Chapter 125: Unknown Extraterrestrial Civilization

“The target is likely an interstellar fleet of an extraterrestrial civilization, according to tracking from the Outlook Observation Array.”

“It is currently about 0.5 light-years from Earth. Its trajectory is heading straight towards the inhabited inner solar system zone of our civilization. Its speed is approximately five percent the speed of light.”

“If it continues at its present speed, this likely extraterrestrial civilization interstellar fleet target will make close contact with us in ten years.”

At this meeting, which hadn’t gathered the heads of various institutes and research teams together for a long time,

everyone learned about the current relevant specific situation and fell into silence.

Just from the target’s traveling speed, it could basically be determined that

this likely extraterrestrial civilization approaching the inhabited zone of human civilization

was, in terms of technological level, most likely beyond the current scientific and technological capabilities of human civilization.

Five percent the speed of light – while not exceeding the strike speed of human civilization’s most advanced weapons –

far exceeded the speed limit achievable by current human civilization’s spacecraft or Electric Propulsion Spaceships.

For human civilization at this moment, this was clearly not good news.

“Based on current observational data, this is a massive interstellar fleet or cluster of spacecraft, with a main body comprised of the largest, most massive moving object.”

“This main body is a core interstellar starship, or another form of ‘Space City’? Its diameter exceeds 1,500 kilometers, close to the diameter of Earth’s satellite, the Moon.”

“This is also the core reason we were able to detect its existence during its high-speed travel.”

“Around this main body, the core Space City or interstellar starship, several large interstellar starships moving in sync with it were detected. Their exact number couldn’t be fully confirmed, but those exceeding 500 kilometers in diameter should number over ten.”

This was more detailed information, but it was still not good news for human civilization.

Based on the standards human civilization currently set for itself, this approaching extraterrestrial civilization likely already exceeded the Type I Civilization category.

Although its current speed and the scale of its interstellar fleet haven’t surpassed human civilization’s understanding of technological limits,

it remains fundamentally impossible for present-day human technology to construct spacecraft, interstellar warships, or long-range vessels of such immense size traveling at five percent the speed of light.

This actually makes sense.

With human civilization’s current technological level, activities are still largely confined to the parent star system, the Solar System, and haven’t reached beyond it.

Nearby space around the Solar System has been observed numerous times by human civilization, with no traces of other civilizations found.

This means that any extraterrestrial civilization human civilization might encounter in the Solar System now

must have crossed the stellar sea, traversed untold light-years of distance, to arrive near the Solar System.

A civilization capable of this feat is almost certainly stronger than current human civilization.

Facing the approach of such an extraterrestrial civilization, what should human civilization do now?

After the information primarily captured by the Outlook Observation Array was presented,

silence fell once more among the institute and research team heads assembled for the Negentropy Research Institute meeting.

At this moment,

the future fate of human civilization largely rested on the decisions made at this Negentropy Research Institute meeting.

This very fact made the heads of the various institutes and research teams cautious and hesitant to speak easily.

“…What is Spark City’s current location?”

Qin Yu was the first to speak up finally, asking about something else.

“Spark Space City is located near Martian Orbit.”

“Order Spark Space City to immediately activate all its propulsion systems. Move it away from the projected path of the approaching extraterrestrial civilization and outwards, away from the Solar System.”

Qin Yu did not seek opinions from the other institute or research team heads on this matter.

Spark Space City and the Spark Project itself were established precisely for such a contingency – to preserve a spark of human civilization.

Now was the time for Spark Space City to fulfill its purpose.

However,

even Spark Space City, equipped with many of human civilization’s most advanced Electric Propulsion Engines,

could not reach five percent the speed of light. After a long acceleration period, it would only manage around one percent the speed of light at best.

This meant that if that extraterrestrial civilization heading towards the inner solar system truly pursued Spark Space City,

Spark Space City would likely still be overtaken. Still, the time it would take to be caught would be later than for other inhabited areas within the Solar System currently.

Listening as Qin Yu gave the instruction to the Strong Artificial Intelligence, no one voiced any objection.

Everyone could imagine Spark Space City, stationed in the distant Martian Orbit, already beginning to move according to its contingency plan as directed.

“Director Qin… what stance and measures should we adopt regarding the approach of this likely extraterrestrial civilization target?”

As Qin Yu turned back towards them, the head of the Negentropy Research Institute’s Geological Research Institute asked.

It wasn’t that the other research team and institute heads lacked ideas or inferences on this matter,

but because only Qin Yu could make the decision on this.

Additionally, the views among all the heads at the Negentropy Research Institute regarding this situation were likely divergent.

There simply wasn’t enough time for the various research teams and heads to persuade each other.

The only thing that could integrate the stance of the entire Negentropy Research Institute, and even the HCC (Human Coalition), was Academician Qin Yu’s decision.

On this matter,

Qin Yu didn’t give an answer immediately.

He stared at the holographic projection in the conference room, showing the image of the suspected extraterrestrial civilization target fitted from the data captured by the Outlook Observation Array,

and paused for a moment.

This was the first genuine contact human civilization had ever had with another extraterrestrial civilization.

Beyond the information captured so far by the Outlook Observation Array, human civilization knew nothing else about this civilization.

They didn’t know its form of civilization or the nature of its intelligent species;

They didn’t know how contact between two unknown civilizations in the universe should proceed.

They didn’t know the basic state of interstellar civilizations or any common knowledge regarding interactions between cosmic civilizations.

This was a state Qin Yu disliked intensely.

The uncertainty was immense.

Moreover, human civilization was clearly at a technological disadvantage and held no initiative.

And it was precisely in this state of utter ignorance

that human civilization had to make a critical decision.

The most urgent question now requiring human civilization’s decision was the one posed by the head of the Geological Research Institute:

What stance should human civilization adopt towards this suddenly arriving extraterrestrial civilization?

If attempting communication, they could start sending electromagnetic signals towards the other civilization’s Interstellar Fleet immediately.

If deciding on a direct attack on the Stellar Fleet, lasers and Electromagnetic Railguns could be mobilized right now.

The critical point hinged on understanding

what kind of civilization this traveller from afar actually was.

If it came with malicious intent, and human civilization attempted communication,

it could very well put human civilization into even greater danger.

Because with the information likely unequal, whether the other party had ill intentions or not,

Human Civilization, even with its utmost caution, would probably quickly reveal its status as a rookie among cosmic civilizations.

Human Civilization also couldn’t be sure which direction things would develop after establishing contact.

And if they were to launch an attack directly, if the attack worked immediately, that would be one thing.

But if it failed, or failed to deal a crippling blow, then when the other side retaliated, Human Civilization would likely be unable to withstand it.

Moreover, even if the other party initially held some goodwill, such an act would erase that goodwill entirely.

There was another possibility: this Extraterrestrial Civilization might have already attacked Human Civilization, and the attack just hadn’t been detected yet.

At this moment,

The arrival of this Extraterrestrial Civilization plunged Human Civilization into this tense situation mainly because

This Extraterrestrial Civilization was clearly more advanced than Human Civilization… In this contact between two civilizations, the other side held the initiative.

Under these circumstances, whatever measures Human Civilization took would feel rushed and insufficient.

Because what the other side intended to do, and their attitude towards Human Civilization, was largely beyond Human Civilization’s control.

Furthermore,

Right now,

For the Negentropy Research Institute, for the HCC,

There were also two other issues to consider.

First,

At this moment, Human Civilization had already detected this Extraterrestrial Civilization’s Stellar Fleet.

Naturally, this Extraterrestrial Civilization, obviously holding a technological advantage, should also have already detected Human Civilization.

Or rather, they might have come specifically targeting Human Civilization.

Second,

People couldn’t help but consider whether this Extraterrestrial Civilization was connected to the Asteroid 2801 Impact Crisis.

Suspicions surrounding Asteroid 2801 had never truly been abandoned by relevant Researchers at the Negentropy Research Institute.

Decades had passed since the Asteroid 2801 impact,

But on a cosmic scale, this time span was actually not long at all.

Therefore, shortly after experiencing the unusual crisis of the Asteroid 2801 impact,

This Extraterrestrial Civilization had arrived on such a large scale.

Was there a direct link between them and the Asteroid 2801 Impact Crisis?

Or more bluntly, were they the masterminds behind the Asteroid 2801 Impact Crisis?

If they truly were, then Human Civilization wouldn’t need to ponder this civilization’s attitude towards them anymore –

It would definitely be hostile.

…

“Activate all high-power Electromagnetic Railguns. Have all Laser Weapons from the Interstellar Great Wall Project calibrated and ready as well.”

After a moment of silence, Qin Yu spoke first.

No matter what decision was made, necessary defensive preparations still had to be undertaken, even if they might not be particularly effective.

At the very least, in the face of crisis, Human Civilization could retain some capacity to fight back.

“Then, attempt to establish contact with this Extraterrestrial Civilization.”

In this moment, no decision could guarantee being right or wrong.

The lack of information made it incredibly difficult, perhaps impossible, for Human Civilization to even assess the risks involved.

They could only choose one path among the few options available.

This decision could only be made by Qin Yu,

A position of power, but also an immense responsibility.

Within the Negentropy Research Institute, at this meeting,

The leaders of various research teams and the heads of research institutes listened to Qin Yu’s decision. They nodded silently, one after another, accepting it.

People might be worried about the upcoming contact with this Extraterrestrial Civilization,

But no one voiced opposition.

Given the clear technological disparity between Human Civilization and this Extraterrestrial Civilization,

This was the best choice available.

Ultimately,

It was this gap in technological levels that caused such passivity.

“…Our civilization is still not strong enough…”

A Researcher sighed.

If, during this first contact with an Extraterrestrial Civilization,

Human Civilization held the stronger position, the one feeling tense would be them.

…

For the countless people within the HCC at that moment,

The appearance of this suspected Extraterrestrial Civilization was an utterly unexpected shock,

Shattering everyone’s original expectations for the near future.

The mood across all of humanity became instantly tense.

The first to be affected was naturally Spark Space City.

In the very instant events unfolded,

Inside Spark Space City, tourists were still strolling its streets or visiting its museums.

Permanent residents were lying back by the artificial lake near Spark University, gazing up at the dome simulating sunlight, pondering long-standing math problems or questions in their respective fields.

Some slept, dreaming pleasant dreams of the future; others sat together in restaurants, friends discussing their upcoming plans.

A moment before, Spark Space City could be described as peaceful and quiet,

Functioning normally and steadily, just like cities on Earth, the Lunar Surface, or Mars elsewhere in Human Civilization and the HCC.

However, all calm and tranquility were instantly torn apart by the piercing alarm sirens blaring throughout Spark Space City.

“…Spark Space City propulsion engines are now pre-heating and activating. All personnel within Spark Space City are instructed to return indoors immediately, or find a safe area nearby to sit down or secure themselves.”

Amidst the shrill alarms, some were jolted from deep thought, others roused from sleep.

Conversations stopped mid-sentence; people strolling halted in their tracks.

At first, the vast majority inside Spark Space City were dazed.

Only then did memories surface – the briefing they received upon arrival about Spark Space City’s purpose,

And the instructions on what to do when its alarms sounded.

Panic, confusion, and bewilderment appeared on the faces of Spark Space City’s occupants.

Yet, most quickly moved with the crowd, rushing indoors or squatting down in open areas.

“All individuals must return indoors immediately, or find a safe area and sit down. Spark Space City is activating!”

As the piercing, relentless alarms continued, people gradually regained their senses.

Those who had made it indoors or squatted down looked around at each other, uncertain what to say.

“Spark Space City is now active. Spark Space City is disengaging from current orbit… Destination: escape trajectory out of the Solar System.”

“What’s happening? Spark, what’s going on?”

Some snapped to attention, questioning the city’s Urban Intelligent Management System.

Others scrambled for their personal terminals, searching the network for news.

Other news hadn’t yet broken through,

But the headline “Spark Space City in Emergency Departure from Original Position” already dominated

Most of the Human Civilization network within an incredibly short time.

However,

Very quickly, the Spark Space City intelligent system also provided its residents with a specific explanation:

“Residents of Spark Space City,

“Due to a suspected Extraterrestrial Civilization approaching Human-inhabited regions within the Solar System, posing an unknown and significant risk,

“To ensure the overall continuation of Human Civilization, Spark Space City, under the Spark Project directive, has activated propulsion engines and is commencing escape out of the Solar System.

“Spark Space City is currently accelerating at maximum efficiency. All occupants are urged to pay attention to their personal safety.”

This concise announcement reached everyone inside Spark Space City.

Yet, this abrupt, immense upheaval

Still left people at a loss for words.

Many felt a sudden void in their chests, as if something vital was missing.

Frantically, they scoured the network for news, desperate to learn the situation

In human settlements beyond Spark Space City.