"Increase the energy input and detonate the first through tenth stars. Quickly, we urgently need a large amount of energy," said the leading scientist in the Argo Navis.
Everything had already been arranged. The sheer terror of the energy required to detonate a star within a massive Dyson sphere is self-evident. Currently, humanity Carina Civilization have limited technological capabilities and can only rely on massive amounts of energy to forcibly establish a passage. This method is impossible to use in either peacetime or combat; it's only acceptable for guiding academicians.
30 seconds...
40 seconds...
The passage was rapidly disappearing, its vanishing tail carrying the shuttle swiftly towards the rendezvous point.
50 seconds...
51 seconds...
52 seconds...
A shuttle appeared inside the almost completely hollowed-out Reaper.
53 seconds...
The second shuttle arrived inside the Reaper.
"Success! Close the passage and retreat immediately."
The Reaper fleet immediately left the giant Dyson sphere, crashed into the Third Reversed State sphere, creating a hole in it, and escaped, quickly repairing the hole as soon as possible.
The main fleet outside immediately reunited with the small squadron that flew out from inside, and headed towards the base 20,000 light-years away. Everyone also stepped out of the cramped shuttle and into the spacious Reaper.
"Academicians, you're finally back!"
The scientists from the Carina Civilization were not very familiar with Academician Zeng and his team, but the human Academician Zeng were very familiar with them. Upon seeing the academicians emerge from the shuttle, everyone immediately greeted them.
"Thank you all for your hard work, and thank you to the scientists of the Carina Civilization for guiding us back."
"It's nothing. We're all members of the Star Ring Alliance; there's no need to thank me for such a small thing."
"Academician, you have no idea how much has happened to the fleet since you left."
"Oh, really? Since the itinerary is rather dull, why don't you tell us more about it?"
"Academician, the general is speaking."
"General, we're back." Academician Zeng said, looking at Hu Yu's holographic image.
"It's good that you're back, Academician. Is there any news about the defense system?"
"I'm sorry, General, we haven't found the so-called defense system. We've been lost in the danger zone for thousands of years, and if it weren't for incredible luck, we might never have made it back."
"It's nothing, it's good that everyone is back safe and sound. Hmm? Where are Academician Chen Peng and Academician Liu Bo?"
"I'm sorry, General, we couldn't bring them back. We had an accident in the danger zone, and they got separated from us. They may never come back," Li Zhixiong said sadly.
After speaking, all the academicians showed sad expressions. All of this had been discussed before leaving the Mirror Universe. If there really was a powerful figure causing trouble behind the scenes, the fleet's conversations could be eavesdropped on, especially the communications through the four-dimensional channel. The Great Star Region Civilization might be able to eavesdrop on them.
The existence of the Ancestor and the secret of the Universe Membrane are both top secrets, especially the Ancestor's secret. If even a little bit of the secret is leaked, it could lead to annihilation. Therefore, for now, it can only be kept from Hu Yu.
"They're not coming back!!! Is there no way to find them?" Hu Yu was furious. Over the years of leading the fleet, Hu Yu rarely showed his emotions in public, but at this moment, Hu Yu couldn't hold back. One was an outstanding academician, and the other was a subordinate who had followed him since the Earth era.
"I'm sorry, General, we've done our best. If we develop our way to the Great Star Region Civilization and then go in to search for them, there might still be a glimmer of hope. Their energy and resources are still sufficient. I hope they can hold on," Li Zhixiong said in a low voice. Although it was a lie, Li Zhixiong had never seen Hu Yu angry in all these years. Now, Li Zhixiong didn't even dare to look Hu Yu in the eye; it was too frightening.
"Persistence?! You risked entering the Matter River and nearly perished. Now that you've returned, the fleet has lost two pillars. I bear responsibility; I shouldn't have yielded to you."
"General, it is my responsibility. I shouldn't have led everyone into the dangerous Matter River. Now Academician Liu Bo, General Chen Peng, and others are missing. I apologize to everyone."
Let's talk about it when we get back.
After Hu Yu finished speaking, he hung up the phone. His mood plummeted. Although he had been worried about the academicians going missing, there was still hope. Now that even Academician Zeng could not find Academician Liu Bo and Chen Peng, it had already said everything. The so-called search after reaching the Great Star Region Civilization was nothing but comfort and self-deception.
" Old Hu, you shouldn't have taken your anger out on the academicians. We agreed to go to the Matter River back then, and the academicians didn't want it to be like this either. They risked their lives for the fleet. I believe they did their best to prevent Academician Liu and Chen Peng from going missing. They are more heartbroken and saddened than we are."
"I think I got a little too excited. In all these years, even when facing a formidable enemy and facing life-or-death situations, I haven't had such a strong emotional reaction."
"Humans aren't plants or trees; how can they be without feelings? Chen Peng has been with us since the Earth era, growing from an unqualified soldier to where he is now. He's not only a comrade-in-arms but also a brother. Although Academician Liu was born in the fleet era, we've worked together for tens of thousands of years. He has made indelible contributions to the fleet, so it's understandable that you can't accept it right now."
"Sigh, I'll apologize to the academicians when they return."
"We all need to understand each other; it's all for the sake of the fleet."
"I never knew you could offer advice."
"I know a lot more than you've noticed."
In the Reaper fleet.
"Academician, I have never seen the general so angry. Although he didn't show it too much, I know he was trying his best to restrain himself."
"I know that entering the Matter River yielded nothing, and we even lost two great generals. The fact that the general didn't curse means he's already holding back. Alas, we've wasted over ten thousand years of time. We are guilty."
Academician Zeng finished speaking, he gave Li Zhixiong a meaningful look. His eyes showed not only the helplessness of deceiving Hu Yu, but also the disappointment of gaining nothing from entering the Matter River.
"Academician, things in this world are beyond our control, and our efforts don't guarantee results. If everything went smoothly, wouldn't every civilization grow into Great Star Region Civilization? Take it easy. We're not playing a game where you can level up just by keeping fighting. Besides hard work, we also need luck," Li Youwei comforted Academician Zeng.
"Yes, although our journey has been fraught with difficulties, it has ultimately been smooth sailing. Now, even this small setback makes me feel discouraged, which is unacceptable. We must adjust our mindset and continue to work hard, for the fleet, and for our Human Civilization."