Chapter 152: A Subtle Buzzing Sound |
The spacecraft had been traveling away from Lin Mo Station for half a day when a faint buzzing sound suddenly emanated from the crystal control console. The previously stable light patterns rippled with a few disturbances. Xiao Lin, who had been staring at the starmap recording data outside the viewport, immediately became alert and leaned forward. "Captain, the crystal engine's energy fluctuations are somewhat abnormal!"
A Xing set down the starmap in her hands and lightly traced her fingertip across the control console, pulling up the energy monitoring interface. Within the pale blue data streams, a faint red warning line was slowly flashing. "It's stellar dust stream interference. The upcoming section of the route passes right through the 'Shattered Light Belt.' The stellar dust density is significantly higher than during our last voyage."
The trainee Xiao Ai nearby nervously clenched her fist. "The Shattered Light Belt? That dangerous area rumored to tear through energy shields?" Having just passed her interstellar navigation exam last year, this was her first cross-civilization route mission. Her voice trembled slightly upon hearing the name of the hazardous zone.
Instead of answering directly, A Xing turned to look at Xiao Lin. "Xiao Lin, you studied emergency adjustments for crystal engines at Lin Mo Station. Tell us what we should do now."
Xiao Lin took a deep breath, his mind instantly flashing back to the principles of the crystal network that the Elder had explained—the energy output of the crystal engine shared the same origin as the light pulse fluctuations of the Star Language Route. When encountering stellar dust interference, forcibly strengthening the shields would instead cause energy counterflows. His finger pointed toward the "Resonance Adjustment" button in the corner of the control console. "We should first reduce the main engine's output power and activate the resonance mode of the auxiliary crystals, synchronizing the spacecraft's energy frequency with the stellar dust stream. Just like Mr. Lin Mo said, 'follow the rhythm of the star sea.'"
A flicker of approval shone in A Xing's eyes as she gestured for him to proceed. The moment Xiao Lin's fingertip touched the button, the light patterns on the control console instantly softened, and the red warning line gradually faded. Outside the viewport, the previously chaotic, flickering stellar dust seemed to be combed by an invisible force, transforming into fine points of light that gently brushed past the spacecraft's energy shields, leaving behind fleeting trails of luminescence.
"We did it!" Xiao Ai exclaimed with delight. The other trainees gathered around, looking at Xiao Lin with admiration in their eyes.
But Xiao Lin didn't relax. He recalled the stories about Lin Mo that the engineer had shared—how when Lin Mo handled energy leaks, he not only solved the problem but also recorded the distribution patterns of stellar dust at the leak points, later specifically optimizing the spacecraft's emergency procedures. He pulled up the historical data for the Shattered Light Belt and discovered that the abnormal stellar dust density this time actually had early warning signs; it was just that previous route records hadn't annotated them in detail.
"Captain, I want to add this stellar dust data from the Shattered Light Belt to the route database, along with the resonance adjustment procedures." Xiao Lin pointed at the records on the screen. "Then any future spacecraft passing through here can prepare in advance. Just like how Mr. Lin Mo left behind the crystal network, we can build a bridge for those who come after us."
Over the next few days, Xiao Lin set aside time daily to organize the navigation data and proactively helped Xiao Ai familiarize herself with the crystal control console operations. Xiao Ai, who had previously worried that her lack of experience would hold the team back, gradually regained her confidence under Xiao Lin's patient guidance, even managing to complete simple route calibrations independently.
One night, Xiao Lin stood alone in the observation deck, watching the Star Language Route flowing slowly outside the viewport. The faint glow of the crystal network spilled through the viewport onto him, and he seemed to see Mr. Lin Mo's smiling face again. Suddenly, the communicator transmitted A Xing's voice: "Xiao Lin, come to the cockpit. I have a surprise for you."
He hurried to the cockpit and saw a small silver badge placed beside the raw crystal at the center of the control console. The badge was engraved with the light pulse pattern of the Star Language Route, with the words "Successor" inscribed below it.
"This was delivered by the Elder from Lin Mo Station during the spacecraft resupply." A Xing picked up the badge and solemnly pinned it to Xiao Lin's chest. "He said you have already understood the true meaning of the Star Language Route—it's not just about traversing the star sea, but also about passing warmth and hope forward."
Xiao Lin touched the badge on his chest, his eyes growing slightly warm. He looked up at the star sea beyond the viewport, where Mr. Lin Mo's spirit resided, where A Xing's guidance led, and where the expectations of countless navigators lay.
The spacecraft continued forward along the Star Language Route, the glow from the crystal control console soft yet steadfast. Xiao Lin knew this was only the beginning of his interstellar journey; there were more planets waiting to be explored, more civilizations awaiting communication. But he was no longer lost, because he carried light within his heart—the belief left by Mr. Lin Mo, the eternal guardianship of the Star Language Route, and the light of hope belonging to every successor.
In the endless universe, the Star Language Route stretched like a brilliant ribbon, connecting past and future, linking different civilizations and hearts. And Xiao Lin, along with his companions, carrying this legacy, piloted their spacecraft toward more distant star seas, sowing the seeds of peace and friendship into every corner of the cosmos.