"Administrator... I can fix it. I'll revise it right away!" Norris-Bari stammered in fear.
But just then, he saw a squad of marines escorting the rest of the Social and Cultural Department into the room! Seeing the heavily armed soldiers, Bari's panic intensified.
"No, you all did an excellent job. I had originally considered awakening a master-level sociologist to assist you, but you managed to complete the task yourselves. It only confirms for me once again—this so-called class division means nothing. It's merely based on one's status when they boarded the ship. Even those from the lower ranks can reach mastery." Tang Xiao spoke calmly, his expression unreadable behind a faint smile.
Bari was too frightened to speak, and honestly, he had no idea how to respond to this sudden praise.
"But…" Tang Xiao's tone shifted, "you're all being dismissed from the Social and Cultural Department. I will awaken more suitable individuals to lead and staff the department. As for you, your names will be erased from all records. No one will ever know you existed."
Bari collapsed to his knees with a thud. "Administrator, we haven't done anything wrong!"
"Of course you haven't. On the contrary, you've created a flawless history. But with that comes the burden of bearing it. From this day forward, you will become 'Guardians of History'—the creators and custodians of our legacy. In return, you will have everything—every physical and spiritual pleasure imaginable," Tang Xiao explained, sweeping his eyes across the stunned group.
He continued, "However, you will never again be allowed to contact anyone else. Anyone who has interacted with you will either be imprisoned forever or eliminated. I will build you a hidden sanctuary—luxurious to the limits of my power. That will be your home for the rest of your lives."
Norris-Bari sighed deeply. "I understand. We will become your greatest secret… the ones who carry the weight of this history."
"Exactly. That is the weight of history," Tang Xiao said as he stood and embraced Bari. Then, he embraced each of the other ten members. Finally, he stood before them and bowed deeply. "I'm counting on you."
"It is our honor, Administrator," Bari and the others bowed in return, their voices solemn. "To witness the birth of the Fourth Civilization is our highest glory."
Tang Xiao watched silently as the eleven 'Guardians of History' were escorted away by the marines. He inhaled deeply, his gaze sharpening.
The Fourth Civilization—that was the identity, the belief, he had forged for himself and everyone aboard the mothership. Bari was absolutely right: a people's history shapes its values and worldview. And in the war-torn universe of Star Wars, those values could not be peaceful.
Hence, the Fourth Civilization was born.
He needed to instill in every citizen a visceral, bone-deep sense of crisis.
In the fabricated history they had crafted, Earth's civilization had suffered three apocalyptic calamities—the Void Demons, the Purge Protocol, and a Higher-Dimensional Invasion. The survivors had followed the mothership to this place.
They would rebuild. They would rise again. The scars of those three cataclysms—scars that had led to the collapse of all civilization—would fuel a relentless desire: to survive, to thrive beyond their former glory, and to never be invaded again.
And the only way to avoid being destroyed by disaster…
Was to become the disaster.
Yes—now, they would define themselves as the Fourth Calamity, the survivors of the past and founders of the Fourth Civilization. Survival and expansion were the only paths. Conquest and dominance their ultimate goals. Nothing would stand in their way.
To the average person, this might seem like a fantasy story—something you could turn into a webnovel to make some side money.
But Tang Xiao had the power to make this story into history—to turn fiction into a tool that shaped the thoughts and values of every person under his rule. That was the power of authority. And with the technologies, ships, and possibly even heroes from other civilizations in his grasp, he had all the proof he needed to make the lie believable.
He would weave a vast, tragic dream for them all—one that would lead every soul here into a new war.
The Clone Wars.
From this moment on, they were no longer refugees.
They were the Fourth Civilization, born of Earth.
"Mainframe, upload this file to the database. This will be our official history. Begin subconscious suggestion during the cryosleep of all citizens—guide them to believe this history. Fragment the content—let everyone recall only small, scattered pieces," Tang Xiao instructed.
[Understood. Executing now,] replied the mainframe.
"And… rebuild the Social and Cultural Department," Tang Xiao added. He selected an elite-level educator and an elite-level sociologist from the cryosleep roster, paired them with a few teachers, and woke them all up. Now, they would begin compiling history textbooks. That was what this department was meant to do.
A little while later, Daphne-Clement came over. "Dubrak Quinto wishes to speak with you, Administrator."
Tang Xiao stood up. "Bring him in. It's about time—I've been wanting to speak with him as well."
Soon, Dubrak Quinto and Mars Felassi entered the room. They were now dressed in clean, neatly pressed clothes provided by Tang Xiao's people. Well-fed and well-rested, they looked nothing like the haggard explorers they had been.
The two men hesitated briefly until Tang Xiao gestured for them to sit. Cautiously, they seated themselves across from him. Quinto spoke carefully, "Honorable Administrator, I don't know who you are or where you come from, and I won't pry. But I must tell you—we came to the Endor system on a mission, and the time is nearly up. Could you please let us return?"
During the past few days, Quinto and the others had grown deeply wary of Tang Xiao's faction. The massive mothership, the highly trained soldiers, and the abundance of specialized professionals—it all spoke to a force far beyond the norm.
From any angle, they were no ordinary power. They had serious backing.
"What mission?" Tang Xiao asked.
"You know—we work for the Hutts over on Tatooine. We run… logistical errands for them—smuggling, that kind of thing. Our cargo this time came from Endor—uh, I mean, Liminis—furs, gemstones, and some… uh, dried Ewok meat," Quinto explained. He had learned that Tang Xiao had renamed Endor to Liminis.