89: Chapter 88 The Road of Harmonics
Inside the deep computing core of the "Cradle," the "Harmonic Path" simulation had been running for seventy-two hours.
In the massive virtual space, models representing Earth, the Moon, seven anchor points, the "Qingtian" channel, and that ghostly turbulent zone were being simulated with extreme precision according to celestial mechanics, psionic dynamics, and the "Gaia Network background harmonics" data provided by Sarah.
Lin Shen, Elena, Zhou Zhe (remotely connected), and the consciousness projection of Gardener Representative Qi were floating at the edge of the virtual space, watching the simulation process.
Their goal was to find a precise time window and a "Qingtian" harmonic modulation scheme that could utilize the gravity-psionic coupling effect generated during specific lunar phases to resonate with the Gaia Network's background harmonics, thereby temporarily "soothing" or "bypassing" that spatial turbulence zone.
"Simulation Result A-37: When the Moon reaches perigee and forms a 19.7-degree angle with the Sun-Earth line, emitting 'Qingtian' harmonics with a center frequency offset of +0.03% and Phase Modulation Mode 7, the turbulence core's predicted activity drops by 41% for a duration of approximately 23 minutes," Nuwa's voice reported in the virtual space.
"23 minutes... only enough for one medium-sized cargo pod to pass through," Zhou Zhe frowned. "And the success rate is only 78%. We need a longer window and higher stability."
"Continue optimization. Incorporate the latest turbulent microstructure data detected by 'Scavenger-1' and attempt asymmetric multi-band composite modulation," Lin Shen instructed.
The simulation continued, with massive data streams washing over the simulation space.
Meanwhile, in the real world, "Scavenger-2" and "Scavenger-3" satellites were launched into orbit one after another, joining the monitoring network for the turbulence zone and Earth's psionic background field, providing more real-time and refined data feedback.
Five days later, after thousands of simulation iterations and real-world data calibration, the first feasible version of the "Harmonic Path" plan was finally released:
Action window: In 27 hours and 37 minutes, the Moon will reach a special "four-body gravitational resonance" weak node (Earth, Moon, Sun, Jupiter). At this time, specific harmonic components in Earth's psionic background field will reach a local minimum, while the "stable anchor" component in the Gaia Network background harmonics will be relatively prominent.
Modulation scheme: The "Qingtian" harmonics will use a three-band composite mode; the main frequency band will be synchronized with the Gaia "stable anchor" harmonics, and the two auxiliary frequency bands will be used to cancel out the two main unstable modes of the turbulence zone.
Expected effect: The overall activity of the turbulence zone is predicted to drop by 67%, and a "relatively safe corridor" about 1.5 kilometers wide with a predicted stability time of about 1.2 hours will appear in the core area.
Success rate: Simulation predicts 89.7%.
"This is still a gamble," Minister Li Weimin said in a deep voice after hearing the report at Earth's spiritual pivot. "But the 'Star Ring Era' cannot wait. I authorize the first field test of the 'Harmonic Path.' The cargo pod should be loaded with non-critical supplies, and be prepared to abandon or execute emergency evasion at any time."
The order was issued.
At the Jiuquan base, a "Xuan Niao-Modified" cargo pod with a reinforced structural design was pushed onto the launch pad, loaded with replaceable standardized building material modules needed for the Lunar Fortress.
On the Moon, at the "Cradle" control center, Lin Shen was personally in command.
Sarah was deeply connected to the "Cradle" system via the "heart crystal," responsible for real-time fine-tuning of harmonic output to cope with potential unmodeled disturbances.
Elena was monitoring the dynamics of the psionic field in the entire Earth-Moon space.
Zhao Yan was on standby at the "Kunlun" station, ready to activate lunar defenses to escort the test if necessary.
The countdown hit zero.
"Launch!"
The "Xuan Niao-Modified" soared into the sky, quickly breaking through the atmosphere and entering the guidance range of the "Qingtian" channel.
"Activate the 'Harmonic Path' modulation scheme. Increase resonance tower power to 85%," Lin Shen calmly ordered.
Seven precisely modulated psionic harmonics rose from the ground, converging in space into a pale blue superfluid beam.
This time, the luster of the superfluid beam seemed "denser" and more "tame" than before, and its core frequency resonated subtly with the invisible Gaia Network background harmonics in the void.
The cargo pod was pulled and began to climb along the superfluid beam.
Everyone held their breath, staring fixedly at the monitoring screens.
For the first ten minutes, everything went smoothly.
The cargo pod accelerated steadily, and the energy readings of the turbulence zone showed that its activity was slowly decreasing as predicted.
However, just as the cargo pod was about to enter the entrance of the predicted "safe corridor," a sudden change occurred!
"Warning! Unexpected spatial curvature tremor detected! Origin... not the turbulence zone, but the other side of Earth's synchronous orbit, coordinates XXX, YYY!" Elena shouted suddenly.
Almost simultaneously, the "Scavenger-2" satellite transmitted an emergency image: In the void far from the "Qingtian" channel and the turbulence zone, a small patch of space rippled like a water surface struck by a pebble, creating an almost imperceptible ripple.
At the center of the ripple, an extremely small but structurally complex silver-white object flashed and disappeared, as if it had never existed.
"What is that?!" Zhou Zhe gasped.
"It's it! The target pointed to by the hyperspace jump beacon residue corresponding to the fluctuations fifteen light-years away!" The light and shadow of Gardener Representative Qi flickered violently. "Something just completed an ultra-short-range, ultra-high-precision micro-spatial jump and appeared there! It is observing us!"
The sudden appearance of this unknown observer had the direct consequence of disturbing the already fragile local spatial structure.
The psionic field at the edge of the "Qingtian" superfluid beam was perturbed, and a secondary mode of the turbulence zone that had been suppressed was accidentally excited. A small vortex of chaotic energy burst out and lunged straight at the cargo pod!
"The cargo pod is encountering lateral disturbance! orbit deviated by 0.7 degrees!" the controller exclaimed.
"Sarah! Adjust the harmonic phase urgently to cancel the interference!" Lin Shen ordered urgently.
Sarah was fully focused, her consciousness integrated with the "Cradle" and the "heart crystal." With speed far exceeding a computer, she instantly calculated the characteristics of the interference source and the optimal cancellation scheme.
The phase of the main harmonic was fine-tuned in milliseconds, and the power allocation of the two auxiliary frequency bands was re-optimized.
The superfluid beam "twisted" barely a few hundred meters away from the cargo pod, forming a soft energy arc that pushed away and dissipated the surging vortex.
The cargo pod narrowly returned to its intended orbit, but the hull sustained additional stress, and some external sensors were damaged due to overload.
"The entrance to the safe corridor is right ahead! Accelerate through!"
Under the traction of the corrected superfluid beam, the cargo pod plunged into the predicted relatively calm area.
Monitoring data showed that the surrounding turbulence activity had indeed dropped significantly.
The next fifty minutes were the smoothest period of operation for the "Qingtian" channel in history.
The cargo pod successfully crossed the most dangerous area, entered the stable climbing stage, and was finally successfully captured and unloaded by the "Tianshu" station.
The first field test of the "Harmonic Path" — success!
Although the process was thrilling and exposed the existence of an unknown observer, humanity had finally found a way to safely use the "Qingtian" channel!
This meant that large-scale, high-efficiency Earth-Moon material transfer became possible, and the biggest bottleneck of the "Star Ring Era" plan had been broken!
However, the joy did not last long.
"The 'Cradle' system recorded the complete energy signature of that brief spatial jump," Sarah's voice carried a hint of gravity. "After preliminary comparison, its jump core protocol... is significantly different from the technology commonly used by the 'Pruning Faction,' and instead has a 31% similarity to the characteristics of a certain 'covert action unit' recorded in the early technical archives of some ancient member civilizations of the 'Galactic Council'."
"Galactic Council?" Lin Shen's heart tightened. "Is it an advance reconnaissance unit sent by 'Stargazer 742' in advance? Or... other forces within the Council interested in us?"
"It cannot be determined. But it is certain that there is one more 'audience member' in the Solar System. And this one seems to prefer hiding behind the scenes," Gardener Representative Cheng said. "Its jump accuracy is extremely high, and its stealth is extremely strong. If it weren't for this accident disturbing the spatial structure, we might not have discovered it at all."
With an extra hidden observer, the situation became even more confusing.
"Continue to promote the normalization of the 'Harmonic Path,' but every operation must strengthen spatial monitoring and rapid response preparations," Lin Shen deployed. "At the same time, synchronize the intelligence on the unknown jumper to Earth and the Gardener. The 'Welcome' contingency plan needs to add chapters for dealing with 'informal contact' or 'covert observation'."
He walked to the observation window of the console and looked at the starry sky.
Behind the pitch-black curtain, it seemed as if countless eyes were peeping. Some carried scissors (Pruning Faction), some carried measuring gauges (Galactic Council), and some had unknown motives.
Humanity was like a new actor in the center of the stage, under the glare of strong lights, struggling to perform a play called "Civilization Survival."
And in the audience, the composition was complex, with different thoughts.
"We don't have time to pay attention to all the audience members," Lin Shen whispered to himself, his eyes becoming firm again. "We just need to play our own roles well, make ourselves strong enough, attractive enough, let those audience members with goodwill be willing to applaud, and let those audience members with malice... not dare to easily step onto the stage."
The channel had been opened.
The road ahead was still dangerous.
But humanity could finally start running towards the stars with all its might.