Light Speed ​​War

Chapter 8: Light Fiber Netting

The Earth Federation Academy of Sciences, a colossal spherical building, stands on the outskirts of a city. Its resplendent golden surface, like a projected movie screen, displays 88 constellations, their points seemingly moving in motion. The conference center, capable of holding 150,000 people, is fan-shaped, with rows and tiers of seats suspended in mid-air, while the speaker sits at the center of the fan.

Scientists, sociologists, historians, anthropologists, psychologists, military strategists, politicians, and others from around the world gathered to analyze Gaia's intentions.

"Why would Gaia give humanity time to develop? Developing technology, military capabilities, etc., doesn't seem to benefit her," asked Sente, a renowned psychologist in Europe. "She must have had some purpose. More than 20 years ago, she should have been able to defeat us. What was that purpose?"

“We can consider this from the perspective of the good and evil of civilization,” suggested Park Seung-deok, an anthropologist specializing in Asian studies.

"Yes, that's a good suggestion."

"Whether one civilization is good or evil to another depends, to some extent, firstly on the gap in their comprehensive strength, such as in technology and military, secondly on the conflicting interests between them, and thirdly on the cultural concepts between the two civilizations."

North American sociologist Thomson made a startling statement, which seemed to make sense to many. Thomson was tall, with brown curly hair, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses that accentuated his refined and scholarly demeanor.

"We can analyze this from three aspects: strength, interests, and ideology. A civilization's cultural ideology is similar to a person's character; I call it 'civilizational character.' Now, let's discuss the scenario where two civilizations are roughly equal in overall strength. There are essentially two possibilities: First, if either civilization possesses an aggressive 'civilizational character,' even if there's no fundamental conflict of interest, they will inevitably become hostile; it's only a matter of time. This is especially true when the 'aggressive civilization' has the greater overall strength; its aggression will be even stronger then. Second, if both civilizations have a moderate character, they won't become hostile unless there's a fundamental conflict of interest; they might even cooperate or form alliances." Relationships. The above describes a scenario where two civilizations are roughly equal in strength. Now let's discuss a scenario where two civilizations are vastly different in strength. A powerful civilization might have several attitudes towards a weaker civilization: ignoring them (disdain or contempt, or because their interests aren't currently affected), eliminating or strangling them (affecting some interest, or it's simply their nature to do so), nurturing and supporting them (because they have a specific need, or are looking for a proxy), or teasing and mocking them (like a child playing with ants, seeking pleasure?). Currently, Gaia's behavior towards Earth's human civilization seems complex, a combination of the four behaviors mentioned above. Thomson pondered for a few minutes, his gaze fixed on the opposite side of the hall, as if trying to see through the wall to Gaia's thoughts.

"A combination of four manifestations?" Everyone discussed it animatedly.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean,” Thomson said firmly and confidently, even raising the corner of his eye slightly.

"Everyone, think about this. Gaia's strength on the moon is definitely far beyond ours. As Mr. Sentai said, why hasn't Gaia taken any strong measures, even allowing us to develop unchecked? Besides being overwhelmingly powerful and ignoring us, there are other reasons as well. In terms of nurturing and supporting us, just like when we captured their UFOs and aliens, Gaia didn't take any further major actions and seemed to be intentionally helping us develop high-tech and military industrial systems. In terms of teasing and playing tricks, 'drawing' in the corresponding positions of the sun and moon has a hint of mockery. Next, Gaia will probably implement a 'annihilation and strangulation' plan, and the consequences will likely be severe. I hope everyone and the Earth Federation are mentally prepared. I personally believe that the first four extinctions of human civilization on Earth were related to Gaia; she directly or indirectly caused these extinctions." People were shocked. Thinking about it, it was indeed possible; with Gaia's strength, she could definitely do it.

“Mr. Thomson makes a good point. Let me add my perspective,” Sentai continued. “Gaia hasn’t launched a large-scale invasion of Earth yet simply because we are not strong enough. She is waiting, waiting for us to mature. Like a ceramic artist, she will decisively abandon or destroy any ceramic work she is not satisfied with. Therefore, when facing Gaia, we must demonstrate sufficient strength!”

What's meant to happen will happen; the only thing that can't be erased is time.

The day has finally arrived. The battle between Earth's humans and the Moon's Gaia has begun.

After nearly 25 years of development, the Earth is no longer the same as it was 25 years ago; it has undergone tremendous changes.

In Earth's near-Earth orbit, the Earth Federation fleet's various types of warships are densely packed together, with cruiser carriers, frigates, cruisers, assault ships, reconnaissance ships, destroyers, industrial ships, and transport ships arranged in a chessboard-like pattern. Small shuttles busily weave between these formations. The large cruiser carriers, 15 kilometers long, 4 kilometers wide, and 1 kilometer high, are entirely black and deep, like a dark region of space, instilling a sense of tension and oppression.

地球纪元公元2047年6月22日夜23：00，地球联邦舰队指挥部命令月球远征舰队出发，向月球进军。

Over 80 billion people watched as countless tiny, active points of light under the moonlight gradually shrank and disappeared. However, a massive fleet—2000 cruisers, 10000 frigates, and 20000 assault ships led by 100 motherships—converged from the flames of their tail engines into a larger, luminous blue orb, advancing towards the moon. This blue light mingled with the moon's white glow. Finally, the fleet stopped some distance from the moon. At that moment, humanity's vision seemed to cease, their pupils reflecting a hopeful blue dot. Blue—the color of Mother Earth. We must not allow Mother Earth to suffer any harm; a sacred feeling resided in everyone's heart. Although technology held absolute dominance on Earth, while watching the live broadcast, people unconsciously revived neglected spiritual rituals, silently praying and offering blessings.

"Deploy attack formations, prepare all weapons, activate shields," Fleet Commander Mike ordered. The 100 cruiser carriers then separated, each leading 20 cruisers, 100 frigates, and 200 assault ships, forming a 10x10 stacked formation. Each formation was 100 kilometers apart horizontally and vertically. Within each formation, the assault ships were at the forefront, the cruiser carriers were slightly forward and in the center, and the cruisers and frigates were positioned on either side of the cruiser carriers.

In the pitch-black, deep space, the black hulls of the vast fleet reflected the silvery moonlight, creating a striking contrast of black and white. A somber atmosphere filled the space, as if even the surrounding stars had stopped twinkling, staring wide-eyed at this magnificent spectacle that had unfolded once again after more than ten thousand years.

Ahead, a circular, disc-shaped flying saucer hovered silently in mid-air. Beyond it lay a vast army, yet I remained steadfast and unmoved. Mike and all the humans in the fleet were stunned. What was going on?

"First squad, fire!" Mike ordered.

"Yes, Commander!" With a command from the captain of the first squadron, guided missiles, electromagnetic cannon shells, and high-energy particle lasers were launched in succession, flying towards the flying saucer with a powerful and thunderous flash.

Suddenly, a large, bright ball of light shot out from inside the flying saucer. In an instant, the ball of light exploded and split into countless points of light. These points of light then connected with each other in all directions, quickly forming a net-like light screen. This screen then rapidly extended to the left, right, up, and down, eventually forming a thin net of light! All the weapons launched by the first squad disappeared without a trace the instant they touched the light screen.

Mike sensed something was wrong and shouted, "Run!"

In an instant, a massive net of light, moving at near the speed of light, sliced ​​the entire fleet apart like cutting tofu, without a single spark. Just abruptly, all the warships were reduced to thin, elongated strips, each strip measuring exactly ten centimeters in width and length.

The night sky was eerily silent, with countless long strips of warship wreckage floating in space, maintaining their original formation.

All that remained for humanity on Earth was a fleeting flash before the live broadcast was cut off, and no familiar sounds were heard again. From outside, the blue glow at the location of the warships had faded. However, with a high-powered telescope, the warships could still be seen, maintaining their original formation. Even with an ultra-high-resolution optical telescope, the warships appeared undamaged, yet they remained motionless, frozen in place, creating an eerie and terrifying atmosphere.

The people of Earth were completely stunned in an instant.

In their first encounter with Gaia on the moon, they lost over 800 million lives and 100 cruiser carrier battle groups, yet they didn't even see a single enemy.

"The pale moonlight, a fatal wound. The darkness's devastation, the wandering of the soul. O glittering stars, please guide me; when will I be able to return home?"

"Which is more troubling, warmth or cold? Alone atop the moonlit peak. Gazing afar at a lonely soul, guarding the impermanence of the human world. My old friend has departed on a crane, perhaps pondering joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, success and failure all passing by. A gentle breeze dances with the shadows of pines, wild geese circle the white tower. Willows by the pond, dew on lotus leaves, water flowing gently. What is there to resent? Floating clouds, a wanderer's thoughts drift aimlessly. People have sorrow and joy, separation and reunion, the world has winter, summer, spring and autumn, I have no desire for anything in this matter. I only wish that we may live long and share a pot of wine."

"This article is dedicated to..."

Humanity on Earth was plunged into grief and sorrow.

"Now, the fifth human civilization, let me see what you can do?" Gaia paced back and forth on the moon.