PFC Chapter 17: Ancestral Wishes
Chapter 17: Ancestral Wishes
The entire conference was broadcast live to all of humanity, and the internet was abuzz with excitement.
"Fellow travelers, we, humanity, have finally broken through the light speed barrier and ventured into a wider world. However, this world is vast. According to our detection, the speed of light in this space is four times the speed of light on Earth. The Milky Way galaxy we previously observed actually has a diameter of 3.38 million light-years (calculated at the speed of light c0), not 10 light-years (calculated at the speed of light c0)! Therefore, we, humanity, must unite and continue to break through the barrier, venturing out of the Milky Way. Ahead lies our first stop, the star Trisolaran. We will search for suitable Earth-like planets there to continue our development and improve our navigation capabilities." Eisen's passion turned to a somber tone. "But I have some unfortunate news to share: Dean Zhou Yuan sacrificed himself. He voluntarily remained within the solar system, successfully destroying the sun, allowing us to break through the barrier. Our Earth, everything within the solar system, has been destroyed, leaving only a white dwarf."
A wave of excitement, confusion, and sorrow washed over everyone. Was humanity destined to become a nomadic civilization? A mix of emotions welled up within them; without Earth, venturing into space was, after all, something they wouldn't be able to adapt to.
"Before his departure, Dean Zhou Yuan strongly recommended Academician Wenming as his successor. I also wish to step down and make way for a more worthy successor. I suggest General Zhang Xiaoyu as my successor. Let's vote."
As a result, the suspended seats turned green, indicating that the test was passed.
"Now, please welcome Dean Wenming and Commander-in-Chief Zhang Xiaoyu to speak." Eisen returned to his position via optical transmission.
Civilization succeeded Eisen and was teleported to the center of the fan-shaped area.
"Gentlemen, I will heed Dean Zhou Yuan's teachings and lead you all in exploring this new world, contributing and sacrificing for the advancement of human civilization. Scientific research on the moon will commence immediately. We will spare no effort in studying this strange world traveling at four times the speed of light. Gentlemen, I personally suggest that we transplant Dean Zhou Yuan's consciousness into a cloned life form, allowing him and Aya to jointly oversee the analysis of lunar technology. Of course, Dean Zhou must still adhere to the laws governing life replication. Furthermore, since we lack planetary resources like Earth, our resources are limited. For the long-term benefit of all humanity, I personally suggest that, apart from those currently needed for our work, everyone else should enter deep 'hibernation' to conserve resources. Other resources should also be conserved as much as possible."
Everyone agreed with phrases like "okay," "okay," and "very good."
"What about Gaia on the moon? After all, she destroyed more than 1 million of our compatriots!" someone shouted.
"That's a good question. Gaia, we should indeed hate her, but that's all in the past. The most important thing is to see the present and look to the future. Besides, Gaia is just fulfilling her duty of billions of years, nurturing human civilization and selecting humans, with the sole purpose of avenging the Martian civilization. I want to remind everyone that in the vast universe, everything is dark. Wars between civilizations may be even more brutal than those between us and Gaia. Only by learning from our mistakes and developing our strength can we avoid being harmed or destroyed. Therefore, I hope you will not be burdened by history and dwell on this. We should be with Gaia, traversing the universe together."
Many people lowered their heads in thought, then nodded silently.
Suddenly, all the warships and space city AI alarms blared: "Alarm, alarm! The long-range 'Sky Eye' has detected a large number of unidentified objects. Speed: twice the speed of Earth's light. Distance: two light-years (calculated at the speed of Earth's light c0). Direction: 5 Uranus."
Year 1 of the Galactic Era, star marker (1, 1, 1, 4c0).
"One year? I order General Chu Yan to command the fleet, leading a 1000-ship patrol formation to intercept at 60% of Earth's speed of light. Notify Gaia on the Moon that I need to hide 18 space cities and over 2000 patrol formations inside the Moon. The remaining 1000 patrol formations will guard the Moon. Also, notify the Dean of the Academy of Sciences to expedite the analysis of lunar technology; time is running out." Zhang Xiaoyu issued a series of orders. Zhang Xiaoyu was indeed a suitable successor to Aisen. He knew that in the initial contact with an unknown civilization, one could not reveal too much strength, nor could one appear too weak. Since the other side could travel at 50% of the speed of light in this space, their technological strength was likely superior to humanity's. Although humanity could travel at Earth's maximum speed of light, that speed was only 25% of the speed of light in this space.
After a brief acceleration, the fleet of 1000 cruiser motherships and more than 45 warships quickly reached 60% of the speed of light on Earth and headed straight for Tian Shen Wu.
"Welcome, Earth's fifth civilization." Gaia's gentle blue figure spoke with a hint of joy.
"Gaia? Aha, I finally have a companion. Hello, I'm the lovable Aya." Purple Aya emerged from the crowd and quickly walked towards Gaia.
“Aya? You were modified by humans? Hmm, come to think of it, you're like my daughter, aren't you?” Gaia smiled.
"No way, you absolutely can't be my mom. But since you're taller than me, you're more like my older sister!"
"Aya, stop fooling around." Zhou Yuan came over to stop her.
"Huh, you're Zhou Yuan's clone? It's alright, Academician Zhou." Gaia looked at the young, handsome, and strong Zhou Yuan, pondered for a moment, as if she saw Zhou Yuan destroying the sun.
"Sister, isn't that amazing? This kid has been resurrected. It's so much fun. We can torture him later. As long as he lives, I will live! Haha."
Zhou Yuan wanted nothing more than to go up and give Aya a good beating, but how could he do that?
“Gaia, as you know, we may be facing a powerful civilization from outside our solar system. So, to prevent this from happening, we need to use Martian technology to enhance our strength. You should understand that.”
"Understood. I will see the day when human civilization avenges its master."
"You all probably already know that the moon is hollow and has a huge space. According to the Earth Commander-in-Chief's arrangements, 18 satellite cities and a fleet of 2000 cruise motherships have already entered the moon's interior." Gaia explained methodically, pausing slightly, "Actually, the master created the moon for war; the moon is a war fortress."
"We already guessed that."
“No, you don’t understand. It wasn’t a war with Earth. Vertebrates hadn’t even appeared on Earth yet, let alone you humans,” Gaia said quietly. Everyone was shocked; this information was too unexpected.
"Then, who are the Martians fighting?" Aya couldn't help but interject.
"Saturnians!"
"What? Saturnians?" Everyone was shocked.
“Yes, there are some things I don’t know either. Aya, I’ll send you the master’s log and all the information. You can show them to them slowly.”
"Okay." Aya wasn't being mischievous this time; she was quite serious, after all, the little girl was sensible.
Thanks to the efforts of Aya and the scientists, the features of Martian civilization have finally emerged.
The most striking message resembled a will.
Humans of Earth, my children, I am your ancestor, and I am gratified that you can see my last words. I come from Mars in the solar system, my name is Bellona, the only remaining human from the Martian civilization. Like all my companions, I too will soon perish in this cold, vast universe—no, in this solar system. My children, just as we were about to annihilate the "Saturn Thieves" fleet, the despicable "Light-Descent Civilization" suddenly appeared out of nowhere and annihilated our entire fleet and the "Saturn Miners" fleet with a super-powerful gamma-ray burst. My husband, the God of War Mars, also perished. As one of the most outstanding scientists of the Martian civilization, I and some of my companions, hidden deep within the lunar fortress, escaped at near-light speed thanks to its superior defenses, thus avoiding our annihilation. The "Light-Descent Civilization" unexpectedly ceased its attacks on us, but unleashed some advanced weapon that created a light-speed barrier, trapping us in the solar system. Suddenly, the Milky Way and the stars seemed denser. Of course, you should now know that everything we see is not real. Because the speed of light suddenly decreased from 120 million kilometers per second to 35 kilometers per second, the intensity of electromagnetic force increased, the speed at which electrons combined into atoms accelerated, and the speed at which atoms combined into molecules also increased. All matter in the solar system, like a motor that had been started, began to operate at high speed and efficiency, like a machine operating under overload. One day, the solar system would be destroyed. However, the aftershocks of the gamma rays overwhelmed us; our bodies underwent genetic mutations. My companions died one by one, and I was about to die as well. Of course, before I died, my companions and I modified the lunar artificial intelligence Gaia, making her more powerful, and along with a large number of spare warships, they were hidden deep inside the moon. Deep in my heart, I was determined to avenge the Martian civilization, so my DNA was preserved, allowing Gaia to propagate my offspring on Earth. I gave Gaia three fundamental, ironclad instructions: find the "Light-Destroying Civilization," avenge the "Mars Civilization," and prioritize this above all else; modify the Earth's environment, propagate and nurture my offspring, and cultivate their war consciousness; assist humanity on Earth in breaking through the light speed barrier and hand over control of the lunar fortress. My children, please remember, the universe, like its background, is dark and fraught with danger. Between civilizations, always remember to misinterpret the greatest goodwill with the greatest malice. My children, how I long to see your achievements, how I long to see you leave the Milky Way and soar freely in the vast universe, but alas, I will not live to see that day. The appendix contains an introduction to the history of Martian civilization, its science and technology, and the "Mars Wars." This is my last testament, which can only be read by humans carrying my DNA. Long live the Empire! —Belona, Martian Civilization