediately joined the attack. Laser fire and missiles flashed through the darkness of space, transforming the once-peaceful region into a battlefield.
"Something's wrong," Rowan observed carefully. "Their attack pattern is too controlled."
Silver Moon noticed it as well.
"You're right. If they truly wanted to destroy us, they could have done it already."
"You mean they're putting on a show?" Marcus asked in confusion.
"Very likely," Rowan replied. "This feels like a test. Or an attempt to manufacture a pretext."
Just then, the transport ship received an encrypted transmission. The source was Tana I.
"Special Envoys! Are you under attack?" Minister Carlisle's anxious voice came through the speakers. "Our sensors show that your vessel is being assaulted."
"We are indeed under attack by Tana II fighters," Marcus immediately reported. "They refused to recognize our diplomatic status."
"This is outrageous!" Carlisle exclaimed angrily. "Attacking a diplomatic mission is a grave war crime. We're dispatching a rescue fleet immediately."
"That's unnecessary," Rowan interrupted. "We'll handle this ourselves."
After ending the transmission, Rowan turned to Silver Moon.
"Do you feel it too? Something about this entire situation is wrong."
"I do," she agreed. "Tana II invited us, yet their military attacks us. And Carlisle's response came far too quickly."
"I think this is a trap," Rowan said coldly. "Someone wants to destroy any possibility of peace."
Outside, the attack continued. But as Rowan had observed, it looked more like a performance than a genuine assault. The fighters controlled their firepower with extreme precision, enough to create the illusion of danger without actually destroying the transport.
"We're taking the initiative," Rowan decided.
"What are you planning?" Silver Moon asked.
"I'm going to disable them directly. No killing. I want prisoners."
He walked to the airlock.
In front of Marcus and the stunned crew, Rowan opened the hatch and stepped outside.
"Special Envoy, have you gone insane?!" Marcus shouted. "It's a vacuum!"
But what happened next left everyone speechless.
Rowan survived effortlessly in the vacuum of space.
Then, like a bolt of lightning, he shot toward the nearest fighter.
"How is that possible?" the crew stared in utter disbelief.
Silver Moon smiled quietly from inside the ship.
"This is the true strength of the Galactic Peace Organization's mediators."
Rowan's speed was terrifying. In an instant, he reached the first fighter. Without using any weapons, he disabled its propulsion system using telekinetic force alone.
"Craft One has lost power! Repeat, Craft One has lost power!" the terrified pilot shouted.
A moment later, Rowan charged toward the second fighter. This time, he directly seized control of its flight path with his psychic abilities, rendering it completely helpless.
"Craft Two is out of control! Requesting support!" the second pilot cried in panic.
Witnessing what happened to his comrades, the third pilot was utterly horrified. He immediately ceased fire and attempted to flee.
But Rowan was faster than the fighter itself.
He caught up effortlessly.
"Don't kill me! Please don't kill me!" the pilot screamed. "I was only following orders!"
Rowan did not harm him. Instead, he used his telekinetic powers to immobilize all three fighters, leaving them suspended in formation in the vacuum of space.
Then he returned to the transport ship.
"Now," Rowan said through the communications channel, "let's have a proper conversation. I want to know who ordered you to attack us."
"W-we were only following orders," the lead pilot stammered. "Our superiors told us you were spies from Tana I."
"What superiors? Who exactly?"
"It was... General Raymond, commander of the regional military district," the pilot confessed. "He said your identities were suspicious and ordered us to intercept you."
"General Raymond?" Silver Moon immediately searched their intelligence database. "According to our records, he's one of Tana II's military hardliners and has consistently advocated war against Tana I."
"Then this really was a trap," Rowan concluded. "Someone intended to use this attack to destroy any chance of peace."
"So what do we do now?" Marcus asked.
"We continue to Tana II," Rowan answered without hesitation. "Our mission is to achieve peace. We won't be stopped by tricks like this."
He contacted the three fighters again.
"I'm giving you a choice. Either escort us to Tana II, or I'll personally deliver you there."
"W-we'll escort you," the pilots answered immediately.
And so, under the "protection" of three Tana II fighters, the transport vessel resumed its journey.
The absurdity of the situation left Marcus and his crew speechless.
"The Special Envoy's strength is unbelievable," one crewman whispered. "He survived in vacuum and disabled three fighters by himself."
"Now I understand why the Galactic Peace Organization sent them," another said with awe. "With power like that, they can force both sides to listen."
Two hours later, Tana II finally came into view.
Unlike the oceanic world of Tana I, this was a planet dominated by continents. Its surface was a mixture of brown and green, marked by vast mountain ranges and endless plains.
Where Tana I felt graceful and maritime, Tana II projected something entirely different.
Strength.
Endurance.
And the unyielding spirit of a world built upon the land.
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