At the Star System Level, it was thought that Small Star Sector Civilization could move neutron stars. Now that we've reached the Small Star Sector Civilization Great Star Region Civilization can move neutron stars. Of course, the possibility of Great Star Region Civilization moving neutron stars is very high, but Small Star Sector Civilization definitely cannot, even those like Fish Horse Star that have reached the limit of Small Star Region cannot do it.
This is not the first time humanity has admired a complete neutron star at such close range, but it is the first time it has seen a neutron star so clearly. Although neutron stars have strong gravity, unless they are descending upon a neutron star, even small spaceships of Advanced Star System-Level Civilization can resist tidal forces at close range. The larger the spaceship, the more difficult it is to resist. However, the Reaper can now appreciate the beauty of a neutron star from a distance of one or two hundred kilometers.
Normally, images of neutron stars are affected by spacetime distortion and are reconstructed by computers using algorithms. This time, the spatial distortion has been minimized. Although the rotation speed is fast, it is as slow as a snail for the fleet. Even high-speed cameras from Earth's era can now clearly capture the entire neutron star.
This neutron star is currently rotating at a speed of more than 300 revolutions per second, and the highest peak on its surface is only 0.5 millimeters, roughly the thickness of a fingernail.
"Academician, the Bee have already scouted the airspace within tens of thousands of astronomical units nearby and found nothing unusual. They are now continuing to expand the scouring area," Chen Peng said.
"It's alright. Even if the danger zone is here, we're going to detonate the neutron star. We can't let our personal desires drag you all down with us. Besides, I'm also responsible for the lives of these thousands of academicians."
"Academician, how can you call it personal desire? We're all doing this for the fleet, for all of humanity. Everyone knows perfectly well why you risked your lives to explore here. To be honest, even I admire your courage. If it weren't for you, I might not have had the courage to come here. These things are truly terrifying."
"You flatter me. I'm just an old man; I don't have the kind of courage you think."
"Really, academicians, to use an old saying, you are nothing more than scholars. For you to do something like this is unprecedented."
"Don't flatter me, my neck can't take it anymore, haha."
"Academician, this isn't just flattery. Everyone in the fleet admires you. I've seen some footage from the early 21st century; you are far more dazzling than those celebrities. And those celebrities are just a matter of people's tastes, while you are the people's heartfelt worship and respect, including Chen Peng and myself. If I didn't have frequent contact with you, I would definitely try to get your autographs or take photos with you." Li Zhixiong also expressed his admiration.
" Academician Li, come help me with my hat, I can't hold it in anymore." Academician Liu Bo pretended to cover his head with both hands and laughed at Academician Li Youwei beside him.
"I don't have time to help you, I can't even handle myself, hahaha."
"Hahaha."
"Hahaha..."
The entire ship was filled with laughter; only these people could still chat and laugh so easily amidst the constant attacks from the insect swarms outside.
"Alright, alright, everyone stop laughing. We need to get started. Generals, according to our calculations, this neutron star will expand a trillion times before exploding, reaching a diameter of about 100,000 kilometers. The closer it is to the current center, the greater the explosive energy it will withstand. This energy Reversed State Armor can completely withstand it. It releases a lot of energy, but the energy level is still somewhat lower than antimatter. If we drag the battlefield to a place about 50,000 kilometers away from the current center, the explosion will not have a fatal impact on the warships. And according to our tests on the beetle bio-armor, they are unlikely to withstand high-energy impacts from all directions."
"Academician, are the insects' defenses really that much weaker than the Reversed State Armor? They can easily bite through armor."
"Like us, insects strengthen some of their attack components, such as teeth and spikes, but their defense and sturdiness in other areas are somewhat weaker. More importantly, our Reversed State is unaffected by neutron multiplication, but insect swarms are different. No matter how strong their bio-armor is, it cannot withstand the penetration of microscopic neutrons."
"Understood, Academician. We still have 43,000 warships here, and the swarm's numbers are still basically 20 million, not much less. To keep the swarm tied down here, we'll need to send out at least 20,000 warships. The rest of the warships will continue forward, bypassing the neutron star, and drop the magnetic field instrument down as well."
"But this means we'll have even fewer warships, and Li Shun is still eyeing us covetously. If they pursue us across the Matter River, it will be very difficult for us to fight back."
"Academician, don't worry about Li Shun. Our energy spheres are invincible in this space. Although they're not quite enough to deal with the beetles, they can easily blast Li Shun's fleet. The beetles have reached the level of Great Star Region Civilization, and Li Shun's fleet isn't that powerful," Li Zhixiong said confidently.
" Zhuge Xiong, fellow academicians, there's news! Ten Bee have gone missing!"
"Where?!!!"
"Ahead of this neutron star, 0.2 light-years ahead, lies the farthest-traveling batch of Bee spaceships."
"We're coming right away!"
"Academician, let's deal with the insect problem first. If that area is truly dangerous, its danger level is definitely no less than that of the insect swarm. After we kill the insects, we can explore it quietly," Chen Peng said.
"That's right, that's right. You guys go ahead and we'll analyze the data the Bee sent back before they disappeared."
The fleet split into two again. This time, the 20,000 warships that were separated did not continue the defensive operations but charged directly into the swarm. The high-speed Reaper disrupted the swarm's pursuit formation. They tried to pounce on the Reaper, but the Reaper were always flying at high speed, making it very difficult to get close.
Not only that, the Reaper, with its size advantage, smashed the swarm of insects in front of it, enraging them. Some high-speed flying insects were rammed head-on by the Reaper, the powerful kinetic energy reaching their bodies and shattering their internal parts. In addition, the Reaper continuously released energy balls and antimatter bombs along the way. Although it could not completely kill the insects, it could disrupt their flight paths and prevent them from getting close to the warship.
As the Reaper flew, it dragged the battlefield 50,000 kilometers away. The swarm was enraged and began to concentrate to deal with the Reaper. Gradually, the Reaper was surrounded by the shrinking swarm. With a ratio of 2,000 to 1, many swarms of insects finally found an opportunity to get close to the Reaper.
The Reaper possessed by the insects could not last a minute before the red beetles bit through its armor. However, the insect that bit through the armor usually did not survive either. Once inside the Reaper, it was like entering a powder keg. No matter how strong their bio-armor was, it could not withstand the huge energy impact in such a small area.