"Impossible!"
The soldiers of Tana Prime stared in horror, unable to comprehend the terrifying power they had just witnessed.
"Retreat! Retreat immediately!" the flagship commander shouted in panic. "This is not an ordinary enemy!"
But Rowan had no intention of letting them escape so easily.
"If you dare attack a diplomatic mission, then you will bear the consequences!"
He accelerated through the vacuum of space, pursuing the fleeing warships. His speed far exceeded theirs, and within moments he had caught up to the vessels at the rear of the formation.
The blade of pure energy swung once more.
A brilliant arc of light swept through the darkness.
Five warships exploded simultaneously.
"Mercy! We surrender!"
Desperate signals began pouring in from the surviving ships.
"We were only following orders! Please spare us!"
Rowan finally stopped.
He floated silently in the void, staring coldly at the remaining fleet.
"Following orders?" His voice echoed directly into every warship through psychic force. "Was attacking a diplomatic delegation also just following orders?"
"W-we really were only carrying out commands," a trembling voice replied. "We didn't know it was wrong."
"Ignorance is not an excuse," Rowan said sternly. "But since you are soldiers following orders, I will give you one final chance."
"W-what chance?"
"Return to Tana Prime immediately," Rowan declared, his voice carrying an authority that could not be challenged. "Tell your superiors that the Galactic Peace Organization will never tolerate anyone who destroys peace. If they attempt another provocation, the consequences will be beyond anything they can endure."
"Y-yes! We'll relay the message immediately!"
The surviving warships fled as though granted a pardon from death itself.
As they escaped toward Tana Prime, their sensors continued to detect that terrifying human figure still floating in space, watching them like an avatar of judgment.
When Rowan returned to the diplomatic vessel, everyone aboard stared at him with awe and fear.
What they had just witnessed was beyond anything they could understand.
"M-Mediator..." Prime Minister Morrison stammered. "Who exactly are you?"
"I am a mediator of the Galactic Peace Organization," Rowan replied calmly. "That is enough. Now, we need to discuss our response."
"Tana Prime has committed an act of war!" the Minister of Defense shouted angrily. "We must retaliate immediately!"
"No."
Rowan's answer was immediate.
"Violence only creates more violence. What we need is a peaceful solution."
"But they just attacked us!" Morrison protested.
"Precisely because of that," Rowan said seriously, "we must demonstrate our commitment to peace. Only then can the entire galaxy clearly see who truly protects peace and who starts wars."
Silvermoon nodded.
"The mediator is right. Our purpose is to stop wars, not participate in them."
"Then what should we do next?" Morrison asked.
Rowan thought for a moment.
"First, we will reveal everything that happened today to the entire star system, so everyone can see Tana Prime's true actions. Second, we will continue seeking a peaceful resolution, even if the other side refuses to cooperate."
"Do you still believe peace is possible?" the Foreign Minister asked pessimistically.
"As long as there is even a single chance," Rowan replied firmly, "we cannot give up. That is our duty as guardians of peace."
After returning to Tana II, Rowan immediately requested an emergency meeting.
Prime Minister Morrison, senior government officials, and the military high command all attended.
The atmosphere in the conference room was grim. Everyone was still processing the shocking events they had just experienced.
"What happened today has completely changed the situation," Rowan began. "Tana Prime's actions constitute severe war crimes. Attacking a diplomatic delegation, fabricating accusations, and attempting a surprise military strike are all clear violations of interstellar law."
"Mediator," the Defense Minister said, still shaken, "the power you displayed today was unbelievable. Are you truly just a mediator?"
"My identity is not important," Rowan replied seriously. "What matters is the organization and ideals I represent. The Galactic Peace Organization will never tolerate anyone who destroys peace."
Silvermoon added, "Today's events have already shown the entire star system who genuinely seeks peace and who seeks war."
"So what do we do now?" Morrison asked.
"They won't attack again," Rowan said confidently. "After today's lesson, they understand the consequences of further provocation. Now it's time for them to take responsibility."
"What do you mean?" the Foreign Minister asked.
Rowan stood and walked toward the conference room's large display screen.
"I am issuing Tana Prime a final ultimatum. They will take full responsibility for today's actions and immediately begin peace negotiations."
"A final ultimatum?" Morrison looked concerned. "Won't that escalate tensions further?"
"No," Silvermoon explained. "They're already terrified. The surviving commanders have undoubtedly reported everything they witnessed. Tana Prime's leadership will be forced to reevaluate the situation."
"And," Rowan continued, "this will not be an ordinary negotiation. I require their highest leader to personally sign the peace treaty."
"The highest leader?"
Everyone in the room stared in shock.
"Yes," Rowan said firmly. "The person responsible for Tana Prime's decisions must personally accept responsibility, apologize directly to Tana II, and sign a permanent peace agreement."
"Is that even possible?" Morrison asked in disbelief. "Having the supreme leader of an entire planet personally apologize would be unprecedented in diplomatic history."
"What happened today was also unprecedented," Rowan replied calmly. "Their attack on a diplomatic mission violated every international principle. Had I not intervened, the consequences would have been catastrophic."
"The mediator is right," the Defense Minister agreed. "They owe us both an explanation and an apology."
Rowan activated the interstellar communications system.
"Please record everything. This will become a historic moment."
The signal connected directly to Tana Prime's government headquarters.
Soon, a familiar voice answered.
But Carlisle no longer sounded arrogant.
"Mediator... regarding today's incident, we need to explain..."
"No explanation is necessary," Rowan interrupted coldly. "On behalf of the Galactic Peace Organization, I am issuing Tana Prime a final ultimatum."
Silence.
Clearly, Carlisle had not expected this opening.
"First: Tana Prime will accept full responsibility for attacking a diplomatic delegation and issue a formal apology to Tana II."
"Second: Tana Prime's highest leader will personally travel to Tana II within seventy-two hours to sign a permanent peace treaty."
"Third: Tana Prime will provide compensation for all losses caused by this conflict."
"Fourth: Both sides will establish a permanent peace mechanism, and neither side will ever initiate military conflict again."
Each sentence landed like a hammer blow.
"If Tana Prime fails to comply within the specified time," Rowan's voice grew even colder, "the Galactic Peace Organization will take all necessary measures to uphold justice and peace."
Urgent discussions erupted on the other end of the transmission.
Several minutes later, Carlisle returned. His voice was far more cautious than before.
"Mediator... we need time to consider your demands."
"There is no time."
Rowan's response was absolute.
"I made myself clear. Seventy-two hours. The countdown begins now."
"But requiring our highest leader to personally travel to Tana II... diplomatically speaking..."
"When you attacked a diplomatic delegation, did you consider diplomacy?" Silvermoon interrupted coldly. "And now you suddenly care about diplomatic protocol? Isn't that a little late?"
Silence fell again.
"I will say this one final time," Rowan declared. "Within seventy-two hours, Tana Prime's supreme leader will arrive on Tana II personally. Otherwise, you will bear the consequences."
He terminated the communication.
The conference room fell silent.
Everyone understood that the next seventy-two hours would determine the fate of both planets.
"Mediator," Morrison asked nervously, "do you think they'll accept?"
"They have no other choice," Rowan replied confidently. "After what happened today, they understand the cost of resistance."
"And if they refuse?" the Defense Minister asked.
"Then," Rowan said, a dangerous light flashing in his eyes, "they will learn what true power really means."
"But I don't believe it will come to that."
The entire Tana System waited for Tana Prime's response.
News spread rapidly across both worlds.
Everyone understood they were witnessing history.
On Tana Prime, fierce arguments erupted within the government.
"We cannot accept such humiliating conditions!" a general shouted, slamming his fist on the table. "For our supreme leader to personally apologize would be the greatest disgrace in our history!"
"But you saw the mediator's power," Carlisle replied bitterly. "He destroyed fifteen warships alone. If we continue this war, we have no chance of victory."
"Then we'll buy advanced weapons from the alien arms dealers!" another official argued. "We'll use superior technology against him!"
"Do you really believe the Galactic Peace Organization sent only two people?" Carlisle asked. "If they actually decide to use force, our entire planet could be destroyed."
The debate continued for an entire day.
But as time passed, reason gradually prevailed.
Especially after the surviving commanders gave detailed accounts of Rowan's terrifying strength, everyone finally understood the reality of their situation.
"We have no choice."
The supreme leader of Tana Prime, President Alexander Caesar, finally made his decision.
"We must accept their terms."
"Mr. President..."
"Enough."
President Caesar raised his hand, silencing all opposition.
"Continuing this conflict will only bring greater suffering to our people. As the leader of this planet, I have a responsibility to protect them."
With only six hours remaining before the deadline expired, Tana Prime finally responded.
This time, it was not Carlisle speaking.
It was President Caesar himself.
"Mediator of the Galactic Peace Organization," he said solemnly, "on behalf of the government of Tana Prime, I formally accept all of your conditions."
"I will personally travel to Tana II tonight to formally apologize to its people and sign a permanent peace treaty."
The moment his response ended, applause erupted throughout the government building on Tana II.
Everyone realized that peace had finally arrived.
"You did it, Mediator," Prime Minister Morrison said excitedly. "You really did it."
"This is only the first step," Rowan replied calmly. "The real challenge is ensuring that peace endures."
That evening, President Alexander Caesar arrived on Tana II aboard a diplomatic shuttle.
It was the first time in the history of either planet that one world's supreme leader had personally visited the other on an official state visit.
Tens of thousands of civilians gathered at the spaceport to witness the historic moment.
Yet surprisingly, there was no celebration of victory.
Instead, their faces reflected hope, relief, and a longing for peace.
The first person President Caesar saw after disembarking was Rowan.
"Mediator," he said, extending his hand, "thank you for helping me see the true face of war."
"Mr. President," Rowan replied as they shook hands, "your decision to come here proves your sincere desire for peace. That required great courage."
"Courage?"
President Caesar smiled bitterly.
"If I had possessed that courage earlier, perhaps none of this would have happened."
A formal apology ceremony was held in the grand hall of the government building.
Thousands of representatives from both planets attended, and the event was broadcast live across the entire Tana System.
Standing at the podium, President Caesar spoke solemnly:
"On behalf of the government and people of Tana Prime, I offer our deepest and most sincere apology to the government and people of Tana II for the grave mistakes we committed during this conflict."
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