Chapter 66: Natural Disaster
Tom was somewhat surprised to hear this answer.
"What observation methods does your Bluetook Civilization use?"
Momolans said weakly, "Planetary atmospheric spectral determination technology.
We constructed a giant array of space telescopes to observe the various planets in this star system. We found that the third planet was located precisely within the habitable zone, with temperatures sufficient to support the existence of liquid water.
We determined the elemental composition of this planet’s atmosphere and confirmed the existence of life on this planet. We then measured whether the atmosphere contained industrial markers and analyzed the carbon dioxide concentration curve, confirming that there was no intelligent life on this planet, so we chose it as our migration target..."
Tom knew that so-called industrial markers were gases that could not form naturally and could only be produced through the industrial processes of intelligent life.
Just like the commonly used refrigerator and air conditioner coolant, Freon, is a typical industrial marker.
After this substance dissipates into the atmosphere, when the planet is between a distant observer and the sun, this substance in the planet’s atmosphere will cause corresponding changes in the sunlight.
Distant observers can then determine whether the atmosphere of a distant planet contains industrial markers by observing whether there are such changes in the sun’s rays.
If there are industrial markers, it can clearly prove that an intelligent civilization exists on this planet and has developed to a certain height, at least having entered the industrial age.
But... this alien said there were no industrial markers in Earth’s atmosphere?
How is that possible?
Human Civilization has developed to the extent of being able to build the Deep Space Spaceship in the Solar System, and you’re telling me there are no industrial markers in Earth’s atmosphere?
"Still lying."
Tom sneered and once again manipulated the Clone to lift the electroshock weapon.
Momolans screamed in terror, "I’ve already answered your question! Why are you still torturing me! Ah--"
While torturing him, they also used the Lantu Ke’s life-sustaining methods to prevent him from dying.
At the same time, Tom did not stop interrogating the other Lantu Ke.
"Why did you choose the Solar System as your migration target?"
...We found a habitable planet here, and there were no industrial markers, indicating no highly developed intelligent civilization, so we came.
If there were industrial markers, we wouldn’t dare to come, after all, we have no way of determining the level of technology corresponding to such industrial markers..."
"Lying, torture!"
"Why did you choose the Solar System as your migration target?"
...No industrial markers...
"Torture!"
"Torture!"
"Torture!"
When the 366th Lantu Ke was screaming like a ghost from the electric shock but still gave the answer "no industrial markers," a slight doubt arose in Tom’s mind.
Not only were the interrogation testimonies like this, but he also found similar descriptions in the mother ship’s database.
These captives truly seemed to believe this.
At this moment, even Tom couldn’t help but feel a little surprised.
"Could it be that there really are no industrial markers in Earth’s atmosphere? No, impossible, impossible.
Even if Human Civilization completely disappeared, industrial markers would remain in the atmosphere for a very long time.
The Bluetook’s main fleet’s maximum speed is only 3% of the speed of light. Including acceleration, deceleration, and inertial navigation, it would take at least 900 years to complete.
Their journey has already been going on for about 500 years. 500 years, plus the preliminary preparation time, they must have started observations at least 700 years ago!
At that time, Earth was already in the late feudal era, and early large-scale activities such as iron smelting, textile, dyeing, gunpowder, and agriculture were already underway, and the atmosphere would also have corresponding industrial markers!
They couldn’t possibly not see it!
Earth must have industrial markers, and what these captives are saying is also true, so there’s only one possibility...
These captives were all deceived! For some reason, the Bluetook Civilization’s high-ranking officials deceived them!"
Tom’s thoughts raced, and he asked another question.
"I discovered from your database that the environmental detection mission carried out by your vanguard fleet mainly focuses on resource detection.
Your detection plan shows that you don’t seem to intend to live in the Solar System long-term, but rather, after a period of plundering and destructive mining, you will embark on another long voyage to leave this place within a maximum of a few thousand years.
You previously said that there is a planet in the Solar System that is relatively suitable for your survival, so why do you still want to leave here?"
A hint of confusion flashed in Momolans’s eyes: "Do we have such content in our detection plan? I only know that I’m here for environmental and resource detection; I don’t know anything else."
Through analysis, Tom believed his words were true.
Those "malicious intentions" hidden beneath the surface detection plan could only be vaguely perceived by someone like himself, who could mobilize a lot of brainpower, analyze the overall situation, and pay enough attention.
It was normal that Momolans didn’t know.
Tom then asked another question.
"Why did you leave your home star system for space migration?"
"The Commander said that a ’natural disaster’ was coming, and if we didn’t escape quickly, the entire civilization would perish."
"Natural disaster? What kind of natural disaster? According to my observations, the Gliese 625 star system, which is your home star system, has a main star that is a red dwarf, burning stably, with no possibility of drastic changes in the short term.
With your level of technology, planetary-level disasters can be completely dealt with. What kind of natural disaster could make you abandon your home?"
Confusion flashed in Momolans’s eyes again: "I don’t know."
"You don’t know?"
"Yes, I don’t know. I only know that a natural disaster is coming and we must escape. That’s what the Commanders said, so the entire civilization took action, preparing for hundreds of years, and then departing..."
"You believe whatever the Commander says?"
"Of course."
Momolans’s face showed a hint of reverence: "Swearing to follow in the footsteps of our Commanders is the key to our civilization’s continued existence. Regardless of whether we understand or not, we must not disobey the Commanders’ orders."
Tom smelled a strong scent of conspiracy.
The mysterious disappearance of Human Civilization, the Bluetook Civilization undertaking a full-civilization migration without an obvious disaster, the lower and middle-class citizens being deceived into believing that no intelligent civilization had ever existed, and the migration plan that was ostensibly for migration but actually involved plundering and destructive mining before another long voyage...
The disappearance of Human Civilization is absolutely related to the Bluetook Civilization!
Even if the Bluetook Civilization is not the mastermind, it is definitely involved in one part of it!
"In about 400 years, your main fleet will arrive, won’t it...?"
Tom looked up in the direction of Gliese 625.