208: What is the test in Chapter 208?
"Deep Perspective Scanning" — the term struck like an ice pick into the nerve endings of everyone in the command hall of the "Ark" city.
On the right side of the star map, the dark red dots representing the four "Scavenger-Type 7" units did not accelerate, but ripples of pale red light, visible to the naked eye and representing scanning beams, diffused around them, spreading and permeating toward the interior of the Solar System at the speed of light.
This was no longer the regular "pulse" signal from before; it was a more active, more aggressive form of probing, as if four cold eyes were inspecting the entire Solar System inch by inch, from the Kuiper Belt objects on the outer edge to the satellite groups of the gas giants, then to every planet and asteroid in the inner Solar System, right down to the core—Earth, the Moon, the Mars base, and all the human creations and life activities running frantically upon them.
"Report on the scanning penetration! Evaluate the effectiveness of all camouflage and shielding measures!" Lin Mo ordered immediately, his voice steady, though his clenched fists betrayed his inner tension.
"The scanning beams contain complex frequencies we have never seen before, with extremely high penetration power!" The monitoring supervisor's voice carried a hint of disbelief. "The lunar soil shielding layer of the 'Guanghan Palace' base has been partially penetrated, and there is a risk of exposure for internal energy activities and structural outlines! The optical camouflage and electromagnetic shielding effects of the 'War God' shipyard in Mars orbit have decayed by about 40%! Earth... Earth's atmosphere and ionosphere have an attenuating effect on some low-frequency scans, but the medium-to-high-frequency scanning beams are seeping in. The energy signatures of major global industrial zones, fusion power stations, and the 'Ark' city itself are being continuously collected!"
"They are looking at our 'muscles' and 'bones'," a military analyst said, his face pale, "and they are also counting our 'heartbeats' and 'breaths'."
"system, analyze the scanning pattern! Infer their intent and evaluation criteria!" Lin Mo said in a deep voice.
"Analyzing..." The electronic voice of the "system" seemed to take on a faster computational rhythm. "The scanning beams are focused on the following characteristics: large-scale energy fusion signatures ('Jinwu' power stations), quantum information network node density ('Mozi Network'), gravitational anomaly points ('shadow catcher' laboratory and 'Taishan' gravity simulator), large-scale biomass aggregation and metabolic activity patterns (population centers and ecological zones), industrial manufacturing activity intensity and distribution, military defense facility density and energy readings..."
It paused, seemingly integrating more complex information: "...At the same time, the scan includes shallow sampling analysis of electromagnetic communication information streams, trajectory tracking of surface and near-Earth orbit object movement patterns, and comprehensive recording of environmental parameters such as solar radiation intensity and solar wind activity. Preliminary inference: the purpose of this stage of scanning is to establish a complete 'physical examination report' of the target system (the Solar System civilization), assessing its level of technological development, scale of resource utilization, social organizational complexity, degree of militarization, environmental adaptability, and... potential internal conflicts and unstable factors."
"Internal conflicts and unstable factors..." Old Chen repeated the words, his aged face clouded over. "They even want to evaluate this? Can our previous efforts at unity be 'seen' by them?"
"Very likely, they have their own set of algorithms." Dr. Elena Chen interjected, having rushed over from the analysis team. "Since 'symbiotic potential' is a key criterion, a civilization that is internally divided and full of strife clearly does not fit the definition of 'non-predatory' and 'stable symbiosis'. Conversely, a civilization capable of integrating resources, jointly responding to crises, and demonstrating high internal coordination might receive 'positive correction parameters' in their evaluation—if our previous speculations are correct."
Just then, an officer responsible for monitoring specific frequency bands suddenly exclaimed: "Captured an abnormal secondary signal! It's coming from the scanning beam itself! When the scan swept over the assembly airspace of the 'soaring heavens' and the 'North Heaven Gate' fleet, a faint, directional feedback signal encoding was detected! The 'system' is attempting to decrypt it!"
Everyone's heart tightened. Could the "Scavenger" not only be observing but also engaging in some kind of "unilateral" communication, or... testing, with the human fleet?
A few seconds later, a short, highly formatted message was decrypted and projected onto a corner of the main screen:
【Detected concentrated defensive unit cluster. Energy signature: Above average. Organizational pattern: Highly coordinated. Tactical intent simulation deduction: In progress. Threat level assessment: Updating.】
The information was cold, objective, like a combat AI evaluating a target.
"They... they analyzed us as a defense system that needs to have its 'threat level' assessed." Long Zhantian gritted his teeth, anger burning in his eyes. "'Tactical intent simulation deduction'... they are even predicting how we will fight!"
"This shows they are not completely ignoring our resistance." Lin Mo's eyes flashed. "'Threat level assessment' will directly affect their 'purification' strategy. If the defensive power we demonstrate is strong enough, they might adjust their attack patterns, or even... trigger a deeper level of 'evaluation'?"
"But what kind of 'display' counts as passing the 'test'?" Su Xiaowan couldn't help but ask, which was also the biggest mystery in everyone's mind. "Is it purely showing powerful force to prove we aren't to be trifled with? Or must we demonstrate some kind of... peaceful, non-aggressive posture? But if we show weakness, won't they just classify us as an easier target to eliminate? This is a paradox!"
The command hall fell into confusion again. This was the cruelty of the "cosmic filter"—the standards are vague, the rules are unclear, yet you must struggle to survive within them.
Lin Mo closed his eyes, forcing himself to detach from the chaotic information and emotions. He traced back every word of the "Watchers broadcast," combined with the "Scavenger's" current action pattern.
"...Prove 'non-predatory civilization symbiotic potential'... evidence must be presented within the 'Scavenger' contact evaluation period..."
"...'orchard' out of control... 'gardener' sleeping... 'Scavenger' sequence still executing final orders..."
"...Only known exemption path..."
His thinking, like a precision scalpel, stripped away layers of mist.
"I have a hypothesis," Lin Mo slowly opened his eyes, his gaze shining with insight. "This 'test' might never have been an 'exam paper' actively set by the 'Watchers' civilization. The broadcast says it very clearly: 'The test was not set by us, but is the universe's own filter.' What is the universe's 'filter'? Perhaps it is some kind of... invisible screening mechanism based on the universal laws of civilization development."
He paced to the star map, pointing at the human facilities being covered by the scanning beams: "The 'Watchers' civilization may have merely observed the existence of this mechanism—that is, when a civilization masters 'dangerous technology' (such as gravity manipulation, dimensional cognition) capable of affecting the galaxy or even the universe, if its internal ethics, social structure, and civilizational will cannot match this power, and cannot lead to 'symbiosis' and 'order,' then that civilization will most likely self-destruct, or trigger catastrophic consequences during its expansion, eventually being eliminated by a more powerful force (which could be the laws of the universe itself, or other mechanisms). This is the 'filter'."
"So," Old Chen seemed to understand, "the 'Watchers' civilization created the 'Scavengers,' not to actively 'test' other civilizations, but to 'pre-emptively' execute this 'filter's' elimination function? To 'purify' those 'potential chaotic factors' they deem 'unqualified' and likely to cause chaos in the future, before they cause greater harm?"
"This is a kind of extreme arrogance, but it may also stem from their own paranoid pursuit of 'order,' or... they have witnessed too many tragedies caused by power and wisdom being mismatched." Lin Mo nodded. "Therefore, the core of the 'Scavenger's' evaluation may not be looking at how peaceful or warlike we are 'now,' but evaluating whether our overall 'development trajectory' and 'civilizational will,' as a civilization that has mastered 'dangerous technology,' points toward a sustainable, non-predatory future."
He turned to the crowd, his tone becoming clearer: "That is to say, the 'test' is not an instant reaction test, but a 'comprehensive diagnosis' based on our entire civilizational history, current status, and future potential. Our history is full of strife—that's a deduction. But our ability to unite rapidly under external threats and integrate globally—that might be an addition. We are currently preparing for war frantically, showing strong defensive will and organizational ability; this is both a threat and could also be seen as a 'self-protective,' responsible civilizational trait—if we do not abuse this power."
"Then, the key point is," Dr. Elena Chen's eyes lit up, "how do we 'prove' to them that our power is for protection and symbiosis, not plunder and destruction? While we are forced to fight them?"
"This is perhaps the subtlety of the 'contact evaluation period'." Lin Mo's gaze became profound. "Our way of fighting, the way we treat our own people (such as the ethical constraints of the 'Prometheus' project), the way we treat the defeated or potential allies (such as accepting the North American Affiliated Zone), and even the 'Spark' project we still retain during the war... all these details might be being observed, recorded, and analyzed. What they want to see is not whether we can fight, but how we define victory in a desperate situation where we 'have to fight,' how we treat life (including the enemy's, if we can understand them), and whether there is still a brilliance belonging to 'civilization' in our hearts that transcends survival itself."
This explanation concretized the vague "test" into every choice and every detail of the civilization under extreme pressure. This did not reduce the pressure, but instead made every minute, every second, and every decision weigh as heavy as a thousand jun.
"So, we not only have to win," Su Xiaowan murmured, "but also... fight 'beautifully'? Fight with 'style'? Show our humanity to a group of cold machines?"
"It's ironic, but it might be the only way to survive." Lin Mo said decisively. "Therefore, all subsequent combat orders must include a supreme principle: on the premise of ensuring survival and defense effectiveness, do everything possible to demonstrate our civilization's unity, resilience, respect for life (even the enemy's, if possible), and the restraint of never initiating meaningless destruction. We must turn this unavoidable war into a grand display of 'what humanity is'!"
This order was extremely difficult, and might even tie the hands of the frontline soldiers. But in the face of that vague yet potentially fatal "cosmic filter," this might be the last "impression score" the human civilization can fight for itself.
"Warning!" The monitoring supervisor exclaimed again. "The first stage of deep scanning is over! The signal strength of the four 'Scavenger-Type 7' units has undergone a step-change! High-energy particle streams detected beginning to condense in front of them! According to energy signature matching... suspected second stage of 'purification protocol' — 'targeted suppression and paralysis strike' preparation! Target... targets prioritized as: the largest identified energy sources and defense nodes!"
On the star map, several thin but terrifying bright red targeting lines extended from the front of the four dark red dots, pointing respectively at the fusion reactor of the Moon's "Guanghan Palace" base, several major defense platforms in Earth orbit, and... the "Ark" city itself!
The cold evaluation seemed to have come to an end, and the "surgical" strike based on the preliminary "physical examination report" was about to begin.
The second part of the "test" arrived in the most direct and violent way.
Lin Mo straightened his back, his eyes burning like torches, his voice spreading throughout the command network:
"Attention everyone! The 'Scavenger' has entered the attack preparation stage! Counterattack according to the established defense plan! Remember—hold the position, protect the people, strike back precisely, avoid collateral damage to innocent celestial bodies! Let them see that the human shield is not only hard, but also... has temperature!"
The test is happening right now.