“Actually, this principle is something we should have realized long ago.” In the conference room, facing Xiao Yu, Luka Two, Luka Three, Luka Four, and a gathering of scientific elites, Senya spoke confidently. “It’s truly very simple, so simple that even a Level 2 civilization… no, even an intelligent species from a Level 1 civilization with slightly above-average intellect could figure it out. To be blunt, this principle isn’t even worth mentioning.”
“The Trolor Civilization did not lie to us. By relying on this principle, with the aid of space weapons, we have a one hundred percent chance of returning to the main universe.”
That was the conclusion Senya presented.
Luka Three wisely remained silent. Until it had thoroughly understood the matter and reached its own conclusions, it would not lightly offer any opinions, this was its guiding principle. Luka Two, a scientist from the psychosocial sciences division, wore a completely bewildered expression. It didn’t understand any of this. In fact, for such a purely scientific meeting, a psychosocial scientist was merely present as an observer. It didn’t even understand many of the technical terms Senya had used, and naturally had nothing to contribute.
Xiao Yu also said nothing, but his brain was running at full speed, rapidly calculating the feasibility of the method. Within three seconds, Xiao Yu’s face showed a sense of relief. “Senya, well done. Very well done. I already know what you’re trying to say, and I think the method is feasible.”
At this moment, Xiao Yu had the same feeling as someone who had just witnessed an incredible magic trick. A multi-ton car had been sitting on stage. Then the curtain dropped, the magician made a few dramatic gestures, and when the curtain lifted again, the car was gone.
When Xiao Yu was a child, he had seen that very trick. He’d stayed up for several nights trying to figure out how it was done. But when he finally learned the secret, he was incredibly disappointed. Upon hearing the explanation, he had sneered and said, “So that’s all it was.”
The secret? When the curtain dropped and covered the car, assistants quickly hooked steel cables to it. A mechanical system then hoisted the vehicle up along with the curtain, lifting it all the way into the ceiling.
It was that simple.
Now, Xiao Yu felt the same way again.How could they decelerate the three-dimensional small universe they were inside?
The answer was very simple, just throw things in the direction it was moving. Recoil. Something humans from the Earth era already understood.
Yes, the mystery was solved now. The final answer really was that simple.
“W-wait a moment.” At this point, another scientist from the science and technology division raised a hand and requested to speak. After Xiao Yu gave permission, the scientist stood up, looking confused as he addressed Senya, “Senya, are you saying that… while, uh, boating with Feili, you were inspired by the idea that throwing things behind the boat makes it move forward faster, and from that you drew this conclusion? Honestly, I don’t quite understand. I don’t see how that phenomenon connects to our current situation. Using recoil to decelerate the small universe we’re in… sure, it sounds feasible. But, what are we supposed to use as material for recoil in the Four-Dimensional direction?”
Xiao Yu had already grasped the concept, but that didn’t mean the other scientists did. This wasn’t a matter of intelligence. In fact, everyone present, whether from the psychosocial or scientific divisions, was among the most brilliant minds in existence. But brilliance didn’t mean one could easily overcome mental blocks.
Sometimes, habitual thinking and mental traps are terrifying. They can blind a person to the obvious truth staring them in the face.
Clearly, this scientist was still stuck in that mental block, unable to make the connection.
Senya smiled as he looked at the scientist and said, “Uncle Toman, you agree that using recoil, we can decelerate the small universe we’re currently in, right? And once our small universe slows down, it will inevitably return to the main universe and be reabsorbed by it. That means we can get out, correct?”
The scientist named Toman nodded with a puzzled expression. “Yes, that’s logically sound. But… how exactly are we supposed to use recoil to decelerate a space on the Four-Dimensional level?”
“The answer is very simple.” Senya snapped his fingers and said slowly, “Use space to decelerate space.”
“Hmm?” Toman’s eyes flickered, but he said nothing.
“The truth is, we’ve always been wrong.” Senya continued. “We’ve always believed we lacked the ability to exert influence on the fourth dimension. But we were mistaken, we do have that ability. Don’t forget, we already possess space weapons that can sever segments of space. Now, what happens to the trajectory of a piece of space once it’s cut loose? It’s obvious, once severed, that segment of space travels away from us, along the Four-Dimensional axis.”
He paused briefly, and under Xiao Yu’s approving gaze, continued, “Assume the small universe we’re in is moving forward. Then why can’t we use space weapons to cut off pieces of space and launch them forward? According to the principle of action and reaction, by imparting forward momentum to the detached space, our remaining space will naturally experience a force in the opposite direction. This force will cause our space to gradually decelerate, slower and slower, until it is eventually captured by the gravitational pull of the greater universe and reabsorbed into it.”
The conference room fell completely silent. Senya’s explanation was so astonishing that no one could respond. After a long moment, Luka Three let out a soft sigh, then raised his head and said to Senya, “Well done, Senya. I also believe your method is viable.”
“Thank you, Lord Three.” Senya bowed respectfully to Luka Three.
“I believe I now understand how the Trolor Civilization gave this small universe its initial velocity, allowing it to maintain motion without being captured by the main universe. Clearly, the Trolor Civilization did not possess the ability to directly operate on the Four-Dimensional level. So the only possibility is that they imparted initial momentum from within the three-dimensional world itself. The secret lies within their space weapons.”
“Does anyone still have questions?” Senya asked.
The scientists exchanged glances, but no one spoke.
The principle was far too simple, and the method lacked technical complexity. Even now, many of the scientists found it hard to believe that the final answer to a problem that had plagued them for over a year, one they had pursued with painstaking effort, could be something so basic.
In fact, even Xiao Yu had found it hard to believe when he first heard it. But after carefully thinking it through, he realized the method was perfectly logical, consistent with all known physical laws. Most importantly, it felt right. It had a real sense of feasibility.
“I’d like to add something to this plan.” Luka Three said. “Senya’s method is sound, but I think we need to make a slight modification. We already know that space is influenced by gravity. So when we carry out this plan, when we eject space fragments forward, we should include some mass within those fragments. For example… rocks from that dwarf planet. I think this is crucial. I don’t believe that simply launching empty space fragments will be enough to decelerate our small universe. Just like, Senya, if you’re in a rowboat and throw air behind you, will that accelerate your boat? Of course not. In fact, I’m starting to believe that dwarf planet was deliberately left behind by the Trolor Civilization for us, to use in decelerating this space.”
Senya thought for a moment and immediately caught on.
“That was my oversight. Yes, I believe Lord Three is absolutely right.”
Upon hearing Luka Three’s suggestion, Xiao Yu also felt a jolt in his heart. He nodded. “You make a lot of sense. This plan is highly feasible. We can mathematically model the trajectory of our small universe in Four-Dimensional space. Even the direction in which we launch the space fragments can be precisely calculated. Space Two was originally intended for experimental purposes, its power can still be increased. And according to our current resource inventory, we still have enough high quality metal to construct two more space weapons.”
“Before we officially implement this plan, I’ll need to run a test. I’ll use Space Two to launch some material first and observe whether the trajectory of our small universe changes. If the result is positive, then the rest will be simple. Escaping this small universe will just be a matter of time.”
This statement was simply a final confirmation. In truth, deep down, Xiao Yu had already accepted this plan, because the hypothesis was too perfect. From every angle, it had to be the correct answer.
Simple yet elegant. Graceful yet profound. It truly utilized space weapons and, indeed, was something a Level 4 civilization could have conceived.
Xiao Yu thought silently, ‘Senya, you’ve done well. Exceptionally well. You’ve once again solved a colossal problem that was blocking our path. Rest assured, if we make it out this time, I’ll keep my promise. The title of Number Five will be yours. And I’ll personally officiate your and Feili’s wedding…’