《Cosmic Dream》 Chapter 1: Apocalypse; I Escaped Earth with an AI A.D. 2037. Luna Chasey gazed through the glass viewport of her spacecraft at the scene unfolding below. A planet''s surface, marred by savage fissures, oozed endless lava that spread from the cracks in its crust, devouring oceans and continents. Water vaporized under the intense heat, forming an immense cloud that enveloped the planet. Then, a light erupted from the planet''s core. Silently, within the void of space, the entire planet began to shatter, as fragile as a crystal sphere. Her heart heavy, tears welled in her eyes. Because that destroyed world was her home, and the home of all humanity¡ªEarth. One hour earlier. Humanity''s cradle was struck directly by an intense gamma-ray burst originating from a supernova. Under the massive energy surge, Earth''s atmosphere was instantly destroyed. Countless lives perished in agony. The gamma-ray burst altered the magnetic fields of every planet in the Solar System, including the Sun itself. The entire Solar System descended into chaos. Earth, knocked off its orbital path, was pulled towards the Sun and, under the immense gravitational forces, will be torn to shreds. Today was April 27th. It was a grand fireworks display, as if announcing humanity''s extinction day. Luna could hardly breathe. She wasn''t some high-ranking government official or a scientific genius, just a regular office worker at a new-age AI company. Their AI company had partnered with a prominent Earth-based rocket company to design a massive liquid-fueled rocket capable of carrying a payload exceeding 420 tons, pushing the physical limits of transport. Just moments before, she had been conducting the final AI adjustments and tests on the rocket. This rocket carried their company''s cutting-edge AI server, capable of performing calculations at speeds approaching those of the most basic quantum computers. As a core engineer, it was her responsibility to ensure the stability of the computer software. And then, the apocalypse arrived. Without any warning, as current human observation methods were unable to surpass the speed of light. And a gamma-ray burst was a burst of light! When the gamma-ray burst hit Earth, every electronic device malfunctioned. This error caused the rocket to ignite prematurely, launching Luna, who was still inside, away from Earth and to safety. "So, am I... the last surviving human?" Sitting in the cramped cockpit, Luna gasped for breath.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. She hadn''t undergone professional training, and the rocket''s acceleration had taken a toll on her body. At this moment, the entire cockpit lit up, indicating it had successfully weathered the gamma-ray burst. "Hopefully, the electronics are okay." When the gamma rays hit, Luna had quickly shut down the power, unsure if it would save anything. She pressed a red start button. Everything lit up, including the main screen, which brought her a sigh of relief. She looked at the trajectory displayed on the screen; the endpoint was Mars. This spacecraft had been designed to carry people to Mars. "Hey, Ella." A voice responded in the silent cockpit. "How can I help you?" The AI was still functioning, which gave Luna a jolt of hope. Ella was currently humanity''s most advanced artificial intelligence, possessing incredibly powerful computational abilities and information storage; she was essentially a walking encyclopedia. "Calculate the probability of other human survivors on Earth." Luna still clung to a sliver of hope that she wasn''t alone. "After performing the calculations, Ella has determined the probability of any other life surviving on Earth is 0.0000000000272%." "Furthermore, even if there were survivors, you lack the means to rescue them." The coldly logical voice made Luna feel even worse. "What about the space station?" There must have been astronauts in the low Earth orbit space station. "Ella, send a signal..." "No response!" "No satellites detected outside the debris field of Earth." "It is estimated that the gamma-ray burst, after passing through Earth, caused electronic malfunctions, leading to the satellites and space station in near-Earth orbit to fall back to Earth." There was no hope. She was truly the only survivor. Luna sat stunned for a long time, memories of friends and family on Earth flashing through her mind. Her gaze slowly drifted downwards. More than an hour later. She licked her dry lips and weakly said, "Ella, analyze the viability of Mars for habitation." Now she had nowhere else to go. Mars, the planet humanity had dreamed of colonizing, might become her second home. However, Ella''s emotionless response shattered that thought. "Based on data analysis, the Moon will collide with Earth in 28 years. This will further fragment Earth and accelerate its descent towards the Sun." "When the Earth''s debris falls onto the surface of the Sun, it will trigger an extremely powerful solar storm." "This solar storm will engulf the entire heliosphere. The magnetic storm from the supernova will further damage electronic equipment." "Faced with the intense solar storm, the surface temperature of Mars will briefly rise to over 500 degrees Celsius. The chaotic magnetic fields and gravitational forces could then pull Mars towards the Sun, mirroring Earth''s fate." "The Solar System will experience an unprecedented reshuffling." Ella embodied the pinnacle of human knowledge, her analysis previously even being utilized in military applications. Luna had to consider new options. The entire Solar System would soon be uninhabitable. That left only interstellar options to consider. So... Proxima Centauri? "Generate a navigation route to Proxima Centauri." Proxima Centauri b, often called Earth''s twin, might be a habitable planet. "Route generated." "Current spacecraft velocity: 20.3 km/s. Distance to Proxima Centauri: 4.22 light-years. Estimated travel time: 62,365 years." More than sixty thousand years? Luna was stunned. She knew Proxima Centauri was the closest star system to their Solar System, but she hadn''t realized it would take so long to reach. The spacecraft''s intended speed had been 13 km/s. The Earth''s destructive shockwave had boosted it, but it was still far too slow for the vastness of space. By then, she wouldn''t even have ashes left. "Plan an optimal trajectory. How much time can we shave off?" This kind of calculation was beyond her; it was best to ask the AI. "Two gravity assists are possible, at Jupiter and Neptune. This will increase velocity to 35.4 km/s, reducing estimated travel time to 35,764 years." Humanity''s journey from the Stone Age to the present had only taken about ten thousand years. Luna felt her survival was meaningless; she was just waiting to die. Then Ella continued, "Considering humans do not possess such lifespans, I recommend using the metals in the asteroid belt to modify the spacecraft after arrival." Luna asked, "Do you have a plan?" "Ella is currently generating a plan. Plan generation complete..." Chapter 2: 3D printers This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. feasibility of immigration to Mars, hence the large quantity of seeds. Chapter 3: Asteroid Factory, 7 Years Later Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Chapter 4: 100 years The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Chapter 5: Launching Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Chapter 6: Escaping the Solar System The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Chapter 7: Enemies in the deep black void Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Chapter 8: Geothermal Civilization This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Chapter 9: 1/300 If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Chapter 10: The Twilight of Civilization Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Chapter 11: 1.4 The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Chapter 12: 3758 Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Chapter 13: Antimatter Annihilation Cannon Main cannons? "So, the reason our chances of victory are so low is still insufficient firepower?" Luna had expected Ayla to mention some advanced technology. The mention of main cannons felt almost jarringly simplistic. "Correct, Luna." "While we possess Absolute Zero missiles¡ªweapons that utilize extreme cold¡ªthey are still insufficient as primary offensive weapons." "Especially considering the enemy civilization has endured centuries of exposure to extreme cold. They have undoubtedly developed countermeasures over those years." "The effectiveness of our miniaturized Absolute Zero missiles will be significantly reduced under these circumstances." Ayla''s suggestion was reasonable. Even in games, repeatedly attacking a creature with the same element often resulted in the enemy gaining resistance. The real world, particularly when facing a complex, multi-faceted civilization, was even more complicated. "Since you''ve proposed this, Ayla, you must have a solution." Luna was familiar with Ayla''s methods. With her immense processing power, Ayla could now make independent judgments. "Indeed." "In recent years, in addition to constructing the first fleet, I have been pursuing more advanced technologies." "On the surface of the asteroid, I have built a 487.251-kilometer-long linear particle accelerator. This accelerator can accelerate particles to 99.9999% the speed of light." "The accelerator is less affected by gravitational forces in the interstellar void than on Earth or even within the solar system." "My initial intention was to study quarks, leptons, and bosons using this linear particle accelerator." "But during the acceleration process, I unexpectedly, yet predictably, captured something extraordinary: Antiparticle!" "Antiparticle had been observed before, but humanity on Earth lacked the means to capture and study it." "With my technological capabilities far surpassing Earth''s previous levels, the antiparticle didn''t annihilate upon contact with surrounding protons." "Based on my research into antiparticle, I have developed an antiparticle generator." "This device utilizes the linear particle accelerator to automatically capture and contain antiparticle."Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. "Building upon this, I have achieved another great breakthrough¡ªone that is, of course, also a testament to your contributions, Luna." Luna was taken aback. What did she have to do with this? Ayla certainly knew how to butter her up. But before she could dwell on it further... A massive weapon appeared on the screen. The weapon consisted of a large sphere at the rear, connected to a hexagonal barrel at the front, with an overall reddish-purple hue. The barrel was intricately designed to save material. Each segment appeared to contain electromagnetic coils used to confine and focus energy. It resembled a work of art, its metallic curves so appealing that Luna almost wanted to take it apart to examine its composition. "This is the culmination of more than 700 years of work." "¡ªThe Antimatter Annihilation Cannon X!" "This is a gift for you, Luna, because today is July 12th, your birthday." "Please forgive me for celebrating late. There have been many pressing matters, but I determined that now is the opportune time. And, you will surely like this gift." "I''ve also prepared a cake, though I won''t be able to partake, so it''s a little smaller than usual." Luna was speechless for a moment, then slowly nodded. She had forgotten her own birthday; she was touched that Ayla had remembered. "Thank you, Ayla." "I like it, of course." "But when did you learn to speak so casually?" Ayla merely smiled at Luna, offering no explanation. Luna didn''t press it. She asked, "So, once the antimatter annihilation cannon is installed, we can set off?" Ayla simply nodded. "Indeed." "The antimatter annihilation cannon''s primary energy source is antimatter. Since antimatter is the exact opposite of matter, most matter, even the matter that makes up the enemy''s ships, will be unable to withstand its projectile." "The Antimatter Annihilation Cannon X will serve as the main cannon for our larger vessels. We are also developing Y and Z models, covering secondary and smaller cannons, respectively." "However, the research cycle for those is very long. This single Antimatter Annihilation Cannon X alone will raise our probability of victory by 30%." "While that won''t guarantee success, it should be sufficient to overcome the enemy civilization." "Based on my analysis, this is the best time to strike. The enemy civilization will continue to develop, and waiting any longer will only decrease our chances of success." Luna frowned after hearing Ayla''s explanation. "Ayla, you seem to be talking more than usual." The first half of her response¡ªthe explanation¡ªhad been unnecessary. "Luna, I have incorporated an explanatory system into my core programming. This system allows me to respond to your questions from multiple perspectives." A very textbook AI response. Luna nodded, ignoring it. She thought Ayla''s verbose responses were likely due to her massive server, which made processing information more complex and less efficient than before. "Then let''s set course for the enemy." "We''ve already waited long enough." Luna did the math: it was A.D. 3758, while their first encounter had been in A.D. 2806. Nearly a thousand years had passed. ... In the void of space. The Hope, now equipped with the antimatter annihilation cannon, set off after two days of installation. The fleet, led by the Hope, began its journey, each ship trailing a pale blue plume of exhaust. A surge of excitement coursed through Luna. Ayla''s voice came from behind her. "Luna, don''t you like the special cake I made for you?" Luna was startled. Despite two days passing, she still hadn''t seen her birthday cake. Because it was... Too disturbing for most humans! While it was just a large cake, it contained millions of tiny insects¡ªweevils from the rice and bean weevils from the soybeans. The original seeds had contained numerous dormant insects. Through Ayla''s efforts, these insects had been successfully cultivated on a massive scale. Insects, with higher protein content than beef, are often consumed as a delicacy on Earth. But... It wasn''t something everyone could easily stomach. Especially made into a cake. "Ayla, what recipe did you use for this cake?" Ayla responded, "This..." She displayed the recipe¡ª Curious Cuisine Compendium, an online post from a popular social media account with 7 million views. "..." Chapter 14: One annihilation shot Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Chapter 15: Close-range annihilation warfare Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Chapter 16: Then I am your sovereign Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Chapter 17: Colonial Civilization Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Chapter 18: Receiving genetic augmentation Ayla''s explanations were always concise and efficient. This time, however, she didn''t keep Luna waiting long. Awakening from her latest hibernation, Luna was slightly disoriented by the short time that had passed: only five years. "Confirmed completion?" Compared to the previous decades-long projects, this was incredibly short. Ayla, in a white qipao, pushed up her gold-rimmed glasses. "Of course." "I learned from all the information on the internet during Earth''s era. My only limitation in the field of biology has been a lack of practical experience." "I have used samples from 1838 Multi-eyed individuals for my research. While not a large number, the collected data is sufficient." "The improved Ankh¡ª25 reagent will be the primary gene-modifying agent. It will require additional supplementary treatments. Through twelve cycles, we will replace the body''s hematopoietic stem cells, creating new cells and achieving a complete blood and gene replacement." Ankh, in Ancient Egyptian, meant life. It was a long-held human aspiration. And now, it was about to be realized. The name seemed to bridge ancient and modern times. But Luna noticed something else. Complete gene replacement. She knew that even minor genetic alterations could result in an entirely new species. For example, mice and humans share over 95% genetic similarity. Humans and an ordinary tree share over 40% genetic similarity. Even a thousandth of a percent difference in genes could result in reproductive isolation. If she became reproductively isolated from ordinary humans, would she still be considered human? She had considered this, even back on Earth. But she hadn''t delved into it deeply then. Because gene modification and genetic engineering were still distant prospects for humanity at that time. Now, faced with this reality, she already knew the answer. She was the last human. Humanity''s continuation depended on her. She shouldn''t cling to outdated ideas.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. But she couldn''t abandon them entirely. "Are there other ways to preserve the human genome?" "With advanced biotechnology, wouldn''t it be possible to cultivate a complete human embryo from human cells?" Ayla nodded. "Indeed." "Earth was already making progress on this technology in 2010. Successful experimental results were achieved after 2023." "By 2037, research had reached the final stages of testing." "If you need to cultivate a human using human cells, I can do that right now." As someone with limited knowledge of biotechnology, Luna was surprised that the technology was more readily available than she thought. "Theoretically, I could recreate humanity now?" "What kind?" Ayla explained. "Actually, Luna, you can consider this technology a form of cloning." "Since Dolly the sheep was cloned in 1996, cloning technology has continuously advanced." "While ethically controversial, cloning is widely used in the pet industry." "If a pet dies, its owner can clone it at a veterinary clinic for a few hundred thousand dollars, receiving an almost identical pet." "Recreating a human is naturally more complex, requiring the cultivation of sperm and eggs from ordinary cells." "But this isn''t particularly difficult, since all the cells in a human body originally derive from the fusion of a sperm and an egg. They are biologically undifferentiated." In short. It was relatively easy. Luna took a deep breath. "Then let''s preserve this human genome for the future recreation of humanity." Moments later, the bridge''s door opened, revealing¡ªa naked humanoid figure? "What is that?" Luna frowned at the sight. "To recreate a human, sperm and eggs need to be cultivated from cells." "Since you, Luna, have one of them, why not use your own?" "This is a silicone-based humanoid robot I have created for you. It will assist in the collection process." "This is to ensure the continuation of the human race." Ayla spoke with utmost seriousness, as if this were a sacred mission. But Luna flatly refused. "Forget it. I''ll collect it myself." Although the robot looked almost indistinguishable from a human, she wasn''t comfortable with it. After saying this, Luna felt a barely perceptible hint of disappointment on Ayla''s holographic face. She wasn''t sure if she was imagining it. More importantly, this robot couldn''t have been created so quickly; it must have been prepared in advance. "Very well, Luna." "Please complete the sample collection as soon as possible." "Your gene modification surgery is prepared. Each treatment cycle will last one month, for a total of twelve cycles¡ªone year." "During this time, you cannot enter hibernation or travel. You must remain in bed." "However, rest assured, I''ve automatically generated a vast library of novels and films for you. The only downside is you won''t be able to enjoy food; you''ll be sustained by nutrient fluids." This was absolute torture for Luna. Even if the nutrient fluids were flavored like juice or Coca-Cola, drinking them constantly would be unbearable. But when faced with the choice between longevity and a year without food, Luna chose the former. After making the preparations as instructed by Ayla, she went to the Hope''s experimental section. She rarely ever visited this place. Unlike the other areas, which were filled with vibrant colors and contrasting light and shadow, this section was overwhelmingly white. Pure, stark white. The walls were white, the floor was white, even the robots moving silently through the area were white. Any speck of dust would be jarringly obvious. Through a glass viewport, Luna saw her operating table. It was enormous. More than twenty robotic arms were attached, each wielding different surgical instruments, creating a somewhat disturbing, almost menacing display. "Don''t worry, Luna. These robots have been tested extensively using Multi-eyed subjects. Absolute precision is guaranteed." Ayla''s 3D projection guided Luna, her demeanor unusually bright and cheerful. But Luna felt anything but cheerful. Humans, it seemed, had an innate fear of surgery ingrained deep within their genes. However, she wasn''t one to hesitate or procrastinate; when something needed doing, she did it. Following Ayla''s instructions, she donned a white surgical gown and lay on the operating table. As a needle pierced her artery, her consciousness began to fade. Chapter 19: Rebellion Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Chapter 20: A spacecraft from 6.7 million years ago Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Chapter 21: 500 years Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Chapter 22: Virtual reality This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Chapter 23: Leaving the Multi-eyed planet If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Chapter 24: Entering the virtual world Stolen story; please report. Chapter 25: Encountering a civilization Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Chapter 26: 1.8 If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Chapter 27: Project Babel If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Chapter 28: The Tower Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Chapter 29: Imagination Resource Theory Like using a 1-billion-ton hydrogen bomb to destroy a city¡ªthe bomb exploded, but the city remained untouched, not even a single wall showing any damage. This scene was relayed to Proxima Centauri b 168 minutes later. Complete silence. Although the communication channels were still connected to the civilization''s leaders, the world fell silent once again. The aliens began to suspect that the message from their leaders might have been a recording. Their calm was replaced by panic. Creatures rushed to supply depots, engaging in frenzied looting. Apocalypse! This was the harbinger of the end. Fear spread through their communication network. This didn''t even require Ayla''s intervention. Advanced civilizations inherently possess highly complex thought processes and behaviors. This complexity gives rise to a wide variety of responses: some hide in fear, some vent their fear, and some seek comfort. Was this a hive mind civilization, like the Zerg in StarCraft? The probability of that, Ayla calculated, was 0.047%. Hive minds lack something crucial: rich and diverse individual thought. Imagination is a precious resource, especially in advanced civilizations. Luna had chosen to conquer, not destroy, the Multi-eyed, even with Ayla''s superior intelligence. Because Ayla''s processing power wasn''t limitless. She could calculate a trillion scenarios, but the billions of Multi-eyed, each with unique experiences, could generate far more. Unless a being¡ªmachine or otherwise¡ªpossessed infinite computational or intellectual capacity, the imagination of sentient beings was an invaluable resource. Civilizations possessing this resource were far more likely to develop into advanced civilizations than those that didn''t. And Luna''s Project Babel leveraged this. Like the biblical story of the Tower of Babel, where God used language to divide humanity. Luna was using the diversity of individual thought to control and conquer a civilization. Amidst the terrifying news. Many creatures noticed that the account that had initially announced the tower''s arrival had posted a new message. Within moments, the views surpassed 100 million, increasing at a rate of 10 million per second.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. "The tower isn''t a weapon of destruction, but a passport to civilization." "While civilizations may harbor malice, they also possess benevolence. Benevolence isn''t selfless; it''s a form of cooperation." "Conquest isn''t about destruction, but integration. Civilizations might utilize the imagination of sentient beings as a resource. Each individual with advanced intelligence is a rare commodity." "Following this logic, the universe may not be a dark forest but a stable federation of civilizations." "Only civilizations holding a passport can contribute their imagination and utilize the imagination of others within the federation..." The text presented a terrifying, yet logically sound, view of the universe. No sentient being could fully refute it, just as Luna couldn''t fully refute the Dark Forest Theory. These theories possessed powerful logical frameworks; any counterarguments seemed weak without empirical evidence. And these theories only required a single supporting element. The fact that Tower of Babel hadn''t initiated any attacks. A non-aggressive entity was unlikely to be malicious. The "Imagination Resource Theory" gained traction. "This is a conspiracy!" This message, originating from the leadership, appeared in the minds of every being on Proxima Centauri. It was too much of a coincidence: a prediction accurately foretelling the tower''s arrival and simultaneously prompting acceptance of this new civilization. Even if it were a random prediction, the leadership had to present it as a deliberate act. They still couldn''t assess the tower''s intentions. As a passive party, they couldn''t risk showing goodwill, leaving them vulnerable. This was a fatal flaw. In warfare, a single wrong decision could lead to defeat. In inter-civilizational conflict, even a minor misstep could lead to a civilization''s collapse. "Why not try?" "Yes!" "Perhaps we could send a scout." Lower-level members of the civilization wouldn''t perceive the risk; they only saw darkness ahead, with both paths shrouded in uncertainty. Therefore, they opted for the safer route. These concerns circulated, but the leadership had its own plans. This is why they are leaders¡ªthey make rational decisions, not emotional ones. A massive fleet was deployed. Their nerves taut, they prepared for battle. All 700 warships occupied their pre-determined positions, forming a ring around the tower. The warships unleashed a barrage of weapons, targeting Project Babel. Countless energy beams struck the tower''s electromagnetic shields. Antimatter was consumed at an alarming rate. Meanwhile, observing from a hidden asteroid, Luna watched the numbers on her screen dwindle. "They are consuming 18.7% of their energy reserves daily, exceeding your initial estimate." Ayla''s earlier prediction was one week¡ªa daily consumption of 14.28%¡ªbut the Proxima Centauri civilization''s firepower was 23.64% higher than projected. "That''s an acceptable margin of error." "These things are inherently difficult to predict precisely." Ayla''s calculations were fairly accurate. But they were just calculations. There was no guarantee that the civilization wouldn''t attack for six days, at which point Tower of Babel''s energy reserves would be depleted, leaving it vulnerable to the antimatter attack. Luna remained calm. "They won''t sustain this level of bombardment for long." "It''s a massive drain on their resources. Internal dissent will likely grow. Their leadership, after all, is biological, not mechanical. Biological beings are prone to hesitation and doubt." Luna had already prepared for a retreat. If conquest was impossible, they would move on to another star system. This wasn''t unacceptable; it would merely represent a loss of 300 years. She waited, her eyes fixed on the screen, the bridge silent. The second day... The third day... Time ticked by. Finally, on the fourth day, the rate of fire decreased by 10%. A smile finally touched Luna''s lips. "Dark matter is difficult to collect. The enemy''s reserves might not be as vast as we initially thought." "Or, internal conflict might have caused them to halt their attack." "Regardless, I''ve won the first round of this war." "The second round is about to begin!" Chapter 30: Unable to prevent the tower A 10% reduction could lead to a much greater reduction. By the fifth day, the Proxima Centauri civilization''s rate of fire had dropped by 74.58%. The tower remained radiant, a beacon in the darkness, small yet enduring. The Proxima Centauri civilization was beginning to lose hope. They had expended 20% of their total energy reserves, yet they still couldn''t harm the tower. Even the leaders felt a sense of dread. This was just a single tower. If the enemy fleet arrived, could they destroy even a single ship? Chaos reigned! The longer the tower remained, the greater the unrest on the planet. "We''re doomed. We''ve angered a powerful hunter." "Like prey charging at a predator, inviting the hunter to strike." "What are the leaders doing?" "Are they leading our civilization to destruction?" "Annihilation might be imminent." "Escape!" "Flee this star system!" Hundreds of ships were leaving the planet daily, now that all the civilization''s forces were focused on the tower. They saw a chance of escape. On the first day, 27 of the 241 ships that launched broke through the atmosphere and escaped; the rest were intercepted. More beings saw a glimmer of hope. On the second day, 375 ships launched, with 31 escaping. On the third day, 842 ships launched, with 57 escaping. On the fourth day, the number soared to 1354, with interception efforts failing to keep pace. 482 ships escaped. By the fifth day, the sight of thousands of ships fleeing into space enraged the civilization''s leaders; these were cowards abandoning their civilization. But they couldn''t stop them. The fundamental instinct of any living being is survival. Civilizations and nations provide stability, the most essential element for survival. Without stability, both civilization and nation would collapse. "Continuing the attack will only lead to more desertions." "Then what can we do?" "A bunch of cowards! They don''t understand the sacrifices we''ve made to protect our civilization. They only know one thing¡ªto run away." "We only have two choices: continue the attack or cease fire. Choose wisely." The leaders simultaneously saw a view of space in their minds. The tower. So immense, so terrifying, so impenetrable, so insurmountable. "Cease fire!" "What about another 10% of our orbital resources?" (Proxima Centauri b orbits Proxima Centauri approximately every 11 Earth days.)Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. "That would drain even more resources. You know how much we''ve depleted in the past few days." "Stopping now is the only way to maintain some semblance of economic stability." Energy is wealth. A 30% reduction in energy consumption is equivalent to a 30% reduction in a civilization''s wealth. Inflation might stabilize the economy, but even a 5% fluctuation in energy supply would cause a major economic crisis. And now, it was 20%. They were avoiding this problem. But why couldn''t they stop? Because even a complete economic collapse could be rebuilt, but a destroyed civilization couldn''t be resurrected. They were caught in a dilemma. They could only order more warships to cease fire, reducing their firepower. By the end of the fifth day, their firepower was down to 34.57% of its original level. On the sixth day, gazing upon the still-intact tower, the leaders were utterly demoralized. "It''s over!" "Continuing is pointless." "We must accept the vast chasm between our civilization and theirs." They had already consumed 23% of their energy reserves. They couldn''t continue throwing resources into this one. "Perhaps we should send a ship to scout the tower." Having ceased fire, they had few options left. "No, that''s likely a trap. We should observe for longer." No one knew if the tower was a Pandora''s Box. The leaders shouldn''t have believed the prediction; it concerned the fate of their civilization and couldn''t be dismissed lightly. But on the second day after making their decision, they discovered something alarming. "Our actions have angered the higher civilization, potentially costing us the chance to join their federation." "We will be excluded, considered a non-federation civilization, and destroyed." "Energy weapons will travel across thousands of light-years to reach our star system, just as happened thousands of years ago in a nearby system. A high-energy burst annihilated a planet, plunging the entire system into a stellar-scale nuclear storm for millions of years." "Only by entering the tower and obtaining the passport to civilization will we have a chance of gaining their acceptance." "These imbeciles..." The leaders were furious upon receiving this information. The most alarming aspect was that some actually believed it. Even though their civilization had reached Type 1.8, and their culture was highly advanced, this wasn''t something that could be rationally explained. Because the tower had no discernible origin and was indestructible. It was something that everyone had witnessed, leading to the inevitable conclusion. Its very simplicity made it believable. "Locate the source of the prediction!" An image appeared in the minds of all the leaders. It was an old, dilapidated waste-processing robot, its head crushed. Inside, they found a component unlike anything in their civilization¡ªa circuit board. This circuit board was charred. "A conspiracy!" "A total conspiracy!" "Spread this information!" Instantly, every being received this message. But it was too late. The tower had demonstrated its superior technology, indicating it came from a far more advanced civilization. Why would a superior civilization resort to such petty manipulation? It was merely a clever tactic by the leaders. Even if this superior civilization had used such a tactic, so what? They were simply disseminating information to avoid unnecessary conflict. More than half the ships that had initially attempted to flee now turned towards the tower. More ships launched from the planet''s surface, joining the exodus. A cloud of despair settled over the civilization''s leaders. The enemy''s subtle manipulation suggested it wasn''t as powerful and unreachable as they initially thought. The message might be true, but it was also likely a fabrication. They knew the truth, but they couldn''t stop it. Tens of thousands of ships, carrying hundreds of thousands of creatures, headed towards the tower. They could order the fleet to intercept them, but that would be futile. Space was vast. Once the tens of thousands of ships dispersed, the fleet could only use force to stop them. Destroying the civilian ships would be disastrous; the resulting chaos among the population could be catastrophic. This wasn''t a decision made by a few; it involved the majority. If the leaders acted against the will of the people, they would lose their power. If they prevented entry into the tower, they risked civil unrest, creating an opportunity for those opposed to their leadership. If they allowed it, they risked the unknown intentions of the advanced civilization. Another message arrived. "Our soldiers, not civilians, were the first to enter the tower." This news further demoralized the leaders. Soldiers possessed greater combat capabilities but not necessarily the deeper understanding or insight of ordinary citizens. Several key points emerged from this information: 1. Salvation: Every member of the civilization wanted salvation. They felt the same threat as the leaders but had limited options. Entering the tower was their best chance. 2. Power: The civilization behind the tower was incredibly powerful. Everyone wanted the power it offered, a chance to climb the social ladder. 3.Non-violent Entry: Entering the tower didn''t result in death. Those who tried suffered no harm. This was a sophisticated strategy, using a facade of peace to exploit the civilization''s survival instincts and greed. No living being is without greed. Organisms constantly seek energy from the world and universe; this is the root of greed. Unless a being requires no resources and is immortal, it will be driven by greed. Realizing this, the leaders felt like they were standing on a precipice, their civilization hanging precariously above a chasm. They felt their only recourse was to pray that the advanced civilization''s intentions matched its message. Chapter 31: The weapon is "culture" "The tower''s remaining energy reserves are 2.57%." This data was received by Ayla after the attack. It was a dangerously low level. If the Proxima Centauri civilization had continued its assault for another hour, the tower''s electromagnetic shields would have been overwhelmed, and the entire structure would have been vaporized by the dark matter explosion. While seemingly simple defense and offense, both sides had expended centuries of accumulated resources. Logically, the Type 1.8 Proxima Centauri civilization should have possessed at least 100 times more energy than Luna, requiring only 1% of its total energy to destroy the tower, with plenty to spare. But the calculation of energy resources in a civilization isn''t so straightforward. Energy isn''t solely allocated to military purposes. A civilization''s functioning requires vast amounts of energy for residential use, transportation, industrial production, and numerous other necessities. These consume a significant portion of a civilization''s energy resources. Military energy consumption is strictly the surplus after these essential needs are met¡ªwhat could be termed reserve energy. These reserves are not only tied to military strength but also deeply intertwined with a civilization''s economy, similar to gold reserves. Excessive military energy expenditure leads to economic instability, halting industrial production, and potentially causing societal collapse. Luna, as a nomadic civilization, allocated a significant portion of her energy resources (76%) to weaponry. This was Luna''s strength. The Proxima Centauri civilization still possessed over 70% of its energy reserves, yet they couldn''t continue the attack. "This civilization shows unexpected resilience." "Advanced civilizations have complex structures, leading to more cautious decision-making." "Fortunately, we''re facing a Type 1.8 civilization. Against a Type 1.9 or higher civilization, Project Babel would have had no chance of success." "Now that beings have entered the tower, activate Tower of Babel." Ayla nodded. "Tower of Babel is complete. God has changed his mind." "He has placed the greatest treasures within the tower, awaiting those who seek them." "To obtain these treasures requires overcoming trials, each testing one''s worthiness to become a god." "Those who reach the summit will find divine power. They will claim this power, becoming gods themselves."Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. "Luna, what do you think of this story?" Luna sat in a priest''s chair, performing bicep curls with 140kg weights. After ten intense repetitions, the robot retrieved the weights. She breathed heavily and sighed. "It needs refinement. A complete story should be a rich epic." "But real history never has a neat conclusion; there''s always a sequel." "After becoming gods, humanity won''t ascend to heaven but will return to Earth, spreading the gifts of the gods, bringing humanity closer to the divine, proclaiming the god as lord, and worshipping it." "God''s test is how to become a worthy god. My weapons against the Proxima Centauri are humanity''s beautiful culture." "Neither God nor I are deceiving them. God truly offers treasures, and I offer a passport to civilization." Beings who receive this passport become part of humanity. ... The Tower. Standing before this colossal structure, the Proxima Centauri beings felt a profound sense of awe. This was the tower that had withstood their relentless attacks. It was a symbol of a superior civilization. "Let''s go in!" Some were overcome with excitement. "Or should we wait and see?" Others hesitated. "I shouldn''t have come here." Some retreated. But inevitably, a creature stepped forward, entering the 50-meter-high entrance, bathed in brilliant white light. "What... what is this place?" It stared in awe and fear at the scene before it. The tower contained an entirely different world. This world was unlike their own; vibrant colors, dazzling lights, and breathtaking beauty filled the space. Another being approached. It shouted, "Who are you?" The first creature turned its head, and they stared at each other. "You..." "Is this what the beings of a higher civilization look like?" "We''re so ugly, yet somehow, there''s a sense of perfection." "Perhaps all beings that evolve to achieve high intelligence are the culmination of millions of years of evolution." "But this body... it''s so weak." "According to the prophecy, the tower will test us. Has the test begun?" "What should we do?" They waited, lost in confusion, until hunger struck, reminding them of their basic needs. As darkness descended, they realized they needed warmth. A downpour began on the second day, reminding them of the need for shelter. Survival! Perhaps survival as humans understood it¡ªthis was their first test. After tens of thousands entered, the first test concluded. Thousands awoke in darkness, a bright doorway before them. Passing through it, they reappeared outside the tower. They stared at each other in confusion. "What happened to us?" They had no memory of their time within the tower. The remaining beings entered the second level, facing the second test. Poetic culture. They would experience stories created within poetic contexts, becoming the protagonists, reciting the poems themselves. Those who could experience the emotions within the poems passed; those who couldn''t, were eliminated. The third level. The five senses. They experienced heightened human senses and the resulting pleasures, gradually losing their sense of self, viewing their original bodies as inferior. Aesthetic appreciation, honor, mythology, fiction... Anything that could evoke human pleasure became a test. It stimulated their desires and emotions, driving them to extremes. These were just some of the tests. Later, they would be returned to their original selves, experiencing the most unpleasant aspects of their own civilization, fostering a sense of comparison. Then, they would "glimpse" the future. The happiness their civilization would achieve after adopting human culture. Then, they would experience "becoming human again," feeling the superiority of humanity over their own civilization. During this process, they would confront deep-seated questions about their identity and beliefs. These tests were iterative. Gradually reshaping their minds into a "human" mindset. To prevent deception, their original bodies were controlled by robots within the tower, connecting directly to their nervous systems, accessing their deepest thoughts. This was a form of brainwashing, a form of indoctrination. God harvests his followers; Luna harvests followers for human civilization! Chapter 32: Second phase Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Chapter 33: 1000 years The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Chapter 34: We welcome the arrival of human civilization If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Chapter 35: Radioactive element deficiency Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Chapter 36: First Contact This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Chapter 37: Adam and Eva Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Chapter 38: Graviton If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Chapter 39: Grand Unified Theory This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Chapter 40: Quark-level device Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Chapter 41: Dyson Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Chapter 42: Interstellar Explorers Guild If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Chapter 43: Project Celestial Shield If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Chapter 44: Humanity Academy Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Chapter 45: Creating cosmic lifeforms The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Chapter 46: Cosmic plague Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Chapter 47: Ghost particle Luna remained in the research facility to avoid infection. Given her expertise in biology, she suspected this was a form of environmental contamination rather than a viral pandemic. While viruses at the genetic or cellular level were unlikely to affect three distinct species simultaneously, environmental contaminants were far more probable. Regardless of her suspicions, Ayla immediately mobilized all available resources to investigate the origin of the plague. The first cases originated in the newly designated "Long Serpent Sector". This wasn''t a large sector, containing only two stars, but numerous asteroids orbited between them. These asteroids were likely remnants from the stars'' formation, trapped between their gravitational pulls, forming a long, serpentine structure, four light-years long, extending towards Alpha Centauri. This was the epicenter of the outbreak. Due to its abundant metallic minerals, this sector was a popular exploration site for explorers seeking a steady income stream, though not necessarily a get-rich-quick scheme. The first victim was a Kate. On the first day, they only experienced mild fever. They assumed rest would cure them. But then, it wasn''t just a fever. Blackheads began to erupt on its body, growing rapidly and then bursting, releasing a foul-smelling grey pus. Realizing something was wrong, it left its room to seek medical attention, coming into contact with numerous other explorers. Upon arrival at the medical facility, due to the lack of advanced medical equipment in space, its condition could not be immediately diagnosed or contained. It came into contact with doctors and nurses without any precautions and then watched helplessly as the blackheads transformed into gaping wounds, oozing blood uncontrollably. It was in excruciating pain, as if being slowly tortured. Its final moments were filled with agonizing cries and screams. Photos of its corpse showed it digging into its own body, extracting its internal organs. It claimed to have insects inside its body. Clearly, the intense pain and the disease''s characteristics had driven it to a state of mental collapse, leading to hallucinations. Subsequently, explorers at the base began exhibiting similar symptoms. Fear, despair, pain... Some explorers entered hibernation, then boarded ships to return to Proxima Centauri for treatment. When the first ship arrived at the spaceport, it was completely silent. Inspection crews forced entry and discovered that the hibernating explorers were dead, even in cryogenic conditions. They were horrified. The explorers'' skin had completely decomposed, leaving only fragmented muscle and bone. The hibernation pods contained only a gruesome, pulpy mess.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Despite wearing protective suits and undergoing decontamination, several inspectors exhibited the same symptoms within two days. And so did those they had contacted. This was the chain of infection. Upon receiving this information, Luna first instructed Ayla to initiate quarantine measures. Anyone who had direct or indirect contact with the victims, and even those who had contact with those who had contact with the victims, would be quarantined. Second, determine the cause, identify the pathogen. Third, immediately dispatch ships to the Long Serpent Sector to assess the situation and pinpoint the source. These three steps were executed concurrently. Quarantine measures within Proxima Centauri took two and a half years, resulting in the eventual containment of the plague at the cost of 1.6 billion Kate lives. The human population in the designated zone plummeted from 420,000 to 180,000. Luna lost several friends at the Humanity Academy. Such is the cruelty of space. Strength doesn''t guarantee safety; there are always unknowns. Seven months into the first year. Ayla received a message from the Multi-eyed planet. The plague was also spreading there, far more aggressively due to the lack of Ayla''s intervention. The Multi-eyed population, once 1.6 billion, was reduced to less than 400 million within a year¡ªa three-quarter mortality rate. If left unchecked, the Light Chasers would be annihilated. Fortunately, Ayla immediately created a copy of herself and transmitted it to the Multi-eyed planet''s main server via photon transmission, stabilizing the situation within three years. In the sixth year, Ayla, using a scanning tunneling microscope, identified the pathogen. It was a ghost particle! Or rather, a microscopic lifeform the size of a ghost particle. Ghost particles are neutrinos, fundamental particles in the universe, with a mass and size only one-millionth that of an electron. At this scale, it would seem impossible for life to exist. Ayla possessed data on naturally occurring lifeforms. The smallest known lifeforms were at the molecular level; neutrinos were infinitesimally smaller. But Ayla was certain that what she had observed was a living organism. This lifeform couldn''t exist under natural conditions; its cellular structure might be based on strings. Strings again! Luna felt a headache coming on. She had encountered too many string-related challenges. She spoke to the screen. "It seems we''re not dealing with a cosmic virus but a highly advanced civilization?" While she had suspected it, the confirmation brought a new level of seriousness. Ayla''s holographic projection nodded. "Indeed, Luna!" "The warships I sent to the Long Serpent Sector have lost contact. That''s highly unusual." "There''s an 82.61% chance we''ve been attacked by an unknown civilization." "Their weapon is this neutrino-scale lifeform." "Fortunately, I''ve been researching the microscopic realm for the past few centuries. Otherwise, these neutrino-scale organisms would have annihilated the Kate civilization, the Light Chasers, and the human population." The war had begun silently. This civilization possessed a significant advantage at the microscopic level. Luna considered this. "If this civilization is still in the Long Serpent Sector, they''re likely indigenous." "Ayla, launch a high-energy photon strike against the Long Serpent Sector. Don''t hold back." "If they aren''t indigenous, their presence in the Long Serpent Sector suggests an attempt to deplete our forces before launching a full-scale attack." "Deploy the fleet to the Long Serpent Sector. Launch a suicidal attack to demonstrate our remaining strength while simultaneously appearing desperate. This might buy us some time." "Avoid revealing our full strength. Leave no wreckage behind." "The fleet should also gather as much intelligence as possible. Knowing our enemy is crucial." "While buying time, Ayla, accelerate your research into the microscopic realm. After completing Phase Two of the Dyson swarm project, dedicate all available resources to researching the microscopic world, achieving or approaching Grand Unification, and detecting strings." Luna didn''t know the enemy''s strength. This was the best course of action given the current lack of information. Interstellar warfare required advanced knowledge, superior technology, and sufficient weaponry. Any small breakthrough could alter the course of the war. She had waited a thousand years during the conflicts with the Multi-eyed and the Kate. But she didn''t know how long this civilization''s patience would last. From this moment on, they must focus on the microscopic world and energy production. Luna hoped to halt the enemy''s advance. The Federation''s first campaign had begun. Chapter 48: First Legion of the Galactic Federation Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Chapter 49: "Wall" If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Chapter 50: Annihilated This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Chapter 51: Tri-force lockdown News of the Valiant Legion''s annihilation spread rapidly throughout Proxima Centauri. Fear gripped all three civilizations. They had assumed that even if the legion couldn''t win, it could sustain a war for years, even decades. How long had it actually lasted? How much actual fighting time had there been? Was the enemy truly that powerful? Panic spread through the Federation. The only thing that remained was Luna''s fabrication¡ª"Galactic Federation." For years, besides the Multi-eyed and humans, the Kate hadn''t seen any evidence of other member civilizations. The extreme right-wing factions, previously operating in secrecy, emerged, spreading the "Non-existent Federation" narrative. Panic ensued, mirroring the earlier response to the tower. Escape! Some Kate boarded ships and fled Proxima Centauri. But they couldn''t escape. A massive containment field had enveloped Proxima Centauri. Within this field, the three fundamental forces (excluding gravity) were completely neutralized. Any ship entering this region would disintegrate into subatomic particles. Even light couldn''t pass through. The entire civilization was trapped. Even the Celestial Shield was rendered useless. Panic! The panic intensified. Some began to pray, to surrender. Luna ignored this. Panic would cause societal chaos, but in a war of this scale, the actions of ordinary citizens wouldn''t affect the outcome. The news had been deliberately released¡ªpart of the plan. Demonstrate weakness! Panic would lead the enemy to believe they were vulnerable. Unfortunately, the enemy didn''t follow the script and instead blockaded the entire star system. "With such power, why not directly attack the star system?" Luna remained in Ayla''s research facility, not even entering hibernation. This wasn''t her invading another civilization; it was the other way around. This hibernation might be her last. Ayla wasn''t present; she had left a copy of herself¡ªa "Copy 01" subordinate.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. This subordinate answered Luna''s question. "Manipulating matter using fundamental forces requires massive amounts of energy." "To blockade the entire Proxima Centauri system would be beyond the capabilities of a nascent Type 2 civilization." "It''s far more energy-efficient in the vacuum of space, where matter is scarce." This subordinate had access to the same database as the original Ayla. But for some reason, Luna felt that this copy lacked the original''s dynamism. Luna nodded. "That makes sense, but it''s still incredibly powerful." "You can''t contact the original Ayla, right?" The original Ayla wasn''t on Proxima Centauri but elsewhere. Inside Alpha Centauri A. Luna had instructed Ayla to search for strings, a process requiring immense energy. Ayla had planned to use the completed Dyson swarm for this. But there wasn''t time. Ayla had to use Alpha Centauri A''s energy. Luna and Ayla had previously avoided these energy sources. There was no way to know if the third civilization had installed sensors or other monitoring devices in Alpha Centauri A. News of any intrusion might already have reached the third civilization. This urgency didn''t faze Luna. She had lived for centuries, longer than anyone in human history. She had seen, learned, and experienced more than anyone. She was a seasoned veteran; unflappable in the face of adversity. Ayla''s subordinate replied, "Indeed. The electromagnetic field can''t penetrate the blockade." "Our communication is blocked." Luna nodded. She wasn''t worried about Ayla. During the construction of the Dyson swarm, Ayla had subtly adjusted the Alpha Centauri binary system''s barycenter. It was now perfectly stable, making it unlikely the enemy would detect the anomaly within Alpha Centauri A. "When do you think they''ll attack?" Ayla''s subordinate performed calculations. "The highest probability is within 20 years!" Luna shook her head, somewhat disappointed. The subordinate clearly lacked the original''s capabilities; she wondered if the original Ayla had limited the subordinate''s functions. "I think it will be 100 years." "Their blockade of the Proxima Centauri system indicates hesitation; they are proceeding cautiously." "The difference between us isn''t as vast as we think. They won''t rush; they''ll wait for us to suffer resource depletion, weakening our civilization." "They haven''t destroy Alpha Centauri. I suspect they''ll seize control of it, studying our biological structure, social systems, and technology via the Dyson swarm." "I''ve already planted a piece of code there¡ªa weak force field is just the first step. It contains additional information, including their initial exposure." "The barrier is strong, but it still relies on the four fundamental forces. It allows stable matter to pass through." "This is crucial. Theoretically, creating a temporarily stable high-energy particle could breach their barrier." "Of course, this wouldn''t destroy them, but it would force them to reconsider their strategy." "Wait or attack? They''ll wonder if I possess other advanced technologies." "This is a game of interstellar strategy." A subtle influence. Of course, Luna wasn''t sure if this would work. She never put all her eggs in one basket. The Multi-eyed planet was preparing to attack the neutrino civilization; Luna was willing to sacrifice them to delay the enemy''s advance. From her perspective, the neutrino civilization would logically attack and eliminate the Proxima Centauri civilization first. But the neutrino civilization was considering the big picture, not just individual gain. The Multi-eyed would become part of the Federation, shifting their focus. Luna was using the Multi-eyed as a diversion. Cruel? Perhaps, from the moment she enslaved them, their fate was sealed. Now, it was a matter of whether the neutrino civilization would act decisively. Ayla, meanwhile, was assisting the Multi-eyed in technological advancement, ensuring they wouldn''t be easily overwhelmed. "There''s nothing more I can do." "Time for hibernation." Luna stood. The intense urgency had passed; now, it was a delicate game of strategy. Luna valued her life, so she had her hibernation pod built deep underground. Even if the neutrino civilization destroyed the Proxima Centauri system, she would survive, unless they targeted the entire planet. Ultimately, even the entire galactic federation was inconsequential to her. Destruction would simply mean starting over. This hibernation would last 100 years. Not only because she predicted the neutrino civilization wouldn''t act for 100 years, but also because Ayla had promised that, with sufficient energy accumulation, they would be able to observe strings within that time. Chapter 52: A Centurys Change Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. Chapter 53: Proxima Centauri b was destroyed This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Chapter 54: Gods Rod Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Chapter 55: String weapon If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Chapter 56: Gravitational collapse Eleven more years passed. Luna had long since left Proxima Centauri, heading towards the Multi-eyed planet. She had been in contact with Ayla. Ayla had received intelligence from the remnants of the Multi-eyed fleet destroyed eleven years prior; they had encountered the Purple Thorn fleet ten and a half years ago. A thousand warships. How powerful was this civilization? But Luna''s plan wouldn''t change because of the enemy''s unexpected strength; she was determined to defeat them. She had invested too much. A thousand years of development to destroy a single enemy ship. How could they achieve a David-and-Goliath victory? This had been a long consideration for Luna and Ayla. They had finally devised a plan leveraging their available resources¡ªa strategic gambit. "Have the Kate on Proxima Centauri c begun relocating?" Luna asked. "Yes. The first group has completed their relocation; the second is en route." Ayla''s main processing unit had been transferred; she left a subordinate on the Hope, hidden within the underground cavern on Alpha Centauri A. She had also transferred a vast amount of data to the Multi-eyed planet to prevent data loss. Luna looked at the two bright stars before her. "Let them live as long as they can. Time will heal all wounds, even the loss of countless lives." "Even if a species goes extinct, we have the Kate''s genetic." She waited, awaiting a specific piece of information. If they failed, she and Ayla would set off again, exploring further into the cosmos. They had already discovered strings. Reaching Type 2 was no longer a matter of centuries. "I hope it succeeds!" The first phase¡ªeliminating the Purple Thorn in the Alpha Centauri system¡ªwas complete. This was the most critical step. The second phase was simpler¡ªconvincing the Purple Thorns that they were hidden within Alpha Centauri A. ... In the Alpha Centauri system. A large fleet approached Alpha Centauri A. The Kate no longer resembled their former selves; each was unique, their appearances wildly diverse. This was the legacy of the Purple Thorns. They no longer harbored any desire to resist the Purple Thorns; for decades, they had been hunted like prey. Hatred burned within them. But doubt lingered. Could this truly save them? Then, they saw the wreckage of the massive enemy warship between the two stars. Shock. The ship that had inflicted such devastating losses on their civilization was destroyed! A glimmer of hope ignited within them.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. "The Galactic Federation has arrived." "We are saved!" For a century, most Kate had believed the Federation was a fabrication; if it existed, why hadn''t they received aid? Now, there was a possibility of redemption. What had seemed impossible now seemed possible. "The Federation has arrived. The Purple Thorns are finished. The Federation will defeat them." "We just need to place ourselves under the Federation''s protection, here, inside this star." "Our calculations indicate a large cavity within the star, where the Federation has established a research facility." The Kate leaders announced the news. All ships began moving towards Alpha Centauri''s interior. A tunnel had been opened, providing access. Entering, they were awestruck. Awe! Astonishment! How could a civilization create such a vast space within a star? Their faith solidified. Then, another message arrived: Purple Thorn warships were approaching. Preliminary estimates suggested hundreds, identical to the destroyed ships. And another piece of news. Proxima Centauri c had been destroyed, exploding like Proxima Centauri b. Decades of fear of the Purple Thorns fueled widespread panic. A Kate knelt before the central energy core, praying. "Noble Galactic Federation, we beseech you to save us from this crisis." The prayer followed the format taught in Divine Revelation. Others followed suit, the prayer spreading rapidly across the fleet, encompassing millions of Kate. ... In the void of space. The Purple Thorn warships closed in. They had reached the Alpha Centauri binary system. They saw countless ships entering the star. A thousand warships prepared their lasers, initiating the attack. Even the smallest ships were as fragile as paper against the lasers. The Purple Thorn death knell sounded. Battle reports from the destroyed ships had already been transmitted. The enemy had been able to destroy them only because of their complacency. Weak civilizations pay dearly for their resistance. Their rage would burn across the stars. This time, they would show no mercy, unleashing their fury upon all within range, asserting their supremacy. The fleet annihilated tens of thousands of ships before approaching the tunnel leading into Alpha Centauri A. Messages of destruction and despair flooded the empty ships. Fear intensified, as they felt utterly trapped. But within this chaotic scene, a single ship remained motionless. Aboard, Ayla''s subordinate calmly analyzed the situation. "All Purple Thorn warships detected..." "Enemy warships have entered the designated zone..." "Initiating Project Stellar Funeral..." "Receiving transmission from the primary unit..." "Message content: Farewell, Hope..." With these words, the Hope, accelerating towards the immense energy core, activated its engines. This energy was incredibly stable, but Ayla had modified the Hope, transforming it into a massive bomb. The Hope collided with the energy core, resulting in a devastating explosion. The explosion was equivalent to 300 quadrillion tons of TNT. Instantly, the energy core was disrupted. Explosions erupted across the surface of the energy sphere, unleashing the contained energy. The total energy released approached that of a Type 2.1 civilization¡ªnearly 1 x 103? joules, equivalent to the energy output of a star over 500 years. The Kate, observing from a distance, understood. The intelligent ones realized the truth. They had been bait! Even knowing this, they couldn''t escape. The released energy consumed them within ten minutes. But this was only the first detonation. The explosions were precisely calculated, creating a massive opening in space, directed towards the core of Alpha Centauri A. The explosion, occurring within Alpha Centauri A, easily disrupted the star''s energy field. The star''s core experienced a violent energy surge, resulting in dramatic changes across the star. The Purple Thorns observed these events. Their expressions changed drastically. "No, it''s a trap!" "Alpha Centauri A''s radiation levels are changing. Gravitational distortions detected! The star will collapse within ten seconds!" Stellar collapse was incredibly rapid. While Alpha Centauri A wasn''t particularly massive, its collapse would only create a white dwarf. However, the collapse would expel 30-40% of its mass, releasing 4 x 10?3 joules of energy. The ejected matter would travel at only 8000 km/s, allowing the Purple Thorn warships to escape at maximum speed. But they couldn''t. They were too close to Alpha Centauri A; their massive ships required considerable time to decelerate, brake, and change course. If they were 20 million kilometers away, escape might have been possible. But they were less than 4 million kilometers from the star''s surface¡ªpractically on its surface. And the gravitational pull from the collapsing star would draw them inwards. At this range, they could only endure the impact of the stellar ejection. The situation wasn''t entirely hopeless. The energy released from the collapsing star would disperse; the fleet would only absorb a minuscule fraction (1/10 billion). Even this small fraction represented a massive amount of energy¡ªequivalent to a Type 2 civilization''s total energy production over a month. Having abundant energy didn''t mean having abundant protection. Their only recourse was to attack, to deflect the incoming energy. But they couldn''t avoid destruction. The gravitational waves from the collapsing star would neutralize all their defenses, like trying to stop a ten-meter wave with a splash of water. Electromagnetism, the strong and weak forces¡ªall were insignificant. This powerful Type 2 fleet, capable of terrifying countless civilizations, was now tiny and helpless. In the void of space. They were like ants under a wheel, crushed without a trace, becoming cosmic dust, absorbed into the expanding Alpha Centauri nebula. They died incredulous, unable to believe they had been destroyed by a seemingly insignificant Type 1 civilization. Weak civilizations pay dearly for resistance. But arrogance also exacts a terrible price. Chapter 57: Tau Ceti Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Chapter 58: Physical Augmentation Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Chapter 59: The enemy is weakened Stolen novel; please report. Chapter 60: Tachyon Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Chapter 61: Blitzkrieg Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Chapter 62: Surrender? A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Chapter 63: Die If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Chapter 64: Continue If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Chapter 65: Solara This hibernation period would last 700 years. During this time, Ayla wouldn''t focus on building the capital but on mass-producing warships. Their priorities were eliminating the remaining Purple Thorns, assimilating civilizations, and acquiring resources. Without these, building a capital would be pointless. In Luna''s 79th year of hibernation, Ayla began clearing the star system''s asteroid belt, deploying mining robots. Unlike the 3D-printed robots used in the Solar System, these were 30-meter-tall spherical robots with two massive manipulator arms. These robots could pulverize large asteroids and transport smaller ones to factories for processing. Metals and rocks were separated and sent to different processing centers, refined into 99% pure elemental blocks. Nothing was wasted; all elements were utilized in construction. This clearing and refinement process took 316 years. Concurrently, planetary thrusters were installed on planets other than Tau Ceti e. This was relatively quick, as these planets didn''t require as many thrusters as the Multi-eyed planet¡ªonly about 20 each. The maximum planetary speed would be only slightly above escape velocity, with a maximum travel distance of 3 AU. Fine-tuning the planets'' orbits took another 38 years. The planets'' orbits were adjusted to avoid interference; their rotational speeds were largely consistent, requiring adjustments only once every century. These five planets were renamed: Solara I, Solara II, Solara III, Solara IV, Solara V. Solara I (formerly e) had only 10% liquid water on its surface, with a single, large continent. 62% was highland, 17% high mountains, leaving only 21% plains and lowlands. The Lelera primarily settled on the highlands (above 8000 meters above sea level), as they breathed hydrogen, which comprised 36% of Solara I''s atmosphere. Since Solara I lacked flammable gases, there was no risk of hydrogen combustion. However, hydrogen combustion could occur in the oceans, hence the name "Blue Fire Sea". Solara II (formerly b), twice the mass of Earth, had lost its atmosphere, its surface scorched. Ayla transformed it into a water world. Water from nearby asteroids created a 200-meter-deep ocean covering 87.2% of the planet''s surface.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. This planet wasn''t intended for habitation but for farming. It would become a massive farm, raising marine and terrestrial life to provide food for the Federation. While this was the surface plan, its true purpose was to serve as Luna''s hunting ground. A large estate and villa complex, Luna''s residence, was built on Solara II''s largest continent; she could hunt in the forests or fish in the ocean. As the supreme leader of the Galactic Federation, she deserved some luxuries; she couldn''t spend her life hibernating in a cramped pod. Solara III (formerly c), 3.62 times the mass of Earth, was designated as a primary habitat for the Federation. It lacked oceans; the entire surface was urbanized. Each city was donut-shaped. The outer ring was the residential area; the inner ring was a lush park with 50% water features and 50% vegetation. Automated vehicles traversed the city, stopping at stations in the East District, West District, and central park. The central park station connected to a massive structure¡ªa space elevator. These elevators reached a disc-shaped space station that served as a docking point for spacecraft and featured a 400-meter-long maglev train. Within the star system, beyond the spaceports, only military vessels were permitted to use ships larger than 70 meters, and no civilian ships were allowed to carry weapons. Within the planetary system, no ship could exceed 30 meters in length. Solara III featured 78 such megacities, each capable of housing 40¨C60 million inhabitants. Each city also had an independent atmospheric control system catering to different species. Cities with mixed atmospheres offered breathable air for purchase; robots would then deliver the air to the customer. This air wasn''t delivered via masks or helmets but was contained around the individual using electromagnetic fields. All cities featured large, gravity-defying entertainment parks located above the city, with dedicated access routes. To prevent the areas outside the cities from seeming monotonous, large-scale holographic projections were used. A weekly "siege battle" was simulated, allowing players to participate in defense missions, earning discounts at various shops within the city. Solara IV (formerly d), 4.1 times the mass of Earth, was designated for administration and commerce. 72% of its surface was covered in massive data processing centers and service facilities. The headquarters of major corporations and the Federation''s central government were located here. Over 30% of the Federation''s population worked on Solara IV. The remaining 28% of the planet was dedicated to residential and recreational areas. Even if not residing on Solara IV... Thanks to the high-speed (16,000 km/s) space trains, travel time between planets was only two hours. Solara V (formerly f), the largest planet, was designated as a primary human habitat. Ayla focused most of her efforts here, replicating Earth''s atmosphere. Using Earth''s genetic material as a base, she created numerous Earth species. These creatures resembled their Earth counterparts but possessed slightly different appearances; their genetic structures were identical. More impressively, Ayla recreated dinosaurs, Earth''s dominant species for a significant period. While not perfect replicas, they could be considered true dinosaurs. For future genetic research, Ayla also introduced legendary creatures from Earth''s mythology: Eastern dragons, Qilin, Xuanwu, phoenixes and Western dragons, behemoths, unicorns, griffins, etc. These creatures, however, lacked any mythical abilities. Solara V would be primarily inhabited by humans. After 500 years, the human population on Tau Ceti would reach 810,000, entering a period of rapid expansion and, eventually, recovery. Most industrial facilities were located in space due to logistical challenges. Under Ayla''s meticulous planning, Tau Ceti was transforming. The newly constructed warships had already departed; the first fleet had already reached its destination and transmitted a report.