Chapter Twenty-Eight: Thirty-Two Kilograms of Dark Matter

“Activate the Super Proton Synchrotron.”

“Yes, the Super Proton Synchrotron has been activated. Energy is at 1450 GeV.”

The machinery had entered its final phase.

“Report,” the operator’s tone suddenly grew grave. “The energy in the particle beam has reached 13,250 MJ and is about to surpass the threshold for the magnets. The superconducting magnets are on the verge of quenching.”

At this news, tension swept through everyone present. If the superconducting magnets lost their superconducting state, the antimatter would escape the vacuum, causing the experiment to fail completely and even putting everyone’s safety at risk.

“We can’t wait any longer,” the chief engineer commanded. “Initiate collision now.”

“Yes, sir!”

The operator began the final proton bunch collision ahead of schedule.

Beyond the reinforced glass, at the collision target, two streams of protons smashed together, annihilating in a brilliant burst.

In that instant, the particle detector identified the resulting particles and relayed the data to the diverter system through the computers.

All eyes turned to the antimatter storage readout.

One kilogram.

Two kilograms.

Three kilograms.

…

The number climbed, finally stopping at thirty-two kilograms.

A collective gasp echoed through the control room. Instantly, the entire team erupted, arms raised in jubilation, wings of celebration unfurling.

“We did it!”

“We succeeded!”

Zhang Mingyang stood to the side, stunned into silence, barely registering the jubilant shouts around him. Only when Professor Lin Guangming shook him vigorously did he finally react—yes, they had succeeded.

“Thirty-two kilograms!” The chief engineer’s voice trembled with excitement. “After more than twenty years, we’ve finally succeeded in producing dark matter again. This is an excellent beginning for our entire project, and it marks a milestone in our nation’s energy development.”

Applause broke out, everyone celebrating the moment.

Yet Wang Bowen spoke up, “Celebration is well and good, but there are things that must be said. Although we succeeded this time, we need to summarize the problems encountered in the experiment.”

“Thirty-two kilograms of dark matter sounds significant, but compared to the eighty-five kilograms produced twenty years ago, or our target of one hundred fifty, we still have a long way to go. Once you’re back in the Energy Department, make sure to analyze the experiment, summarize the lessons, and strive to reach the target next time.”

The team listened to Wang Bowen’s remarks, nodding in agreement. Everyone understood that this achievement was, in fact, far from a true success.

“All right,” Wang Bowen continued, “everyone else is dismissed. Energy Department, please stay.”

With that, most of the team filed out, while the Energy Department staff gathered inside.

Once they were alone, Wang Bowen addressed them, “Now that it’s just us, perhaps you all think I was being discouraging just now. Whether or not that’s the case, the problems must be discussed, because they are real.”

“For instance, the superconducting magnet issue—why did the magnets begin to quench and expand before reaching the target rotational energy? Has anyone thought about that?”

“And not only that. At the very beginning of the proton injection process, I noticed that contrary to standard operating procedures, we injected all the protons at once instead of starting with a small amount and ramping up. This affected the subsequent antimatter collection.”

“These are all issues. I understand it’s everyone’s first time operating the system, and nerves are normal, but I must remind you: this project is unlike any other. It’s crucial to our country’s breakthrough in energy, and the rescue of the ‘Oceanus.’ Its significance cannot be overstated.”

The Energy Department staff lowered their heads, pondering the weight of his words.

Seeing the solemn faces, Wang Bowen knew his warning had struck home, and he did not press further.

“All right, we have about one week before the next startup. I hope we won’t have these problems again.”

“Qian, please organize a department meeting later and address all these issues.”

“Understood.”

“I’ll take my leave then.”

With that, Wang Bowen left the control room.

Seeing his colleagues still crestfallen, Qian Zhongshu clapped his hands loudly, jolting everyone awake.

“Come on, don’t let Wang Bowen’s gloomy words get to you. I think you all did great—at least we produced dark matter. That’s a breakthrough in itself!”

“As for the review, we’ll discuss that later. For now, return to your stations and check the equipment. If anything needs maintenance or replacement, report it right away. The sooner we check, the sooner we’re done. Let’s get moving!”

With that, everyone dispersed to their respective posts.

Outside, Professor Lin Guangming pulled Zhang Mingyang aside.

“Mingyang, how did the first experiment feel?”

Zhang Mingyang was still mulling over Wang Bowen’s critique. He hesitated before replying.

“Ah, it was good. Really good. Quite overwhelming, actually.”

Sensing disappointment in Zhang Mingyang’s voice, Lin Guangming chuckled, “Don’t let Wang Bowen get to you. He’s just an astronomer—what would he know about this? Follow procedure and if anything goes wrong, we leaders will handle it!”

Zhang Mingyang knew his professor was trying to comfort him. He smiled, “I’m fine, Professor—you know me. I’ve got a thick skin, not afraid of criticism.”

Lin Guangming ruffled his hair and laughed, “Thick skin? Back in school, you’d blush just talking to a girl, and now you claim to be thick-skinned?”

And so, amid their laughter, Zhang Mingyang shook off his dejection.

On this day, Zhang Mingyang completed his first ever antimatter experiment. Afterwards, he checked and maintained the equipment, working nonstop until ten at night before finally returning to his dormitory.

Pushing open the door, Zhang Mingyang eyed his small bed and collapsed onto it, not wanting to shower or change—only to sleep soundly and deeply.

These past days had truly worn him out, rising earlier than the rooster and going to bed later than the birds.

“Still, I’d better shower. It’s stuffy underground and I’m drenched in sweat.”

He undressed and headed into the bathroom, sinking into the tub. The hot water soaking his body brought a comfort beyond words.

He opened his communicator to catch up on messages—he’d been too busy lately to check them properly. One after another, they were mostly trivial, until a shipping notice from the Logistics Department caught his eye. It was a package from his grandfather, delivered two days ago but unnoticed in the recent rush.