Chapter Summaries

Qi Mengshu and her companions arrived in Human Federation City One and began applying for jobs while Zero monitored their integration into society. Qi Mengshu was quickly hired by Dawn Holographic Films, while Lin Shuguang interviewed for a position at the Human Federation Parliament.

• Zero monitored the communally raised people's activities throughout City One for a month to confirm they integrated into society.
• Qi Mengshu parted from her companions to interview at Dawn Holographic Films, and they encouraged her before she went inside.
• Lin Shuguang entered the Human Federation Parliament to apply for a job after the others continued down the road.
• Qi Mengshu openly identified herself as a communally raised person during her interview and was hired within minutes.
• Qi Mengshu learned that her other companions had passed their interviews and sent them the news that she had been hired, while Lin Shuguang's interview was still underway.

Qi Mengshu questioned a job applicant’s attitude toward communally raised people, prompting Lü Yongchang and the Sociology Division head to reconsider their assumptions about socialization training and the limits on the child-rearing system. With humanity’s development progressing, Lü Yongchang turned to antimatter research and redesigned Light Satellite One as a ring-shaped large particle accelerator.

• Qi Mengshu asked a young job applicant whether he resented her for taking an opportunity, and he explained that he accepted competition and could pursue other jobs.
• Lü Yongchang and the Sociology Division head concluded that hostility toward communally raised people on Proxima b had stemmed from resource scarcity, while the Human Federation’s main obstacle was traditional reproductive views.
• Lü Yongchang agreed that the number of communally raised children still had to be limited until Dawn Star’s environmental transformation was complete and humanity left the Closed City.
• Lü Yongchang entered the technology tree space and selected the level-three technology marker for an introduction to antimatter and a large particle accelerator.
• Lü Yongchang erased the unfinished portions of the Light Satellite One Design and began reshaping the satellite into a ring-shaped large particle accelerator.

Lü Yongchang explained to Fang Xu that he had halted the Light Satellite One conversion project to add a huge equatorial particle accelerator for antimatter research. The chapter left Fang Xu questioning how humanity would store antihydrogen as it prepared to pursue level-four technology.

• Fang Xu confronted Lü Yongchang after the Light Satellite One project was halted and its blueprints were being revised.
• Lü Yongchang showed Fang Xu the satellite fortress design, which included powerful weapons and a planetary-scale magnetic field shield.
• Lü Yongchang pointed out that the design also added a large particle accelerator around Light Satellite One’s equator.
• Lü Yongchang said the accelerator would support antimatter research, which he considered essential for humanity to become a level-four civilization.
• Fang Xu raised the challenge of storing antihydrogen atoms, and Lü Yongchang had not yet answered.

Lü Yongchang explained his design for trapping neutral antihydrogen atoms with their atomic magnetic moments, while Fang Xu agreed to follow his lead. Thirty years later, the Ring-Moon Particle Accelerator on Light Satellite One was complete, and Lü ordered its first test run to begin humanity’s study of antimatter.

• Lü Yongchang presented a Particle Trap Device that used superconducting magnets and atomic magnetic moments to confine antihydrogen without contact with matter.
• Fang Xu recognized the principle and agreed to follow Lü Yongchang’s lead.
• Over thirty years, communally raised people became a larger part of Dawn Star society, while the Human Federation maintained fair advancement and peaceful coexistence between social groups.
• The transformation of Light Satellite One into a Planetary Fortress was completed.
• Fang Xu told Lü Yongchang that the Ring-Moon Particle Accelerator was finished, and Lü ordered the first test run.

Lü Yongchang and the Academy of Sciences began producing antimatter at Light Satellite One, remotely operating the dangerous Ring-Moon Particle Accelerator. After successfully capturing positrons and antiprotons, they prepared to combine them into humanity’s first antihydrogen gas cloud, leaving the experiment underway and the laboratory tense.

• Lü Yongchang ordered Zero to produce positrons, which the magnetic field generator successfully captured.
• Zero used the Ring-Moon Particle Accelerator to produce antiprotons, then decelerated and confined them after Lü Yongchang gave the command.
• A week later, the Academy of Sciences had gathered enough positrons and antiprotons for one experiment.
• Lü Yongchang ordered the second acceleration to begin, aiming to create humanity’s first antihydrogen gas cloud.
• Lü Yongchang watched tensely as the particle trap attempted to confine the antihydrogen atoms and prevent them from touching the container walls.

After the laboratory produced and trapped the largest quantity of antimatter ever made, Tao Yuda proposed that macroscopic antimatter might exhibit anti-gravity. Lü Yongchang agreed to test the idea, but said they had to cool the antihydrogen before briefly disabling the trap.

• Lü Yongchang and the researchers captured one microgram of antihydrogen in the Particle Trap, creating a diffuse gas cloud and beginning to analyze the resulting data.
• Tao Yuda noticed a possible explanation for antimatter's unusual properties and approached Lü Yongchang with his idea.
• Tao Yuda proposed briefly switching off the Particle Trap to observe whether antihydrogen moved in a way that suggested anti-gravity.
• Lü Yongchang agreed to test the hypothesis but insisted that they cool the highly active antihydrogen before disabling the trap.

Lü Yongchang’s experiment showed that antihydrogen was affected by Dawn Star’s gravity rather than producing antigravity, while the technology tree revealed new antimatter technologies reaching into level four. He ordered the researchers to test matter-antimatter annihilation next.

• Lü Yongchang had Zero move the [Particle Trap] apparatus and its antihydrogen to Dawn Star, where stronger gravity could make the molecules’ motion easier to observe.
• Lü Yongchang ordered the researchers to slow the antihydrogen with Particle-Cooling Laser-Bombardment Technology, then briefly shut down the particle trap and restart it.
• Zero’s data showed the antihydrogen molecules falling toward the chamber wall under gravity before the magnetic field recaptured them, confirming that antimatter did not produce antigravity.
• Lü Yongchang recalled that producing antihydrogen had activated his technology tree, revealing an Antimatter Mass-Production Plan, an Antimatter Engine, and further antimatter applications.
• Lü Yongchang rejected Tao Yuda’s suggestion to return the antihydrogen to Light Satellite One and ordered an experiment to gather data on matter-antimatter annihilation.

Lü Yongchang authorized a controlled macroscopic matter-antimatter annihilation experiment to investigate the origins of the universe and gather data for future applications. The experiment succeeded, and researchers began checking whether its energy output matched the mass-energy equivalence formula.

• Lü Yongchang persuaded the researchers to release a microgram of antihydrogen for a controlled experiment, citing cosmological research and future antimatter applications.
• Lü Yongchang ordered more than ten Engineering Ships to build a space laboratory far from Dawn Star and Light Satellite One.
• A month later, the space laboratory was complete, and the accelerator had produced another microgram of antihydrogen while Lü Yongchang continued production toward antihelium.
• On October 24, 2450, Lü Yongchang ordered an equal amount of hydrogen injected into the reaction chamber, cooled the molecules, and brought them together by adjusting the magnetic cages.
• The hydrogen and antihydrogen annihilated, releasing gamma rays as Zero recorded the experimental data.
• The researchers began checking whether the energy released matched the mass-energy equivalence formula, which could reveal whether macroscopic annihilation was incomplete.

Lü Yongchang discovered anomalously high parity violation in data from the Ring-Moon Particle Accelerator and linked it to the possible imbalance between matter and antimatter. Meanwhile, Sweeper 9527 connected ruins on Ross 154 to [Hua]'s death and ordered probes to search nearby systems and carry out the Sweeping Plan if they found the civilization.

• Zero alerted Lü Yongchang that the Ring-Moon Particle Accelerator had detected anomalous data, and Lü identified it as an abnormally high degree of parity violation.
• Lü Yongchang explained his hypothesis that the weak interaction had given quarks an advantage over antiquarks, and said the data could aid future antimatter research.
• A subordinate told Sweeper 9527 that Probe 912133165 had found ruins of a civilization on the second planet in the KZQXD771 Stellar System (Ross 154).
• Sweeper 9527 learned the ruins dated to around the time [Hua] died and ordered probes to search every stellar system within fifty light-years and execute the Sweeping Plan if they found the civilization.
• Sweeper 9527 dismissed concerns about using unarmed Basic Probes and asked whether the Gardener Faction had made any moves; his subordinate reported no unusual activity.

In 2451, Lü Yongchang struggled to find an efficient way to produce antimatter for Human Civilization. Tao Yuda proposed collecting it from space as a backup, and Lü Yongchang turned to the technology tree, where he began forming an Antimatter Mass-Production Plan.

• After repeated failures to improve antimatter production, Lü Yongchang met with Tao Yuda, who presented a feasibility report for an Antimatter Collection Device.
• Tao Yuda explained that collection devices could gather antiprotons and positrons drifting through space, though Lü Yongchang doubted the slow process could meet humanity’s urgent needs.
• Lü Yongchang set Tao Yuda’s proposal aside as a backup plan and told Zero to keep his office closed while he consulted the technology tree.
• Lü Yongchang focused on the dim Antimatter Mass-Production Plan marker, gained new insights, and began developing a plan.

Lü Yongchang oversaw the first successful trial of Phoenix One, humanity’s device for manufacturing and storing antihydrogen atoms. After the breakthrough, Tao Yuda warned that sustaining antimatter production for an interstellar war could require covering Light Satellite One with reactors and manufacturing devices.

• Lü Yongchang ordered the Academy of Sciences to discuss mass-producing low-temperature antihydrogen atoms.
• In 2455, Lü Yongchang announced the completion of Phoenix One and declared that its first trial run would begin.
• Phoenix One produced antihydrogen atoms, and Zero confirmed that they had been successfully stored.
• Tao Yuda told Lü Yongchang that fusion-powered production might be too slow to meet wartime demand and could require turning Light Satellite One into a vast production base.
• Lü Yongchang asked Tao Yuda to join him in his office to discuss the problem.

Lü Yongchang proposed building a Dyson Sphere around Gliese 555 to supply the energy needed for antimatter production, then presented the plan to the Academy of Sciences. He outlined a split-shell design that would collect the star’s energy while allowing light to reach Dawn Star.

• After calculating the energy demand for antimatter production, Lü Yongchang realized that turning Gliese 555 into an energy source could solve the problem.
• Lü Yongchang told Tao Yuda about the Dyson Sphere concept and proposed turning the red dwarf into an antimatter production base.
• Lü Yongchang convened an Academy of Sciences meeting and said the Dyson Sphere’s framework would use carbyne, with star gold reserved for critical sections.
• Ding Chengwang reported that artificial star gold research had encountered difficulties but remained on track.
• Lü Yongchang presented a split-shell Dyson Sphere design with an opening along Dawn Star’s orbital path so the planet could continue receiving light.

Lü Yongchang and the Academy of Sciences began Dyson Sphere Phase I as a Dyson Cloud while work on the Antimatter Engine started. Thirty years later, Dawn Star’s transformation was complete, and Hope and Hansent joined the first group of Human Federation citizens to leave the Closed City.

• He Bilin proposed a Dyson Ring, and Lü Yongchang suggested combining it with a Dyson Cloud before beginning with the easier cloud project.
• The Academy of Sciences completed the Dyson Cloud designs, and Engineering Ships and [Glutton] Supply Reserve Ships departed Dawn Star to begin construction near Gliese 555.
• Thirty years later, Lü Yongchang declared Dawn Star’s environmental transformation complete and ordered the ports opened in one month.
• Hope woke to the opening-day alarm, found the tardy Hansent, and hurried with him to the port.
• The port gates opened, and Hope and the first group of citizens stepped outside to see Dawn Star’s sky, sea, and distant land.

After 225 years in cryosleep, Wang Mingyuan awoke aboard the Home Ship and learned how far the Human Federation had advanced. He marveled at terraformed Dawn Star and its fortified moon, Light Satellite One.

• Wang Mingyuan awoke from cryosleep on September 26, 2500, and learned he had slept for 225 years.
• A robot guided Wang Mingyuan through the Home Ship and explained his rehabilitation, assessment, and planned human enhancement treatment.
• Wang Mingyuan viewed images of terraformed Dawn Star and learned humanity had found a new place to settle.
• At the observation area, Wang Mingyuan saw that Light Satellite One had been converted into a Planetary Fortress and recognized the achievement as megastructure engineering.

Wang Mingyuan learned about the planned Dyson Sphere Phase II Project, completed its assessments, and prepared to board. Meanwhile, Lü Yongchang’s team successfully tested an Antimatter Engine, leaving him overwhelmed by the breakthrough.

• Wang Mingyuan found the Dyson Sphere Phase I Project information and learned that a Phase II construction project was planned.
• Wang Mingyuan completed physical enhancement and adaptation courses, passed the project assessments, and received instructions to board at Port One.
• Lü Yongchang oversaw the first Antimatter Engine propulsion test near Dawn Star.
• Zero reported that the test had succeeded, and the laboratory erupted in cheers as Lü Yongchang stood stunned before the holographic display.

Lü Yongchang saw the technology tree advance to level four after the antimatter engine’s successful test, revealing new antimatter technologies and a possible path toward gravity manipulation. Meanwhile, Wang Mingyuan encountered the leader of the Dyson Sphere Phase II Project, who asked him how humanity should build its first Dyson Ring.

• Lü Yongchang handed the remaining antimatter engine tests to Fang Xu and went to rest.
• Lü Yongchang entered the technology tree space and saw the antimatter engine unlock antimatter bombs, a high-energy gamma-ray beam cannon, and other technologies.
• Lü Yongchang recognized primary Dyson Sphere manufacturing technology as one humanity had partly unlocked ahead of time and glimpsed the word “Gravity” above it.
• Near Gliese 555, Wang Mingyuan watched engineering ships dismantle the space factories used to make Dyson Cloud sections.
• The leader of the Dyson Sphere Phase II Project asked Wang Mingyuan, a Senior Construction Architect, for his ideas on building the first Dyson Ring.

Wang Mingyuan proposed a revised method for building the Dyson Ring, and the man arranged for him to present it to the Academy of Sciences. One year later, humanity’s antimatter-powered weapons had advanced rapidly, and Lü Yongchang recruited Wilson to develop a High-Energy Gamma-Ray Beam Cannon.

• Wang Mingyuan explained how to use the Dyson Cloud and engineering ships to construct a ring around Gliese 555, and the man praised his proposal and invited him to explain it to the Academy of Sciences.
• One year later, the Dyson Sphere Phase II Project began as the Academy of Sciences advanced antimatter production, engines, and weapons.
• The Academy of Sciences upgraded electromagnetic cannons with antimatter ammunition and developed Yevgeny’s High-Yield Antimatter Missile.
• Wilson complained to Lü Yongchang about Yevgeny’s antimatter missile, and Lü offered him a new weapon project.
• Lü revealed that Wilson would develop a High-Energy Gamma-Ray Beam Cannon, and Wilson eagerly accepted the assignment.

Lü Yongchang and Fang Xu debated what to do with the two-dimensional core left by [Hua]. They decided to study it far from Dawn Star, but planned to send it only as far as Ice Giant because they feared [Hua] might be monitoring it.

• Fang Xu visited Lü Yongchang and warned that the two-dimensional core was too dangerous to keep indefinitely.
• Lü Yongchang and Fang Xu rejected discarding the core, fearing that [Hua] could be monitoring it and that losing it would provoke the Gardener Faction civilization.
• Fang Xu proposed studying the core and its Two-Dimensional Fragment to gain technology and help Human Civilization advance.
• Lü Yongchang agreed to study the core but insisted it be moved away from Dawn Star.
• Fang Xu suggested sending it outside the Gliese 555 Stellar System, but Lü Yongchang chose Ice Giant, where the star gold mining project might disguise the core's presence.

Lü Yongchang and the Academy of Sciences began opening the Two-Dimensional Core stabilizer, only to discover a powerful Gravity Shield protecting an object hidden in darkness. Lü Yongchang suspected the shield contained dark matter, leaving the researchers eager to investigate what lay inside.

• A month later, Lü Yongchang, Fang Xu, and the research team prepared to examine the Two-Dimensional Core on the Ice Giant.
• Lü Yongchang and Fang Xu debated whether gravity could contain the Two-Dimensional Core, and Lü Yongchang doubted that a simple Gravity Shield would suffice.
• Under Zero's control, robots removed the stabilizer's outer spherical shell and revealed an unexplained patch of darkness in the vacuum cavity.
• A strong magnetic field warning sounded, but a robot approaching the stabilizer was hurled into a wall and twisted apart.
• Lü Yongchang and Fang Xu realized that a powerful Gravity Shield protected the hidden object, and Lü Yongchang speculated that it might be dark matter.

Lü Yongchang considered whether the black substance containing the Two-Dimensional Fragment was dark matter, based on its stability, lack of electromagnetic interaction, and apparent gravitational effects. Unable to explain the Gravity Shield’s immense strength or the starship’s energy source, he ordered the researchers to observe and test the shield instead.

• Lü Yongchang suggested that the black substance in the containment device fit the definition of dark matter.
• Lü Yongchang argued that the substance’s stability, weak interaction with photons, and possible role in the Gravity Shield supported his theory.
• He Bilin questioned how the small starship could power such a powerful Gravity Shield with its Fusion Reactors.
• Lü Yongchang suspected that [Hua] had concealed a unique energy system and that the stated fusion power supply was a deception.
• Lü Yongchang ordered the researchers to observe and test the Gravity Shield, and told Zero to report any anomalies immediately.