Only I Walk Alone

“Home, I have returned!” This unexpected statement startled Wu Ge and his team. Soon after, Xiao Chao transmitted images captured by the detectors scattered beyond the Solar System. The shape of the unidentified flying object left everyone astonished—it resembled an incandescent light bulb.

This vessel, roughly the size of the Moon, featured a spherical front and a massive propulsion nozzle at the rear. Blue particle streams were continuously emitted, propelling this bulbous spacecraft towards the Solar System.

Xiao Chao reported, “The unidentified object has begun decelerating, estimated to reach the Solar System’s edge in 30 hours.”

In the vast cosmos, where wonders abound, what appears to us as a light bulb serves as a spacecraft to others.

Xiao Luo analyzed, “Spherical spacecraft are probably common in the universe, as this shape can withstand more pressure.”

Xiao Chao added, “The object is approaching us along a star path. As the path narrows, their speed decreases. I have ordered the fleet to prepare for interception.”

Star paths, while not ubiquitous in the universe, are numerous. Their creation can be likened to a famous literary quote: “There were no paths between the stars until civilizations started traversing them, creating these routes.”

Star paths result from starships with faster-than-light engines traveling back and forth, causing space along these routes to fold. The universe’s space heals slowly, so these folded paths persist for some time, allowing ships without faster-than-light engines to travel through them. However, should these paths become less traveled, they will disappear as space naturally restores itself, similar to footpaths in rural areas that vanish when no longer used.

Xiao Luo speculated, “Since they’re using a star path, their technological level might not be very high.”

Wu Ge considered this and said, “Indeed, if they had a faster-than-light engine, they wouldn’t need to use star paths. Plus, there’s no fleet accompanying them, just a solitary leviathan-class warship. It could be a fleeing ship or a merchant vessel.”

The Fox Immortal queried, “But they said Earth is their home. What does that mean? Could it be…”

Wu Ge immediately ordered, “Send a message inquiring about their intentions. If they truly are from a civilization that once belonged to the Solar System, let them communicate with us via video and send their DNA information. Otherwise, our fleet will attack!”

Following Wu Ge’s command, Xiao Chao sent the message. Wu Ge then directed, “There’s a four-dimensional warship stationed outside the Solar System. Have its crew prepare for defense and deploy four-dimensional robots to scout for any four-dimensional constructs.”

Earth’s technological research has advanced significantly, allowing for the mass production of four-dimensional warships. However, individuals capable of operating these ships are scarce, so only a defensive four-dimensional warship is stationed near the Solar System’s star paths.

Three minutes after Xiao Chao sent the message to the bulbous warship, a new message arrived: “Are you human civilization? If so, please exchange DNA information with me. If not, identify your civilization.”

Wu Ge, taken aback by the response, noted, “They know our civilization and referred to themselves as ‘I,’ indicating they’re an individual, not a civilization.”

Xiao Chao explained, “Due to translation issues, the term ‘human’ they used could mean various things, including ancient hominids and monkeys, after checking our database. Translations often approximate and can carry multiple meanings, much like translating English to Chinese.”

Upon hearing Xiao Chao’s explanation, Wu Ge understood that the entity must have visited Earth tens of thousands of years ago or belonged to a previous civilization on Earth. This explained their assumption that the Solar System was now under human civilization’s control and the poignant statement, “Home, I have returned.”

Wu Ge instructed, “Exchange DNA information with them. I’m curious to see which civilization from the Solar System they represent.”

The exchange commenced, with the unidentified object halting 1.5 light-years outside the Solar System. Both parties paused their actions momentarily.

Soon after the DNA information was transmitted, the other side communicated, “Despite some changes, there’s no mistake—you are human civilization. Do not panic. We share the same origin; I too was once an indigenous inhabitant of Earth.”

Xiao Chao immediately conducted a DNA analysis, slower than the other party, and after about 5 minutes, provided a shocking revelation. “Based on DNA testing, there’s a 75% chance the individual belongs to the species known as Tyrannosaurs. Some internal genetic differences are present, with lethal genetic segments removed, indicating they may also be a long-lived species.”

Xiao Luo expressed surprise, “The dinosaurs didn’t go extinct? Could they have developed spacecraft to leave Earth?”

Suddenly, the other party requested a video call, which Wu Ge accepted. Projected before them was a towering dinosaur humanoid, unlike any dinosaur they imagined. Its skin was green, it wore clothes, had a short tail, stood on two feet, had short arms with four fingers, a reptilian head, large eyes, and—astonishingly—wore glasses.

Glasses?

The sight bewildered everyone.

Xiao Luo explained, “Being born on Earth, it’s not surprising they have eyes with a convex lens structure like ours, so inventing glasses makes sense.”

After the explanation, everyone understood.

In the virtual image, the dinosaur humanoid spoke, “Unexpected. Have humans evolved to this level? Your technological capability…is impressive! But why not explore beyond the star paths?”

Wu Ge struggled to explain. While all creatures have an instinct to expand, humans are cautious by nature, preferring not to venture into danger without faster-than-light travel capabilities. Without such technology, they’re reliant on star paths, which, if blocked, could prove disastrous. Faster-than-light travel at least provides an escape option.

That’s Wu Ge and his team’s rationale.

The dinosaur humanoid remarked, “The universe is vast; there’s no need for such caution.”

Wu Ge inquired, “Elder, may I ask who you are?”

After a pause, the dinosaur humanoid replied, “I am the last surviving member of the dinosaur race.”