One hour later.
The first batch of awakening personnel had all woken up and returned to their posts-the latest hibernation technology did not have nearly as many lingering side effects as before.
As shuttles traveled between the starships, the dim, empty micro-universe began to show a little life.
[Earth], Command Center.
"Everyone, the fleet is about to enter faster-than-light curvature navigation once again."
"Our destination is a small stellar system on the edge of the Andromeda Galaxy."
"There, the fleet will replenish its most basic supplies."
Lü Yongchang reached out and opened a holographic star map, briefly outlining the upcoming voyage. "By our initial estimates, the fleet will reach the target stellar system in half a month."
"Once resupply is complete, the fleet will dispatch large numbers of probes deep into the Andromeda Galaxy to make a preliminary estimate of its density of civilizations."
"This will directly affect the Human Federation's future development plans, so please be sure to..."
Before he could finish, the blue holographic projections in the Command Center turned blood-red.
At the same time, piercing alarms began to blare!
"Alert!"
"An anomalous spacetime structure has appeared ahead of the fleet!" The electronic synthesized voice spoke with extreme urgency. "Spacetime distortion: extremely high!"
Before anyone could react, another alarm sounded.
"Alert!"
"Technological construct of an unknown civilization detected!"
Before one crisis could settle, another struck!
"Alert!"
"The other party has entered faster-than-light curvature navigation!"
"Calculating travel speed... calculation complete. Current speed: 50,000c!"
Looking at the three blood-red warnings that had appeared one after another on the enormous holographic projection, Lü Yongchang felt dizzy.
An unprecedented sensation of suffocation and oxygen deprivation washed over him.
He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
50,000c?!
What... what level of civilization was this?
Level seven? Or level eight?
*Who were