Chapter 43 – Worm Star 虫星

Lin Yuan's recent performance has caught Lin Wanqing's attention. She noticed that her brother was not only more diligent than before but also showed surprising concentration and perseverance. For example, recently he suddenly showed a strong interest in the research on the recycling and purification of discarded energy, and he could even put forward some theories and insights that she had never heard of before.

One day at dinner, Lin Wanqing asked tentatively, "Brother, you've changed a lot lately. Have you suddenly become more sensible?"

Lin Yuan looked up at her and twitched the corners of his mouth: "Wanqing, are you complimenting me or teasing me?"

The whole family laughed, yet Lin Wanqing was even more confused. She secretly decided to keep a closer eye on Lin Yuan in her free time from work.

...

Lin Wanqing works in an astronomical research institute, mainly responsible for monitoring the celestial activities near Kepler-4b, especially the trajectories of potentially threatening celestial bodies.

One day, she and her colleagues accidentally discovered a slowly moving planet. This planet is located near the outer orbit of Kepler-4b. There seem to be no signs of life on its surface, but the detector has captured regular energy fluctuations on the planet's surface.

More importantly, through trajectory calculations, this planet will enter the planetary orbit of Kepler-4b within 30 years (and maybe even earlier), and there is a possibility of a collision. The astronomical research institute named this planet [Worm Star]. The detector shows there are many worm-like organisms on it, which seem to reproduce quickly and be very aggressive.

In the internal meeting of the research institute, Lin Wanqing learned more information about the Worm Star:

Characteristics of the Worm Star: The surface of the Worm Star is covered with a large number of worm-like creatures, and these creatures seem to have entered a state similar to hibernation. However, scientists speculate from the planet's energy fluctuations that these worm-like creatures might be a collective consciousness entity. Once awakened, they'll seriously threaten Kepler-4b.

Unknown Technology: The detector has found structures similar to technological devices on the Worm Star, and it is speculated that they may be some kind of equipment for interstellar travel or colonization. This indicates that the creatures on the Worm Star may possess high intelligence and may even be the indigenous race in the interstellar space near Kepler-4b.

Acceleration of the Planet's Trajectory: Research shows that the acceleration of the Worm Star's trajectory is not due to the natural gravitational force but is caused by some external force interference. This indicates that there may be some force might be driving the Worm Star towards Kepler-4b.

After the meeting, Lin Wanqing's mood was very complicated. She realized that if the Worm Star collided with Kepler-4b, not only would the entire planet be destroyed, but the surrounding interstellar region would also be affected. At present, the research institute has not found an effective solution.

Lin Wanqing decided not to tell her family about the Worm Star for the time being because this is classified information. However, she felt increasing pressure at work and, meanwhile, found Lin Yuan seemed more mysterious than before.

One night, Lin Wanqing saw Lin Yuan in a daze on the balcony at home, as if he was talking to something. She didn't interrupt, but vaguely felt that her brother must be hiding a certain secret.

In fact, that night, Lin Yuan was talking to the Jiuchong Ring.

The Jiuchong Ring said impatiently: "Host, are you still wasting time on these minor experiments? Do you know that this planet will be destroyed by the 'Worm Star' in 30 years? If you continue to be so slow, don't even think about going to the next plane."

Lin Yuan frowned and asked, "Worm Star? What do you know about it?"

Jiuchong Ring said: "Of course I know. The creatures on the Worm Star are not just simple worms. They are an intelligent race with collective consciousness as the core, completely different from you humans. Their civilization level is much higher than yours, but it has declined now."

Lin Yuan fell into thought: "Since you know all this, then what's your suggestion? Do you want me to be a savior and push the Worm Star back?"

Jiuchong Ring shook and said, "It's not easy. The Worm Star's trajectory was deliberately sped up, and some force might be secretly controlling it."

Host, your task is not simply to solve the problem of the Worm Star's collision, but to find out the mastermind behind it. Of course, this is not the main task."

Lin Yuan sighed: "I knew it. This time the task is not just a simple 'save the world'..."

A few days later, Lin Wanqing couldn't help but tentatively reveal some information about the Worm Star to Lin Yuan, wanting to see if her brother could provide any help. Lin Yuan pretended to have heard of the Worm Star "from other channels" and put forward several suggestions.

In the end, the brother-sister pair started collaborating privately. They collected more info about the Worm Star while also trying to figure out why the planet's trajectory was accelerating.

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林远最近的表现引起了林晚晴的注意.她发现哥哥不仅比以前勤快,甚至还表现出了令人意外的专注和毅力.比如,最近他突然对废弃能源的再利用和净化研究表现出浓厚兴趣,还能说出一些自己都没听过的理论和见解.

某天晚饭时,林晚晴试探着问道:"哥,你最近好像变了很多...不会是忽然开窍了吧?"

林远抬头看着她,嘴角抽了抽: "晚晴,你这是夸我,还是损我?"

一家人听了都笑了起来,但林晚晴的心中更加疑惑.她暗自决定,要在工作之余多关注一下林远的动向.

...

林晚晴在一家天体研究所工作,主要负责监测开普勒4b附近的天体活动,尤其是潜在威胁天体的轨迹.

某天,她和同事们意外发现了一颗缓慢移动的星球.这颗星球位于开普勒4b的外层轨道附近,表面看起来没有生命迹象,但探测器却捕捉到星球表面有规律的能量波动.

更重要的是,通过轨迹计算,这颗星球将在30年内（甚至可能更早）进入与开普勒4b的行星轨道,而且会有碰撞的可能性.天体研究所将这颗星球命名为[虫星],因为探测器显示星球上存在密集的类虫状生命体,且它们似乎具有极强的繁殖能力和侵略性.

研究所内部会议中,林晚晴得知了更多关于虫星的情报:

虫星特性:虫星的表面被大量虫状生物覆盖,这些生物似乎已经进入了类似休眠的状态.但通过对星球能量波动的分析,科学家们推测,这些虫状生物可能是某种群体意识体,一旦苏醒,将对开普勒4b构成严重威胁.

未知科技:探测器在虫星上发现了类似科技装置的结构,推测可能是某种用于星际旅行或殖民的设备.这表明,虫星上的生物可能拥有高智慧,甚至可能是开普勒4b附近星际空间的原住种族.

星球轨迹加速:研究显示,虫星的轨迹加速现象并非自然引力作用,而是某种外力干扰导致的.这表明,可能有某种力量在推动虫星接近开普勒4b.

会议结束后,林晚晴的心情非常复杂.她意识到,如果虫星撞击开普勒4b,不仅整颗星球会被毁灭,周边的星际区域也将受到影响.而目前,研究所还没有找到有效的解决方案.

林晚晴决定暂时不将虫星的情报告诉家人,因为这是机密信息.然而,她在工作中感到越来越大的压力,同时发现林远似乎比以往更加神秘.

某天晚上,林晚晴在家中阳台看到林远正在发呆,似乎在与什么东西对话.她没有打扰,但隐隐觉得,哥哥身上一定藏着某个秘密.

实际上,当天晚上,林远正在与九重戒对话.

九重戒不耐烦地说道:"宿主,你还在浪费时间做这种小修小补的实验?你知道吗,这个星球还有30年就要被 '虫星' 撞毁了,你要是再慢吞吞的,下一个位面就别想了."

林远皱了皱眉: "虫星?你又知道什么?"

九重戒道: "当然知道.虫星上的生物,可不只是些简单的虫子,它们是一个以群体意识为核心的智慧种族,和你们这些人类完全不同.它们的文明等级比你们高得多了,只是现在衰退了."

林远陷入沉思: "既然你知道这些,那你有什么建议?让我当个救世主,把虫星挡回去?"

九重戒摇了摇戒身: "没那么简单.虫星的轨迹是被人刻意加速的,这件事背后可能有其他势力在操控.宿主,你的任务,不是单纯地解决虫星撞击的问题,而是找出幕后推手.当然这还不是主要任务."

林远叹了口气: "我就知道,这次的任务又不是简单的 '拯救世界'..."

几天后,林晚晴忍不住试探性地向林远透露了一些关于虫星的情报,想看看哥哥是否能提供什么帮助.而林远则假装是 "从其他渠道" 听说过虫星,并提出了几条建议.

最终,兄妹二人开始在私下合作,一边收集更多关于虫星的情报,一边试图找出星球轨迹加速的原因.