260: Lagrange Gate

At the L3 stable point, symmetrical to Planet Three about the star's center in Tianjin Seat V89.05, a massive steel structure floated silently.

Its shape resembled an inverted triangular frustum, its surface rough, with numerous atmospheric probe antennas and auxiliary construction equipment laid flat across it.

Hundreds of small aircraft orbited its periphery, some dismantling auxiliary equipment, others conducting real-time monitoring of the megastructure's status.

At this moment, a silver-gray Shuttle drifted towards it.

"Identity code verified. Authority authentication complete."

"Attention: You have entered a monitored zone with a 'Top Secret ∞+' classification. Until departure, all vessel permissions and control systems will be taken over by 'night lamp'."

As the Shuttle continued forward, crossing a certain boundary, a clear mechanical voice sounded within the ship's cockpit.

Subsequently, an inverted triangle logo rapidly occupied every screen on the central console.

The operator at the helm, with practiced ease, removed his hands from the controls. Then, a man wearing a captain's uniform stood up, turned around, and reported loudly:

"Reporting, Supreme Director! Our vessel has entered the restricted zone! night lamp has taken over the operating system. Estimated time of arrival at the destination is ten minutes!"

"Good," Xi Hai, seated in the rear, nodded and then turned his gaze out the window.

In the distance, the outline of a colossal geometric form had already appeared. A single glance was enough to inspire infinite awe:

Red and white light points blinked continuously on the atmospheric probe antennas. Searchlights, warning lights, and a series of other external lighting fixtures cast a cold glow onto the megastructure's surface, making the steel shell appear even more formidable.

Yet, amidst the countless light points outlining its form, there was a triangular area devoid of any illumination, like a bottomless abyss—

But once lit, it would shine brilliantly as a river of stars.

The current confidentiality and control system in Tianjin Seat V89 was one of the institutions established during the internal governance construction period, divided into thirteen levels. All matters involving top-secret content were entirely managed by night lamp.

It seems the implementation is going well, Xi Hai thought while looking at the inverted triangle on the screen.

How about the implementation of the other internal governance systems?

The construction plans they had discussed in meetings earlier were far from limited to just the confidentiality system. Education development, judicial system construction, human rights protection initiatives... hundreds of scattered fields were currently taking root and growing wildly in the untamed land of Tianjin Seat V89.

And, as expected, they were about to rapidly spread to those regions that had just completed their uprisings.

I'll verify these matters after the stargate is lit, Xi Hai thought, letting out a long sigh.

As the Shuttle drew closer to the completed megastructure, it grew larger and clearer in Xi Hai's eyes until it occupied the entire viewport.

Suddenly, a black Shuttle appeared diagonally opposite Xi Hai's vessel.

"Docking target detected approaching. Calculating course— Estimated docking in 23.34 seconds. Minor vibrations may occur during docking. Please stand firm, hold on, and pay attention to safety."

Hearing this, Xi Hai finally stood up from his seat and walked to stand by the docking port—that was the vessel of the chief responsible engineer for the stargate construction project. He and Xi Hai had arranged to meet.

Xi Hai acknowledged that while he wasn't a science student and didn't understand technical matters, he respected technology and, more importantly, respected technical talent. Moreover, appropriately showing respect for capable subordinates could further strengthen internal unity and a sense of shared identity.

"Psssh—"

The sound of the airlock door opening came. The first thing that entered Xi Hai's sight was a round, close-cropped head with sparse hair, a pair of black-rimmed glasses hanging below, and a few sparse whiskers on the face that couldn't quite conceal the shallow acne scars.

He was a senior engineer in the Guardian Angel Legion, a master who had almost entirely self-taught and through hands-on practice become proficient in Warship repair—Li Tangwang.

The first time they met, seeing his appearance, Xi Hai knew this engineer was terrifyingly capable.

And clearly, reality confirmed it. This Chief Engineer Li Tangwang, upon first contact with the Warships of the Lagrange system, was able to propose a large number of modification hypotheses, most of which could pass night lamp's feasibility checks.

As mentioned before, the FG300 was highly praised within the Legion for its extensive modification redundancy and versatility.

And more than half of those modification plans originated from the man before him. And his team.

"Snap!"

"Supreme Director, sir! Chief Technical Officer of the Guardian Angel Legion Headquarters, Li Tangwang, reporting to you!"

When the docking port hatch fully opened, Li Tangwang, upon seeing Xi Hai, immediately stood at attention and delivered a heavy salute.

"Chief Engineer Li, you're here—" Xi Hai nodded towards him and then made a "please" gesture.

"This way, come inside first."

"Yes, sir!" Li Tangwang lowered his saluting right hand and walked towards the interior of the Shuttle in the direction Xi Hai indicated. As he walked, he couldn't wait to say:

"Supreme Director! As per your instructions, we have completed the first phase of the stargate construction at the spatial resonance point located at the L3 Lagrange stable point!"

"Regarding the current project progress, we have conducted feasibility experiments using zero-level and first-level Spatial Oscillators, and everything is normal!"

"We have charged a Spatial Oscillator with a tear level of five to level four. Once it is embedded into the stargate core, this stargate can be put into immediate operation."

(Spatial Oscillator: In the Lagrange setting, a high-energy curvature conversion device used to excite spatial resonance phenomena, thereby driving the operation of Lagrange nodes.)

Xi Hai nodded and casually asked:

"I recall the original plan was to directly use a Spatial Oscillator with a five-level tear, correct?"

"Yes, Supreme Director, sir," Li Tangwang nodded. "But according to night lamp's calculations, using a level five oscillator directly would extend the construction time by 2 to 3 years."

"However, based on your directive to 'put it into operation as soon as possible,' I believed using an oscillator with a four-level tear better aligns with your current needs. So I reported it immediately and received an affirmative response the next day."

"As for the charge level, it can undergo secondary expansion and recharging after the stargate enters operation."

Hearing this, Xi Hai also recalled—he seemed to have indeed approved that document.

Then there's no issue.

"Alright then—" Xi Hai patted Li Tangwang's shoulder. "In that case, let's begin installing the Oscillation Seed."

"I take this opportunity to thank you—all the engineering personnel involved in constructing the stargate!"

"Not at all, not at all—" Li Tangwang waved his hands while feeling a pressure that made him sweat profusely. "Actually, we didn't play any major role."

"All the technology was provided by you. All the critical calculations were handled by the mainframe you provided and that AI named 'night lamp.' We were just providing auxiliary support."

This wasn't modesty; it was the truth—

What they, these workers and engineers, did in the stargate construction was essentially piloting those yellow engineering ships, installing modules and parts coming off the assembly lines into their designated positions on the blueprints.

"Don't say that. No one is insignificant," Xi Hai continued patting Li Tangwang's shoulder. "Everyone who participates in social production is an indispensable driving force for the upward climb of human civilization."

"No more talk. Let's begin directly."

"Yes, sir!"

Li Tangwang immediately pulled out a communicator from his chest and began inquiring:

"All units, attention! Conduct final checks on personnel and equipment status!"

"After confirming no anomalies, we will begin uploading the data key!"

Alarm bells began ringing throughout various compartments. Security personnel, technical staff, safety officers... the flow of people moved like well-programmed data streams, proceeding in an orderly manner towards various terminals.

Everyone's nerves were taut, and everyone's expressions were excited—

Several days prior, their direct superior had issued instructions: their Supreme Director, the master of the five hundred worlds of Tianjin Seat V89, would witness a historic moment here.

And that Supreme Director had personally stated that they, the workers, were the ones creating this history.

"Equipment intact! Docking normal! System operational! Server redundant computing power approximately 98%!"

Two minutes later, a firm and powerful voice came through the communicator, to which Li Tangwang immediately responded:

"Commence installation of the Spatial Oscillator!"

"First-stage docking, complete!"

"Second-stage docking, complete!"

"Oscillator has entered the stargate core!"

"Interface normal! Operation intact! Ready for activation!"

As the final confirmation report sounded, Li Tangwang turned to look at Xi Hai, who also looked at him and gave a slight nod.

"All departments, attention! Activate the oscillator! Begin stargate activation!"

"Hmmmm————————!!!!!!"

In an instant, time and space—it was as if everything was frozen.

No, not frozen. It was as if turbulent ripples were churning through space, centered on the shimmering Spatial Oscillator in the stargate core. The fluctuations rapidly swept over everything in the vicinity, causing a sense of distortion before everyone's eyes.

Then, a prolonged, resonant hum sounded, filling everyone's ears.

But Xi Hai paid no mind to this. His eyes were fixed intently on what lay before him.

Within the triangular stargate entrance, a tiny point of light first appeared. Then, this point of light elongated towards both ends and slowly began to rotate... Like the ancient myth of 'the Supreme Ultimate generating the Two Forms,' the tiny point of light rapidly transformed into a swiftly spinning sphere of light.

Subsequently, ripples began to form along the edges of the stargate entrance. These ripples were calm at first, like gentle waves stirred by an evening breeze over water, but they soon grew turbulent. They collided in concentric circles against the central sphere of light, gradually eroding it, gradually dissolving it.

"Server computing power redundancy at 65%! Currently within safe parameters!"

"The stargate structure is experiencing minor tremors! Core region connection stable! Some Sounding Antennas are showing signs of loosening!"

Each department continuously monitored the state of this magnificent megastructure, keeping a close watch on its condition.

Soon, another anomaly occurred at the stargate entrance. After completely dissolving the central sphere of light, the ripples from both sides collided violently, like two of the most untamable ocean currents.

The turbulent clash created a massive vortex, spinning wildly, while the internal pressure of the stargate began to climb steadily.

"Computing power redundancy remaining at 50%! Over half occupied!"

"Area F-33-1, Sounding Antenna number six has detached! Recovery initiated!"

It wasn't until this vortex expanded enough to completely engulf both sides, until—

The enormous vortex occupied the entire triangular stargate entrance.

Only then did it finally seem like a tamed beast, settling into quietude.

"Report! stargate status stabilizing!"

"Computing power redundancy back to 89%! Spatial scans show no anomalies!"

—It had stabilized.

Hearing the reports from the communicator, Xi Hai and Li Tangwang finally let out a sigh of relief.

But no one relaxed just yet, because the stargate stabilizing was only the beginning.

"Experimental unit, attention! Unmanned Warship One-Way Transmission Test preparing to commence! Test fleet! Are you in position?"

"Report! In position!"

The test fleet consisted of four ships: three FG300s with their weapon systems removed, and one Pathfinder vessel, all uniformly controlled by night lamp.

"Destination verified! Tianjin Seat V89.91! Confirmation complete!"

"Test fleet may enter the stargate!"

As their ghostly blue engine plumes ignited, the four small starships plunged headlong into the massive vortex—

Although the stargate entrance appeared proportionally small, in reality, it was an equilateral triangle with sides measuring 3,000 meters.

This was actually a scaled-down adjustment forced by the reduced power level. According to the original calculations, a level-five tear oscillator was sufficient to form an entrance with a diameter of 20,000 meters.

By comparison, even the originally massive Pathfinder vessel now looked like a tiny leaf boat in a violent storm, insignificant and helpless.

"Monitor the status continuously! Maintain real-time communication!"

"Test fleet has passed 75%! No abnormal broadcasts detected!"

Watching the starships gradually disappear from view, Xi Hai was suddenly overcome by an inexplicable emotion—

Familiar. All too familiar.

One Pathfinder vessel, three FG300s.

Even though he had personally designated these test objects, witnessing this scene still filled him with immense awe.

It was as if the past was replaying before his eyes.

"Testing communication systems now!"

"Communications normal! Test vessels can send and receive information normally!"

When the final engine plumes vanished into the stargate, the tens of thousands of staff present—those in the various control rooms of the stargate, those in the aircraft surrounding it, and those already waiting at Tianjin Seat V89.91—finally fell silent.

The waiting time was the most agonizing.

It wasn't until a minute later that both the stargate central control room and the communicator in Li Tangwang's hands simultaneously received a message:

"Experimental starships have arrived at the designated location! Internal integrity intact! Total travel time 48.2234 seconds!"

"We've succeeded!"

"Hmm!!!"

"Success!!!!"

Instantly, the central control room, monitoring rooms, security departments... every place where people were present erupted into a frenzy.

People shouted, embraced, and began celebrating this success in every conceivable, non-violating way they could think of.

The Legion's original workers and technicians were jubilant because they had achieved another victory;

But those scholars, professors, and engineers from Order Seat who had joined midway here were all moved to tears—

Since the collapse of the Human Federation, humanity had been unable to build any more star markers. That ancient transportation system had borne the weight of civilization for ten thousand years.

But ten thousand years was too heavy a burden, nearly crushing that decaying network.

And now, finally, in their generation, was humanity once again beginning to master the technology for high-speed interstellar travel?

"Professor, your decision back then was right."

A young technician murmured, gazing at the monitoring screen before him.

He was a student of Space Architectural Engineering, and his professor had died in the conflict at Ursa Major.

"Is this what you sought your entire life?"

In a corner unseen by others, his tightly clenched fists finally relaxed.

At this moment, aboard the starship positioned directly above the stargate, one could look through the window and see the stargate, now returned to silence.

Beside him, Li Tangwang was flushed with excitement, and the Shuttle crew members were also swept up in the atmosphere.

Looking at them, Xi Hai gave a light chuckle and said:

"No need to be so reserved. It's natural for everyone to be excited."

"You can celebrate and let off some steam appropriately, as long as it doesn't delay our upcoming journey."

"Yes!!!"

Instantly, the atmosphere inside the Shuttle became lively.

Watching the jubilant crowd, Xi Hai was about to join in when night lamp's voice suddenly rang out—

"Pathfinder, I have just intercepted an encrypted message. It appears to contain a large spatial data file. I am attempting to decrypt it, progress approximately 3%."

"The encryption format of this file bears the style of the Holy Multitude Stars Empire. Furthermore, based on the format of the decrypted content so far, the file is suspected to be an academic document from the Holy Family Academy. I suggest you take this seriously."

What in the world?

Xi Hai was instantly shocked. The Holy Multitude Stars Empire?

Has the Empire caught up?!!!!