Chapter 8, Communication and Preparation for Battle
First, regarding the first point, there is a request. Ji Hua calmly stated, "Previously, the experts have already discussed the information we currently possess about the Aquarian civilization, and from this, they concluded that the Aquarian civilization is understandable to us, that there are no scientific barriers between us and the Aquarian civilization, and that we can communicate. I fully agree with the accuracy of the information presented by the experts, but I have a different conclusion.
A physicist pressed the call button and then said: "Of course, our human civilization would not do this. However, Jihua, please understand that the civilization of Aquarius is not our human civilization. They may possess a culture and moral system that is completely different from ours, and their technology is likely far more advanced than ours. Just because our human civilization would not do something does not mean that the civilization of Aquarius would not do it either"
Based on these two reasons, Your Excellency, the advice we can offer as a team of scientists is to focus on how to resolve the alien crisis through negotiation and communication. You may consider convening all relevant scientists within our civilization, such as cultural experts, psychologists, debaters, logicians, and philosophers, to form your advisory team, which would then be responsible for communication matters related to the Aquarian civilization
It is crucial to determine the focal point of work. Although the discussions in this meeting are merely about the guiding program content, this content will ultimately translate into actual work that impacts the entirety of human civilization. At that time, the different focal points of work will manifest distinctly in practical applications, leading to significantly varied outcomes.
"Please elaborate in detail," said Minister Horton
The questioning of the scientific experts lasted for approximately more than an hour. In the end, the leader posed a question: "Horton, what suggestions do your team of scientists have for us?"
Ji Hua nodded and then continued, "Among the previous intelligence reports, what shocked me the most was that the Aquarian civilization is actually understandable. If they were a super civilization beyond our comprehension, a forty-year voyage would be insignificant to them, and they would likely have no demands. However, the data has already negated this point. Of course, it is possible that they responded to the distress signal because it came from their kind, which could explain their forty-year voyage, but the probability is too low to affect the final conclusion. If they were a super civilization beyond our comprehension, a forty-year voyage would be insignificant to them, and they would likely have no demands. However, the data has already negated this point. Of course, it is possible that they responded to the distress signal because it came from their kind, which could explain their forty-year voyage, but the probability is too low to affect the final conclusion. Moreover, even if they had no demands, we would still be troubled by the second reason."
Although prioritizing military readiness will have a significant impact on human society, Ji Hua believes that this approach is entirely worthwhile
Ji Hua stated: "I believe we need not be deceived by appearances; we do not need to consider cultural systems, moral systems, and the like at all. Individuals may be irrational, but civilization as a whole must be rational. And rationality implies a stark exchange of interests, with the primary demand being self-preservation. The Aquarian civilization is no exception. Since they are rational and prioritize their own interests, how could they possibly pay such a great price, embarking on a journey of forty years, merely to assist some unknown entity? This is unreasonable. The only reasonable explanation is that they have something to gain. They are attempting to obtain something from the solar system. Of course, we still do not know what that something is."
The purpose of the Aquarian civilization may be that of an extraterrestrial organization, rather than that of humanity on Earth. However, this does not alter the conclusions drawn by Ji Hua. The Aquarian civilization expended such immense effort to arrive in the solar system, and regardless of whether the signal was emitted by humanity or an extraterrestrial organization, it does not diminish the extremely high probability that the Aquarian civilization came to the solar system because it "has a need." What could the "need" of the Aquarian civilization be? Regardless of whether the signal was emitted by humanity or an extraterrestrial organization, it does not diminish the extremely high probability that the Aquarian civilization came to the solar system because it "has a need." What could the "need" of the Aquarian civilization be?
Minister Horton stated: "Given the current situation and the various analyses from the scientific team, I believe our current circumstances are not too dire. There are two reasons for this. First, the technology of the Aquarian civilization is not significantly ahead of ours. While this does not imply that we have the capability to defeat them militarily, it at least means that our understanding of the universe is not too far off, and we can communicate and understand each other with the Aquarian civilization. I believe, Chancellor, you understand what this implies." There are two reasons for this. First, the technology of the Aquarian civilization is not significantly ahead of ours. While this does not imply that we have the capability to defeat them militarily, it at least means that our understanding of the universe is not too far off, and we can communicate and understand each other with the Aquarian civilization. I believe, Chancellor, you understand what this implies.
The meeting is still ongoing, with the senior human officials seated on the podium and the heads of various departments present in the conference hall raising numerous questions regarding the events related to the Aquarian civilization. Scientists from different fields have also provided answers to these questions one by one. Although these responses hold little significant value, they represent the utmost effort that the scientists can offer.
Ji Hua's mind was still operating at high speed. Prior to this, Ji Hua had not yet had the opportunity to carefully consider the matter of the interstellar broadcast signal source from Earth, after all, it had only been a day since the incident occurred
In simple terms, Ji Hua remains quite pessimistic about this matter
No matter how serious the problem may be, as long as there is a corresponding solution, people will not be overly concerned. Now, a team of scientists has provided the answer
Ji Hua paused for a moment, then slowly said: "Uncontrollable."
Ji Hua pressed the request call button. Ji Hua believed that at this moment, regardless of whether her opinion would ultimately be adopted, she must express her thoughts. Although Minister Horton’s views had almost become the consensus among all the scientists present.
Ji Hua quickly organized her thoughts and then said: "Leader, I have a different opinion. I believe we should prioritize military readiness, with communication as a supplementary measure"
Ji Hua cannot ascertain what the Aquarian civilization truly desires, but Ji Hua understands that everything in this solar system is of utmost importance to human civilization. Regardless of what is lost, it will bring profound disasters to human civilization
Everyone present knows what this means. Not to mention the rest, at the very least, events akin to ants being inadvertently crushed by humans will not occur between the civilization of Aquarius and human civilization
The expert pondered for a moment and then said helplessly: "Jihua, perhaps what you are saying is correct; at least, I have no way to refute you"
The expert pondered for a moment and then said, "I agree with these two points"
I think we all seem to have overlooked a problem, which is... it is precisely because the civilization of Aquarius is understandable as "We can make it" that we should not hold too much hope for communication and exchange
After Minister Houghton finished speaking, the Führer stood up, surveyed the room, and then said: "So... let us establish our response strategy as 'communication first, preparedness second.' All our subsequent work will be conducted under the guidance of this principle. Does anyone have any objections?"
Ji Hua turned around, facing the physicist, and said in a calm tone: "So, do you agree with two points: first, that the primary demand of life is survival. Second, that a voyage to the solar system is not an easy task for the Aquarian civilization"
However, Ji Hua holds a different view on this matter. Ji Hua also believes that when facing the civilization of Aquarius, communication and dialogue should be employed, but this method should only serve as an auxiliary means. Human civilization should not focus its efforts primarily on this aspect
The leader glanced in the direction of Jihua and said, "Jihua, please elaborate on your thoughts"
The murmurs within the venue suddenly grew louder. This was because Ji Hua's words seemed to lack any logical foundation.
The mention of the alien team by the leader also provided some inspiration to Ji Hua. ... In this way, the purpose of the Aquarian civilization is no longer humanity on Earth, but rather that which is hidden on Earth ... . ... No, it does not necessarily have to be on Earth. Currently, it can only be confirmed that the destination of the Aquarian civilization is the solar system, which means that the source of that interstellar broadcast signal is the solar system, but it does not prove that it must be Earth; perhaps it could be other planets within the solar system as well.
A faint murmur of discussion arose within the venue. The leader calmly said: "Please state your reasons"
Minister Horton's remarks eased the atmosphere within the venue somewhat, shifting from the initial gloom that enveloped the scene upon receiving the news to a slight alleviation of that heaviness now
Because scientists are not gods and cannot be omniscient and omnipotent. They can only rely on their expertise to make some professional analyses based on the current situation
If the focus is primarily on preparation for war, with communication and dialogue as a secondary concern, the consequences will be entirely different. People's daily lives will be completely disrupted, human civilization will enter a state of military control and martial law, various military facilities will be constructed at an alarming rate, and the peaceful way of life will be irrevocably lost
Ji Hua stood up, and the gaze of everyone in the venue converged on Ji Hua.
Secondly, the Aquarian civilization has at least not shown any malice towards us. Moreover, it is highly likely that the Aquarian civilization is not coming for us. On the basis of the first point, which is understandable and communicable, I believe we have a great chance to resolve this incident through communication
Ji Hua did not pay attention to the murmurs around her, but continued, "There is a question I would like to ask everyone: since the civilization of the Aquila constellation is understandable to us, and their technology is not far ahead of ours, then traveling from the EZ star system of Aquila to our solar system must not be easy for them either. The data mentioned by Minister Horton has already confirmed this: they can only travel at 0.4 times the speed of light, and it would take them forty years to accomplish this. We might consider this from our own perspective: would we, as human civilization, be willing to pay such a huge price to help a strange and unknown existence?" The data mentioned by Minister Horton has already confirmed this: they can only travel at 0.4 times the speed of light, and it would take them forty years to accomplish this. We might consider this from our own perspective: would we, as human civilization, be willing to pay such a huge price to help a strange and unknown existence?
My reasons are mainly twofold. Ji Hua said, "The first point is 'having demands', and the second point is 'uncontrollable'"
For example, if the focus of work is primarily on communication and interaction, then the emphasis on preparation will not be too strong. People will confine the potential impact of preparation work on society within certain limits, and during normal times, the main priority will still be to maintain social order, resulting in little change in people's daily lives