Chapter 10, Abandon the Investigation
The investigators exhausted every possible means and employed all conceivable methods. All departments, whether involved in the investigation or not, provided maximum support for this investigative action. The police and military departments even had their leaders directly overseeing the investigation. ... Humanity as a whole exerted nearly all its efforts, yet the outcome was ... . ... still nothing was gained. Humanity as a whole exerted nearly all its efforts, yet the outcome was ... . ... still nothing was gained
There were no clues and no progress. Under such circumstances, the high-intensity large-scale investigation that lasted for a month finally came to an end. The investigators' final conclusion was that the individual or organization that initially broadcast the distress signal to the universe was either not on Earth or possessed technology that surpassed human civilization, along with an extremely tight-knit organization. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for such a large-scale investigation to yield no clues whatsoever. The investigators' final conclusion was that the individual or organization that initially broadcast the distress signal to the universe was either not on Earth or possessed technology that surpassed human civilization, along with an extremely tight-knit organization. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for such a large-scale investigation to yield no clues whatsoever
The contents of the documents regarding the progress of the investigation that had been seen before began to flow slowly through Ji Hua's mind
After the disbandment of the joint investigation team, the investigation group responsible for continuing to monitor this matter relocated here. The secretary said, "The resources they can mobilize are already very limited, and there are not many members. In fact, no one holds any hope for their work."
The secretary responded with an acknowledgment, and just a few minutes later, Ji Hua was seated in the car. The small vehicle sped away, and after another ten minutes or so, it stopped in front of a dilapidated building.
Ji Hua is diligently contemplating where the oversight may lie. Indeed, it is possible that this incident, as suggested by the investigation's conclusions, was caused by extraterrestrials or an organization possessing technology beyond human civilization, which has resulted in no progress in the investigation. However, Ji Hua still believes that human civilization should not abandon the continued investigation of this incident
All informed parties are busy, amidst a series of meetings and discussions, the overall strategy established in that meeting is rapidly diversified into numerous actionable measures, which are systematically allocated.
The security department has investigated all reports of anomalous phenomena over the past few decades. Any incident that has been recorded, whether it be an unusual flash suddenly observed in a mountainous area or the strange behavior of unfamiliar individuals encountered by people in a remote village, has been re-examined by investigators. They aim to uncover any clues that may indicate the existence of an organization in contact with human civilization.
Because this matter is very important, extremely important... Moreover, Ji Hua has sufficient reason to believe that the person or organization broadcasting a distress signal to the universe... has a very high probability of being on Earth.
This meeting has finally concluded, yet its conclusion marks the beginning of human civilization's actions. Following this, there will be countless meetings held within departments or between departments, as the leaders of human civilization strive to utilize their wisdom in preparation for the first contact with extraterrestrial civilization in the forthcoming history
Ji Hua sighed and set down the document again
This state of affairs lasted for a month. During this time, no instructions were given to Ji Hua, nor did anyone inquire about Ji Hua's work. Ji Hua was like an observer, quietly watching from the sidelines, doing nothing else.
This situation did not change until today, two months later
"Take me to the base of the joint investigation team, let us go and have a look together," Ji Hua instructed
Ji Hua pressed the summon bell, and the secretary pushed open the office door and walked in
Human civilization cannot bear such a tremendous expenditure of resources. After all, the more resources consumed in this matter, the fewer resources will be available for allocation elsewhere. At this moment, there is less than one year remaining until the arrival of the Aquarian civilization in the solar system. After a month of such intense investigation, the joint investigation team can only reluctantly announce the abandonment of further large-scale inquiries.
However, these matters did not involve Ji Hua. In contrast to the busyness of the other informed parties, Ji Hua appeared quite at ease. The work of the Gravitational Wave Observatory had already been handed over to others, and the position of consultant at the Extraterrestrial Civilization Research Institute did not impose any specific work requirements on Ji Hua. Nevertheless, Ji Hua knew that at this moment, there were certainly many people waiting for him to take some action
Ji Hua nodded and directly entered the small building
"Could it really be the work of aliens hidden on Earth or somewhere in the solar system..." Ji Hua thought to himself, "Otherwise, how could we find not a single clue?"
Ji Hua let out a gentle sigh. Ji Hua did not believe that she possessed wisdom surpassing that of tens of thousands of investigators combined, yet she was still unwilling to give up
In addition to requiring the secretary to collect daily progress reports related to this incident from various departments and deliver them to him, Ji Hua did not engage in any other activities. As a result, a large volume of documents was presented to Ji Hua's office every day, and Ji Hua's focus was entirely devoted to reading these documents
In this process, in addition to tens of thousands of technical personnel directly involved in the screening and inspection, at least hundreds of thousands of people were mobilized on the periphery to collect data. However, the screening ultimately yielded no results, and no records related to the distress signals were found. Instead, a large number of previously unnoticed criminal communication records were uncovered during the screening process
Not a single clue has been found. It is as if the one who committed these acts is not human, but rather a ghost. If it is not a ghost, how could their hands and feet be so clean
In addition, the investigators also attempted to conduct inquiries from the perspectives of motivation and behavioral capability. Those who could conceive of seeking assistance from extraterrestrial civilizations through interstellar broadcasting must have encountered certain troubles that current human civilization's technology cannot resolve. Furthermore, such individuals or organizations must possess a high level of knowledge and operational capability, which significantly narrows down the population.
The investigators conducted a thorough screening of the eligible candidates, but until the last suspect was cleared of suspicion due to conclusive evidence, there were still no results for the people involved
In fact, Ji Hua had already anticipated that events would develop to this point. Not only Ji Hua, but all those in the know were aware that this would ultimately be the outcome. This is because investigating this matter is exceedingly difficult, and the leader would not permit excessive resources to be wasted on a situation that shows no hope of resolution, regardless of the amount of effort invested without any progress.
"No matter what, I must do my utmost to clarify this matter," Ji Hua thought silently, "because this team or organization is very likely to play a key role in future interactions"
In the morning, the secretary, as usual, delivered a thick stack of documents to Ji Hua's office. In addition, many audio, video, and text materials were sent to Ji Hua's computer. Ji Hua casually picked up a document, glanced at it, and immediately furrowed his brow deeply
Ji Hua is undoubtedly an outstanding scientist, a fact that has been proven through past work experiences. During that conference, Ji Hua's speech also demonstrated deep contemplation regarding the event. It is precisely for this reason that the leader granted Ji Hua such significant authority. From any perspective, Ji Hua should not be as leisurely as he is now
The police department, the intelligence and security department, and the military have jointly decided to abandon the large-scale investigation into the 'distress signal' incident. This matter has received the approval of the head of state. From now on, apart from a joint investigation team composed of personnel from the three departments continuing to look into this matter, no large-scale investigative actions will be initiated.
Ji Hua has been closely monitoring this matter, even utilizing his own authority to personally communicate with the individuals responsible for it several times. Ji Hua witnessed the entire process from the initiation of this matter to its eventual resolution.
While the information screening work was underway, another group of investigators began their inquiry from the perspective of equipment sources. All equipment that could potentially be used for interstellar communication, or that could be modified for such purposes, was thoroughly examined by the investigators. From the moment these devices were produced, the staff traced all their movements, yet the outcome remained fruitless.
The military department deployed a large number of aerial surveillance aircraft and mobilized spy satellites in space, working together to conduct a comprehensive and detailed scan of the entire Earth. No source of infrared radiation or other anomalous radiation bands, nor any unusual changes in terrain, escaped their scrutiny. However, no facilities related to interstellar communication signals were found. This large-scale search unexpectedly uncovered many temporary hideouts built by fugitives and criminal organizations in the rugged mountains, leading to the destruction of hundreds of criminal organizations, which was an unexpected gain. Yet, no facilities related to interstellar communication signals were still found. This large-scale search unexpectedly uncovered many temporary hideouts built by fugitives and criminal organizations in the rugged mountains, leading to the destruction of hundreds of criminal organizations, which was an unexpected gain.
The joint investigation team initially focused on the signal monitoring network, employing tens of thousands of personnel to manually examine all available signal monitoring data collected from decades ago up to the present. Whether it was monitoring equipment from research institutions or government intelligence agencies, from satellites and interstellar probes to the signal records of private radio stations, all accessible information was meticulously organized into specific data and then submitted to the investigation team for screening. Regardless of whether it was monitoring equipment from research institutions or government intelligence agencies, from satellites and interstellar probes to the signal records of private radio stations, all accessible information was meticulously organized into specific data and then submitted to the investigation team for screening.
Because there were no leads regarding this matter, the investigators employed every conceivable method. The Ministry of Science even dispatched a specialized team of over one hundred experts to assist in the investigation. Despite the efforts of many, no clues could be found. It was as if this incident had never occurred on Earth at all