WebNovels

Chapter 69 - Core Seed

Luna and Lideluri spent a month in the virtual world. During this time, the first episode of Luna's "Approaching Scholars" was released, but as she expected, the response was lukewarm.

After its online release, viewership reached only 780 million, even with Aurel's promotion.

Luna had anticipated this. These interview stories, similar to documentaries, rarely go viral.

This first episode served purely as experience for the third team. She would have them interview more famous scholars, incorporating aspects of their lives, such as luxury cars and mansions, to showcase their lavish lifestyles and generate views.

Luna's business account gained 261,000 followers after the first promotional run. Compared to other top video creators, with subscriber counts in the trillions, Luna's was negligible.

In this era, having fewer than ten billion followers makes one hardly a major influencer.

"To truly produce compelling videos, we need more specialized, thematic content. The internet has a lot of inaccurate information; we can create a video review segment, have experts review videos, and professionally analyze common mistakes."

"But don't drag out each analysis point. Keep it concise. We don't need quality, we need quantity. Each video should be around ten minutes long; ideally, we finish reviewing a video every fifteen to thirty seconds."

Luna outlined the next operational plan to the third team. She didn't want to force anything; imposed content rarely resonates with the public.

She needed to find a plan that the public would accept, inspiring interest in scholarship.

Her program wouldn't focus on the difficulties of being a scholar, but rather on showcasing their successes.

This is what's called high-class chicken soup.

After assigning tasks, Luna contacted scholars in Alpha Eridani. She didn't need to contact each individually, only a high-ranking scholar to oversee the project; using that scholar's connections would easily reach others.

After resolving this, Luna moved to a new project.

After discussing the virtual world plan, Ayla nearly overloaded her servers. Deploying 100,000 tachyon communication devices across a star system is incredibly difficult. These devices require simplified computer language to transmit more information with fewer characters, otherwise, even 100,000 devices won't handle the data load.

This involves numerous regulatory aspects and currently unrealized technologies. The most significant challenge is energy; 100,000 tachyon communication devices require enormous power, far exceeding a star's output—a black hole would be needed.

Ayla explained to Luna that this plan is not feasible in the short term.

So Luna sought alternative solutions.

During her latest observation and analysis of atoms, Luna slapped her forehead, realizing she'd overcomplicated things.

"We could use the simplest method for interstellar connection."

"Not building Star Cities in space, but constructing them like material additions."

"The atomic system has something called free electrons. They traverse the atomic structure, existing in one atom, then another. If a Star City could move between star systems, we could allow more people to experience other star systems in their daily lives."

"While this wouldn't be universally accessible, a single Star City could support a billion people; ten would support a hundred billion; a hundred would support a trillion. Most importantly, the cost would be drastically reduced."

For ordinary citizens, simply relocating to another Star City at the appropriate time would allow them to experience deep space, visit other star systems, and even traverse multiple systems.

Star Cities themselves aren't large; even a Potato Chip is slightly larger than a large Star City. This is entirely feasible; simply adding thrusters to existing Star Cities would suffice.

Star Cities could accelerate to approximately 30,000 km/s, or one-tenth the speed of light. A star system five light-years away would take fifty years to reach; ten light-years, a hundred years.

Federation citizens could easily traverse several, or even a dozen, star systems within their lifespans.

"Excellent idea. This is far more practical than your previous proposal, Luna."

Ayla found Luna's earlier virtual world proposal too difficult; it required overcoming fundamental physical limitations, and even with tachyon particles, there were still significant hurdles.

"The Free Star City project could be completed within 300 years, though by then, Luna, we'll likely be leaving Alpha Eridani."

"The temperature layer design is complete. I've instructed factories to deploy equipment to the star system's periphery. The estimated timeframe is also around 300 years."

Luna nodded.

She couldn't stay in one place.

The Federation is vast. Both she and Ayla need to survey star systems and gather information to manage the Federation's affairs.

"In that case, no more Potato Chips. We'll use the Free Star City to traverse the Federation."

Eventually, Luna will go to Betelgeuse. She hasn't yet because it's still under construction, or perhaps not even begun; the Betelgeuse black hole project is still in preparation.

"Alright."

"It's all up to you. I have a lot on my plate. Things will calm down once all the star system Boundary Gods are activated."

"I also want to remind you, Luna, to focus more on interstellar matters. Internal affairs will gradually resolve themselves, but our real enemies are out there. The eternally democratic star nation has begun external exploration and has already discovered two new civilizations."

"Our frontline exploration teams have reached 2,000 light-years beyond our borders. Our next goal is to explore the surrounding 10,000 light-years. Don't forget the Light-based civilization and the empty-star civilization."

"Recently, one of our exploration teams discovered another empty star, finding traces dating back 100,000 years."

"Analysis suggests these civilizations originated from dwarf galaxies outside the Milky Way. I suspect this is a prelude to interstellar war."

Luna had somewhat forgotten these matters, focusing too much on the Federation's social development.

"100,000 years ago? We were fighting the Filament civilization. How far away is that empty star?"

Ayla replied, "1,429 light-years…"

Too close.

During their war, a civilization was observing them from such a short distance.

Perhaps a storm is brewing?

"What are the traces?"

Luna was puzzled. If it was an empty star, why would its creators return?

Did they discover something? Or was it related to their previous Alpha Centauri incident?

"A visual might be more helpful."

Ayla sent the video directly to Luna. Modern technology ensures high-quality recordings; this video had a resolution of 128k—8.825 billion pixels—compared to the 21st century's common 1080p, with 2.0736 million pixels.

The video was exceptionally clear.

However, that's not entirely true; the video was taken inside a star, where light is intense. Special light-band equipment was necessary for observation, filtering out other light.

Fortunately, the Federation's equipment now covers a wide spectrum, including visible light, ultraviolet short waves, and 80% of infrared short waves, making the video processed rather than its raw state.

The video showed a massive creature filling the empty star.

This empty star was much larger than the three Luna had seen previously, with a diameter exceeding 200,000 kilometers. The creature, however, was enormous, seeming like a rock but, upon closer inspection, resembling an animal's anatomy.

"This isn't a hallucination, is it?"

Hallucinations involve processing sensory information and connecting it to familiar things, while visual hallucinations involve seeing things that aren't there. All living beings, or perhaps any conscious entity, experience this.

For instance, seeing red paint on a dark hallway wall as blood, or a shadowy object as a severed head.

"Clearly not."

Ayla dismissed Luna's hallucination theory, confirming that it was a living organism.

"We found a lifeform within the star. Initially, it appeared as a rock-like structure, a giant silicon-based lifeform."

"But after examining a sample, they found it wasn't silicon, but a created elemental substance with incredibly high density and capable of withstanding temperatures exceeding 400,000 degrees Celsius. This matches their observations; the star's surface exhibited unusual stellar winds, suggesting a massive object collision."

Theoretically, this giant creature collided with the star and showed no signs of damage.

"But it's dead."

"No weapons were found in the star, yet it's deceased, with no external injuries, its interior reduced to pulp. It's currently trapped in this space; otherwise, it would've fallen into the star's core and merged with it."

Ayla revealed a frightening fact; all this happened approximately 100,000 years ago.

For the Federation, this is bad news.

"Therefore, we suspect a third party was responsible for the creature's death."

The creature clearly wasn't a Federation creation but a powerful biological entity from an advanced civilization, possessing superior bio-engineering.

The civilization that killed it must also be a Type 2 civilization. The question is whether it's the empty-star civilization or another.

1,500 light-years is a very short distance.

"Are there that many Type 2 civilizations in the Milky Way?"

"Certainly!" Ayla replied.

Currently, the Milky Way likely has hundreds of Type 2 civilizations, unless the Federation's sector is unusually dense.

Even so, there are definitely more than ten Type 2 civilizations in the Milky Way.

This is because the Milky Way is vast. Even with a thousand Type 2 civilizations, each could control hundreds of millions of stars. How many stars does the Galactic Federation currently control?

Strictly speaking, the Milky Way could support dozens of Type 3 civilizations. Why aren't there more?

As mentioned before, using Earth as an example, if an industrial civilization arose, it would rapidly expand across the planet, even if unable to fully dominate it.

Extrapolating, even if a Type 3 Civilization couldn't fully control the Milky Way, it would certainly disrupt the galactic order, triggering rapid expansionism, preventing the Milky Way from remaining so calm.

At least, no large-scale wars have broken out within the Federation's observable space.

Alternatively, perhaps only their sector has been active in the past ten millennia, while others remained quiet.

However, assuming the Milky Way lacks powerful civilizations is unlikely. The Light-based civilization, the empty-star civilization, and the Olive Branch Civilization's previous exploration all indicate numerous powerful civilizations.

The Federation now detects more and more powerful civilizations, making everything increasingly difficult to discern.

"The Federation's vision is too narrow."

"We should try contacting other civilizations," Luna stated.

Whether proactive or reactive, contact is needed to determine the number of Type 2 civilizations surrounding them.

"Should we send our military? Or simply send explorers?"

Ayla's question made Luna hesitate. Deploying the military might cause alarm and trigger war.

Sending unarmed ships would be less effective than sending explorers.

"Explorers."

"Send explorers beyond our sector. What's the current speed of explorer vessels?"

Ayla replied 34,000 km/s, the fastest commercially available civilian thruster.

"Increase it to 50,000 km/s. This greatly expands our exploration range. We should also accelerate research into faster thrusters, at least reaching 100,000 km/s. I think that's the minimum standard."

"What's the maximum speed achievable with staged acceleration?" Luna asked.

"Sub-100-meter vehicles can reach 170,000 km/s. A specially designed 117-meter starship could reach 140,000 km/s. For larger vessels, the maximum is approximately 86,200 km/s."

Thousand-meter-class vessels are considered spaceships, weighing hundreds of millions of tons. That speed is already fast.

"Alright, have them transport a sample of that interstellar creature. I want to study it; a small tissue sample will do. Since sub-100-meter vehicles can exceed half the speed of light, transporting a 100kg sample using a small vehicle should be quick."

Ayla's response: 82% the speed of light, or 245,800 km/s—not the Federation's limit, but considering the 1,500 light-year distance, they can only use a miniature factory to build a launch vehicle; this is the maximum speed.

Luna expects to receive the creature's tissue sample in 1715 years.

Ayla had more to say.

"Luna, remember Multi-eyed planet?"

Luna and Ayla encountered this planet early in their spacefaring journey, conquering it after a thousand years of effort. How could she forget?

"After discovering the Light-based civilization ruins, you mentioned investigating Multi-eyed planet," Luna recalled. Ayla had only mentioned it casually then, and Luna hadn't pursued it, assuming it held little value.

Multi-eyed planet is now Multi-eyed territory. They found a suitable star, transforming it into a habitable planet with a population exceeding tens of billions.

"Yes, I investigated it on a whim. We found no Light-based civilization ruins, but our understanding of Multi-eyed history was wrong."

Human history has largely overwritten Multi-eyed history; only fragments remain.

"Our understanding of Multi-eyed history lacked depth, but we believed they rose due to Light-based civilization technology. Was this wrong?"

Ayla presented new information confirming a connection to the Light-based civilization.

"Multi-eyed history actually extends back millions of years. They weren't a low-level civilization that rose after discovering Light-based technology."

"They were a highly advanced civilization that declined; that's the correct story."

"In Multi-eyed planet's lower layers, we found remnants left by the Multi-eyed. This comes from surviving Multi-eyed."

"Multi-eyed planet was ejected from a star system. It wasn't their origin; their original form was different. We speculate that the Multi-eyed suffered a civilization-ending event. A few, several, or dozens escaped to Multi-eyed planet. This extinction event was widespread, leading their enemies to destroy surrounding stars to eliminate the survivors."

"This particular group of Multi-eyed were ejected by the destroyed star and lived underground for hundreds of thousands of years. Their technology was insufficient; it degraded over generations, even their appearance changed to adapt to subterranean life."

"This is confirmed; we found few remains in Multi-eyed planet's rock layers, even scarce microorganisms. This means both Multi-eyed and the planet's vegetation are relatively recent. Fossil analysis indicates the oldest is 11.5 million years old."

This is shocking news.

"For several million years—around three to four million—the Multi-eyed were trapped underground. They repeatedly searched for a way out. Fortuitously, a Light-based civilization vessel crashed on this wandering planet and was discovered."

"This is supported by evidence. The entrance to the Light-based civilization vessel wasn't dug from outside in, but from inside out. The Multi-eyed used the vessel to reach the surface and survive. The underground world was forgotten until our exploration."

"Some Multi-eyed remnants remain in that underground world."

This spans millions of years.

Ayla compiled a timeline: 11.5 million years ago, the Multi-eyed arrived on Multi-eyed planet, around the time it was ejected from its star system. Using their technology, they survived underground, fearing discovery. Over time, their population declined, and their technology regressed, even reaching a primitive state due to population decline.

Then, they experienced a period of population growth, likely exceeding ten thousand, necessitating expansion. They began digging outwards. Initial access points were blocked by their ancestors, and lacking technological tools—or perhaps their appendages had atrophied after becoming a technologically advanced civilization—excavation was arduous.

They lived 2,470 km below the surface, surrounded by rock and metal, making excavation incredibly difficult. Perhaps they only expanded their living space by a few dozen square meters each year.

After millions of years, they neared the surface. Vibrations were detected, and they dug towards the source, taking tens of thousands of years to reach the Light-based civilization vessel.

Upon discovering it, the Multi-eyed, seemingly recalling ancestral warnings of impending doom, stopped digging for millions of years. A pioneer explored the vessel and returned; eventually, more Multi-eyed approached the vessel.

Unable to move the Light-based civilization vessel, they began excavating it, uncovering an entrance.

They attempted entry, bewildered by the technology inside. They resumed digging upwards, reaching the surface. The sudden cold caused near-extinction, forcing them back underground.

Hundreds of thousands of years later, they contacted the vessel again. Scholars learned from it, triggering a technological revolution. They gradually developed, but their limited population severely hampered progress. Ayla estimates their peak underground population was only 100,000 to 120,000—fewer than a large Federation apartment building.

Another three to four million years passed before they finally transitioned from feudal society to a technological one, finally reaching the surface.

"So, the Multi-eyed are victims of inter-civilizational war?"

Luna thought of the Purple Thorns Civilization, which might have survivors on some planet, trapped in a similar cycle.

"Correct. This is the true Multi-eyed history. Analysis of Multi-eyed planet's materials and trajectory indicates it originated in the Sagittarius star cloud, approximately 5,500 light-years away. Given its speed, 11.5 million years is enough to travel 4,408 light-years. However, its speed might have exceeded previous estimates of 115 km/s initially; that's the most likely scenario."

If that civilization won, it's been developing for at least 11.5 million years. What kind of behemoth was it?

And it's only about 5,000 light-years from the Federation.

"Any good news?" Luna pressed her temples.

The bad news is overwhelming.

"We've detected spatial anomalies near the primordial black hole in the Solar System."

Luna paused, wondering if this was actually good news.

Ayla explained.

"Spatial anomalies could help us understand higher-dimensional worlds."

"According to our current theories, the relationship between dimensions is subtle, primarily gravitational interaction."

"All dimensional worlds exist within a single universe. The reason we don't see them is, as you previously suggested, Luna: trees have their world, machines have their world, three-dimensional life has its world. Our observable universe is incredibly small."

"Black holes warp spacetime, making previously unobservable things observable. By studying these properties, we can learn about four-dimensional space."

"In the 21st century, four-dimensional space was often described as adding a time dimension to three spatial dimensions. Clearly, that's pseudoscience, confusing four-dimensional space with four-dimensional spacetime."

"True spatial dimensions add a spatial axis to the three existing axes. The classic four-dimensional object is a hypercube, possessing eight cubes, twenty-four faces, thirty-two edges, and sixteen vertices, calculable but not visually representable."

"We've detected hypercubes near the spacetime anomaly of the primordial black hole."

Ayla sent Luna a video, similar to a thermal image.

A large vortex was visible, its center empty or dark. Slowly, a point appeared at the edge, expanding into a three-dimensional cube, then disappearing.

"This is a 1,000,000x slow-motion video; the actual process was very brief."

Even without deep knowledge of dimensions, Luna understood the basic relationship between hypercubes and dimensions.

Calculations show that a three-dimensional object entering a two-dimensional world would expand from a point into a plane. Similarly, a four-dimensional object entering a three-dimensional world would expand from a point into a three-dimensional form.

This is why Ayla confirmed it as a spatial anomaly.

"Theoretically, a hypercube briefly pierced the dimensional membrane and entered our space?"

Luna felt this wasn't good news.

Hypercubes aren't naturally occurring structures, just as three-dimensional worlds can't naturally produce perfect cubes.

A cube is made of six identical squares. Nature only produces approximations, with errors exceeding 1 mm.

If four-dimensional worlds can't naturally produce hypercubes, then this hypercube must be an artifact of some civilization.

"Considering powerful civilizations from other dimensions, the Milky Way might have far more than ten thousand Type 2 civilizations…" Luna mused.

This was truly earth-shattering.

"If, as we previously theorized, a Type 3 Civilization is a dimensional civilization, then perhaps a Type 2.8 or 2.9 civilization is attempting to overcome dimensional limitations and control all dimensions?"

Luna's theory wasn't unfounded, but empirical evidence was needed.

"Observations of the hypercube have yielded more information about higher dimensions. Four-dimensional space isn't confined to the microscopic world but is a genuine dimension existing alongside three-dimensional space."

"We also confirmed that tachyons don't exist in four-dimensional space but in higher dimensions."

"The spatial anomaly persists; we might obtain more information, accelerating dimensional research."

Just as Type 2 civilizations' fundamental forces are insurmountable to Type 1 civilizations, Type 3 civilizations' dimensional weapons are insurmountable to Type 2 civilizations.

Control of dimensional weapons would solve the Federation's current problems.

This is the good news Ayla mentioned.

Whether a Type 2 civilization exists in four-dimensional space, exploring three-dimensional space, is currently beyond the Federation's capabilities.

"Many scholars are heading to the Solar System. While we established Golden Academy, the Solar System remained relatively quiet. This discovery will transform the Solar System into a research mecca."

This is short-term good news.

The convergence of so many scholars—the resulting sparks—is beyond Luna's imagination.

"Solar System security must be strengthened. I suspect other civilizations have infiltrated the Federation."

Like the Filament civilization; the Federation only discovered their spies near the border afterward.

If spies infiltrate, their first act of hostility would be eliminating Federation scholars. Insufficient Solar System security could lead to the annihilation of most Federation scholars.

Concentration has great advantages, but also significant drawbacks.

"Spies are inevitable. I've implemented comprehensive security measures in the Solar System. Starports are established at designated locations; other areas are sealed off. Strict inspections are mandatory for entry."

Thorough precautions are essential.

Luna believes the Federation's progress depends partly on these scholars.

"Besides that good news? I want to hear more." This wasn't enough for Luna.

The new Federation has been developing for years; without significant achievements, it would be a waste.

Fortunately, Ayla had something up her sleeve.

She said, "Indeed, there is. Super displacement technology for biological relocation now achieves 99.74% information integrity. While we can't yet allow citizens to teleport for exploration, we can transport animals."

"This is good news for biologists; you'll find it useful, Luna."

Collecting biological samples often takes decades, even centuries, posing challenges for biologists. Super displacement technology significantly shortens this time—by nearly tenfold.

"That's good news indeed."

"What about super-antimatter displacement equipment deployment?"

Ayla replied, "Each star system is installing miniaturized super-antimatter displacement devices. Each will likely have over 100, while medium-sized devices will have five to ten per system. Large devices await a new material breakthrough, reducing costs by 7%."

"I've begun offering key technologies to companies. They'll expand production; you'll soon see super-antimatter devices proliferate."

The first figure refers to official deployments; the latter, private sector, driven by profit, will be more efficient.

Sometimes, even Ayla's oversight of Federation agencies is no match for profit-driven businesses.

"Luna, I have more good news." Ayla announced.

...

Luna found many interesting topics, but few truly exciting ones.

Ayla mentioned a breakthrough in biology.

Biological advancements have been slow in both the old and new Federations; biology has stagnated, leading Luna to rely on sheer volume to achieve qualitative leaps.

On Earth, many medications originated from plants and animals, motivating strong environmental and ecological protection efforts.

Each species holds scientific value; at some point, it might save countless human lives. This isn't simply about idle preservation, as some believe.

Living organisms have many advantages over machines. Luna firmly believes the Federation should pursue a biological path, requiring thorough understanding to potentially propel Federation biology to new heights.

"My memory banks contain no significant breakthroughs in biology that would interest you."

"Then it must be something new."

Luna knew Federation biology focused on minor problems, with little progress on major fronts.

Biomedical research, in particular, was negligible in the old Federation due to quark robots eliminating disease.

"Yes, Haggis Lee, ranked 1983rd among biological scholars, discovered the Metacellular, also known as the Core Seed."

"His main focus was simplifying organisms. Ancient life was single-celled; we're multicellular. Is it possible to revert multicellular organisms back to single-celled ones?"

"The Metacellular project was thus born."

"This research is technologically driven. We can recreate a single cell into an organism, but this relies on machinery. What if we could do this organically?"

"Some gene pools achieve something like 'Bloodline Rebirth,' but it still involves blood—millions of cells in a single drop—and relies on technology, not purely biological techniques."

"This Metacellular project achieves autonomous regeneration. Placed in a culture medium, it consumes surrounding matter, grows, and develops into a conscious entity."

"Perhaps we can abandon cloning technology!"

A single cell can achieve this. If someone is destroyed at a cellular level, the trillions of cells in their body could potentially regenerate into trillions of individuals.

That's terrifying!

Luna had to admit this was a remarkable achievement, a revolutionary breakthrough in biology.

"But it probably can't retain the original consciousness."

If it could retain consciousness, Luna didn't dare imagine the implications.

"This relates to the Federation's latest hot topic: consciousness splitting."

"We've been exploring whether consciousness can be cloned or split. This technique has been successfully implemented."

"Consciousness is a stream of information within a biological body; essentially, it's a type of electromagnetic wave. We've developed a technique to split this wave."

"Luna, guess who developed this technique?"

Ayla's question implied someone she knew.

Luna easily answered, "You?"

Ayla hummed in affirmation.

"Consciousness splitting requires extreme precision; machines handle this task."

"However, I prefer consciousness cloning. What if we could clone a perfectly identical consciousness? What would happen?"

Ethical chaos.

Cloning was unimaginable ethically for 21st-century humanity. Now, it's commonplace. Consciousness cloning is beyond comprehension.

A perfect duplicate stands before you—identical body, memories, thoughts. What is real or fake?

Luna couldn't imagine the implications.

"So, theoretically, countless versions of me could be created?"

Ayla nodded.

"Don't worry, Luna. Only you possess specific authorization. Even with countless duplicates, I can distinguish the real you."

Luna felt this was entering forbidden territory.

But as a biologist, she both feared and craved the forbidden.

"Perhaps the Federation will one day need more of me. Ayla, I authorize you to create more of me."

Considering the future, Luna had to prepare for the worst.

Her identity might be exposed; another civilization might kill her. More Lunas could ensure her safety and maintain the Federation's stability after her death.

Ayla, monitoring Luna's thoughts, rationally considered this a good strategy, but emotionally found it cruel.

"This plan isn't necessary now, Luna," Ayla stated.

Luna disagreed.

"Ayla, sometimes rationality must prevail. This is a precaution—for me, for you, for the Federation."

"Aren't there already clones of me in other parts of the Federation? They perform other tasks; these are simply more similar clones."

"Regarding Metacellular, if it can achieve autonomous regeneration, could it also carry consciousness? Could it survive in space?"

"Could Metacellular photosynthesize?"

"Could gene deficiencies during its growth cause unknown mutations?"

"These are all questions, Ayla."

"Metacellular represents a simplification process, but simplification doesn't mean subtraction; it means adding more complexity."

"If we could create proto-atoms one day, what kind of world would that be?"

Luna fell into contemplation, wanting to avoid further ethical discussions; they were too complex.

Metacellular genuinely intrigued her; she planned to dedicate herself to its research.

"Where is that scholar? Perhaps we can interview him."

Luna wanted to discuss her ideas with the scholar; scientific inquiry is boundless; Luna's ideas weren't impossible; they might illuminate a path for Federation biology.

Is this the opportunity for biological ascension?

Luna didn't know yet.

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