Xyrin Empire
Chapter 393 - Chapter 393 Chapter 393 Accidents All Kinds of Accidents

Chapter 393: Chapter 393: Accidents, All Kinds of Accidents Chapter 393: Chapter 393: Accidents, All Kinds of Accidents Research on this piece of cosmic debris had yet to make any breakthroughs, though two things had been confirmed so far: first, it undoubtedly came from another universe. The entire asteroid belt had jumped into this space, propelled by the fragments of the Star Ring, and the smuggled goods mixed within couldn’t possibly be products of our own universe. Second, its creators were part of a civilization strikingly similar to Earth’s–naturally, the former was infinitely more advanced than the latter.

It had been designed for human use and control, featuring seats with backrests suited to upright vertebrates and visual display terminals. The cockpit’s airtightness led us to believe that its previous owners definitely needed to breathe, which… ahem, the diligent scientists even deduced that the users had ten fingers based on the layout of the keys on the aircraft’s control panel–I have no idea how they came up with that conclusion.

Except for not knowing whether the creators’ facial features differed from Earthlings, the race that built this spacecraft had the exact same bodily structure as humans.

However, that was as far as our analysis could go. This damaged machine had left behind too little information, and the few areas that had text and symbols were smashed into holes or eroded into a blurry mess, which clearly caused a lot of conjecture trouble. I had ample reason to believe that, in the hands of a particularly lazy author, even if there were any text left on this thing, it would definitely be in simple, squared-off Simplified Chinese–he absolutely wouldn’t bother writing Traditional Chinese.

Perhaps if I had the time, I would be interested in crossing a few universes to see what this civilization looked like–a form of civilization so similar to that of Earth’s human civilization, yet many times more advanced. Maybe seeing them would give us a glimpse into the future of humanity, after all, using the Xyrin people’s society as a role model would just be too damaging to our pride…

Qianqian and Lin Xue, two excessively curious folks, had wheedled their way into staying at the research center. Though they certainly weren’t contributing anything to the research efforts, they seemed quite happy watching the researchers studying relics of the alien civilization, especially the latter. That girl hadn’t messed with my spaceship in a long time, and now her troublesome interest seemed to be rekindling…

As we chatted and walked, I returned to the bridge with Sandora. Today marked the third day of the asteroid collision. Everything was proceeding orderly. Despite the spectacular scene outside, where the massive United Fleet met the cluster of asteroids–an event that even ignited a frenetic nationalism in several nations on the ground–both Sandora and I knew too well that the situation wasn’t as dangerous as it seemed.

After the peak of the asteroid belt collision, the bombardment from outer space had gradually calmed. The planetary defense barrier formed by the fleet had finally reversed from its constant state of decline and began slowly recharging. Powered by the Void’s Ghost Energy Reactor, we didn’t have to worry about running out of energy at all, and the interceptor fleet could even afford to relax a bit and enjoy the ‘fireworks.’ Compared to the firepower of those super civilizations, these celestial bodies relying solely on kinetic energy and a bit of Abyss Energy to strike weren’t a threat to the entire Imperial Fleet at all.

According to the calculations of the Xyrin Host, this collision would last till the afternoon of the fourth day at most, and the fragments of the Star Ring should appear around then. Plus, the asteroid bombardment had already shown signs of weakening. One could say that this most troublesome wave of attacks had almost been dealt with.

Moreover, the most significant threat–an out-of-control constant star–had been swiftly ‘dispatched’ by Dingdang’s cheating skills before it could even make a significant impact, a demise even more suffocating than Kil’Jaeden’s end by the ‘toilet’ those years ago, giving us a huge sigh of relief.

All that was left was an unregistered heavy metal planet that hadn’t showed up yet. It sounded frightening, but in reality, it posed even less of a threat than this cluster of asteroids. Taville’s engineering team sent to assemble the Sniper Star Cannon had already sent back a message that they were ready. Now, a Xyrin Host was responsible for acting as the thinking core of the Sniper Star Cannon, which meant that we didn’t even need to take action ourselves. As soon as that planet appeared, a super-strong laser from a different space-time would vaporize it completely, sentencing the doomed being to death before it was even born.

And up until now, Earth had not suffered the slightest damage, although the tense atmosphere still hung over the orange-red sky and covered the land. So far, not a single Earthling had been hit by a meteorite–could the only Earthling hit by a meteorite in this event end up being me?

The three asteroids that Lin Xue predicted would fall to Earth seemed to have no chance of making an appearance–unless we were foolish enough to open the protective shields at this time.

But no one anticipated that an accident would truly occur.

Lin Xue’s prediction came true.

I had barely gone back to nap when I was abruptly woken by the urgent call. On my way to the central command center, I connected to the public information link and received the news that three meteorites had already penetrated the Imperial Fleet’s blockade: two had already fallen into the ocean, while the one over Antarctica was turned into rock steam by interceptors just in the nick of time.

But our shield was still intact.

“What’s going on? How could meteorites breach the shield?”

Upon arriving on the bridge, I saw that Qianqian and others were already waiting there, and the huge holographic projection was split into several parts showing the current damage on the ground.

“Not that they broke through the shield,” Sandora turned her head upon hearing the sound, her expression somewhat gloomy, “These three meteorites appeared directly within the shield without even decelerating through the atmosphere, striking Earth–a situation that almost caught the interception forces stationed over Antarctica off-guard.”

“Appeared directly within the shield? Where were our Gravity Shielding Ships then?”

I asked in surprise. Since this attack by the asteroid cluster was completed via super space-time transmission, we had already foreseen the possibility of these space bombs using random jumps to appear directly behind our shields. Thus, we had deployed a large number of Gravity Shielding Ships within the atmosphere to disrupt various super space-time transmissions. Could there still be fish that escaped the net?

Or did Bubbles’ calculations go wrong, and there was a space loophole within the atmosphere?

Sandora shook her head, her face looking terrible. “Gravity Shielding Ships numbers 87 to 92, number 135, as well as Gravity Trap Mother Ship number 3 lost contact with the command center thirty minutes ago. The force field there is now blank. I’ve already sent reconnaissance planes, but no messages have come back yet. Those three meteorites came through a space loophole… and what’s worse, we no longer have any spare Shielding Ships. Our special-type warships are already in short supply, not to mention the inclusion of high-energy-consuming devices like the Gravity Trap Generators…”

I furrowed my brows: “That means there are now irreparable holes within the atmosphere…”

This is… a truly bad situation. If instead of three meteorites, three planet-level giants had slipped through–we would only be able to write the memoirs of human civilization in outer space.

“Girl, you didn’t see anything?”

I noticed Lin Xue standing nearby with a similarly gloomy expression and asked out of curiosity.

“I told you I saw the arrival of those three meteorites, but I didn’t see this process,” Lin Xue said, rubbing her forehead. The continuous peeking into the future these past few days had left her quite exhausted. “Prediction is not omnipotent; otherwise, I would have become a god by now… Damn, why are there so many blank spots…”

Her tone carried not only fatigue but also a hint of self-reproach. Despite always appearing indifferent, Lin Xue actually cared deeply about not being able to help, a trait likely developed from her many years of performing tasks in the Superpower Team.

“At least your prediction didn’t see more things falling onto the ground,” I hesitated for a moment but still patted Lin Xue’s shoulder comfortingly, “Go back and rest a bit. Using augmentation too much might get you banned by the GM.”

Lin Xue’s face showed a touch of emotion and a slight blush, only for my second comment to nearly make her spit out, then she glared at me and turned away in a huff.

Sandora pursed her lips and said, “I’ve already urgently deployed some Gravity Trap Generators near those force field dead angles, but truth be told, compared to those purpose-built Shielding Ships, these small-scale devices meant for localized battlefields are almost just for show. At this point, we can only hope Lin Xue’s prediction isn’t wrong…”

“I can intercept them!”

Before Sandora had even finished speaking, a young and somewhat mechanical voice rang out from behind us. I turned around, no one there.

Then I looked down, ah, this time I saw: a black-haired Little Loli in a close-fitting silver-white war robe, trying hard to lift her small face and look solemn.

Pandora… has the nitroglycerin in your brain not cooled down yet?

Due to continuously making various frustrating “mistakes” from cerebral overheating while personally intercepting asteroids–including of course her incident of blowing up the last “Space Amber” sample–Pandora was grounded by Sandora, strictly forbidden from rushing out to grapple with asteroids. Clearly, the little one had finally found an opportunity to regain her freedom: speaking of quick reaction ability, no army could possibly compare to the madness of Pandora’s Imperial Guard.

However, I’ve always been curious about how Pandora, this little madman, managed to step by step climb her way to the General’s position, just because of her unparalleled personal combat capability? Or is it that without her prudent and competent Deputy Officer, my precious sister is left with nothing but a head full of violent bacteria…

Originally, the house arrest order for Pandora was just a temporary thought, but now seeing the latter already expressing her full resentment on her face, Sandora and I exchanged a glance, then nodded simultaneously.

She smiled–Little Loli, the eternal ice mountain, actually smiled! How much space does war occupy in your brain, damn it!

I couldn’t help but smile and cry as I pinched Pandora’s soft little face, while under her troubled gaze, I admonished, “That’s inside the atmosphere, be careful not to blow up Earth…”

After praying for the much-troubled Earth-kun, I refocused my attention on the energy barrier of the defense circle, as it was unclear why the shielding ship had lost contact, I was really worried that our shield layer might be the next to have problems…

However, a few hours later, another piece of bad news left me with no more time to worry about the shield: a Spiritual Connection suddenly rang in my mind–from the ground, it was sister’s voice.

“Ah Jun!” My sister sounded quite anxious, “Silvia’s condition doesn’t seem normal! You better come down and check it out!”

Silvia is in trouble?

Seeing the change in my face, Qianqian immediately asked with concern, “Ah Jun? What happened?”

“Silvia is in trouble, sister asked me to go over immediately.”

“I’ll go with you!” Qianqian said without hesitation. Ever since we were little, no matter what, she always liked to follow behind me, and now that sentence has almost become instinctive.

Considering that Qianqian’s capabilities are not very useful in the current space intercept battles, and her command ability (does she have any?) and driving skills (likewise) leave much to be desired, I nodded in agreement.

Using the transmission device directly connected from the Mother Ship to the underground facilities of the research institute, Qianqian and I arrived by sister’s side in a moment.

“How is Silvia? Where is my sister?”

Noticing the busy scene underground in the research institute, I quickly seized the opportunity and caught a Researcher to ask.

“Your Majesty, Silvia is still in a coma, her condition is very… strange, Mistress is in the Third Research Room, Silvia has been transferred there.”

The Third Research Room? That is not a place to be used as a treatment facility–that’s for researching space barriers!

Leading Qianqian in a hurry to the Third Research Room, we indeed saw Silvia, placed in the center of the room, unconscious, quietly lying on a medical platform temporarily set up in the room, several Xyrin Technicians dressed in white research robes were bustling around, operating various instruments and equipment that I couldn’t understand, while Big Sister looked on with a worried face.

Hearing the gentle sound of the automatic door sliding open, my sister immediately turned her head and then quickly walked towards me.

“What’s going on?” Even now, I’m still completely baffled. No one can explain Silvia’s condition clearly, not even Big Sister with her spiritual connection, which is vague and indeterminate, making me quite agitated.

“We can’t find the reason either,” Big Sister led us toward Silvia, “Today at noon, she suddenly collapsed on the open ground in front of the research institute, and has been like this ever since. The researchers found that her energy-to-matter body structure underwent quite bizarre changes and is progressing toward an unstable release, like a constantly short-circuiting battery, but we have no idea what caused this phenomenon, and she is still being continuously released.”

“So that’s why we brought her to the Third Research Room.”

I frowned tightly, noticing that various barrier generators around us were operating at full power.

“It’s only a temporary measure,” Big Sister nodded, “We’re using this method to slow down Silvia’s dissipation rate as much as possible.”

On the medical platform, the quietly supine girl seemed tranquil like she was in a deep sleep, without any expression of pain on her face.

But upon closer inspection, I noticed that her left hand had become unstable: like a disrupted TV signal, occasionally distorting and trembling, rapidly switching between solidity and voidness, and at times even becoming like a fading image, presenting a blurry two-dimensional state–this indicates that her body is not only uncontrollably transitioning between energy and matter but is also gradually shifting toward a two-dimensional existence… Wait, did something strange mix in just now?

“Alaya, do you know what this is?”

I asked Angel Sister, who now essentially lives in my spirit sea and has become my soul-bound equipment, about everything I was curiously witnessing. Given her vast knowledge of mysticism that surpasses even Indicis’s, she could be called “Ten Thousand Forbidden Books.”

Alaya emerged from the air, then transformed into a stream of light, slowly enveloping Silvia.

As she, too, was an energy life form, Alaya was able to discern the transformations on the other’s body. After only a brief observation, Angel Sister voiced her guess:

“She might have forgotten herself.”

“Forgotten… herself?”

Faced with our unanimously puzzled expressions, Alaya organized her thoughts and explained in the simplest terms possible: “This is a unique ‘disease’ to us energy beings. Due to the nature of our life form, energy beings have no clear distinction between body and spirit. Our soul, body, memory, emotions–everything is in a state of chaos, or even just a concept. Our soul determines our form, which is what’s commonly referred to as ‘I think, therefore I am.'”

“Self-awareness determines existence,” Big Sister indeed was the first to understand, “Your clear awareness of yourselves stabilizes your existence.”

Alaya nodded, “Exactly, for us, our thoughts come first, then lead to the ‘birth’ of our ‘bodies.’ This is the opposite of material life forms, and it seems Silvia’s current condition is caused by the loss of self-awareness, leading to the dissolution of her body.”

Just like how a human loses their physical form and their soul begins to dissipate?

Damn it, how could this happen!?

“Alaya, could this situation have been caused by Silvia’s amnesia?” I suddenly thought of a possibility but then shook my head, “It shouldn’t be, though. She’s had amnesia for several months, so why is she only starting to dissipate now?”

Alaya explained, “For energy beings, ‘self-awareness’ involves not just our surface memories but more so our subconscious. As long as our subconscious can recognize the existence of self, we will not dissipate… yes, it’s somewhat like a human’s autonomic nervous system. Therefore, even if Silvia lost her memory, she would not have turned out like this… unless… something lurking deep within her is causing her to deny her own existence.” (To be continued. For more details, please visit www.NovelFire.net. More chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)

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