Chapter 558

[Report on the ██th Parallel Space-Time Jump Experiment]

[Experiment Date: ██ Year ██ Month ██ Day]

[Based on the results of the ██th, ██th, and ██th parallel space-time jump experiments, we have roughly obtained the time point of the existence of human civilization in the previous cosmic epoch.]

[During this time period, we confirmed the existence of the Foundation and observed a brand-new type of apocalypse.]

[The apocalyptic scenario named "Great Fading" and "Great Rain" by the Foundation of that world has an unknown principle, unknown mechanism of action, and unknown source.]

[In addition, we observed that the Foundation of that world built a giant structure, triggering a distortion of the space-time structure.]

[To avoid changing the course of history, the request for close-range observation was rejected. We will continue long-distance observation. If there are further needs, we will join forces with the 'Adita Project' team to observe that universe.]

[...]

[But just as the pilot was about to return, he received a communication from the Foundation of that universe. See Appendix 2.]

[The Foundation of that universe shared with us all observation records, as well as data and archives named "Ultimate Project" and "Black Hole Furnace." See Appendix 3.]

[In return, we followed their will, maintained silence, and left their universe.]

[...]

[Appendix 2]

[Foundation colleagues of the parallel universe:]

[Hello.]

[Since you have appeared here, does it mean our plan succeeded?]

[Although we are very curious about the answer to this question, please do not answer; this is also our request.]

[Please do not be surprised that we were able to discover you.]

[The reason we were able to discover you is that since the apocalypse, we have been trying various technologies, and a facility used to observe changes in space-time happened to discover your traces.]

[It discovered you when it was built a few years ago, but you disappeared quickly. By the time we observed you again, it was already today.]

[Therefore, we guess that you come from the future, or from a parallel world, and want to know what happened here, which is why you kept traveling through time and space, approaching the apocalypse.]

[Here, we share everything we know with you and transmit all the technical and design documents for the "Ultimate Project" and "Black Hole Furnace" to you.]

[This is an incredibly crazy plan. Even if it succeeds, it will completely erase the traces of our existence. Please also note its danger.]

[However, everyone hopes that even if the universe vanishes, there will still be traces of themselves left in the world, and we are no exception.]

[And now, another one of our wishes has been fulfilled.]

[Good luck to you and your universe!]

[We control, we contain, we protect]

[Overseer Council, All Members]

"The amount of information is a bit large, let me slow down..."

"That is to say, the Foundation of our universe has obtained the complete 'Black Hole Furnace' technology. If they want to, they can draw all the time radiation of the entire universe over at any time."

"It's bad. Everyone was worried before that the Foundation had world-destroying weapons, and it turns out they really do."

"No, the most terrifying thing about the 'Black Hole Furnace' is not that it can instantly burn the entire universe, but that it can shape a hopeful universe as one wishes."

"But it's not entirely like that. The recast universe still inherits the information of the previous universe. The operator's expectations will affect the trajectory, but cannot determine the development route. It doesn't reach the level of divinity where one can create a universe at will."

"Indeed."

Lines of text appeared and disappeared. Soon after, the file for "Containment Object-C-3999" appeared on the screen.

[Containment Object: Crossing Heaven]

[Item Number: Containment Object-C-3999]

[Danger Level: Safe]

[Special Containment Procedures:]

["Containment Object-C-3999" is stored in a standard object containment room at Site-C-100, and its internal data has been exported and backed up. No other containment measures are needed.]

[According to information recovered from within the project, due to potential links to events recorded by the project, Site-C-100 resident researcher Christina Springfield is currently assigned as the HMCL administrator for the project.]

[Project Description:]

["Containment Object-C-3999" is a personal data processor. Its structure is slightly different from current Foundation standards, but the content stored inside can be read without loss by any standard Foundation terminal.]

[No events corresponding to the content recorded inside have been found in current reality, and its true origin is unclear.]

[On 1/1/2024, the project appeared out of thin air in front of the research site of the Antarctic branch.]

[Dating indicates that the age of the project itself far exceeds Earth's history, and its estimated upper age limit is even roughly the same as the current estimated age of the universe.]

[The authorized identity and built-in data information of the project are exactly the same as those of Site-17 resident agent Alice Thompson.]

[The latter stated that she was completely unaware of the project, but the project did indeed trigger a "sense of nostalgia" in her.]

"Herta" Space Station.

As the containment object files disappeared line by line, the screen was left with only a pure black background.

Then, the light screen also quietly faded, changing to an imperceptible state.

Not long after.

Standing motionless, like the space station's mascot, the Herta puppet's eyes became lively, and then she walked slowly toward Asta.

Leaning against the railing, Asta blinked, seemingly not having fully recovered from the story of "Girls' Last Tour."

Realizing that Herta had come to find her, she tilted her head to look at the other, while organizing the story in her mind.

"Finished the story? How does it feel?"

Herta walked to a position relatively close to Asta before stopping and looking up to ask.

In the universal social etiquette of the galaxy, this distance generally represents that the relationship between the two is very close, at least beyond that of ordinary partners.

Whether this means that the two sides will cooperate more deeply in the future, no one knows.

But if necessary, this speculation could be true.

After all.

Compared to heavy news such as Miss Asta and the "Erudition" Emanator Herta both falling for the same person.

The news that both sides have reached a consensus on deepening cooperation, a new deep collaboration about to begin, is undoubtedly more suitable for publication.

"Impressive."

After saying this, Asta pondered for a while, then added:

"The part of the file that left the deepest impression... must be the plot after Alice and Christina arrived at the Yellowstone site."

"The story in the front part, which belongs to the road movie section, is certainly important, but from a narrative perspective, it is a bit flat and lacks some waves."

"But after arriving at the Yellowstone site, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse. The previous fantasies were shattered one after another, and Alice and Christina were forced to face the pale and dark reality."

"And then, it was Alice starting the 'Black Hole Furnace,' and her, after the rebirth, receiving the congratulations sent by the 'Drifter' 13.7 billion years ago."

"In short, a romantic story."

"What about Miss Herta?" Asta looked back at Herta.

Since they shared a secret, the two would have various discussions from time to time.

And because Bai Bai Xuan was on the "Astral Express" and had some close connection with the Foundation, their topics tended to lean toward these two aspects.

And every time the Foundation decrypted a file and revealed some brand-new technology and equipment.

Herta would always have some novel ideas, trying to use the Foundation's approach to improve and perfect existing technologies.

Most of the high-tech in today's galaxy has, to a greater or lesser extent, the shadow of "Imaginary Internal Energy."

Some are directly dominated by "Imaginary Internal Energy," with traditional physics, chemistry, etc., as supplements.

Herta firmly believes that as long as one can grasp the underlying logic of the three major "Anomaly" theories and find their commonalities with "Imaginary Internal Energy."

It can allow the current technological level of the galaxy to leap upward by at least one level.

As far as Asta knows, the company's "Technology R&D Department" has long listed this matter as a top priority, tilting resources and manpower to vigorously promote it.

It's just that.

A few days ago, a Foundation Level 5 supervisor arrived at the company headquarters—Pier Point—and had a friendly exchange with the company's senior management.

According to family news, the one escorting the supervisor was an entire main fleet—nearly a thousand battleships and star destroyers, and even more dominators and fleet flagships.

And during the exchange, the Foundation supervisor mentioned a weapon called "Imaginary Collapse Pulse" and expressed serious concern about the abuse of such weapons.

After receiving the company's promise that it would never use "Anomaly" technology for weapons and signing a bilateral exchange agreement, the Level 5 supervisor left Pier Point.