668 {Hello, World}


    Space between Sr and Proxima star system.


    {Permission granted to ess thework} announced the AI controlling the ten spaceships that had halted a week away from the Proxima Centauri star system upon receiving ess to the Proxima exploration fleet''swork.


    The reason the ships hade to a stop at this specific distance, rather than proceeding further or turning back, was that it was the farthest point where they could still connect to the exploration fleet''s quantum towers. Additionally, continuing to the Proxima star system would mean wasting another week, which was unnecessary since their mission was brief and purely functional, not for sentimental reasons.


    {Initiatemunication anchoring.} The AI began by setting up the Proxima side of themunicationwork as the endpoint for the quantummunication link it was establishing.


    {Initiatingwork boot and docking.} As it issued thismand, the AI sent a ping to the nearest installed quantum towers that the ten ships had beenying down for the past six months.


    As soon as the closest quantum towers received the initiating and docking signal, they promptly exited their idle power-saving mode and activated operational mode. They then ryed the same signal to the towers nearest to them.


    This process continued until the signal reached thestid quantum towers, which were closest to the sr system. When the next ping was sent, it confirmed: {Main anchor reached.}


    {Initiating the creation ofmunicationnes} The system then proceeded by isting the newly activated signal towers, as thework construction was still underway. This precaution was taken to prevent any potential disruptions to the existingwork while the newnes were being established.


    The system then began creating variousworknes for different types ofmunication to traverse once they were activated.


    Although creating thework might seem straightforward, it was quite the opposite. Only about two of the tennes were designated for public use, while a third was reserved specifically for VR ess. Thisne required uninterrupted data transfer due to the sensitive nature of dealing with people’s brains, necessitating additional safety measures. The remaining sevennes were allocated for private imperial use and redundancy, ensuring that if the two publes and the VRne encountered issues—such as damage from FTL travel through the towers or the removal of a tower during FTL departure—there would be backupnes avable.


    {Lanes creationplete.}


    {Initiatingwork connection} The AI proceeded to link the newly establishednes to the mainwork,pleting the connection between the two star systems with an instantmunicationwork.


    {................}


    {............}


    {.......}


    Theworknes were silent for quite a while, before the AI, thework''s creator, broke the silence with the first message:


    {Hello, world}


    This marked the inaugural transmission through humanity’s first inter-star systemmunicationwork.


    ……………..


    “......”


    “.....”


    Bianchi and Ayaka were struck into silence, both stunned and disbelieving at the magnitude of what had just transpired.


    Previously, sending a single message took a whole six months to reach its destination as it was being physically sent, and they had anticipated a simr dy for a response.


    However, the empire''s reaction defied all expectations. The speed and efficiency of their reply were astonishing, given the immense resources required to establish such awork.


    Themunication infrastructure needed for interster connections would typically demand about a hundred times the resources used for the sr systemwork. Remarkably, the empire achieved this in just three months of preparation, not including the six months needed for travel and instation—a feat that was quite an undertaking, at least from the perspective of the two observers.


    “So does that mean we can now ess the empire''swork andmunicate with our families?” Ayaka asked, regaining herposure.


    {Technically, yes, but this can only happen if ess to thework is granted, which has not yet been provided on our end,} the Fleet''s AI responded.


    Before anyone could respond, the hologram shifted to an animation indicating an iing call.


    [Emperor] was the only information disyed in the caller section.


    Bianchi immediately epted the call while both he and Ayaka immediately got on their feet in an attention positon, with them immediately saluting the moment Aron, the emperor, appeared.


    “At ease, gentleman,” Aron said as his hologram materialised at the center of the room. As he looked around, he immediately added, “Anddies,” when he saw Ayaka.


    They rxed their salutes but remained standing with their hands sped behind their backs, awaiting the emperor’s words.


    “Any dys?” Aron asked, earning himself a curious gaze from the two.


    But before they could wonder what he meant by that, a response came from the fleet’s AI {No sir}


    “Good,” Aron said with a satisfied smile before finally turning to the two members who were still waiting for him.


    “Fleet Admiral Marco Bianchi,” he began.


    “Yes, sir,” Bianchi replied promptly, maintaining his stance.


    “Good job on exceeding your mission requirements,” Aron continued. “I am very satisfied with what you’ve aplished within the time frame and the constraints you faced.” He praised Bianchi for his exemry leadership and hard work on the mission.


    “Thank you, sir. It’s an honor,” Bianchi replied, returning to his position with a respectful nod.


    Aron gave a contented smile at Bianchi''s response. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    “Commander Takahashi Ayaka,” he then called, turning his attention to her.


    She, too, responded the same way, as they were both in the militarymand structure.


    “You, too, have done an excellent job. What could have been an operational and logistical nightmare has turned into a significant benefit for the empire,” Aron said with praise.


    She thanked him for themendation, and Aron continued, “There’s also Lee Joon-ho, who yed a crucial role in all of this. Hismendation will be delivered at ater time.”


    After a brief pause, he added, “I’m sure you have many questions, but they will have to wait for a few days. For now, I would like to address all the members of the exploration fleet who aren’t engaged in emergency situations. Please send out the announcement and ensure they are prepared for my address within the hour.”


    With a proud tone and a satisfied smile, Aron concluded the conversation and disappeared from the hologram after receiving their assurance to carry out his request.