While the scientists on Tobelu were busy fine-tuning equipment and learning from Bubbles on how to interpret messages from the Imperial Data Network, Sandora was losing patience. She knew that with every passing minute, the possibility of losing contact with the Fifth Fleet increased, because no one knew which "zone" the Fifth Fleet would move to next. In the Void, "movement" does not have the characteristics of trajectory, direction, or distance that can be tracked in normal space. As long as they are within the Void jump radius of the Fifth Fleet’s spaceship (radius is just a colloquial term, strictly speaking, it’s the maximum deviation when modifying their own information representation), they could escape to any location at any time. While evading their pursuers, they might accidentally jump out of the Leaves World Garden’s scan radius. Despite the Leaves World Garden having maxed out its scanning radius, the possibility of the Fifth Fleet suddenly "disappearing" remains high.

And our call messages still cannot "reach" them.

Earlier, Sandora and Bubbles explained to me about the technical knowledge of inter-quadrant communication in the Void, and I gained some understanding: we all know that, although the Void appears chaotic and devoid of order, with "homogeneity" in physical terms, from an information theory perspective, the Void also has "heterogeneous" characteristics: it is divided into quadrants. Although the reason is unknown, it is indeed divided into regions that are not physically isolated; they are like the virtual partitions of a hard drive, divided only due to "characteristics". This means, physically, each Void quadrant overlaps (they are the Void). When in different Void quadrants, not only will the worlds contained be vastly different, but even the Void Domain is affected by the information shift. Therefore, when communicating across more than two quadrants in the Void, and when at least one party is in motion, the sender and receiver will experience desynchronization. This is because "movement" in the Void means changing one’s information representation, meaning the "mover’s" decoding base is constantly changing. In the same quadrant, this change follows a pattern, allowing the communicator’s built-in decoding devices to maintain communication. However, between different quadrants, this change exceeds the limits of any logical decoder, blocking communication. In the Imperial Information Network, solving this issue involves establishing relay stations and ensuring at least one communication relay station in each Void quadrant. These relay stations do not move, thus they are unaffected by the inter-quadrant barrier effect. They can send information to each other and then forward the information they receive to the Void spacecraft in the current quadrant. If a party has left the relay station’s coverage area (essentially left the Imperial Information Network), as a pioneer ship deep in the Void, it must rely on fixed communication protocols to maintain contact with the rear. The communication protocol dictates that message packets sent must include at least one data packet containing information representation of all possible quadrants a "mover" could reach within a Void jump radius, to ensure that as long as the "mover" remains in these quadrants, contact with headquarters can be maintained. And each time communication occurs, the "decode-address packet" is refreshed and repositioned on the "mover", thus the process of communication-refresh data packet-movement-communication-refresh data packet must be continuously repeated for contact to persist. Clearly, the two conditions do not apply between us and the Fifth Fleet: it is neither within the imperial network nor does it share a unified communication protocol with us. Of course, a long time ago, such a communication protocol did exist between it and the Fourth Fleet. But based on the functioning principles of this communication protocol, we understand that it must be built on maintaining a certain frequency of contact between both parties and successfully refreshing the "decode-address packet" each time. If either party jumps away from the "address book" recorded during the last communication, the communication protocol becomes void.

Communication between the Fifth Fleet and the Fourth Fleet has been cut off for hundreds of years, and this communication protocol is now long expired.

Of course, the above knowledge is limited to the communication situation in the Void Domain. In essence, there is seldom a need for this kind of communication, as even the Star Domain Divine Race is not a race living in the Void. We all live in stable and orderly worlds whose "positions" in the Void can be considered constant, naturally eliminating concerns of communication obstruction. Typically, advanced Void communication technology is used frequently by the special ships that conduct exploration and patrol missions in the Void Domain year-round.

Or the Exile Fleet.

"This is not a solution," Sandora said with furrowed brows as she tapped twice in midair to open a set of holographic projections. Taville’s image appeared in the center of the screen. This female scientist had been online from the beginning and had taken over on-site operations for the Leaves World Garden. "Taville, tell us your view. What is the most difficult point in establishing communication with the Fifth Fleet, and what is your response plan?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Taville nodded, and beneath her image, complex data and charts refreshed. I could only roughly discern that it displayed the operational status of the Leaves World Garden and saw countless "message lost, no returned information" warnings. "The biggest problem now is our inability to grasp the true ’coordinates’ of the Fifth Fleet. All reports received by Leaves World Garden are outdated, and the reports we send out are also outdated. We’ve attempted to include ’decode-address packets’ for multiple quadrants in the sent reports, but the Fifth Fleet likely won’t know how to recognize this data packet or even notice these signals, for our communication protocols are incompatible, even utilizing different numeral systems. To break this stalemate, we need more precise target locations, to know which quadrant they will jump to—currently, it’s just blind guessing. Theoretically, that’s it."

Hearing the words "blind guessing" from a scientist known for rigor like Taville was remarkable, and I immediately empathized with the dilemma faced by the Leaves World Garden staff. Then, the next second, perhaps by a stroke of luck, a light flashed in my mind—Taville said we need to locate targets more precisely?

In other words, she needs a sight with predictive capabilities?

My gaze involuntarily landed on Xiao Xue, and then it seemed like Sandora and the others had the same thought, as more and more eyes focused on Xiao Xue. The latter, known as the genius girl with keen six senses, immediately shivered: "Why are you all looking at me? I haven’t caused any trouble today. Dad, you can’t just play with your child because you’re idle..."

"Stop the nonsense!" I grabbed her and tossed her to Bubbles. "Is there a way to incorporate her into your system?"

At the same time, I detailed my idea to Bubbles through our Spiritual Connection. She nodded immediately, took out a third cone from her pocket, and Xiao Xue immediately panicked upon seeing it, "Hey! What are you doing! I’m telling you, if you dare poke me with that thing, I’ll be pissed..."

"Look how scared you are." Bubbles smirked, disassembling the transfer device at one end of the cone. Bending her head, she reconfigured it a bit, then pulled out a pair of glasses-like items from her Personal Space, combining the two components into a clumsy thing as embarrassing as a child’s toy XX Magic Girl Transformation Device. She handed it to Xiao Xue: "Here, put it on."

Xiao Xue gaped, looking awkward, "Well... you might as well poke me with the cone..." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Quit the complaints!" I slapped her onto the nearby seat, took the "Magic Girl Transformation Device" from Bubbles, and placed it on her. "Consider yourself lucky. Back in the day when the Imperial Data Network wasn’t established, your mom had to lie in something coffin-like to connect to radar..."

"But wearing this thing is just too embarrassing. Wouldn’t a pair of stylish and cool sunglasses be better than this gaudy plastic frame..." Xiao Xue grumbled constantly while wearing that silly and embarrassing pair of glasses, but the device had already started. Blue halos began spreading from the points where the device contacted her skin and started syncing with Xiao Xue’s mental frequency. "Hey, wait, this is interesting. The left lens is even showing this year’s spring anime premiere. Aunt Bub, you’re amazing, accessing the raw versions directly?"

I silently glanced at her mom, who was twisting the cone on her head, acting like she was working hard: "Okay, now synced with Xiao Xue’s mental frequency, sending the next batch of data packets from Leaves World Garden. Meanwhile, we’ll continuously alter the offset, Xiao Xue, focus on the Fifth Fleet. The system will automatically guide in establishing the connection—just like the old process that scanned the Otherworld with that coffin-like antiquated equipment."

Xiao Xue made an OK gesture and started humming songs while watching cartoons, seemingly unaware if she understood or not. But judging by Bubbles’ expression, the system was operating normally. A circle of Tobelu scientists and high-ranking officials of the Fourth Fleet maintained a bewildered stance from beginning to end as they watched everything unfold. I guess, to them, the working methods of the Imperial First Family were somewhat unconventional. However, nobody stepped forward to speak up; most chose to roll their eyes as if to say, "The world has nothing to do with me"—except for the Tobelu scientists, whose eye structure prevented them from rolling their eyes.

The two least reliable individuals finally began to work seriously, and everyone’s attention was refocused on the feedback information from the amplification system. Taville transmitted the displays from the Leaving World Garden to us. On the holographic screen, besides a heap of data devoid of logic, there was the system prompt: "Attempting to send signal... Signal lost, tracking next signal source... Attempting to send signal... Signal lost, tracking next signal source..."

Then, about one minute and twenty-five seconds later, which is one broadcasting cycle of the Leaving World Garden at full power, something different finally appeared on the holographic screen: "Sending signal... Detected arrival echo, determining signal source information characterization... Ranger system starts tracking, sending signal... Detected arrival echo, identifiable information detected, retrieving lexicon... Error, information mismatch. Attempting to reconnect, connection successful, preparing second attempt..."

After the communication was established, several failed matches occurred due to low compatibility of the decoding rules between both parties, falling below the system threshold. This was possibly due to the Fifth Fleet and the Fourth Fleet being out of contact for an extended time, leading to changes in the communication technology of the former. However, the Fifth Fleet soon realized that the strange signal was using an encoding method previously used by the Exiles, and communication began to stabilize.

In the display window representing the decoding rate, the recognizable encoding finally broke through the threshold. Within the subsequent millisecond, the system, following a preset procedure, sent over a "decode-address packet." As this address packet was updated and retransmitted to the reception endpoint of the Leaving World Garden, Taville finally declared happily: A stable channel has been established.

"The encrypted package containing navigation information has been sent over, and we received confirmation from the other side," Taville reported, "The system is gradually increasing bandwidth, starting to exchange communication protocols between both sides now... It is expected to take thirty seconds."

The Tobelu scientists in the hall held their breath, nervously watching the communication terminal that still displayed only static noise. There was nothing more they could do to help now—the communication matrix on the surface of the Kerudak Star had been successfully activated, and the channel was stably operational, whereas all tasks involving data calculation and conversion were completely reliant on the Empire’s equipment. They could only follow other high-ranking officials, nervously monitoring the progress. Thirty seconds is a considerably short time, yet perhaps for the Fourth Fleet officials present, this was the longest thirty seconds they had ever experienced in their lives—once thinking they were the only surviving exiles, now they were on the verge of reconnecting with another group of survivors. Outsiders would find it truly difficult to empathize with their current excitement. Finally, when the system prompt tone suddenly announced "Direct connection established, stable communication now possible," and relatively stable images appeared on the communication terminal, a synchronized deep sigh resonated throughout the hall.

In the center of the room, the holographic display popped up with video bearing serious interference lines, but still discernible in content. The background seemed to be inside a warship—you could see gigantic equipment glowing in the distance and busy personnel, along with enormous images displaying the outside view of the spaceship. In the center of the video was a tall "being" that appeared semi-transparent, like a spiritual body, without a fixed form or facial features. "He" seemed to be hurriedly fiddling with a panel in front of the communicator, and although the vocal organs of this spiritual being were not visible, a deep, resonant male voice was heard: "This is the Haydon III battleship, Chief Commander Cocogina, repeating, this is the Haydon III battleship, Chief Commander Cocogina, we have received your signal, please respond! Is anyone hearing my voice?"

"Cocogina..." For the first time, the perpetually calm "Council" was visibly stirred, instantly flashing to the front of the communication terminal, "Cocogina, this is the Yunade Council... My heavens... You’re still alive!"

"Yunade..." The spiritual being named Cocogina’s movements visibly froze, followed by three blue-white lights flashing in a row at what seemed to be his face—this should be his eyes, "Allen Ancestor above... You’re the Fourth Fleet!! You’re still alive! The Fourth Fleet is still alive!"

Cocogina’s voice echoed in the hall and of course also in the bridge where he was. Through the video, you could see soldiers busy in the distance turning their heads in confusion to each other, some of whom seemed to just realize what the "Fourth Fleet" meant (these people were probably newer generations, likely having only heard of the Fourth Fleet in historical documents), and immediately displayed shocked expressions. But Cocogina quickly commanded the staff to settle down: "Maintain calmness, continue jumping towards the designated target, pay attention to any information fluctuations in Quadrant One, and immediately initiate emergency evasion if new information with more than a 15% deviation appears."

"Cocogina, what’s your situation over there?"

"Very bad, very bad, we are under attack, barely shaking off the enemy’s pursuit for now, but we don’t know when they might catch up again. The new home we built over two hundred years is already lost... Ancestor above, there must be something wrong with this communicator, I can’t see your image. How is the Fourth Fleet now? How many starships do you have left? Did you manage to shake those monsters off... wait... you can contact us and the signal strength is even stronger than a thousand years ago... could the Fourth Fleet also be moving to this location?"

"No, the Fourth Fleet... the situation should be much better than yours," the "Council" responded to Cocogina after casting a fleeting glance at me and Sandora when the word "monsters" was mentioned. "We’ve just found a new and safe home not long ago, where Fallen Apostles can’t attack. Eighty percent of the Fourth Fleet’s starships have survived, and in the hundreds of years after losing contact, we haven’t encountered attacks again."

Cocogina’s three eyes lit up simultaneously, possibly expressing joy: "Congratulations to you, it seems some of the survivors from back then can continue to live on after all."

"The most important thing right now is your situation," the "Council" immediately interrupted Cocogina, "We have sent over navigation signals, pointing to a safe zone. Now, set your engines to full, and evacuate here, we have a sufficiently strong fleet that can repel any enemy."

Cocogina lowered his head, seemingly checking something: "Yes, we’ve received these data packets, and the mainframe has already decoded them... But you don’t know how far we are now from the destination marked by the navigation signal... I’m afraid we’ll be caught before evacuating to the goal... Ah, the communicator is recovering, here I can now see your image. Somewhat clear. Wait!"

Cocogina suddenly stared intensely at the image, quietly asked: "Why is someone wearing an Imperial mark appearing in the communication image?" (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation votes, monthly votes. Your support is my biggest motivation.)