The eldest ring – the largest and outermost – served a role similar to the acceleration gate of their previous spacecraft. This device generated a membrane that harvested Negalis and used it to reduce spatial tension at the rear of the ship.

  Scientists had long observed that the universe contained two fundamental types of energy. Positive energy interacted with matter, drawing everything closer together and forming particles, stars, and planets. Negative energy, on the other hand, interacted with space itself, causing the universe to expand continuously and breaking down physical constraints. These two forms of energy were named Posilis and Negalis, respectively, based on their intrinsic nature.

  In physics, whenever a system exhibits an imbalance, it naturally tends to adjust itself in order to return to a stable state. Imagine the universe as a vast, boundless ocean, and the ALIEN spacecraft as a tiny vessel drifting upon its surface. When Negalis is released behind the ship, it acts like a surfactant, reducing spatial tension at the stern. As a result, the ship is effectively pulled forward – toward the region where spatial tension remains higher – in order to restore equilibrium.

  This phenomenon could be likened to a game of tug-of-war between two people. When one side suddenly lets go, the rope is instantly pulled toward the remaining player. In this case, the rope is the ALIEN spacecraft, and the two competitors are the regions of space in front of and behind the ship. The ship’s speed then depends entirely on the degree of imbalance between those two regions – or more simply, on the relative strength of the two participants in this imaginary contest. If both competitors are children, the pulling force is weak, and the ship moves sluggishly as a result. But if both are muscular strongmen with bulging muscles, the disparity becomes enormous, and the ship surges forward at a breathtaking speed.

  However, it must be noted that what truly moves here is not the spacecraft itself, but the structure of spacetime enveloping it. The ALIEN remains almost stationary within a stable spatial bubble, carried along by the currents of the cosmic ocean. It is much like placing luggage on a conveyor belt: the luggage itself does not move – only the belt advances forward.

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  In that case, the spacecraft’s apparent velocity depends entirely on the rate of expansion and contraction of spacetime – an entity inherently capable of exceeding the speed of light. Under ideal conditions, this allowed the ALIEN to traverse a distance that light would take 150 seconds to cross in just a single second, making it the very first interstellar spacecraft in human history.

  The only unresolved drawback was the extremely low efficiency of Negalis synthesis within the eldest ring. This issue would have to be prioritized for immediate improvement if the crew hoped to embark on far more distant journeys in the future.

  The second ring, smaller than the eldest ring, served as a vital shield that protected and sustained stable life aboard the spacecraft. This device generated a powerful magnetic field that blocked cosmic radiation from penetrating the interior, while simultaneously erecting a plasma barrier to defend the ship against external attacks. The engineers had inherited the dual-layer defensive technology from The Ring to forge an impregnable space warship – an achievement so magnificent that even Arnaldo could not help but bow inwardly in admiration.

  Finally came the youngest ring, the smallest of the three, yet by no means insignificant in function. This was the only ring firmly attached to the rear of the spacecraft, serving as a compact fusion reactor. The device produced an extremely strong magnetic field that confined superheated plasma, spiraling within a toroidal chamber, forcing two hydrogen atoms to fuse into one and release an immense amount of energy. That energy was primarily used to power the rocket engines and to supply electricity for a wide range of activities throughout the spacecraft.

  This was considered the most optimal energy-generation system in space, as its primary fuel source was hydrogen gas – the most abundant element in the universe. In addition, being rigidly mounted at the rear of the ship, the youngest ring caused the spacecraft to rotate about its own axis. This rotational motion established an artificial gravitational field, allowing the crew to function comfortably within the vessel. At the same time, the magnetic field it generated also served to stabilize and align the other two rings, ensuring the overall balance and durability of the entire system.

  Clearly, these three rings embodied the image of three loyal musketeers, playing a crucial role in preserving a peaceful and stable life aboard the spacecraft. Without them, the future of the generations living on board would likely be gravely compromised.