132: A new beginning

Before the Kari People could react from that fleeting "hallucination," the hermes was already quietly hovering at the edge of Earth's synchronous orbit.

For the dozen or so Kari scientists inside the cabin, the scene before them was not just a visual impact, but a spiritual baptism, a subversion of their narrow cognition over the past few decades.

"This is truly... truly spectacular!"

The youngest materials scientist, Kul, had his entire body pressed against the warm, transparent material of the porthole. His four palms were unconsciously pressing against the window surface, and his large vertical pupils were dilated to the limit, as if he wanted to swallow everything before him into his mind.

What was in front of him was not a lonely space station, but a space architectural complex in the true sense, a steel miracle hovering above the sky.

Forty-plus years is but a blink of an eye for the universe, but for Human Civilization, which possesses the attribute of a "infrastructure fanatic" and is in an era of technological explosion, it has already been a sea change.

Today's Babel Tower is no longer the single silver-white ring it once was. It has undergone round after round of expansion, like a giant metal tree growing wildly in a vacuum, constantly extending new branches in all directions.

The original core residential ring is now just a node in the inner layer. On its periphery, it connects to six massive secondary functional modules via several high-strength alloy passages and maglev tracks several kilometers long.

Some modules are fully enclosed heavy industrial foundries, where countless robotic arms spit out plasma sparks, casting oversized components that can only be formed in space in a zero-gravity environment; some modules are huge translucent ecological domes, lush with greenery, simulating the natural environments of Earth's different climate zones—those are space resorts for the rich and breeding bases for rare plants; others are military exclusion zones filled with countless antennas and radar arrays, which are the command hubs for the Human Federation's Starrealm Army.

This massive complex rotates slowly in the embrace of Earth's gravity, and the centrifugal force it generates provides a comfortable gravity environment for the interior. Countless signal lights, floodlights, and holographic billboards flicker in every corner of the complex, decorating this pitch-black void like a bustling night city.

But this was not what surprised the Kari People the most.

What made them feel their own insignificance was the dazzlingly busy traffic network.

"Look there! That ship... it's even larger than our largest surface warship!" a kari astronomer exclaimed, pointing into the distance.

In the outer starport area of Babel Tower, hundreds of ships were entering and exiting like bees returning to their hive.

There were heavy mining barges fully loaded with rare ores from the asteroid belt. Their rough, thick hulls were covered in traces of meteorite impacts and interstellar dust, exuding the rugged beauty unique to industrial civilization.

There were also private ships and business shuttles with elegant, high-end designs and luxurious paint jobs—those were the vehicles of interstellar trade giants and high-ranking government officials.

As for those painted deep gray and equipped with weapons, they were the patrol ships of the Starrealm Army, moving through the flow of ships like a pack of sheepdogs, maintaining order in this busy airspace.

Unlike the occasional launch of rockets and probes for scientific research missions in the past, this was true life, the prosperous norm after civilization entered the interstellar era.

"Is this what an interstellar civilization looks like?" Walker Tala muttered to himself, his eyes brimming with tears.

This was the scene he and most Kari People who dreamt of the stars and the sea had dreamed of their entire lives, a picture he had imagined in countless desperate, locked-down nights. Now that it was all vividly presented before his eyes, the impact of the dream becoming reality made him almost unable to stand steady.

"Yes, this is the heart of the Human Federation, and also the busiest port in this star region."

Grey Wind's avatar, "Little Grey," appeared beside the crowd at the right time. She smiled and looked out the window, her eyes carrying a hint of the pride unique to a guide (although most of it was acted).

"Please look below, everyone." Grey Wind extended her slender finger, pointing to the massive planet that occupied the lower half of the field of view.

That was Earth.

The azure ocean occupied most of the planet's surface, and white clouds flowed slowly in the atmosphere, forming huge cyclones.

The outlines of the continents were vaguely visible beneath the clouds, and on the night hemisphere facing away from the sun, bright city lights covered every corner of the continent like a golden spider web.

Unlike the dark purple, oppressive tone of Kali Star, Earth's colors were so bright, vivid, and full of vitality.

"It's so beautiful..." a kari female scholar couldn't help but exclaim, "Like a blue gemstone."

"This is humanity's home planet, Earth." Grey Wind's voice became soft and magnetic, beginning to give these "country" guests a vivid history lesson.

Following her gesture, the porthole glass instantly turned into a huge screen, beginning to play a carefully edited promotional video for the Human Federation.

The image first froze on the gray-white Moon.

"Many years ago, humanity was still trapped in the Cradle of gravity, fighting endlessly over resources on the ground, until they took their first step and established the first permanent base on that satellite named the Moon—Guanghan Palace Base."

The video showed the early appearance of Guanghan Palace Base, the starting point for humanity to carve out a living in the wasteland. Immediately after, the images flashed by rapidly, showing the expansion of the Moon base, the blooming of the blood orchid fields, and that magnificent lunar starport.

"It was there that humanity learned how to survive in a vacuum, how to plant on an alien planet, and how to build giant ships in a low-gravity environment."

Subsequently, the image switched to that breathtaking Battle of the Solar System.

Of course, this was an "artistically processed" version.

The Kari scientists held their breath, watching how the human fleet heroically engaged that overwhelming "rebel fleet" from a position of absolute disadvantage.

They saw the desperate charge of the starfish-class frigates, saw the strike of the voyager's main gun that pierced the darkness, and also saw humanity's resilience in rebuilding their home from the ruins.

"Humanity experienced the baptism of war and paid a painful price, but it was precisely that war that led them from division to unity, from immaturity to maturity."

Grey Wind's voice was full of infectious power, combined with the grand soundtrack and epic visuals, making every kari scientist present feel their blood boiling, as if they had personally participated in that magnificent history.

"After that, humanity did not stop."

The image jumped again, displaying the industrial cities stretching for thousands of miles on Mars, the massive gas collection stations in Jupiter orbit, and the mining points like stars in the Kuiper Belt.

"Humanity forges steel on Mars, collects fuel on Jupiter, and digs for wealth in the asteroid belt. Their footprints have trodden on every planet in the Solar System, turning this star system into the Human Federation's backyard."

Finally, the image froze on an astonishing engineering project.

It was a slender "thread" extending from Earth's equator, piercing straight into the clouds, and finally connecting to the Babel Space Station.

"And now they are challenging the limits of physics, connecting the earth and the sky."

The promotional video ended, and the porthole returned to transparency.

The Kari scientists followed Grey Wind's guidance and finally saw that miracle, thin as a thread yet truly existing, between Earth and the space station.

It was a black line almost indistinguishable to the naked eye, but it occasionally flashed with a metallic luster in the reflection of the sun.

"What is that?" Kul asked in surprise.

"That is the space elevator built by humans," Grey Wind explained. "Its main body is composed of high-strength carbon nanotube cables tens of thousands of kilometers long, one end anchored to a floating base on the Pacific Ocean, and the other end connected to that Babel Space Station."

"This is humanity's second, and most efficient and cheapest, channel to enter space besides ships."

Walker Tala was so shocked he couldn't speak.

He had envisioned this kind of super-engineering in his own theoretical derivations, but he knew deeply how perverted the requirements for material strength were.

"Humans really built it? That kind of high-strength material..."

"Yes, Mr. Walker." Grey Wind smiled at him. "This is the field you will come into contact with after joining the Human Federation's scientific research system. As long as your thinking is not shackled, nothing is impossible."

This sentence deeply struck Walker's heart. He kept staring at that looming cable, not moving his eyes for a moment.

"The hermes is requesting docking permission."

"Permission granted, guidance beam locked."

With a slight tremor, this advanced ship of the Faleim Civilization, disguised by Grey Wind, slid elegantly into the core berthing area of the Babel starport under the guidance of the automatic program.

The ships docked here were all top-level official vessels. Through the porthole, the Kari scientists saw more details: huge robotic arms maintaining the hulls, workers wearing full-coverage space exoskeleton armor, and a large number of robots walking in the vacuum, with various equipment they had never seen before operating efficiently.

The cabin door slowly opened.

Welcoming them was a closed passage leading to the space elevator cabin, as well as several staff members wearing the uniforms of the Human Federation's Interstellar Affairs General Bureau.

"Everyone, welcome to the Human Federation's home planet." The leading staff member said. The small screen on his shoulder displayed the Chinese he spoke translated into kari text. "I am a reception specialist from the Interstellar Affairs General Bureau. Director Raven is waiting for you on Earth. Please follow me to the orbital elevator."

The group walked out of the ship with a mix of anxiety and excitement.

Although they were told they were going to Earth, they did not expect it to be in this way.

The orbital elevator's cabin was a huge capsule-like structure, with a luxurious and comfortable interior, just like a high-end lounge. Through the panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides, passengers could enjoy the scenery outside with a 360-degree view without blind spots.

"Please fasten your seatbelts, everyone. Although the process will be very smooth, we are descending thirty-six thousand kilometers after all." The staff member reminded.

With a soft prompt tone, the cabin started.

It did not generate huge overload like a rocket, but instead slid down smoothly at an astonishing speed relying on the maglev tracks on the cable.

The feeling of weightlessness did not last long. As the altitude decreased, Earth's gravity began to gradually take over their bodies.

This was a long and wonderful journey.

They watched the magnificent structure of the Babel Space Station gradually recede above their heads, watched the curved horizon of Earth gradually flatten, and the clouds that were originally like a map became three-dimensional and thick.

During the descent, Grey Wind still dutifully served as a commentator.

"We are passing through the exosphere... now it is the thermosphere... pay attention, those auroras are the product of the interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetic field..."

"Next is the stratosphere. You might feel a slight vibration; that is the influence of airflow..."

"Ms. Little Grey, as a ship-borne AI, why can you walk out of that ship?" Kul couldn't help but interrupt.

"I am an advanced intelligent entity created by the Faleim Civilization, completely different from the artificial intelligence in your cognition." Grey Wind just smiled slightly and didn't explain too much.

Watching the land getting closer and closer outside the window, watching the deep blue ocean and the emerald green land, the hearts of the Kari scientists were moved beyond measure.

This was the power of a higher civilization. They didn't need to fight for their lives at the edge of the atmosphere, didn't need to endure the violent vibrations and high temperatures during rocket launches; they traveled between heaven and earth as elegantly and calmly as taking a sightseeing elevator.

This absolute control over the power of nature demonstrated the strength of a civilization better than any weapon.

"Look at this planet." Walker Tala pressed against the glass, greedily looking at the vibrant world below, "This ability to enter space at will... this is the paradise we have dreamed of."

"No, teacher." Young Kul clenched his fists, the light of ambition flashing in his eyes, "This is not just paradise, this is the future, and we finally have the chance to touch it now. I believe that the future Kali Star will sooner or later have such a landscape too."

A few hours later, the speed of the cabin began to slow down.

Passing through the last layer of clouds, a huge artificial floating island built on the vast ocean appeared under their feet. That was the ground base of the sky ladder, also known as the Pacific Spaceport.

Countless giant surface ships were shuttling back and forth on the surrounding sea, and shuttles were taking off and landing frequently in the sky.

When the cabin stopped steadily at the base platform and the airtight door opened, a stream of air with the scent of salty sea breeze surged into the cabin.

That was the smell of Earth.

Rich in oxygen, full of vitality, completely different from the dull and thin air of Kali Star.

It was just that the Kari People wearing spacesuits could not feel it for the time being.

"Everyone," Grey Wind smiled and made a gesture of invitation.

"Welcome to Earth."

"The shuttle is ready. We will fly directly to Tianqiong City in China, where a laboratory simulating the environment of Kali Star has already been set up. You will serve as research subjects there for a period of time. After we have thoroughly researched your various physiological data, we will design a plan for you to adapt to the Earth's environment."

Walker Tala stepped out of the cabin and onto the solid ground of Earth. He raised his head to look at the black cable that went straight to the clouds and seemed to have no end, and then looked at the rising sun in the distance.

"A new starting point."

He said silently in his heart.