Star Empire

"Reaction of the world of order? The order field was forcibly shut down by the external order, so that means we ran into the fragment of the world that was being followed?"

Vidoville gasped, the previous overload operation was all in vain - the original purpose was to try to get rid of the tracking of this unknown fragment!

Due to two almost consecutive and extremely high-intensity overload voyages, the fleet paid a heavy price, including more than 2,000 casualties, and the mathematical cores of all ships were overloaded and damaged. Along with the problem of mathematical rate core failure, there are also problems such as the reduction in the anti-interference strength of each ship's redundant equipment group and even scrapping.

It can be said that the intensity of the last void shift may be comparable to the voyages of the past few months, but not only did it not allow the fleet to escape the tracking of the world fragment, but it was directly overtaken by the world fragment and swallowed by it.

"Damn it. We have paid so many unnecessary sacrifices, but isn't this thing too bizarre? Is it possible that what is covering us is a remaining phantom?"

"I can only say that if the specific situation is to be completely determined, a scanning system more consistent with the order world environment needs to be involved. However, judging from the intensity of the feedback captured so far, the environment around us is definitely an entity, or its power can Suppress our ability to explain ourselves.”

Isendel shook his head with difficulty, "The situation may be even stranger than we imagined. The fragment of the world that followed may very well... indeed carry something that we don't know about at all, making that fragment of the world not only resistant to It has withstood the erosion of the void, chased us all the way, estimated our void coordinates in advance, and "intercepted" us - we simply can't imagine how it did it!! The order field is logically It cannot be positioned like this!”

"What we don't know... could it be a large-scale entity... Haven't we basically scanned every inch of space in the universe? We have even conducted corresponding explorations within the core of stars and the horizon of black holes. If there is such a device that can drive the movement of fragments of the world, then it is unlikely that it will be so small that it escapes our sight, right?"

Although Vidoville envisioned some situations that were once regarded as fantasy, and felt that he should have accepted them - but until these events that were beyond his original understanding and impossible to imagine hit him head-on. On his face, he realized that there was still a huge distance between thinking and accepting.

"Sir, it seems that even now, although you support the unification of information, in fact when facing problems, the concepts and ideas you use are still too restricted by the conventional unification of mechanics.

"When our vision expands to the level of information, matter and space are no longer accurate or absolute. In my opinion, I also think that the equipment that can drive the fragments of the universe to move in the void to this extent is neither volume nor absolute. The power is not small, but it is very limited."

"Even if we exclude those forms of existence whose details we cannot imagine, assuming that it is indeed a giant device that can be understood by us, we cannot observe it. Now it seems that there is no problem, because it is very likely that — it simply doesn’t exist in the regular world as we know it.”

"Don't forget, just by using enough energy, we can expand the other seven dimensional axes. The tenth dimension and beyond are just because the impact of virtual space on the real world is too great, and we cannot continue to study downwards. , it is even possible that the actual existence range of the entire world actually exists wider than we understand.

Even if we don't find it in the real world, we can't directly rule out these possibilities based on our experience and technology: those things may exist in our universe in other ways, and may always be floating on the world barrier. It may exist in other macro dimensions that are unknown to us but are in an unfolding state, and it is even possible that it itself has information-level encryption..."

"Perhaps I can tell you some more intuitive experiences about this part." Zhai Cahir's voice floated over faintly, "In the undecipherable message we received, from my perspective If you look at it, its "real meaning" part of the information is completely invisible, and all we can receive is its color, shape, size, etc. There is no meaningful information to us."

"All our ancient characters, the ancient characters of the empire, and the Zerg symbols do not have even a similar form of the system. It is also affected by this encryption... To say too much, I think that information can even be obtained by a semi-structured system. Intuitively, that message gave me this response: no key, unbreakable - just like it has intelligence."

"Since a short message can have such an effect, a larger facility or something else that is no different from its basic nature can naturally also have an information law entry attached to it that is "unscannable, untrackable, and unparsable." Of course The actual implementation is not that simple. This is a relatively intuitive and easy-to-understand example for us now. It doesn’t matter if you are surprised. My spirit is about to collapse.”

Vidoville shook his head helplessly, "Could it be us? This part... I hope we will figure it out eventually. Cavenriel, after the order field of the spacecraft was forcibly shut down, the flow of crystal energy was directly redirected Shield array?”

"Yes, Your Excellency, this is the emergency operation of the facilities we have set up. If the order field is suddenly forced to shut down, the mathematical rate core will immediately transfer all the relevant crystal energy output to the shield as long as it is not down, and the ship will Protect the body. Also, do we want to detect the outside world now?"

Looking at the increasingly clear order world reaction and the disappearing world barrier parameters, Cavinriel became more and more worried. The information reflected by the world barrier in the world should be invisible. If the intensity of the detection information of the world barrier becomes more and more intense, If it is low, it means that the current "object" is becoming more and more integrated into another information aggregate, and the danger currently being detected is the inexplicable but extremely dangerous pollution contained in the fragments.

"About this... we can detect it with the protection of the crystal energy shield, but the information needs to flow through it again where pure crystal energy exists. The protection of the crystal energy shield no longer only exists on the conventional material level. , we can ensure security to a certain extent, but the content and accuracy are difficult to guarantee.”

"Zhai Cahir, if this continues, your right eye may actually suffer organic damage!" Looking at the chief engineer covering his right eye, Weisruifan said worriedly.

"If we die here like this...then we won't be of much use in the future."

"We have entered the world of order, and the remaining environment of the order field is rapidly dissolving - the impact has arrived, all members must be prepared for conventional physical impact resistance!" According to the prompts of the shipboard AI, the entire spacecraft shook violently, despite the inertia. With the assistance of the stabilizer, the center of the spacecraft only deflected for a few seconds, but even this little remaining power, due to the leverage increase generated by the almost absolutely rigid huge hull, also produced a deflection at the end of the ship. A considerable change in attitude.

Fortunately, the spacecraft itself is a device of the "Ten Thousand Years Prison", and most of the members have high physical strength. In addition, after the fusion of crystal energy, they also have a certain degree of resistance to conventional physical influences. Otherwise, if it falls like this, the head and tail of the ship will be destroyed. There may be only fragments and broken and blurred flesh left in the cabin.

"Weisrifan, you use the equipment in the second bridge to minimize contact with the outside world to send a message to the entire fleet." Vidoville said.

"ESCL, I understand." Weisrifan nodded, then stepped on a halo of light and disappeared.

"Cavenriel, let Ikarim rest first. You have more important work to do."

"clear."

Among the fragmented space ripples and celestial debris on the periphery, a few slender golden light streams that seemed to be out of the world were emitted from the surface of a spacecraft. The transparent shield on the outer layer of the golden light stream pushed away the obstacles that blocked its path. Obstructed and quickly merged with the pale golden light film on the outer layers of other spacecraft.

After a slight delay, the tail ends of all the spacecraft lit up with a faint golden light, and began to follow the flagship to maintain speed - after the fleet fell into the world fragments and the order field was forcibly shut down, although the command system could barely maintain its work , but each spacecraft can only rely on its own basic equipment to survive.

"Isendel, I want to ask you something." After seeing Cavinriel take over the operation, Victorville walked towards the replaced Isendel, "Zhai Cahir mentioned just now that the protection of the crystal energy shield If it not only exists at the level we are used to, but also has more extended meanings, where does the protective ability of the crystal energy shield still exist?"

"Oh, ah, fortunately, I can still answer this question." Eisendel tried his best to concentrate his slightly dazed mind, and then transferred the communication to a more efficient state of pure stream of consciousness.

"It's best to start with the entire history of the existence of shields. In the earliest days, most of our shields existed as force fields. Even if they were not pure force fields, they still needed force fields to play an important role. of."

"For example, the electromagnetic protective force field uses a coil array placed inside the ship to generate an electromagnetic field that can envelope the ship. It uses the magnetic field to generate repulsion to interfere with charged attack methods, such as plasma and various types of antimatter. But for For neutral particles, the role of the electromagnetic field is quite small - and it cannot offset kinetic energy."

"The corresponding defense means is the gravity field and a little bit of dust. Using a strong gravity field to manipulate some small particles of matter can hinder the movement of neutral particles to a certain extent, and can even cause collisions similar to particle collisions. The machine uses combined energy to induce a nuclear reaction in the iron core to weaken the power of the high-energy particles themselves. Even if it cannot, it can reduce the damage of these particles to the hull armor - but it also cannot offset the kinetic energy."

"There are relevant descriptions in the historical records I have read - the strength of the ancient shield system is not only limited by the power of the hull, but also by the anti-acceleration capabilities of the hull equipment and personnel."

"There seems to have been a considerable span in the middle. Later, when the technical system can be called an innovation, a relatively more advanced and comprehensive mass-energy conversion force field appeared, right?" Vidoville screened himself a little. memory, asked.

"Yes, the products derived from the gravity field stagnation technology require the intervention of the Higgs field. Relatively speaking, the span is very large." Eisendel nodded, "The instantaneous Higgs-derived gravity field can reduce the level within a certain range. The time flow rate causes an area similar to a low light speed area to appear in this range relative to the outside world. As long as the foreign matter has a rest mass, it will annihilate itself into pure energy due to the instantaneous mass expansion at the moment it passes through these two areas - —Including the kinetic energy they contain can also be burned out."

"This technology is easy to use, but the energy consumption to produce a cataclysmic supergravity field that is enough to freeze for a certain period of time is too high. By the way, the defense of ultra-high-energy lasers is more troublesome, and high-energy photons are enough to burn through most objects. Some conventional materials cannot resist lasers as long as their reflectivity cannot reach 100%. However, this problem was later solved by neutron accumulation materials. Perfect reflectivity and no electronic transition make armor the perfect material to resist lasers. "

"If you want to put it this way, the real shield will have to wait until the vacuum zero point can be put into practical use?"

"Yes, the vacuum zero-point energy shield is the first practical shield that meets our expectations. The essential function of the shield is to block external offensive energy directed towards the ship. The vacuum zero-point energy shield is After the shield covers the entire ship, it will form a protective layer wrapped in extremely high energy density."

"On the one hand, its extremely high energy density is enough to block most physical attack-carrying items, and such huge energy itself can also provide a "counterweight" function to reduce the degree of interference of external energy on the system. "

"The crystal energy shield has been upgraded again at this level. Crystal energy is a fairly pure information fluctuation, and using it as a shield can provide protection in all information interactions. So far we have not encountered any It’s an attack at the information interaction level, so I can’t estimate what specific manifestations it will take.”

"From a direct understanding... there are no visible loopholes in our shield definition. This shield definition is currently established within the effective scope..."

Vidoville pinched his eyebrows and carefully thought about some of the current definitions and environmental impacts, then relaxed slightly, "By the way, Isendel, if we are fully compatible with crystal energy...how will our bodies exist? Will it be related to those existing models?”

"...Huh?" As the words were spoken, a brief moment of clarity seemed to flow through the small space on the bridge - just like a breeze with ice crystals blowing under the hot and oppressive thick clouds: " This issue deserves study."

"Vidoville, fleet communication has been completed." Weisrifan's voice rang in Vidoville's mind, "In addition, now is not the time to discuss these, Isendel, put all your attention on now."

"Archon, the navigation system auxiliary system mode modification has been completed and can be activated in the world of order." On this side, reports from Cavinriel and Zhai Cahir also came almost at the same time.

"Prepare to try to analyze the world's fragmented situation, and the shipboard AI is on standby. If there is an abnormality in the personnel, medical treatment and suppression procedures will be carried out immediately." Vidoville used his authority to directly authorize the shipboard AI to override the authority in emergencies.

In the main control hall, a large holographic window is placed above the crystal rail in the bow direction of the ship so that the personnel on the ship can get the best viewing effect. In the ship body, one line has been protected and translated at all levels, and even some nodes are forcibly exposed to the infiltration of crystal energy. Some of the conventional sensors reserved on the outer shell of the spacecraft began to work. After a considerable number of corrections, enhancements, and field of view filtering, the scene of the "universe" outside finally appeared in everyone's eyes.

"It can be seen that this "starry sky" has many layers of filter lenses superimposed. Can you analyze where this part was in the universe before?" After a brief silence, Weisruifan asked.

"Your Excellency, it may not be possible." Cavernrel shook his head, "According to speculation, the remaining part is most likely the area blocked by the long wall of the warped world, which has been relatively strengthened by the power of crystal energy. , may have stronger stability than other world blocks. However, after the protection was breached, under the pressure of pollution, vacuum zero-point energy bursts and crystal energy vortices, the damage to this part was also quite serious, and the law collapsed. It could even be worse than elsewhere in the universe, so we can't give a firm result."

In the slightly trembling holographic projection, the scene of this fragment of the world can be described as extremely miserable. There are almost no celestial bodies in the field of vision that still conform to the laws of the past order. Chaotic and twisted dark red shadows, ferocious patterns across the entire darkness are shaking silently, and some nebula-like substances are appearing in the dim space in inconsistent ways. Any form of physical law rolls around like a turbid wave that is about to swallow the world.

There is still light in this world, or something similar to light. In those chaotic seas of clouds, those distorted celestial bodies, and even distorted space folds, some sporadic white glimmers are flashing occasionally, and these weak white lights are The point of contrast is the large-scale flashing black and red light and shadow among those ferocious and terrifying existences.

The prosperous light and shadow that the Federation once painstakingly managed is now nowhere to be found.

"I feel...a little cold in my chest." Vidoville pressed her sternum, trying to maintain a normal state, "...Is this...fear?"

"This kind of unspecified pollution seems to be able to affect people's minds." Zhai Cahir turned away, "In my opinion, they are very visually stimulating, but at present, although they are a bit scary, But besides this lifeless picture, there seems to be something more.”

"No, wait!" Cavinriel's eyes moved, and part of the holographic display was instantly enlarged to the same size as the original main display. In the picture, the influence of a galaxy gradually emerges, a normal galaxy that conforms to everyone's deepest memories, complies with the laws of the universe.

"That galaxy... looks familiar?" Cavernelle frowned. Soon, the galaxy in the picture began to change. In the center of the galaxy, some unusually bright light spots were flashing in batches, and Around the area with dense light spots, a huge layer of total reflection mirror is rising from the ecliptic plane near the core of the galaxy and rapidly closing in on the two celestial poles.

"The Zerg swan song battle?" Cavinriel was shocked, but the scenes that followed became more and more beyond his imagination, and also exceeded the expectations of everyone present: he saw the fire that had been extinguished long ago, and could only be seen from The mother planet of civilization and its stars can only be seen in some historical data; I saw the light and shadow distortion that is difficult to disperse after a spacecraft accelerates; I saw the space resonance wave hub standing in the universe; I saw each one The space station was shining with light; I even saw a piece of the purest light. Soon, the brilliant sea of ​​stars quickly spread out in front of his eyes.

"Is this...an hallucination or real?" Looking at the picture transmitted back, not only the regular members, but also Cavernril's mind was at a loss - they even ignored the slight trembling and inertial stability coming from under their feet. The "wailing" coming from the device.

"Some of them should be true. These pictures are things that once happened in our universe. A very strong light just flashed in the distance. Those pure lights are most likely scenes from the Big Bang, and now It seems that this is not just an image, it is very possible that the real history that matches the situation of the picture also exists in those pictures.”

Zhai Cahir pointed at the reading of the shield array. The moment the screen was filled with blazing white light, the shield generator instantly entered a high-power state. However, as the brilliant sea of ​​stars quickly unfolded, the briefly fully loaded The equipment group quickly returned to normal status.

"This actually verifies one of my conjectures about the end of the world." Zhai Cahir said slowly while looking at the expanding area on the display.

"After the end of the world, in addition to the expected decomposition and dissipation, there is another possibility, or form, that the world line will close, and all events in this world from birth to destruction will no longer follow a linear arrangement, but It is spread out completely equally like a plane.”

"And those scenes are likely to be after the world line is closed, it no longer follows linear time, but is a scene where things that have always existed in the universe directly unfold the historical line and then collapse randomly."

"Well...but there is an obvious problem. The world is a dialectical unity of change and stillness. It is impossible for the entire world to have a shadow with the same weight every minute. Anyway, this is worth studying. Wait a minute, what are those... ?" In the holographic projection, Cavinriel once again captured some abnormalities, and after these abnormalities were witnessed by everyone, the atmosphere in the main control hall instantly dropped to freezing point.

In the picture, some dark unknown objects that seem to be kneading together several semi-molten planets are moving slowly, and flying wing-shaped aircraft emitting weird light and shadow shuttle between those unknown huge objects, unexplainable spaces The phenomenon even dyed the entire starry sky a dim blood-red color. Behind the formation of aircraft, two towering giant shadows with vague figures were revealed, their bodies huge enough to cover the starry sky on a celestial scale.

Amid shock and depression, these incomprehensible and terrifying images were broadcast again and again on the flagship's holographic projection. Countless missiles appeared around those space creations with extremely irregular shapes that might be celestial-level fortresses. Bright slender silk threads, one section of these threads was connected to the black glazed shell of those unknown huge structures, while the other end was completely missing. However, as one after another fortresses began to engage in this process, The "source" of the bright thread seemed to be pulled out of the universe.

The body of this "source" - a thing that doesn't seem to be weird, like an asteroid, was sent into the center of the fleet, between two huge shadows guarded by countless units and stars like a moon. In the middle, a unit that looked like a celestial fortress broke away from the queue. Countless dark lines suddenly shot out from its surface, and the lines submerged into the universe, and the figure of this "straggler" also disappeared into space.

Then, the picture disappeared, and the fragments of the world returned to the chaotic state they were in when the fleet first entered.

In the silence of everyone, the emotionless voice of the shipboard AI made the first summary of the previous scenes:

1. The aircraft just captured does not belong to any civilization known to the Federation.

2. No remains or ancient objects matching the style have been found in the universe, nor are there any similar records of space phenomena.

3. Among all aircraft with clear images, there is a common mark on their surfaces: Σ.