Chapter 24: Dawn

Words : 1397 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

The Hope was constructed using the most advanced materials, with radiation resistance dozens of times stronger than previous spacecraft. Powered by nuclear fusion, it faced no fuel limitations even when approaching Jupiter. When designing the Hope, Xiao Yu had anticipated potential conflicts with other lifeforms. As a result, the ship was equipped with ten laser cannons and three high-yield hydrogen bombs. In every sense, Xiao Yu was fully prepared for this mission. Yet, he maintained caution when dealing with these peculiar lifeforms. Maximizing the power of various detection instruments, Xiao Yu slowly navigated along Jupiter’s orbit. “Based on my earlier observations, the reason my spacecraft attracts so many Jovian Phantoms must be because there’s something on board that draws them in. This time, I’ll confirm that hypothesis and prepare for large-scale captures in the future.” Xiao Yu pondered while continuing his journey. Spotting a cluster of Jovian Phantoms exhibiting a blueshift about 100 times stronger than the baseline radiation, Xiao Yu quickly deployed a makeshift satellite. He positioned it approximately 100 kilometers away on a parallel orbit around Jupiter. This cluster of Jovian Phantoms had a total intensity comparable to Specimen One at its peak, a level that Xiao Yu no longer deemed threatening. By calculating the blueshift, he estimated that the cluster’s velocity relative to the Hope was approximately 100 kilometers per second. After accounting for the Hope’s 43 kilometers per second speed, the phantoms were moving at about 60 kilometers per second. The cluster quickly closed the gap to just 1,000 kilometers from the Hope. At this range, the phantoms were only about 800 kilometers from the makeshift satellite. However, their behavior took an unexpected turn—they ignored the closer satellite entirely and headed directly for the Hope, attaching themselves tightly to its hull and frantically trying to infiltrate it. Xiao Yu’s brow furrowed deeply. “What exactly is it on the ship that attracts them? I’m not using the old ship this time, which means the attraction comes from something common to both the old ship and the Hope. Since they ignore the makeshift satellite, I can rule out a significant number of possibilities...” “What could it be?” While pondering, Xiao Yu reduced the radiation resistance of a specific section of the Hope’s hull and set a trap inside. He swiftly captured the cluster of Jovian Phantoms and began analyzing them through a process of elimination. “First, it’s not the computers. The old ship used large-scale integrated circuits, while the Hope uses a photon computer. The architectures are entirely different. Furthermore, the makeshift satellite also had computational modules, yet the phantoms ignored it.” “It’s not the materials. They cling to the outer hull and attempt to penetrate it, indicating that it’s not the special steel attracting them.” “Could it be heat? No, that’s unlikely. Jupiter has countless regions with much higher temperatures than my ship. Radiation energy? Also improbable; I’ve conducted numerous tests on Titan.” Xiao Yu’s mind raced, and gradually, a chilling thought emerged. “Could it be... that they’re attracted to me?” Xiao Yu decided to conduct another experiment. Ahead, Xiao Yu detected another cluster of Jovian Phantoms, numbering around seven or eight. Swiftly and efficiently, he eliminated seven of them with the Hope’s laser cannons, leaving one intact. Gritting his teeth, Xiao Yu transferred himself via radio waves from the Hope to a nearby makeshift satellite. The makeshift satellite had no defensive measures—if even a single Jovian Phantom got close, it could easily destroy Xiao Yu. However, he was confident he could escape in time if the phantom displayed any signs of approaching him. Xiao Yu deemed this slight risk worthwhile to solve the mystery and prepare for large-scale capture operations in the future. The Hope approached the remaining phantom rapidly. The distance shrank from 10,000 kilometers to 5,000, and then to 1,000 kilometers. The Hope, the makeshift satellite, and the Jovian Phantom formed a triangle. Based on Xiao Yu’s understanding of the phantom’s behavior, he knew that once the phantom came within 300 kilometers of the Hope, it would make its decision: head toward the Hope or the satellite. The phantom drew closer. At 300 kilometers from the Hope, it decisively veered toward the makeshift satellite, moving at 60 kilometers per second. Combined with the satellite’s velocity, the phantom would reach it in three seconds. Three seconds—while brief—was more than enough for Xiao Yu. In less than a second, he transmitted himself out of the satellite and back to the Hope’s main computer. Sensing Xiao Yu’s departure, the phantom abruptly changed course and lunged toward the Hope, clinging to its hull until it was blocked by the reinforced exterior. This behavior confirmed Xiao Yu’s hypothesis, prompting him to ponder further. “Why do I attract them?” Xiao Yu wondered. “The key difference between me and the computers is that I possess autonomous thought, while they do not. Could it be that they’re drawn to my intelligence—my consciousness?” “It’s the only plausible explanation,” Xiao Yu concluded. “Could devouring my consciousness trigger their evolution?” “What a bizarre evolutionary path—developing no intelligence of their own but advancing by consuming the intelligence of other lifeforms.” This was only a rough hypothesis, and without other intelligent life nearby to test it, Xiao Yu could not confirm his theory. Unwilling to risk himself further, he tucked this idea away for future investigation. After swiftly dealing with the captured phantom, Xiao Yu continued his journey. Over the years, it seemed that the radiation sources on Jupiter had increased in number. Xiao Yu detected countless sources 100,000 kilometers beneath him, scattered across Jupiter’s upper and inner layers. Those depths were far too dangerous for Xiao Yu to venture into. Instead, he resorted to hit-and-run tactics in the outer layers. Despite the Hope’s robustness, Xiao Yu encountered several dangerous situations. Only his ample fuel reserves and high-powered laser cannons, which slowed and weakened the phantoms, allowed him to escape unscathed. Having confirmed that he—not his machinery—was what attracted the Jovian Phantoms, Xiao Yu began simultaneous operations: capturing phantoms while also conducting mineral surveys throughout the Jovian system. Jupiter’s system, larger than Saturn’s, was closer to Earth. If titanium and zirconium could be found there, the mining cycles and costs would be significantly lower than on Earth. Xiao Yu explored the four Galilean moons and dozens of smaller satellites, but the results were disappointing. The Jovian system, like Saturn’s, lacked viable titanium and zirconium deposits. “Looks like I’ll have to search Earth after all,” Xiao Yu sighed. He turned his ship toward Titan, carrying tens of thousands of captured Jovian Phantoms. This bounty was sufficient for Xiao Yu to construct over 100 Village-Class ships like the Hope, or even a single County-Class vessel. In Xiao Yu’s classification, 3,000-ton ships like the Hope were Village-Class. Ships over 10,000 tons were Town-Class, and those exceeding 100,000 tons were County-Class. According to Xiao Yu’s designs, a County-Class ship would measure no less than 500 meters in length—larger than Earth’s most massive aircraft carriers. Xiao Yu’s plan was to construct at least three County-Class ships, along with their Town-Class and Village-Class support vessels, before embarking on his journey to Proxima Centauri. This goal was no longer a distant dream. Xiao Yu, through years of perseverance, had already covered half the metaphorical Long March. Returning to Titan laden with his bounty, Xiao Yu found that the moon had been peaceful during his three-month absence. Not a single incident occurred—no Black Bug invasions, no lost bases. Even the most likely scenario, minor base losses, had not materialized, prompting Xiao Yu to marvel at his luck. Eagerly reconnecting to the main base’s computer, Xiao Yu once again basked in the joy of its immense computational power. After processing the backlog of data, he immediately resumed Titan’s industrial activities. Xiao Yu set his sights on a grand new goal. With his stockpile of Jovian Phantoms, Black Bug carcasses, and abundant resources—plus his titanium and zirconium reserves—he planned to construct his first Town-Class ship. This Town-Class ship would weigh 30,000 tons and retain the disc-shaped design, though its diameter would expand to 100 meters. Xiao Yu christened this yet-to-be-completed ship: Dawn. If the Hope represented Xiao Yu’s vision of interstellar travel, the Dawn embodied the realization of that dream.

Chapter 24: Dawn

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