Thor and Loki both felt somewhat speechless, but it was indeed the truth. They said "temporarily slow down the pace of exploring the cosmos," not that they wouldn't conduct scientific research on the surface, but they always felt something was a bit off.
The process through which a normal civilization enters the interstellar colonial era should be like this: first, build chemical rockets to explore nearby planets; find a foothold on these planets and establish experimental sites; then build better rockets to explore more distant planets. In this way, exploration proceeds little by little until the star system they are in is fully understood.
Next, they begin experimenting with chemical spacecraft, commonly known as "spaceships." As long as the spaceship's range and safety can reach the nearest foothold and transport large equipment and fuel, it's considered successful.
Subsequently, on the nearest but safely distanced foothold from the mother planet, a space experimental base is established, continually optimizing the spaceship's safety, speed, and range. Then within the star system, they find more efficient fuel to continue enhancing the spaceship's speed and range until it can travel quickly among the various planets within the system.
At this point, the crucial juncture arrives. Wanting to leave one's own star system with chemical spacecraft is undoubtedly impossible. There are two paths at this time: either develop multi-functional shield technology, which maintains stability inside the shield so passengers are unharmed, and then simply rocket through space, akin to a "cosmic bulldozer"—as long as my shield is strong enough and my speed fast enough, I can drive wherever I want. Although the cosmos is vast, even the fastest speed doesn't seem that fast, but traveling at sub-light speed is sufficient to explore neighboring star systems.
The other option is the superluminal engine. This is essentially an upgraded version of the "bulldozer," where if my speed is fast enough to surpass light speed, it causes spatial and temporal distortions. In simple terms, surpassing light speed directly transcends the realm of time, so the travel time from one point to another virtually doesn't exist, akin to direct teleportation, also known as "jumping."
The reason these are divided into two paths is because of different racial characteristics. For instance, Asgardians don't need any shield technology—once they sit inside the spaceship, it doesn't matter if the ship flies at sub-light speed, they remain unharmed. Hence, they don't need spatial stabilization technology; shields are mainly for defending against attacks from other battleships.
But humans can't do that. Regardless of sub-light speed, if the acceleration exceeds a certain value, they would simply pass out; when surpassing light speed, humans would disintegrate into molecules. So it's challenging to take the slow speed-increment "bulldozer" route.
However, humans have a high starting point. Not talking about mages with their unreasonable teleportation portals, the teleportation engines on star ships are research material that almost all civilizations without superlight engines dream of.
This also involves a familiar paradox: without a superlight engine, it's difficult to leave one's territory. Although there are many civilizations in the universe, the cosmos is so vast that they are separated by astronomical distances, and electromagnetic signals can't travel that far. Normally, civilizations that cannot leave their star systems can't communicate with others.
Without communication, there's no way to exchange technologies. Even if forced communication is possible, the only entities they can reach are other civilizations without superlight engines—essentially "novices." Those with engines are already roaming the universe, leaving no interest in minor star system civilizations. Even if they receive your signal, why would they share their technology?
Therefore, superluminal engines generally can only be developed through self-research. But starting from scratch requires a very large area and a vast amount of resources. The luckier star systems with a few resource planets can potentially develop one through exploration; however, the less fortunate ones with not a single resource planet within their star system might never touch the edge of a superluminal engine from birth to death. Such relatively desolate star systems are quite common in the cosmos.
Currently, all civilizations possessing superluminal engines mostly didn't develop them themselves. Some were lucky to stumble across the remains of high-level civilizations; others were encouraged by the Three Great Empires—given an engine to help control a module region, and they just had to install it.
Humans are different. Humans have paved a fourth path amidst research, accidental discoveries, and waiting for others to provide technology—by forcefully seizing it.
But it must be said, this is the most suitable path for humans. Because among humans, the strong are extremely strong. As long as those powerful ones can seize one, combining technological and magical research with sufficient energy resources, they could forcibly create a superluminal engine.
Actually, Strange has finally realized this: carefully examining the two projects China is heavily involved in, one is constructing star ships—which, needless to say, is for the superluminal engine technology; the other is mining Jupiter, clearly intended to acquire resources for building a superluminal engine. With both technology and resources in place, how could it not be constructed?
However, there is another problem: if America had this capability, they'd certainly start building spaceships, then use their unique superluminal engine spaceships to scour the cosmos for resources and build more ships. As long as they maintain a lead in technology, the entire world's nations would have to heed their command, using violent intimidation to rule the Earth.
Yet an Eastern Great Nation wouldn't operate this way. Not because they're kind or conservative; on the contrary, the model of building spaceships, plundering resources, then building more ships is too conservative and leaves many security risks. Not to mention, if another country has a super strong Mutant, who seizes your ship? Not just new-generation Mutants, even Magneto wouldn't sit idly by; just dealing with harassment would be a huge bother.
After acquiring this technology, how to leverage it to unite the Earth while retaining their voice became their sole consideration. They chose a more aggressive approach: drag the entire Earth into the fray.
I won't install the Superluminal Engine on the spaceship; I'll install it directly on Earth. Although it's installed on Earth, it's ultimately on my own territory. Whether to use it and how to use it is my decision. Unless you can annihilate the entire nation and control the entire land, I have absolute authority.
And here lies a paradox: if the entire country becomes a Superluminal Engine, how can you defeat that nation?
If you attack, they could just drag Earth along and play bumper cars, and wouldn't we all be finished together? Even though there are Shields, the dangers in the cosmos are plentiful. If they insist on courting disaster, they can surely bring about their own doom.
Not to mention, even if they destroy the Superluminal Engine, going down in mutual destruction, no nation could withstand it. If the western node blows up, India won't allow it; if the southern node blows up, Southeast Asia won't allow it; if the northern node blows up, Russia won't allow it.
So, once this system is established, it creates an absolute advantage in geopolitics, with neighboring countries becoming natural allies. Whether or not it's like planting landmines on someone's doorstep, isn't the alliance relationship solid?
Moreover, with this system established somewhere, the regional alliance will have enhanced influence globally because they're the ones pushing others forward. To ensure the system's safety, why can't we acquire more resources? You want the car to run but won't provide fuel for the engine, such a thing doesn't exist!
Though it's also considered a deterrent, no actual weapons are created, nor is there a spaceship hovering over others' heads, so the pressure isn't as strong. Additionally, researching and building it on our own territory presents no legal issues, so reactions from other countries and groups won't be that significant.
And if some want to cause trouble, forget about Mutants; even America's The Avengers must come and assist. This is Earth's Superluminal Engine; it directly allows the entire Human race to roam the cosmos. What exactly do you want?
At its core, the Superluminal Engine anchored on Earth, alongside the Magical Defense Network, brings immense benefits to Earth and human civilization, outweighing the disadvantages for any group.
Even America, which often criticizes Old Zhong, cooperates in this matter. Politicians might be cunning, but they're not foolish. When Earth was immobile, they needed to compete for resources within the Solar System; but now that Earth can move, couldn't they compete for resources across the entire cosmos? They are adept at this—call it freedom of navigation!
Politicians are scheming audibly: they lack both the resources and the resolve to build and maintain this. Since others made it, they just need to figure out how to use it. The car is definitely meant to be driven; while they can't ignite the engine, they can seize the steering wheel!
Other than China, the creator of this engine, isn't it America? In terms of national strength and contributions to exploring the cosmos, they stand in a league of their own. If discussing where to drive the car in the future, they certainly have a say: I have bled for Earth, I have cried for Earth, why shouldn't I drive?
They don't need to surpass China, the builder of the engine, just surpass all other countries that haven't built one.
As for how China views this, Shiller believes they might not oppose America driving. America's luck is somewhat noteworthy; they're quite experienced as pirates.
The Eastern Great Nation still cares about its face. Although building this thing is a matter of mutual understanding, they must maintain some restraint. Anyway, fueling the engine is meant for friendly communication with other civilizations in the cosmos. Among our race, there are bandits, but it's their national characteristic, we can't stop them.
What? You say we're moving too? Well, all my roommates are bandits. If I don't procure some resources to arm myself, won't I get robbed as well? Isn't this justifiable self-defense?
Loki isn't foolish. Through Strange's introductions and hints, he realizes that Earth's journey isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision; clearly, it's a premeditated plan. This is indeed a troublesome affair.
For Asgard, Earth is now a hot potato. Though Earth claims to seek Asgard's protection, just look at those bizarre things on it—a massive pile of superpower users and Mutants, any of which erupting could flip dimensions. Asgard protects Earth, but who will protect Asgard?!