Chapter 552: Too Absurd

Another expert, Professor Hamilton, an authority on materials science, interjected: "What is more absurd is its structural integrity. Given the size and mass we have estimated, combined with the stress generated by such speeds, any known material would disintegrate in an instant. Even our most advanced titanium alloys or composite materials could not withstand such extreme conditions."

"Could it be some kind of super-material we have yet to discover?" someone proposed.

Hamilton shook his head: "Even a theoretical 'perfect material' has physical limits. According to our calculations, the stress borne by 'Kunpeng' at top speed is at least five times the limit of the strongest known material! This is not just a material issue; this is a challenge to fundamental physics."

Aerodynamics expert Doctor Morrison stood up, and the projection switched to a complex set of fluid dynamics simulations: "What is even more incredible are its aerodynamic characteristics. When flying at high speeds at low altitudes, air resistance and turbulence generate unimaginable destructive force. Our most advanced supersonic aircraft must fly in the thin atmosphere at high altitudes to overcome these problems. Yet 'Kunpeng' reached near-sonic speeds just a few meters above the sea surface!"

He pointed at the simulation diagram, his voice trembling slightly from excitement: "According to the simulation results, the turbulence and shock waves generated under these conditions are enough to crush any known structure! It should be torn apart like a piece of paper, rather than sailing along unscathed!"

"Perhaps they have discovered some kind of drag-reduction technology?" Wilson asked tentatively.

"Impossible, Mr. Secretary," Morrison said decisively. "Physics has fundamental laws. Even with some magical drag-reduction technology, it is impossible to completely eliminate the stress under such extreme conditions. It is like... it is as absurd as letting a person swim in magma without being burned!"

Nuclear engineering expert Doctor Hawkins took over the topic: "The Power System is even more of a complete mystery. Even our most advanced nuclear-powered aircraft carrier reactors have a power density far from being able to support the explosive power displayed by 'Kunpeng'. Calculated by the acceleration we observed, its energy output is at least ten times that of our most advanced nuclear reactors!"

"Could it be some kind of revolutionary new reactor design?"

Hawkins gave a bitter smile: "Mr. Secretary, the physical principles of nuclear reactors are fixed. Even with design breakthroughs, they are limited by basic parameters such as uranium enrichment, neutron flux, and heat exchange efficiency. The energy density displayed by Long Country's 'Kunpeng' has already exceeded the upper limit of nuclear fission theory."

The conference room fell into silence again, with everyone digesting these unsettling analysis results.

Wilson took a deep breath: "Then, gentlemen, if all conventional explanations do not work, what are we left with?"

The elderly physicist Professor Edwards slowly stood up: "Mr. Secretary, allow me to propose some... unconventional possibilities."

"Please speak."

Edwards looked around at everyone, cautiously choosing his words: "The first possibility is anti-gravity technology."

A low murmur broke out in the conference room; this term was almost taboo in formal scientific meetings.

"I know this sounds like science fiction," Edwards continued, "but if Long Country has discovered some way to manipulate gravitational fields, then many of the 'irregular' phenomena we have observed could be explained. Reducing weight would lower the required propulsion and also reduce structural stress."

"Is this technology theoretically feasible?" Wilson asked.

Edwards sighed: "According to Einstein's general theory of relativity, gravitational fields can indeed be manipulated, but the energy required and the technical complexity... according to our understanding, it would take at least a hundred years to achieve."

"The second possibility?" Wilson pressed.

"Extraterrestrial technological intervention." Edwards looked straight into Wilson's eyes, his voice surprisingly calm, "I know this sounds even more absurd, but if you eliminate all impossible factors, the remainder, no matter how incredible, must be the truth."

A commotion erupted in the conference room; some scoffed, some whispered, but more were in an uneasy silence.

"Are you suggesting," Wilson said slowly, "that Long Country may have obtained some kind of non-terrestrial technology?"

"I am merely proposing a possibility, Mr. Secretary," Edwards responded calmly, "From a scientific perspective, when a phenomenon is completely outside our theoretical framework, we must consider all possibilities, no matter how extreme."

A young quantum physicist, Doctor Rogers, raised his hand: "There is a third possibility... trans-temporal technology."

Everyone's gaze turned to him, and Rogers, somewhat nervous, continued: "Assuming Long Country has obtained technology from the future in some way, or rather, they possess some kind of ability to 'foresee' the future path of technological development..."

"Time travel?" someone laughed mockingly, "You've been reading too much science fiction, Rogers."

Rogers blushed, but still insisted on his view: "Theoretically, according to the Einstein-Rosen bridge hypothesis and quantum entanglement theory, the trans-temporal transmission of information is not entirely impossible."

"Enough!" Wilson suddenly interrupted sharply, and the conference room immediately went quiet, "Whether it is anti-gravity, alien technology, or time travel, these speculations cannot give us a practical course of action. What I need are definitive answers and feasible countermeasures!"

The conference room was deathly silent; these top brains of the nation, facing the challenge of 'Kunpeng', had collectively fallen into a sense of powerlessness.

Professor Hamilton finally broke the silence: "Mr. Secretary, if you will pardon my bluntness, what we may be facing is not just a technological gap, but a fracture in our cognitive framework. What 'Kunpeng' displays is not just advanced engineering, but an entirely different system of physics. It is like... a medieval alchemist suddenly seeing a modern chemistry laboratory."

"Are you saying we are helpless?" Wilson gritted his teeth.

"No, I am saying we need to rethink our scientific paradigm," Hamilton said seriously, "We need more data, deeper analysis, and perhaps we need to develop entirely new theoretical frameworks to explain these phenomena. This is not a task for a single day, but a scientific revolution."

Wilson was silent, cold sweat seeping from his forehead. As Secretary of Defense, he had never thought that one day he would face such a profound scientific dilemma. This was no longer just a military threat, but the collapse of the entire nation's technological confidence.

"Gentlemen," he finally spoke with difficulty, "I will report your... dilemma to the President. At the same time, I authorize the launch of the 'Prometheus Project' to concentrate the nation's scientific research forces to crack the mystery of 'Kunpeng'. No matter how many resources it costs, no matter how much time it takes, we must catch up!"

At the same time, an almost identical painful meeting was taking place in the Kremlin of Beijixiong Guo.