At present, Xiao Yu’s understanding of space technology was still fragnted and disorganized; he lacked a systematic and comprehensive grasp. As for what kind of state of existence this small universe was in, Xiao Yu remained unclear.
“First of all, we can confirm one thing,” Xiao Yu began, “on the Four-Dinsional scale, the distance between this small universe and our greater universe is not far. Back when we were still in the greater universe, we observed the unusual wobble in that star’s orbit, this supports that conclusion.”
“Yes,” Luka Three added, “existing scientific theories, along with the results of our observations while we were hiding inside the semi-Four-Dinsional body of Taihao during the information storm, prove that gravitons can propagate across the fourth dinsion. And they also obey the sa physical laws as in our three-dinsional world, naly, the greater the distance, the weaker the gravitational pull; the closer, the stronger. I speculate that between our greater universe and this small universe, there likely exists so kind of linkage chanism, that chanism is gravity. I believe this small universe is being drawn by the gravitational force of the greater universe, executing circular motion on a Four-Dinsional level around the greater universe.”
“Circular motion on a Four-Dinsional level…” Xiao Yu fell into silent thought after hearing Luka Three’s theory.
“There’s a flaw in that explanation.” a scientist from the Science and Technology Division interjected. “Take a look at this.”
The scientist issued a few commands to their computer terminal. On the conference table, a three-dinsional animated hologram appeared.
In the image were two pieces of white paper, one large, one small.
“The large sheet represents the greater universe,” the scientist said, pointing to it. “The smaller sheet represents the small universe we’re currently in. Now, this two-dinsional small universe is orbiting the two-dinsional greater universe in a circular motion within three-dinsional space.”
With another command from the scientist, the small sheet of paper in the projection began to move, circling around the large one in rotation.
“Yes, exactly like that.” Luka Three nodded lightly. “That’s what I ant. In this system, gravity serves as the link, the greater universe tugging at the small universe, preventing it from escaping.”
The scientist shook their head. “But within this system, there’s one point of contradiction. No, not quite a contradiction, but rather sothing you may have overlooked, Lord Three.”
“Oh?” Xiao Yu responded with a single syllable of interest.
The scientist gave Xiao Yu a respectful bow. “As everyone can see, this two-dinsional small universe is orbiting the two-dinsional greater universe in three-dinsional circular motion. But… did anyone notice the trajectory of that small universe’s motion?”
“Trajectory?” Xiao Yu was puzzled for a mont, but then quickly understood. “I see. Even though this two-dinsional small universe is moving in a circular path in three-dinsional space, its motion trajectory isn’t purely three-dinsional. It’s simultaneously moving along length and width, the two dinsions it already possessed, as well as now along the third dinsion, height.”
“Yes, that’s exactly the point I wanted to make.” the scientist said. “The movent along the third dinsion rely adds an additional degree, but it doesn’t eliminate the original two dinsions. Now, we can extrapolate from this question, If a two-dinsional small universe maintains its motion in length and width while executing circular movent in a higher dinsion, then… everyone, please look.”
Unnoticed by Xiao Yu, the scientist’s explanation had now captured the full attention of everyone present. Xiao Yu could see that in the eting room, more and more scientists were leaning in, whispering and discussing related ideas among themselves.
Pointing to the hologram, the scientist continued, “There’s one more detail to keep in mind, the two-dinsional greater universe shouldn’t be this small. In reality, it ought to be much larger.”
As they spoke, the scientist issued another command. In the projection, the larger sheet of paper representing the greater universe began to rapidly expand, until it reached three ters across, filling the entire visualization field.
Luka Three nodded slightly. “I understand now.”
“I understand now as well.” Xiao Yu nodded. “You’re saying that for this small universe to orbit the greater universe, its orbital radius cannot exceed the radius of the greater universe. Therefore, during its motion, it must intersect with the greater universe, that is, pass through it. Hmm… over the course of one orbital cycle, it would pass through the greater universe twice.”
“Yes, exactly.” the scientist replied, issuing a command to animate the simulation further. The small piece of paper representing the small universe continued orbiting the larger one. This was circular motion on a three-dinsional level. Xiao Yu saw the small paper slowly approach the greater universe, pass through it, erge on the other side, reach the apogee, then begin approaching once more, repeating the process endlessly.
A cycle that continued eternally, never ceasing.
“I speculate that the three-dinsional small universe we’re currently in is undergoing this sa type of circular motion.” the scientist explained. “Our small universe moves through four dinsions: length, width, height, and the fourth dinsion. It too passes through the greater universe. It also has an apogee.”
“That’s easy to understand.” Xiao Yu said. “In fact, through calculation, we can estimate our distance from the greater universe, that is, our current distance from the apogee. Based on the motion trajectory of that star we observed, the small universe’s apogee is approximately 14.3 billion kiloters from the greater universe. Hmm… according to the trajectory, right now, our distance is probably just under 5 billion kiloters. But this distance is in the fourth dinsion. So how do we cross that fourth-dinsional gap?”
It was like the analogy of two two-dinsional worlds, represented by two sheets of paper, one centiter apart. But that one centiter is a three-dinsional gap. How would a two-dinsional lifeform living on one of those sheets cross it?
It was a deeply vexing question.
“We don’t have the ability to move through the fourth dinsion.” a scientist said, shaking their head. “I believe we can eliminate the idea of directly crossing into the greater universe through the fourth dinsion. The information left by the Trolor Civilization stated that the space weapon is the key to escaping this small universe, and it’s clear that the space weapon has little to do with the fourth dinsion. So our discussion needs to remain focused on the space weapon.”
“Yes,” another scientist agreed. “Even the Taihao Civilization didn’t possess the ability to move through the fourth dinsion, let alone us.”
The discussion hit a roadblock from the outset, and for a while, the atmosphere in the eting room grew heavy.
“First of all.” Xiao Yu began slowly, “the thod we used to escape the Four-Dinsional barrier created by the Taihao Civilization can’t be applied here. The environnts are different. The Klein bottle can’t connect two unrelated three-dinsional worlds. The approach of crossing the fourth dinsion directly is also unfeasible. Senya, do you have any suggestions?”
The scientist who had just offered insight and inspired many present was nad Senya. Senya was also an outstanding scientist and had given Xiao Yu valuable inspiration on many occasions.
Senya pondered for a mont and slowly shook their head. “I don’t have a specific, actionable thod. I only think that, since our small universe intersects with the greater universe, maybe we can explore that concept further. When the small and greater universes converge, perhaps so unusual phenona will occur. Those phenona might offer a way to help us escape this small universe…”
“Senya’s idea is sound, and the reasoning is basically logical.” Luka Three interjected. “But as a scientist, I cannot accept any conclusion not supported by empirical observation. No matter how rigorous the logic, a hypothesis is still only a hypothesis, isn’t it? My recomndation is that we find a way to either verify or falsify this hypothesis. Without a definitive conclusion, everything we build upon it is a castle in the sky, aningless.”
As Luka Three spoke, Senya imdiately stopped and respectfully watched him speak in silence.
Xiao Yu keenly noticed a bit of tension rising between the two. The developnt brought a faint smile to his lips.
Senya and Luka Three were both natural science specialists within the Science and Technology Division, but they hailed from different civilizations. Luka Three was undisputedly the authority in this domain. Yet today, Senya’s performance had stolen the spotlight, challenging Luka Three’s authority to so extent.
“To hold onto the position of Chief Scientist in the Science and Technology Division… it’s never easy. Once you take that seat, you’re bound to be challenged by other brilliant minds.” Xiao Yu mused inwardly.
He had always welcod healthy competition like this. He let them fight it out, it didn’t matter, because he held the final say.
“Senya’s deduction is very rigorous, but Luka Three’s point is also valid. This hypothesis must be tested before we can take any further steps.” Xiao Yu thought, and then said aloud, “What Luka Three said is reasonable. So then, do you have a thod to verify this hypothesis?”
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