79: Chapter 78 The Reflection of Dawn

The 'Dawn' operation command center was secretly established within Ling Shu Base, codenamed 'Morning Star'.

A massive holographic star map occupied the entire wall, displaying the orbits of planets in the Solar System, space facilities, the location of the 'Cradle', predicted trajectories of the 'Pruning Faction' fleet, and the newly added coordinates of the seven Earth anchor points, forming a suffocating strategic network.

Lin Shen, Minister Li Weimin, Academician Chen Qiming, Dr. Zhou Zhe, Professor Chu Yunshen, and two core representatives of the Gardener 'Guardian Faction' (whose projections were now almost permanently stationed) sat around the star map.

Max Costa and Sarah, who was stabilized within the 'heart crystal' (connected via an encrypted consciousness link), also attended with special clearance.

'First, the 'Sky-Reaching' project.' Zhou Zhe pulled up the latest data. 'After seven hundred cross-simulation verifications with the 'Cradle' harmonics and known γ-07 anchor point frequencies, the new resonant tower harmonic scheme has been finalized, completely avoiding all known 'awakening frequency bands.'

The first batch of improved ground towers and 'Tianshu' receiving rings will be back online for testing in four weeks.

If successful, the initial material transport channel can be built within eight months.'

This was good news, providing logistical support for potential lunar operations and future defense.

'The core objective of Operation 'Dawn': dispatch a lean team to reach the cavity where the 'Cradle' is located at the lunar south pole, locate and enter the 'Chamber of Inheritance', and complete the 'Inheritor's Trial'.'

Lin Shen got straight to the point. 'The primary issue: personnel.'

'Candidates must meet several conditions.' Academician Chen Qiming listed the criteria. 'One, possess extremely strong consciousness stability and anti-interference capabilities, able to withstand the potential information pressure inside the 'Cradle'; two, have a considerable understanding of the 'sower' technology system; three, be able to make calm decisions in line with the overall interests of civilization in emergencies; four, physical condition capable of handling extreme lunar environment activities.'

'Chief Engineer Lin, you are the only choice.' Minister Li Weimin spoke bluntly. 'You are symbiotic with the technology tree system, your consciousness has been tested by multiple high-intensity connections, you have the deepest understanding of the 'sower' legacy, and you have always been the formulator of the overall strategy.

But you are the Commander-in-Chief, personally taking risks...'

'I must go.' Lin Shen's tone was calm and firm. 'The technology tree system may be the key to interacting with the deep protocols of the 'Cradle'.

Dr. Sarah is the 'key', but her current state cannot independently complete the trial; she needs guidance and support, and I am the person with the deepest consciousness connection to her and the most likely to understand the content of the trial.

A commander's responsibility is not to hide in the rear, but to appear at the most critical position at the most critical moment.'

Everyone was silent, knowing what he said was the truth.

'The team needs to be lean. I suggest Chief Engineer Lin serve as the leader and the core of the trial.' Academician Chen Qiming said.

'Additionally, equip: one top astronaut and security expert, responsible for spacecraft control, lunar surface activities, and emergency defense; one spiritual physics and consciousness technology expert, responsible for maintaining communication with the outside world and handling potential technical trial challenges; one optional medical or psychological support personnel.'

'For the astronaut, I recommend Zhao Yan.' Zhou Zhe proposed. 'A former ace pilot, high electromagnetic sensitivity might be useful in space environments, strong-willed, and participated in the consciousness network and 'Sky-Reaching' project, having an understanding of the overall situation.'

'As for the spiritual physics expert, Kevin Li or Dr. Elena Costa are both candidates.' Chen Qiming added.

'Kevin's consciousness tuning ability is stronger, Elena is more sensitive to spiritual rhythms and symbols.

Considering the trial may involve the consciousness level and ancient symbols, Elena might be slightly superior.'

'Medical support... Dr. Sarah's stable state requires continuous attention, perhaps Mr. Max Costa needs to accompany as an emotional anchor?' Professor Chu Yunshen looked at the cursors representing Max and Sarah.

Max's voice immediately sounded (he had been authorized to speak): 'I apply to join. Sarah needs me, and... I have extensive deep space mission experience.'

Sarah's gentle but firm consciousness signal came through: 'Max... thank you.

But your primary task is to ensure the absolute safety of the 'heart crystal' at the base.

Commander Lin Shen just needs to carry my core consciousness imprint into the 'Cradle'.

You stay in the rear, maintaining basic resonance with me, that is the greatest support.

And... it's too dangerous there, I don't want you...'

Max was silent, clearly struggling.

'Dr. Sarah is right.' Lin Shen made the decision.

'Mr. Max will stay at 'Spider Lily' to maintain Dr. Sarah's stability.

Zhao Yan, Dr. Elena Costa, and a top space medical expert will form a four-person team.

Myself, Zhao Yan, Elena, plus the medical expert.'

The personnel were preliminarily decided.

'The second issue: vehicle and method of entry.' Gardener Representative Qi intervened.

'The cavity where the 'Cradle' is located has a complex structure, and conventional landers are difficult to approach the core.

We suggest using a specially modified 'Stealth Shuttle' with short-range spiritual propulsion and strong stealth capabilities to sneak directly into the cavity from lunar orbit.

We can provide some stealth field technology and structural prediction maps of the interior of the cavity, but it is incomplete, and the risk is very high.'

'The third issue: communication and support.' Nuwa's voice sounded.

'Once entering the core area of the 'Cradle', especially the 'Chamber of Inheritance', real-time communication with Earth will very likely be interrupted.

We need to establish preset intermittent communication windows and emergency beacons.

At the same time, lunar orbit and Earth must be prepared to respond and deal with the 'Pruning Faction' taking the opportunity to make trouble.'

'The fourth issue: interference from the 'Pruning Faction'.' Minister Li Weimin looked grim.

'They cannot sit idly by and watch us enter the core of the 'Cradle'.

The infiltration probe was destroyed, they must have follow-up measures.

During the operation, it is our most vulnerable time.'

'Therefore, Operation 'Dawn' must be fast, accurate, and secretive.' Lin Shen summarized.

'We will set the operation time within one week after the successful safety restart test of the 'Sky-Reaching' project.

Use the initial transport capacity of 'Sky-Reaching' to secretly transport the parts of the 'Stealth Shuttle' and personnel to 'Kunlun' Station for final assembly.

The specific time window for the operation will be determined dynamically based on the energy activity on the surface of the 'Cradle' and the peripheral monitoring of the 'Pruning Faction'.'

'In addition, we need a 'feint'.' Academician Chen Qiming suddenly said.

'Create some technical activities or energy signals in other directions to attract the attention of the 'Pruning Faction' infiltration units, even if only temporarily.'

'Using γ-07 anchor points?' Zhou Zhe frowned. 'Too dangerous.'

'No, use the 'Star Ring'.' Lin Shen had an idea.

'Plan a medium-intensity, public 'consciousness network expansion experiment' aimed at enhancing the precision of spiritual sensing of the Martian orbit.

This is consistent with our stated direction of deep space exploration, the energy signal is enough to attract attention, and it is far from the moon.

Nuwa, design an experimental plan that looks 'ambitious' but is actually safe, and 'accidentally' let some monitoring data 'leak' out.'

'Understood. Bait plan generating.'

The meeting lasted for several hours, refining every step, deducing every accident.

The pressure was tangible, but the flames of determination burned in everyone's eyes.

After the meeting, Lin Shen stayed behind alone, looking at the silver-gray moon on the star map.

Sarah's consciousness signal gently touched his thoughts: 'Commander Lin Shen... 'Chamber of Inheritance'... I recalled more.

The entrance... might need to verify both 'key' and 'qualification' simultaneously.

The key is me, or the imprint I carry.

The qualification... might be the 'results' you bring.'

'Results?'

'Your understanding and application of s-07 protocol, the 'civilizational creativity and cohesion' you demonstrated in creating the 'heart crystal', your 'prudence and willingness to communicate' regarding the γ-07 anchor point... these may all be manifestations of 'qualification'.

The 'Cradle' is evaluating not only individual ability, but the 'character' and 'potential' of the entire civilization.'

The character of civilization.

This word touched Lin Shen's heart.

What the builders left behind was not just technical treasures, but a set of value standards for screening 'Inheritors'.

'I understand. We will bring the complete data of the 'heart crystal', the blueprints of 'Sky-Reaching', the protocol handshake records with γ-07... our civilization's 'answer sheet'.'

'Also...' Sarah's voice carried an indescribable emotion, 'Please be careful.

In the 'Chamber of Inheritance'... there is not only knowledge and trials.

There... is sealed a part of the builder civilization... 'memory and emotion'.

Glorious, painful, hopeful, despairing... direct contact with those is a huge shock to consciousness.'

'Thank you for the reminder, Dr. Sarah. We will be prepared.'

The following days flew by in high secrecy and efficient execution.

The 'Sky-Reaching' project safety restart test was successful in one go, the seven harmonics intersected perfectly in space, establishing a stable connection with the 'Tianshu' station.

A small equipment cabin was transported for the first test, at a cost of only three percent of a traditional rocket.

Although it would still take time for large-scale application, the channel was opened.

Zhao Yan, Elena Costa, and the selected medical expert (a senior space physiologist named Topologist) began high-intensity special training, covering spiritual environment adaptation, consciousness defense practice, crash courses on ancient symbols, and extreme training in a simulated 'Cradle' cavity environment.

The parts of the 'Stealth Shuttle' were quietly transported to the expanded 'Kunlun' Station via the 'Sky-Reaching' channel and secretly integrated in the lunar surface assembly plant.

The stealth field generator provided by the Gardener was carefully installed.

The 'Star Ring' 'bait experiment' started as planned, and indeed, subtle, non-natural probe fluctuations were detected on the periphery of the Solar System, attracted towards Mars.

Although it could not be determined whether it was the 'Pruning Faction', it at least distracted the other party's attention allocation.

And Sarah remained stable in the 'heart crystal', even occasionally able to actively guide Max, sorting out some fragmentary memories about the internal environment of the 'Chamber of Inheritance': endless corridors, floating light monuments, whispering star maps...

The eve of the operation.

Lin Shen was in his own rest cabin in Ling Shu, checking his personal equipment for the last time.

A lightweight and sturdy lunar protective suit, a helmet with an integrated spiritual sensor and consciousness buffer module, and a portable terminal deeply bound to the technology tree system.

He closed his eyes, and his consciousness sank into the technology tree interface.

The golden branches stretched out in his mind, many branches had been lit up, but higher up, it was still shrouded in fog.

He felt that this trip to the moon might allow this tree to grow to an unprecedented height, or... break it in the storm.

The communicator rang, it was Minister Li Weimin: 'All final checks completed.

The 'Stealth Shuttle' 'Chasing Light' is in perfect condition.

Personnel are ready.

Lunar orbit monitoring shows that the energy activity on the surface of the 'Cradle' is at its lowest point in the past three months, which may be the best window.

The peripheral signals of the 'Pruning Faction' are still held by the bait.

Comrade Lin Shen, Operation 'Dawn', can begin.'

Lin Shen opened his eyes, reflecting the cold moonlight of the Kunlun Mountains outside the cabin.

'Notify all units, Operation 'Dawn', start.

We... are going to take back the future that belongs to human civilization.'

Half an hour later, an unremarkable shuttle-shaped aircraft, looking like a lunar meteorite, slid quietly out of the shadow area of 'Kunlun' Station, its engines spraying a barely visible pale blue trail, heading silently and firmly towards the eternal shadow at the lunar south pole.

And behind them, under the night sky of Earth, the 'Star Ring' flowed with silver light, like a giant eye gazing.

The reflection has moved, and dawn is coming.