Two years later.
Beyond Proxima b, 3,000 starships stood ready to depart.
The survey satellites surrounding them had already flown ahead into the distance.
Countless tiny blue points of light flickered to life in the dim universe.
Inside the command center of the Earth.
On the enormous holographic projection directly ahead, an ever-expanding survey network was taking shape.
Lü Yongchang stood solemnly on a raised platform at the rear of the command center, carefully examining each set of data on the holographic projection.
[All Home ships ready. All personnel have entered hibernation.] [Engineering ships ready.] [Glutton Supply Reserve Ships ready.] [...] [Fleet perimeter survey network deployed.] [No anomalies within 1 AU. Ready to depart at any time.]
Green indicators lit up one after another on the holographic projection.
Lü Yongchang took a deep breath, turned to glance at the "grimy" ball of ice outside the viewport, and gave his final command.
"Human Fleet, set sail!"
"Destination: the Ross 154 stellar system!"
The moment he finished speaking, Zero's voice rang out.
"Command confirmed."
"Course plotted."
"The fleet will enter [Ahead Four] in fifteen minutes. All remaining personnel, please enter your Deep-Sea Pods immediately."
Lü Yongchang pressed the switch for the Electromagnetic Adhesion Device beside him and rose from his chair.
"Professor, see you in sixty years."
Zhao Zijie's voice came from beside him.
Lü Yongchang paused, then smiled and nodded.
"See you in sixty years."
With that, he walked toward the Deep-Sea Pods at the very back of the command center.
After going through the familiar sequence of procedures, Lü Yongchang slowly closed his eyes.
Before his eyes shut, his gaze lingered on the destination on the star map.
Ross 154, I hope it can offer humanity a safe haven.
The fleeting thought passed through his mind.
A moment