"Once we've grasped the grand unified model of fundamental forces, overcoming this force shouldn't be a problem for the engine, right?"
"No, General. If our technology advances further, we might even be able to operate on neutron stars. However, we cannot change the direct connection between neutron stars and the universe because we cannot change the fact that they are massive. Even if the technology of the Fish Horse Star is advanced, it is impossible. They can operate normally inside spaceships made of neutron-degenerate matter and make their engines work properly, but they cannot change the influence of neutron-degenerate matter on space. The space alteration caused by the warp drive cannot surpass the influence of this matter on space, making the movement of the spaceship extremely difficult."
"That's true. We've had several encounters with the Fish Horse Star warships, and we haven't found that their warships have a particularly strong impact on space," Academician Zeng said.
"Is it possible that it's a pure proton or a pure electron?"
"That's also unlikely. Charge repulsion isn't easy to eliminate. These are all charged particles, and forcibly fusing them together would be very difficult. Moreover, like neutron degenerate states, their mass is too great."
"What you all say makes sense, but just because we can't do it doesn't mean the Fish Horse Star Civilization can't."
"Yes, General, that's exactly what I was thinking," Situhei said.
The chief scientist of the Brilliant Star Civilization said something that made Hu Yu both amused and exasperated. He clearly didn't mean it that way, but he insisted on saying that he thought the same thing. He probably did it to save face.
"General, no matter how strong the defenses of the Fish Horse Star warships are, and no matter what materials they are made of, I have a way that might be able to take them down."
"Oh? Is that so? We humans also have this idea, and I wonder if it aligns with Mr. Situhei's thoughts. Please speak."
"Electronic."
"Electronic?"
"Yes, we used a large number of ultra-high-energy electrons powered by accelerators to collide with the Fish Horse Star warship. No matter what material the Fish Horse Star warship is made of, as long as it is not the kind of armor that your humans have, electrons can affect matter and change its structure. Moreover, electrons themselves have offensive capabilities."
" Academician Zeng, is this feasible?"
"It is indeed feasible. The targeted strike of high-energy electrons has a far greater impact on matter than other energy attacks. However, this is from a microscopic perspective. To achieve a macroscopic effect, the number of electrons required is extremely large."
" Academician Zeng is right. It does require an extremely large number of electrons, but we can certainly handle that number. This is a conventional attack method we've been researching. Over the years, we've stored up a considerable amount of electrons, enough to consume the Fish Horse Star warship."
"Mr. Situhei, have you considered space defense? The Fish Horse Star warship also has a similar defensive system around it, which bends space to avoid direct energy attacks, just like our Reaper. Electrons, being microscopic particles, are extremely susceptible to spatial influence, so even if their energy level is high, they won't be of much use," Academician Zeng asked.
"That's right, but our electrons aren't microscopic; they're macroscopic clusters. We use a force field to forcibly bind them together, then power them with an accelerator before launching them. This can largely eliminate the influence of space. Besides, the Fish Horse Star Civilization's warships are enormous, so even if there's a slight impact, it won't matter. We have ample reserves."
"This... just how many electrons have you accumulated?!" Academician Xiao asked in surprise.
"Approximately ten billion tons."
"What?! Ten billion tons!!!"
Ten billion tons of electrons is an extremely large quantity. An electron's mass is only 1/1800th of that of a proton, and 10^-30 electrons are needed to make one kilogram. To obtain ten billion tons of electrons, if extracted from ordinary hydrogen atoms that do not have neutrons, it would require 180 trillion tons of hydrogen atoms, which would have to be extracted one by one. The amount of work involved would be enormous.
" Academician Zeng, there's no need to be surprised. We have atomic centrifuges that can easily separate protons, neutrons, and electrons. Ten billion tons is nothing more than something we can easily produce. If war requires it, we can increase production at any time; we could even disintegrate a star without any problem."
"Mr. Situhei truly deserves to be the chief scientist of the Brilliant Star Civilization; he has accomplished such a great feat," Academician Zeng praised.
Although there was some boasting involved in this Situhei, decomposing a star is not something that can be done so easily. Academician Zeng immediately understood what this atomic centrifuge was all about. With the current manufacturing capabilities of the Brilliant Star Civilization, it would be impossible to decompose a star in less than tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of years. However, Academician Zeng understood perfectly.
Under the shadow of humanity, these Star System-Level Civilization all want to show off. Now that they've finally found an opportunity, it's normal for them to boast a bit; it's only human nature.
"Not at all, compared to Academician Zeng, we still have a long way to go. By the way, what method did the general mention?"
"There's not much difference. We plan to use a massive amount of antimatter to neutralize the orthoma of the Fish Horse Star warships, thus destroying them," Hu Yu replied.
"General, if the Fish Horse Star warships outnumber us, we can't do anything about it, but if there are only a hundred, we can still manage. With our stored electrons and everyone's antimatter combined, we can definitely destroy these warships of the Fish Horse Star Civilization."
"Alright, the second challenge: how to assassinate the leader of the Xuan Star Civilization?"
"General, the leader of a civilization is always under the strict protection of that civilization, making assassination extremely difficult," said the leader of the South Star Civilization.
Hu Yu looked around at everyone, and they all wore expressions of utter disbelief.
"I have an idea!"
Hu Yu looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was a high-ranking official of Zhalong Star.
What is your name, sir?
"General, my name is Muya, and I am the Chief of Strategy of the Zhalong Star Civilization."
"Mr. Muya has a good idea?"
"General, over the years I have thoroughly studied your human literature, such as the Thirty-Six Stratagems and Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and learned many advanced human combat methods. Although we can also use them in the interstellar age, we cannot eliminate the leader of the Xuan Star Civilization within our territory, but our chances are much greater outside of it."
"Mr. Muya, how can we get the leader of the Xuan Star Civilization out of our territory?" the leader of the Sand Star Civilization asked.
"Think about it, when would a leader leave their territory? There are two possibilities. One is that the leader has important business to attend to, which is beyond our control. The second possibility is that a major event occurs in the territory that threatens the leader's safety. To ensure the leader's safety, they will definitely relocate the leader and a large number of people. This is where our opportunity lies."
"Mr. Muya, even if the leader leaves the territory, he will be under strict protection. The gap between us and the Xuan Star Civilization is too great; it's impossible for us to break through the heavily surrounded fleet and kill the leader."