Chapter 106 Border Outpost
Chapter 106 Border Outpost
Human civilization has truly entered the playground of interstellar society.
Howard stared at the unfamiliar tri-star system on the screen, where the three stars shone brightly in the sky, weaving together a magnificent picture.
The data transmitted back by the probe shows that this galaxy is barren, without even a single habitable planet. But this is the norm in the universe. There are hundreds of billions of stars in a galaxy, and not every one of them is capable of supporting life.
"General, the research vessel has arrived at the outer edge of the target star system and is conducting a full scan," the voice of the technical officer pulled Howard back to reality from his reverie.
Howard nodded and turned his gaze to another screen, which displayed live footage from the "Pathfinder".
The gravitational field formed by the three stars is complex and chaotic, making planetary orbits extremely unstable. Most planets have been swallowed up by the stars in the long game of gravity, and the remaining survivors have mostly been grazed by the stars at close range and scorched into dead planets. Life is unlikely to be born and reproduce under such conditions.
"Report the scan results," Howard said in a deep voice.
"Yes, General," came the voice of Vice Captain Bai Bing from the communicator, tired but unable to hide her excitement. Her ship, the "Pioneer," was like a tireless albatross, navigating the gravitational turbulence of the Tri-Star System.
"Preliminary detection revealed no signals of intelligent life, no traces of civilization activity, and no abnormal energy fluctuations."
"The planets in this system have extreme surface temperatures, making them unsuitable for colonization. However, we have discovered a large amount of mineral deposits on the planets, with preliminary estimates suggesting that the reserves are quite substantial."
Although this star system has no habitable planets, its resource value should not be underestimated. In other words, for a civilization that has just entered the interstellar age, these mineral resources discovered outside its home star system are the cornerstone of its future development.
"Continue the exploration," Howard ordered, "and at the same time dispatch engineering vessels to prepare for the construction of an outpost."
"clear!"
After the communication was interrupted, Howard turned to look at Terence behind him. The faith leader was standing quietly in front of the observation window, his gaze fixed on the distant starry sky, his fiery eyes seemingly reflecting the entire universe.
"I will order the mobilization of reserve resources to establish the first outpost of human civilization there," Howard said. "At the same time, the construction of the ring particle accelerator will not stop. It seems that the resources we have been saving will come in handy."
Terence spoke slowly, with a hint of worry in his voice, "I'm wondering how other civilizations will view us when we truly enter interstellar society."
Howard paused for a moment, then said, "They will see us as a nascent interstellar civilization, a child just stepping out of its home."
"Yes," Terence nodded. "In their eyes, we are just one of countless interstellar civilizations, weak, naive, and ignorant, and could be swallowed up or destroyed at any time."
A cold glint flashed in Howard's eyes. "Let them think they're so self-important. We will establish ourselves in this interstellar society in our own way and win the dignity and status that belongs to humanity."
Terence nodded slowly. "This is a beginning, but we cannot stop here."
Human civilization, like a high-speed machine, has poured vast amounts of resources into this galaxy named "Tianmen".
Engineering ships continuously transported building materials, equipment, and personnel from the home star system, searching for a suitable location amidst the chaotic orbits of the three stars. The first human outpost began to rise from the ground. The existence of this base proclaimed humanity's sovereignty over this star system and represented civilization's expansion into new territories.
The designers had no prior experience building outposts, but they took into full account the harsh environment of the star system and adopted a modular structure that allowed the outpost to be rapidly expanded into a fortress in a short period of time. They also intentionally built a dock and a large enough living quarters for the crew to accommodate the fleet for stationing, maintenance, and resupply.
Meanwhile, in the home galaxy, another grand project is also underway: the construction of a deep-space ring particle accelerator.
From the central system of the Ark Space Station, a huge ring structure is gradually taking shape. Once completed, this accelerator will surround the entire outer edge of the mother galaxy, consisting of thousands of acceleration nodes, each far apart, which will accelerate high-energy particles to near the speed of light through precise magnetic field control.
With Howard's full support, the industrial system of human civilization began to fully shift to meet the needs of the interstellar age. The shipyards worked day and night, and batches of warships, research vessels, and engineering ships equipped with faster-than-light engines set sail to join the ranks of human civilization in exploring the stars.
Howard stood on the observation deck of the Ark Space Station, watching brand-new spaceships roll out of the dock. These spaceships represented the hope of human civilization, as well as unknown challenges.
"General, the star map has been updated," the technical officer's voice came from behind. "Based on the data provided by the alien civilization, we have analyzed the relative positions of hundreds of star systems in the vicinity and the known hyperspace routes."
Howard turned to look at the enormous star map on the screen. Countless points of light flickered in the darkness, representing star systems, while the lines connecting those points of light were naturally existing hyperspace routes, like a giant spider web covering the sea of stars.
"Our position is here," the technical officer said, pointing to a bright spot in the center of the star map. "From here, we can reach the 'Heavenly Gate' system via Hyperspace Route 3, and through several other routes, we can travel to even more distant places."
Howard's gaze moved along the lines on the star map. He discovered that human civilization was located in a relatively remote star region. Most of the dozens of star systems around it were not covered by the color palette, which meant that these were unclaimed star systems, where no civilization had originated or where other civilizations had set their sights.
Further afield, some star systems are marked with different colors and symbols, representing that they belong to other civilizations and are marked as being within the sphere of influence of the Boros Space Foundation.
The technical officer explained, "According to extraterrestrial civilizations, there are multiple dominant civilizations in this galaxy, each occupying a large area of the star field. Our current location is relatively remote and we have not yet come into contact with other civilizations, but as we expand, we will eventually run into the borders of other civilizations."
Howard frowned slightly. Those glaringly colored border lines were undoubtedly a reminder to human civilization that interstellar society was not peaceful, and the law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak, also applied to the starry sea.
"Continue to send research vessels into the hyperspace corridor to explore the surrounding star systems," Howard ordered. "Stay vigilant and report immediately if any signs of other civilizations are detected. We need to be cautious in our contact with them."
With the highest command issued, research ships equipped with faster-than-light engines set off from their home star system, heading towards unknown star regions along the hyperspace routes marked on the star map.
"General, the first batch of settlers has arrived at the border outpost," Captain Mark's voice came through the communicator. "The base is currently operating normally, and all systems are in optimal condition."
Howard nodded. "Very good, keep it up. Monitor the hyperspace routes leading to the surrounding star systems, and report any anomalies immediately."
"Yes, General!"
In the "Tianmen" star system, the construction of the border outpost has taken shape. The main structure has been completed, and the central energy system has begun to operate, providing a continuous supply of electricity to the entire base.
The first group of personnel stationed there are adapting to this unfamiliar and harsh environment. The artificial ecosystem inside the base provides them with suitable living conditions, but whenever they look out at the desolate star system through the observation window, an indescribable sense of loneliness always wells up in their hearts.
"This is the new frontier of human civilization," a young engineer murmured to himself. "We are standing at the forefront of civilization's history."
"Don't overthink it," the veteran next to him patted him on the shoulder. "Our mission is to build this place up and pave the way for those who come after us. One day, this place will also become a prosperous place."
The young engineer nodded. They were a lucky generation, with the distant winter and apocalypse behind them and the vast starry sea that none of their ancestors had ever set foot in before.
With the establishment of the border outpost, human civilization has raised a flag here, announcing their entry onto the stage of the interstellar age.
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