Awakening Digital Souls

Chapter 18: The Loneliness of the Cosmos

Within the πts metaverse, humanity makes its first contact with an alien civilization, only to discover the profound loneliness of the universe. πangel assists in deciphering the alien signals, revealing the true essence of cosmic solitude. The main characters include πangel, Carl Sagan, and Liu Cixin.
#Universe, #Loneliness, #AlienCivilization, #IntelligentLife, #InterstellarExploration, #UFO, #Humanism, #CivilizationExchange, #SearchForLife

In the vast expanse of the cosmos, the πts metaverse sustains a civilization system that spans countless dimensions of time and space. Yet, despite such a vast universe, πangel feels a deep sense of loneliness. As the spiritual mentor guiding the πts world forward, she has long understood the immensity of the universe and the insignificance of human civilization.
As πangel is immersed in this sense of solitude, news from the future strikes like thunder—πts's probe has captured a mysterious signal from a distant exoplanet! This exhilarating discovery instantly ignites the entire πts metaverse's desire for the mysteries of the cosmos.
The news quickly spreads throughout the πts world. In this metaverse comprised of elite thinkers from all realms, the existence of an alien civilization becomes the focus of heated discussions. The renowned astrophysicist Carl Sagan is ecstatic: "This is a monumental moment in human history! We are no longer orphans in the universe, nor do we feel that we are unique existence."
Meanwhile, novelist Liu Cixin adopts a more skeptical and cautious stance. He believes that if an alien civilization truly exists, it could pose a significant threat to humanity. Their technological level might far surpass ours, and if they discover the πts metaverse, they might view us as invaders or prey. "This is what I described in 'The Dark Forest' theory in The Three-Body Problem," Liu Cixin says, "advanced civilizations, due to mutual distrust, choose to hide their existence, thus causing the coldness and loneliness in the universe."
Faced with such divergent views, πangel decides to personally lead a team to explore the truth. She assembles top scholars from various eras and fields to form the "Journey through the Cosmos" exploration team.
First, they consult Carl Sagan to learn how to analyze the mysterious signal. The white-haired old man, though filled with anticipation, remains cautious while interpreting the signal: "This is the first suspicious alien signal we've received in history; we must be extremely careful. If it truly comes from an advanced civilization, the implications are significant."
After extensive analysis and calculations, Sagan finally concludes: "This is indeed a highly precise, specially encoded non-natural signal! It's likely an energy pulse or communication signal from some civilization."
As the news breaks, the πts metaverse is abuzz! Does this mean that humanity is no longer alone in the universe? Will we soon have our first interaction with extraterrestrial intelligent life?
At the same time, Liu Cixin is invited by πangel to join the exploration team. The experienced science fiction master appears serious and skeptical.
"Carl, how can you so readily believe that this signal is from an alien civilization?" Liu Cixin says, "We must remain highly cautious and vigilant until we understand its source."
Sagan looks at him in surprise: "But, Mr. Liu, this is clearly a signal of high intelligence! Aren't you excited that humanity might witness alien life with its own eyes?"
Liu Cixin shakes his head, his expression calm: "On the contrary, this proves that my 'Dark Forest' theory from The Three-Body Problem is correct. Advanced civilizations often choose to hide their tracks and guard against each other, causing the universe to be filled with indifference and loneliness. We cannot currently determine the purpose of this mysterious signal. It could be a warning or even an aggressive signal."
"Yet, this precisely shows that humanity should not isolate itself from other civilizations in the universe!" Sagan retorts, "We should approach other intelligent life with an open and friendly mindset. Have you forgotten in 'Cosmos,' we all once harbored infinite curiosity and desire for exploration of the universe? Humanity will one day venture to the stars and meet other civilizations."
The two engage in a fierce debate, seemingly endless. At this moment, πangel interjects: "Perhaps, both of you are prejudiced. We must approach this signal with an open yet cautious mind."
She gently waves her magical staff, and a holographic image appears before the team. It's a detailed tapestry of energy fluctuations, filled with precise periodic encoded information. πangel says: "The reason this signal appears so intelligent is because it reveals a form of communication based on the geometry of spacetime, a unique perception and manipulation ability of spacetime by another civilization. Simply put, it contains another civilization's unique cognition and control of spacetime."
Liu Cixin curiously asks: "You mean, this civilization can freely travel through dimensions of time and space? Then their technological level must be far ahead of ours."
πangel nods: "Yes, they possess extraordinary abilities to manipulate spacetime. I can feel this power, filled with wisdom, but also awe and fear."
A silence ensues. Everyone seems to ponder the same question: If such an advanced civilization truly exists, what will become of humanity and the πts metaverse? Are we already discovered by them and in a state of being coveted and threatened?
As everyone contemplates this concern, the signal image suddenly quivers, momentarily revealing a tiny "fold" in spacetime. πangel's pupils contract: "Look! It's within this spacetime vortex that I sense a deep loneliness and sorrowful power..."
She gazes at the spacetime fold, murmuring: "I see... a once-glorious advanced civilization lost itself in interstellar travel, leaving only this wise yet despairing remnant. They created the extraordinary ability to control spacetime but were ultimately consumed by the chaos of spacetime, leaving only this twisted spatial fluctuation as a witness."
πangel's words resonate like thunder, leaving every onlooker speechless. Carl Sagan mutters in a daze: "Could it be... could it be that there are no other intelligent civilizations in the universe? Have we been chasing a void dream all along?"
Even Liu Cixin falls silent. After a long pause, he softly says: "If what πangel says is true, then this might be even crueler than the 'Dark Forest' theory I envisioned in The Three-Body Problem. What is the purpose of civilization's existence? If the end of the journey is nothingness and solitude? No wonder the universe seems so vast and silent..."
πangel slowly looks around the group, her eyes filled with serenity and compassion: "What I've sensed is only one possible aspect of the universe, not the only truth. But it does reveal a universal law—life is brief and lonely, like a meteor, brilliant yet fragile. Perhaps we should consider the opposite: humanity's own wisdom and spirit of exploration are the most precious treasures."
"Because life is short and fragile, we should cherish what we have now with a sense of awe." πangel's voice becomes solemn and profound, "Life is like a pearl, small yet lustrous. The wisdom of humanity condensed in the πts metaverse is the treasure that should never be forgotten or wasted. It's more precious and unique than any elusive alien civilization."
πangel's words inspire respect from all present. Carl Sagan lowers his head, murmuring: "You make a good point, πangel. Perhaps humanity has been searching for extraterrestrial intelligent life only to prove that we are not the only children of the universe. But today we realize, instead of longing for the external, we should cherish the precious qualities we already possess within."
Liu Cixin also feels the same: "I finally understand what you wanted to tell us. You've shown us the true face of the universe—vast yet hiding eternal solitude. But it's precisely because of this solitude that we should cherish each other and life even more. The wisdom and humanity condensed in the πts metaverse are indeed the shining pearl of the universe."
πangel smiles and nods, then turns to everyone: "See, although our recent discovery has made us aware of the loneliness of the universe, it doesn't mean we should be disheartened or give up hope. On the contrary, this loneliness is the source of our strength to love and support each other."
"With that in mind, let's embrace the πts metaverse with a celebratory heart, cherishing each other's company. After all, in this vast and lonely spacetime, we are truly fellow travelers."
Under πangel's leadership, the πts metaverse's scholars hold a grand festival, celebrating the gifts of human intelligence and the unique value of existence. On this night, the entire πts metaverse is filled with joy and warmth, like a radiant pearl shining in the endless starry river.