Chapter 101. Cindy’s weapon explodes
Jeffrey confirmed this. "Do you remember the sensor data we measured back then?"
Noah frowned. Then he remembered. "We saw a spacecraft that was also approaching the weapon. Its course was..." He stopped suddenly, and then looked at Jeffrey with wide eyes. "That's exactly the course we intend to take."
"That's right," Jeffrey nodded. "We saw ourselves then. Or rather, we saw the Republic from the past. That's the action we intend to execute now."
Noah looked at the screen thoughtfully. "We couldn't tell from the sensor data at that time whether we were successful or not?"
Jeffrey looked at him. "No, that's impossible."
Noah smiled. "Yeah, it's not right to know the ending of the game beforehand."
The metaphor made Jeffrey's right eyebrow rise. "Yes, it would be wrong to know beforehand."
The captain's smile grew wider. "It is an honor to serve alongside you, Mr. Jeffrey." Then he turned back to his command chair.
"Mr. Ingmar, get ready to start. Then you go to the nearest rescue cabin." He looked around at the situation on the bridge. Apart from Ingemar and Jeffrey, only Nilfer and Io Murakami were present. The remaining personnel have entered the rescue cabin. Even Commander Carol was forced in despite her strong protests. Noah was just worried that if he didn't, the first officer might never leave the ship.
In front of the Republic, a time field was formed again. When the density calculated by Jeffrey was reached, Nilf accelerated the ship. The Republic traveled through the time field and soon appeared in front of Cindy's giant weapon.
"Ingmar and Nilf, enter the rescue cabin," Noah ordered loudly. This time he tolerated no dissent. But both were mature officers who knew when to obey orders. Noah took over control. He will keep on course. There is no choice if the remaining crew members are to be saved.
"Mr. Murakami Io, launch torpedoes!" the captain ordered. After a few seconds, the weapon's energy beam ceases and the torpedo explodes within the weapon.
"Go!" Noah yelled to the two remaining officers. Murakami stood up, nodded to the captain again, and turned to the elevator. Jeffrey remained at his post.
"Jeffrey, move quickly. The rescue pods must be activated or they will be too close to where the weapons will explode."
"Wait a moment." Jeffrey looked unfazed.
"We don't have time." Noah was a little angry. It just so happened that the Vulcan failed to realize the logical necessity.
"Captain, turn," Jeffrey finally shouted.
Noah quickly issued corresponding orders. He didn't need an explanation. He trusted his science officer blindly. If Jeffrey issued such an order, there must be a reason.
"Get us out of here quickly." Jeffrey added.
The captain accelerates the craft to maximum impact speed. He no longer needed to ask Jeffrey why. On the screen, he saw the Cindy weapons exploding behind them. Several explosions ripped apart the massive weapon and caused it to break into several large pieces. But even within these fragments, deadly energy still rages. The chain reaction keeps creating new explosions, flinging fragments into space or further shattering the weapon. Cindy's ship nearby was also affected by the explosion and destroyed. Due to the huge size of the original weapon, there were countless explosions, making space seem to be distorted. Then the weapon was destroyed. This all lasted only a few seconds, leaving a small residual pocket of ionized gas glowing slightly. They got through it.
Noah breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the screen. He took several deep breaths to calm his pulse. While things didn't go exactly as planned, he wasn't unhappy with how things turned out. The ship and crew were saved, and he himself was still alive. Things couldn't get any better. He stood up from the navigation station happily and looked around. Io Murakami and Jeffrey stood on the upper deck. Jeffrey stood in front of his stage, hands behind his back, looking at the screen quietly. His expression gave no indication of what had just happened. It was like he was admiring a painting.
Murakami looked relieved as he leaned against the railing that separated the upper deck from the lower deck. His eyes sparkled and the corners of his mouth slightly raised. His tentacles extend easily from his head.
"Thank you, gentlemen," Noah said quietly. "It was an outstanding performance."
Jeffrey only nodded slightly, while Murakami became a little stiff and replied: "Thank you, sir. We also have an excellent captain."
Noah smiled. He was simply happy that it was over. He felt as if a weight he had been carrying for months was finally lifted off him. He felt as relaxed as walking on clouds. Since in the weapon's destruction, Cindy's ship was also destroyed, they are now the only survivors and are no longer in danger.
The door to the right turbolift opened and Carol walked in, followed by Ingemar and Nilfer.
"What happened?" Carol wanted to know. In the rescue capsule, she apparently didn't notice what was happening. All I know is that the start command has not been issued.
"It's over," Noah replied simply, sitting back in the command chair. Next, he must describe in detail what happened. When Celia, Daisy and Tiny also entered the bridge, he had to repeat it again.
There was chaos on the bridge. Until Noah stood up and asked everyone to quiet down. Then he said, "I don't know about you, but I want to go home."
Nilf nodded. "Okay, sir. Set course to Earth, Wa
p2. "
"SpeedWa
p2? " Noah was in disbelief. At this rate, it would take them more than four weeks.
"I'm sorry, Captain. The machine can't handle any more pressure," Nilf replied.
Noah looked to his chief engineer.
"I'll do my best," she promised. "But I can't guarantee any outcome. We suffered too much damage and it didn't help us repair it."
Noah nodded. "Then use wa
p 2," he ordered Nilf. Most importantly, they were going home.
Captain Noah walked to the science station and faced Jeffrey. For him, there are still some questions that remain unanswered. He expected the Vulcan to give him answers like he always did.
"Didn't you say that Cindy's weapon was aimed at the earth?" the captain asked.
"That's right," Jeffrey confirmed.
"So, why did it hit Mars?" This question has already been swirling in Noah's mind.
"This is our fault," Jeffrey said calmly, and explained to the surprised captain: "Flolt's analysis also took into account the angle of incidence of the energy ray. Based on this, I calculated that the Republic ship was under the influence of the energy ray. The presence of " deflects it 7.8 degrees."
"That's enough?" Noah almost couldn't believe it. Aren't Earth and Mars light years apart?
"Apparently so."
Noah still looked at him in disbelief. "We deflected the energy beam? And it happened to be deflected enough to destroy Mars?"
Jeffrey nodded. “Chance often has a huge impact.”
Noah shook his head. "If we deflect the ray 7.7 degrees..."
"...Then the rays would miss the planet," Jeffrey added. "At longer distances, the ray will have no target. After one hundred to one hundred and fifty light years, it may dissipate."
"Damn it," the captain cursed. "We were so unlucky to hit your hometown."
Jeffrey raised his right eyebrow. "At least you now realize the important role Mars plays in our universe."
Noah looked at him in surprise. Was Jeffrey just mocking him?
"One more thing. The moment we returned to our universe, the weapon was launched. Now wouldn't it destroy Mars again?"
Jeffrey looked at him indulgently, like a teacher looking at his student who keeps asking repeated questions. "No, because we were drawn into this alternate universe. There, we saved that planet. Since this was the same energy ray we intercepted before Mars, these events would repeat themselves, leading to the results we know."
"In other words, this other Republic is experiencing what we have experienced?" Noah asked thoughtfully.
"You can't say that. This other Republic, as you call it, is ourselves. It's just that we are half a year older now."
"So this alternate universe exists parallel to ours."
Jeffrey thought for a moment, not considering Noah's words, but looking for a way to explain them in simple words to a human being. "This universe is the result of time manipulation. Although we experienced it, it never really existed because we restored the flow of time."
"So where is the other Republic we saw before?" Noah still insisted.
"It's here. It's who we are."
"But we have been older for half a year, as you just said. So where did the six months go?"
"This half-year only exists in the aging cells of our bodies, our records and memories," Jeffrey explained patiently.
"Just memories?" Noah repeated slowly. "Like a dream."
"That's an inaccurate description. But if that helps you understand, here's the analogy."
The door to the turbolift opened, allowing Noah to step away from the poignant topic for a moment. He saw Lieutenant Paulner walking into the bridge, preparing to take over Ingmar's post. Ingmar looked strangely unfocused and depressed. He was the only one who showed no joy. Of course, the last few months have affected everyone and left their mark on everyone. But now that it's over, everyone can see their relief. Except Ingemar.
Paulner took over the Ops control and Ingmar left the bridge without even looking at the captain. He wasn't sure where he should go first, but in the end he decided to check out the medical bay.
Both elevators reach the bridge, but only the one on the right is still operational. Another elevator was disabled due to damage to the ship. In the corridors, traces of recent battles can still be seen. There are ceiling panels that have fallen off and have not yet been reattached; cracks in the floors and walls that testify to the sheer force the ship was subjected to; and there are signs of fire everywhere, as exploding wires caused the blaze. There are also areas on the ship that are completely cordoned off due to the damage being so severe. The damage in those areas was so severe that it was beyond repair. There are even several parts missing from the ship's hull. Ingmar hasn't seen this yet, as the area is of course cordoned off. He only heard from the maintenance team that a part of the ship was missing. When he turns the corner in these areas, he may see directly into space, as the passage ahead of the ship is suddenly interrupted.
But the path to the infirmary had been cleared, and Ingmar got there without any problems. When he left the elevator and was about to walk to the medical room, he happened to meet Shu Ran. He looked at each other in astonishment as she did. They passed each other awkwardly in the small space, keeping as much distance as possible. As she entered the elevator, Ingmar held the door open.
"Shu Ran, I need to talk to you." He said.
She just looked at him.
Damn it, don't get me in trouble, he thought. "This is a message about you."
"Oh," she replied. "I thought I made that clear."
Ingmar looked at her. This is a joke. Is this an explanation? "Why?" he said with difficulty. "Everything is fine between us."
She looked at him, her eyes cold. The shine of the past few weeks has faded. "I told you. I'm not sure about how I feel. Yes, everything is fine. The past few weeks have been wonderful, I'll be honest. I don't want to miss them. But for you, if I I haven’t figured out my feelings yet, so I think it’s only fair.”
"Fair?" he repeated in disbelief.
"Ingmar, I have to go on," she urged him back. "Goodbye first."
As the elevator doors closed, Ingmar remained dazed. She really means it. He couldn't believe it. Let alone understanding. He felt his heart breaking and he could barely breathe.
He couldn't go see Celia now. He can't go to the doctor. He just wanted to go back to his room.
"Hey, Ingmar," a voice came from behind him before he could leave.
He turned slowly. "Hello, Celia," he answered weakly.
Celia looked at him, looking shocked. "Ingmar, what's wrong with you?"
"You come with me now." She grabbed his arm and pulled him inside. She had no trouble getting him into her office, which was right next to the medical bay.
He struggled to tell her what had happened. He told her Shu Ran's message and their meeting just now. The doctor was shocked when he heard all this.
"I don't believe it. She doesn't look like someone who would be so determined at all." Celia said slowly. On the one hand she was shocked, but on the other hand she didn't know how to deal with it. After all, she only knew Ingmar's opinion, even if his expression said it all.
"I can send her to Dr. Mi Zhiwa." Celia suggested half seriously.
Ingmar shook his head. "No, forget it."
She looked at him thoughtfully. "You know, I have often imagined this moment before. The famous Ingemar will finally fall badly. You made me and many other women hurt. But that has passed and been forgotten. See I’m not happy at all if you’re like this.”
"I'm sorry for what happened then," he said softly.
Celia nodded. "I know." She hugged him tightly. "Give her some time. Maybe the events are too much for her. Maybe she'll bounce back and you'll finally be happy together. If not, just forget about her. She doesn't deserve it. And, even if you can't right now Believe, you will come out. Trust me."
He simply nodded. And then slunk away like a wounded dog. She looked at his back. She originally wanted to encourage him, but she didn't know what to say. He must face it all alone.
She sighed and turned around. She still has some catching up to do. A task she had been putting off for nearly half a year. Now, she couldn't put it off any longer. So she sat in front of her computer screen and looked up Ted's death certificate. He has been lying in the freezer for half a year. Now, as they were about to return home, she had to prepare everything for his transport. There are also official files.
Half a year has passed, and this feeling is really strange. Even though they still missed him, it was a reality that he was gone. Life goes on because it must go on. Celia felt a little guilty about this. She shook her head, trying to shake off the thought. Then she got to work.
