Chapter 717 Watching from a Distance


    The back-and-forth between the two AIs continued as they worked to establish a common foundation for communication.


    Although this could have been an ideal moment to probe each other, neither side attempted to do so, recognizing that the limitations of the communication medium made such efforts futile.


    To ensure the communication foundation would allow for the exchange of information with full context and minimize misunderstandings, the process would take several hours or even days. The outcome depended on how quickly each side could comprehend the other''s approach. For now, it had become a game of patience, where haste could easily lead to complications.


    .............


    While those aboard the ship waited for progress in communication, the rest of the solar system remained in a state of high alert.


    Military bases across the system were operating at their highest situational readiness, a level they had never activated before. All forces, including those previously off duty, had been called back into active service three months ago when the vessel was in its final approach.


    As for the returning personnel, they underwent intensive retraining, preparing for any potential threats before being assigned their stations.


    "Anyone care to explain what they''re doing?" Jacob''s voice rang out across the room, sharp with the tension that had been building.


    “I suspect they’re either mapping the area or scanning for hidden objects—or both,” Awwab, the mana specialist, responded. “Both tasks can be done simultaneously. They might also be searching for things that are invisible to the naked eye but detectable through mana, whether those things are related to us or native to the area.”


    Jacob sighed, rubbing his temples with his fingers. "I enjoy a good mystery, but not when it could end in war."


    The fatigue was setting in, and it was clear the constant pressure to maintain focus was wearing him down. Had it not been for the enhancements to his body, he knew he might have already collapsed from exhaustion.


    “We’re operating with limited information,” his assistant said, handing him an energy drink. “Any mistakes we make will only become clear after we’ve gathered enough intel.”


    Jacob took the bottle, nodding in silent agreement. He knew there was no leaving this room until communication was firmly established with the other side.


    But their wait didn’t last too long. By the second day, as they had grown accustomed to the sporadic mana pulses, the AIs across the board reported to their respective teams: {The framework for communication has been established. We can now begin exchanging messages from both sides.}


    Everyone in the monitoring rooms and on the ship let out a mild sigh of relief as they moved to the next phase.


    The ship''s captain immediately began initiating the communication process, having already been provided with the necessary notes and protocols for this crucial step.