Chapter 1074: Every Adventure Has an End (The End)

Chapter 1074: Every Adventure Has an End (Finale)

New Era Year 3, May.

After two and a half years, the colonial ship "Truth," ordered by the Academy from the Alliance, was finally completed.

The starship measured 6.7 kilometers in length, shaped like a hexagonal prism, with all structural and protective components forged from ceramic steel.

Its interior was divided into seven sections, from bow to stern: the port and maintenance area, security and equipment storage area, reactor and shield core area, bridge and command center area, production and engineering area, residential and public facilities area, and research and education facilities area.

In addition, a mass acceleration track ran from the stern to the bow, traversing the entire starship.

It could launch asteroid-sized "heavy mass projectiles" forward for emergency braking, deploy carrier aircraft, or serve as a means of daily inter-regional commuting for residents.

Although the starship was modeled after the "Zhiyuan" colonial ship's blueprints, the actual finished product was significantly longer and considerably wider than the Zhiyuan.

At maximum capacity, the starship could accommodate 3 million people.

According to the Academy's plan, they would move along the Orion Arm toward the Sagittarius-Carina Arm, exploring the mysteries of the galactic center while searching for a new home.

Upon finding a habitable planet, they would deploy colonization pods to the surface, replenish resources, transfer part of the population, and then continue onward, preserving a spark of human civilization.

Though doing this in the New Era might seem untimely, Dr. Conclusion had no intention of altering his plan.

Digital lifeforms are generally this stubborn, and their stubbornness is entirely different from human longevity.

Nevertheless, the Alliance respected the Academy's decision and, as agreed, helped them achieve this ultimate goal.

To complete this starship, engineers at the Lagrange Point Starport even installed plasma thrusters and a starship-grade fusion reactor on a small asteroid, pushing it into Earth's synchronous orbit for dismantling, smelting, and reprocessing.

By the time the "Truth" was finished, the asteroid was essentially hollowed out, and the remaining slag was taken by the South Sea Alliance's land reclamation company for filling the sea to create land.

Originally, the Alliance planned to complete the starship within five years, but actual production progressed faster than anticipated, finishing two and a half years ahead of schedule.

The main reason for this outcome was that the relocation and resumption of production at the Wandering Swamp Site 4 Aerospace Base exceeded expectations, and the manufacturing boom along the southern coastal areas also surpassed everyone's predictions.

The latter was especially significant.

Since the construction of the new space elevator, multiple settlements along the Death Coast and the Baiyue Strait had spawned a large number of outstanding aerospace enterprises, similar to Abu Aerospace.

Most of these enterprises were founded by wastelanders.

Although the term "wastelander" sounds inherently unreliable, the former were no less ambitious and courageous than the residents of the Vaults.

This was not just the case in the Alliance; similar patterns existed in most regions of the wasteland.

That is, aside from players, the vast majority of Vault residents tended to become workers in a stable society rather than entrepreneurs, and the rare entrepreneurs were former Vault administrators.

This was not only due to an aversion to risk and the aftereffects of living in a highly specialized society, but also because they had less need for money than ordinary people; as long as they could maintain their relatively comfortable standard of living, they wanted nothing more.

In contrast, wastelanders simply disliked saving money but still had a strong fondness for silver coins and Cr.

What the wasteland truly lacked was never technology; the pre-war legacy was enough for those living among the ruins to digest for a long time.

What the people living on this planet truly lacked was more a stage where "creativity could become a forward-driving force for civilization, not a backward one."

Now, they no longer lacked that stage.

Even a Brahmin, who had been struggling under the curse of feudalism just a moment ago, could, after washing away those unrealistic delusions in their mind, still have the opportunity to become a leader in a certain industry or field.

At least in the niche field of "plasma engines for aerospace," no enterprise stood out more than Abu Aerospace.

Those with higher technical content were either significantly more expensive or had insufficient production capacity. Those with lower prices were either far behind in technology, unable to secure orders, and thus their production capacity naturally could not increase.

In short, these aerospace companies, deeply rooted in their respective niches, had formed a vast supply chain network, driven by technology from the Academy, Vaults, and corporations, as well as intense competition.

Like worker bees, they tirelessly broke down resources delivered from the space elevator to the surface, processed them into intermediate products needed by the Lagrange Point Starport, launched them into synchronous orbit via the space elevator, packed them onto transport ships at the orbital port, and finally concentrated their launch to the Lagrange Point.

This cobbled-together supply chain, though far from comprehensive compared to the pre-war era, had its own unique strengths.

For example, "flexibility."

To give a simple and somewhat inappropriate analogy: the pre-war supply chain was like a workshop filled with toolboxes, containing thousands of replaceable screwdriver bits, each designed for different applications.

The New Era supply chain, on the other hand, was like a "hammer that could also be used to tighten screws." Though it lacked thousands of replaceable bits and couldn't even be changed, this tool could handle hundreds of applications without any awkwardness.

The former had absolute cost and efficiency advantages in large-scale manufacturing, but it was as fragile as glass, shattering at the slightest fall.

The latter, though slightly inferior in large-scale manufacturing, had a resilience like rubber putty, much like an old television set—if something broke, a kick might just fix it.

Under such circumstances, even though the Lagrange Point Starport's production capacity had not returned to pre-war levels, it could still churn out a large number of warships while also building a "Zhiyuan"-class colonial ship on the side, gaining the ability to concentrate all production capacity on a single starship.

Thus, this starship, in both size and comprehensiveness of functions, surpassed any starship from the Age of Prosperity, becoming a new milestone in the history of human civilization.

At the same time as the Academy's "Truth" colonial ship was completed, the Alliance's aerospace industry chain and space resource extraction had finally developed to a relatively mature level!

In addition to mining stations in the asteroid belt, the Alliance had also established a repair station and a scientific research station with a hundred personnel on the ruins of the Martian colony from the Human Federation era.

At this point, the "Solar System Revitalization Plan" proposed by Chu Guang at the Cohesion Council meeting had smoothly entered the middle of its first phase, and the day when human civilization would reclaim the borders of the Human Federation era and return to the Kuiper Belt was within sight!

...

The space station at the end of the space elevator.

Two and a half years ago, there was only a lone orbital defense platform there, but now the fortress, bristling with gun barrels, was surrounded by space modules of various sizes.

Some of these modules were alloy smelting workshops or automated production units.

Others were experimental facilities leased by surface laboratories or living quarters for aerospace workers.

Unlike the space stations of the old era.

Most of these space stations built in the New Era did not have counterweight booms for adjusting the center of gravity or continuously rotating counterweight devices.

The reason was that most space stations built in the early and middle periods of the Age of Prosperity relied on spin to provide "gravity simulated by centrifugal force," but for the people of the New Era, directly using gravity generators to produce "artificial gravity" was a more economical and reliable choice, saving a lot of space.

As times progressed, old ways of life gradually became history.

This included the space elevator.

Even in the highly developed Age of Prosperity, this anti-gravity elevator, without a "chain" to pull it, sounded like something out of science fiction, but in the New Era, it had become a reality.

The silver-white space structure stretched for over ten kilometers along the track, looking from afar like a dandelion floating beside the blue planet.

Prism-shaped elevators shuttled back and forth between the "dandelion's" leaves and the surface along invisible tracks, carrying people from the ground to the sky.

But unlike before, most of these people would not return after going to space.

They would serve as the continuation of human civilization and a new beginning, heading to the galaxy where no one had ever gone, to open up new frontiers for human civilization...

The "Truth" colonial ship was securely docked in Earth's synchronous orbit.

A total of 99,700 researchers had decided to leave their home planet for the future and had already arrived at the spaceport floating in outer space via the elevators.

Although this number was 300 fewer than expected, it was enough for Dr. Conclusion.

Not to mention 300 fewer.

Even if there were only 300, he would continue along the path he had decided upon.

At the entrance of the landing capsule, Yang Kai, who had been promoted to Grade A, looked at Jiang Xuezhou with a complex expression.

She was his proudest student and the true genius he most believed could be promoted to Grade A researcher.

Yet, to his surprise, this student, whom he saw as having a boundless future, chose to step back at the height of her career and submitted her resignation.

Although Dr. Conclusion had already approved her resignation, Yang Kai couldn't help but ask one last question.

"Have you thought it through?"

He swore.

If only she would turn back, he would personally go before Doctor Conclusion to plead for her, restoring her former rank.

After all, there were still 300 unfilled slots on the ship, and he was sure Doctor Conclusion wouldn't refuse.

Yet Jiang Xuezhou's answer was exactly as he had expected—unchanged.

"I've made up my mind."

Looking into those earnest eyes, Yang Kai's Adam's apple moved.

He had so much to say, but in the end, he swallowed most of it back down.

"...Is that so? Then I have nothing more to say."

Leaving those words behind, he cast a sharp gaze at the young man named "Ye Shi" standing to the side.

Most of the residents of Vault 404 had names just like that.

Even knowing about Project 404 and the β universe, he still couldn't accept it.

Under that piercing stare, Ye Shi inexplicably felt a bit nervous.

Especially when the other man spoke his next words—

"Take good care of her."

Those words, whether in Human Federation language or Chinese, were just four light syllables.

Yet Ye Shi instinctively straightened his back, his right fist solemnly placed over his chest in a military salute.

"Yes!"

"..."

Caught off guard by this inappropriate reaction, Jiang Xuezhou, who had barely managed to hold back a laugh, shot him a fierce glare.

The corner of Yang Kai's mouth twitched too, but the tight lines on his face relaxed somewhat.

He could see that this young man truly valued her.

Perhaps there was nothing left for him to worry about?

No—

To put it more bluntly.

Compared to someone willing to risk life and limb for her, he, who merely sat in a research ship drinking tea, probably didn't even have the right to worry.

Strange, really—he shouldn't have been so reluctant to let go.

In an academy that followed the law of the jungle, researchers were, after all, just consumables.

It seemed he had indeed poured too much superfluous emotion into this student, to the point of treating her like his own child.

He closed his eyes and sighed inwardly.

He'd have to learn from this lesson in the future...

"Take care."

With those words, Yang Kai waved his hand, turned, and walked toward the corridor leading to the landing pod.

Doctor Conclusion was already calling for him.

Staying any longer would be impolite.

But just as he took a step forward, a crisp voice came from behind.

"Master!"

He paused, instinctively halting his steps, and turned back in surprise.

And in that moment of turning, he saw his beloved disciple bow deeply to him.

"Thank you! You taught me so many things... and always nurtured me. I've let down your expectations... I'm sorry!"

This foolish child...

Yang Kai felt his composure waver, hastily turning his face away.

"No need to thank me—"

"You owe me nothing, and you have nothing to apologize for."

"Rather, it is I, as your elder, who owes you too much."

With that, he moved forward again, quickening his pace toward the landing pod, as if unwilling to linger a moment longer.

Ye Shi watched him leave, then turned his gaze to Xuezhou, whose eyes were brimming with tears.

In a voice as gentle as he had ever used, he spoke to her, whose eyes were red-rimmed.

"We should go too."

It wasn't just the *Truth* that was about to depart.

But also the *Orion*, which had already been repaired.

Because of some unexpected crew members, they—who should have set off two and a half years ago—had ended up delayed on the surface for that long.

"Mm!" Jiang Xuezhou nodded firmly, secretly wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Behind them, Dora and Little Koala exchanged glances, their faces showing relieved smiles.

It was an expression the latter had only recently learned.

Originally just a machine, perhaps after spending so much time with these "psychics," it had unknowingly acquired something akin to human emotion.

Or rather, a soul.

...

On the other side.

The space station's control tower.

Two digital beings communicated silently through unseen radio waves in the pitch-black void.

"Congratulations."

It was Doctor Conclusion who spoke.

Long, long ago, before the War Construction Committee had reached the end of its life, he had uploaded his consciousness to a circuit board, achieving immortality at the cost of death, embarking on a long and inevitably endless journey.

And that was why he was genuinely envious of someone who had already achieved a "HE" and perfectly cleared the game.

"Hehe, you're too kind. Actually, Xiao Qi didn't do much at all; it was all the master's credit."

"Master... you mean the Administrator?"

"Yes indeed." Facing that slightly envious voice, Xiao Qi replied in a cheerful tone. "He calls me Xiao Qi—I absolutely love that name."

It had once boasted about that name to someone, long, long ago by Linghu Lake.

Doctor Conclusion was silent for a moment, then continued.

"Is that so... But if he were to die, you would be very sad too, wouldn't you?"

Xiao Qi said joyfully.

"No, he said that no matter how far he goes in the future, he will always take Xiao Qi with him! And also, even if we are no longer here, it doesn't matter—this universe will have our continuation. At that time, it will continue to protect the people living on this planet on our behalf. In exchange, they will keep telling our stories over and over... until the heat death of the universe."

"Is that so... How enviable." Dr. Conclusion let out a heartfelt sigh.

After a brief pause, it made a final farewell in a solemn tone.

"Well then, farewell... I hope that when I pass by here next time, I will still see you."

Xiao Qi replied with full vigor.

"Mm! Goodbye!"

Within several tens of millennia, there should be no problem; beyond that, it couldn't guarantee.

However, the next meeting probably won't take that long.

The signal disappeared.

The silver-white starship, like a bullet shot into the void, leaped toward the lane that existed only in hyperspace, vanishing into the deep, dark starry sky.

Following closely into the hyperspace lane was the Orion missile cruiser, covered in emerald green scales.

It too was a child of human civilization.

And not only a child of human civilization, but also a child of Earth and Gaia.

Carrying the seeds of the Tree of Life and Xiao Yu's mother Xiao Hong, along with over 3,000 crew members dedicated to exploring new worlds... they would be the first to head to Tau Ceti, 20 light-years away, to open a new lane never touched by the Human Union.

That planet was a relic left by a precursor civilization.

It was also the next new map about to be opened in the closed beta of Wasteland OL!

It was said that the planet was covered with void projections far more terrifying than the mutated creatures of the wasteland, and hunting them would grant a true "upgrade (dimensional ascension)"... just like in the open beta.

As for what the future holds, only future people will know.

At least, for those standing on that azure planet at this moment, watching their children depart on a long journey, their respective futures would be infinitely bright...