200: Chapter 200: The "Sower" Project Launched
On the top observation deck of the "Ark" city, the gravity simulator creates a comfortable environment identical to Earth, but looking through the huge transparent dome, that boundless pitch-black starry sky and the coldly flickering stars are constantly reminding people of the true situation they are in.
Lin Mo has been standing here alone for two hours.
His gaze has no focus, as if piercing through the distant Kuiper Belt, cast toward that dark region where a hunter melee is taking place, or perhaps even further, falling into the unknown depths of the Milky Way.
The nutritional supplement Su Xiaowan brought is placed on the console nearby, long since gone cold.
"Dark forest... multiple hunters..."
These two terms circle repeatedly in his mind, like cold awls, chiseling a sense of urgency with every strike.
Although the meeting in Chapter 199 unified their thoughts and inspired their fighting spirit, as a "navigator" of a civilization, he cannot only consider the battle before his eyes.
He must think further, think of the worst-case scenario, think of... what if.
What if the "North Heaven Gate" defense line is breached?
What if humanity fights with all its might, yet still cannot withstand the attacks of the "Scavenger" or other unknown hunters?
What if the Solar System... really becomes a dead, silent hunting ground?
Must the spark of civilization really be extinguished here?
No, absolutely not.
A vague thought, long brewing in the bottom of his heart, catalyzed by this extreme sense of crisis and responsibility, quickly becomes clear, firm, and finally takes shape.
He takes a deep breath, turns, and walks to the console, his fingers tapping rapidly on the virtual keyboard.
Lines of commands are sent out, summoning the main members of the GDC Supreme Council, the Academy of Sciences Strategic Committee, and the Civilization Ethics Committee for a top-secret emergency virtual meeting.
One hour later, in the "Kunlun" world, the absolutely secure core deliberation node.
There is no ornate background, only a space of pure white.
Dozens of figures (virtual projections) representing the highest wisdom and power of human civilization gather here, everyone's expression exceptionally serious.
They have just finished listening to Lin Mo's more detailed elaboration on the "dark forest multiple threats" hypothesis, and the atmosphere is so heavy it feels like it could be wrung out like water.
"Based on the above analysis," Lin Mo's voice echoes in the space, calm yet containing unquestionable power, "We must be prepared to deal with the most extreme situations. Therefore, I formally propose to launch the 'sower' project."
"sower?" Elder Chen frowns slightly, chewing on the term.
"Yes, sower." Lin Mo brings up an outline he just preliminarily drafted, "This is not a flight plan, nor is it a surrender. On the contrary, it is the last and most far-reaching strategic investment in the possibility of our civilization's continuation."
The holographic image unfolds, presenting the grand blueprint of the project.
"Project core: Build several, or even dozens of 'seed of civilization' probes with ultra-long endurance, high intelligence, and self-replication and upgrade potential."
Lin Mo points to the streamlined design in the center of the blueprint, which looks like a silver seed, "They will carry all the essence of human civilization—"
The screen breaks down, and icons for data packets appear:
"One, a complete gene bank. It not only contains gene samples of all existing humans (anonymized, strictly following ethics) but also includes the genetic blueprints of major plants and animals on Earth, as well as all the gene optimization and repair technologies we currently possess."
"Two, a civilization database. From the oldest oracle bone scripts and clay tablets to all literature, art, philosophy, and scientific works; from the blueprints of the Industrial Revolution to our latest fusion engines, quantum computers, and detailed principles of gravitational manipulation; every language, every culture, every history, not a single bit missing, all encapsulated."
"Three, basic industry and ecological templates. How to refine metal from scratch, manufacture chips, build fusion reactors, set up ecological recycling systems... 'from zero to one' guides for all key technologies, as well as nano-blueprints for necessary initial tools and materials."
"Four, an enhanced AI core embedded with human collective wisdom and ethical guidelines—which can be regarded as a pure branch or sub-body of the "Fuxi". It will serve as the guide and teacher of the 'sower', and when necessary, the initial guardian and enlightener of the new civilization."
Listening to Lin Mo's narrative, the eyes of the attendees first show shock, then gradually light up.
This is not pessimism; this is a foresight and resilience belonging to civilization itself that transcends the current struggle for survival!
"These 'seed of civilization' will be propelled using our most advanced technology." Lin Mo continues, "We are initially considering using improved fusion pulse engines, combined with primary light sail or space curvature technology that the 'shadow catcher' project might break through in the future, allowing them to reach ten to fifteen percent of the speed of light."
"Their targets are those distant star systems within the Milky Way that we have observed and possess potential habitable conditions."
"The plan is divided into several stages:"
"First stage: Concentrate resources and prioritize building three to five 'prototype seeds'. They will carry the most core databases and samples and set off first, choosing directions toward those relatively hidden regions, far from known 'beacon' and suspicious gravitational wave sources."
"Second stage: With the further improvement of our industrial capabilities, especially the perfection of the asteroid belt and Mars industrial bases, we will begin mass-producing more advanced 'sower' units. Each one can be slightly different, and the focus of what they carry can also vary, increasing the diversity of civilization reproduction."
"Third stage: If... if the Solar System really falls, these 'seeds', which have long been scattered throughout the galaxy, will arrive at their target star systems after a long voyage. The AI core will be activated, and according to local conditions, it will choose the most appropriate way to 'sow'—it might be directly cultivating new human individuals, it might be establishing an industrial base first and then introducing life, or it might be preserved in a more conservative way, waiting for a safer time."
Lin Mo finishes speaking and looks around at everyone: "The purpose of the 'sower' project is not to let us fail with peace of mind. On the contrary, it is the last insurance policy for all of us, for the entire human civilization."
"It tells us that even if we fight to the last person here, even if Earth turns into scorched earth, the 'story' of human civilization still has a chance to be retold and continued on the other side of the distant galaxy."
"This will give the frontline soldiers, and everyone who insists on resisting, the most fundamental courage and hope—we are not just fighting for survival, but for the 'possibility' of civilization itself!"
As his voice falls, the white space is silent, then erupts with enthusiastic approval.
"I agree! This is true foresight!" An esteemed bioethicist says excitedly, "This is not just for continuing genes, but for continuing the spirit and knowledge of civilization! This is the highest affirmation of human civilization's value!"
"From a technical perspective, although the challenges are huge, it is not impossible to achieve." A deputy dean of the Academy of Sciences evaluates quickly, "Many technologies are ready or close to a breakthrough; the difficulty of integration lies in engineering and system reliability. But precisely because the challenge is huge, it is worth doing! This will be the pinnacle of human engineering!"
"The Military Committee fully supports this." Long Zhantian's projection says in a deep voice, "This will let the soldiers know that they are not defending a doomed island. Their sacrifice has profound significance. This is more powerful than any pre-battle mobilization."
There are also questions and concerns.
"How to solve the resource problem?" An official in charge of material scheduling asks, "The 'North Heaven Gate' defense plan has already occupied most of the industrial capacity and rare materials. The 'sower' project is also a money pit."
Lin Mo is well-prepared: "The 'sower' project will mainly utilize in-situ resources from the Moon, Mars, and the asteroid belt. Many of its components can be produced more efficiently in microgravity or low-gravity environments."
"We will establish a special 'sower' project headquarters, sharing part of the supply chain with the 'North Heaven Gate' plan, but with a slightly lower priority to ensure it does not affect the construction of the main defense. At the same time, the plan is phased, and we can flexibly adjust the construction speed according to the resource situation."
"What about ethical issues?" The chair of the Civilization Ethics Committee, an old lady with a kind face but sharp eyes, speaks up, "Entrusting the future of humanity entirely to an AI? 'Sowing' a new human civilization on an unknown planet? This involves many fundamental questions such as the definition of life and the sovereignty of civilization."
"Especially, if 'sowing' is successful, will the newly born civilization still be 'us'?"
This question goes straight to the core, cooling the lively atmosphere slightly.
Lin Mo shows great respect and deep thought regarding this: "Your question is crucial. First, the AI core will be strictly limited, and its primary principle is 'preservation and inheritance', not 'creation and dominance'."
"It will serve as the custodian and teacher of knowledge. The specific path of civilization reconstruction will be left to the human colonists who may wake up in the future, or chosen by the AI according to pre-set, diversified 'civilization reconstruction protocols' that have undergone global ethical review."
"The protocols will clearly respect the bottom lines of basic ethics such as respect for life, equality, and free exploration."
"Secondly, as for 'whether it will still be us'..." Lin Mo pauses, "Biologically, they are our descendants. In terms of civilization inheritance, they inherit all our history and knowledge."
"But they will inevitably develop their own culture and path in a brand-new environment. They are both our continuation and a brand-new beginning. Isn't this the very charm of civilization evolution?"
"What we are sowing are the roots and trunk of the 'tree of human civilization'. As for what kind of branches and leaves grow in the future, that will be determined by new sunlight and soil. What we must ensure is that this tree has the chance to grow again."
His answer is both rational and full of warmth, making the members of the Ethics Committee nod one after another.
A hint of relief appears on the old lady's face: "A very good answer. On behalf of the Ethics Committee, I agree to the plan in principle, but I require deep participation in the formulation of all protocols and the AI core's ethical guidelines."
"This is precisely an indispensable part of the plan." Lin Mo promises solemnly.
The biggest obstacle is cleared, and the meeting quickly turns to specific deployment.
The "sower project Joint Command" is established, with Lin Mo personally taking charge, and representatives from Elder Chen, the Academy of Sciences, the General Administration of Industry, the Ethics Committee, and others participating together.
The initial design of the first-phase prototype ship is named "Hope", and it starts immediately.
When the virtual meeting dissolves and Lin Mo's consciousness returns to his body in the "Ark" city, he feels an unprecedented complex emotion.
There is heaviness, because behind this plan is a direct confrontation with the worst-case scenario; there is hope, because the spark of civilization is about to be sent to the sea of stars; and there is a sense of mission that suddenly clears up—he must not only lead humanity to win the current war, but also pave a path for this civilization to a future that is billions of light-years away, extremely slim but truly existent.
Su Xiaowan has been waiting outside, and seeing him come out, she immediately hands him a cup of warm water.
"Is the meeting over? 'sower'... that's a really good name." She says softly, clearly having learned the summary of the meeting through her permissions.
Lin Mo takes the cup, takes a sip, and looks at the starry sky outside the dome: "Yes, sower. Scattering seeds into the darkness, I don't know which one will encounter light, nor do I know which one will eventually sprout. But as long as we scatter enough, and scatter them far enough... there will always be hope."
He taps his personal terminal and issues the first official command to "Fuxi": "Retrieve all redeemable items in the 'civilization leap system' technology tree regarding 'ultra-long-range life support systems', 'extreme environment gene preservation technology', and 'civilization database quantum super-compression algorithms', and evaluate the point requirements and prerequisites."
"At the same time, begin to preliminarily screen all star systems with potential rocky planets within 50-200 light-years from the Solar System and establish a 'sower target priority list'."
"Command received. Task established. Evaluating and screening..." "Fuxi"'s response is swift and precise.
The "sower" project, this massive machine concerning the ultimate backup of civilization, at this moment, officially presses the start button.
Its gears may turn slowly at first, but they will surely speed up with the accumulation of human determination and technology, eventually carrying all the weight and dreams of human civilization, breaking free from the gravity of the Solar System, and unhesitatingly plunging into that dark deep space full of unknowns and dangers... and also harboring infinite possibilities.
And at the same time as this project starts, that regularly pulsing "gravitational pulse" from the edge of the Kuiper Belt seems... to have increased by a trace of imperceptible signal strength.
As if the hunters in the dark have gradually decided a temporary winner and are casting their greedy eyes more clearly in the direction of the Solar System.