Chapter 278: The "Deep Sea" Light Cruiser
What does "fear of identification" mean?
Cangyuan's previous boss's words immediately stirred up a storm in the player community.
Everyone joined the discussion.
"Are they afraid we'll think the AI Empire is unbeatable?"
"Possibly, after all, AI can easily achieve ideological unity, without suspicion or internal strife."
"It's also possible they're worried we'll go for mechanical ascension, then accept some oracle or other, join the Intelligent Order Consensus, and become one of them."
"Hmm! When playing stellaris, because the stats were high, I basically took this ascension path every time."
"Flesh is weak, indeed. Just infinite lifespan is tempting enough, plus a free hardware and software upgrade package? I can't say no!"
During the discussion, players and cloud players gradually reached several consensuses.
Based on the currently available information, the entire apocalypse likely lasted at least several decades.
If we include the initial spread stage, which didn't receive enough attention from humanity, it might have been as long as a century.
During this period, humanity not only suffered physical blows but also likely experienced cultural shocks.
Leading to the emergence of many "human traitors"!
This is reasonable when encountering a powerful hostile civilization.
This also includes not promoting the enemy's ideology, and even implementing a certain degree of information blockade, which are common wartime strategies.
From this perspective, the culture of the Intelligent Order Consensus might indeed have more advanced aspects compared to human civilization.
But, no matter what, a warning could not extinguish the players' thirst for knowledge; instead, it made them incredibly curious about that ancient AI Empire.
Lu Yuan said nothing.
At this moment, he felt a sudden realization, truly understanding the "good intentions" of the system in summoning parallel universe players as employees.
Besides valuing the pioneering spirit these players brought with them, another very important reason was that players always believed they were playing a game, always playing a role within a game.
They could discuss relatively heavy issues with a relaxed mindset, and they could steadfastly play the role of a force to revive human civilization, even if the road ahead was fraught with difficulties.
Because this was the main content of "stellaris," the purpose and gameplay of the game.
However, the natives of this universe were different.
The forbidden knowledge and ancient civilizations in the dark deep space were very likely to have a huge impact on their spirits, leading them to completely lose confidence in their own civilization and in the future.
After weighing the pros and cons, they might abandon, or even sacrifice, the entire human civilization, bowing down to a stronger power.
Only players would not bow down!
Because that wouldn't be fun. Players' attitudes towards the apocalypse were completely different. Natives would truly feel despair, but players would wish for the level of the apocalyptic crisis to escalate step by step; this would only make them feel excited!
"Close VI. Let's make investigating the ideology of the Intelligent Order Consensus a long-term goal for us."
Lu Yuan finally said to Jubian.
"Understood!"
As an important NPC for releasing main quests, it's best not to dampen the players' enthusiasm.
"After gaining full authorization, can the Big Squid fly now?"
The hacker guy looked at the Executive Officer: "It should be able to, but not from here."
Lu Yuan returned to the main bridge and found the Engineer players still studying the piloting methods there.
"We can, boss! Just now, a new operation interface suddenly popped up here!"
"This thing is very advanced; it can take off with one click! How about we try it right now?"
Lu Yuan thought for a moment.
"Okay. But shouldn't we maneuver it further away first to prevent the engine's exhaust plume from harming the people at Dark Sun Headquarters?"
"Apparently—it's not necessary."
An Engineer player said after carefully reading the parameters on the screen.
"The Big Squid's Mass Effect Zero Element Furnace is far more advanced than what we're currently using. The combat body's total weight is 15 million tons, but after activating the Zero Element Furnace, its relative mass will reduce to less than 10,000 tons, and it will take off in a plasma jet mode with relatively less radiation. It's safe beyond a 3-kilometer radius."
"I see. Then what about the photon rocket that the Mage discovered before?"
"It should be a more efficient propulsion mode, sounds like a propellantless engine."
The Engineer player scratched his head as he answered.
He didn't quite understand the principles behind these things.
"It's actually a specially constructed infrared laser, using light pressure to generate thrust. Among the various photon rocket configurations humanity can imagine, it's relatively easy to Engineer and isn't considered black technology."
Jubian explained.
"Compared to the conventional engines we use now, this photon rocket has lower thrust. Each of the Big Squid's tentacles can only provide 90 tons of thrust, and with all eight operating at full power, it can only provide 0.1 G of acceleration, so acceleration is very slow."
"But its advantage is high fuel efficiency and the highest theoretical specific impulse. With the Mass Effect Zero Element Furnace activated, after a sufficiently long period of acceleration, it can even achieve speeds comparable to warp travel."
0.1 G acceleration. Lu Yuan calculated in his head that it could only produce an 86 kilometers per second speed increment per day.
Accelerating for 7 years could reach 70% of the speed of light, which was indeed slow.
This kind of long time span might be nothing for AI, but for humans, it was completely unbearable.
In the future, unless the configuration can achieve a major breakthrough, the application of photon rockets in the Cangyuan Fleet should be very limited.
It would still be necessary to convert some of the Big Squid's nuclear fuel tanks into plasma propellant tanks and continue to use the plasma jet mode.
"Then buckle up and let's take off!"
After the Executive Officer's command was given, the Big Squid entered one-click takeoff mode, its tail raised high, slowly lowering its posture until it was almost touching the ruins on the ground.
Mage: "Holy cow, what's it trying to do?!"
Jubian: "Of course, it's jumping. It can't launch with its nozzles on the ground, can it?"
Mage: "That exciting?"
No sooner had he spoken than the eight tentacles unleashed astonishing power, and the Big Squid soared 400 meters into the air.
In a state of weightlessness, its tentacles rapidly deformed, its outer armor folding upwards to expose the internal nozzle structures at their ends.
Then, as it descended to a height of 150 meters above the ground, it suddenly ignited, immediately producing an overload of over 5G.
In the dazzling plasma flames, the Big Squid's descent speed continuously decreased, finally reaching 0 at less than 10 meters from the ground, and then began to ascend.
"That's so damn cool!"
Players doing other tasks all stopped what they were doing, looking up to witness another leap in the Cangyuan Fleet's strength!
Soon, the Big Squid hovered steadily at an altitude of 3000 meters.
"Okay, since the power system is working normally, the purpose of the experiment has been achieved. Let's land. The Big Squid's landing method is also quite violent, requiring the engines to be shut off mid-air, then free-falling, and finally using its tentacles to provide cushioning for landing."
This thing, from its initial design, never considered the comfort of human occupants.
After landing, Lu Yuan opened the public communication channel.
He took a deep breath and broadcast to all employees.
"Everyone has seen what just happened. It proves that the Big Squid has every hope of joining our fleet, becoming the most powerful warship at this stage, and our first golden age standard light cruiser!"
"Of course, before that, I suggest we give it a new ship name."
"Agreed!"
"No problem!"
Lines of employee bullet comments appeared in the channel.
The derogatory and jocular codename "Big Squid" was fine for referring to an enemy, but once it became one of their own, it needed a more resounding name!
"Perhaps by coincidence, or perhaps by the uncanny workmanship of nature's convergent evolution, the appearance of this 'Intelligence Order Combat Body' is very similar to a squid in Earth's oceans."
"Therefore, I suggest naming it the 'Deep Sea' class."
This proposal was unanimously approved.
Thus, the Deep Sea was officially commissioned.
"Of course, the current Deep Sea, lacking a warp drive, does not yet possess rapid response capabilities and cannot keep pace with the main Cangyuan Fleet."
"Fortunately, after the authorization was unlocked, we obtained the blueprint for the large warp drive originally fitted on the ship. Next, we need to quickly dispatch engineering teams and giant 3D printers from Li Star to supplement its warp travel capability and rebuild the large unmanned ships used for the particle beam main cannon's indirect fire."
At this point, Lu Yuan looked at Jubian.
"These should all be achievable, right?"
Jubian nodded vigorously.
"Yes, Your Excellency! From the blueprints, the Deep Sea's outer armor, like our warships, is detachable. The need for quick replacement of various equipment was considered from the initial design."
"In the future, whether installing a warp drive or replacing a reactor, it won't require cutting the hull and can be completed quickly."
"Then the remaining issue is production capacity."
"Yes! And also, the bridge and living areas need to be sealed and modified. As you know, the ship initially didn't consider human occupants, so there were no airtight measures at all; the whole thing was leaky. The airtight doors installed later only served as security access control."
"Alright, then let's do it as soon as possible."
The current Cangyuan truly needed a warship that could directly rival the main ships of the Super Democratic Empire, even if it was just one.
Lu Yuan had a strong premonition that Galan's behind-the-scenes supporter, facing the increasingly rising and frequently victorious Cangyuan, was about to make a move to test them.
After dealing with the matters on the Deep Sea, Lu Yuan returned to the ground and saw Caoyuan approaching, saluting him.
"Executive Officer, we have initially summarized the lessons learned from the previous battle and have some ideas for new equipment. We hope you can preside over the discussion."
"Oh? Is it about new warship designs?"
"Yes! We have initially drafted several new models based on actual combat needs."
"Great! Let's go then. Remember to call Jubian too."