Will the kemonomimi encounter Alien Ranch Story?

The rest was a high-definition CG presentation, explaining the entire process of entering orbit and flying towards the moon to the visiting reporters. Of course, what was shown in the CG was not fake; the principles and processes were real. The visitors were all amazed and impressed.

The distance and time taken from Terra to the Moon are also real, so later, footage of Johnny's spaceship cabin activities will be shown. He even built a special silo for this, which is quite interesting for the incredibly bored Johnny—it would be even better if the rockets launched weren't fake, but actually flew to the Moon to resupply.

"The mechanical instruments are real, and the electronic instruments are half real and half broken. So, all you need to do is make sure everything in the cabin lights up and that no strange text or data appears on the screen."

Anyway, the people watching are all laymen and can't tell the difference between real and fake. Besides, if you really want to say something, these are all real, taken from the cockpit of the Black Mole. Most of them can only be turned on, and some can't even be turned on. They can only pretend that the device is not turned on or is in standby mode.

As for his professional skills, there's no problem. After all, Johnny is indeed a spaceship crew member and has actually piloted a small single-person spaceship. His various operations and actions are highly trained and professional.

In short, unless the spaceship is fake, everything else is real, including photos of outer orbit, a real space environment, a real lunar surface, a real instrument panel and control stick, and an equally real base and pilot—nine parts real and one part fake, leaving those who are watching with no choice but to be fooled.

Chapter Ninety-Four: A Video That Couldn't Be Fake Anymore

Chapter Ninety-Four

In the undulating gray desert of the moon, Johnny struggled to fix a plastic cylinder to a bracket. Next came installing the camera. Even with less than one-eighth of gravity, this task was quite troublesome. However, with the help of versatile cable ties and duct tape, everything went smoothly.

After that, lying down in the spacesuit was another tough task, mainly because the spacesuit was too bulky. However, for the sake of the show, he still had to wear this thick thing over his extravehicular activity suit.

"Ready?" Johnny checked the equipment in the cabin, making sure most of the text and screen displays were working properly, and then said, "Ready, we can start filming."

"Okay, let's start the connection. Now you're our astronaut."

"By the way, is this horn a must-have?"

“It’s a must,” Johnny said, touching the pair of printed horns, standard upright sharp points. Between bunny girl hair clips, cat ear hair clips, and Sarkaz horns, he was forced to choose the last one.

"According to the settings, where am I now...?" Johnny glanced at the teleprompter fixed to his thigh. "Oh, changing flight paths, then I need to press these buttons."

Using his expertise, he quickly began operating the console, which was essentially useless, turning on the indicator lights and pushing the pushers that should have been in the high position to their proper places.

Although the Terrans' current understanding of space exploration doesn't reveal its authenticity, the details still need to be perfect. If they were to replicate this console and control system later and discover such a basic error, it would seem too fake.

"Check the motor, hmm, the autopilot simulator is working too." Pretending that the autopilot system is activated, which is a device that automatically plays preset images and controls the movement of the joystick, it's very simple. For both Lao Xia and Johnny, this level of modification is easy.

As long as this thing isn't a real control system, but simply playing videos according to a set schedule, it's actually quite simple. Even the portholes are just playing videos. However, these videos are real. The Terra live video taken from the lunar observatory can be understood as a Terra space film playing slowly at a preset speed.

Land, the aurora borealis of the polar regions, floating Originium meteorite fragments, deep black polluted areas on the ground, as well as blue oceans and white clouds are clearly visible, and even the cloud formations of a small natural disaster occurring in southern Victoria can be seen.

"The live stream has started." The host's face appeared on the terminal in front of her, a young and beautiful Sarkaz succubus with a long, slender, heart-shaped tail that swayed nervously, with a cute pink ribbon tied at the end.

"Let's connect with astronaut Johnny, who's currently aboard the spacecraft. Hello, Johnny."

"Hello," Johnny said, pretending he was in a weightless environment. The one-eighth gravity of the moon helped him a lot; he only needed to push the ground slightly to float very high. Before being pulled back down by gravity, he grabbed the handle on the top of the cabin, pretending he was fixed there by his boots in zero gravity—well, the magnetic boots were real too.

This light and airy scene, so different from moving on the ground, instantly captivated the hearts of every viewer. Even the Black Snake, who had been disdainful and thought the Doctor was up to some kind of trick again, widened his eyes in amazement.

Unlike the onlookers in Terra, this old-timer knew what he was talking about. "The bulkhead design is reasonable, the handles are in the right position, and the magnetic attraction process of the magnetic boots is working properly. There is indeed a hidden magnetic point nearby, and the numbers on the navigation data station that flashed by were also fine. If he really is doing a change-track flight..."

"Could they have actually launched a spaceship?" Black Serpent was the one most certain that the Doctor couldn't launch a rocket. You think the aerospace industry was cobbled together from those wastelands? If it can't fly, it can't fly; there's no other reason.

However, precisely because he was so knowledgeable about space exploration, it was almost impossible to find any fault with him. If the interviewee Johnny was an actor—his physical condition and operational skills were impeccable, and his movement inside the capsule was very smooth—this meant that if he was faking it, he had undergone the most professional astronaut training imaginable.

Even from some subconscious actions, it's clear that this guy is not only trained, but also has at least three years of actual zero-gravity flight experience. Otherwise, even if he were truly trained, he wouldn't have been able to do better on his first time in a zero-gravity environment.

This made Black Snake even more suspicious of the video's authenticity. Johnny was too professional, so professional that it couldn't be more realistic. But it was precisely because of this that Black Snake was certain that the video was definitely fake!

Nonsense! It's one thing for you to challenge manned spaceflight and lunar landing on your first space launch—but how the hell did you manage to find an experienced pilot with over three years of zero-gravity flight and piloting experience on your first attempt? The former could be attributed to finding an ancestral heirloom or a well-preserved ancient rocket and spaceship, but surely you didn't just wrap the astronaut in oil paper and put him down with it?

Okay, let's just assume this astronaut is also a hibernating person—but, the First Men don't have horns! He can't possibly be a Sarkaz!

"So, this is definitely fake, but the key question is, how did that guy do it!?" It's like everyone knows the magic trick is fake, but how the magician did it is the most crucial question!

So the problem isn't that the doctor's video is fake, but how he managed to film it. This completely baffled Black Serpent. Does he have gravity control technology? Nonsense, if he did, he would have built a warp drive and launched everyone into space long ago!

Or did he use the weightlessness effect of vertical descent to simulate a zero-gravity environment in his transport planes? However, this idea was rejected after Johnny demonstrated some aspects of life in a low-gravity environment and showed the Terra landscape outside the portholes, because the zero-gravity created in this way could only last for a very short time.

Compared to watching a brilliantly crafted video about a black snake, whose secrets were so incomprehensible that no one could figure it out, the rest of Terra were just laymen watching the show. Especially after Victoria confirmed that a small natural disaster had indeed broken out in the south, the credibility of the video played on the porthole increased significantly.

This is the first time the Terrans have seen their world from above; the blue and white planet and the terrifying, polluted areas are a shock to the viewer's soul.

Especially from space and from the ground, there are two different perspectives. From this angle, you can clearly see the devastation caused to Terra by ancient calamities, the folded mountains caused by violent geological movements, and the flat crater that was previously thought to be a basin but was actually created by the impact of some super-giant object.

The enormous particle curtains at the poles, as well as the surviving ancient ruins, are visible from space. The light curtains act like a barrier, severing the connection between the snowfields and the Arctic. This magnificent spectacle is something the Terrans have never seen before.

"That concludes today's live stream. As the spaceship orbits the far side of the planet, we will lose contact with it. Only after all the relay satellites are launched in the future will we be able to maintain 24/7 contact with Mr. Johnny." He then announced the next phase of their goals, letting everyone know that Kazdel was truly committed to pursuing their mission to the stars.

Just then, piercing alarms sounded simultaneously on both sides. "What's going on?"

"I don't know either, I'm troubleshooting..." Johnny instinctively started to troubleshoot, but after his finger touched the airtightness detection screen, he suddenly realized, "This device is fake! It can't possibly be malfunctioning!"

Meanwhile, Lao Xia quickly cut off the live stream and switched to internal communication. "Johnny, why did you make a real alarm?"

"I didn't install an alarm."

"What the hell is that beeping?!" The two looked at each other across the screen and shouted in unison, "Damn! It's radar!"

"One minute and thirty-nine seconds ago, the passive radar received a hyperspace oscillation signal."

Can you locate it?

"Triangulation is in progress. How about your signal measurement?" The two receivers located in Kazdel and the snowfield also received this unusual faster-than-light signal.

"Signal source boundary location complete, distance 27.4 light-years!"

Can you identify what kind of signal it is?

"No, based on pure experience, it seems to be a signal from the 'Light Pulse K-type' jump engine. Wait, the signal has faded and disappeared. Could the lost signal be from the search and rescue team?"

"Your search and rescue team managed to veer 27 light-years off course! It was probably just a passing ship."

"How long will it take them to receive our distress signal? When did you launch the signal source?"

"About twelve or thirteen years ago?" Old Xia suddenly felt bored. This meant that it would take at least a decade for the other party to receive the signal, assuming that the other party was still in that position after a decade or so.

If the other party is just a passing cargo ship, then it's hard to say when the signal will be received. Although the standard for space rescue is to leave a receiving buoy in place, a passing cargo ship certainly wouldn't do that.

Even so, it would take more than ten years for the other side to hear it, then they would have to relocate, send people again, and narrow down the search area. Considering that Lao Xia used an electromagnetic signal source, which is severely attenuated, it is hard to say whether the other side could distinguish it from the clutter even if they deployed a buoy.

"How about we get a larger signal source?"

"Don't provoke the sun. I'm afraid that the moment the signal is sent out, we'll be gone. I would definitely fire right now at a normal star, but this star contains a lot of Originium particles. I'm afraid that if I provoke it, a chain reaction will cause it to explode right before your eyes." Although the probability is very small, Old Xia doesn't plan to gamble on it.

Even if this so-called "explosion" is just a sneeze for a star, it's enough to wipe out the fragile Terrans and the Terran ecosystem in one fell swoop, so it's best to be careful.

"So, the good news is that we just received the Covenant's engine... uh, ripples; the bad news is that it will take at least ten years for the sound we send out to reach them, and we still can't determine whether they are just passing by or on a special search mission, but either way, they won't stay in one place for long." Old Xia gathered the doctor and the others and announced this news directly.

So, what's your opinion?

"We need to develop an Arctic strategy. Ideally, we should complete it within 3 to 5 years, then repair the antenna and send faster-than-light information if they are still there."

"How many years will they stay there?"

"Are you dreaming?" Old Xia rolled his eyes. "If it's a search and rescue mission, they'll leave a buoy and head to the next possible star system. If they're lucky, the Covenant ship might appear in Terra's star system by next month at the latest. But if they go the wrong way..." then they can't make their voice heard before the buoy's working life ends, and the rescue will never arrive.

"What about the space program?" The doctor was a bit of a headache. The Arctic strategy was a backup plan, and he also thought that relying on the Covenant to send colony ships to evacuate the Terrans was unreliable. They weren't saints, and he could imagine how much money such a large-scale operation would cost.

If the Star Alliance doesn't charge money, that's even more terrifying, since every free gift from fate comes with a price at least twice its actual value.

Therefore, if the Terrans had their own spaceships, they would be much better off in terms of reliance during evacuation and the order of organizing operations. Even if they were in debt, they would owe less!

You can grit your teeth and work hard to pay off a debt of 1 million, but for a debt of 10 billion, most people just give up. That's why the PhD insisted on pushing the planetary path plan.

"If it weren't for a search and rescue operation, we would soon receive a second or even more consecutive jump signals; the other party was simply passing by." Just then, the alarm sounded again.

“Leaping ripples, hmm, the difference in attenuation and propagation angle between the two ripples... their direction is away from us, OK, either they're passing by or they're going the wrong way, don't expect to clear the level directly next month.” Old Xia spread his hands calmly, “Increase investment in aerospace and military, if you don't want to die.”

"By the way, Lao Xia, I've identified the signal source. It's a public signal, definitely passing by." Johnny had made a discovery. "It's not a Light Pulse K, it's a Light Pulse P. There's a 7% chance it's a research vessel. The good news is, they might stay within 20 to 50 light-years for a long time. The bad news is..."

It's not a search and rescue operation. Even if they make contact, the other side might not be able to contact the mainland. These large research vessels are designed to complete scientific research independently without much support from the mainland. So, it's estimated that the other side will need to jump back to the communication area first, then connect to the mainland network, notify the relevant mainland agencies, and then send a rescue team.

This is assuming they have a beacon. What's worse is that research vessels will never leave buoys in one place. Covenant research vessels are digging up other people's ancestral graves all over the universe. They wouldn't dare do something that would make them easy targets. This means that their research area is unknown how far away Terra is, so the possibility of making contact with them within 50 years using electromagnetic signals is nonexistent.

"Increase investment in space exploration, increase military preparedness, and get everyone on board—the vehicles won't wait for anyone!"

"why?"

"Because large research vessels would never operate within the Covenant-controlled territory; they are configured for operations in outer space. This means that even if we make contact, they cannot mobilize a large fleet to cross the astral plane for rescue. That would mean not only a fleet but also a large number of naval ships, and possibly a small-scale interstellar war with some civilization near you. What do you think...?"

"..." No need to think about it anymore, it's obvious Terra doesn't deserve it. "So, what do you think the possible outcome is?"

"The research vessel itself can be considered a miniature stargate, providing you with a separate stargate network, and then dispatching a small fleet to assist you in relocating—as many as you can get through. Even worse, there isn't even a stargate."

That means the Stargate rescue might involve rescuing Old Xia and a few other citizens, leaving the rest to their fate—not that they're completely abandoned, but rather...

"In that case, we might provide you with some blueprints and the necessary core equipment, and you can figure out how to build your own ships and escape."

Therefore, a space race and an arms race must be held simultaneously. The former ensures that after receiving blueprints and technical assistance, the spacecraft can be completed and the evacuation can be organized in the shortest possible time. The latter ensures that the former can have enough time to complete the spacecraft, break through the North Pole in the shortest possible time, obtain the gravitational wave generator, and repair the superluminal information transmission capability of the super-membrane antenna array.

"Misfortune and fortune are intertwined and hard to know!" the doctor sighed. This is both a bad thing and a good thing. It means that the Terrans can gain the greatest autonomy, but this good thing is also not necessarily a bad thing. If they can't do it, only a very few will be able to escape. At that time, let alone autonomy, how to survive in the cold universe will be a problem.

Meanwhile, 46.5 light-years away, in the dark night sky, the lights in front of the spaceship, "Approaching target, anomaly point O-X7076," were turned on, and an illuminating flare detached from its rack and flew out. The so-called illuminating flare was actually a high-powered nuclear bomb; only the light radiation from the explosion of this thing could illuminate a large enough celestial body in the darkness.

In the brief moment of light, the enormous black object emerged. It was a completely crystalline planet, composed of bluish-gray crystals and vermilion structures resembling synthetic jade. It was divided by crisscrossing, irregular ravines, and at the planet's north and south poles were huge voids that ran through this artificial planet.

"Spiritual response check, normal, activity level, high, guiding towards the North Pole waypoint..." The research vessel, indistinguishable from a small mountain range, slowly approached the planet. Even such a massive spaceship seemed like a speck of dust on the edge of the North Pole Hollow in the face of this artificial planet.

"Dock!"

"Release the probe robot"

"No life support environment, no threat, the lobby is behind. Operation Cat Hunt Phase One is complete. Proceed to Phase Two: Awaken all members, administer mental resistance medication, prepare the drone logistics station for unloading, and set up the landing camp."

"Investigation of anomaly point O-X7076 commences!"

[PS]

The next volume will begin the space race and arms race, along with the Arctic expedition. Also, this research vessel will be the opening of the book after that.jpg

Chapter One: Polar Holiday

Chapter One

"Today, the Grand Knight of Qazimir met with the Prime Minister of Ursus to further discuss the Ursus-Qazimir ceasefire agreement. We sincerely hope that peace can be restored to the Qazimir region as soon as possible..." The tires rolled over the unmelted spring snow, kicking up a cloud of black mud. To the sound of the boring news broadcast on the radio, the drowsy passengers swayed back and forth with the bumps of the vehicle.

The carriage was filled with a murky mix of tobacco, sweat, and engine oil. Even with the ventilation system turned up to the maximum, it was no use. Finally, with a screech of brakes, the vehicle slowly slowed down.

Outside the car window, the spacious transfer station gradually came into view. Under the guidance of the staff, a heavy truck, nearly one story high, turned and drove into the parking lot, leaving two muddy tire tracks on the concrete ground.

"Alright, we're all here." The car door opened, and the icy air unique to the North swept into the carriage, washing away the stale smell. "Hurry up and get out of the car, I still have to unload the cargo!"

Urged on by the driver, the passengers shook their heads, picked up their bags, and jumped off the truck while holding onto the side of the truck.

What came into view was not the desolate camp full of tents and savage Ursus people that I had imagined, but a neat cluster of buildings. White hemispherical buildings with metal reinforcements reflected a silvery light in the sunlight, and a series of iron towers undulated and spread between the snowfield and the hills.