【Xianyang】Siren

Around the same time that the engineering troops marched to Iserlohn, the imperial army along the corridor also started working against the clock, preparing to bargain with the laws of nature.The tasks are arduous and monotonous, and some officers will complain casually during coffee breaks, but the work that the space fleet is doing now is no different from that of engineers.Mittermeier had more or less heard such remarks and ignored them.This matter is also a fresh experience for him. What needs to be directly contacted is neither colleagues nor enemies, but the data, charts and analysis sent by various monitoring points.

For the past few days, the space fleet has been carrying out the preliminary action plan step by step. They have continuously captured meteorites shuttled from the dust belt, dragged them into the gravitational orbit of the red giant star, and fired warheads to allow them to penetrate the burning surface of the red giant star and extinguish it deeply. Earth's core.The work like ants moving house has very little impact on the quality of the red giant star, and if it is normal, that little change is almost negligible.

But in places invisible to the naked eye, the originally stable gravitational field will be amplified by resonance due to slight changes in mass.If you monitor carefully, you will find that the red is torn apart, and the non-existent thread that binds the stars in one place is getting tighter and tighter...

Just as Yang Weili finished his conversation with Mittermeier, Athenpolo's communication came in.The Imperial Army has all withdrawn from the Siren Starfield, and the Iserlohn fleet has also arrived at its intended location.

magician.This is how people describe Yang Weili, who has repeatedly performed miracles.However, magic is not mysterious in its essence, but just a deception under the control of superb skills, or blindness.Just as a magician on stage only lets the audience see what he wants them to see, the same goes for a magician on the battlefield, and one of Young's secrets is to guide his enemies into what they think is the best choice for them.

But this time?Facing the siren, psychological factors may not play a role. The other party does not think, at least not like a human being.From this point of view, half of Yang Weili's magic has been erased.However, the other half may be more important, and that is the quality that Yang Fleet forged in countless difficulties: the precision of action and the stamina of spirit.

"Then let's go." This time Yang couldn't sit on the podium, but fastened his seat belt obediently.

Like throwing a boulder into calm water, the sudden ripples push away duckweed on the surface.The dust belt orbiting the red star was suddenly broken, and waves of higher shocks hit, pushing them scattered to every corner of the star field.This process has lasted for a long time, the space is being torn apart continuously, and the duckweed-like fine dust is being pushed around in the cosmic space without any support.

The silver fortress jumped out of the red light mist and landed between the sirens and the red giant.

"I am still a little bit worried. I am worried that Iserlohn will be hurt. No matter how careful the calculations are, this possibility cannot be completely ruled out. This time, we are facing an unimaginable opponent after all. In front of the vast universe, we have indeed already Exhausted. There is no chance of winning, but you can only fight."

"From what I hear, you actually have a chance of winning. Exhausted? Not necessarily. These days, I see that you are full of energy and put into preparations, so the result will not be too far from expectations. Don't say what you are doing now I don’t know how tired you are, and you didn’t know it before. Of course, at the end of the battle, you will double the compensation for the hard work you paid in advance.”

"What kind of Cencobb sarcasm is this?"

"Satire what?"

"You realized it a long time ago, long before this time. Now I also see my heart. I should have realized it long ago, but I just don't want to admit it. I don't want to admit what motivates my own focus and enthusiasm."

pause. "You refuse to be a soldier," pauses. "Because you're a soldier by nature. There's nothing better for you than a military uniform."

laughter. "That's true. My obsession with war is real, and my dislike of war is real, and perhaps that's what hypocrisy means. Maybe I'm hypocritical, but I don't think either is false. Even if the two The truths contradict each other, and in my heart, they are all true. Now I know that there is no need to feel guilty about either. Especially this time."

"Especially this time?"

(The parts in bold are flashbacks. The same below)

Main gun salvo!

A light effect like the collision of stars appeared in the distant field of vision. The blue gunfire from the Iserlohn fortress hit the surface of the red giant star with frequent nuclear fusion, and the sprayed matter rose up, almost visible to the naked eye.Winds of charged particles outline dramatic changes in the gravitational field.

The siren on the other end seemed to be shaking.Yang Weili rubbed his eyes, he hoped it was not an illusion.

"The appearance of a massive celestial body in a stable gravitational field will cause a significant change in the interaction force between the stars." Their astrophysicist once demonstrated this process at the preparatory meeting, "Iserlohn will produce gravitational resonance with the red giant star , the gravitational thrust generated will affect the outer star, that is, the siren. This is also the reason why the distance between the planets in the stellar galaxy will become farther and farther from each other, and the orbit will become larger and larger. We just want to take advantage of this, jump In the past, join the team."

An invisible, yet unstoppable force.It's just slow.Everything that is being done today, whether it is increasing the mass of the red giant or stimulating its activity with shelling, is nothing but to speed up this process.The ingredients need to be prepared one by one, and then wait for the universe to cook the dishes by itself.

The red dust lanes are tightening toward Siren's low-Earth orbit.If the prediction is correct, this means that the gravitational field of the siren is already shifting under the resonance squeeze of the red giant star and Iserlohn.

Felicity brought back the report from the forward monitoring point. "We're pushing it away."

"We're pushing it away." Yang nodded, unfolding the newly transmitted chart in the air.Iserlohn itself has caught some small pieces of meteorites, and the gravitational field is stabilizing between it and the red giant star.Sirens, on the other hand, are visibly pushed back.Not a lot, just blown up like a speck of dust in the universe.

"So where are we going to push it?" Julian asked.

Yang Weili shook his head at the map of the star field, "Maybe the Sirens themselves know?"

At this time, Attenborough's communication came in again. "Is it our turn to play?"

"Attack. Don't waste a single stone," Yang replied. "Give the siren the most beautiful necklace."

Attenborough whistled on purpose and touched his forehead with two fingers, although there was no smile on his face.

"I told you, Cobb, I thought about why I was still standing here, whether it was for some reason, whether there was some purpose. Of course, we now know that it was all accidental. Indeed, imagine yourself It's also a pretentious thing to have some 'must have' mission. Maybe it's just a gift, for something unfinished, for a wish you haven't faced. You see, in fact, the strategy of war The obsession itself is in my blood, I just don't want to admit it. A nasty addiction. Behind these so-called victories and conquests, these exciting legends are horror ghost stories, a sea of ​​blood of destruction and sacrifice .Now I can admit that I am good at deceiving myself, I am very hypocritical."

"Hmm...but?"

"But this last time, I should be able to come to an understanding with myself? Maybe I came back for this moment. Can you understand how relieved I feel now?"

"I understand. You don't need to shoulder so many lives, you don't need to bear the pain of others. There is no atonement, no salvation, no loyalty or betrayal. You just need to look forward, simple, focused, and devoted."

"You asked me if I had the will to win, and now I can finally answer you with a clear heart. Yes, I am looking forward to winning. I feel that I am here, my life is beating. I will give my all The mightiest force of the human race, to fight a bloodless war. Sencob, I want to win, very much."

pause. "good."

Yang Weili watched intently the readings of the tilt angle of the main gun and the angular momentum of the fortress's rotation.On the display screen on the side of the podium, the blue numbers flashed and changed.

Cobb stood leaning against the bulkhead and saw Julian bring in a cup of tea, and then several technicians came over.They start talking.The blue readings flashed fast.

The Iserlohn fleet that left the port before the jump returned to the main view of the fortress.Yang made a stop gesture, and the readings on the display stopped jumping and stopped. "Send our coordinates and obliquity data to Admiral Attenborough." Yang turned his head and said to Felicia. Coordinate map, confirmed with the technician next to it.

"Well, we have to wait a little longer..." Yang seemed to have lost his mind, and scratched his hair again.Felicity raised his head halfway, his eyes were clear, "It's all proceeding according to the admiral's plan."

Yang Weili nodded, and answered vaguely.There seemed to be no more topics to discuss in the central command room, only the air was flowing slowly, and the star map above the floating command platform trembled slightly.They were all staring at the screen, all focused, waiting for something.

The set at center stage here is about to be set.The Iserlohn fleet came into view not long after, and the heavy objects they dragged were particularly eye-catching in the video.The command station became a little busy, and the technicians began to frequently confirm the coordinates and angles with the navigators of the fleet.

After another time, the fleet began to withdraw.The installed positioning device shows blue light spots on the star field map. They were originally large meteorites captured from the dust belt. Now they have entered the siren low-earth orbit and are neatly arranged on this red light spot like a necklace. The side facing the star.

The rotating fortress reached the best position shortly after, and it stopped. Now through the huge curved porthole, you can already see the siren with its veil removed and the necklace it just put on.Due to changes in the gravitational field, the outer dust lanes have left the orbit of the sirens and scattered in the nearby star field. Only the string of meteorites that were sent into the near-earth still stay here with the sirens.But very slowly, it seems that the siren can't control them.

Yang watched the reddish light outside the window for a while, until the analog system issued a beep.Felicity turned his head away abruptly.

"Get the main gun ready," Yang Weili said.

The fluctuation of the gravitational field is already very obvious, the siren is slowly moving away, and the meteorite is gradually pushed away.In the simulation program, a virtual light will be emitted from Iserlohn's main cannon, passing through the entire meteorite at exactly this angle.The system has calculated the accumulated energy and the accumulated gravitational thrust. At the end of a series of calculations, you can see the simulated siren operation diagram: it is pushed out of the gravitational field of stars and red giants, and all the stars in this star field A new gravitational balance was re-established around the star Alsti.

During the preparation period, some scientists in the empire opposed this plan, because after the sirens left the Alsti galaxy, they would still cause similar bad effects in other galaxies.But this worry was deemed unnecessary.

"This is a dark corridor," said Professor Tanaka. "There is only one star, Alsti. It has nowhere to go."

If the changes in the stars brought the siren here by mistake, then when the force field disappears, it will return to its original world, right?Accidental fluctuations will be smoothed out, and the world will return to its original course.At least that's what people hoped for.

...or, isn't it all hope?

"The energy accumulation of the main gun is complete!"

Yang opened his mouth a little slow, but turned his face to ask, "Lieutenant General Xian Kobu?" The brown-haired officer also looked away for a while, and did not answer.Yang slowly looked away and didn't ask any more questions.At this time, he was staring at the screen intently, and he clenched his palms unconsciously, and he could see the tense arms and shoulders through the military uniform.He couldn't seem to move an inch.

"There are still ten seconds to leave the best shelling position!"

Yang Weili, who has always been good at seizing fleeting opportunities on the battlefield, did not react at this time.

"In addition, I actually thought of another thing just now, which is also about sirens." The speaker stopped, moved a few steps to the side, and extended his hand to the other powerful hand. "Iserlohn Fortress Defense Commander Lieutenant General Walter von Schenkob," he raised his dark eyes, "If the time comes and I fail to fulfill my duties as a commander, Thor's Hammer will be handed over to you." is you."

The other person seemed to be trembling. He almost angrily shook off the outstretched hand, but was pulled back again.The person opposite obviously had no strength, but he still couldn't get rid of it at all.And the black-haired young man moved closer, pressing his hands with both hands.

"Why." The tall officer lowered his head and gave up struggling.

"There are many things people can't do. I can't trust myself too much..." The people around him sighed, "Although I have thought so much and said so much...but I don't know, in the end, maybe Will you still be weak after all? After all..." Yang's voice lowered, "Don't you think that if I have no attachment, I won't be reluctant?"

The fortress below is empty, and the guide lights are still flashing rhythmically, casting them on one deserted street after another, appearing clumsy and useless, dazed and ridiculous. "Why me?" The gloomy voice came out again.

"Sencobb, I trust you." Pause. "We were able to meet because I believed in you. It was in this place, Iserlohn. If I was wrong, there would be nothing later. I was right then, and I will not be wrong now." He held out His fingers drew an arc on the inner glass wall in front of him, and his fingertips swept across the sleeping Iserlohn, "I still believe in you."

His arms were folded in front of his chest, and he half covered his face, as if he was smiling. "Do you know what you're asking of me?"

"It's not asking for more than before. You know, what should be done by me, I can't leave it to Felicia, I can't leave it to Julian. I have thought about it, and there is no other way. Cobb, it's really the last moment, I don't know, maybe when I look into your eyes, I really can't help..."

"Shut up. Yang. Damn it. Shut up."

"Walter, I couldn't be more satisfied. If I have any regrets, I..." Cobb didn't let him go any further.

Cobb took a step forward and pressed Yang's shoulder to make him sit down. "Thor's Hammer——" the commander of the fortress defense swung his bony palm downward, and the sound fell, like a boulder rolling down a mountain, "Launch."

The blue light seems to be stepping on a brisk rhythm across the black and red intertwined star field.It hits the meteorite, the meteorite turns into dust, the meteorite hits the meteorite, and the dust floats slowly.The necklace was breaking and tightening, and it hit the pole heavily.

The monitoring data ahead came long after the blue light disappeared, and at this time the parked Iserlohn had already shifted significantly.Angular momentum can no longer be conserved, and the siren completely deviates from the gravitational field.

There was cheers in the command room, and everyone knew what this meant.

Only Yang was still staring at the screen calmly. "Then... this is the time to give up on Iserlohn." He muttered.

The gravitational balance changed dramatically almost instantly, and the space began to oscillate in a form visible to the naked eye.The dust dissipated and merged into the vast universe, and the red vortex on the surface of the siren spun ferociously.Crimson, dark purple, or orange-yellow waves are rushing and rolling, dancing and sinking in mid-air, just like the common tornadoes on some planets.

"The Siren has passively entered the jump. We are likely to be involved in space distortion. Iserlohn is too close." The navigator ahead has already stood up collectively.

The dark star field expanded little by little, covering up the once open wound little by little.The red lava-like waves swayed and changed their shape, but they were completely indeterminate, collapsing and shrinking one by one.The star body is like an open bloody mouth, swallowing dust, mist and everything that is boiling.

"The whole fleet!" Yang pulled off his military cap and jumped up from his seat, "Run away!"

Felicity looked outside the door, and Julian had already rushed in. "Admiral!" He was fully dressed. "Preparations for departure have been completed, and Ulysses can set sail immediately."

The footsteps outside were already very hurried.Yang waved his hand, and there was a sudden clamor of voices, as well as the sound of tables, chairs and utensils colliding.The running crowd greeted each other loudly and rushed into the passage.There are not many people, and the fortress is already very empty. You can hear the metal stairs and the sound of the shuttle bus.

Soon, there were only some flickering screens left in the central command room.Only then did Yang stand up, looking aside in shock. "Why haven't you left yet? Don't waste everyone's time."

The shock of space is clearly perceptible.Outside the window, the red is sinking, and the siren seems to be whispering to you.

"Yang..." Frederick urged, "Hurry up."

Julian poked his head from the door again, "Admiral! Please hurry up, the shuttle bus is automatically set, and it will leave soon."

The red seeps into the thin cracks in the universe, like sea sand slipping through the fingers.

"I don't have to go." Yang smiled, trying to straighten his military cap, "After all——"

Sencob suddenly grabbed his hand forcefully, and the hourglass of time seemed to tighten instantly. "Don't procrastinate!" He dragged Yang towards the door involuntarily.Felicia caught up, Julian was waiting outside, and several people almost pushed Yang Weili into the car.

There was a swift wind blowing in the corridor, and Yang lay on the glass of the rear window, trying to make out the outline of Iserlohn in the darkness, as if he was seeing this place for the first time.Finally, with the sound of heartbeats, Ulysses's open hatch was tightly closed, and it jumped into the starry sky like an arrow from the string.The round, silver graceful star faded before my eyes.

"You know it's impossible." I don't know who said it.

Cobb thought then, Well, I'll give Thor's hammer one last command.I have never been too sentimental, unlike Yang Weili, I don't have so many ghosts in my heart.After all, I only have a little thought.He asked me too much.We met because of Iserlohn, right?Then let’s say goodbye through Iserlohn. The starting point and the ending point form a complete circle. He said that I might appreciate such romance.can you?Perhaps the writers of the story would agree, as if this constituted some sort of bond.

But in fact everything will dissipate.

He no longer argues. "Let me go. I just want to sleep for a long time. Isn't it a good thing to sleep peacefully among these hundreds of billions of stars and light?"

But in fact the universe is silent, allowing us to give romantic imagination.

Sencob remembered knocking on a door without hope.The scientist wearing thick glasses seemed to have already guessed his purpose, and calmly pulled out various materials in front of him.

"As you yourself have discovered, the matter from the siren will dissipate in a short time after leaving the planet. We guess that this has something to do with the internal structure of the siren. But unfortunately, as you already know, Behind that imitation mask, we can see nothing. We have made some assumptions, although it is not helpful for the current situation... This situation can be called neutrino instability for the time being."

"Unstable?"

"The degree of completion of the mimicry formed by the siren is not the same, which is why some people can see certain images, while others cannot. The mimicry itself will also have changes in similarity under different circumstances. We have also discovered that the energy that sustains the mimicry does not come from the individual itself, but is received entirely from the siren. Because, as I said, the siren has no conception of the individual, and therefore cannot comprehend at all that the mimicry has been separated from itself. Between them So we can’t leave the siren too far and for too long, this is the general reason. But how this mechanism works, we have no clue..."

"If... I mean if... stay by Siren's side forever, can it exist forever?"

The scientist looked at him deeply from behind his glasses. "This hypothesis cannot be confirmed experimentally at present ... but logically, it may not be wrong."

"If you take it a step further, maybe until a certain day, until... reaching a certain degree of perfection, then maybe, maybe, you can break away? Be... become your original self?"

"Mr. Lieutenant General, imagination itself is not harmful."

"That's true." The lieutenant general stood up suddenly, "If you can't even think about it, then even if there are ten or eight universes, what's the point?"

A black curtain came over the ground, and suddenly the silver light dots dotted in the distance could be recognized.The crimson star sank and disappeared, as if it had never been there.

There are still some aftershocks in the space.But it doesn't matter, Ulysses has already left the Sirens far behind. When they fled to the predetermined star field at full speed, the Iserlohn fleet that arrived one step earlier immediately sent out a concentrated light wave to salute.

"I can't see Iserlohn anymore." Felicia unbuckled his seat belt and stood up, looking sideways at Yang Weili, with starlight in his eyes.Fortunately, calculation data that reassured everyone came soon after. From the mass data and gravitational field calculations, Iserlohn is still in the corridor star field, although the space distortion caused by the siren's departure has dragged it a long way.

"That will always be seen." Senkob also stood up from his seat.Everything in front of me seemed to be fading away, becoming clear and translucent.

Yang An sat on the Ulysses bridge, took off his hat, lowered his head and let out a long breath. Outside the curved porthole in front of him was the escaped fleet. They surrounded the flagship, embedded in boundless silence.He turned on the microphone with a slightly weak hand.

"Thank you for your hard work." Finally, Yang Weili spoke to the entire fleet as usual, and it took two seconds.