203: The Call of the Star Chart and the Determination of the "Homeland"

The astonishing information, painstakingly deciphered from the vast yet fragmented memory banks of the "planet core," struck the "ark" known as "Homeland"—which was still only navigating the inner seas of the solar system—like a massive meteorite falling from the heavens. It pushed the organization toward an unprecedented crossroads concerning the fate of civilization. What they held in their hands was no longer just an "ancient creation" containing extraordinary technology that required careful study; it was a heavy "legacy" and "responsibility" spanning eons, potentially concerning the safety of unknown regions of the entire universe. The grand narrative of the "watchers" civilization, the mysterious mission of "The Weave" system, and the potential threat of that sealed, uncertain "Variable" weighed on the hearts of every high-ranking member of "Homeland" like three invisible mountains. Should they remain content in their corner, focusing on development while keeping a respectful distance from the secrets of the stars? Or should they bravely take up this potentially scalding "torch" and embark on a deep-space journey full of unknown risks to seek the truth and perhaps bear the unimaginable burden that came with it?

Clues Emerge: A Light of Hope on the star map

Under immense pressure, Evelyn led Homeland's top team of astrophysicists, cosmologists, and signal processing experts, throwing themselves into the task day and night. Using the blurred star cluster symbol and the fragmented resonance frequency parameters extracted from the core shards as their only clues, they began the needle-in-a-haystack task of star map comparison and frequency simulation.

The workload was gargantuan. They needed to match the blurred pattern against databases of billions of known star clusters while simulating all possible distortions and attenuation effects the intermittent frequency parameters might suffer while traveling through space, calculating potential energy response patterns in the target sectors. The laboratory's supercomputer clusters ran at full capacity around the clock, with endless waterfalls of data flowing across screens. Team members' eyes grew bloodshot, coffee cups piled up on the corners of desks, and the sounds of debate and keyboard clicking never ceased.

Hard work paid off. After weeks of sleepless, grueling calculations and countless failed attempts, an exhilarating discovery finally emerged from the sea of data! Computer simulations showed that at the tip of a spiral arm in the Milky Way—behind an interstellar dust belt, in an extremely remote, resource-poor "desert" sector marked by astronomers as having "no observational value"—there was a tiny probability (about one in a million) that a directional transmission of a specifically corrected and reinforced resonance signal based on those fragmented parameters would trigger a faint "energy echo" with non-natural characteristics, clearly distinct from cosmic background noise! The pattern of this echo showed a statistically significant similarity to the energy ripple characteristics produced by the planet core in certain specific states!

This discovery was like lighting a faint lamp of hope in the darkness! It almost forcefully confirmed the guidance of the memory fragments—in that distant and desolate sector, there very likely existed a second "watchers beacon," a second planet core!

Intense Debate: Weighing Risks and Opportunities

The emergence of hope also brought a more severe choice. To go, or not to go? This simple question sparked an unprecedentedly fierce debate concerning the future fate of the organization during an emergency expanded meeting of Homeland's highest decision-making body.

The faction opposing the expedition—represented by some senior security consultants, logistics heads, and conservative scientists—held a clear view based on practical reasons:

"This is too risky! It's practically gambling with the fate of the entire 'Homeland'!" An elderly general with graying hair, responsible for base security, spoke emotionally, slamming the table. "An expedition to an unknown sector? Is our existing technical reserve truly sufficient? We don't even have reliable interstellar ships! Curvature flight, hibernation technology, deep-space navigation, long-term life support... these key technologies are still immature! This isn't an exploration; it's suicide!"

"How can we ensure safety en route?" another security expert added with a grim expression. "Space isn't a vacuum; it's full of danger. Setting aside interstellar dust, high-energy particle streams, and gravity traps, if our movements are discovered and tracked by remnants of the Prophet Foundation or other unknown interstellar civilizations, the consequences would be unthinkable! We could bring total destruction upon 'Homeland'!"

"The target sector itself is a massive unknown," an astrophysicist said worriedly. "Why is that area so 'barren'? Was it natural or artificially cleared? What is there? Is it a second gentle 'core,' or an activated, hostile 'trap'? What if we struggle to get there only to awaken something more terrifying than 'The Weave' that even the 'watchers' civilization had to seal? Who can take responsibility for that? We haven't even stepped out of the solar system, yet we're delusional enough to play the role of guardians of cosmic Order? This is overestimating ourselves!"

The faction supporting the expedition—primarily adventurous scientists, strategic analysts, and young technical backbones—held a different view, looking toward a broader future:

"This is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity! It's a historic turning point for human civilization to achieve a true leap!" a young astrophysicist said with burning eyes. "Mastering the legacy of the 'watchers' civilization could mean obtaining ultimate knowledge that breaks through the nature of energy, matter, life, and even space-time! All the problems Earth faces—resource depletion, energy crises, environmental degradation—might be solved! Humanity will become a true interstellar civilization! For this future, it's worth the risk!"

"More importantly, the threat of the 'Variable' is real," a strategic analyst pointed out calmly. "Escapism won't solve the problem. If 'The Weave' loses control or that 'Variable' breaks its seal, the impact could affect the entire Milky Way and beyond. Will hiding on Earth keep us safe then? It's better to take the initiative, prepare for the future, master information, and seize the upper hand. This isn't just exploration; it's self-preservation for survival!"

"Technical problems can be overcome!" an engineer representative said confidently. "We have the energy technology of the planet core, the theory of Excellence's Energy Programming, and the technological strength accumulated by 'Homeland.' By concentrating our efforts, it is entirely possible to build an experimental ship suitable for interstellar travel within a few years!"

The debate between the two sides was exceptionally heated, with neither able to convince the other. The meeting room was thick with tension. Risk versus opportunity, conservatism versus progress, survival versus transcendence—various ideologies clashed violently.

Excellence's Decision: The Pioneer's Vow

Wang Jianguo, the supreme commander of Homeland, listened to the fierce debate with a solemn expression, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table, his gaze deep. He did not easily state his position until the argument reached a stalemate; only then did he turn his gaze to Excellence, who had remained silent, focused on the star map and data.

"Excellence," Wang Jianguo's voice was steady, breaking through the noise of the meeting, "your opinion is crucial. You are the only and most direct bridge between us and the 'watchers' legacy. You have personally felt the power of the core and conversed with 'The Weave.' Regarding this expedition, what do you think? Should we go, or not?"

In an instant, everyone's eyes—supporters and opponents alike—focused squarely on Excellence. The meeting room went silent, save for the faint hum of operating equipment.

By now, Excellence was no longer the child who needed layers of protection. Successive trials, confrontations with higher beings, and the deciphering of ancient knowledge had stripped away his naivety. His temperament had become as steady as a mountain, and his gaze as firm as a torch. He slowly rose from his seat; though his frame was still lean, he naturally exuded a convincing, leader-like aura. He looked around the room, his gaze passing over every face—expectant, worried, or questioning—and his voice rang out clearly and powerfully in the silent room:

"We have already been drawn in." He spoke directly, pointing out the unavoidable reality. "From the moment we activated the planet core and established a connection with 'The Weave' system, it became impossible for 'Homeland' to return to its past state of isolation and contentment. 'The Weave' is watching us, the Prophet Foundation and the forces behind it are coveting us, and there are countless unknown eyes in the universe. Escaping and retreating will only make us increasingly passive, eventually becoming fish on a chopping block to be slaughtered at will. Safety has never been obtained through hiding."

He paused to let everyone digest his words, then continued his analysis with a rational and calm tone: "The expedition has risks, that is beyond doubt. Immature technology and an unknown path ahead are real difficulties. However," he changed his tone, looking confidently at Evelyn and the technical experts present, "I believe in Sister Evelyn and our technical team at 'Homeland'! We have the planet core, a near-infinite energy source; we have a preliminary grasp of Energy Programming and shield technology; and we have the top scientists and engineers. As long as we concentrate our resources and tackle the problems with all our might, we are fully capable of building a reliable interstellar ship to complete this mission within an acceptable timeframe! We can minimize and counter the dangers on the road through precise route planning, stealth technology, powerful protection, and sufficient contingency plans."

He walked to the massive star map, pointing his hand at the marked, distant, and lonely sector coordinates, a burning, unquestionable flame igniting in his eyes: "But if we stay where we are, we may face an even worse and more passive situation! Either one day in the future we will be swallowed by a more powerful external force, or when the 'Variable' threat erupts, we will be helpless and waiting for death because we know nothing! There—" his finger pressed heavily on the star map, "are the answers we desperately need! There is the power that can make 'Homeland' truly strong! Only by finding the second core can we piece together a more complete 'key,' gain the authority to speak as equals with 'The Weave,' be qualified to know the truth the 'watchers' protected, and... truly have the ability to protect our Homeland, and even, when necessary, take up the mission of the 'watchers' to guard this starry sky! This isn't a personal adventure to play the hero; this is the most rational strategic choice 'Homeland' must make for its survival and development!"

He turned to face Wang Jianguo and all the attendees, his voice decisive, carrying an unquestionable resolve and sense of responsibility: "I, Excellence, am willing to be the pioneer! I am willing to take the greatest risk and board the first ship to that unknown sector to find the answer for 'Homeland' and for human civilization!"

The Resolution of History: The Horn of the Deep Space Advance

Excellence's speech contained no flowery rhetoric, yet it was filled with rational analysis based on reality and deep insight into the future. It carried an indomitable courage and a sense of duty. This dominance and vision deeply moved everyone present. Even the staunchest opponents fell into deep thought, beginning to re-weigh the pros and cons. In Excellence, they saw not just a powerful ability user, but the prototype of a leader truly responsible for the fate of "Homeland."

Wang Jianguo looked at Excellence, a trace of imperceptible relief and determination flashing in his eyes. He slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping the room. The entire meeting room was silent, awaiting his final decision.

"Excellence is right." Wang Jianguo's voice wasn't loud, but it carried immense weight. "Retreating does not bring true safety. Opportunities often coexist with risks. The original intention of founding 'Homeland' was to preserve the sparks of humanity and seek hope amidst crisis. Now, the light of hope has appeared in the distant stars; we have no reason not to chase it. This is not just exploration; it is the inevitable choice to continue our mission."

He took a deep breath and announced in a resonant voice: "I now declare! The supreme resolution is passed! The 'Deep Space Expedition' plan is officially launched! Highest priority! We will exhaust all resources of 'Homeland' and concentrate all our strength to fully develop and build the first interstellar manned exploration ship! Project code name—'Seeker'! Target sector—locked coordinates! Mission objective—find and confirm the second 'watchers beacon'!"

His gaze fell in turn on Excellence, Evelyn, and Su Mu: "Excellence! I appoint you as the Chief Technical Consultant of the 'Seeker' project, fully responsible for the ship's energy systems, protection systems, and technical protocols for interacting with the 'beacon'! Dr. Evelyn! I appoint you as the Chief Scientist of the project, responsible for the overall design of the ship, scientific payloads, and deep-space exploration mission planning! Comrade Su Mu! I appoint you as the Security and Coordination Officer of the expeditionary vanguard, responsible for Excellence's absolute safety and the daily management and logistics of the vanguard! This is a crucial step for 'Homeland' and for human civilization into the sea of stars! Success is the only option!"

The grand expedition plan was thus finalized. The secrets of a planet, the legacy of a civilization, and a heavy responsibility would be carried toward the boundless deep space of unknown and hope by a group of the bravest and wisest people, aboard the crystallization of human wisdom. A new chapter had begun.