85: Chapter 84 The Star Ring Era
Earth, Ling Shu Base command center.
The massive holographic star map had been updated.
The pale golden light shield representing the "Planetary Sanctuary Protocol," centered on the lunar south pole, outlined a soft contour that almost completely enveloped the Moon.
The seven Earth anchor coordinates were still flickering, but one of them (Gabon γ-07) was marked with a new status: [Shallow Interaction Protocol established, dormant state].
In front of the screen, Minister Li Weimin, Academician Chen Qiming, Dr. Zhou, Chu Yunshen, as well as Gardener Representatives Qi and Cheng, were listening to the detailed report from Zhao Yan and Elena, who had just returned from the Moon (via an emergency launch shuttle).
Lin Shen and Medical Officer Lu Yunshan were still receiving restorative treatment in the medical unit inside the "Cradle" due to excessive consciousness load, but they were no longer in any serious danger.
"...In summary, the awakening of the 'Planetary Sanctuary Protocol' has bought us a crucial breathing space."
Zhao Yan's report was concise and powerful, but his eyes held a lingering exhaustion.
"It instantly cleared all infiltration units and established a stable defensive field around the Moon."
"According to data provided by the 'Cradle' system, this defensive field has near-absolute resistance to known attack methods of the 'Pruning Faction' (such as the Order Cutting Beam)."
"However, its energy consumption is immense, and it is currently only maintaining minimum operation using the Moon's own energy."
"What do you mean by 'minimum operation'?" Minister Li Weimin pressed.
"It can only ensure the safety of the 'Cradle' itself and the limited surrounding area; it cannot extend protection to the entire Moon, let alone cover the Earth-Moon space," Elena added.
"Moreover, the protocol explicitly indicates that its full functionality requires higher-level permissions and energy support. We have only obtained 'Visitor-level' basic control."
Academician Chen Qiming pulled up a set of data: "Based on the information Comrade Lin Shen shared before falling into a coma, and the 'Cradle' system logs, this 'Sanctuary Protocol' is likely one of the ultimate defensive measures set up by the builders to protect important 'sower' points."
"Its technical level far exceeds our current understanding and may even involve the definition and maintenance of fundamental local spacetime constants."
"In other words, we have a trump card in our hands, but most of it is still face-down, and it requires a massive amount of 'chips' (energy and permissions) to play," Minister Li Weimin summarized.
"Exactly so." The light and shadow of Gardener Representative Qi fluctuated.
"After the main fleet of the 'Pruning Faction' arrives, they will inevitably evaluate the 'Sanctuary Protocol'."
"If they judge that they cannot break through it head-on in the short term, they may adopt other strategies: long-term siege, cutting off energy, searching for protocol vulnerabilities, or... directly striking the foundation the protocol relies on—such as Earth."
Everyone's heart sank. Earth remained the largest and most vulnerable weak point.
"Therefore, our strategy must be adjusted." Dr. Zhou pointed to the star map.
"Based on the guidance of the s-07 protocol and the foundation of the 'Qingtian' Project, I propose launching the 'Star Ring Era' plan."
"The core goals are two: First, within the absolute defensive circle of the 'Sanctuary Protocol', with the 'Cradle' and 'Kunlun' station as the core, accelerate the construction of a lunar frontier fortress that integrates scientific research, manufacturing, and defense, serving as a forward base for dealing with the 'Pruning Faction' and a long-term observation station for the 'Reapers'."
"Second, utilize the 'Qingtian' channel to rapidly transfer Earth's industrial capacity and resources to the Moon, while simultaneously building multi-layer early warning and defense networks at Earth's synchronous orbit and Lagrange points, pushing the defense line as far out as possible."
"This will require unimaginable resource investment and global collaboration," Chu Yunshen reminded.
"But this is also the only way out." Minister Li Weimin swept his gaze over everyone.
"The 'Pruning Faction' fleet may arrive at the outermost early warning line in as little as five years."
"We do not have time for slow development. We must concentrate the strength of all humanity to fight a civilization-level survival war."
"The Council has preliminarily approved the 'Star Ring Era' as the highest national strategy. Next, we need to negotiate with all parties globally to establish a true 'Earth Federation' wartime system."
"The Gardener Civilization can provide some suggestions regarding technology transfer and energy harvesting." Gardener Representative Cheng stated.
"But we must warn that large-scale resource mobilization and engineering construction may attract the attention of other observers, including some neutral or as-yet-uncontacted Galactic civilizations."
Risks and opportunities coexist. But there was no turning back.
"Then draft a detailed plan as soon as possible." Minister Li Weimin made the final decision.
"Dr. Zhou, you are responsible for the technical route and engineering planning."
"Academician Chen, coordinate the 'Spark Project' network and consciousness technology research, looking for ways to improve interaction permissions with the 'Sanctuary Protocol'."
"Chu Yunshen, continue to dig deeper into Earth's anchor points and related mythological clues; any information regarding the builders' energy technology or protocol vulnerabilities could be crucial."
"Gardener Representatives, please provide a detailed evaluation report on the conventional tactics and equipment of the 'Pruning Faction' main fleet as soon as you know them."
The orders were issued, and the massive machine began to roar once again.
But unlike the past, this time, it was driven not just by technical ambition or national competition, but by the most primitive survival instinct of the entire species.
Moon, inside the "Cradle" medical unit.
Lin Shen slowly woke up in a warm, life-filled energy embrace.
This was not a traditional medical pod, but a spherical space filled with a soft, milky-white halo; he was floating in the center with no physical support beneath him.
The fatigue of his body and the stinging sensation in his consciousness had greatly eased, replaced by a strange sense of peace that merged with the surrounding environment.
"You're awake." Sarah's voice sounded directly in his heart, clearer and more stable than ever, as if she were whispering right beside him.
"This is one of the 'Cradle's' life support cores; it used stored 'Life Lingzi' to help you repair the subtle damage at the consciousness level."
Lin Shen tried to move his fingers and felt fine. "Dr. Sarah, how are you feeling?"
"Very well. The deep connection between the 'heart crystal' and the 'Cradle' has allowed me to recover many memories and... abilities."
Sarah's consciousness carried a hint of complex emotion. "I can now perceive the status of the 'Sanctuary Protocol' more clearly and can mobilize its non-combat functions to a limited extent."
"More importantly... I remember more about the 'Inheritor Trial'."
"Oh?" Lin Shen's spirits lifted.
"The complete trial is divided into three stages." Sarah recounted slowly.
"The first stage, 'Civilization Mindset', you have already passed."
"The second stage, 'Technical Creation and Crisis Response', the behavior you demonstrated in the defensive battle of 'guiding the dormant process' may have already been partially met, but it has not yet been formally triggered."
"The third stage... 'Civilization Choice', that will be the most difficult hurdle."
"It usually involves making major choices about the entire development path of a civilization in extreme situations; there is often no absolute right or wrong, only costs."
"Where is the third stage conducted? What conditions are needed to trigger it?"
"The location is deeper in the 'Chamber of Inheritance', a place known as the 'Sanctuary of Choice'."
"The trigger condition... seems to require the 'Sanctuary Protocol' to reach a certain operating threshold, and have at least two 'High-level Candidates' present."
Sarah paused for a moment. "Lin Shen, I believe you are already a 'High-level Candidate'. But we need another one... perhaps Max, or perhaps... someone else with a special resonance with the 'sower' heritage."
Max? Lin Shen thought of that persistent and affectionate Imperial Command Chief.
He did have a deep emotional link with Sarah, but was this enough to constitute "Candidate" eligibility?
"Additionally," Sarah's tone became serious, "in my recovered memories, I found more information about Earth's seven anchor points."
"They are not just as simple as 'Planetary Defense Nodes'."
"In the builders' planning, they are a single entity, known as the 'Gaia Watcher Network'."
"When all seven anchor points are activated in the correct way and operate in coordination, they can generate a kind of... 'Planetary Consciousness Resonance Field', which can greatly strengthen the 'Sanctuary Protocol', and may even unlock some special functions against cosmic-level threats like the 'Reapers'."
"But the consequences of incorrect activation are also more severe than we imagined—it could lead to an imbalance in Earth's own geological structure, or... attract something even worse."
"Something even worse?"
"Some... 'Scavenger'-type sub-intelligent entities that wander the universe, feeding on 'disordered Lingzi' and 'fragmented civilization information'."
"the builders seem to have been avoiding them as well." Sarah's voice carried a hint of imperceptible fear.
The information was more shocking than the last. Lin Shen took a deep breath, trying to digest it.
Earth's seven anchor points were actually related to the ultimate strengthening of the entire defense system and also hid even greater risks.
"We need to safely explore the other six anchor points as soon as possible." Lin Shen made a judgment.
"But before that, we must prioritize ensuring the construction of the Lunar Fortress and the consolidation of Earth's defense line."
"The 'Pruning Faction' will not give us much time."
"Yes. Also..." Sarah seemed a bit hesitant.
"'The 'Cradle' system, after I recovered partial permissions, showed me a... 'Appointment Information'."
"An appointment?"
"From the 'Emerging Civilization Observation and Liaison Office' under the Galactic Civilization Council." Sarah's tone was full of disbelief.
"The information was sent seven years ago, but it was only triggered by the specific spectral fluctuations generated by the awakening of the 'Sanctuary Protocol'."
"They... have made an appointment in 'about one standard Galactic year (about 1.1 Earth years)' to send a 'Liaison' to the Solar System to conduct a 'preliminary contact assessment' of human civilization."
Lin Shen was stunned. Galactic Civilization Council? A liaison? At a critical juncture when the "Pruning Faction" army was pressing down and the shadow of the "Reapers" was looming?
Was this an opportunity to provide help in a time of need, or a variable that would add fuel to the fire?
"Is the information credible? Do the Gardeners know?"
"'The 'Cradle's' protocol verification shows the information is authentic. The Gardeners... I am not sure if they are aware, or if this is a direct arrangement by a higher-level council bypassing them," Sarah replied.
A troubled time. Lin Shen felt his nerves, which had just relaxed, tighten again.
Internal and external troubles, surrounded by powerful enemies, and now a mysterious "Galactic Council Liaison" coming to visit.
He slowly descended from the floating state and stood on the milky-white "floor".
His body was still a bit weak, but his will had become as hard as steel again.
"Dr. Sarah, please encrypt the intelligence on the 'Gaia Watcher Network' and the 'Galactic Council Liaison' and sync it to the Earth Ling Shu Base."
"Also, prepare a preliminary proposal on how to safely improve interaction permissions with the 'Sanctuary Protocol'."
"What are you going to do?" Sarah asked.
"Go see our 'fortress'." Lin Shen looked toward the exit of the medical unit, where the soft light screen was slowly parting.
"Then, we need to hold a meeting. A meeting that will decide the fate of human civilization for the next five years, or even fifty years."
The Star Ring had already risen.
The era was changing.
And humanity, at the center of the storm, must make the most correct choice during this brief and precious moment of respite.