Story Reader / Main Story / 27 Aeon Reforged / Story
Where do we go from here?
It's something people never stop talking about no matter the era.
Where does life originate? How is consciousness born? What is at the end of the universe?
And... where does human civilization go?
We should focus on the continuation and inheritance of civilization to enhance the advantages of the human race.
Some want to follow biological instincts to keep passing on the will and life of the individual.
Genes... the tiny differences in genes are what make us who we are.
With molecular-level manipulation, we can perfectly replicate the body 1:1.
Next, as long as we concentrate funding and Gestalt computing power on the 100% replication of consciousness signals, we can achieve continuous rebirth.
Imagine the day when humanity is free of aging and illness, never has to lose its leaders to accidents and time, and our wisdom and experience will accumulate over time...
Some want to break the shackles of the mortal body through self-modification.
Earth is the cradle that breeds life. Life is born from the cradle, and the atmosphere protects us from cosmic radiation, with abundant organic matter to keep our cells from hunger.
But what is the world beyond the cradle like?
What will we rely on to face deadly cosmic rays, the vacuum, and ultra-low temperatures?
Move the entire ecological cradle into the sky? That would be a lot of work.
If we can't modify ourselves, humanity will never be able to sever the umbilical cord with its home planet.
I'm not saying humanity shouldn't develop a space fleet, just that we should modify ourselves first before discussing the future.
When empty talk turns into reality, people making decisions realize the immense pressure they face.
After solving the practical issue of cold fusion and completing Gestalt construction, what should the next ten-year plan be?
Gene correction? Human modification? Digital life?
With limited resources in the home planet system, implementing all these plans simultaneously is clearly a pipe dream.
Going forward, humanity must tread carefully.
The clash of various thoughts, moral choices, and the entanglement of interests make it difficult to reach a clear conclusion in this century-long debate.
Until that person's lieutenant brought the theoretical report and construction plan to the World Government conference.
Zero-point Reactor?
Casimir effect... quantum fluctuations... argh... I'm sick of these formulas...
Trillard takes off his glasses and rubs his temples that were throbbing from the complex formulas.
Faced with this document, which was more of an academic paper than a plan, Trillard decisively ignores the theoretical part and turns to the last page.
Energy can be extracted from any point in space and converted into the form of energy needed...
Upon reading this, Trillard's pupils dilate slightly. The possibilities this sentence hints at quickly flash through his mind.
But as a politician, especially as the first President of the World Government, he can't show any bias.
He puts his glasses back on, masking his inner excitement with his usual mild demeanor.
The application of Zero-point Energy... It sounds like fantasy, but there shouldn't be any doubt as to its authenticity since Chief Technician Dominik was the one who proposed it.
However, with our recent completion of the energy revolution and mastery of cold fusion, upgrading the energy industry might not be the most pressing issue for humanity.
So, could you please explain the necessity of this project?
Researcher Nithart.
All eyes now turn to focus on the young woman at the podium. As opposed to the seasoned veterans present, she seems too young, almost naive.
This is the first time they hear her name, but the person standing behind her is a luminary in human history that can't be overlooked.
The legendary Dominik—who united the initially disparate scientists to establish the Science Council and led humanity out of the "Great Depression."
Why would the Chief Technician, who never appeared in public, send such a young lieutenant to such an important meeting?
Is there more to it than meets the eye here? Or is the Chief grooming Nithart as a successor?
In the silence, speculation brews. Trillard realizes that the researcher has been silent since submitting the proposal and hasn't answered the previous question.
Researcher Nithart?
Trillard calls her name again.
Hm?
Nithart looks up, apparently tired from lack of sleep.
Have you finished reading the proposal? I thought it would take at least another half hour.
...
With his sharp eyes, Hans notices that Nithart has turned off the alarm on her wrist terminal. It appears that she was trying to sneak in a nap while the council members read the proposal.
I skipped the theoretical research part. I mean I'm a politician, not a scientist.
Now, let me ask this again, on behalf of the World Government.
What's the point of this Zero-point Energy that's mentioned in the proposal when we've just the completed energy revolution and mastered cold fusion?
The new decade-long project is to decide humanity's next step. If this proposal is just for show and doesn't bring us a substantial breakthrough and leap forward...
Then I'm afraid the World Government has no reason to provide financial support.
(You might as well hand-hold her through convincing us...)
Hans, familiar with his old friend's rhetoric, shakes his head, knowing what Trillard is playing at.
A decade?
You probably only read the last page... The estimated time in the proposal is twenty years... ten years would only be enough for validation.
Ms. Nithart, this is no place for bad jokes!
Validation is necessary. The results will determine whether humanity can use our current technology to build colony ships that travel faster than light.
If validation fails, the only feasible part of this plan would be "Project Zero-point Energy" that you mentioned.
This could provide humanity with an additional seventy trillion kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually... But that's the most trivial benefit of Project Zero-point Energy.
Its true significance lies in breaking the way we've been using energy since the Second Industrial Revolution.
Nithart appears half-asleep, but she is laser-sharp and focused when it comes to her field of expertise.
Currently, no matter how we generate energy, we need to go through conversion before we can use it.
We burn fossils for heat; we expand gases for power.
Our methods of obtaining energy are changing, but the inefficient and wasteful conversion process has seen no breakthrough.
Which is why "Dawn-III" has only been able to reach one percent of light speed after prolonged acceleration, despite its cold fusion engine and load capacity.
Crossing the Oort Cloud alone would take generations, let alone exploring further into space.
With Zero-point Energy, it's different. Its properties allow it to be collected and converted into any known form of energy simultaneously... This is written on page 36, line 57.
This means collection and conversion happen simultaneously, eliminating energy loss and conversion time, so we end up directly with the energy in the form we desire... Detailed explanations can be found on page 41, formula 65.
If the initial phase of validation is successful, that would put us one step closer to bringing new colony ships with Zero-point Engines to reality.
Our ships could break the ten percent light-speed limit...
And in the future, even surpass light speed... Please refer to pages 79 to 92 for details.
That's about it. Any more questions?
Well, you can probably find all the answers to your questions in the proposal, though...
Seemingly exhausted from the presentation, Nithart props her chin with her palm, looking as if she might fall off the podium.
No one in the room, however, calls her out on her behavior.
Because they're all held spellbound with the idea of "faster than light." The sound of tapping screens becomes the only melody that echoes through the room as everyone meticulously reads the sections Nithart pointed out.
So are you saying we need to spend ten years of resources just to validate a possibility?
Moreover, the proposal mentions modifying the lunar base that's meant for starship production and assembly.
We'd end up with nothing to show for the 10 years spent and a significantly smaller fleet of starships if the project fails.
With only the orbital spaceport's production capacity, we could only deliver 30 starships by the deadline—when we originally planned for 100, that is.
No matter how grand this plan seems, putting all our eggs in one basket is not wise.
"A World for All"—this is the World Government's founding principle, lest we forget.
While it's true that the Science Council has had many an epoch-making achievement, we can't bet 10 years' worth of humanity's time on a theory that even the Science Council is uncertain about.
The councilor's opposition is unmistakable, while the crowd, having calmed down from their fanaticism over "faster-than-light," begins to discuss the pros and cons.
Seeing Nithart still silent with her head down, the new councilor eagerly adds.
By comparison, I think Professor Godwin's comprehensive modification plan would be more solid...
Found it...
Excuse me, I'm still talking.
First of all, I'm here as a researcher, and I would greatly appreciate it if you could address me as Researcher Nithart like the president does.
Secondly, the Chief mentioned that many members of the Science Council were too busy with research to attend the meeting, so they sent me this to express their stance.
Now... this is what we call a petition, I presume?
Nithart turns on her terminal and projects a short text onto the screen.
The projection is simple, merely a request for the World Government to support the Zero-point Reactor and subsequent research.
What matters is the long list of signatures below.
Konstantin Alexandrovich Korolev
Initiator of the "Project Orient" of Project Interstellar Voyage, founder of modern starship design standards.
William Leibowitz
Founder of quantum computing process standards, builder of the foundational principles of Gestalt physics.
Igor Nevelyevich Landau
Polymath, designer of the first cold fusion reactor, discoverer of the universal superconducting crystal structure.
Chief Engineer of Gestalt, proposer of marine fish farming techniques, author of the comprehensive guide to edible fungi...
...
And the last on this long list of signatures.
Dominik
Founder and Chief Technician of the Science Council, pioneer of Gestalt design theory.
Proposer of cold fusion theory and its practical application, creator of the first strong AI machine...
This group of scientific elites that once led humanity out of the "Great Depression" has once again come together as one.
Though some of them are now frail and confined to intensive care units, no one can ignore the weight of their words.
For they were, and still are, humanity's beacons of hope.
And when they united for a single cause...
(I'd say this is more of a...)
Threat!
Is the Science Council trying to coerce the World Government into making a decision biased in your favor?
The refined councillor slams the table, pointing at Nithart and angrily accusing her, seemingly about to curse.
Biased? We seek nothing for ourselves. All this research will serve humanity.
This petition is merely to voice the wishes of those researchers who can't be present today.
Isn't this summit supposed to decide the future?
Shouldn't we all be open to more opinions here?
Most council members pale at what Nithart just said. They are either from entrenched families, complex interest groups, or emerging enterprises.
They fought hard to earn their seats at this assembly, hoping to ride the wave of the times.
Faced with this petition where the list of signatures runs longer than the main text itself, their hidden agendas seem destined to crumble.
Right then, someone bursts out laughing.
This summit is indeed open to everyone's opinions, and I'm sure we've all taken your "valuable suggestions" to heart.
If there are no further questions, let's proceed to the vote.
This meeting is a turning point in the fate of civilization, in which humanity chooses to spark their hope.
I hereby announce, based on the decision of the 13th World Government Summit, that for the next decade... or rather, the next twenty years, "Project Eden" proposed by the Science Council will be our primary focus. May human civilization achieve greater glory.
Our next target is the stars!
Still unaware of the impending disaster, everyone cheers for a supposed grand future down the road.
In the first year, Project Zero-point Energy, a sub-project of "Project Eden", officially launches. Led by the Science Council, it aims to establish five experimental Zero-point Reactors worldwide to verify the reactors' reliability from multiple perspectives.
In the second year, with support from Trillard and a few proponents, "Project Eden" makes significant headway.
In the same year, sites for the construction of Zero-point Reactors are selected, and theoretical verification of the Zero-point Engine begins.
In the third year, theoretical verification of the Zero-point Engine is completed, making the construction of engines using Zero-point Reactors theoretically possible.
In the same year, construction of the prototype ship capable of carrying a Zero-point Engine—the Eden I colony ship—begins at Tsiolkovsky Aerospace City.
In the fourth year, the Eden I colony ship completes its hull construction, followed by a year-long series of verifications.
In the fifth year, "Project Eden" achieves significant breakthroughs. The Eden I interstellar colony ship completes the 32nd generation SES (Space Environment Simulator) verification at Tsiolkovsky Aerospace City, making permanent space residency and FTL travel a possibility for humanity.
In the same year, the former interstellar navigation project—"Project Orient"—was incorporated into "Project Eden", officially shifting humanity's century-long goal from interstellar navigation to interstellar colonization.
In the same year, the lunar base begins renovation to better research and assemble the second-generation interstellar colony ship—the Eden II, equipped with a Zero-point Engine.
In the same year, countries transfer the usage rights of spaceports and starships to the World Government. Since then, the World Government has gained control of all land, sea, air, and space military forces. The Starship Fleet is established, and a large-scale recruitment for Space Force begins.
In the sixth year, the lunar renovation project is largely completed, with an additional Zero-point Engine test site.
In the seventh year, Trillard proposes an army optimization reform plan at the World Government's executive meeting, listing some personnel and equipment as hireable assets. Eventually, the "Army Hiring Act" passes by a narrow margin.
At the end of the same year, thanks to the sizable funds generated by the "Army Hiring Act", "Project Eden" once again makes significant headway.
Thus, all preliminary work is completed, and "Project Eden" and its core project, "Project Zero-point Energy", officially enter a prolonged construction phase.
In the tenth year, due to significant contributions in medical consortium reform, the civilian application of Gestalt, educational promotion, and army reform, Trillard, supported by various factions, is successfully re-elected as the Chairman of the World Government.
In the fourteenth year, "Project Eden" makes another breakthrough.
The second-generation interstellar colony ship, Eden II, is assembled at the lunar base. Equipped with a temporarily installed cold fusion engine, it successfully launches and enters a lunar synchronous orbit, awaiting the completion of the Zero-point Engine.
In the same year, the Science Council announces that the first ignition of the Zero-point Reactor will take place within a year.
Politicians, merchants, soldiers, scientists, engineers... "Project Eden" is suddenly the talk of the world, so much so that even children are talking about it based on what they see on the news.
With all eyes upon it, "Project Eden" is now in its fourteenth year of implementation.
It's also at this time that a certain young man celebrates his eighteenth birthday...
Hmm...
Still not as sharp as could be. It's gotta be your hairstyle.
Hair no longer than 3 millimeters. That's how a new recruit should look.
No way! The hair ban was lifted two years ago!
We've been getting new recruits that look anything but since they put the contract system in place.
The last time I visited the training base to see an old friend, I saw someone training with hair gel on. What a lack of discipline.
Why are we still trying to keep that same hairstyle when functional armor is in such widespread use now?
And why are you giving me this uniform ahead of time?
Because I wanted to see it before I leave.
Dad?
You're back?!
Ever since joining the space force as a command officer, Shin rarely came home.
On top of their daily training, the space force command officers, as a new unit, have to engage in endless simulated battles to develop tactics for this new battlefield in space.
Most of them don't return to Earth for half a year or even a year.
Most of the time, brief conversations via satellite phone are the only interaction Shin and Watanabe have.
We still only have half a day like we usually do, but I'm not gonna complain... Ballard, thank you.
Don't mention it. Kid is going to the Oasis squad and I happen to know someone in there.
I was a bit surprised that Watanabe decided to be a soldier, though.
He did pass the test and all, but...
Ballard's gaze is sharp—in a caring sort of way.
How's your hemophobia treatment coming along? You're not fully cured yet, no?
Shin doesn't say anything, but through the way he looks he expresses the same concern as Ballard's.
Well... I passed partially because they went easy with the recruitment criteria again this year.
I mean, we're seeing fewer people these days joining the Ground Force to deal with terrorist remnants and drug traffickers, and the contract system has a much lower standard, too. We're pretty much there just for show, so to speak.
According to Gestalt's career recommendation, this happens to be the most suitable for me, too.
...
Ballard doesn't say anything more. Having been entrusted by Shin to take care of Watanabe and train him according to his own habits, he knows that Watanabe indeed has what it takes to become a great soldier.
This is probably also why Gestalt came up with the career recommendation for Watanabe.
But in the Golden Age, people no longer need to rely on talent to prove their worth as they did before.
People care more about interest or what they want out of life when deciding what to do down the road.
And this is clearly not an area where Gestalt, programmed to determine situations based on profit and loss, is able to provide advice.
Son, it's not too late to call it quits now.
Looking at his son, now as tall as himself, Shin breaks the silence.
You don't need to follow the same path your mother and I did.
Ballard did tell me that you were gifted, but being gifted doesn't mean you have to let it dictate your future.
Talent sometimes comes with excessively high expectations.
And when those expectations exceed your abilities, it often leads to devastating failure or unbearable pain.
I don't want to see you end up cursing your own talent.
...Dad, are you talking about mom?
Shin doesn't answer.
Dad, I know I shouldn't make you worry.
But I didn't accept Gestalt's career recommendation without thinking.
Shin looks at Watanabe with those same light blue eyes as his as Shin waits for Watanabe to continue.
It takes long-lasting peace to heal the havoc wreaked by war. This is what you told me.
I am not a witness to war, and I am very grateful that I am not.
But this also means that I can't truly feel the difference between war and peace like you and Uncle Ballard.
And I will never understand why Mom chose duty over life.
What was the belief that Mom left behind? Out of so many people in the world, why did it have to be her?
I think you, Dad, understand Mom of all people, and I trust that you can answer that question.
...
But I think this wall of experience will always stand between us no matter how hard you try to explain it to me.
Which is why I figured that if I became a soldier, even just a mercenary, I'd come closer to understanding Mom.
Only when I fully understand her choice will I be able to bid my last farewell.
I want to face my wounds, so they're not overlooked and forgotten.
Dad, this is my choice.
He stood tall, unafraid of any well-meaning concern.
Looks like I underestimated my own son.
I was going to give you the second gift if you gave up, but now it seems unnecessary.
Shin takes out an antique lever-action shotgun, its birch wood and gold inlays making it look like a piece of art.
What's this writing on this?
Watanabe takes the shotgun and sees a line of small text on it.
Remember the past, but never forget the future.
Even if you've resolved to move past your wounds, never forget they existed and that you're doing this to move toward the future.
I'll keep these words in the back of my mind.
I wouldn't speak so fast if I were you, young one.
Your current resolve is half-baked.
When you can hold onto your beliefs in the face of a real crisis, that's when you're worthy of these words.
Ballard gives Watanabe a pat on the shoulder. Shin, on the other hand, breaks into a relieved smile seeing Watanabe annoyed and about to argue.
Little do they know that they will soon face a real challenge.
350 days until the Punishing Virus Outbreak
