56: Chapter 56 The Concept of a Space Energy Hub
Inside the "Zhu Long" safe house, a 3D model of the sharp "sky patrol" fighter was slowly rotating on the holographic projection in front of Lin Mo. His gaze, however, was not entirely focused on it; instead, it pierced through this soon-to-be-formed aerial blade, casting toward a deeper and more vast location.
Just now, he had completed the final verification of the "sky patrol" fighter's energy core—a miniaturized "Jin Wu" fusion adapter. The sense of nearly infinite, stable, and surging power brought by fusion energy made a long-brewing concept in his mind become increasingly clear and urgent.
With a gentle wave of his hand, the model of the "sky patrol" fighter quietly faded away, replaced by a magnificent star map of the Solar System, in which the Blue Star's orbit was highlighted.
"The energy problem on the ground has been solved, even to the point of being 'surplus'," Lin Mo whispered to himself. Thanks to the success of "Jin Wu," energy prices within the Dragon Kingdom were low enough to be negligible, and supercharging networks spanned the entire country. But the vast majority of this powerful energy was still confined to the planetary surface, used to drive vehicles, light up cities, and run factories.
In Lin Mo's view, this was a "luxurious waste." The system's warning hung over his heart like the Sword of Damocles. The "reaper" probe hidden in the shadows of the Oort Cloud, and the potentially powerful civilization behind it, were the true threats. The Blue Star civilization could not be satisfied with merely enjoying energy dividends on the ground; it had to set its sights on the stars, establishing true strategic depth and a defense system.
And all of this required a more massive and efficient energy support—a space energy hub that did not rely on atmospheric shielding and could directly harness the power of the stars.
His consciousness sank into the system interface, quickly browsing the technology tree. Under the [Stellar-Level Energy Application] branch, an icon that had previously appeared dim due to insufficient points and basic conditions was now radiating an enticing light—[Orbital Energy Relay Station (Primary)].
Its core concept was bold and advanced: deploying "Solar Energy Collection Arrays" composed of several huge, thin, special thin-film materials in Blue Star's geosynchronous orbit. These arrays could efficiently capture solar radiation energy around the clock and convert it into electricity. Through the high-efficiency wireless energy transmission technology provided by "Patriot X," based on the principle of quantum entanglement, these massive amounts of energy would be precisely transmitted to ground receiving stations with extremely low loss, or... directly supplied to orbiting spacecraft, space stations, and even future deep-space probes.
What did this mean?
It meant that the Dragon Kingdom would possess a "Space-Based Energy Power Station" that would never run dry and was unaffected by weather or seasons, with an output power far exceeding the sum of all fusion power stations on the ground!
It meant that the future "sky patrol" fleet could obtain nearly infinite energy supplies in low Earth orbit and even further away, truly achieving long-term presence and rapid mobility!
It meant paving a solid energy supply path for the potential construction of a Moon Base, Mars outposts, and even more distant deep-space exploration!
This was the true cornerstone for responding to future interstellar crises and ensuring the continuation of the sparks of civilization!
Lin Mo's heart rate accelerated slightly. Once this vision was realized, the Dragon Kingdom would completely break free from the shackles of planetary energy and truly become the prototype of a "stellar-level civilization" capable of utilizing the energy of an entire star!
He immediately took action. Instead of directly redeeming the complete technology (which required an astronomical number of points), he first spent 500 points to redeem the [Basic Theory and Feasibility Analysis Report for Orbital Energy Relay Stations]. He needed to let the country's decision-makers understand and accept this concept that transcended the era.
He quickly organized and simplified the knowledge instilled by the system, writing a logically rigorous, data-rich, yet highly forward-looking and provocative report titled "Strategic Concept and Preliminary Technical Demonstration for Constructing the 'Xihe Base' Space-Based Energy Network."
In the report, he emphasized its irreplaceable nature for the national deep-space strategy, the ultimate guarantee of energy security, and for dealing with "future uncertain risks."
After completion, he sent out this report, which could once again change the fate of the Dragon Kingdom, through Su Xiaowan's encrypted channel. This time, he did not remain completely anonymous; at the end of the report, he left a short sentence:
"This is a necessity for facing the future. —Patriot X"
He wanted to know if anyone at the national level possessed the same foresight and courage to embrace this broader sea of stars.
Almost at the same time the report was sent, within the "Qian Long" base, Elder Chen and several core strategic experts looked at this proposal named the "Xihe Base" space-based energy network and fell into a long silence. The concepts in the report were so advanced that they needed to read it repeatedly to understand its full implications.
"Directly... obtaining energy from space? Wireless transmission?" an expert murmured. "This... this is simply a myth!"
Elder Chen's eyes grew brighter and brighter, and he suddenly slapped the table: "No! This isn't a myth! This is the next step 'Patriot X' has pointed out for us! On the ground, we have already lit the sun; next, it's time to embrace the real sun!"
He immediately realized that the value of this proposal was not even inferior to the original "Jin Wu" blueprint! It concerned the elevation of the civilization level!
"Report to Supreme Command Headquarters immediately! Initiate the pre-research and feasibility demonstration for the 'Xihe Base' space-based energy network!" Elder Chen's voice trembled with excitement. "We are going to build the power station in the sky!"
Meanwhile, in the safe house, Lin Mo watched the small amount of points rewarded by the system for submitting a major strategic proposal and the increase in the hidden attribute [Civilization Vision], a slight smile playing on his lips.
The seed had been sown. Next, before the blade of the enemy's "Dragon Slaying" fell, he would have the "sky patrol" fighter soaring in the sky as soon as possible and prepare the first cornerstone for that "Xihe Base" hub hanging high above the nine heavens.
His journey had never been just about the land beneath his feet, but the brilliant and infinite sea of stars.