Long ago when I had free time to read, I read a boom with a very similar plot. The aliens were soft and balloon like and couldn’t fight but they had amazing technologies. They took the world’s best special forces and went to go do the mission.

During the trio to the AO, the humans hacked the aliens computers. It was easy because the aliens thought humans were stupid. Like you wouldn’t put a very complex lock on a monkeys cage right?

The humans discovered the target was actually a peaceful race that had tons of resources the balloon aliens wanted.

Cannot remember the title, but thanks for reminding me of the slightly less shitty portion of my life. Peace.