Chapter Sixteen: Joining 145

As he spoke, Wang Bowen took a photograph from his pocket and handed it to Zhang Mingyang.

It was another black and white photograph, but it clearly depicted a massive triangular white light clinging to a star.

Gazing at the photo, Zhang Mingyang pondered. Though he didn’t know much about astronomy, he could at least recognize a triangle.

“Grandpa Wang, what is this triangular white light?”

Wang Bowen took out another photo, this time a color one. It showed even more distinctly an equilateral triangular object either absorbing or releasing energy from a star.

“Grandpa Wang, is this the object on Beta Geminorum?”

Wang Bowen nodded. “This photograph was taken a year ago by the 'Oceanus' spacecraft, 12.3 light-years from Beta Geminorum. Our preliminary study suggests that this triangular object is releasing energy toward the star, then transmitting it through Beta Geminorum, and each time the energy released is hundreds of times greater than that of our sun!”

“Why would it release such tremendous energy?” Zhang Mingyang couldn’t help but ask.

Wang Bowen looked at the photo and replied, “At first, we speculated it might be alien technology. However, after decades of observation, we haven’t detected any activity of matter or spacecraft around the triangular object. So, our initial conclusion is that this triangle might be a naturally occurring cosmic energy source.”

“To truly understand it, we established Institute 145, launched the manned 'Oceanus' spacecraft to observe it up close, and, if possible, even land on it.”

By now, Zhang Mingyang understood the whole sequence of events—everything had been prepared for this triangular energy source!

“Grandpa Wang, did you say it was a manned spacecraft?”

“Did I? Ah... yes, yes, it’s manned,” Wang Bowen replied hesitantly.

Zhang Mingyang didn’t pay much attention to the change in Wang Bowen’s tone, but he did feel admiration for the crew aboard the spacecraft—an eighty-year round trip, a lifetime spent on a ship.

Seeing that Zhang Mingyang had no further questions, Wang Bowen breathed a sigh of relief.

“Grandpa Wang, why are you telling me all this today?”

Wang Bowen rose from the sofa, turned on the light, and drew back the curtains. “Because the 'Oceanus' has run into trouble. Its speed is dropping rapidly. We need to build a more advanced ship to mount a rescue and, more importantly, reach it before the Americans.”

“But building a new and even more advanced ship is easier said than done. That’s why we’ve created a secret organization, quietly recruiting top scientists nationwide. And you’re one of them.”

“Me?”

Zhang Mingyang burst out laughing. “Grandpa Wang, you must be joking. I haven’t even finished my work on nuclear fusion—how could I possibly move straight into antimatter research?”

Wang Bowen pulled a document from his briefcase and handed it to Zhang Mingyang. “This is your paper on 'Antimatter Energy Concept.' Our institute’s experts have studied it. As long as the materials issue is resolved, it’s possible to realize.”

Zhang Mingyang looked at his own paper with a dismissive smile. “I haven’t even solved the materials for fusion, let alone antimatter. This paper is pure speculation.”

Wang Bowen smiled as well, leaning back on the sofa. “Who says the materials problem can’t be solved?”

“You have the materials?” Zhang Mingyang stared at him in surprise.

“Of course. They were left behind by Wang Huairen years ago. We’re not sure if they’ll work, though.”

“They definitely will!” Zhang Mingyang rubbed his hands in excitement. “If Elder Wang could build such advanced ships with the technology of his time, then with the remaining materials and today’s science, we can build something even more advanced!”

“Excellent!” Wang Bowen seized the moment. “So, will you join our Institute 145?”

“I will!” Zhang Mingyang answered without hesitation.

A slight smile appeared on Wang Bowen’s lips. He quickly pulled out an agreement from his bag and handed it over. “Mingyang, have a look. This is our Institute 145 agreement, including confidentiality clauses. If everything’s in order, just sign your name at the end.”

Zhang Mingyang took the document and, without even reading it, signed his name right away.

“No need for all this formality, Grandpa Wang. I’m in!”

Seeing his excitement, Wang Bowen reminded him, “Mingyang, you’re not just being impulsive, are you?”

Zhang Mingyang waved a hand. “Impossible! I’ve thought it through—such a good opportunity, how could I let it go? I must join the project.”

Satisfied with his answer, Wang Bowen discreetly slipped away his voice recorder. “Alright, Mingyang, get some rest tonight. Tomorrow I’ll take you to see the base.”

“Okay!”

With that, Wang Bowen picked up his bag and slipped out.

After Wang Bowen left, Zhang Mingyang lay on his bed, thinking that tomorrow he might witness antimatter technology. He was so excited he doubted he’d sleep at all.

“Antimatter, antimatter…” he kept repeating the word.

Even by two in the morning, Zhang Mingyang was still wide awake. He finally moved a lounge chair out onto the balcony, letting the winter wind wash over him as he admired the nightscape of the capital.

The night was clear, the sky unobstructed by clouds. The moon and stars were bright, and Beta Geminorum shimmered as an orange speck on the horizon.

Lying in the chair, Zhang Mingyang gazed at the orange point of Beta Geminorum, thinking of the 'Oceanus' hurrying through space, and suddenly a sense of foreboding swept over him.

Should humanity leave Earth? Should we explore the universe? Should we reach out to the unknown darkness?

If what we find is not light, but darkness—who then could save our fragile civilization?

As these thoughts swirled, Zhang Mingyang gradually closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

And at that moment, the bright point in the sky flared once more.

...

“Ding dong!...”

The doorbell shattered Zhang Mingyang’s dream.

“Who is it? It’s so early—can’t a man get some sleep?” he muttered.

Rubbing his eyes, Zhang Mingyang realized daylight had already filled the sky. The sun was high—ten thirty!

“Damn, it’s almost eleven!” He leapt up from his lounge chair.

“Mingyang, are you up yet?” Grandpa Wang’s voice came from outside.

Zhang Mingyang hurried to the door and opened it.

Seeing Zhang Mingyang’s sleepy face, Wang Bowen laughed. “Just woke up? It’s almost eleven!”

Rubbing his eyes again, Zhang Mingyang replied, “Grandpa Wang, I went to bed late last night.”

“Alright, enough chatter. Go wash up and get ready. We’ll eat downstairs, and in the afternoon, we’re going to the base.”

The mention of the base instantly revived Zhang Mingyang’s spirits. He raced off to the bathroom.