“Actually, you also really hope that I go in another direction, right?” Zhang Fan looked at Liao Changtian.
“Yes.” Liao Changtian smiled, then sighed, “Am I… am I sometimes too selfish? You didn’t have to go…”
"There are so many people on Earth, it's not necessarily your turn."
"Then why do you want me to go?" Zhang Fan asked, turning his head to stare at Liao Changtian.
"I can only say that it's because you're the most suitable." Liao Changtian smiled. "We need a pioneer to explore the outside world and tell us what it's like so that we can prepare for the next step."
"The outside world may be completely different from what we imagine, and the knowledge we have acquired before may be completely useless. At this time, the ability to adapt to an unfamiliar planet becomes particularly important, and your performance on Mars proves that you are excellent in this regard."
"That settles it then." Zhang Fan withdrew his gaze. "This is your choice, and it's my choice too."
"But……"
"There are no 'buts'! I know I'm not as smart as you, but I have a quality you don't..." Zhang Fan said seriously, "That is recklessness!"
"I'm just a reckless fool. You come up with the plan, and I'll execute it!"
"Alright!" Liao Changtian stood up abruptly. "Let's go all out!"
The two grown men reached out and embraced.
Brothers are loyal and devoted to each other; no further words are needed.
"Um..." After the initial excitement subsided, Zhang Fan couldn't help but feel a little guilty. "Is this really just a one-way ticket?"
"That's certainly the case at the moment," Liao Changtian said. "We haven't yet made a breakthrough in ultra-long-distance interstellar communication technology, so we can't contact you after you leave, let alone guide you back to Earth."
"Aren't we communicating in real time now?" Zhang Fan asked, somewhat confused.
“Strictly speaking, we don’t communicate in real time,” Liao Changtian explained. “It’s just that the distance between Earth and Mars is so close that you can’t feel the delay in communication.”
"But if you put this distance into space, the delay will be very noticeable. In addition, the signal will attenuate with distance. Once you leave the solar system, our communication will basically be cut off."
"Haha, I can't believe I heard you say 'Blue Star and Mars are too close'," Zhang Fan laughed. "Sure enough, humanity's perspective has changed."
"Yes, humanity is no longer satisfied with its tiny territory on Earth and is eager to understand the outside world. This is the ideological basis for humanity's move towards unification."
"Blue Star is too small."
"Then I'm even more determined to go and see the outside world for humanity." Zhang Fan had already decided that even if it was just a one-way trip, he would still go out and see it.
In fact, even though Liao Changtian didn't say it outright, he knew that regardless of whether he succeeded or not, as long as he did this, others would follow in his footsteps and do the same.
"I will not abandon you." Liao Changtian's eyes shone brightly. "And please believe that humanity will not abandon you to travel alone."
"Didn't you say this was likely a one-way trip?" Zhang Fan asked curiously. "Can I come back?"
"Let me be honest, you're not coming back," Liao Changtian said seriously.
“You…” Zhang Fan wanted to hit him again.
“You don’t need to come back, we’ll come find you.” Liao Changtian said, and Zhang Fan’s fist was halfway up in the air when he put it down again.
“Do you still remember the Star Core?” Liao Changtian raised his right hand and extended his fist. “Remember to keep your ‘Stardust’ safe. We’ll meet there.”
"It's a deal!" Zhang Fan lowered his fist and bumped fists with Liao Changtian.
"When do I leave?" Zhang Fan asked.
"Tomorrow." Liao Changtian transmitted a set of data. "The 'Firebird 3' will dock at the nearest cave entrance. You can just walk out in your spacesuit. It won't kill you in a minute or two."
"At that time, 'Firebird 3' will travel to Mars unmanned, so it will not enter a jump orbit. It will cruise at sub-light speed and reach Mars in just over half an hour."
"Half an hour..." Zhang Fan was somewhat dazed.
"Aren't you going to say goodbye to the three girls on the Soyuz space station?" Liao Changtian suddenly asked.
"No, thank you. Just tell them for me." Zhang Fan sighed. "I hate these kinds of long-winded scenes..."
"By the way..." Zhang Fan paused for a moment, "How is Yui doing now?"
"As you requested, she has not yet been awakened from hibernation." Liao Changtian also sighed. "The spaceship that will take them back to Blue Star is already on its way, but it can't keep up with the speed of the 'Firebird 3,' so it will only arrive at the 'Soyuz' space station on the third day after you leave."
“That’s good.” Zhang Fan nodded, then hesitated for a moment. “And Yi… never mind, she’s too busy.”
"Is there anything else you want to say?"
"Take care of my parents." Zhang Fan said somewhat irritably, feeling as if he were making his final arrangements. "Is this our last communication?"
"Yes, until we break through the gravitational wave communication technology." Liao Changtian nodded.
"All right."
"Get a good rest tonight." Liao Changtian patted Zhang Fan. "I've already sent you the operating guide for 'Firebird 3'. Take a look when you have time."
"Actually, you don't have to watch it. All you have to do is sit in the cockpit and press a button, but it won't hurt to take a look."
"I'll be live-streaming it for you tomorrow," Liao Changtian said finally.
"Again?"
"After all, your son is going on a long journey, and all the humans want to see you off."
"I don't like what you're saying. Okay, get some rest."
...
The children of mankind are about to embark on a long journey today.
The Firebird 3 starship looks like a silver sparrow. Because the gravity engines at the rear take up a considerable amount of space, the ship looks rather clumsy and bulky.
Zhang Fan walked onto the ground in his spacesuit. Although there was no oxygen generator, the air inside his helmet was enough for him to walk the distance that would take a few minutes.
Zhang Fan sat in the cockpit of the "Firebird 3", took off his helmet, and took a deep breath.
Three years have passed, and it's finally time to leave Mars.
But it's not the direction home, but a more distant place.
When I turned on the communication screen, it was filled with congratulatory messages from fans on Earth.
[Have a safe journey, Zhang Dada!]
We'll definitely meet again!
[Zhang Dada, wait for me! I'll come find you after I graduate from flight school!]
[Go Zhang Dada! You're not alone!]
We are all supporting you!
We are with you!
Zhang Fan smiled at the screen and pressed the start button.
The gravity engine started, and a small blue sun immediately appeared in Mars' orbit, its tail flame generated by accelerating using the planet's gravity.
As Firebird 3 accelerated to the speed of light, a circular area gradually appeared in the space ahead, like a black storm suddenly appearing in the vast starry sky. The interior of the eye of the storm was a darkness even darker than the surrounding space, a void within a void.
The small silver dot plunged into the black void.
Firebird 3 completed its first time jump.
But it didn't leave the solar system; instead, it headed in the opposite direction, towards the center of the solar system—
The Sun, utilizing its immense stellar energy, can complete longer-distance spacetime jumps, becoming a true interstellar spaceship.
The deceleration and acceleration of "Firebird 3" in its orbit around the sun lasted only one ten-thousandth of a second, a trajectory that the human eye could not possibly capture, but the FAST spherical radio telescope in the mountains of southwest China did.
"He succeeded," Xiao Yimin said, looking at the large screen at the space center.
“Yes.” Liao Changtian nodded. “The place he will appear next is in Centaurus. But if we rely solely on radio telescopes, we will not be able to see the trajectory he left behind for another 50 years.”
"If he continues to use Centaurus for stellar leapfrogging, then his next stop will be Sirius, and we may have to wait a century to see him again."
"I see..." Xiao Yimin sighed deeply. "Was it really worth it...?"
“It was worth it.” Liao Changtian nodded. “Columbus drew humanity’s attention to the vast ocean.”
"And he will direct humanity's gaze toward the vast starry sky."
"From the moment he set off, humanity could never go back."
Our goal is the stars and the sea!
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