Information Stream

Biodata

Background

Information Stream lifeforms first appear to Chen Fan in a Void-like space after his Consciousness Body is critically weakened. They manifest as aggregates of Information Streams and surround him in growing numbers. A larger aggregate approaches as their apparent leader, but its attempt at communication causes Chen Fan's Consciousness Body to disintegrate. 570

A figure called the King intervenes by sacrificing smaller Information Stream aggregates to preserve Chen Fan. The King then orders the researcher Yuan to return Chen Fan to the Order Realm and teach him their language. 570

After recovering, Chen Fan reports the encounter to Wang Jing and agrees to Academy of Sciences experiments involving Information Streams and Consciousness Bodies. The Human Alliance considers a possible connection between these lifeforms, Chen Fan's unusual nature, and the Broadcast Civilization, but no definitive conclusion is established. 574 575

Appearance

Information Stream lifeforms have no documented material bodies. They are perceived as changing, ripple-like aggregates of Information Streams within the Void. 570

• Appear as invisible or near-invisible ripples and clustered Information Streams. 570
• Can vary greatly in scale; the King is substantially larger than the surrounding aggregates. 570
• Their surrounding space appears to shift through an unfamiliar form of “stirring” despite the absence of ordinary spacetime fluctuations. 570

Abilities & Traits

Information-State Existence

Information Stream lifeforms exist as aggregates rather than conventional physical organisms. Their movement and presence are detected through changes in Information Streams. 570

• Can gather around a target in large numbers. 570
• Seem capable of forming hierarchies, with the King acting as a leader and Yuan identified as a researcher. 570
• Their form is compatible with environments where ordinary spacetime behavior is absent or unclear. 570

Communication

Their communication is incompatible with Chen Fan’s Consciousness Body during the first encounter.

• An attempt by a larger aggregate to communicate causes Chen Fan’s Consciousness Body to disintegrate. 570
• The King specifically orders Yuan to teach Chen Fan their language, indicating that communication requires training or translation. 570

Consciousness Intervention

The King is able to protect Chen Fan after his Consciousness Body begins to collapse.

• Smaller Information Stream aggregates are sacrificed to stabilize or save Chen Fan. 570
• Yuan is tasked with returning Chen Fan to the Order Realm after the rescue. 570

Relationships

• Chen Fan — Encountered the Information Stream lifeforms while his Consciousness Body was weakened; rescued by the King after communication with a larger aggregate caused his body to disintegrate. 570
• King — Apparent leader among the Information Stream lifeforms; sacrifices smaller aggregates to save Chen Fan and assigns Yuan to assist him. 570
• Yuan — Researcher ordered by the King to send Chen Fan back to the Order Realm and teach him the lifeforms’ language. 570
• Broadcast Civilization — The Human Alliance investigates a possible connection between the Broadcast Civilization and Information Stream lifeforms, but the relationship remains unconfirmed. 574 575