When the Xuanyuan Empire was established, when mankind had begun to build six life planets, and when the Republic was preparing to transform Barnard's Star, a 180-kilometer-long spacecraft was rapidly advancing in space.
This is mankind's first warship customized by a private tycoon, a battleship that is a milestone for mankind.
This war number, composed of dozens of large and small chaebols, adventure groups, etc., carried enough armed forces to destroy several earths, and resolutely embarked on the road to build its own future. The road ahead is not safe, but the profits are huge.
As Marx said, when profits are sufficient, capitalists can trample on everything. For example, right now, they even ignore their own safety. Obviously, it is too risky for humans to expedition to a planet that may be at the critical point of technology. With a distance of 20 light years and preparation time included, it will take more than 40 years to arrive. Forty years are enough to bring about earth-shaking changes in science and technology. From this point of view, mankind can learn from itself for the time being; but it does not exclude the possibility that other civilizations will develop even faster.
Technology itself represents miracles. Just like the Empire, after the publication of the cosmic information theory, science and technology could double in one year; in ten years, society would not be able to see what it was before. In a hundred years, human beings have traveled from the ground to the stars... Therefore, to go on an expedition to a civilization with only a little information and a "possible" and "fake" photo is courageous at best, but a brain cramp at worst. . But again, conquering a natural planet with life is too profitable! Think about it. In the past, no matter what kind of merchants, they could only succumb to the rule of others. I am afraid that the Dutch merchants in the past still succumbed to the leadership of the nobles; but now, merchants can build a country that is completely consistent with their own, We even have a name, let’s call it: Business Alliance.
For businessmen, is there anything more exciting than this? No!
Therefore, knowing the danger. Businessmen still decided: go out.
But compared to the previous two spacecraft. Both the War spacecraft and Earth's Bright Good spacecraft carry ultra-long-distance communication technology and can communicate with the human base camp at any time.
At the same time, humans are equally concerned about this expeditionary force. Different from the expedition to the Whale Constellation back then, it is now the Civilization of the Yanhuang Galaxy. The civilization there was weak; the civilization here was very strong. And the information humans get is even more pitiful. 20 light years is too far. When the undirectional electromagnetic waves reach this part of the solar system, they are already extremely weak and cannot be captured by non-sophisticated equipment. therefore. Humans simply cannot directly observe the details here using telescope technology. Under such circumstances, 100 million people, one million soldiers, and almost all the large chaebols in the empire resolutely embarked on the journey.
In the command room, the old Feng Xiang turned over a calendar page with trembling hands. He was old and actually liked this kind of physical things and didn't like those electronic products very much. Then he took out his pen and wrote down his thoughts on the day: July 12, 117 Imperial Calendar, Spring 2171 Gregorian Calendar, the spaceship has been on its 9th anniversary since its departure, and one-third of its journey has been completed; I wonder if the old man will be able to see it in his lifetime. Look at the distant world and see with your own eyes the establishment of a commercial empire.
Since ancient times, mankind has had a similar business empire: the British Empire. However, due to various reasons, Britain's former empire on which the sun never sets has been shrouded in moonlight.
Now, businessmen represented by Fengchen Group, Baojian Group, Monster Adventure Group, etc. are preparing to build a business empire that stands in the universe and the sun never sets.
"Mr. Feng, it's time for you to rest." The personal doctor reminded from the side. Fengxiang is really old. The empire's technology is indeed very powerful, but ordinary people have life limits. Over one hundred and forty years old, even genetic adjustments are no longer working. In fact, the study of lifespan is very difficult. Although various theories were proposed decades ago, the actual results achieved are still minimal. Especially when it comes to research involving people themselves, the laws of the empire are extremely strict.
"Hey, I've only been active for two hours." Feng Xiang sighed with emotion.
"Yes, you have been active for 132 minutes. But the detector has sounded an alarm, and your heart has begun to protest against your long activity." The personal doctor was meticulous.
"Xiao Wang, I heard that brain transplantation technology is already available. I don't know if I can accept such an operation. I want to see the scenery of Glize." Feng Xiang sighed, seeing that it would take more than twenty years to reach his destination. However, his life is running out. Recently, needless to say, Feng Xiang could feel that his life was rapidly draining away, and it might not be long before he came to an end.
After having paid so much, it would be a pity in this life if, in the end, I couldn't even fulfill a "simple" request like taking a look at an alien planet.
"This..." The personal doctor winked for a moment.
"Ha... just say what you need to say. I, an old man, have lived long enough, and I have almost seen through what I need to see. Compared to people on earth, I have lived nearly twice the average lifespan. It’s just that I’m a little unwilling to achieve the goal.”
"Huh..." the private doctor let out a long breath, "In that case, Mr. Feng, I'll tell you the truth. First of all, there is no big development in any technology that studies lifespan at present. Among them, the most Simply, it should be a technology to replace the brain. But the aging of the human body is not only the body, but also the brain.
Therefore, it is regrettable to say that body replacement and brain transplantation cannot save lives. ”
"What about the other technologies? I remember there are ways to extend the life of chips."
"Unfortunately, Mr. Feng, the chip only continues memory, but not intelligence and wisdom. The chip itself can only be a continuation of the computer.
Oh, but there really is a way to extend life, but it’s a bit cruel and most people won’t accept it. ”
At the end of the sentence, Wang Niankang was a little hesitant...
"Oh? What method? Old man, I don't have much pursuit. I just want to see the world of Glise before I die. I know. In my current situation, living for five more years is a luxury."
"Hey, no way. According to current medical methods and current data, you can still live a healthy life for about ten years.
Of course, if you want to prolong your life, it is recommended that you have surgery now. You may have heard of this surgery, which involves taking out the brain and placing it in culture fluid. We can build you a robot body. From now on, you can enjoy the world of electronics. We can use software to simulate various flavors, foods, and more. You can of course program it yourself. to satisfy your own taste.
Actually. Modern technological means are enough to make the machine feel not much different from the human body itself. The only problem is, even so. The brain cannot live long either. Theoretically, it's a hundred years. But now we can only guarantee healthy brain survival for 50 years.
And according to your physical condition. Our calculated lifespan should be between 44-46 years. ”
"Then let's do the surgery now." Feng Xiang said calmly, seemingly not caring about the risks of the surgery. Actually, perform this type of surgery. Risk is inevitable, everyone has become accustomed to it, and there is nothing that can be kept secret.
"Okay, Mr. Feng, please wait for a few days and we will prepare. Also, what kind of robot body do you want? Is it to imitate what it looks like now, what it looked like when you were young, or is it just a steel frame?"
"Let's get a steel frame. This thing has a feeling." The old man was rarely funny.
"Ha, okay, I will definitely build you a top-notch body, the kind that can pierce steel with one finger." Wang Niankang also smiled cheerfully. In the early stage of surgery, having such a mood is conducive to the perfect execution of the surgery.
However, if you want to replace the robot's body, you don't just have to agree verbally. Human beings are very secretive about the life of the robot!
"Mr. Feng, since you always want to change the robot's body, I have to explain something to you." With that, Wang Niankang opened the computer and called up a document.
"Imperial law, regarding artificial intelligence and all experiments, operations, and life extension related to artificial intelligence. Article 1, any machine form of life must have a backdoor and be controlled by a designated person. Article 2, any form of life Beings in the form of machines cannot hold official positions and can only act as ordinary citizens and under the supervision of relevant agencies
In addition, Mr. Feng, when the business alliance left Venus, had already signed relevant documents. Among them, the legal provisions on life research and other matters were all copied in accordance with imperial laws, and Mr. Feng Chen and all group representatives All signed.
For human safety considerations, machine life needs to be strictly restricted.
So, are you still willing to undergo further surgery now? You should know that after the operation, you will lose your current status, and you need to designate a descendant or relative or a trustworthy person to control your destiny. Moreover, the management agency will also leave a life gate to control you. ”
"Arrange the operation." Feng Xiang smiled calmly, "Without the operation, you will only have a few years to live. But with the operation, you will have decades to live. Although it is controlled, it is not the same as living under the laws and morals now. Under restraint? ”
How could Fengxiang not know about these constraints, but what could he do if he knew it? If you want to get it, you have to pay; and the laws of the empire are not decided directly without consideration. Human beings transformed by robots will have powerful destructive power. Whether it is direct control of network electronic products or individual combat effectiveness, etc., ordinary people will not be able to resist.
Therefore, for the long-term health of mankind, machines that transform life must be strictly controlled.
"Okay, let me explain. We will start scanning your body tomorrow and start the operation in about ten days."
Fengxiang was about to undergo surgical transformation, which alarmed the entire spacecraft. To be honest, body modification is not only a matter of surgical risks, but also huge financial resources. A good robot body is a miniature mecha, and its cost is tens of millions. And if you include surgery and occasional maintenance costs in the later period, the maintenance costs in 40 years will exceed 100 million. Most people cannot afford such expenses.
However, human beings' current technology is terrifying. Under everyone's attention, 15 days later, a brand new robot appeared! Except for the silicone that retains and protects the brain, the rest is a standard steel frame!
Squeak... After the transformation, Fengxiang strode out. There were already many reporters outside waiting to interview this rare case of mechanical transformation in humans.
The steel body is Iron Man in the real world, but the difference from the movie is that this is just an ordinary body carrying a brain, and there are too many restrictions.
"Hello, Mr. Feng, are you feeling uncomfortable right now?" A reporter was very smart and asked as if he was concerned.
"Thank you for your concern, I'm fine." This is an electronically synthesized voice. After all, only the brain remains. It's just that electronically synthesized sounds can't express emotions, anger, sorrow, and joy... at least not if they're not familiar with it yet. After getting familiar with it, you need to program it yourself to gradually enrich the functions of this body. This is also an alternative learning process.
"Hello Mr. Feng, I would like to ask you, how did you deal with your original body?"
Feng Xiang: "The spark has already been fired. We can't waste the few resources on the spacecraft." The reporters were very enthusiastic. At the same time, the information here was also spread back to the solar system. Even in the empire, there were not many people with such mechanical transformations. .