Cataclysm: Undead Dragons and Zero Empire

Chapter 105 A Milestone in Development

The history of human civilization will be divided into two phases during this period.

The previous phase was the period when humanity struggled against the harsh winter on its home planet, struggling to survive on the frozen land and igniting the flame of life.

The next stage is when humanity leaves its home galaxy and truly embraces the vast sea of ​​stars, expanding its territory and moving towards an interstellar era that belongs to humankind.

These two phases are divided by two momentous events destined to be recorded in human history: the Deep Space Circular Particle Accelerator project, which was officially launched after receiving divine guidance, and the mass production of the first generation of faster-than-light engines and the test flight of the first interstellar spacecraft.

Howard and Terrence were standing on the observation deck of the shipyard, looking at the completed experimental spaceship. This was the first spaceship of human civilization to be equipped with a faster-than-light engine, theoretically capable of long-distance travel across star systems.

Its name is "Pathfinder," which was personally chosen by Howard.

"The final tuning of the engine is complete, the ecological cycle system is running stably, all parameters are normal, and the navigation system and space sensors have also been calibrated," the chief engineer in charge of this great project reported, standing behind Howard and Terrence.

"General Howard, Lord Terence, the Pioneer is ready for long-distance voyage and can depart at any time."

Howard nodded. Zi Guang never left the "Pioneer" in the dock. He reached out and gently stroked the glass of the observation deck, as if he were touching the spaceship that carried the hopes of human civilization.

"Have all the crew members been selected?" Howard asked, turning around.

"The selection is complete," the chief engineer replied immediately. "The captain is Colonel Ma Jing, our respected veteran with extensive experience, and the vice-captain is Ms. Bai Bing, a top physicist and a core member of the faster-than-light engine development team."

"Has the test flight route been finalized?" This time it was Terence who spoke.

The chief engineer pulled up the star map and pointed to a route marked in red. "We ultimately chose Hyperspace Route 3, speculating that its other end might connect to a galaxy four light-years away from us, which is the closest galaxy to us."

After being inspected by the leaders, the project was approved for implementation. A few days later, the day for the "Pioneer" to conduct its trial voyage finally arrived, and countless people waited to witness this historic moment.

"This is Ark Space Station, Pioneer," Howard said, picking up the communicator. "Reporting status."

"Reporting to headquarters, USS Pioneer: All systems are functioning normally, all crew members are in position, requesting to depart," came Captain Mark's voice from the communicator.

Howard took a deep breath and glanced at Terrence beside him, who nodded slightly in return.

Howard gave the order, "Pathfinder," to depart.

"Pathfinder received! Setting sail!"

As the command was given, the dock gates of the Ark Space Station slowly opened, and the "Pioneer," trailing the exhaust radiating energy from its nuclear fusion engines, sailed away from the dock and flew into the dark depths of space.

Countless people watched intently as the spaceship traced a beautiful arc across the starry sky, growing ever more distant, some even unable to hold back their tears.

The Pioneer spacecraft quickly crossed the asteroid belt, and the monitoring stations along the way continuously transmitted the Pioneer's real-time position and navigation data back to the command center. Everything was normal and operating perfectly.

As the Pioneer finally reached the edge of the nebula, at the entrance to Hyperspace Route 3, the atmosphere in the command center became extremely tense.

After all, this was humanity's first attempt at faster-than-light travel. Even with countless simulations and calculations beforehand, and even with the engine and navigation system undergoing numerous tests, everyone's hearts were still in their throats.

"Reporting to headquarters, the Pioneer has arrived at the designated coordinates. Space sensor readings are normal, and the faster-than-light engine is warmed up and ready to start at any time," Captain Colonel Mark's voice came again, tinged with barely concealed excitement.

Howard looked at the main screen, which displayed images transmitted by the "Pathfinder" through quantum entanglement communication, bypassing the delay caused by the speed of light.

Nothing can be seen in the pitch-black depths of space, but in the images captured by space sensors, there is a winding spatial fold like a stream—the first hyperspace passage that human civilization is about to enter.

"Pathfinder, permission granted to activate the faster-than-light engine," Howard's voice clearly reached the cockpit of the Pathfinder. "Have a safe journey."

"Roger! Faster-than-light engine, activate!"

With Captain Mark's order, First Vice-Captain Bai Bing pressed the final confirmation button.

The next moment, as if pulled by an invisible hand, the "Pathfinder" accelerated instantly and plunged into the unseen dimensional rift. At the same instant, the signal light representing the "Pathfinder" on the main screen of the command center disappeared from the coordinate system.

"Entering hyperspace passage! Signal lost!"

Humanity and the Pioneer were temporarily cut off from all contact. Howard clenched his fists and stared at the screen, enduring the agonizing days. Terence prayed that God would protect the ship, these brave pioneers, and humanity's first interstellar voyage.

This voyage was not something that could be completed in an instant; time seemed to stretch out infinitely. Howard and Terrence waited together in the command center, and the people coming and going unconsciously held their breath.

The star map of the target star system on the screen has been brought up, and the coordinates of the point where the "Pioneer" deviated from its course in the calculation are marked in a striking red.

"Signal acquired! It's the Trailblazer!"

As the staff members spoke excitedly, the main screen instantly switched to live footage from the "Pathfinder".

The image shows three stars orbiting each other, shining brightly in the night sky. It is a triad system, the closest stars to our home planet besides the sun.

It is humanity's neighbor, a star that humanity has gazed upon for countless years. Now, humanity has finally achieved faster-than-light travel and has come here in person.

"Command Center! This is the Pioneer. We have successfully exited the hyperspace orbit and arrived at the target system. Please respond!"

The command center was initially deathly silent, then erupted in deafening cheers and applause.

Countless witnesses embraced and wept, their tears soaking their work uniforms. Howard, watching the scene on the screen, even the veterans who had been hardened by the trials of war had their eyes slightly reddened. Terence closed his eyes and silently recited a prayer towards the moon.

Howard picked up the communicator, his voice trembling almost imperceptibly, and said, "Welcome to the new frontier of human civilization."

The Pioneer immediately began a simple record of the star system, discovering that there was no life, no civilization, only desolation.

Nevertheless, this place still holds extraordinary significance for humanity. It is the first star system that human civilization has reached after leaving its home star system. No matter how desolate it may be, it is humanity's first new territory in interstellar space and the first step in human expansion.

After the first successful test voyage, Howard ordered the construction of more ships capable of faster-than-light travel and immediately dispatched research vessels to the star system to conduct a comprehensive exploration and evaluation of the planets and stars within it.

He ordered that after the research vessel completed its exploration, the engineering vessel should build the first outpost of human civilization in this desolate star system.

Howard's voice was broadcast live to every corner of human civilization.

"Human civilization has truly left its cradle and entered the interstellar age."

"I hereby declare this day as the Day of the Pioneers of Human Civilization," a day to be celebrated by all humankind, passed down through generations, to commemorate the undying pioneering spirit of human civilization.

Humanity's journey has now begun, venturing into the stars and the sea.

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