December 31, CE73, New Year's Eve.

This was the first New Year after the Great War, and it was also the first New Year after the post-war world summit confirmed that human society would implement the unification of both military and political affairs for the first time, and the only legitimate government was formed, the unified government of mankind on earth.

In a sense, this New Year may go down in the annals of human history.

Because, in addition to the above two meanings, there is another meaning.

And this meaning will be revealed on January 1, 74 at 0:00 CE. Until then, as long as there is any device around that can understand the outside world, everyone will leave their work, spend time with their families, sit together at home, in a bar, or maybe at a party, and wait for that moment to count.

Above the outer orbit of the Moon.

A brand-new warship, with a new shape and a very different shape from the space warships designed by various countries today, is undergoing a final inspection, accompanied by many frigates and supply ships.

"Powertrain, check passed."

"Operating system, check passed."

“···”

On the bridge, a soldier in a new uniform has a serious face and meticulously carries out the work at hand, and it will not be long before the ship they are aboard will become the first space warship in human history to be equipped with a faster-than-light engine. Therefore, there is no room for error.

"Captain. There are still four hours before the departure of the battleship, why don't you go and take a rest? A young man in a moon-white military uniform, with a three-star rank on his shoulders and short green hair, stood behind the captain's seat and said softly.

"Buzz."

With the low sound of the steering engine in the captain's seat, a young man with short blue hair turned around, looked at the young man with short green hair and smiled, "Instead of letting me go to rest, let's go." Nigaul. I know, you've been working sixteen hours. ”

The beautiful boy with big girlish eyes and delicate facial features shook his head.

"No, Captain. It's up to you to rest. According to the mission list, the leadership of the unified government may come to visit the ship later. When the time comes, your state is even more important. ”

Hearing such a reason, the blue-haired young man sighed helplessly, and finally chose to compromise. After all, as the captain of a ship, and even more so as the captain of a new type of warship that all mankind is most concerned about, his state is indeed more important than anyone else.

"Well, Nigaul. I'm sorry for you. ”

Nigaul nodded and smiled, "Please rest well!" Captain Aslan Sarah. ”

Hearing his best friend call his name so seriously, Aslan smiled helplessly. "Nigaul, we'll see! Travelers are voluntary. ”

Instead of being threatened by Aslan, Nigol nodded in response, "Yes." Captain Aslan. I was fully aware of my duties and obligations. ”

"Really? Well, see you later. Aslan patted Nigaul on the shoulder and left the bridge.

Voyager.

In the strict sense of the word, this is not a battleship.

Its prototype ship, that is, the No. 1 test ship.

As the flagship of the captain of Aslan, he completed three experiments of faster-than-light flight with increasing distances in half a year. Thus, under the massive experimental data obtained, the preliminary resources were completed, and the human beings who integrated the technology finally created the Voyager with the best technology in the human world at this stage.

In order to facilitate management and to carry out the deep space exploration program in the future, the unified government decided to rely mainly on the government and the military to jointly carry out the deep space exploration phase in this initial stage.

As a result, Voyager and its successor, the Explorer, were also incorporated into the Unified Government's Space Force, with the highest priority.

As time progressed.

A shuttle took off from the moon and sped into the fleet guarding the Voyager, and slowly sailed into the Voyager's Gnaku under the guidance of the shipping center.

"Nice to see you again! Aslan. As the guards stepped down from the shuttle, a young woman with long pink hair, elegant manners, and a purple suit-fitting suit appeared in front of Aslan.

"Foreign Minister Klein, long time no see. How's it going? After Aslan and Nigaul led the crowd to salute Lux, Aslan said politely.

Foreign Minister Klein.

It was at the World Summit that Lux Klein took the initiative to make General He the post of President of the Integrated Government, and was jointly sent to the position of Foreign Minister of the Integrated Government by the Federation of East Asia and its forces. Perhaps, this can be regarded as a reciprocal return.

Judging from Lux's performance in the past six months, the integration government can complete the initial integration of resources and technology in the shortest possible time, which definitely has a credit to Lux Klein.

"It's a little inconvenient to talk here. Can we change places? Aslan, and Nigaul. Lux looked left and right, and then smiled kindly, as relaxed and natural as yesterday.

Aslan nodded, then turned and led Lux to the captain's room.

"Coffee? Or black tea? As soon as he entered, Nigaul took the initiative to walk to the tea table.

"Black tea will do. Thanks, Nigaul. Lux smiled and nodded.

After Aslan sat down, Lux turned around, motioned for the guards to leave for a while, and said:

"Aslan, why did you choose to be the captain of the Voyager? With your ability, even if you don't join the Unified Government Space Force, you will be able to serve as a first-class engineer in the Deep Space Exploration and Development Center that will be established later. ”

Aslan was stunned for a moment, he didn't expect Lux to ask such a question. Originally, he had expected Lux to have some official conversations.

"Aslan, coffee." By this time, Nigaul had already brewed coffee and tea. I saw that he delivered coffee and black tea at the right time, buying Aslan a little time to sort out his thoughts. "Lux, black tea."

"Thank you. Nigaul. Lux took the black tea, took a sip of it, and couldn't help but praise it. Nigaul, it seems that the black tea you brewed is getting better and better. ”

Nigaul smiled shyly. "It's just that I usually rush too much. If you like it, it's fine. ”

After chatting casually about the current situation, the two couldn't help but fall silent, waiting for Aslan to speak.

"Maybe Lux you're right. If I hadn't been the captain of the Voyager, I would have been able to join as a core member of both the Space Force and the Deep Space Exploration Center. However, this is not what I wanted. ”

As he spoke, Aslan raised his right hand, removed the rose pendant from his left wrist, and placed it on the table.

Seeing the rose pendant, a glint flashed in Lux's eyes. Although she had met Nigaul a few times, she had learned from various sources that Aslan cherished the rose pendant.

"It's... Elec Pompeii gave you? Lux was silent for a moment, then uttered a name.

Aslan shook his head.

"No, I gave it to her. It's just that after she died in battle, she became a relic. I've always been with me. It wasn't until I found her by chance that Alice had left a seemingly meaningless string on the back of the rose pendant, but it was actually the astronomical coordinates of a galaxy. ”

"Oh, yes! That's why you sponsored the DSSD after the First World War in Yakinduwi, and entered it under a pseudonym to participate in research. Nigel, who knew most about Aslan's current situation, immediately sensed the truth after hearing Aslan's confession.

Aslan smiled knowingly at this.

What could be happier than having a friend who knows you?

"Yes. During my time working at DSSD, I finally cracked the truth of this string of numbers. The galaxy identified in this astronomical coordinate was carefully observed through the state-of-the-art astronomical telescope owned by the DSSD. The results showed that there was a high probability of civilization there. ”

Aslan slowly reveals the truth about what he has been doing all along, and why he became the captain of the Voyager.

"That's why you're going to be the captain of the Voyager. Because in this way, you can go to that galaxy for yourself and see what kind of secret this astronomical coordinate that Elico left behind? "Lux finally understood Aslan's purpose.

"Yes." Aslan nodded and said calmly, "Actually, I have another purpose. That's her. ”

"She?" Lux was slightly stunned, but immediately remembered who it was. "Is that her? How are you doing? ”

"It's still the same. The blow of half a year ago was too big for her. Aslan sighed. Originally, she thought that she was just an ordinary girl who transformed into Lux Klein through plastic surgery, but she didn't expect it to turn out to be a clone of Lux Klein. Since then, she has been mentally unstable. ”

Mia Campbell.

The name is an indelible presence not only for herself, but also for Lux Klein.

"So, are you trying to take her off the earth?" Lux holds black tea in both hands. "Actually, Kreuzer, and what president should they have enough technology to solve this problem, why..."

Who knows, Aslan shook his head.

"Can't do it. As soon as Mia comes into contact with things related to cloning, she falls into a state of extreme resistance that is difficult to calm down. In such a situation, there is no way to carry out any treatment. So, I had no choice but to decide to take her away from the earth and away from this starry sky. ”

"Really?" After looking down at the black tea that had already been drunk more than halfway, Lux put down the teacup, stood up and said, "Time is running out." Captain Aslan, First Officer Nigaul. The rest of the time will be left to you. I, President Ho, and humanity, the eyes of the world are on you. I hope that the footsteps of humanity will be led by you to extend to all parts of the universe. ”

"Yes! Foreign Minister Klein. Aslan and Nigaul saluted together.

As he was leaving, Lux suddenly looked back at Aslan and Nigaul, and said softly:

"I hope we will have a chance to meet in the future."

"Definitely." Aslan affirmed.

The hands gradually reached five minutes before 0:00 on January 1, CE74, and after seeing off Lux, Aslan was left alone in the cryosleep chamber.

Over here

Mia Campbell is asleep.

Aslan raised his hand to brush away the frost and snow on the glass hatch cover, looked at Mia's sleeping face gently, and said slowly, "Mia." Immediately, soon we are leaving the earth. I believe that in a year's time, we will reach Xintiandi. You'll be happy to live there, right? ”

"Captain, it's time." Nigaul's voice came from the headset, breaking the warmth of the moment.

"Roger! I'll be there soon. Aslan answered, bent down, kissed the glass hatch lightly, and then firmly turned and left the cryosleep chamber.

"Phew!"

"Phew!"

CE74, January 1, 0:00.

"Faster-than-light engine, fully charged! Captain. Nigaul shouted loudly.

Aslan tightened the seat belt he was strapped to his body, looked intently ahead, and ordered:

"Voyager! Faster-than-light engine, start!! ”