Getting a Technology System in Modern Day

872  The Second Coming

Time waited for no one, moving forward unbound by the events of the universe. Finally, the day of the second mana stone exchange arrived.

A welcoming fleet stood ready in an empty patch of space, patiently awaiting the arrival of the representatives. This was both a customary gesture and a security measure, though this time, the fleet was more than four times larger than at the last exchange. The reason was simple—the exact number of arriving ships remained unknown, but the empire was certain it would be at least triple the previous turnout. The increased mana stone quotas required a greater volume of materials for exchange, and, in addition, the Conclave representatives were expected to bring their own products to sell to the empire.

As the agreed time for arrival approached, the crew aboard the welcoming fleet remained on high alert. There was always the possibility that the Conclave forces would emerge from the wormholes with weapons blazing, and until both sides knew each other well enough to establish true trust, such precautions were necessary.

The countdown ticked away—five seconds, then four, then three, two—tick. The moment arrived.

Without even a second’s delay, the ship’s sensors detected a spatial fissure, the telltale precursor to a wormhole opening. Moments later, multiple wormholes materialized, revealing the fleets beyond them before sealing shut just as quickly.