The gazes of Qin Bei Wang and Zhuang Zhi Xuan simultaneously focused on him, the air in the conference room seeming to freeze.
Zhuang Liqun's fingers flew across the virtual keyboard, pulling up a series of complex theoretical models and energy release simulation curves that, to non-specialists, were as incomprehensible as ancient texts.
"Based on reverse engineering of the Stargate's fundamental principles and certain cutting-edge hypotheses from our Federation's Advanced Research Institute...
If zero-point energy of specific frequencies and phases is concentrated and released within an extremely short time and minuscule space,
the chain quantum vacuum reaction it triggers could, on a microscopic scale, instantaneously create terrifyingly extreme spacetime curvature distortion!"
His voice grew low, as if describing some cosmic taboo.
"Theoretically... one of the ultimate manifestations of this distortion is the artificially induced generation of a short-lived, microscopic black hole!
Or at least a singularity with super-strong gravity and spacetime distortion, exhibiting black hole-like effects!"
"An artificial black hole?"
Zhuang Zhi Xuan gasped softly. Even as a soldier tempered by countless battles, she was shaken by the destructive concept behind those words.
Zhuang Liqun nodded heavily, his burning gaze fixed on Qin Bei Wang.
"Commander!
Imagine if we embedded such a 'gift' inside that GC-7712 meteoroid we modified, setting the trigger conditions in advance..."
"When our meteor hammer charges at high speed into the densest formation center of the Empire's Stargate Defense Fleet, or at least gets close enough..."
"We remotely detonate that zero-point energy!"
He made a motion with his hands, expanding outward then sharply contracting.
"We don't need a fully formed black hole. Even just a momentary, localized rupture of spacetime structure and the emergence of a super-strong gravity well—
what would happen to all Imperial warships within that region?"
"Their hull structures would twist and fracture under unimaginable tidal forces!"
"Their shields and energy systems would become utterly chaotic, overload, and collapse in the extreme spacetime distortion!"
"Even their relative spacetime perception would become disordered!
The bow might experience hours of time dilation or compression within a single second!"
"That would be... pure, rule-based level destruction!
No conventional armor or defense could withstand it!"
After speaking, Zhuang Liqun looked at Qin Bei Wang and Zhuang Zhi Xuan, awaiting their reactions.
He himself seemed shaken by the ultimate destructive power of this concept, his chest rising and falling slightly.
Dead silence.
Qin Bei Wang stood in place, the calm on his face cracking noticeably for the first time.
It wasn't fear, but a mix of extreme shock, instinctive apprehension, and... a strange feeling of having his imagination's limits challenged.
He had always thought his plan of using a meteoroid as a kinetic weapon for a deep-penetration suicide mission was already sufficiently insane and bold.
He never expected that this seemingly mild-mannered engineer under his command
had been brewing the ultimate fantasy in his mind: directly handcrafting a microscopic black hole, using the fundamental laws of the universe as a weapon!
This has transcended the tactical level, touching upon a strategic and philosophical taboo frontier.
Playing with such power, if not controlled properly, the consequences could far exceed the destruction of a fleet.
It might even cause unpredictable permanent impacts on local space.
Zhuang Zhixuan's face also paled slightly. She looked at Zhuang Liqun, then at Qin Beiwang, swallowing hard.
This concept was so shocking that she was momentarily at a loss for how to evaluate it.
Qin Beiwang fell silent for a moment, his gaze sharp as a blade, piercing straight toward Zhuang Liqun.
"Theoretical success rate?
Control precision?
Scope of impact?
Potential risks to our own forces?
Most importantly, how much zero-point energy do we need.
And do we possess the corresponding encapsulation, deployment, and triggering technology?"
He fired off a series of questions, calm and pragmatic, instantly pulling the topic back from a horrifying concept to the realm of executable reality.
Zhuang Liqun was well-prepared and immediately called up more data.
"The theoretical model success rate is less than 30%, control precision is extremely low, and the scope of impact is difficult to predict accurately.
It could range from a few thousand kilometers to tens of thousands of kilometers, depending on the stability of the energy release and the structure of the spatial background.
The greatest risk to our own forces is that the space-time ripples and radiation burst generated upon triggering may not be fully shielded, requiring us to maintain an extremely distant position."
"As for the required energy and technology... what we have seized, plus if we can obtain more from other supply lines, might barely suffice.
Encapsulation and triggering can draw from some of the safety redundancy designs of the stargate.
But we will need the graviton array experts from the Zhen Yue to assist with the most precise energy field preconditioning and containment..."
As Qin Beiwang listened, his fingers unconsciously tapped the edge of the command console.
Dangerous. Extremely dangerous.
Uncontrollable. Highly uncontrollable.
But... if successful, the instantaneous destructive power it would bring and the blow to the Empire's morale would be immeasurable.
It might even paralyze the core of the entire stargate defense perimeter in one fell swoop!
"Establish a dedicated research team, led by you, with full cooperation from the relevant experts on the Zhen Yue."
Qin Beiwang finally made the decision, his tone grave.
"Conduct extreme simulations and microscopic simulation experiments.
I need to see a detailed feasibility report, risk assessment, and...
a contingency plan in case of failure, before the Empire's search fleet returns."
"Remember!"
He stared at Zhuang Liqun, enunciating each word.
"This is not a game.
What we want is to destroy the stargate and the defense fleet, not to create a cosmic monster that might devour us all.
Understood?"
"Yes, Commander! I understand!"
Zhuang Liqun saluted solemnly, his eyes burning with the excitement of a technical challenge, yet fully aware of the immense responsibility on his shoulders.
Qin Beiwang watched his hurried departing figure, then glanced at Zhuang Zhixuan beside him, who was still in a state of shock. He suddenly let out a soft laugh and shook his head.
"Never thought I'd have someone under my command even crazier than me."
He murmured to himself, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter.
"But... if this key can truly open the gates of hell..."
"Then let the Empire be the first to taste what lies beyond that door for us."
In the vast starry expanse, the four Empire mother-class fleets dispatched to the outskirts of the Bushman Star System to carry out a mop-up mission—
Blood Claw, Disciple, Demon Claw, and Nun—were experiencing a frustrating and futile period of time.
The vast Star Sea resembled an endless, frigid desert.
They followed the predetermined plan, radiating several Search Sectors outward from the Stargate.
Like combing through the Void, they attempted to locate that elusive Federation raiding fleet.
However, the targets were too small, and space was too vast.
Based on sporadic reports of attacks, the enemy seemed to consist mainly of high-speed Cruisers and Destroyers, totaling perhaps just over a hundred ships, and they were extremely scattered.
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