The satellite's mass, about seven and a half tons, was not too far from Hawke's estimate.
Hawke first analysed its material system.
The results showed that it was constructed of several elements common to the universe, and nothing that Hawke could not understand. Moreover, its material properties were no stronger than those of Hawke's here, after it had been strengthened by Jupiter spirits and black worms.
In Hawke's estimation, an alien super civilization that could build a fleet of such huge mass could not possibly still use such "low-level" materials. In Hawke's mind, the doubts grew.
The next thing to analyse was its power system. From the power system, one could see how technologically advanced a civilisation was.
After taking it apart, Hawke looked at the familiar nuclear fusion engine and was speechless.
"I didn't expect that you really used nuclear fusion energy, huh? And, it also uses electrical energy? What? Photonic computing control panels? Goodness, don't be so similar."
Although the fusion engine in this satellite was a little different from Hawk's, the overall principle was the same.
Looking at the familiarity of everything in front of him, Hawke had a feeling of tears and laughter, but at the same time, his heart was greatly relaxed. Even if there were more contradictions than could be explained, the fact that it was powered by nuclear fusion, relied on electricity to transmit energy, and relied on photonic computing control panels to construct the computing modules meant that the technology of this civilization was definitely not too far beyond Hawke's.
At the same time, Hawke once again confirmed his speculation about the similarity of the civilization's progress. Simply put, since most civilizations developed from low to high levels, there was a high probability that they would also go through a similar process as Earth's civilization. Although there would be differences in the details due to civilizational differences, the general direction was the same, such as chemical energy, such as nuclear energy.
"Eh? What is this thing?" Hawk bypassed the power module and began to look at the rest of the components, and at this time, an odd object caught his attention.
It was something like an above-earth camera, with a protruding lens, and in the lens, a smooth glass lens.
Hawke dismantled it and began to analyse the various subtle photonic circuits inside.
Gradually, Hawke was drawn to this piece of photonic circuitry with all his mind. Hawke stopped all other irrelevant calculations and mobilised at least twenty percent of his computing power to analyse this circuit board.
It took a full fifty minutes of analysis before Hawke exhaled a breath and came back to his senses.
"From this circuit board, I can tell that they are at least five years beyond my level of technology. Otherwise, they couldn't have designed such efficient wiring."
This five-year period was calculated based on the level of technological advancement above the Earth, and the current Hawk, lacking sufficient supplies to launch research on basic physical theories and the rest of the various experiments, had long since come to a point of technological stagnation.
Hawke learnt a lot from this circuit board and, at the same time, analysed the instrument's function.
It was a thermal imaging detector, which worked similarly to something like a night vision device on Earth.
After analysing this instrument, Hawke began to work on the next one. It took twenty hours for Hawke to finish analysing the entire instrument.
It was indeed a satellite whose main function, on top of some massive object, was to find the heat source. It was a function that Hawke could not figure out. A heat source? Need to find it?
At the same time, Hawke had a general idea of the technology of this civilization. Overall, it was a civilization that surpassed Hawke's current technology by about ten years, that is, it was a little more efficient than Hawke regarding the use of nuclear fusion, a little faster than Hawke in terms of computing power, a little faster than Hawke in terms of building spaceships, and a little more powerful ... weapons.
In short, the gap is not very big.
For this civilization's technology, Hawke already had a comprehensive understanding, and at the same time settled down in his heart.
Hawke thought, "One thing is strange, this satellite, obviously built for a large object at least twice the size of Earth, they only have technology that exceeds mine by ten years, it is impossible to build such a large fleet ah."
"Let go of that question for now, for now, what needs to be determined is what kind of attitude should I have towards this civilisation, what kind of attitude should I have towards it?" Hawke pondered, slowly analysing the situation.
"According to the model projection, in the universe, if two civilizations with similar levels of technological development meet, the greatest possibility is ... to start a peaceful contact after an initial trial and even conflict, exchange information with each other, or conduct material trade, and then separate peacefully. This is the first alien civilization I've encountered, and perhaps, I should show them some goodwill."
"But I can't speculate on their social structure and also their moral system, that is, I can't know whether they are kind or malicious to me. Or ... should I show kindness along with my force?"
Hawke remembered a theory that was once very popular on Earth, the Dark Jungle Theory. In this theoretical system, there was no possibility for two different interstellar civilizations to coexist peacefully. Hawke felt that he, too, seemed to be caught in the so-called "chain of suspicion" at the moment.
Hawke did not know whether the dark jungle theory was correct, nor did he have any interest in testing it with his own life at stake. All Hawke knew was that contact with the other side was inevitable.
Then, Hawke would have to come up with a plan for contact as soon as possible.
"Whether the dark jungle theory is correct or not, let's not consider it for the moment, anyway, from my standpoint, if the benefit that can be gained is less than the price that will be paid, then I will not choose to pay it. The same is true in the universe, if there is greater benefit to be gained by living in peace with a civilisation, naturally I would not choose to attack it. I believe that this unknown civilisation would have the same logic. What I need to do, then, is simple: show my force system and deter them while demonstrating the benefits I will gain by living in peace with me."
Two civilisations with similar levels of technology. If a conflict breaks out, they could die together, if they live together peacefully, they could benefit both sides. Which one to choose, as long as a civilization with normal intelligence, I think they all know clearly in their hearts.
"In the end, interest, everything is interest, interest is the highest dominant principle." Hawke pondered silently, "So, how should one demonstrate benefits while demonstrating deterrence?"
"That question is put aside for now, the first priority is to find them out. They are not very far from me, surely. A being hidden in the shadows, unknown to good or evil intentions, is dangerous, although, I do not know if they have found me. But if I find them first, I hold the initiative to make contact."
Hawke slowly adjusted the fleet formation, aligning the entire fleet into a massive circle that reached eight thousand kilometres in diameter. In this way, Hawke was tantamount to using the eight hundred or so ships to form a massive array of radio telescopes out. At the same time, Hawke installed a spotting scope on each ship, so that Hawke could collect signals of various wavelengths, whether infrared, ultraviolet, visible light, x-rays, gamma rays, etc., all of which could not escape Hawke's detection. If it wasn't for technological limitations, Hawke would even have wanted to get a neutrino and gravity wave detector.
Hawke searched for a full month, but did not find any material suspected of being a civilized creation.
"It shouldn't be." Hawk pondered, "All signs point to this alien civilization that must be near me. Did ... they spot me too? So they chose radio silence?"
Hawk began to ponder a question. That is, in a dark universe, with no visible light present, how does one go about discovering an object that emits no radiation of its own, or only trace amounts of radiation, close to nothing?
In turn, Hawke began to wonder how this civilisation, which had surpassed his own by almost ten years, would find itself while he kept his radio silent, turned off all fusion engines, and shielded himself from all radiation in visible and invisible wavelengths.
Hawke extrapolated and could not find any technology that could detect himself in this situation.
But there was one thing that Hawke could be sure of, if he was not deliberately hiding, there were still many ways to discover himself.
Did that ... also mean that the other side was also deliberately hiding?
Huo Ke was horrified.
It seemed like there was only one explanation for this, otherwise, why couldn't he discover the other party?
"Taking the initiative to show oneself, to show one's goodwill to the other side as well as one's force, to take the initiative to contact the other side?" Hawke pondered nervously, but it was risky to do so, for if he showed himself, he could be greeted by a large hydrogen bomb. Hawke thought about it for a long time, but could not make up his mind to take the risk.
The situation was a delicate one. Two civilisations with similar levels of technological development were deliberately hiding themselves. And Hawke could be sure that the other side was also desperately searching for itself. In this situation, no one dared to take any risks.
So how would the stalemate be broken?
Contact between the two civilisations was bound to happen. For the two sides were already not far apart. And to leave voluntarily would mean unleashing the fusion engine, which would mean that one's figure would be exposed.
At the same time, a question occurred to Hawke.
Was he, himself, already exposed?
After all, he had manoeuvred the ship before, captured the satellite, and manoeuvred it to arrange itself into a radio telescope array. In the process, Hawke had used the lowest power possible, but Hawke could not confirm whether the other side had more advanced technology to detect the trace radiation he had put out.
"It's certain that the other side is aware of my presence, otherwise they couldn't have purposely hidden it. I just don't know if my exact coordinates have been revealed."
Hawk was pondering this question when suddenly, Hawk detected a faint signal.
The signal was so faint that if Hawke hadn't arranged it into a radio telescope array, Hawke wouldn't have been able to detect it at all.
Hawke's heart tightened and he immediately began to analyse the signal.
The result, to Hawke's horror.
"Holy shit, this is the signal of a trigger type hydrogen bomb detonator!"