Chapter Summaries

The Human Civilization captured the Eugene Emperor by demanding the Eugene fleet disarm and surrender access to its Central Computer, then used its records to locate the civilization’s scattered subfleets. A year later, the Eugenes joined the Pan-Human Federation, while Lü Yongchang and Fang Xu discussed the risks and difficulties of putting their ten billion people to work.

• The Eugene Emperor ordered his crew to disarm and grant the Humans control of the Central Computer, despite warnings that doing so could doom their civilization.
• The 053C Golden Crow battleship discovered that its captive was the Eugene Emperor and obtained records containing the locations of every Eugene subfleet.
• Fan Ping’s crew reported their findings to headquarters, which ordered them to escort the Eugene Emperor back to the Kepler-452 Stellar System.
• A year later, Lin Shuguang welcomed the Eugene Emperor and his people into the Pan-Human Federation, where the emperor recognized a Talodan among the assembled officials.
• Lü Yongchang told Fang Xu that safeguards would contain the Eugenes’ risks, but their ten-billion-person population’s history of making canned food and lack of interest in production or business posed serious challenges.

Lü Yongchang and Fang Xu discussed how to bring the Eugene Civilization into the Human Federation, whose rigid hierarchy and plunder-based development had left it unable to improve on its own. A new biological research breakthrough suggested a way to implant memories, and Lü Yongchang suspected the Cleaners used the same technology to control their vassals.

• Lü Yongchang explained that the Eugene Civilization had rejected the credit-points exchange system and that its history and political hierarchy prevented it from correcting its course.
• Fang Xu feared Lü Yongchang planned to rebuild the Eugene Civilization’s technological framework, but Lü Yongchang said basic education would be enough and pointed to the Eugene Emperor as the key political obstacle.
• Lü Yongchang read Mao Zhengzhi’s report on advances in converting bioelectric signals into quantum consciousness and considered using the technology to alter the Eugene people’s thoughts.
• Lü Yongchang said implanting a brief false memory might be theoretically possible and suggested that the Cleaners could have used the method too.
• Lü Yongchang cited the Bosa Civilization’s fanatical faith in the Cleaners and concluded that the Cleaners likely used this technology to expand their vassal civilizations.

Lü Yongchang discovered that Thought Imprint was a quasi-dangerous technology, but decided Human Civilization needed it to accelerate its development. He brought the project to the First Biological Laboratory, where Mao Zhengzhi warned that implementing it would be extremely difficult.

• Lü Yongchang examined the technology tree's warning about Thought Imprint and learned that its risks could potentially be overcome, unlike those of truly dangerous technology.
• Fang Xu warned Lü Yongchang that controlling sapient beings' thoughts could lead to civilization's extinction, but Lü Yongchang insisted Human Civilization had to research the technology.
• Lü Yongchang went to the First Biological Laboratory and asked Lu Siyuan to take him to Mao Zhengzhi.
• Lü Yongchang presented Mao Zhengzhi with the major research project of implanting fragmented memories to influence thought patterns, and Mao Zhengzhi said it was feasible in theory but difficult to implement.

Lü Yongchang ordered Mao Zhengzhi to pursue Thought Imprint technology, though Mao warned that implanting beliefs was far beyond the laboratory’s current ability. Lü then conducted a civilization-wide emotional memory input experiment on the consenting [Nus Civilization], and the chapter ended as Zero displayed a model of its bioelectric signals.

• Mao Zhengzhi explained that experiments had implanted only simple emotions in individual [Nus] members and that creating a belief would require constructing countless memories.
• At Lü Yongchang’s insistence, Mao set aside his other research to work on Thought Imprint technology.
• Lü gathered prior emotional-input records and repeated the experiment across the entire [Nus Civilization], using probes to monitor its bioelectric and quantum signals.
• After the experiment, [Nus] reported feeling a wave of pleasure and received credit and contribution points to redeem for a gamma-ray surge.
• Zero completed the model, and Lü ordered it to display the bioelectric changes across the [Nus Civilization].

Lü Yongchang discovered that the Nus Civilization’s intent network used a novel three-dimensional architecture resembling an advanced optical quantum computer, which he identified as a biological quantum brain. He sent the experimental data to Mo Zeyang, who recognized the architecture as the solution he had been searching for.

• Lü Yongchang examined the pulsing intent network model and discovered that its pathways and nodes used a novel three-dimensional architecture.
• Lü Yongchang concluded that the architecture supported the Nus Civilization’s collective quantum consciousness and called it a biological quantum brain.
• Lü Yongchang asked Zero to send the experimental data to Mo Zeyang so he could test the architecture in humanity’s optical quantum computer.
• Mo Zeyang, discouraged by repeated experimental failures, saw the rotating holographic model and realized its architecture was what he had been searching for.

After Lü Yongchang sent Mo Zeyang the Nus Civilization’s intent network architecture, researchers at the Optical Quantum Computer Research Center tested a computational model and found it could increase computing power by at least 50%. Mo ordered the team to build a prototype as soon as possible, leaving the lab convinced that Human Civilization’s computing limits could soon be overcome.

• Mo Zeyang read Lü Yongchang’s message about the intent network’s architecture and realized it could offer a new direction for Optical Quantum Computers.
• Mo Zeyang and the researchers prepared a computational model based on the Nus Civilization’s intent network and began testing it.
• The simulation showed that the architecture could increase computing power by at least 50%, even without optimization or supporting hardware.
• Mo Zeyang canceled leave and ordered the researchers to complete a prototype, while limiting their work to three in the morning and directing Zero to monitor their health.
• Zero told Mo Zeyang that he was dangerously fatigued, so he went to a Medical Pod as the researchers laughed behind him.

One year after studying the [Nus Civilization]'s intent network, Lü Yongchang decoded its memory-related bioelectric signals and used them to implant a fabricated memory. [Nus] believed it had experienced a gamma rays tide that never occurred, proving the experiment worked.

• Lü Yongchang asked [Nus] whether individual members could transmit and read each other's memories, and [Nus] said this was like asking a hand to control the brain's thoughts.
• Lü Yongchang concluded that only the Intent Network Core could generate memory-transfer signals, and said he had essentially decoded them.
• The Biological Laboratory made major progress in a year and developed memory-transfer technology that worked on the [Nus Civilization].
• After gaining [Nus]'s consent, Lü Yongchang's team secretly transmitted a fabricated memory of an intense gamma rays tide.
• [Nus] said the nonexistent tide had felt unusually intense, and Lü Yongchang asked for details while warning that [Xihe] might need inspection.

Lü Yongchang told [Nus] that its recent gamma-ray sunbath was a fabricated memory, but [Nus] had still stored more energy, revealing the powerful effects of [Thought Imprint]. During a second experiment that rewrote [Nus]'s foundational history, the Intent Network destabilized and [Nus] convulsed, so Lü ordered an emergency reconstruction of its memories.

• [Nus] recalled enjoying a gamma-ray surge and described how the Xihe had triggered it.
• Lü Yongchang revealed that the sunbath and its memories had been fabricated, and [Nus] was shocked to learn it had never redeemed a gamma-ray surge.
• [Nus] said its stored energy had increased anyway, and Mao Zhengzhi explained that altered memories could cause physical changes in a collective consciousness.
• Lü Yongchang warned [Nus] that the next memory experiment could be harmful, and [Nus] agreed to proceed.
• Researchers implanted fabricated memories about [Nus]'s origins in the HIP 22580 Stellar System, but the Intent Network flickered and [Nus]'s roots convulsed.
• Lü Yongchang ordered the researchers to activate the emergency protocol and completely reconstruct [Nus]'s memories.

Lü Yongchang’s second memory-input experiment left the [Nus Civilization] temporarily unresponsive, but [Nus] recovered and identified the fabricated memories. The experiment failed to overwrite its core memories because [Nus] somehow sorted out the conflicting memories on its own.

• Lü Yongchang had the Biological Laboratory back up memories that conflicted with the fabricated ones before the experiment.
• The [Nus Civilization]’s Intent Network went still after the experiment, and Lü Yongchang ordered the researchers to investigate its signals and core memories.
• A bioelectric surge restarted the Intent Network, and [Nus] assured Lü Yongchang that it was in excellent condition.
• [Nus] explained that it had recognized and sorted out the false memories, perhaps by instinctively cross-referencing its memories.
• Lü Yongchang doubled [Nus]’s experimental contribution points and credit points, while saying the next experiment had not yet been scheduled.

After a dangerous Thought Imprint experiment nearly harmed the Nus Civilization, Lü Yongchang and his team created a Virtual Machine to isolate further tests. They resumed research and began analyzing other organisms, but memory input still failed completely.

• Lü Yongchang accepted primary responsibility for the accident, and Mao Zhengzhi accepted secondary responsibility as they agreed not to experiment directly on Nus again.
• A month later, Lü Yongchang proposed that Nus create a blank Intent Network Core to serve as a Virtual Machine, and Nus said it could do so easily with enough energy.
• The Xihe supplied energy to HIP22580f, where Nus produced a new Intent Network Core for the experiments.
• By Earth Calendar year 3642, researchers had resumed memory-transfer experiments, and Nus repeatedly restored the core after crashes scrambled its stored memories.
• The Biological Laboratory began testing memory analysis on lab mice, apes, and other organisms, but memory input killed some subjects or scrambled their memories, leaving the success rate at zero.

Lu Siyuan discovered that the laboratory’s memory-transfer failures came from flaws in its own technology, while an Intent Network Core could convert the signals successfully. Lü Yongchang paused the experiments and planned to use a new optical quantum computer to create a human-controlled Intent Network that could solve the problem.

• Lu Siyuan proposed testing whether the Intent Network Core could relay memory transfers and expose flaws in the laboratory’s technology.
• The [Nus Civilization] modified a small Intent Network Core, and a relay-assisted memory-transfer experiment succeeded with a lab mouse.
• Mao Zhengzhi reported that the problem lay in the simulated bioelectric signals and that the Intent Network Core was the only reliable converter they had found.
• Lü Yongchang worried that relying on the [Nus Civilization] posed security risks, but Mao Zhengzhi said Human Civilization could not yet replicate the core.
• Lü Yongchang told Mao Zhengzhi to suspend experiments for a month, predicting that a new optical quantum computer would become a human Intent Network and resolve the underlying algorithm problem.

Zero moved into a biological quantum brain computer, greatly expanding human civilization’s computing power and accelerating its expansion. Meanwhile, memory-transfer experiments revealed that intelligent consciousness corrected false memories, and the proposed workaround caused devastating harm to test animals.

• Zero adapted its algorithms to the new Optical Quantum Computer, and its increased computing power enabled the Federation to expand its territory to within thirty-five light-years of Kepler-452.
• The Biological Laboratory resumed memory-transfer experiments, which succeeded in implanting memories in several kinds of test animals.
• Mao Zhengzhi explained to Lü Yongchang that more intelligent organisms more strongly corrected implanted memories, especially those that contradicted their self-understanding.
• Mao Zhengzhi proposed high-frequency memory transfer to overwhelm self-correction, but the method caused severe harm and killed or gravely damaged nearly all test animals.
• Lü Yongchang saw a surviving mouse behave as if it were a pigeon and ordered it euthanized after observation.
• Mao Zhengzhi told Lü Yongchang that current technology could not safely suppress consciousness’s ability to correct false memories.

Lü Yongchang asked [Nus Civilization] how to suppress the consciousness self-repair effect that was disrupting the Biological Laboratory’s [Thought Imprint] experiments. [Nus] revealed it could influence that effect through its intent network, potentially solving humanity’s problem.

• Lü Yongchang contacted [Nus] after realizing its expertise in consciousness research could help Human Civilization.
• [Nus] explained that consciousness self-repair prevents consciousness entropy from increasing, but warned that suppressing the effect would lead to chaotic disintegration.
• Lü Yongchang described the [Thought Imprint] technique and the Biological Laboratory’s stalled experiments to [Nus].
• [Nus] said outside influence could turn the self-repair effect against a creature and offered to test this by connecting an experimental subject to the intent network.
• Lü Yongchang and Mao Zhengzhi agreed that making [Nus Civilization] a vassal instead of attacking it had been a wise decision.

In 3645, Human Civilization began the first [Thought Imprint] experiment by linking laboratory animals to the [Nus Civilization]'s Intent Network Core. The experiment began with an 8.91% mortality rate, leaving Lu Siyuan, Lü Yongchang, and Mao Zhengzhi uncertain whether humanity’s last available approach would succeed.

• Researchers aboard the experimental ship brought laboratory animals to the [Nus Civilization]'s planet and connected their brains to its Intent Network Core.
• Lu Siyuan received Lü Yongchang's approval and began the first [Thought Imprint] experiment.
• [Nus] cautiously connected with the animals' consciousnesses, but a slight fluctuation caused some to flicker out before it began imprinting.
• Alarms sounded as many animals' readings turned orange-yellow or blood-red, and Lu Siyuan chose to wait for [Nus] to stabilize the experiment.
• The alarms subsided, but the blood-red readings remained, and Lu Siyuan ordered those animals removed.
• A researcher reported an 8.91% mortality rate, causing Lu Siyuan, Lü Yongchang, and Mao Zhengzhi to lose confidence in humanity's final proposed approach.

Lu Siyuan and Lü Yongchang oversaw experiments that successfully implanted thoughts in test animals, though several died when [Nus Civilization] lost control of the Intent Network. [Nus Civilization] then removed the imprints, and Lü Yongchang confirmed that [Thought Imprint] had been mastered.

• Lu Siyuan began the [Thought Imprint] experiment, and the test subjects survived the procedure without the expected mass deaths.
• Lü Yongchang discovered that a white mouse imprinted with [Air is poisonous] stopped breathing until it passed out.
• Lu Siyuan confirmed successful imprints in a mouse, a chimpanzee afraid of water, and a gray wolf that treated humans as pack leaders.
• Lu Siyuan reported a 91.09% success rate, and [Nus Civilization] admitted that uncontrolled Intent Network fluctuations had killed some subjects.
• [Nus Civilization] said the normal success rate should exceed 95%, then successfully removed the imprints from the test subjects.
• Lü Yongchang saw [Thought Imprint] marked as mastered in the Technology Tree Space.

Lü Yongchang pursued a genetic modification program for the Eugene Civilization as a way to experiment with [Thought Imprint]. The Eugene Emperor agreed to test it on Eugenes destined for the canning line, while Lü Yongchang chose an imprint designed to preserve their potential and encourage productive work.

• The Eugene Civilization continued living aboard starships in its assigned system, where hunger and infighting caused its population to decline.
• The Eugene Emperor secretly schemed to escape, but Zero monitored the plans and judged them no threat.
• The Eugene Emperor received a Human Federation Academy of Sciences offer of free genetic enhancement in exchange for ten years of labor and agreed to use low-ranking Eugenes as test subjects.
• Mao Zhengzhi asked Lü Yongchang what [Thought Imprint] should instill, and Lü Yongchang selected a proposal that would preserve the Eugenes' potential while encouraging productive activity.

Human Civilization successfully tested a [Thought Imprint] that made Eugenes regard humans as their emperor, then ordered it imposed across the Eugene Civilization. The modified Eugenes began supporting Human Civilization’s expansion through mining and military campaigns.

• Lü Yongchang and Mao Zhengzhi oversaw the first [Thought Imprint] experiment, and Tapo awoke believing humans were his emperors.
• After the experiment reached a 99.97% success rate, Lü Yongchang ordered the School of Sociology to imprint every Eugene, treating refusal as rebellion.
• Combat robots supervised tens of billions of Eugenes traveling to the HIP 22580 Stellar System, while the [Nus Civilization] earned credit and contribution points for each imprint.
• The Eugene population took on mining and production work, freeing more of Zero’s basic computing capacity.
• The Eugene Fleet began confronting resistant low-level civilizations and forcing them to join the Pan-Human Federation.

Lü Yongchang completed the theoretical foundations of the matter disintegration field and learned that the Anti-Gravity Research Center had made a breakthrough. He discovered Wilson had been visiting the center to seek help with a plan to use the grand unified field against enemy Gravity Shields, and turned to Joseph for his assessment.

• After reviewing the Biological Laboratory's progress on the Thought Imprint, Lü Yongchang returned to the matter disintegration field project and set a goal to master its technology within a year.
• A year later, Lü Yongchang completed the theoretical foundations of the matter disintegration field and sent the results to Wilson.
• Lü Yongchang received a high-priority message from the Anti-Gravity Research Center and learned from it that anti-gravity technology had made a breakthrough, allowing large Starships to land on planets.
• At the Anti-Gravity Research Center, Lü Yongchang met Armstrong Joseph and discovered Wilson had been a regular visitor there.
• Wilson explained that he wanted to use the grand unified field to interfere with and cancel out gravity, breaching an enemy Starship's Gravity Shield.
• Lü Yongchang recognized the similarity to methods for breaking a magnetic field shield and asked Joseph whether Wilson's plan was feasible.

Joseph developed a Matter Disintegration Cannon and a device for neutralizing Gravity Shields with Lü Yongchang’s support. During a live-fire trial, the new weapons bypassed a [Golden Crow] battleship’s shield and disintegrated the ship into a cloud of atoms and molecules.

• Lü Yongchang approved Joseph’s research into neutralizing Gravity Shields after seeing an anti-gravity sphere that weighed about thirty tons hover and move under Zero’s control.
• By Earth Calendar year 3655, the Laboratory had developed and tested the Matter Disintegration Cannon and Gravity Shield Disruption Devices.
• Lü Yongchang ordered a live-fire trial against a [Golden Crow] battleship, while Yevgeny grew more determined to develop a stronger weapon.
• Carrier-based drones deployed the Gravity Shield Disruption Devices as the attacking ship fired the Matter Disintegration Cannon’s guiding beam.
• Zero weakened the target ship’s shield system, allowing the beam to strike and disintegrate the [Golden Crow] battleship into molecules and atoms.

After witnessing the Matter Disintegration Cannon destroy a warship, Yevgeny left the Command Center in pursuit of an inspiration and headed for the Earth’s stern. Lü Yongchang and Wilson grew concerned that he might do something dangerous, while Zero monitored him.

• The Matter Disintegration Cannon destroyed the warship, leaving Yevgeny convinced that future versions could make existing weapons obsolete.
• Wilson taunted Yevgeny about the Antimatter Cannon, but Yevgeny calmly congratulated him and left the Command Center.
• Lü Yongchang and Zhao Zijie watched the exchange while eating sunflower seeds, then Lü ordered Zero to keep an eye on Yevgeny.
• Yevgeny took the Maglev Train toward the Earth’s stern, where the ship’s major engines and equipment were located.
• Wilson urgently asked Lü Yongchang to stop Yevgeny, and Lü assured him that Zero would intervene if necessary.