Deep Space Wandering Fleet
Chapter 395 - 393: Setting Out—Taipu Star!

Chapter 395: Chapter 393: Setting Out—Taipu Star!

Zhang Yuan nodded, deciphering the other party’s language was also necessary; one couldn’t expect the other party to speak the language of the Gaia Civilization, or forcibly make them learn human’s language, could one? Even if the other side was indeed interested and managed to learn it, it might still take them three to five years...

Humans already had enough experience with decryption, and as long as there was enough data, a translation could be produced in just a few days.

He sighed and said softly, "In summary, without satellites, can we get nothing done? Without navigation, are all ships beholden only to the Star Compass? It seems like there’s a deviation in the progression of technology..."

"This heavy industrial system, on the other hand, isn’t bad. Look at their ships; by volume, they could even reach the million-ton level. Even though their sailing speed isn’t high, they can transport a lot of cargo at once."

"So, does this mean it’s a slow-paced civilization? The speed of the airships, well, is inevitably not going to be very fast... If it takes several hours just to get to work, and several more to return home, that’s quite troublesome."

Everyone laughed heartily.

...

With the release of the first set of observational data, preparations from the diplomatic side and the decryption of this civilization’s language was also underway in an orderly fashion...

Many people were filled with expectations for this trade activity.

A civilization in a high-gravity environment faced difficulties developing space technology due to the limitations of their planet, and the public mostly sympathized with such a predicament. In the universe, there’s hardly anything worse than being naturally disadvantaged.

In the universal values of the Kunlun Mountain society, "not trying hard enough" is much worse than having innate deficiencies. The religious Riley Civilization can be described as a prime example of not trying hard enough, hence garnering less sympathy. But this civilization seemed to be more inclined towards natural disadvantages.

Some people thought that exchanging general space technology, such as chemical rockets, which humans had long since abandoned, would be a good idea. If they could engage in trade and offer modest help, it would be nice.

This plan quickly gained a lot of support.

However, an expert in a forum pointed out: General rocket technology wouldn’t actually be of much help to this civilization because the high gravity and thick atmosphere were obstacles to space technology.

"Why hasn’t this civilization developed space technology? It must be said, all technologies advance step by step, and if they can’t manage the first step, it impacts the subsequent steps that can’t be developed."

"As for the Long March rockets you mentioned, they can’t climb the gravity well, and while the Saturn V might have a slight possibility, the failure rate would also be high."

"...It would only be possible using a super engine based on Super-magnetic A material, along with the material technology developed by the New Human Civilization over thousands of years, to ensure that spaceships can ascend smoothly and be reused."

"Of course, rocket technology, even if it can’t be used directly, still has significant instructive value."

Ramjet engines based on Super-magnetic A material were already core technologies of civilization; if there were to be trade, the other side must offer something of comparable value.

Limited assistance and mutual benefit had always been the trade core of new civilizations, which is to say... I can help you a little, but of course, it’s impossible to give away core technology!

Three months went by, and under the watchful eyes of all the people, a few satellites successfully collected more data on this unknown civilization, getting a rough understanding of their situation.

At the same time, Kunlun Mountain had also selected an outer planet to extract material resources. There was no need to worry too much about this aspect; there were already a series of strict procedures in place, just follow them step by step and all would be well.

But this time, the spaceship refurbishment was especially important, and it was expected to last about five years. A large number of elderly people were to retire during this refurbishment period, so the vast majority of the work, including maintenance of spaceships, resource gathering, and some diplomatic tasks, would be personally handled by the younger generation, with the older folks providing more hands-on guidance.

On this day, a "Yingjun Class" destroyer, three large transport ships, and six "Sea Swallow-class" escort ships arrived about 60,000 kilometers above the Taipu Star, beginning preparations to initiate informational communications with this civilization.

The bright ion engines were regularly firing backward, and with a slight tremble, all the spaceships formally reached the designated orbit.

"Ladies and gentlemen, before our diplomatic mission officially concludes, we will have to spend our time aboard the spaceship. The conditions now are countless times better than before. Going to the toilet used to carry the risk of suffocation."

All the diplomats couldn’t help but laugh.

Since substantive communication had not yet occurred, the diplomats, after discussion, still decided to establish the main diplomatic base on this large destroyer "Yingsun 1."

Thirty thousand kilometers away, the delay in information communication was about two seconds, which was still acceptable. If the diplomatic team hid in Kunlun Mountain, the information delay might be more than ten hours, which would be very uncomfortable.

Therefore, setting up a small communication base on the destroyer was the right solution, ensuring both safety and convenience in communication.

There were more than two thousand people on this ship, including diplomats, soldiers, journalists, personal doctors, and more.

After the spaceship successfully arrived in orbit, Wang Junpeng looked up at the vast blue planet. From this viewpoint, it was an overwhelming blue, covering more than half of the sky.

"I heard that from the top of the Space Elevator on the Moon, looking at Earth gives you a similar view? What a magnificent world. We can only experience such beauty in Virtual Space, but it always lacks that touch of reality," a young person nearby suddenly said.

Wang Junpeng replied, "Yes, but this planet is visibly larger, both in terms of surface area and volume... Their mountains reach a height of ten thousand meters, and the depth of their oceans can reach thirty thousand meters."

Almost everyone was immersed in this beautiful natural spectacle, to the point where even the journalists almost forgot to take pictures.

In the vast universe, studded with twinkling stars, there are always some blue celestial bodies that harbor life, so benevolent, yet so fragile.

"Ah, once we leave Earth, the universe still operates as normal, just as Earth would continue to function without you. Thinking like this, it feels like life is somewhat meaningless..."

The young person couldn’t help but express their contemplation.

"Yes, most people’s lives are meaningless. Even without them, civilization would still operate. But there are a few whose lives are meaningful... I don’t know where that meaning lies,"

Wang Junpeng said with a smile, reflecting that he had pondered this question in his younger years too.

"The entire civilization is what truly constitutes humanity. We are but cells of society. Humans come and go, but the civilization remains the same... Perhaps you should tie the meaning of your existence directly to the entire civilization and strive for it."

This was probably Wang Junpeng’s last diplomatic mission. After this, he could look forward to a leisurely retired life.

According to the average lifespan, he could live for another fifty years, yet... there was always a very subtle mix of emotions.

Ultimately, these emotions could only be transformed into a light sigh.

Wang Junpeng raised his head, regaining his spirited demeanor.