Searching High and Low
Humanity is not searching for civilization, but for its Civilization Ruins, information obtained from an unknown source in the Crimson Flame Civilization Database.
After the fleet set sail again and accelerated, several scientists on a Research Spaceship were discussing how to find the Civilization Ruins the so-called Crimson Flame Civilization Database.
They had just finished a research conference here, and now that they had come together to experience the fleet's acceleration phase, they started talking.
"I don't think there's much hope in searching like this," one scientist said.
"Oh? Then how do you think we should find Academician Liu?" another person chimed in.
The scientist referred to as Academician Liu is actually Liu Miyan, who shook his head and said, "I think it's best not to look for one."
"What are you saying? We've only just begun our search, we're barely there yet. This is only the second Star System in this region, and you're already spouting such discouraging words," another voice said.
"I'm not trying to be pessimistic, I just think it's unnecessary." Liu Miyan, pressing a mechanical button to release his body from the cushioning seat. He relaxed his body, which had been feeling uncomfortable from the high G-force, and continued, "So-called Civilization Ruins, I think even if we find them, are just a pile of ruins. At most, they'll excite those archaeologists, but they won't be of any use to the development of physics. It's better to find a resource-rich star, stop there, and study how to achieve the Grand Unified Theory."
"Hey, you're right. I think Old Liu is right too. But this matter has already been decided. To cancel it, we either need to hold a plenary meeting for a vote or get Chief Yue's approval. I think the latter is easier to achieve. Why don't you try to persuade the Chief of Staff Old Liu?" A physicist agreed, releasing himself from the cushioned seat like Liu Miyan, then shaking his arm which had been a little uncomfortable from being pressed down. He added, "But Old Liu, it's a bit biased that only archaeologists are excited. If we really find some kind of Alien Civilization ruins, I think the scholars doing Cosmic Sociology research will also be excited. But what's the use? No matter how perfect or advanced Cosmic Sociology is, it's not as good as the strength of our own civilization."
At this moment, a scientist interrupted, "Wait, wait, wait, how is it useless? You two, explain yourselves clearly. Didn't you see the benefits we gained from the Alien Civilization's ruins? I won't talk about anything else, just tell me whether that alien spaceship that crashed on Callisto was useful or not!"
"You're being irresponsible by saying that." The scholar who spoke seemed to be on Liu Miyan's side. He said, "Alien Civilization relics are not necessarily all Advanced Civilization Ruins. If you ask me, even if the Civilization Ruins mentioned in this news, which may or may not be true, really exist, they are probably not of much help to us."
At this point, seeing that the scientist seemed about to object, the scholar immediately raised his hand to stop him and continued, "Let me finish what I have to say. What are these so-called relics? Aren't they only Civilization Ruins left after a civilization has perished? I believe you have all seen the descriptions of relics in the Crimson Flame Civilization Database. The translation system is correct; it says 'Civilization Ruins,' not 'battle relics' or 'relics of something crashed.' Since they are relics left by a perished civilization, then I must ask, how did that civilization that only left relics perish? The rise and fall of Alien Civilization —everyone is familiar with these theories. Besides the two theories that 'we may have missed other civilizations by millions of years' or 'other civilizations are too advanced to care about us,' there is another rather interesting theory."
Those who study Cosmic Sociology are familiar with this theory, which posits that tens of thousands of Sentient Life forms arose from swamps, but none could escape the punishment of a series of natural disasters and self-inflicted catastrophes.
According to this theory, the fleet might one day discover the Civilization Ruins on a distant planet. But what use would that be? If the so-called Civilization Ruins was one that couldn't even escape the disaster on its own planet, it must not have even reached the Tier 1 Civilization, and would be of no use to us.
If it perished due to self-inflicted disaster, then it either failed to cross the Nuclear Threshold, or, like the other possible outcome of the Nair Civilization, perished after a long civil war. Oh, and like the Moke Star Civilization, it perished because of its own Strong Artificial Intelligence.
Even if we found such ruins, they would be dangerous and offer no benefit whatsoever. I believe the records of the Crimson Flame Civilization are accurate, but even they don't know what level of civilization these so-called ruins represent. Frankly, I think it would be better to find a resource-rich Star System to settle down and develop, and eventually break through to Level 4 Civilization.
"That makes sense. I also think it's completely unnecessary to search like a headless fly," another voice agreed.
The social science expert who had spoken earlier seemed convinced, but he added, "That's true, but the fleet has only just set sail. Saying things like that is too demoralizing. Maybe we really have found it."
"We'll see then. Anyway, I'm not optimistic." Liu Miyan shouted, "Alright, instead of wasting time arguing here, we should go back to doing experiments. You say you'll go find Chief Yue but you won't. What's the point of saying more? Let's wait a hundred years or so before we can find him again."
After speaking, he left everyone behind and headed towards his laboratory. Liu Miyan also felt that opposing it now would be a blow to morale, especially since they had only just found a Star System.
Whether it was their bad luck or there really were no Civilization Ruins, the human Great Fleet still found no anomalies in the second Star System, not even any signs of life or civilization.
The third Star System, the fourth Star System, the fifth Star System, the tenth Star System. Humanity did not give up, but continued to search, but four hundred years have passed, and after searching all ten Star System in this star field, they still found nothing.
We did not encounter any Alien Civilization, nor did we receive any signals or markers of civilization.
Perhaps because we often encounter Alien Civilization, this sense of silence is making many humans feel uncomfortable. However, scientists know that this is the norm in space travel.
Encountering Alien Civilization is an extremely rare event, especially in this desolate star field.
At this point, the scientists finally offered their advice to Yue Yuan, requesting that he suspend the search for so-called Civilization Ruins and instead find a resource-rich Star System to settle down in, focusing the entire civilization's efforts on breaking through to the Level 4 Civilization, instead of running around everywhere.
After years of searching without success, Yue Yuan accepted the suggestion in his heart, but he did not make a decision on his own. Instead, he held a large meeting to let the decision-makers vote on it together.
The voting results were unexpected; more than half of the participants had not given up the search. In such a vote, the minority naturally yielded to the majority, and so Human Civilization continued its journey, exploring each star in this desolate region with an unwavering determination to find them.
However, the result disappointed everyone. Two hundred years later, humanity still had nothing to show for it.