Facility Zero
Luna and Ayla explored the ancient city, visiting a teahouse, listening to folk songs, sipping tea.
They passed a brothel; the women, mistaking the tall, tomboy Luna for a man, invited her in, their bodies pressing against Luna's. Ayla's arrival, however, caused them to retreat, watching the two from a distance.
Ayla's android form was indeed beautiful; dressed in white silk, she resembled a celestial being.
They spent a few days in the city, then left.
Their carriage was pulled by a divine horse, with golden eyes; legend held that riding it granted a thousand-year lifespan. It was incredibly fast, tireless.
Days later, they reached a massive river—the Xiang River, sixty kilometers wide. Following it downstream for a hundred kilometers, they arrived at a bustling port.
Large sailing ships lined the docks, each 60-70 meters long.
According to the sailors, crossing the river led to Jingzhou's largest city, Yongzhou.
Yongzhou was located at the confluence of the Xiaoshui and Xiang rivers. On Earth, it was an ancient city, established during the Qin-Han dynasties.
As the ship crossed the river, a massive white tower became visible in the distance.
Octagonal, seven stories tall (2000 meters), with dragons and phoenixes circling its peak, it was an imposing and ancient structure.
"That's the Dragon Returning Tower, standing at the confluence of the Xiaoshui and Xiang rivers. We can see it now because we are at the exact point where the rivers converge."
"That serpent circling the tower is the malevolent dragon's spirit, miles long, surely capable of swallowing us whole."
Other passengers stared at it in awe.
As the ship crossed the river, the photovoltaic arrays above shifted, blocking the sun. The Nine Provinces were plunged into darkness, only small openings in the arrays allowing light to filter through, creating simulated moon and starlight.
Once they disembarked, Luna and Ayla headed towards Yongzhou.
Halfway there, the clouds parted, moonlight illuminating a cave entrance in a nearby cliff face.
They approached and entered.
Moonlight streamed into the cave, illuminating a pool of water whose surface reflected the light onto the cave walls, creating a perfect crescent moon shape.
"Moon Over Shallow Water—one of Yongzhou's famed Eight Scenic Spots," Ayla explained.
Her vast database contained this information.
"If not for the Federation's abundance of unusual creatures, this could be a tourist destination," Luna commented.
While science could create wonders, it couldn't replicate nature's unique beauty. Luna herself, increasingly removed from the natural world due to technological advancements, felt a sense of peace here.
"Modern humans and these ancient people might clash; that's why it's restricted."
Ayla's calculations predicted a high probability of conflict; curious tourists might share modern knowledge, even revealing that this world is artificial, disrupting the experiment.
"We could allow access to researchers but restrict it from ordinary tourists."
Researchers could study this world, providing the Federation's billions of scholars with valuable insights.
Civilizational progress requires technology and energy.
But other aspects are crucial. Social structures, if neglected, can lead to collapse, as demonstrated by the Olive Branch.
This was a complex issue requiring careful consideration.
Leaving "Moon Over Shallow Water", they approached Yongzhou.
Within Jingmen's walls, Yongzhou's walls were low (70 meters). It was late; the city gates were closed. Luna and Ayla simply climbed over the wall.
Yongzhou was silent. Luna and Ayla found a temple and entered, careful not to disturb anyone.
Upon entering the temple, they saw a pond. Following the path around it led to a gate inscribed with "Gate of Celestial Spirits," its roof adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes, seemingly alive. Stone lions flanked the entrance.
Passing through this gate, they saw another, larger gate, its name—inscribed on a plaque above—combining the words "Virtuous" and "Illustrious," taller than the previous gate, its pillars also adorned with dragon and phoenix carvings. This led to the temple's main hall.
A moon-viewing platform stood before the hall, surrounded by intricately carved stone railings. A staircase, its steps decorated with carvings of flowers, birds, and animals, led to the platform. Two more stone lions stood guard. The hall was empty; Luna and Ayla entered.
The main hall, though empty, led to another chamber, the Hall of Reverence, its walls covered in intricate murals depicting stories of virtuous individuals. The entire temple was an architectural marvel, ancient and grand.
"A Confucian temple?" Luna mused.
They spent the night there, emerging at dawn to find the streets filled with scholars; Yongzhou's famed Pearl Academy, one of Jingzhou's most prestigious institutions, was nearby.
...
Returning to the Floating Continent.
The other passengers shared Luna's enthusiasm; the true essence of travel lay in experiencing different cultures.
Luna returned to the ship's lounge and saw a Lightwing intently manipulating a holographic interface, its contents hidden.
"That's a Lightwing scholar," Ayla informed Luna, having accessed its information.
Luna was curious. Why was this scholar working so diligently during a sightseeing trip?
Using Ayla's access, Luna viewed the interface. Complex formulas filled the screen. Luna's expression turned serious as she recognized them—the Fermat's Last Theorem.
This theorem was a cornerstone of mathematical history and a key element of string theory.
Like many mathematical theorems, Fermat's Last Theorem was, in essence, a number puzzle, an intellectual game for mathematicians.
"It is impossible to separate a cube into two cubes, or a fourth power into two fourth powers, or in general, any power higher than the second, into two like powers."
This theorem was proposed by French mathematician Pierre de Fermat in 1637.
The simple equation is xⁿ + yⁿ = zⁿ, where there are no positive integer solutions.
In 1993, Andrew Wiles seemingly proved Fermat's Last Theorem. Due to an issue with the elliptic curve, he refined his proof. Finally, on October 25, 1994, Wiles presented the complete solution: when n > 2, no integer solutions exist.
This 300-year-long mathematical puzzle was something Luna had encountered while studying string theory.
The scholar's current focus on Fermat's Last Theorem suggested a limited mathematical background, or perhaps he was simply pursuing it as an intellectual exercise.
"Fermat's Last Theorem is quite old and doesn't appear to have any practical applications."
Mathematics is often linked to philosophy. The journey, not the destination, is important.
Like a game; exploration is the most enjoyable aspect. Defeating the final boss often leads to a sense of emptiness.
Ayla transmitted a message to Luna.
"There's no record of any practical applications of this theorem."
Luna lost interest; it was merely a mathematical exercise. Within the Federation, most mathematical proofs were readily available online, and there was no need for manual calculations.
Moreover, companies had even developed "algebraic formula models" within virtual spaces, essentially super-calculators capable of performing any mathematical operation.
These models not only aided in existing mathematical formulas but also assisted with complex problems, drastically reducing calculation time.
Calculations that might take hours could be completed in under a minute.
These academic virtual spaces were managed by Ayla, who collected the data generated within them.
"Damn it! Rejected again!"
"Another error! That mathematician truly is a genius; I didn't even notice it in my calculations."
The Lightwing scholar beside her grumbled in frustration and awe.
A screen, the size of a blackboard, appeared before the scholar, filled with tiny, almost illegible formulas.
The sheer density of information made Luna shudder.
Mathematics was too complex; she was currently focused on biology and astrophysics, which also required math, but she relied on Ayla for calculations. Mathematics, among academic disciplines, was undoubtedly the most challenging, requiring exceptional logical reasoning. And in this era, with so many new conjectures and complex problems involving calculus and topology, Luna had even heard of scholars dying from mental exhaustion.
Mathematical puzzles, as they approach a solution, often become exponentially more difficult. Ayla, as the Federation's core, participated in various research projects. Even with her immense processing power, she'd once spent 289 years on a single mathematical problem.
"What's a 'Boundary God'?" Luna asked, curious about this unfamiliar term. It hadn't existed in the early Federation.
The Lightwing scholar, startled by her question, turned to face her.
"You don't know about Boundary Gods?"
"Everything in the Federation is managed by Boundary Gods—Social Boundary Gods who manage society, Academic Boundary Gods (mathematics, physics, chemistry, etc.), Virtual Boundary Gods managing the virtual worlds, even Military Boundary Gods."
"Boundary Gods are everywhere in the Federation. Wait, aren't you the official who came halfway from Shaka? How can you not know about Boundary Gods?"
The Lightwing scholar was suspicious, wondering if Luna was a spy. In the Federation, not knowing about Boundary Gods was like someone in the 21st century not knowing what a phone was.
"I see. I was delayed on the Silk Road and only recently returned. I hadn't realized the Federation had changed so much," Luna explained, allaying the scholar's suspicions.
Ayla transmitted a message to Luna, explaining the Boundary Gods.
Ayla's information processing was limited by computational power. The universe's vastness restricted her to a single star system. Multi-system management would introduce unacceptable communication delays. Even a millisecond delay was significant; years or decades were unacceptable.
Therefore, Ayla created the Boundary Gods.
Each Boundary God had an independent server located in a star system, managing specific tasks.
Boundary Gods were categorized as primary (high computational power) or secondary (lower computational power). Primary Boundary Gods controlled larger stars (yellow dwarfs, blue giants) with ample energy. Secondary Boundary Gods controlled smaller stars (red dwarfs, white dwarfs), like the one managing the Ringworld.
"The Silk Road is indeed a long journey," the scholar sighed.
"Over 200 light-years. If only my research were complete. We could increase starship speeds significantly—at least 15% the speed of light."
The Lightwing scholar shook his head sadly.
"But my research is far from complete. As a Lightwing, my lifespan is too short. With a few more centuries, I might succeed."
Luna was intrigued.
"What kind of research would increase speeds so dramatically?"
The scholar opened the holographic interface. The complex equations vanished, replaced by a single number.
137.
137 was an integer, but it represented something more—137.03599976, the fine-structure constant, often denoted by the Greek letter α.
"The fine-structure constant, also known as God's constant, or perhaps more appropriately, the Boundary God's constant," the scholar explained.
"This constant, representing the strength of electromagnetic interaction, holds the secrets of the universe."
"Every civilization that explores physics—humanity, Lightwings, Kate, Multi-eyed, even the Purple Thorns—discovers this constant and is awestruck by it."
"If a fundamental constant exists, was it established by a god-like entity, using it to create the universe?" the scholar pondered.
"We've discovered not only the electromagnetic coupling constant, but also those of the weak and strong nuclear interactions, and gravity."
"Each constant is fascinating. Thirteen years ago, I began combining the fine-structure constant with the Hodge conjecture, aiming to create a unique topological structure."
"This topological device, formed from basic topological structures, would focus and amplify energy."
"My research has been focused on this, but the abstract nature of mathematics makes it difficult to apply directly to the Federation's development. Most citizens are more interested in practical applications. I shifted my focus long ago, but perhaps I was too ambitious."
Physics and mathematics are closely related, but transitioning between them and achieving significant breakthroughs is challenging.
Especially now, as the boundaries of each field are constantly expanding. Decades ago, each field was like a fork in the road, with each path extending only 100 meters. Now, each path extends 1000 meters. Reaching 100 meters is difficult; reaching 1000 meters requires exceptional talent and luck.
Switching fields and starting over is even more challenging.
The Lightwings, like Xin, focused on mathematics.
And their reproductive method allowed them to retain ancestral memories, meaning the Lightwing scholars were born with advanced mathematical knowledge.
While others started at zero, the Lightwings started at 100 meters, aiming for 1000.
Therefore, Luna was intrigued by the scholar's research.
Her conversations with Xin had revealed the potential of energy confinement weapons, demonstrating the practical applications of topology.
But three-dimensional topology was limited. How could topology be used to confine and amplify electromagnetic fields?
Luna voiced this question.
The scholar sighed. "That's the challenge; three-dimensional space limits many things."
"But if virtual particles exist at the subatomic level, could we use them to create a higher-dimensional energy field?"
"By transcending three-dimensional geometry, could we amplify energy by manipulating its pathways?"
"My research focuses on multiple energy applications. After nuclear fusion, could we quickly induce decay or utilize antimatter annihilation to amplify energy output?"
The scholar explained his theory, captivating Luna.
She now understood why he was studying the fine-structure constant.
His research encompassed not only the fine-structure constant but also quantum electrodynamics.
Electrons interact by exchanging photons. Could topological pathways be used to confine and control the energy conversion process, like optical fibers?
After undergoing nuclear fission, an atom splits into two. These two atoms, their energy manipulated via topological pathways, then undergo fusion with other elements. The combined energy from fission and fusion is amplified.
This appears to violate the law of conservation of energy.
But the Lightwings' calculations show it doesn't; it amplifies existing energy, not create new energy.
Imagine an object with a power output of 1 watt releasing 10 joules of energy over 10 seconds. This technology increases the power output to 2 watts, releasing the same 10 joules in 5 seconds.
This reduces acceleration time, increases explosive power, and has various other applications.
This might seem insignificant.
If a warship has 100 joules of energy, what's the difference between slow and fast acceleration?
At first glance, there's no difference. But there is. Space isn't a perfect vacuum; friction exists. Maintaining the same acceleration requires more energy per second over a longer period.
Faster acceleration also saves energy in other areas, such as engine cooling, a significant expense for warships.
Luna felt that this technology, while impressive, wouldn't significantly increase a warship's speed.
Perhaps this person underestimated the Federation's current warship speeds. Specialization, after all, is key.
Ayla performed calculations, accessing and analyzing the Lightwing's technology. She determined that it could increase current ship speeds by 42%, assuming successful implementation.
In reality, this technology was still theoretical, with numerous flaws. This explained why the Lightwing scholar's paper had been rejected; it was simply too flawed.
Ayla and other leading Federation scientists were also researching ways to increase warship speed.
This was a high priority, with numerous corporations investing heavily (30 trillion energy credits annually)—a staggering sum, considering the Federation's annual income was only 220 trillion energy credits.
This exchange, however, gave Luna a new perspective—the potential applications of topology in manipulating space. She decided to study topology.
The more she learned, the more she realized her limitations.
"One must always strive to learn," she mused.
The sightseeing ship departed, heading towards Arcturus, an orange giant star.
Giant stars represent a later stage in a star's life cycle.
The Sun, for example, is 4.6 billion years old. Over the next few billion years, it will expand, a consequence of mass loss.
Greater mass means stronger gravity. As a star loses mass, its gravity weakens, causing it to expand.
Giant stars are therefore often older stars.
Arcturus is an old star, approximately 7 billion years old. While only 8% more massive than the Sun, its radius is 25 times larger.
From the ship, Luna could easily see Arcturus; it was 170 times brighter than the Sun, even accounting for the reduction in shorter wavelengths.
It was relatively close to the Solar System—just over 30 light-years away, a journey of approximately 500 years.
Thinking of this, Luna asked Ayla, "What's the situation in the Solar System?"
It was, after all, her home.
Due to the passage of time, Luna had almost forgotten what her city looked like. Even humans forget details of their lives from a decade or two ago; Luna had lived for millennia.
Luna accessed her personal simulation, checking the date.
24381 A.D.
Fifteen thousand years had passed since her last awakening.
"The Solar System remains unstable. The inner planets, including Earth, are gone; only six remain, and their orbits are erratic."
"Mars is closer to the Sun, more habitable than it was 20,000 years ago. Venus's orbit is elliptical and unstable, but much of its atmosphere has been stripped away, making colonization possible."
"The optimal return time is 70,000 years from now. The Solar System will be more stable, though not as it once was. With our current technology, we can restore it relatively easily."
Luna pondered this.
"Then let's set the return date for 70,000 years from now."
She wasn't in a rush; her longing was for Earth, the only place with true human history. The rest was insignificant.
And Earth was gone, consumed by the Sun, its matter vaporized.
Fourteen years later.
The sightseeing ship reached Arcturus (Alpha Boötis), a rare single-star system. 21st-century astronomers hadn't detected any planets, but Luna's data indicated one.
Arcturus b.
This planet was only two-thirds the radius of Earth, slightly larger than Mars. Its orbit was extremely close to Arcturus, and it was tidally locked. In 600 million years, it would be completely tidally locked.
Their destination was this planet.
The sightseeing ship, enduring extreme temperatures, entered Arcturus b's dense atmosphere—not naturally occurring but artificially generated by a Federation corporation.
Arcturus b's proximity to Arcturus resulted in surface temperatures exceeding 1300°C. The atmosphere increased this to 1600°C.
The corporation had to install hundreds of planetary cooling systems to maintain a stable temperature.
Entering the atmosphere, the ship passed through a seven-kilometer-thick cloud layer. Beyond, the view was clear.
Arcturus b was an ocean planet, lacking any landmasses.
The water had been transported by the corporation, using compressed oxygen and hydrogen extracted from Arcturus, creating this ocean.
The average depth was 27,000 meters; the deepest point, 30,829 meters. The total water volume was 1.81 times that of Earth's oceans.
The passengers awoke, gazing at the ocean through the viewports.
"The Boiling Sea lives up to its name."
"The ocean is truly boiling."
While Arcturus b utilized planetary cooling systems, the temperature was still extremely high (approximately 115°C).
This caused the ocean to constantly boil, creating a dense cloud layer that shielded the planet from Arcturus's intense infrared and ultraviolet radiation.
The sightseeing ship, after traveling through the atmosphere, located a massive vortex. A bottomless pit, over 300 meters in diameter, lay at its center. The ship flew directly into it.
They were instantly surrounded by powerful currents, creating a sense of imminent danger. The ship seemed vulnerable to the currents.
The ship slowed to 100 km/h. Within a minute, it reached the ocean floor and submerged. The surroundings were clear; they were in a massive, transparent tube. The ocean should have been dark at this depth (1700 meters), but it was remarkably bright.
Bioluminescent plants, minerals, and creatures filled the tube. Schools of fish, emitting a soft blue-white light, swam through the structure, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
A massive fish (over 50 meters long) suddenly appeared, swallowing hundreds of smaller fish in a single gulp.
In the distance, a 500-meter-wide luminous sphere pulsed; it wasn't a rock formation but a giant jellyfish.
"Passengers, we have arrived at our final destination: the Boiling Sea," the ship's guide announced.
"This area contains 298,908 species; over 80% are bioluminescent, creating a breathtaking underwater spectacle."
"We are now approaching the Luminous City, the only settlement in the Boiling Sea. Its surface area is 64,000 square kilometers. You are free to explore once we arrive."
The Luminous City was the final stop on the sightseeing tour and Luna and Ayla's destination.
It housed the Federation's largest biological research facility.
Upon arriving at the Luminous City, Luna was awestruck by its beauty.
Looking up, she saw the city's massive, semi-circular dome. Beyond it lay the dark ocean depths, teeming with bioluminescent creatures, creating a living, moving cosmos.
Five-colored light filtered through the dome, illuminating the city's low-rise buildings.
The tallest structures were only about 100 meters high. The city wasn't built on a single plane but on the inside of a massive bowl, densely packed with buildings.
At the bowl's center was a colossal pillar, 3.4 kilometers in diameter, with numerous passageways extending outwards, resembling a giant flower.
"It looks like a bun with a stalk of grass sticking out of it," a passenger commented as they disembarked.
Luna couldn't help but agree.
The city was brightly lit, resembling a city that never sleeps. Its prosperity stemmed not only from its unique environment but also from its diverse entertainment options.
Gambling and adult entertainment were readily available.
Everything was legal and regulated; no grey markets existed. The Federation ensured the safety of all its citizens; no major incidents had occurred in nearly 1800 years.
The city served as a release valve for the Federation's population, though it was primarily frequented by explorers.
After disembarking, Luna hailed a vehicle via Ayla.
The vehicle was silvery-white, with white lights, resembling a futuristic armored car. It levitated approximately 30 centimeters above the ground, providing a smooth, stable ride. Its appearance, however, attracted attention.
Luna noticed people looking at them.
"Is this car expensive?" she asked Ayla.
Ayla winked. "Not really. Around 30,000 energy credits."
Not really?
"Is it made of gold? Why so expensive?"
"No. Even a ton of gold is only worth about 10,000 energy credits."
Ayla, anticipating this question, explained.
"Its hull is made of a high-strength composite material, representing the pinnacle of the Federation's current manufacturing capabilities. We've reduced the distance between atoms, creating an incredibly dense, yet stable, structure."
"Higher-strength materials require more energy to produce, increasing their cost. And without mass production to reduce costs, the price is high."
"This vehicle's hull can withstand a 2-million-ton nuclear explosion. Adding other defensive systems would increase that by a factor of 100."
That certainly justified the price.
But this level of protection was unnecessary within the Federation; 2 million tons of TNT was easily achievable. This vehicle only offered protection against low-level weapons.
A vehicle costing 30,000 energy credits seemed ludicrous.
The vehicle traversed the city, arriving at a seemingly unremarkable shopping mall. Ayla led Luna into an elevator. The buttons changed; the usual 1–111 floors were replaced with -1 to -11.
Ayla pressed several buttons before the elevator started.
"Security first. To prevent malfunctions, only authorized personnel can access the lower levels."
The elevator descended rapidly, exceeding 2g acceleration.
After fifteen minutes, it slowed, reaching a depth of 3100 kilometers.
Exiting, Luna saw numerous beings.
They weren't robots but scientists.
"This is Research Facility Zero, built for you, Luna."
"All the Federation's advanced bio-engineering equipment is here, along with many of the Federation's top biologists."
These "top biologists" were ranked according to Ayla's ranking system.
All researchers who had made significant contributions to a field were included in the ranking.
Rankings existed for biology, mathematics, philosophy, physics, chemistry, engineering, and dozens of other fields, even psionics. Each ranking had one million entries; even the lowest-ranked researcher received annual support from the Federation.
Annual stipends:
500,000–1,000,000: 500 energy credits.
100,000–499,999: 2000 energy credits.
50,000–99,999: 5000 energy credits.
10,000–49,999: 15,000 energy credits.
1000–9999: 70,000 energy credits.
101–999: 300,000 energy credits.
Top 100: 1 million energy credits.
This system incentivized research, attracting countless scholars. Reaching the rankings meant significant financial rewards.
500 energy credits might seem modest, but the average annual income was only 8.14 credits; reaching the rankings meant earning the equivalent of sixty years' worth of income.
Thinking of this, Luna recalled her earlier ride, understanding its cost.
Competition was fierce.
The number of registered researchers in the Federation had surpassed 843.7 billion; reaching the rankings was an extraordinary achievement.
The Federation's population had reached 588 trillion, largely due to the high birth rates of several species, with the Lelera alone accounting for 15.2 trillion.
Compared to these species, with their high reproductive rates, human reproduction was quite low.
Luna's contributions to biology weren't ranked; this wasn't surprising, given that she hadn't studied biology for over ten thousand years.
But her existing knowledge base would allow her to quickly catch up; she believed she could reach the rankings within a few decades.
Ayla continued guiding Luna.
Passing through a doorway, they entered a vast chamber, separated from the rest of the facility by a thick, organic glass wall.
Luna was astonished by what she saw.
A warship was growing.
"Metal is expensive. Therefore, Research Facility Zero's primary focus is bio-engineered warships, ushering in an era of affordable warships," Ayla explained.
Bio-engineered warships grew with nourishment; organic resources were easier to obtain than inorganic ones. A bio-engineered warship would cost at least ten times less than a metal one.
Affordable warships meant a massive increase in the Federation's fleet size.
Millions, even tens of millions, of warships—enough to overwhelm even the Olive Branch.
Luna was captivated.