Chapter 339: Fusion Reaction Device
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation , Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
In Red Lotus’s calculations, the black dwarf star, upon entering the solar system, would trace a large orbital arc due to its own gravity and that of the sun.
This orbit would circle the outer solar system before returning to the inner
solar system.
The first wave of impact would affect Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune the most,
not Venus, Earth, or Mars.
Of course, even if Earth is not greatly impacted, it would still deviate from its
current orbit.
The real catastrophic impact on Earth would only occur on the black dwarf
star’s seventh entry into the solar system.
At that time, the entire solar system’s orbits would be in chaos.
Only when the sun and the black dwarf star reach gravitational balance, forming a binary star system, would the solar system’s orbits return to normal.
By then, who knows where Earth’s orbit would be.
Too close to the sun, and it’d get scorched.
Too far, and it’d enter an ice age.
So, even if the earlier orbital chaos in the solar system doesn’t spell doom for humanity, if Earth can’t return to its original orbital region later, humanity is still doomed.
This was why it was crucial to destroy the black dwarf star.
Humans were too fragile.
They can’t withstand such tumult.
“Red Lotus, display the countdown.”
“Okay, master.”
162 hours, 42 minutes, 13 seconds.
Less than seven days.
This countdown wasn’t for some planetary collision, but rather for the start of
the plan.
If the black dwarf star isn’t dealt with on its first entry into the solar system,
the next opportunity would only come 15 months later.
But during this period, Earth would still be significantly affected.
Not to the point of its annihilation, but natural disasters would be inevitable.
After glancing at the countdown, Tang Rui continued to check his arrangements on Jupiter.
To kill the black dwarf star, brute force wouldn’t work.
Even using a more cunning method, a massive and instantaneously erupting energy source was needed.
The only thing in the solar system that met this requirement was Jupiter. Currently, in Jupiter’s orbit, there were hundreds of various-sized artificial satellites, all launched by Tang Rui.
These satellites were all sensors.
Used to monitor Jupiter’s Van Allen radiation belt and atmospheric data.
What is the Van Allen radiation belt?
Simply put, it’s a vast layer of electrons and protons formed by particles from the solar wind captured by the magnetic fields of planets with magnetic fields.
Why did Tang Rui want to monitor this data?
Because with Jupiter’s size and its strong magnetic field, this radiation belt, reaching several hundred million to even a trillion electron volts in energy and with a thickness of 7 million kilometers, was a vast energy source.
Boom, boom, boom…
Suddenly, Tang Rui felt the ground shake twice, like an earthquake but not
quite.
After all, what kind of earthquake only shakes twice?
“Red Lotus, what’s happening? Is there an earthquake?”
“Master, Earth’s orbit has deviated, and the tidal locking between Earth and the
Moon is showing deviations, causing a shift in the Moon’s orbit.”
“Show me the specific data.”
“Okay, master.”
After reviewing the data detected by Red Lotus, Tang Rui breathed a sigh of
relief.
It wasn’t a big deal.
Despite the seriousness of what had just been said, the actual impact on Earth
was not significant.
Just a slight tremor.
No natural disasters were detected on Earth.
“Master, there has been an 8.5 magnitude earthquake in Japan. The epicenter is near the tectonic plate, 27 kilometers beneath the surface.”
Just as Tang Rui thought it was nothing serious, Japan experienced an earthquake, and a strong one at that.
“Will it affect us?”
“No major impact, this earthquake will not cause a tsunami.”
Tang Rui nodded.
Normally, such a high-magnitude geological disaster shouldn’t happen at this time, but Japan’s geographical location was just too perfect, right on the volcanic and seismic belt.
A slight fluctuation in Earth’s hydrostatic equilibrium, and Japan would tremble.
From now on, as long as the black dwarf star isn’t resolved, Earth will keep trembling, and the tremors will only get stronger.
Over the next few days, as he expected, slight geological tremors occurred all over the world, but the most severe were only around magnitude 6, and the mildest were barely noticeable.
However, continuous tremors like this were enough to cause fear.
This led to increasing chaos worldwide.
Already destabilized by the fleeing elite and weakened government structures, the ongoing earthquakes only added to the disorder.
Countries were more chaotic than ever, with rampant looting and the emergence of doomsday cults.
The damage caused by the earthquakes was minuscule compared to the resulting human disasters.
Domestically, the government didn’t intervene.
There wasn’t time for that.
Despite some voices on the internet calling for national rescue operations, they were overwhelmingly criticized and dismissed.
Tang Rui, over these days, besides attending meetings via video, spent the rest of his time in the Blue Army Command Center, focusing on the black dwarf star.
On this day, the fleeing fleet finally reached Jupiter’s orbit.
Here, the fleet reached its final destination.
Dozens of scientific research ships lined up in the outer space of Jupiter.
The remaining transport ships were discarded, except one, which, after unloading all cargo, headed to Ganymede.
The final arrangement was complete.
“Red Lotus, activate the magnetic connection device on the scientific research ships.”
“Okay, master. The device is now activated.”
“Control the transport ship on Ganymede to start reassembling. After assembly, connect it to Ganymede’s magnetic field and await orders.” “Understood, master. The positron cannon is being assembled. Estimated assembly time is 13 hours. Ganymede’s magnetic field control system is activated.”
Tang Rui, listening to Red Lotus’s report, watched the solar system planetary orbits on the big screen.
The black dwarf star was gradually approaching Jupiter.
The countdown on the screen showed 46 hours remaining.
That evening, Tang Rui and Li Shuyao went to the viewing platform to watch the meteor shower.
Meteorites were constantly impacting Earth, but most were harmless.
Any potentially threatening ones were intercepted by the orbital defense system.
Those entering the atmosphere were small enough to burn up completely.
As a result, every night, one could see dense meteor showers, viewable from dusk till dawn, enough to sate anyone’s appetite for such celestial displays. “My husband, you wouldn’t believe what’s happening online these days. We’ve been incredibly busy.”
“Really?”
“Mostly it’s people spreading rumors online, sowing chaos. There are also those exploiting religious cults for money.”
“How’s the public sentiment?”
Tang Rui hadn’t been online recently and was unaware of the situation.
“It’s okay, I guess. Most people in our country still have hope, although pessimism is growing.”
“Don’t worry, it’ll be over in a couple of days.”
“Hmm.”
In the blink of an eye, more than a day passed.
Only 3 hours remained on the countdown.
Tang Rui sat alone in the chair at the Blue Army Command Center, with a camera broadcasting his actions online for all to see.
“Red Lotus, start the fusion reaction device inside Jupiter.”
“Okay, master..”