Starting as a Wallfacer, his defection to the Three-Body Problem shocked the world.

Chapter 261 Bait

Thomas Wade's addition undoubtedly boosted everyone's confidence in what was to come.

Regardless of whether what he did was right or wrong, his name will forever be an indelible legend in human history.

"Alright, enough with the pleasantries. I need to reiterate our plan to ensure everything goes smoothly."

Yun Tianming gestured to the two guards to untie Thomas Wade, then moved a chair for him and sat down next to him.

Wade didn't stand on ceremony at all, sitting down casually. To make himself more comfortable, he even put both legs on the table, not treating himself like an outsider at all.

"Tell me about it, I'm actually quite curious too. What have you guys been plotting all these years, hiding in this corner? If Lin Xuan hadn't spoken to me back then, I would have actually considered sending a fleet to wipe you all out during my time as the Swordholder."

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces darkened.

Although this sounds unbelievable, for some reason, everyone feels that maybe he really would have done this back then if he didn't have Lin Xuan.

"Then you've really become a space orphan now. At least we can talk to you and keep you entertained," Chang Weisi teased.

"That's true."

"Getting back to the point, the First Fleet's fuel is no longer sufficient to allow us to reach any planet, so for all these years, we have been drifting along in the Oort Cloud like space debris."

"At least if we die here, the Earth Federation will still collect our bodies out of humanitarian considerations."

Yun Tianming displayed the fleet's fuel inventory data on the screen.

The First Fleet originally had several thousand ships, but unfortunately, to ensure the normal operation of the flagship, someone always had to make a sacrifice.

The fleet is now less than one-fifth of its original size.

This includes the batch of fuel that Chang Weisi replenished later.

Otherwise, the losses to the entire fleet would have been several times greater than they are now.

But no matter what, this method is ultimately a short-sighted solution. If they don't leave this place soon, becoming space debris will be their ultimate fate.

"We need a lot of fuel, enough to get us to the next gas giant where we can collect fuel. This goal remains unchanged."

Yun Tianming tapped his fingers on the table repeatedly, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

Wade slowly straightened up, and after a moment's thought, he realized the key point.

"Let me guess, is a delivery arriving?"

"You guys aren't planning to rob the Second Fleet of all its fuel, are you? Then you'll step over their corpses and head to your new homeland?"

Yun Tianming remained noncommittal.

"Sort of, but I have a more detailed plan that will allow me to take them down without bloodshed."

"That would be perfect. I've killed too many people in my life, and I don't want to commit any more needless killings. Otherwise, I'll go to hell."

Everyone fell silent.

They really wanted to ask this guy a question.

"Have you killed a fair number of people in your life?"

"However, there are two difficulties in this matter, and we have not yet come up with a concrete solution."

Yun Tianming spoke, once again drawing everyone's attention back to himself.

"The first question is how to ensure that the Second Fleet will definitely come to us. After all, the Trisolaran civilization has now completely disappeared from this world. In other words, the Second Fleet is now free. Will they choose to drift in this vast universe like us?"

"If that's the case, then all our preparations have been in vain, and we'll all just be waiting to die here."

“This doesn’t seem too difficult. Quantum communication hasn’t been broken, right? You should still be able to contact the Second Fleet.” Wade looked at Yun Tianming, waiting for his answer.

"I can contact them, but my authority probably isn't enough to order them here. We're too close to the solar system. Lin Xuan's return has terrified them. These guys have nightmares just hearing Lin Xuan's name now. What do you expect me to use to trick them into coming here before?"

Wade was silent for a moment, then suddenly stood up and looked at Yun Tianming with a shocked expression.

"You fucking think I'm part of the bait too?"

Yun Tianming said it didn't work before, but he didn't say it doesn't work now.

The biggest difference between now and before is that there's just one more person.

But Wade quickly calmed down and sat back down in his chair.

"No, the Trisolarans are an absolutely rational civilization. They would even betray their own mothers to achieve their goals. I don't believe the Second Fleet would make a special trip to find me just to get their home planet that was bombed. There must be other interests that would force me to be the bait, right?"

"bingo!"

Yun Tianming smiled and sent a document to Wade.

"I don't know whether to congratulate you or advise you to think more positively. You're worth a lot now, the bounty is higher than Lin Xuan's and mine combined!"

"Do you remember why the Trisolaran civilization withdrew in the first place? That's right, they signed a vassalage treaty with a Type 3 civilization and were willing to join the Federation."

"But things took an unexpected turn. You ended up killing the federal commissioner, that guy named Zeko, in the process."

"What the hell does this have to do with me?"

As Vader looked at the document, the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily. He never expected that he would be the first person in all of humanity to come into the Federation's view.

Yun Tianming patted him on the shoulder and laughed.

"Do you even care about the feelings of an ant? Remember that saying? What does it matter to you if it's destroyed?"

"However, they're not looking for you for revenge. Advanced civilizations aren't that bored. They seem to admire you. In their eyes, you're a rather interesting toy."

"Do you think that if we hand you over, we can get the protection of a federal civilization in return?"

"No."

Wade answered decisively.

“If I could, I would go to that damned Carbon-Based Federation right now without you having to tell me. You said it yourself, I’m just an interesting toy in their eyes, which is no different from anyone else in essence. You’re hoping to use me to get their protection, but you might as well believe that I can withstand the Dark Forest’s attack with my own head.”

As he spoke, Wade reached into his pocket for a cigarette, only to find it empty.

"Damn it."

Seeing this, Chang Weisi, who was standing nearby, quickly offered him a cigarette.

Chang Weisi himself doesn't smoke, but ever since he became acquainted with Shi Qiang, the old guy would always ask him for a cigarette.

Over time, he started carrying a pack of cigarettes with him.

"It's unlikely, but they also have no other choice."