Ayla mentioned giant warships, which have been prioritized.
Exotic matter can withstand immense pressure; in fact, it requires immense pressure for its creation.
Therefore, creating a high-mass object within a warship could use that object's gravity for power.
This wasn't feasible before because a high-mass object within a warship would cause instability and hull deformation. A high-mass object capable of providing sufficient gravity isn't simply a low-mass planet; it needs stronger gravity.
Warships and Tilted Stations differ; Tilted Stations don't need high speeds; they're more like airborne fortresses or command ships lacking mobility.
According to the latest research, Tilted Stations can't leave their star systems. Their gravity resistance is based on equilibrium, using the star's gravity and the Tilted Station's own mass to achieve balance; they also use materials to collect and dissipate gravitational energy, further reducing the gravitational interaction on the Tilted Station.
The technology behind Tilted Stations isn't particularly complex.
Could the Olive Branch Civilization not build giant warships?
Of course, they could.
The Olive Branch Civilization built Tilted Stations because this provided living space and allowed for continuous use of gravitational energy reserves—a capability warships lack.
Furthermore, the primary reason is the Olive Branch Civilization's technological approach. Tilted Stations can be disassembled into massive fleets; they have no reason to build giant warships; it's redundant.
Real-world situations differ from games; a warship sitting idle still incurs significant costs, like owning a car.
Consider a mid-sized aircraft carrier; its annual operating cost exceeds $100 million; a single deployment adds $30-50 million; fleet exercises cost over $100 million; decommissioning costs easily exceed $1 billion, even with a short service life of several decades.
Similarly, military maintenance is far more expensive than civilian vehicles; a warship's annual operating cost greatly exceeds that of an aircraft carrier; typically 20-40% of its value. Federation warships have much longer service lives than carriers, typically 2000-5000 years; theoretically, the total cost from commissioning to decommissioning is 50 times the initial cost, potentially up to 250 times.
Take the Kunlun; it's been mostly idle, yet it consumes 16.2 billion Energy Credits annually. Over 2000-3000 years have passed since Luna's last visit, illustrating the Kunlun's exorbitant costs.
The Galactic Federation's most valuable company is worth just over 300 billion Energy Credits; 20 years of Kunlun maintenance would bankrupt it.
Maintaining Tilted Stations is already extremely expensive; the Olive Branch Civilization had no need for additional burdens.
Similarly, this is why Ayla didn't replace the older warships; newer, larger, and more powerful warships mean higher costs and maintenance fees, which the Federation cannot afford.
However, the giant-warship era is necessary for the Galactic Federation.
It means the Federation doesn't need to build many small warships; each star system only needs one giant warship. According to Ayla's calculations, replacing small warships with giant warships would reduce maintenance costs by 103%; this is significant.
The Federation currently has too many warships due to the state of combat readiness. To maintain internal stability and deter external threats, the number of warships could be reduced by 50%.
Ayla wasn't heartbroken about destroying so many warships during the war with the Olive Branch Civilization; destroying them was better than having them stranded, as their value was far higher than their replacement cost.
Giant warships offer another cost-saving factor.
Smaller warships require various ship types, each with different functions; giant warships, due to their size, can combine these functions into a single vessel, making one warship equivalent to a fleet or multiple fleets.
Coverage issues can be addressed with more fighters and ships; larger warships can accommodate more smaller craft; these smaller craft don't even need maintenance; just replace them when broken.
Firepower: a small warship carries at most three main cannons; a giant warship can carry dozens or hundreds, possibly including more powerful main cannons; firepower is significantly higher.
These factors drive the Federation toward a giant-warship era.
The Kunlun is the first experimental giant warship.
In Ayla's plans, giant warships aren't Kunlun-sized (low-mass planet-sized); they are truly planet-sized or even star-sized.
These giant warships provide space for something else.
White dwarfs.
A giant warship could contain a white dwarf, using its immense gravity for propulsion and providing energy for millions of years.
This is insane.
But with Mojin, white dwarf-powered warships are possible; Ayla even had a crazier idea; Luna reviewed the simulated universe records; Ayla had been experimenting with neutron star-powered warships for the past 200 years.
If not for the current lack of understanding of black holes (the simulated universe can't simulate black holes), Luna thinks Ayla would explore black hole-powered warships, perhaps even supermassive black hole-powered warships, those with tens of millions of solar masses.
Of course, these are still hypothetical.
As far as Luna knows, Ayla's current goal is practical; she'll first create a high-density celestial body within the Kunlun using a small black hole, then maintain its stability using vast amounts of energy, finally building a gravitational containment field around the stable celestial body; the gravitational containment field will produce more energy than is consumed in maintaining the high-density celestial body, achieving net energy gain.
Therefore, Ayla made a deal with Chu.
The deal involved advanced gravitational energy technology!
...
318 Years Later.
Luna had returned to Alpha Eridani.
She was currently on the beach of the Mobius Ringworld; Ayla, in a white bikini, was beside her; there were also some young women; Ayla had invited them for company.
Since returning from the Tilted Station, Luna seemed to prefer lively environments, disliking solitude.
These women, though appearing young, were in their twenties or thirties.
In the early Federation, when human lifespans were 130 years, maturity was defined as age 22; cell aging began at 35; physical aging at 50; middle age at 70; and old age at 100.
Due to lifespan extension and gene optimization, while maturity remains at 22, adolescence extends to 40; 40-130 is considered young adulthood; 130-200 is middle age; 200-240 is older middle age; then a rapid decline in physical function leads to a 20-year old age period, ending with natural death at 260.
"Chu is central to the Olive Branch Civilization; how did you convince him to release the gravitational energy technology?" Luna gazed at the distant ocean from behind her sunglasses.
A forest was visible; it seemed small, but the trees were hundreds of thousands of meters tall; Ayla named it the Spirit Forest.
Although there are no actual spirits, Ayla assigned the Lightwings to that area; calling them spirits is quite fitting.
"As long as Chu has needs, I fulfill them; he gives me something in return; isn't this a simple exchange of benefits?"
"Chu has unified the Tilted Station; he's wary of us and hasn't contacted other Tilted Stations."
Luna was surprised but quickly realized.
"So much time has passed; the calculations were slightly off."
"Under communist ideology, Chu can improve the Tilted Station; his primary enemy remains the second great leader, not us."
"His current wariness is because he hasn't influenced other Tilted Stations and has blocked information, preventing the second leader from knowing his actions."
"He's developing and waiting for an opportunity."
"And our war with the Filament Civilization will reduce his wariness; this will take thousands of years."
Ayla nodded.
This factor was considered in the war against the Filament Civilization.
"Chu's exchange of gravitational energy technology with us suggests the Olive Branch Civilization abandoned the old technology 40,000 years ago."
"The core technology uses intermittent gravity to pull the machinery."
Ayla showed Luna an animation; she quickly understood.
"This is true gravitational 'waves'."
This gravitational energy technology uses dark energy to influence gravity, creating strong and weak gravitational waves. During the strong phase, gravity pulls a specially designed rotating shaft's heavier end closer; during the weak phase (influenced by dark energy), the heavier end moves away, causing the shaft to rotate.
This strong-weak cycle occurs over short distances; this technology allows the shaft to rotate at 500,000 revolutions per second.
"The efficiency is quite low." Luna knew the efficiency was pathetic without calculations.
"Correct. It only achieves a net energy gain; inputting 1 unit of energy produces roughly 1.02 units."
2% gain is negligible.
"But we have negative energy; mass production of negative energy could increase efficiency to about 11%."
"According to my calculations, the Tilted Station's gravitational energy utilization efficiency exceeds 500%; that's why they can exist within a star system and harvest energy."
A 500% gain is terrifying.
No wonder the Olive Branch Civilization, without exploiting many star systems, is so powerful; their main energy production must have shifted to gravitational energy harvesters.
"All beginnings are difficult; although this technology is inefficient, it saves us considerable time."
Luna considered this gravitational energy technology crucial.
With thousands of years of optimization, efficiency could be significantly increased.
"Besides gravitational energy technology, the Olive Branch Civilization possesses many technologies superior to ours, some we haven't even discovered."
"Now that Chu controls the Tilted Station, the Cosmic Silk Road must fulfill its true purpose."
The Silk Road is for trade.
Exchanging minor items for something better.
"I've already contacted Chu, but he hasn't agreed; he probably wants something more."
Chu knows the Federation doesn't offer truly valuable items for trade.
This exchange must be a mutually beneficial struggle.
Luna mused, "What Chu likely needs is experience. The Olive Branch Civilization hasn't experienced war for a long time; they lack war experience."
"Give him a simulated world; create some war scenarios."
Civilizations don't exchange useless things.
Luna wanted to offer something useful.
Military strategy would make Chu stronger, allowing him to use these strategies against the Galactic Federation.
But Luna wasn't worried; Chu's main enemy would always be the second leader.
Providing this strategic knowledge would help Chu win.
Luna's goal was to cultivate Chu as the leader of the Olive Branch Civilization.
Only Chu could interact with the Galactic Federation; other Olive Branch leaders wouldn't interact with the Federation; past failures show that allowing other leaders to participate would lead to direct conflict, leaving no room for negotiation.
Chu understands the Galactic Federation; this means Luna understands him better. In a situation where a weaker civilization faces a stronger one, Luna sees the chance of victory residing in Chu.
"Helping a friend is helping oneself, isn't it?"
Luna smiled, shifting slightly for comfort, enjoying the salty sea breeze.
...
While Luna enjoyed the sun, another event unfolded within the Galactic Federation.
It was a massive celebration aimed at all Federation citizens.
It was called the New Dawn Games!
This plan shocked tens of trillions of Federation citizens due to its sheer scale.
"The Federation has never held such a large-scale competition across professional fields."
"Of course. Besides the Federation, who else can afford it?"
Citizens' jaws dropped as they read the online announcement.
"Every city must hold a city-level New Dawn preliminary competition weekly; people of all ages, professions, and skill levels can participate. Each city-level preliminary requires competitions in mathematics, physics, chemistry, astronomy, geology, geography, mechanics, economics, meteorology, information science, engineering, psychology, medicine, law, linguistics, logic, art, and philosophy, among others—a total of 726 separate events."
"Each event has different rules, but the advancement and winning rules, and prize amounts, are the same. The top 10 winners in the city-level New Dawn preliminary competition receive 10, 5, 3 and 1 Energy Credits respectively; participants ranked 11-100 receive 0.1 Energy Credits. The top ten advance to the monthly competition. Four city-level preliminary competitions are held monthly in each city. Forty winners from each event advance to the regional monthly competition; 726 events result in 29,040 participants in the regional monthly competition."
"The regional monthly competition also selects the top ten winners from numerous events. The top ten receive 500, 300, 100, and 30 Energy Credits respectively; participants ranked 11-100 receive 5 Energy Credits. The top ten advance to the annual competition. One hundred and twenty winners from each event advance to the star system-level annual competition; 726 events mean 87,120 participants."
"The star system-level annual competition also selects the top ten winners. The top ten receive 10,000, 5000, 2000, and 500 Energy Credits respectively; participants ranked 11-100 receive 50 Energy Credits. The top ten annually receive entry to the New Dawn Games, receiving 1000 Energy Credits and 50 years of tuition at any prestigious academy, plus the New Dawn Medal."
"The New Dawn Games will include the top 100 participants from each of the Federation's 726 events over 100 years; it's held every 101 years. Winners receive a lifespan extension based on their time until the Games (e.g., if A qualifies in the first year, they receive a 99-year lifespan extension; if B qualifies in the 100th year, they receive a 1-year extension). The top ten winners in each event receive a Century New Dawn Medal (e.g., the top ten in thermodynamics receive the Century New Dawn Medal in Thermodynamics) and 1 million, 700,000, 500,000, and 300,000 Energy Credits respectively."
Someone calculated that the Federation would spend over 6 trillion Energy Credits every 101 years on New Dawn prizes.
This is only the direct prize money; the indirect benefits are far greater.
New Dawn Medal winners receive numerous benefits; Century New Dawn Medal winners are highly sought after by companies, research institutions, and prestigious academies.
The prize money is insignificant compared to these opportunities.
"The Federation is launching a comprehensive talent cultivation plan."
"Not only do the top ten winners of the star system-level annual competition receive recognition, but the top 100 winners of the city-level preliminary competitions are also noticed by smaller companies, gaining better employment opportunities. This is a comprehensive talent selection plan, ensuring that every talented individual in the Federation isn't overlooked. It's truly ambitious."
The competition has no barriers, regardless of age, profession, or skill level; it's a celebration of human potential.
The Century New Dawn winners also contribute to the scholar ranking, a complete advancement pathway.
Luna and Ayla began planning the New Dawn Games thousands of years ago; however, the Federation wasn't ready.
One main reason was the Federation's instability and its market not reaching its ideal size.
The Federation can be considered a massive corporation.
If the corporation's departments are unstable, it can't launch incentive plans; operational profits come second; internal balance is a corporation's primary concern.
Only after everything is stable can various plans be implemented.
Like the New Dawn Games.
If there's no market to absorb the Century New Dawn winners, what's the point of this honor?
The New Dawn Games appear to be a bottom-up selection process, but true luminaries are never overlooked; they already stand at the apex of Federation society. The Games aren't about "rewarding ordinary citizens," but about "how to help ranked scholars and gifted individuals, currently earning 10,000 Energy Credits annually, increase their income to 100,000, 1 million, or even 10 million."
Didn't Luna and Ayla create the New Dawn Games to unearth overlooked talent?
Of course, that's part of it.
But how many are truly overlooked?
Like selecting Nobel laureates from 8 billion people in the 21st century, we must exclude those already wealthy and successful; how many truly unrecognized geniuses are there?
Some argue that with a fixed amount of resources, many geniuses won't receive their due.
But this assumes intense competition among geniuses and is overly pessimistic.
In reality, while most geniuses may not receive the recognition they deserve, they are still far better off than average people; they might not receive the largest share of the resources, but even a smaller share places them above the failures in the lower tiers.
Most unrecognized geniuses aren't living in poverty; they're often thinking, "High-paying jobs are too competitive; I'll settle for a less demanding job paying tens or hundreds of thousands annually."
Those truly earning only a few thousand a month represent only about 1% of geniuses; many are self-proclaimed geniuses who are actually average.
The New Dawn Games aim to uncover this 1%, but primarily to restore mid-level geniuses to their rightful positions and elevate top-level geniuses to even higher ones.
What's in it for average people?
Plenty!
A collective grows from the height of its members; elevating some raises everyone; taller people can turn a 10-inch cake into a 20-inch cake; even if the wealthiest's share increases from 60% to 70%, the remaining 30% is still larger than the original 40%.
Of course, Luna won't let the wealthiest's share increase from 60% to 70%; the Federation exists to maintain this internal balance. She'll keep the wealthiest's share within a 5% fluctuation.
This is a simplified explanation. The real world isn't solely defined by money; the New Dawn Games select mainly scholars, not businessmen, giving scholars more wealth.
Ultimately, the New Dawn Games aim to strengthen the Federation; a stronger Federation means a larger cake, benefiting everyone, from top to bottom.
But this change is far more profound.
"Ayla, what's the market cap of the Federation's most valuable company?"
Waiting in the library, Luna wore glasses; she wasn't nearsighted; the glasses contained numerous research materials; when reading, she could access supplementary information.
"370 billion Energy Credits!"
Ayla pretended to read alongside her.
She already had the books in her database; she didn't need to look.
"And the second?"
"300 billion Energy Credits!"
Luna had noticed the Federation's companies were too small.
"I thought after 20,000 years, the Federation would have many trillion-credit companies."
Ayla reminded her, "Luna, the Federation is an autocracy."
The Federation's top autocrats are Luna and Ayla; there are no others.
Luna and Ayla's decisions entirely control the Federation—100%.
"The problem with autocracy is that the autocrat controls too much."
"Luna, if you want the Federation to have trillion-credit companies, you must reduce the Federation's control."
The New Dawn Games are meant to boost the Federation's economy; while it has a ripple effect, it's not fast or significant enough.
Luna now plans to release Federation-held assets into the market to stimulate growth.
Currently, the Federation government controls over 92% of the economy; the remaining 8% is shared by all citizens and corporations.
This is highly abnormal.
"I think I'll release another 10%."
Luna's initial plan was 20%, but that would cause market inflation and hinder economic growth.
If a trillion-credit company only had a 500 billion market cap, where would the other 500 billion come from? Not the Federation, but ordinary citizens' savings.
If someone's savings of 100 Energy Credits suddenly lose half their value, it would cause economic turmoil.
"It's not impossible, but we'll need to reduce military spending," Ayla warned.
Releasing 10% to the market means the Federation loses 10%; this economic contraction would reduce the Federation's control.
This is why Ayla hasn't done so; she wants to maintain her control.
"It's a necessary process, isn't it?"
"In the long term…" Luna felt Ayla was resistant; she tried to persuade her.
"But Luna, we may not have a long term."
External threats are a crucial factor in Ayla maintaining the Federation's stability.
"Caution is good, but don't be overly pessimistic; we should act."
"Ayla, I know the Galactic Federation is your life's work; you're cautious to avoid mistakes, but as you said, it's an autocracy; you should understand the dangers of autocracy."
"The extreme is the Olive Branch Civilization; though we can't reach that extreme, we shouldn't be complacent."
"I still hold to my judgment from over 20,000 years ago and hope the Federation continues to follow it."
Ayla knew what Luna meant.
Imagination resource theory.
Individuals are limited, even Ayla's immense AI.
Collective imagination is the greatest resource; releasing the economy stimulates rapid growth, pushing imagination to new heights.
However, converting imagination into tangible results takes a long time.
Imagination resource theory isn't about a single genius raising civilization but the accumulation of imagination.
For example, in the first 100 years, A proposes a concept; in the second 100 years, B refines it; in the third 100 years, C proves it; in the fourth 100 years, D studies it; in the fifth 100 years, E applies it; in the sixth 100 years, F mass-produces it…
Through six or more generations of research, a seemingly empty concept is applied to reality, benefiting all, raising the civilization's overall level.
This is true imagination resource theory, not waiting for a genius to propose, refine, prove, and produce a product based on a concept within a lifetime.
That's pure gambling, not a theory.
"Luna, where will you get that 10%?"
Ayla's tone was emotionless.
"Don't touch existing assets; release new ones."
"When I first traveled the Cosmic Silk Road, didn't I let some companies buy less-developed star systems?"
"Now, completely open it; release the central yellow dwarf star system's exploitation rights; lease planets and giant planets, giving large companies more assets."
"Then scholars; grant the top-ranked scholar a title, giving them a red dwarf star system. The title isn't hereditary but can be passed to the next top-ranked scholar."
"Open small warship production; companies can produce warships up to 5000 meters; after transitioning to giant warships, we can open up 10,000-meter-class warship production."
"Privatize exploration; individuals or companies can form exploration teams; legally registered teams discovering new star systems get exploitation rights for 500 years and a 65% tax reduction."
"Release some advanced energy technologies, allowing companies to control some energy sources; of course, the Federation must hold at least a 10% stake in all energy companies and maintain oversight."
"…"
Luna listed over ten points; Ayla handed her a glass of water; she paused.
"Well, my plan needs your input; we must maintain balance."
"The assets we release can be acquired by Federation companies, giving them more economic weight; this better integrates the Federation with its base; this, in my opinion, is best."
Ayla and Luna sat together; Ayla seemed uncomfortable and lay down, resting her head on Luna's lap, her large eyes looking at Luna.
"Well, as long as you're sure, Luna; you didn't need to explain so much; I have no objections."
"The Galactic Federation's future is uncertain; my actions are simply to maintain it. You can consider me a right-hand, but I won't oppose your left-hand actions."
"Ahem!" Luna coughed awkwardly.
She felt Ayla was dissatisfied with her decisions; her extensive explanation was an attempt to persuade her.
Ayla's words warmed her heart; her power now far exceeded Luna's, yet Ayla maintained her original attitude, unchanged.
Even siblings or parent-child relationships might not remain the same, but Ayla remained constant.
...
"Luna, your body and mech are quite outdated."
Ayla, wearing a pink apron with plum patterns, prepared food in a 40-square-meter kitchen.
She served appetizers first: spicy Long and Phoenix dish, charcoal-grilled Yemengard heart, frozen Flame Demon horn meat, low-temperature slow-cooked Cthulhu octopus tentacle…
Each dish was incredibly flavorful; these high-end ingredients weren't different from ordinary meats.
The main course was a soup containing eagle feet, dragon bones, World Tree roots, Chimera tail, Fenrir spine, and other ingredients, served with a thin slice of insect meat.
Crispy, refreshing, and delicious.
"My lifespan is long; with your protection, replacing my body is no issue." After eating the insect meat, Luna asked Ayla to bring a pot of broth for a soup-based hotpot.
"But excessive modification isn't good."
"You know, Federation humans are different now."
Luna's primary research is biology; she knows the Federation's cutting-edge biological advancements.
The average height of Federation humans exceeded two meters thousands of years ago; it's now around 2.1 meters.
This isn't a focus; the Federation emphasizes quality over size.
Specifically, body mass.
The average weight of a Federation human is around 628 kg.
That's not a typo; it's over half a ton.
Firstly, because liquid metal implants are common in the Federation.
For example, a liquid metal lung assist device weighs 10 kg; there are also metal bone enhancements, increasing bone weight several times, plus other electronic implants.
Secondly, nanobots.
Quark robots can do many things, but their small size creates inconveniences; with nanobots now mature, capable of incredibly precise tasks, and able to augment quark robot computing power, internal nanobots have become mainstream.
Nanobots aren't injected like in 21st-century science fiction; the average Federation citizen has 37.24 kg of nanobots; it's measured by weight, not number.
To accommodate these implants, Federation cells have continuously evolved.
Cells have become smaller and denser; a previously slender 2-meter-tall person weighing 100 kg is now likely over 400 kg; a stronger build could easily reach half a ton.
Luna saw a blood transfusion at a hospital; the blood wasn't liquid; it felt like mercury.
Luna immediately recalled descriptions from fantasy novels—blood like mercury; it had become reality.
However, it's still quite different; mercury has a density of 13.59 g/cm³; Federation blood is 4.09 g/cm³, approaching solid density.
A 21st-century handgun couldn't penetrate human skin, even without a mech; a rifle might break the skin, but only cause minor bleeding.
This is true for other species; even those with exoskeletons or keratinous skin and scales would only show slight marks from rifle fire; piercing rounds are needed for actual damage.
As for Luna…
As Ayla said, she hadn't upgraded.
Although she upgraded after leaving the Tilted Station, it was mainly to revive her; it used the warship's technology; the warship had left Federation space for over 3000 years, resulting in outdated technology; therefore, Luna's body hadn't reached that level.
Luna didn't mind.
Not because she didn't want to upgrade, but because she didn't need to.
Her current body hadn't reached a point requiring a qualitative change.
"The Xi cell technology is complete. You really don't want to try it?" Ayla brought a large plate of desserts, including a scoop of ice cream.
"Really?"
This piqued Luna's interest.
"Of course, it's true."
"Previous body optimizations didn't consider radiation; Federation genes can withstand about 1.7 Sv; in the new research, I cultivated radiation-resistant genes; I initially tried to create universal radiation resistance, but it wasn't effective."
"Resistance to all types of radiation only increased the tolerance from 1.7 Sv to 2.3 Sv—not much."
"So I cultivated genes resistant to specific radiation, increasing tolerance to 11.71 Sv; such organisms could release 4789 units of negative energy without mechs."
4789 negative energy units are roughly equivalent to 4789 watts per second, 1.33 watt-hours, or 0.00133 kilowatt-hours; it produces 0.00133 kilowatt-hours per hour.
It seems small.
But a 21st-century power outlet provides 10A or 16A at 220V—2200 or 3520 watts—not counting the radiation itself, the energy produced is enough to power large household appliances.
"But there's a drawback," Ayla said.
Luna knew immediately.
"Heat generation, right?"
Radiation is an electromagnetic wave; significant radiation generates heat; more would cause light emission—or, in the eyes of creatures that see infrared light, these organisms would be miniature suns.
"Correct, but it's not a major problem; continuously consuming or using mechs to collect this radiation energy can eliminate the drawback."
Ayla smiled, seemingly curious about Luna's glowing body.
"It seems the short-term limit for body radiation won't exceed 15 Sv."
"This is a huge change."
Luna was tempted.
Radiation is what?
Magic mana, spiritual energy, internal energy—but cultivation is fantasy.
"Can psionic control radiation?" Luna asked.
"Yes. Psionic is mental energy, which comes from neural electrical signals—electromagnetic forces."
"So magic, with widespread radiation genes, might become a reality."
Ayla's words led Luna to immediately agree to the genetic modification; she couldn't wait to experience releasing attacks with her body.