Star Empire

"By the way, since we can use the existing network to modify the souls of ship members on a large scale, and such modifications are based on the crystal energy level, can we say that our current data network can also be used to transmit energy? Even...everything?"

During the detailed discussion later, Vidoville suddenly asked.

"Theoretically... yes, you can." Cavernelle nodded seriously, "We have modified the definition of energy. Now it is any additional information fluctuation that can change the information aggregate so that it does not evolve according to the original trend and speed. , we can all call it energy, and under this definition, the essence of energy is "information". The network we establish and modify under the unified theory of information can naturally also transmit energy under this premise—— The network transmits information, and information is everything. But at present, our bandwidth may not be sufficient to ensure communication and maintain energy transmission at the same time."

"Understood, then Cavinriel, since all the problems have been solved, then you should implement the soul modification measures to everyone as soon as possible. According to the results obtained so far, most of the Ark's hull condition inspection has been completed, and the fleet will be re-installed. Before setting sail, we need to fully implement all corrective measures!”

"clear."

"By the way, take a look at this." Vidoville passed a document to several chief scientists sitting around the table.

"We have already said before about the reasons why we need to massively modify the souls and underlying personalities of citizens. In order to gather all the power of the entire civilization, we must modify the current system that is too loose and lax. To put it more directly, the Star Civilization will be Conversion from a federal system to an imperial system that was more rigid and everything was more centralized.”

"Based on the existing network authority structure, the subordinates must ensure that they can devote everything to the orders from the superiors as long as they can continue to survive, and the orders from the superiors must be guaranteed to be absolutely and thoroughly executed. No matter which two levels of the current authority network are extracted, they will be under this system."

"But one thing I need to understand is that the biggest feature brought by federalism is the overall relaxation and freedom. On this basis, diverse and splendid cultures can further feed reality and promote development. In fact, this The freedom brought by the system has indeed enabled our civilization to have advanced technology and a glorious history. Once this system does not exist now, it will inevitably have an impact on the development of science and technology. Regardless of good or bad, I would like to hear about this. In your opinion, do you think such a system will strangle or even strangle the continued progress of science and technology?"

"Well..." While Cavinriel, Isendel, and Ikarim, who was participating in the meeting remotely due to his own health, were deep in thought, Zhai Cahir answered earlier: "No, The development and progress of science and technology has no direct relationship with freedom."

"...Zhai Cahir, the difference in your speaking style is quite obvious."

"I don't need to pursue my non-essential goals, it's meaningless." Zhai Cahill ignored the words that just flashed: "In fact, if we directly investigate the most basic conditions for the prosperity of science and technology, then As long as the rulers, or the investment from the ruling structure, can ensure that cutting-edge scientific research receives sufficient resources and attention, science and technology, and even other technologies we don’t yet know about, can continue to develop.”

"The reason why the federation has gained a strong driving force for development and innovation because of freedom is that in a free state, the rise and prosperity of a large number of non-state organizations, including scientific research and economic groups, ensure that some attention will always be focused on new technologies. In the development and creation of technology and new ideas, even if the country fails to pay attention to it for the time being, these details overlooked by senior managers will not be buried. All progress and development will have enough resources to try and develop, and freedom What is guaranteed is to ensure that there are enough free economic resources to support the development of these details. What is directly linked to the development of science and technology is economy, resources, and attention. As for freedom, if it is directly connected to the development of science and technology , there is a logical fallacy.”

"...In fact, the driving force for the development of science and technology comes from civilization itself: survival, expansion, becoming stronger... The needs of any civilization itself are the source of development. As long as we can ensure that these basic requirements do not disappear, and can still If you invest, the pace of technological advancement will not be interrupted.”

"What's more, we haven't been exposed to a brand-new field for a long time now, and there are still a lot of theories waiting to be realized. But now, if we can unite enough resources with the imperial system, then it will be better than the previous state of worries and restrictions. It’s much better.”

"Well... it seems that the effect after the soul modification is indeed very good." Vidoville looked at the serious Zhai Cahir with a little embarrassment, "Your attitude?"

"Just telling the truth. In fact, for the Federation, no matter how efficient or united the Federation was at that time, egoism, differences, divisions, and the competition for reputation and interests will always have an impact on the overall progress of the Federation. Yes." Zhai Cahir waved his hand at the surprised looks of the people around him.

"If this time, we can really modify our souls and wills, eliminate all differences and unnecessary disputes between people, abandon any possibility of sacrificing overall interests in exchange for our own interests, and develop the idea of ​​​​one heart and one mind with true common development, Integrate all wisdom... Then, all the flashing inspiration and wisdom will naturally converge into civilization and become a whole... In the past, the scope of these theoretical models was very small, but now... it may be promoted To the entire federation.”

"Changes in the individual and joint will of a few key figures can dominate the direction of the entire civilization. Although this has been confirmed by us, and we have made various changes in response to it, but..."

The two consuls looked at each other in the consciousness network - now, a few people can directly manage the entire federation, and the results of one or a few people can change the entire path that civilization will take in the future. In fact, there is no problem with these current situations. As long as the mathematical model is confirmed to be true, it is reliable.

But no one dares to think about these things in detail, and no one dares to ask themselves whether they can think about it calmly while facing all reality.

…

After this conversation, the work and life of each Ark member began to get back on track. The first bridge, which had been silent for several days, became active again. The second bridge and the second bridge were covered with filthy mud and strange phenomena. All the twisted matter and anomalies once entrenched in the contaminated cabin attached to it were turned into crystal debris in the sky in a dazzling crystal energy explosion.

In other surviving arks, similar scenes are constantly happening. The huge wounds caused by the death tide are being slowly healed, and the rotten flesh and blood are being cut off from the body bit by bit. Everything is going according to the plan. In progress.

In silence and activity, new changes are taking place. The secondary crystal energy of unknown origin has been spreading in the information aggregate they constitute as "individuals". Silently, each person's soul and a considerable part of their personality are being quietly modified.

…

"Virtual machine environment operation - reconstructing the underlying protocol... The acquisition of experimental samples has been completed, the self-consistency of the verification system has recovered, the new item encapsulation has been completed, the closed structure has been laid, and the overall encapsulation has begun..."

"The sample data has been saved. Feasible modes have been screened and recorded. The unit has been cooled down. The next test is expected to start in ten hours..."

"The operation of life will also be attached to it..."

…

Five days later in the Eternal Motion Clock, February 15, 15th Year of the Exile, the first bridge of the flagship of the Ark Fleet.

At around nine o'clock today, the captain of Ark No. 15, Albeck, reported back that the contaminated parts of the ship's hull had been cleaned and purified. The repairs of the two most seriously damaged ships marked the resumption of navigation.

However, after receiving the news, the flagship only gave one answer: stand by.

In the silent waiting, huge floating light screens and various holographic projections unfolded in front of every spacecraft and everyone. On the screen, the first bridge of the flagship was displayed, with the crystal rails twisted and the scars caused by the previous pollution still not faded, as well as the images of the seven people they knew who had survived from the original high-level members of the Federation.

"Greetings to every Ark, hello. I am Vesrivan, the former Star Federation Operations Archon. Here, I would like to announce to you the decision made by the flagship regarding the direction in which civilization will move forward. "After a short pause, the clear and firm voice once again echoed in the cabin and everyone's mind:

"Now, all governing bodies that once existed under the federal system, including the Council of Aldosil, have become completely incapacitated and are no longer accountable for any aspect of our civilization."

"Not long ago, the pollution named "Death Tide" invaded our exile fleet, and spread quite seriously in the out-of-control communication tide. According to what we were used to saying, this terrifying power not only comes from material It has caused immeasurable losses to our individual lives and our Ark ships.

At the same time, it spread throughout our network and caused a lot of unnecessary casualties and material damage. The spread of contamination in the network has left another consequence: most of the laws and all underlying protocols established in the federal era have completely expired. "

Victorville, who was on the side, also stepped forward at this time: "After sufficient argumentation and thinking, we can confirm that, whether in fact or in name, the concept of the Federation of Stars no longer exists."

"I, Woodster Vidovir, the fifteenth Military Consul authorized by the Council of Aldosil—"

"I, Kundalil Vesrifan, am the fifteenth running Archon authorized by the Council of Aldosil—"

"Announced here!——"

"The former federal government has been disintegrated. Except for the remaining network segment structures, all old structures and supporting facilities have lost all their functions. It can be considered that the federal government has been destroyed."

…

Everything was still as usual. Faced with the cold words and images coming from the screen, everyone was unusually calm. No one showed any dissatisfaction. It seemed that they had expected such a situation and had made all psychological preparations. generally.

"In the disaster that has just been passed, everyone also understands what is the reason that led to the second spread of the death wave that should not have happened. It is obvious that it is out-of-control freedom."

"When we reviewed the Internet, we found a considerable number of legacy bills from several previous consuls. They all pointed to one result: reducing government interference in everyone, without tilting the entire civilization. , enabling people to rely on their own rationality to solve problems encountered in production and life - it is undeniable that human power is free and powerful in the federation."

“The consequences of this are that, first, there are fewer legal provisions that can be used to deal with real-life situations, and second, citizens’ dependence on logical modules and rational thinking systems continues to increase. Under normal circumstances, this is normal. development trend.”

"But in the face of disasters and critical moments that require unity, such freedom will often become an obstacle to the concentration of strength and a stumbling block to survival. If after the Ark fleet rushes out of the fragments of the world contaminated by the death tide, we have the ability to force Cut off all non-military lines of communication and hundreds of millions of people will survive. But now, it's too late for them."

"But it's not too late for us."

"It is now decided: Based on the old information collection network permission structure, everyone will be directly connected to the new rules with the current permission level: everyone in every Ark must act with the most absolute and pure loyalty, Bravery, devotion, efficiency and self-sacrifice to ensure the general continuance of civilization.”

"Under the new authority requirements, any superior-subordinate relationship in the current authority level, regardless of the gap, the subordinate must obey the orders and arrangements from the superior with absolute efficiency and accuracy, and all orders issued by the superior and the decisions made by the superior All must be unconditionally accepted and implemented. From now on, individuals’ free life and free power that are not restricted by the overall interests of civilization will no longer exist.”

"Survival has never been something that is easily accessible. This is true for life, for civilization, and even more so for you and me. Once upon a time, we were immersed in the rich life brought by abundant resources. While pursuing various powers and interests, We have forgotten how hard-won the most basic requirement of life - survival, was once."

"The Ark Fleet has jumped into the void. The void cannot provide the Ark Fleet with a chance of stable survival. Similarly, our civilization now cannot provide you with a chance of stable survival. If you want to survive, you must go all out."

"I hope our civilization can survive in this ultimate vastness and nothingness where even coldness and darkness do not exist, and survive this terrible long night..."

"From this moment on, the Star Federation will perish and it will become part of history. Today is the last day of the Star Federation."

"But it is not the last moment of the Star Civilization. Perhaps this civilization will eventually come to an end, but it is definitely not now."

"The Star Empire has been established since then."