APTnovel Chapter 7: Testing the Barrier
Chapter 7: Testing the Barrier
In the past two days, heads of state from various countries, including the three MRC member states, gathered at UN headquarters for emergency consultations day and night. The three MRC member states also submitted informed reports to other heads of state, including information on UFOs, extraterrestrials, and alien technology. The global leaders ultimately agreed that each country should first stabilize public sentiment and appropriately inform its citizens about UFOs, extraterrestrials, and their technology. In addition, they urgently convened top global talent to find a solution to the current situation.
Therefore, the leader directly ordered Zhou Yuan to lead a team to attend this important wisdom conference. This conference could be said to determine the future fate of humanity on Earth!
At this conference on intelligence, the reasoning of Li Li, Mei Fan, Zhou Yuan, and others was affirmed, and everyone agreed that:
Martian civilization was wiped out by a more powerful civilization. There are remnants of Martians on the lunar base. They carried out environmental and biological genetic modifications on Earth in the early stages, which led to the emergence of five human civilizations on Earth. From this point of view, the lunar aliens and humans are one family, which can be seen from the high degree of DNA matching.
The speed of light is indeed decreasing within the solar system (or outwards); we should find out the pattern of the speed of light as soon as possible.
Human civilization on Earth must break through the light speed barrier, step out of its captive environment, and explore the radius of this captive environment.
The search for the Higgs boson is also a top priority, while collecting and transporting helium-3 from the moon is like pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth.
As for dealing with aliens on the moon, we have a two-pronged approach: peaceful coexistence and preparation for all-out war.
Actively utilize the alien technology acquired by the three MRC countries to upgrade and improve Earth's technology tree as a whole, vigorously and prioritize the development of the military industry, and use the moon's own technology to fight against lunar aliens.
The Earth Fleet must be established, and the three MRC nations can serve as rotating chair countries.
After returning home, the representatives of each country reported to the heads of state, who then acted according to the plan.
Thus began a massive self-rescue operation for humanity on Earth.
All human DNA was collected, cryopreserved, and then plant seeds, various animal DNA, etc. were stored; deep tunnels were dug to store grain; the alien technology acquired by the three MRC countries was shared with countries around the world, and global knowledge was linked together; the Earth Federation Fleet was established, military technology was greatly improved, the military industry was booming, and various near-ground warships, unmanned aircraft, military intelligent robots, etc. were built, incorporating various technologies acquired from flying saucers; the Earth defense system under the command of the Earth Federation Fleet was also established, including space-based laser weapons and high-resolution military communication satellites.
The Earth Federation fleet launched 24 high-speed, high-performance, and highly reliable probes, each flying along predetermined orbits in different directions and continuously transmitting communication signals towards Earth. These 24 probes are exploring the boundary of the solar system's "light-speed barrier" and are expected to reach the solar system boundary within three years. The "Sky Eye" of the three MRC countries will continuously and automatically track them and receive their signals.
The Earth Federation Fleet temporarily militarized Earth, implementing a system of distribution based on work and need.
Technologies such as artificial intelligence, optical transmission, life cloning, life sciences, knowledge inheritance, and consciousness downloading/storage/transplantation have also been developed vigorously.
Various alien technology research institutes have been established to study alien technology, culture, politics, and military affairs. Alien high technology is also gradually being applied to industry and daily life to improve the work efficiency of the general public. There is an active effort to promote the learning and absorption of various alien technologies by humanity worldwide, especially in the education and training of young people.
Humanity secretly travels to the moon to collect helium-3, sends several Earth warships and spacecraft to Mars to investigate and understand Martian civilization, and replaces the three MRC pilots who first landed on Mars. Additionally, they develop resources on other planets and moons.
In short, thanks to the intervention of powerful alien technology, humanity's technology, military, industry, and living standards have greatly improved. Humanity was not brought down by the losses incurred in preparing for war, and surprisingly, the people of Earth became more united than ever before.
Time passed quickly. Within two to three years, the signals transmitted by the 24 probes were successively interrupted, and contact was never made again. The three FAST telescopes ("Sky Eyes") could no longer locate them. Based on information such as the probes' orbits and directions, scientists reached a startling conclusion: the boundary of the solar system's "light speed barrier" is a sphere centered on our Sun!
During these three years, the moon Gaia seemed to intentionally allow humanity on Earth to develop on its own, without intervening in any way. It was like a martial arts master waiting for his opponent to have mastered his skills before challenging him.
In addition, following the strong recommendations of Mei Fan, Zhou Yuan, and others, the three MRC countries built four more super-powerful particle colliders in near-Earth orbit to conduct particle physics research in a vacuum environment.
Gaia remained silent, while humanity on Earth diligently perfected its various technological advancements, perfecting its industrial, technological, educational, social, economic, political, resource development, and cultural spirit, presenting a prosperous and bustling scene of civilization. Subsequent explorations of the "light speed barrier" boundary further confirmed that it was a sphere centered on the sun. Light speed tests within this space (at least within the solar system) showed that the speed of light was decreasing at an accelerating rate; the measured value of the speed of light after 10 years had decreased by about one millionth.
January 20, 2035 AD, a day that everyone has been eagerly anticipating.
Humanity on Earth witnessed 24 manned spacecraft depart from near-Earth orbit and head in various directions to conduct the first on-site investigation of the "light speed barrier".
On January 28, 2037 AD, the human warship "Wallbreaker 6" was located in the direction of Sirius.
"Captain Walker, according to calculations, we are still 10 kilometers away from the light speed barrier in the direction of Sirius," the warship's artificial intelligence reported.
"Slow down again and proceed slowly. Activate the wide spectrum analyzer, activate the energy detector, activate the gravitational field detector, activate the weapons and equipment, activate the plasma energy shield, turn on the video transmission equipment, and broadcast live to our fellow Earthlings, even though they won't be able to see it for 11 days."
"Yes, Captain Walker."
"Jason, deploy three detectors."
"Yes, Captain."
Three probes flew out rapidly, spaced a certain distance apart, and formed an almost straight line ahead. "Probe 6" followed cautiously behind the probes.
"Report to the captain: apart from a few stars twinkling ahead, we have not detected any other spectral, energy, or gravitational fluctuations, nor any electromagnetic signals."
"Hmm, got it." Walker found it a bit unbelievable. What on earth destroyed all of humanity's previous probes? Walker took a sip of coffee, pondered, and his thick mustache twitched.
The probes and warships, lined up in a row, continued their slow advance. Suddenly, without warning, the first probe disappeared, and 20 minutes later, the second probe also vanished. Neither probe returned any signal.
"Stop moving forward and let the third probe continue."
"Yes, Captain Walker."
Twenty minutes later, the third detector also mysteriously disappeared. No feedback was received, and the ship's advanced detection equipment detected nothing unusual.
"This is unbelievable. Everyone gather and discuss the next steps."
"Jack, what do you think?" Walker asked the ship's chief scientist.
“Captain, this is all I can say,” Jack shrugged. “If this mysterious object is a barrier, it’s possible that there’s another space or an alternate dimension outside, and the probe has fallen into that dimension. Another possibility is that it was created by an advanced alien civilization that we humans can’t understand yet, just like primitive humans couldn’t understand when a warship left their sight. They could only worship it.”
"Captain, in that case, should we take the initiative to attack and test the waters?" weapons expert Deng Tao suggested.
"Hmm, it seems like this is the only way."
"Smart Butler, launch the kinetic energy weapon first."
"Yes, Captain Walker."
Rows of particle projectiles shot straight ahead, but the "barrier" did not react.
"Missiles, gamma lasers, electromagnetic gun shells, and light bullets were launched one after another."
Even if you throw a pebble into a pond, it will still create ripples. But the "barrier" still doesn't react at all. Even if you drop a high-yield, high-energy nuclear bomb, the "barrier" is like a bottomless abyss, swallowing everything.
"Stay put and wait for news from other 'Wallblazers'." Walker had to be cautious.
A few days later, reports were received from 23 other "Wall Explorers" that the situation was almost identical to this one. Everyone was at a loss and had no way of knowing what was ahead.
The world was in an uproar, with 80 billion people watching the delayed live stream. While there wasn't panic, or even despair, there was a general sense of unease, a feeling of something stuck in their chest, a sense of suffocation. If it were a face-to-face battle with an enemy, losing would be one thing—they were simply outmatched. But what if we didn't even know what our opponent was, or who our adversary was? Were we going to fight thin air?
"Launch the drone," Captain Walker commanded.
An AI-controlled drone flew off the ship and slowly flew toward the "abyss".
"All equipment is normal, continue forward," the drone's artificial intelligence reported.
A moment later, "Warning, warning, the nose of the drone is damaged."
"Return to base immediately!"
"Yes, Captain Walker."
The drone returned and entered the hangar. Walker and a group of scientists were already waiting. The drone's nose appeared to have been sliced off with a sharp knife; it was very clean.
"Reporting to the captain, tests such as cryo-electron microscopy and X-rays show that the cut is too straight, flatter than a mirror, without damaging any remaining structure. It's as if it was sliced through the interatomic gaps, cutting through the entire layer. It's incredible."
"All 'Wallbreakers' shall return to base." The Earth Federation Fleet Command issued the return order.
"Did it return to nothingness, or merge into one?" On a distant Earth, a thought flashed through Zhou Yuan's mind.
The Earth Sciences Academy then began its research into this mysterious phenomenon.
On June 23, 2042 AD, Gaia, just like 20 years ago, displayed "ONLYFIVEYEARSLEFT" on the sun and moon, seemingly reminding humanity to hurry up!