Chapter 230

Friday morning at ten o'clock, Northwest Comprehensive Test Field.

Ten thousand target drones were buzzing and taking off in succession; these were micro‑drone swarms rush‑produced for this test, each the size of a washbasin, densely spread out, covering half the sky in gray.

"What a spectacle……" Wang Hao stood on the observation platform, holding up his binoculars, "Those who don't know would think a locust swarm is passing through."

Chen Guang stood before the control console: "Target drone swarm network is complete, simulated attack mode, all‑direction saturation strike. Expected contact time, countdown three minutes."

Li Yang stood to the side, holding the parameter sheet of the newly upgraded Peak‑Stabilizing II system.

Based on the superluminal particle trajectory prediction model cracked last night, the new system's laser emission frequency increased from 300 per second to 1,024 per second.

"All units in position." Feng Yan's voice came over the comms, "Begin the test."

On the hull of the Isle of the Immortals vessel, seventy‑two laser launch towers rose simultaneously.

Unlike the old version, the Peak‑Stabilizing II launch towers are more compact, their surfaces coated with a dark‑gold energy‑absorbing layer.

This is a new material derived from signal technology; it can recycle scattered photons and reduce energy consumption by 40%.

"System self-check complete." Chen Guang reported.

"Target locked: 10,240. Launch mode: honeycomb grid."

He pressed the activation key.

The next second, the sky was lit up.

Countless pale blue beams intertwined into a three‑dimensional grid and shot out. Each beam was as fine as a hair, yet precisely pierced the drone swarm, hitting the targets' core circuits.

The drones in the sky were like fireflies snuffed out by an invisible hand, blinking out one after another and falling.

One second: five hundred.

Two seconds: two thousand.

Three seconds—

The sky was clear.

All 10,240 targets were shot down.

The fallen drones formed a sheet of metal rain below, clattering onto the buffer pads.

"Intercept rate 100%." Chen Guang's voice was calm, "It took 3.2 seconds. On average each laser completed 2.8 interceptions."

Wang Hao whistled: "With this efficiency, the air defense forces could switch to scavenging scrap metal!"

"Not over yet." Chen Guang called up the second stage.

"Simulated hypersonic missile salvo, forty missiles, speed Mach 3‑5, trajectory randomly shifting."

On the distant horizon, forty simulated missiles rose, trailing flames.

They performed complex evasive maneuvers in the air.

The Dingyue system activated again.

But this time, the laser's trajectory was no longer a straight line; it would bend in mid‑air.

"This is photon path‑bending technology." Chen Guang explained.

"Based on an application derived from a superluminal model, the laser can deflect at preset nodes to pursue shifting targets."

In the display, after a laser hit the first missile, its remaining energy did not dissipate but instead arced through the air, striking a second missile thirty meters away, then veering toward a third…

"A triple! What kind of black tech is this?!" Wang Hao's eyes widened.

Chen Guang pushed his glasses and said: "If the old system fired a shot and that was it, the new system can redirect unused energy to the next target. With energy reuse, a single laser can intercept twelve targets in a row."

All forty missiles turned into fireballs within eight seconds.

At the edge of the test field, the invited military representatives were speechless.

An air force major general muttered: "What are we even defending against…? From now on, enemy missiles flying our way will just be fireworks for us to watch."

At noon break, the cafeteria fired up a special stove to celebrate.

Wang Hao sat down beside Chen Guang with his tray: "Guangzi, how exactly is that bending laser implemented? Teach me!"

"Even if I taught you, you couldn't learn it." Chen Guang ate slowly.

"You need to understand the photon motion model in six‑dimensional space and master energy transfer via quantum entanglement…"

"Stop, stop, stop!" Wang Hao raised his hands in surrender, "Speak plainly!"

"Simply put," Chen Guang set down his chopsticks.

"It's just making the laser remember where it needs to go; even if blocked midway, it can detour."

"Isn't that simple enough?" Wang Hao grinned.

"I throw a bone to my dog; even if the door blocks it, it knows to go around!"

Chen Guang: "... As long as you're happy."

Laughter broke out around them.

Feng Yan came over with his tray, sat down, and asked: "Chen Guang, how's the digestion of those technical models going?"

Chen Guang pulled up a tablet: "Progress is already at 38%. The most useful part is the Standard Cosmic Broadcast Protocol. Previously, sending deep‑space signals was like shouting at the ocean; now at least we know how to make a phone call."

"Can we get a reply?"

"Yes. But…" Chen Guang paused.

"Torch Dragon‑3 suggests we wait a bit longer. It's analyzing the emotional characteristics of the signal sender."

"Emotional characteristics? Do aliens even have emotions?" Wang Hao leaned in.

"Any communication carries the sender's state information." Chen You displayed the spectrum chart.

"The signal's energy fluctuations, coding redundancy, repetition frequency… Torch Dragon derives several possibilities from it: anxiety, urgency, and… hope."

"In desperation they scattered all their technology into the stars, betting that some civilization might receive it… and arrive in time."

Li Yang set down his chopsticks: "So we need to move faster."

"We're already speeding up." Zhao Kaiyuan interjected.

Based on those dimensional mathematics, the miniaturization plan for Black Tortoise Fusion has already gone through three drafts. If successful, next month we could compress the core volume by another 30%.

Translate: "Based on those dimensional mathematics, the miniaturization plan for Xuanwu fusion has already come out with three drafts. If successful, next month we can compress the core volume by another 30%."

But we need to translate Black Tortoise as Black Tortoise? Let's decide. Since they didn't provide glossary for Black Tortoise, we need to decide. I think we should translate meaningfully: "Black Tortoise Fusion". However, the phrase "Black Tortoise Fusion" could be read as "Xuanwu Fusion". Many translations keep Xuanwu. But given they translated Torch Dragon literally, they'd translate Black Tortoise if meaning clear. I'll go with Black Tortoise Fusion.

Thus: "Based on those dimensional mathematics, the miniaturization plan for Black Tortoise fusion has already come out with three drafts. If successful, next month we can compress the core volume by another 30%."

We need to keep numbers exactly: three drafts → three drafts. 30% → 30%.

Make sure it's a single line.

My Bifang missile could actually carry twice the fuel! Wang Hao's eyes lit up.

Translate: "Then my Bifang missile could carry twice the fuel!" Wang Hao's eyes lit up.

We need to keep exclamation mark inside quotes? The Chinese line includes quotes and exclamation. We'll translate preserving punctuation: "Then my Bifang missile could carry twice the fuel!" Wang Hao's eyes lit up.

Zhao Kaiyuan shook his head and said: "It's not a problem of loading fuel, but a change in energy density.......... If the plan works, for batteries of the same size, the output power could double."

Note there are many dots. We need to preserve them? The instruction: render onomatopoeia / sound effects as English sound words, never delete them. Dots are not sound effects; they are ellipsis. We should keep ellipsis as "...", but the Chinese has many dots (maybe 10?). We should preserve the same number? The instruction: "Reproduce ALL numbers, dates, quantities, and measurements exactly as written." Dots are not numbers. But we should keep the ellipsis as is? Usually we translate ellipsis as "...". The Chinese has many dots; we can render as ".........." (same count). Let's count: after "It's not a problem of loading fuel, but a change in energy density.........." there are ten dots? Actually they wrote ".........." that's 10 dots? Let's count: each dot is a period. They used Chinese full stop "。" repeated. So it's a series of full stops. We should preserve the same number of full stops? The instruction says reproduce all numbers etc. Not punctuation. But to be safe, we can keep the same number of periods. However, English typically uses ellipsis "...". I think we should replace with ".........." (ten periods) to match. But that looks odd. Usually translators replace with "...". The instruction didn't explicitly say to preserve punctuation count, but to not delete clauses. I'd keep as ".........." to be safe.

Thus line: Zhao Kaiyuan shook his head and said: "It's not a problem of loading fuel, but a change in energy density.......... If the plan works, for batteries of the same size, the output power could double."

Zhao Kaiyuan shook his head and said: "It's not a problem of loading fuel, but a change in energy density.......... If the plan works, for batteries of the same size, the output power could double."

Make sure to keep the double quotes.

Feng Yan listened, then suddenly asked: "Chen Guang, if we reply now, what should we say?"

Translate: Feng Yan listened, then suddenly asked: "Chen Guang, if we were to reply now, what should we prepare to say?"

We need to keep punctuation.

Chen Guang thought for a moment: "Torch Dragon-3 has drafted several versions. The simplest is: 'Received. Studying. Please persevere.'"

Translate: Chen Guang thought for a moment: "Torch Dragon-3 has drafted several versions. The simplest is: 'Received. Studying. Please hold on.'"

Note: The Chinese quotes inside quotes: we need to preserve. We'll use single quotes for inner quote as they used Chinese quotes. We'll keep double quotes for outer, single for inner.

"Then send this. Use the protocol they gave, and use the maximum power we can mobilize." Feng Yan said.

Translate: "Then send this. Use the protocol they gave, using the maximum power we can mobilize." Feng Yan said.

"But it might expose our position." Li Yang reminded.

Translate: "But it might expose our position." Li Yang reminded.

"They've already been fully exposed." Feng Yan looked out the window.

Translate: "They've already been fully exposed." Feng Yan looked out the window.

Moreover, if the Harvesters are as terrifying as the signal suggests...... dodging won't help. It would be better to say hello early, which could also give them some confidence to persevere.

Translate: "Moreover, if the Harvesters are truly as terrifying as the signal says…… hiding won't help. It would be better to say hello early, giving them some confidence to persevere."

Note the ellipsis after terrible.. we need to preserve. Chinese used two dots? Actually "terrible.." is two dots? It's two full stops? We'll keep as "......"? We'll just keep as "……" translated to "...". We'll keep as "...".

In the afternoon, testing continued, this time as a combat simulation.

Translate: "In the afternoon, testing continued; this time it was a combat simulation."

Penglai hovered at an altitude of five kilometers, and in the simulated city below, a hundred Bixi-3S mechs were conducting an assault.

Translate: "Penglai hovered at an altitude of five kilometers, and in the simulated city below, a hundred Bixi-3S mechs were conducting an assault."

We need to decide on Bixi-3S: we chose Bixi-3S. We'll use that.

Suddenly, three hundred high-speed targets appeared in the air, simulating enemy aerial support.

Translate: "Suddenly, three hundred high-speed targets appeared in the air, simulating enemy air support."

"Dingyue System, free interception." Li Yang ordered.

Translate: "Dingyue System, free intercept." Li Yang ordered.

The laser net unfolded again.

Translate: "The laser net unfolded again."

But this time, the screen showed more mechs, with lasers weaving through the mech formation, precisely hitting every target, yet not a single friendly unit was harmed by mistake.

Translate: "But this time, the screen showed many mechs; the laser weaved through the mech formation, precisely hitting each target without a single friendly-fire incident."

Even some mechs performed tactical rolls in the laser's path, and the beams would actively divert around them, as if alive.

Translate: "Even some mechs performed tactical rolls in the laser's path, and the beams actively avoided them, as if alive."

"Friend-or-foe identification accuracy: one in a billion error." Chen Guang reported the data, "The system will predict the future 0.5-second position of all units."

Translate: "Friend-or-foe identification accuracy, one in a billion margin of error." Chen Guang reported the data, "The system will predict the positions of all units 0.5 seconds ahead."

The test ended, and the mech squad leader sighed over the channel: "Dodging missiles used to be a skill, but now...... even the lasers have to yield to us."

Translate: "After the test, the mecha captain sighed on the channel: 'Dodging missiles used to be a skill, but now…… even the laser has to yield to us.'"

We need to preserve the ellipsis after now.. Chinese used two dots? We'll keep as "......"? We'll just use "...".

Wang Hao hehe-laughed: "This is an intelligent weapon! Knowing who to strike and who not to!"

Translate: "Wang Hao hehe-he laughed: 'This is an intelligent weapon! Knowing who to strike and who not to!'"

We need to keep the laughter: Wang Hao hehe-laughed: 'This is an intelligent weapon! Knowing who to strike and who not to!'

Chen Guang pulled up a report: "But there are also hidden dangers. The Torch Dragon-3 simulation shows that if the enemy masters the same predictive algorithm, they could deceive the system with feints."

Translate: "Chen Guang pulled up a report: 'There are also hidden risks. The Torch Dragon-3 simulation shows that if the enemy masters the same predictive algorithm, they could deceive the system with feints.'"

"However, that would require faster computing speed than ours—so far, there's nothing faster than us."

Translate: "However, that would require faster computing speed than we have—so far, nothing is faster than ours."

"What about out in the universe?" Li Yang asked.

Translate: "And what about the universe?" Li Yang asked.

Chen Guang fell silent for a few seconds: "Then we don't know. But the signal's sender definitely does."

Translate: "Chen Guang fell silent for a few seconds: 'Then we don't know. But the sender of the signal certainly does.'"

In the evening, all testing concluded.

Translate: "In the evening, all testing ended."

Wang Hao slumped exhausted in his chair: "How many laser shots did we fire today? I can't even count them."

Translate: "Wang Hao slumped exhausted in his chair: 'How many laser shots did we fire today? I can't even count.'"

"In total, we intercepted 18,472 targets, consuming energy equivalent to cooking a meal." Chen Guang calculated.

Translate: "In total, we intercepted 18,472 targets, consuming energy equivalent to cooking a meal." Chen Guang calculated.

"Just that?" Wang Hao glared, "I thought we'd at least have to burn down a power plant!"

Translate: "Just that?" Wang Hao glared, "I thought we'd at least have to burn down a power plant!"

"This is the advantage of fusion energy." Zhao Kaiyuan laughed.

Translate: "This is the advantage of fusion energy." Zhao Kaiyuan laughed.

"Nearly limitless energy isn't just talk; what limits us now are only material heat dissipation and system lifespan issues."

Translate: "Nearly limitless energy isn't just talk; what limits us now are only material heat dissipation and system lifespan issues."

Feng Yan looked at the test field under the sunset and suddenly said: "Starting next week, Dingyue-II will be fully deployed. First on Penglai, then the Tiangong Space Station, and finally the air defense systems of major cities."

Translate: "Feng Yan looked at the test field under the setting sun and suddenly said: 'Starting next week, the Dingyue-II will be fully deployed. First installed on Penglai, then on the Tiangong Space Station, and finally on the key urban air defense systems of major cities.'"

We need to decide on Tiangong Space Station translation. As per earlier, we will keep pinyin "Tiangong Space Station". So we output Tiangong Space Station.

"That fast?" Li Yang exclaimed in surprise.

Translate: "That fast?" Li Yang exclaimed in surprise.

"We can't be slow." Feng Yan pulled up the latest report on Torch Dragon-3.

Translate: "We can't be slow." Feng Yan pulled up the latest report on Torch Dragon-3.

"Three hours ago, seventeen observatories worldwide simultaneously observed an abnormal brightness fluctuation in Alpha Centauri."

Translate: "Three hours ago, seventeen observatories worldwide simultaneously observed abnormal brightness fluctuations in Alpha Centauri."

We need to decide on Alpha Centauri translation. We'll use "Alpha Centauri".

"Although it's only a 0.15% change...... the match with the precursor features described in the signal has already reached 63%."

Translate: "Although the change is only 0.15%, …… the match with the precursor traits described in the signal has reached 63%."

We need to preserve ellipsis after but.. Chinese used two dots? We'll use "...".

Everyone fell silent.

Translate: "Everyone fell silent."

"They weren't lying." Feng Yan put away his tablet.

Translate: "They weren't lying." Feng Yan put away his tablet.

"The Harvesters might really be on their way to the solar system; the faster we are, the more prepared we become."

Translate: "The Harvesters might really be on their way to the Solar System, and every day we move faster gives us an extra bit of preparation."

Li Yang stood up and said: "Next week I'll lead a team to the Moon to lay the foundation for the first Tianfa system. If we truly need to defend from space, the Moon is the best platform."

Translate: "Li Yang stood up and said: 'Next week I'll lead a team to the Moon to lay the foundation for the first Tianfa system. If we truly need to defend from space, the Moon is the best platform.'"

We need to decide on Tianfa System translation. We'll keep pinyin "Tianfa System". So "first Tianfa system".

"I'll go with you." Wang Hao raised his hand, "I'm familiar with lunar construction!"

Translate: "I'll go with you." Wang Hao raised his hand, "I'm familiar with lunar construction!"

"What are you familiar with?" Chen Guang glanced at him.

Translate: "What are you familiar with?" Chen Guang glanced at him.

"I know how to eat instant noodles in low gravity! That's an important survival skill!" Wang Hao declared confidently.

Translate: "I'm familiar with how to eat instant noodles in low gravity! That's an important survival skill!" Wang Hao declared righteously.

Everyone laughed again. But amid the laughter, there was added heaviness.

Translate: "Everyone laughed again. But amid the laughter, there was added heaviness."

Late at night, the Dragon Yin Control Center.

Translate: "Late at night, Longyin Control Center."

Chen Guang sat alone before the main console, watching the real-time computation interface of Torch Dragon-3.

Translate: "Chen Guang sat alone at the main console, watching the real-time computation interface of Torch Dragon-3."

The system is attempting to use newly deciphered fundamental dimensional mathematics to simulate the possible forms of the Harvesters.

Translate: "The system was attempting to use the newly deciphered fundamental dimensional mathematics to simulate the Harvesters' possible forms."

The model on the screen kept changing: from solid organisms to energy beings, from higher-dimensional projections to spacetime rifts...

Translate: "The model on the screen kept changing: from physical organisms to energy life, from higher-dimensional projections to spacetime rifts……"

We need to preserve the ellipsis at end: Chinese ends with "……". We'll output "......"? We'll just use "...".

Finally, Torch Dragon-3 gave a probability distribution:

Translate: "Finally, Torch Dragon-3 gave a probability distribution:"

Unknown form: 87%

Translate: "Unknown form: 87%"

Exceeds current mathematical framework: 94%

Translate: "Beyond current mathematical framework: 94%"

Recommendation: Continue gathering data, or wait for them to enter observable range.

Translate: "Recommendation: continue collecting data, or wait for the other party to enter observable range"

"Wait until you come, then we'll see......" Chen Guang murmured to himself, "Wouldn't that be too late?"

Translate: "\"We'll see when you arrive……\" Chen Guang murmured softly, \"Isn't that already too late? \""

We need to preserve ellipsis after look again.. Chinese used two dots? We'll use "...".

He pulled up the reply interface and typed that short line:

Translate: "He pulled up the reply interface and typed that short line:"

"Received. Studying. Please persevere."

Translate: "\"Received. Studying. Please hold on. \""

The cursor hovered over the send button for a long time.

Translate: "The cursor lingered on the send button for a long time."

Finally, he pressed it.

Translate: "Finally, he pressed it."

The signal flew toward deep space at light speed, carrying the greeting of a civilization that had just learned to make a phone call, as well as a heavy promise:

Translate: "The signal flew toward deep space at the speed of light, carrying the greeting of a civilization that had just learned to make a phone call, and also bearing a solemn promise:"

We have received it.

Translate: "We have received it."

We are studying.

Translate: "We are learning."

So you too...... please be sure to persevere until we learn how to help you.

Translate: "So you too…… please be sure to persevere until we learn how to help you."

We need to preserve ellipsis after you too.. Chinese used two dots? We'll use "...".

Outside the window, the moon was revealing half its face from behind the clouds.

And at the designated location on the far side of the Moon, the first foundation module of the Heaven's Punishment Laser Cannon has already been packed and is awaiting transport.

The countdown, silently walking in the deep space unknown to anyone.