Chapter 1: A Letter from Beyond the Sky

Based on the principle of cosmic inflation, the redshift of a signal can be used to estimate the approximate distance of the signal source, but this is only applicable to large-scale distances measured in billions of light-years, and is ineffective for nearby targets. However, this signal appears to exhibit no redshift; on the contrary, the observatory has detected a blueshift. ... The blueshift ... indicates that the signal source is moving closer to the observatory

In this signal, the signal source employs the half-life of a certain element as one of the keys. The half-life of this element is 5,730 years, and the description of time within the signal is based on this, with a specific time description of one five-thousand-seven-hundred-thirtieth. Translated into human-understandable time units, this corresponds to one year.

It is not the minister's working hours now

Even Ji Hua himself did not expect to decipher information from this signal

Horton stated: "This incident exceeds my authority to handle. I will report this matter to the leader. As for the observatory... I request that you keep this matter strictly confidential and do not disclose it to anyone without permission. At the same time, I require you to immediately investigate past signals to determine if there have been any signals that we received but overlooked. The signal investigation is not limited to the Listener Gravitational Wave Observatory; I authorize you to obtain access to all observational data from all gravitational wave observatories and radio observatories. Furthermore, I require you to immediately investigate past signals to determine if there have been any signals that we received but overlooked. The signal investigation is not limited to the Listener Gravitational Wave Observatory; I authorize you to obtain access to all observational data from all gravitational wave observatories and radio observatories. Once the investigation yields results, you must report to me immediately. Additionally, from this moment on, the subsequent observational data from the observatory must be kept strictly confidential; only data that has been reviewed and confirmed to be unrelated to this signal may be made public."

How to handle this information seems to have exceeded my authority. Ji Hua quietly contemplated, Then report it, let the higher-ups decide how to deal with this matter

Sitting in the empty office, Ji Hua pondered for a while before shaking his head and dismissing those thoughts from his mind. Regardless of what may happen in the future or how things may progress, that is a matter for later. What is most important now is to focus on the work at hand

I will arrive at your star system in one year

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, and after a brief pause, the voice continued: "The minister will call you back within half an hour. Please wait by the telephone."

Ji Hua deciphered the signal using this method. The result of the deciphering is now presented before Ji Hua.

Stepping out of the office, the starry sky once again illuminated Jihua. Jihua raised her head, searching for the constellation of Aquarius in the firmament, and then stood still, gazing at that spot.

It is only you and me. I contacted you as soon as the results were deciphered

Ji Hua quietly contemplated for a moment, then said: "Perhaps there is, but I have not discovered it. This requires further investigation and screening"

Another sleepless night... Ji Hua sighed once again and quickly walked into another office

A series of question marks flickered in Ji Hua's mind, causing her brows to furrow deeply. The implications of these questions were truly beyond comprehension, leaving Ji Hua, who had long adapted to the work at the "Listener" gravitational wave observatory and had become its director several years ago, in unprecedented shock.

However, this time is different. When Ji Hua first received this signal, which had a certain pattern and internal logical connection, he also suspected that it might be a natural event triggered by some aspect of the universe that humanity's science has yet to understand. However, the final decryption result shattered Ji Hua's conjecture.

The phone was connected after a brief three seconds. A calm and indifferent voice came through, "This is the Department of Science, how may I assist you?"

The "Listener" gravitational wave observatory is the most powerful gravitational wave detection device ever constructed by human civilization, capable of observing over 1,000 gravitational wave signals each day. At this moment, the information before Ji Hua has been received from the observatory. The source direction of the information is towards the constellation Aquarius, but the distance cannot be determined

I am Horton

Ji Hua replied: "I have conducted at least five verifications. I can guarantee the accuracy of the results"

It is now deep night in the Eastern Hemisphere. The sky is clear and bright, with a crescent moon quietly hanging in the sky, surrounded by stars that resemble jewels. In the past, Ji Hua always enjoyed lingering under this beautiful starry sky for a while, but today, the once beautiful starry sky seems to exude an air of mystery and darkness, making Ji Hua feel somewhat chilly.

To be more precise, the identity of "extraterrestrial civilization research expert" is merely a pastime for Ji Hua, a form of leisure activity outside of work, and is considered a hobby that does not hold significant weight. Ji Hua does not possess more information about aliens than others.

If Ji Hua remembers correctly, this is the first time in the history of human civilization that a signal has been received from extraterrestrial intelligent life. Prior to this, although there were many suspected signals, such as the most famous "little green men" signal incident, those events were ultimately proven to be caused by natural phenomena or operational errors, and they had no relation to extraterrestrials. Instead, human civilization gained significant scientific advancements from these suspected signals. Just like the little green men signal incident ultimately led to the discovery of pulsars by human civilization.

There is no difference between that place and the rest of the sky. The same darkness, the same silence. Yet, Ji Hua knew that at this very moment, beneath that heavy shroud of darkness, some forms of life unknown to humanity were approaching the solar system

"Minister, we are in trouble," Ji Hua said in a heavy tone. "I have received a signal from an extraterrestrial civilization. This civilization claims that it will arrive in the solar system within one year"

Have you conducted an investigation and screening of this information? Can you confirm that this information indeed originates from outer space, rather than being influenced by some unknown signal interference?

Our human civilization is still not prepared for contact with super extraterrestrial civilizations. Ji Hua sighed, "What exactly is the reason for his arrival in the solar system? His coming, for our human civilization, is it ultimately a blessing or a curse?"

The phone call ended, but Ji Hua felt an inexplicable heaviness in her heart

The urgency level of this event is at least Level S

This signal was not initially transmitted in a language that humans can understand. However, language and writing are merely carriers of information; there are far more means to convey information than just language and writing. Moreover, the deciphering of meaningful cosmic signals follows the principle of "universal cosmic understanding." For instance, hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, so some physical properties of hydrogen may be used by certain extraterrestrial civilizations as a "key" to information; alternatively, binary is the simplest numeral system, which could also serve as a key to deciphering information. With these "universal cosmic" baseline pieces of information, it becomes possible to decode signals from unknown civilizations. Thus, some physical properties of hydrogen may be used by certain extraterrestrial civilizations as a "key" to information; alternatively, binary is the simplest numeral system, which could also serve as a key to deciphering information. With these "universal cosmic" baseline pieces of information, it becomes possible to decode signals from unknown civilizations

I can confirm this," Ji Hua replied, "The observational data indicates that it must originate from outer space and cannot be a signal interference

I will arrive at your star system within one year

For human civilization, super extraterrestrial civilizations represent uncontrollable influencing factors, and uncontrollable implies risk. Although risk also signifies potential gains, at this moment, it is sufficient for human civilization to develop properly without the need to take risks for additional benefits

Who am I? Does what he said about 'the star system you are in' refer to the solar system? Why does he want to go to 'the star system you are in'? Where is he?

This information indicates that the sender of this message is undoubtedly an intelligent civilization. The blue shift of the signal suggests that the source of the signal is rapidly approaching the solar system, which means that the destination mentioned in the message is very likely the solar system. The content of the information specifies the time of arrival of this extraterrestrial civilization

Although Ji Hua holds the identity of an expert in extraterrestrial civilization studies in addition to being a gravitational wave astronomer, those studies can only be regarded as theoretical discussions. They merely represent reasonable speculations based on existing science regarding the existence forms, social patterns, and survival methods of extraterrestrial life and civilizations. Until there is actual contact with extraterrestrial life, no one will know whether those speculations are correct or not

Who is aware of this incident

Have you received similar information before

Ji Hua picked up the receiver and then dialed that number, which was as familiar to her as her own heart

"Alright, I understand." Ji Hua said softly

"Have you verified the decryption results of this information?" asked Minister Horton

Ji Hua then provided a complete account of the entire process of the matter

However, Ji Hua is clearly aware of one thing: given the current level of human civilization's technology, it is not suitable for human civilization to make contact with super advanced extraterrestrial civilizations, regardless of whether this extraterrestrial civilization is benevolent or malevolent

On the desk in this office sits a blue wired telephone. In this technologically advanced modern era, wired telephones are rarely used; however, when there is a need to report matters that require strict confidentiality, it becomes essential to use one.

Simple, clear, unambiguous, logical, and easy to understand. This is the entirety of the content on that piece of paper

Ji Hua sat before the desk, motionless, gazing at the blank sheet of paper before her that bore only a single line of text, her expression filled with gravity

Ji Hua shook her head, withdrew her gaze, and then quickly walked into another office

Ji Hua said in a low voice: "I have urgent matters to report to the minister"

Ji Hua waited for half an hour. After that, the phone rang, and a calm voice came through.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, and then the voice began to waver slightly: "Tell me the details of what happened."