Chapter 2, Signal for Help

Some proper nouns cannot be deciphered by Ji Hua, so Ji Hua does not know who that super alien civilization is, nor does he know which star domain it is referring to

Ji Hua was engaged in intense contemplation, unaware of how much time had passed. The filtering process had completed, and seventeen pieces of information had been extracted. A crisp notification sound interrupted Ji Hua's thoughts, drawing her attention to the display screen in front of her

Hello, I am XX. I received your distress signal while passing through the X star region. Please describe the difficulties you are encountering. If possible, I would be more than happy to assist you

Subsequently, the results of the second and third filters appeared in succession, and in the end, a total of six entries emerged. Each entry corresponded to a different gravitational wave observatory, and with the Listener Gravitational Wave Observatory where Ji Hua is located, there were exactly seven entries. Moreover, these seven entries were completely identical

Ji Hua immediately began analyzing this information, but soon realized that there were not as many as seventeen pieces of information; in fact, there were only three. Most of the information was repetitive, consisting of observational data from different gravitational wave observatories regarding the same piece of information. After disregarding the duplicate information, only three pieces remained.

The third message was received by all seven gravitational wave observatories approximately 4.2 years ago, stating: "The journey is proceeding very smoothly. I will arrive in five years. Good luck."

Since these seventeen pieces of information share the same characteristics as that particular message, it implies that they are highly likely to have been sent to Earth by that super extraterrestrial civilization. This, in turn, suggests a multitude of information. This caused Ji Hua's heart to once again begin to stir.

From the perspective of human civilization, if contact with a super extraterrestrial civilization is inevitable, it is evident that human civilization will be concerned with the following points. Firstly, human civilization needs to understand the intentions of this super civilization. Secondly, human civilization needs to know relevant information about this super civilization, such as their level of technology, social structure, social values, moral system, and so on

However, the remaining six observatories did not conduct further analysis on this signal. This does not imply a mistake on the part of the staff at the other observatories, but rather that there are too many sources of gravitational wave signals in the universe, making it impossible for people to pay special attention to any particular signal. The reason Ji Hua noticed this information and began to analyze it was largely due to interest and intuition, along with a certain element of luck

Looking at these three different gravitational wave signals, Ji Hua's expression was extremely serious. Since the information he deciphered was not the only one, and there were three pieces of information preceding it, then... the intentions of that super extraterrestrial civilization and some information related to it were likely contained within these three pieces of information

Is it possible that there are so many pieces of information sharing the same characteristics?" Ji Hua murmured to herself, feeling somewhat incredulous.

Having mastered gravitational wave communication technology and the ability to conduct interstellar navigation, this is all the information that human civilization currently possesses regarding this super civilization. The specific level of technology cannot be analyzed, as human civilization does not yet understand the extent of technological advancement required to master these two technologies. However, one thing is certain: the technological level of this super civilization is far superior to that of human civilization.

Only with this information can human civilization make arrangements regarding the means of contact. However, at present, human civilization knows nothing except for a slight understanding of their technological level

These four pieces of information are all that Ji Hua could find. While this clarifies some of Ji Hua's doubts, it also leads Ji Hua into even greater questions

No, that is not correct. Since it can perceive the existence of human civilization, it is highly likely that it knows the technological level of human civilization. It must be aware that human civilization does not currently possess the technology for gravitational wave communication, and we are unable to respond to its announcement. However, this message only declares the time of its arrival, and nothing more. If it intends for human civilization to prepare in advance, or if it is a matter of communication protocol, should it not clarify its intentions and provide a brief introduction of itself?

The fourth piece of information was received by all gravitational wave observatories approximately a few days ago. The content was already known to Ji Hua; in that message, the civilization claimed that it would arrive in the solar system within one year

This implies that the information received by Ji Hua was not solely received by him. The other six gravitational wave observatories also received it. This completely rules out the possibilities of signal interference or operational errors. The reason is simple: while one observatory may experience interference or operational errors, it is impossible for all seven observatories to be affected simultaneously. Therefore, the authenticity of this information has been confirmed. The reason is simple: while one observatory may experience interference or operational errors, it is impossible for all seven observatories to be affected simultaneously. Therefore, the authenticity of this information has been confirmed

Having already deciphered this type of information, Ji Hua quickly employed the same decryption method to decode these three signals. The results of the decryption were, as before, straightforward, unambiguous, and easy to understand

After importing all the information into the database, Ji Hua began to write the filtering program. This took Ji Hua approximately ten minutes. Subsequently, the program started running, and after thirty seconds, the first piece of information was filtered out

Or perhaps this extraterrestrial civilization is a malevolent one? However, if it is indeed malevolent, why would it announce its arrival to human civilization in advance? Is there any necessity for that?

If we analyze from the perspective of the meaning of the information, then why would that unknown intelligent civilization send this message to Earth? Is it merely a declaration to Earth or is there some other reason?

Human civilization has not yet reached the level of colonizing other planets, but a semi-permanent research base has already been established on Mars, where over 200 astronauts and scientists are stationed. On the Moon, a large enclosed ecosystem has been constructed, housing thousands of people. This signifies a formidable technological capability, and it is precisely under the support of this technological strength that humanity's deep space exploration equipment has proliferated.

In chronological order, the first piece of information was received approximately forty years ago by the Lanshan Gravitational Wave Observatory and three other earliest constructed observatories. At that time, the Listener Gravitational Wave Observatory had not yet been completed, so there was no relevant information about that signal in the database

I have not received your reply. However, your distress signal has been ongoing, which assures me that you still require assistance. I have determined your interstellar coordinates and have set off towards your star system. I expect to arrive in approximately thirty years

There are numerous signal records that need to be filtered by Ji Hua. The data collected by a single gravitational wave observatory over the years has already reached a staggering level. Currently, human civilization possesses seven gravitational wave observatories, and the number of radio telescopes is even greater

Further analysis reveals that since this advanced civilization has sent messages to Earth, it undoubtedly indicates that they are aware of the existence of human civilization and are likely informed about the technological development level of humanity. Given this, as an extraterrestrial super civilization capable of interstellar travel and possessing technology far beyond that of human civilization, what is the purpose of their advance announcement of arrival to humanity? Is it to allow human civilization to prepare in advance? Or is it merely a customary practice for different civilizations to communicate in the universe?

Ji Hua immediately analyzed the information, but the results indicated that this piece of information was completely identical to the one he had received earlier

However, it was precisely because the information contained within these three signals was exceedingly simple and easy to understand that it left Ji Hua even more shocked

Who is broadcasting a distress signal to the universe, and who has attracted extraterrestrial civilizations? In human society, whose difficulties require assistance from extraterrestrial civilizations?

The second piece of information was received approximately seventeen years ago by six observatories, including the LIGO Hanford Observatory. The Listener Gravitational Wave Observatory has still not received this information, as it was the last one to be constructed

This information comes from the Lanshan Gravitational Wave Observatory, which is constructed on the opposite side of the Earth, while the Listener Gravitational Wave Observatory is built in space

Ji Hua first contacted the other six gravitational wave observatories and retrieved all observational data from the start of formal operations to the present. The heads of those observatories had clearly received orders, so they were very cooperative with Ji Hua's requests. After the data from the gravitational wave observatories began to be transmitted, Ji Hua then started to contact the heads of over one hundred radio telescope observatories, requesting them to send all their observational data to him

Radio telescopes, gravitational wave observatories, and optical telescopes are the three primary means by which humanity observes the universe. However, this event only pertains to extraterrestrial civilizations, and optical telescopes are essentially powerless in this regard. Therefore, Ji Hua did not contact the heads of those optical telescopes.

Ultimately, all the information is consolidated here by Ji Hua. There is simply too much information, so much so that Ji Hua can only rely on the central computer of the observatory to process it. However, despite the abundance of information, the filtering and investigation pose no significant difficulty. This is because the information received by Ji Hua exhibits quite distinct characteristics of an intelligent civilization; with just a very simple program, Ji Hua can filter out this information.

This simple signal contains only a minimal amount of information, yet it inherently signifies a multitude of possibilities. Ji Hua is unable to make any valuable judgment regarding this information

The signal filtering is still ongoing, as the central computer requires some time to process the data due to its large volume. During this waiting period, Ji Hua's thoughts once again drifted far away