Chapter 103: The Fallback Plan After Escaping_1

Ding Yi continued, "This is built modularly as per your request, with each module perfectly sized to be transported to space via the space elevator, and then assembled in the spaceport. The spaceport doesn't even need a dedicated dockyard; a standard one will suffice."

"The spaceship's structure is quite complex, including systems like the particle accelerator, particle beam focusing, energy supply, and high-performance computing module control... All of the designs are actually different from accelerators built on the ground, and many parts needed to be redesigned."

"Take the cryogenic components required by the accelerator, for example. A lot more cooling equipment needs to be added. Although the temperature in space seems to be close to minus 270 degrees, making it appear as though cryogenic components would not need cooling, the reality is that we need to add even more equipment. In space we don't think about how to utilize the cold, but rather how to dissipate heat. Yes, cooling or, more accurately, lowering temperature."

"In fact, heat dissipation in space is more difficult because there's no matter around it to disperse heat. A multitude of heat sinks need to be installed around the space particle accelerator, which can use the solar wind to take away some of the heat and thereby reduce the temperature."

"Thanks to the application of superconducting materials and such, the overall structure of the spaceship has been greatly simplified, otherwise, its size might have been ten times larger than it is now."

Lin Sen said, "Indeed, these are not easy feats. Without quantum computing technologies, we might not be able to build many of these accelerator spaceships before the global economy is dragged down, potentially even impacting the mainstream defense plan."

"Also, can all the accelerator modules be used interchangeably? Accelerator spaceships might spend years in the Kuiper Belt and can't return often for repairs. We should stockpile as many modules as possible in the reserve warehouse so that if one fails, it can be replaced directly by another."

Lin Sen was exceptionally demanding in terms of the interchangeability of accelerator modules. The structure of accelerator spaceships was not very sturdy, and their length was nearly twenty times that of a military warship. Moreover, without a solid keel, they were prone to issues, making module interchangeability an important indicator for the accelerator."

"This is also a key issue we have considered. According to our design, each module can be connected to others. Their constructions are almost identical and merely need their control parameters adjusted."

"Interchangeability of modules is also a top design priority. The survivability of accelerators in space is reflected mainly in their maintainability," said Ding Yi.

"What about its ecological recycling system? And what about its material storage, material processing, scientific laboratory, and equipment manufacturing areas?" asked Lin Sen.

"We've already achieved significant breakthroughs with the ecological recycling system. As long as we carry sufficient resources, it can survive in the Kuiper Belt for at least a century. If some key technologies make further breakthroughs in the future, its survivability will be even stronger," Ding Yi replied.

"So, what are the difficulties in building it now? When is the first one expected to be completed?" Lin Sen asked.

"We can now produce accelerator modules, but there are still some materials whose manufacturing costs are extremely high. This is the bottleneck that restricts mass production of accelerator modules. We expect that at most we can produce 10 kilometers of accelerator modules per year once we switch to standardized production."

Ding Yi continued, "The last challenge is the space elevator's constraints. The first phase is complete, and the second is still under construction. Although it's easier than the first, it's estimated to take another two years."

"The biggest drawback of the current first phase is that the elevator cars move only in one direction, taking six days for a round trip. This greatly limits the transport capacity of the space elevator."

"Only when the second or even third phases are completed, with one track handling upward transport and another recovering empty cars, and with hundreds of cars being transported simultaneously on a single track, can the true value of the space elevator be realized."

"The transport capacity of the first phase of the space elevator is actually not as good as that of the electromagnetic railgun sending materials into space. However, this doesn't affect us much, as we won't start building our accelerator spaceship soon enough. By the time we truly start construction, there will probably already be several space elevators."

"As for the first accelerator spaceship, it is expected to take 10 years to build successfully, followed by one every two years."

"So, at that rate, I'll have about ten accelerator spaceships in 30 years?" Lin Sen asked.

"Yes, the bottleneck is with the accelerator modules. Once the first spaceship's engines and other modules are complete, the rest can be accelerated," Ding Yi replied.

"With technological breakthroughs, the resources consumed by future accelerators will also decrease. How many accelerator spaceships do you predict we'll eventually have?" Lin Sen asked.

"It's difficult to estimate. Their consumption of resources is too frightening. Given current resources and technological support, I believe we might only build up to 20 accelerator spaceships at most, and even then, it would be 50 years from now."

"But no one knows what the future holds, just like the great depression you once predicted. If such a scenario were to occur, whether humanity would continue to support the construction of the accelerator is unclear," Ding Yi said.

Then Lin Sen took Ding Yi to a safe house.

Lin Sen: "I have some matters to entrust to you, and you must be aware of the statement I made at the Wallfacer hearing.

"If Logic and I are assassinated by Sophon, the accelerator spaceship will be in your hands. Have PDC produce particle accelerators to their limit. You'll need to gather all the high-energy particle specialists and experts from other fields for testing in the Kuiper Belt.

"Also, have Rey Diaz deploy fleets to protect you. I will contact Rey Diaz to secretly build his own fleet.

"This will surely cause dissatisfaction within PDC, and you'll need to negotiate with them, appoint a member of the Steel Mark Clan with an unwavering belief in human victory as the executive captain on each warship.

"If PDC is still not satisfied, you can add another layer of insurance, allowing PDC to recommend a human who could not possibly be part of the Steel Mark Clan to hold power over life and death of all Steel Mark Clan members.

"This insurance mechanism is similar to the escape monitoring system that I had Wade develop. You can listen to Wade; you need to trust him. He is a wolf, and only a wolf can properly protect you."

Ding Yi: "Why does it feel like you're making final arrangements?"

Lin Sen: "Nobody can predict the future. In case Trisolaris carries out the assassination against Logic and me, the future of humanity will depend on you.

"Before long, I'll continue to hibernate. If everything goes as planned, I promise to show you future physics. But if an accident occurs, this might be our last encounter—remember my words."

Lin Sen's preparations were only a precaution. After his hibernation, whatever happened in human society would be entirely uncontrollable. If the Trisolarans indeed breached the safes and executed their assassination plans against Logic and Lin Sen, humanity's only option would be to escape.

This was also foreseen by Mozi—under no circumstances would Lin Sen put all his eggs in one basket. A decisive battle can also be an escape; resource exchange through particle accelerators can also be an escape.

Tactics are ever-changing like water's flow; current plans must continuously adapt to the future situation. More often than not, strategy is about waiting for the adversary to reveal a weakness.

Escaping might indeed be an excellent option. A large number of particle accelerators and top human scientists fleeing would pose no less of a threat to the Trisolarans than the Dark Forest.

If the Trisolarans conclude that escape is unstoppable, whether to invade the Solar System remains an unknown. It's highly possible that they will prepare for their own escape.

Of course, this is also dangerous for humanity—the greatest risk is not increased exposure, but that humanity is not yet ready to enter the dark universe.

Due to a lack of cunning, the Trisolarans might not see through Lin Sen's escape plan. Besides, the escape plan is to be executed only if there's an emergency with Lin Sen and Logic.

In the original story, the Trisolarans failed to realize that Hines had altered the Thoughtcontrol, nor did they perceive Zhang Beihai's resolute belief in escape, or even Wade's concealment. These are the foundations of escape.

From the outside, Ding Yi sometimes appears capricious and free-spirited, at other times rigid and focused, seemingly unreliable. However, Lin Sen believes that the true Ding Yi possesses extraordinary wisdom behind his carefree demeanor and that Ding Yi is capable of grasping Lin Sen's implications.

Even though he might not be aware of how to connect everything together, as long as Ding Yi can make more preparations in secret, the escape might achieve even better outcomes than originally anticipated.

Moreover, Lin Sen had assembled a team including the Steel Mark Clan, the potential Zhang Beihai, Wade, and a group of true human heroes. Such a lineup is the real foundation for entering the dark universe—without it, venturing into the dark universe would be no different from seeking death.

The key to any plan is always the people!