Age of Cosmic Exploration, 3

by Zhttty

  The other non-combative Homo Evolutis, the Whisperer, was equally important to the Hope. However, their contribution wasn’t made on the battlefield but in the labs. The current 3 Whisperers, Ivan in the field of biology, Bo Li in the field of physics, and now Saburo in the field of pathology, were instrumental to the Academy!

  Therefore, Yao Yuan propounded a selective conscription for the Homo Evolutis. Those that could better serve humanity elsewhere were not forced into the army, but the opposite was true for combat-made Homo Evolutis. On that issue, Yao Yuan gave no budging space!

  Reorganization of the military took about 10 days, and in that period of time, a great deal of progress had been done in terms of the excavation. For one, the Hope had been dislodged from its surrounding rock layer. Now they needed to continue digging upwards, but of course, they had to solve the biggest issue of a possible landslide first.

  "...the experts’ opinion is to build more anti-gravitational units."

  This was the answer provided by the team of experts when Yao Yuan met up with them.

  "Build more anti-gravitational units?" A shocked Yao Yuan continued, "But why? The Hope’s anti-gravitational system is not broken. In fact, it is kept on 24/7 to keep the ship afloat."

  The leading expert shook his head. "The new units are not meant for the Hope but the rocks currently piled up on top of the Hope."

  The experts’ solution to the landslide problem was deceptively simple. The threat that the landslide posed was it could crush the Hope with its weight. The reason it would have weight was due to gravity. Therefore, if gravity was taken out of the equation, there would be nothing to worry about.

  Yao Yuan paused to give it some thought before saying, "This would be a huge undertaking because you guys have to understand that the Hope’s surface area is not small. We would need to create a lot of units to cover such a huge surface. Furthermore, we still don’t fully understand what goes into the inner workings of this technology… And let’s not forget the energy that would be needed to keep them activated. You gentlemen surely have given me an interesting solution."

  After discussing it with the Bo Li, Yao Yuan decided to adopt their solution. Even though it might eat into the Hope’s main power supply, since it could protect the Hope’s safety and at the same time allow a quicker excavation by enabling the use of explosives, Yao Yuan decided to go with it because the rewards that awaited them was, to quote Bo Li, "…I would like to see the sky and sea once more. Would you care to join me?"

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  Chapter143 A Sense of Danger

  The excavation had been going on for about 3 months.

  Thanks to the anti-gravitational units, the excavation had seen a tremendous increase in progress. The use of explosives without the fear of landslides sped up the progress by a lot. Today, the Hope was only 2,000 meters away from the surface. They expected there to be 3 more months before the Hope could break through the planet’s crust.

  Simultaneously, as the Hope got closer to the surface, the better its surveillance became. By this time, almost the whole planet had been fully scanned.

  The planet was about 3 times bigger than Earth. One day on this planet lasted 25 percent longer than a day on Earth, while one year passed by slightly faster. Its gravity was 1.2 times greater than that of Earth’s. The added pressure might cause light-headedness for the more feeble among the Hope’s citizens, but it wouldn’t have any effect on the physically fit individuals.

  According to their surveillance, the planet was basically a primeval version of Earth when it was still untouched by human hands. Water took up 62 percent of planet's surface, while its land mass was mostly covered by jungle with several isolated pockets of dry deserts. The animals had only evolved to a reptilian stage.

  No matter what, based on the surveillance results thus far, the planet was all the people of the Hope could hope for. There was no need for terra-forming because it was a perfect planet waiting for human colonization!

  All of these results were published on Hope Weekly, which only added to the public’s hype to get to the surface. There was an increased demand for the excavation to go faster.

  Incidentally, Yao Yuan too felt the need to increase excavation speed. However, it wasn’t because of the public pressure but because he was feeling restless due to a pervading sense of danger.

  He intended to check with Zhang Heng that day. He had asked for Zhang Heng to meet him at his office after lunch even though Zhang Heng already had plans with Ning Xue and Mao Miao. Due to the seriousness of the issue, Yao Yuan demanded Zhang Heng change his plans.

  "…The feeling of danger wouldn’t disperse. Even though I have no clue what it is pointing towards, I’m sure something awful is going to happen," Yao Yuan confessed as he stared directly at Zhang Heng, waiting for his comment.

  Zhang Heng nodded imperceptibly as if confirming Yao Yuan’s fear before replying, "…To be honest, I’ve sensed this danger as well, but it is extremely light and doesn’t feel as ominous as it was on the meteorite base. However… the feeling has been getting stronger the closer we get to the planet's surface. A few days ago I saw Saburo’s article in the Hope Weekly talking about the possibility of dangerous viruses in this planet’s air and his demands for the Hope’s public to go through a stringent immunization regime before the Hope opens its doors to the planet's environment. I can’t help but wonder whether my feeling of danger is related to this issue. Then again, since we have to break into the surface no matter what, I didn’t bring this up to you."

  Yao Yuan paused to think it over before nodding. "I feel the same way. The feeling does get stronger the closer we get to the surface. Perhaps you’re right that it’s related to the microbes in the air, since the bigger organisms of this planet don’t appear to be able to pose any harm to us. In any case, I hope you’ll come to me, no matter what I’m doing or where I am, should you feel things changing."

  Zhang Heng stood up and saluted. Before he left, Yao Yuan added jokingly, "By the way, who do you actually prefer out of Ning Xue and Mao Miao? I don’t remember allowing polygamy on the Hope."

  Zhang Heng laughed awkwardly as he scratched his head. "Honestly, they’re both fine. One’s passionate and affectionate, while the other’s meek and gentle. I don’t mind either."

  "You lucky kid." Yao Yuan smiled as he shook his head. "But keep your hands clean. If anything were to happen, understand that I will always stand on the law’s side. We already have one Wa Luo in the Black Star Unit, we don’t need another."

  The mention of Wa Luo piqued Zhang Heng’s interest. He considered himself a member of the Black Star Unit, so he asked, "What’s wrong with Wa Luo? I haven’t heard anything improper about him from the rest."

  Yao Yuan looked left then right, making sure Barbie wasn’t in earshot, before whispering, "Let’s just say there’s a reason why he’s known as the team player… if you catch my drift."

  "Huh?"

  They then had a laugh about it. After Zhang Heng left, Yao Yuan asked to see Saburo. "Professor Mitsuda, I have to know, what is the percentage of the possibility for this planet’s microbes to be harmful to human beings? And how fatal would they be if that were the case?" Yao Yuan questioned.

  Saburo approached Yao Yuan’s table and respectfully accepted the water Yao Yuan offered him. After a sip, he answered, "Captain, it is impossible for me to confirm whether the harmful viruses, if any, would be fatal to human exposure, because that is not how our biology works. Human genomes are wildly different from one another. Every one of us has 23 sets of chromosomes, and even though about 99 percent of them are similar, there are still enough variances between each one of us to ensure a different manifestation of facial features, height, sex, and even life expectancy. Similarly, each one of us has a different immunity system that responds to the threat of viruses differently.

  "For example, AIDS. Even though it has no
known cure, there have been people who were completely immune to it in the past. They were carriers of the virus without the virus posing any harm to their bodies. In other words, it is impossible for a natural virus to completely wipe out a civilization, because a section of it is bound to gain a resistance against it. The survivors will procreate, and the gene that is responsible for the immunity will be transferred to future generations, ensuring their survival.

  "Therefore, with the right immunization, the virus shouldn’t be an issue."

  Here, Saburo stood up and bowed. "On that note, I hope Captain will first dispatch a unit to collect the planet’s microbial samples before the planet is opened to the public. This will give us time to prepare a vaccine."

  Yao Yuan motioned for the professor to sit down, before adding, "Professor, please don’t stand on ceremony. So, a dispatch unit, huh?"

  After Saburo left, Yao Yuan called Bo Li and the excavation team over. He relayed Saburo’s concerns.

  "I know this will eat into the excavation progress, but is it possible to first create an opening for a dispatch unit to go up to the surface? This is regarding the safety of our future home, and I will not risk the lives of 18,000 people!"

  The few leading engineers glanced at one another before one of them responded, "We could try digging through one of the more fragile spots, but because of the horizontal direction of the project, it is impossible for us to use explosives for fear of damaging the entire structural integrity. Even though the anti-gravitational units can prevent a landslide, that doesn’t prevent us from being buried. The layer of debris is still going to end up hovering above us… This is going to be hard."

  Bo Li, who had been silent, suddenly added, "What about a supermagnetic field?"

  "Supermagnetic field? What’s that?" Yao Yuan asked, as he went through all of the 4th revolution inventions in his mind.

  Bo Li narrowed her eyes at Yao Yuan. "I’m sorry, but I remember writing a proposal to build a supermagnetic field generator about 3 months ago. It came back with a giant, red REJECTED stamp, so I thought you were already familiar with the technology."

  Yao Yuan laughed awkwardly. "That’s because the amount of supplies you asked for was too astronomical. Granted it’s more economical than the Hadron Collider, it's not by much. Your proposal said the machine would occupy ¼ of a whole level, so how could I possibly approve it? Regardless, what is this supermagnetic field?"

  Bo Li rolled her eyes. "This is a technology inspired by my power when I was flipping through the alien scriptures. We will have access to manmade gravity at the end of the 4th revolution, and this supermagnetic field is its byproduct. The supermagnetic field could lock objects within a limited area in stasis. However, it requires a large amount of energy, one not even the polymerized reactors could provide, so this technology hasn’t been available to the aliens either. One thing to note is that this technology is different from our anti-gravitational technology; it is much more primitive."

  Yao Yuan’s interest was raised, so he asked hurriedly, "But how could that help? Are we going to manually remove the debris bit by bit?"

  "No, we use something more direct." A mischievous glint flashed in Bo Li’s eyes. "With the anti-gravitational units keeping the debris afloat and the supermagnetic field locking it into place…

  "We’ll blow through it with a shot from the Supermagnetic Planet Annihilating Rail-Cannon! That’ll be our ticket to freedom!"

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  Chapter144 The First Dispatch Unit

  Bo Li’s suggestion sounded crazy to say the least.

  It was preposterous enough that a supermagnetic field generator needed to be built to essentially open a tunnel, and her plan required the usage of the Supermagnetic Planet Annihilating Rail-Cannon! A weapon strong enough to demolish a medium-sized space satellite with 1 hit!

  "I’ve asked many experts before coming forth with this idea. All of them agree that a shot from the cannon could tear through the suspended 2,000-meter rock layer easily. Furthermore, the shot will have reached enough third cosmic velocity [1] to break through the atmosphere and perhaps even this solar system to disperse itself in space! There is no harm in doing this!"

  Yao Yuan was convinced by her sound argument on one hand and conflicted by the ludicrousness of the situation on the other. In the end, he came to a decision and asked for a meeting among the Black Star space troopers.

  "First, I’ve accepted the plan. It sounds ridiculous, but in reality, the generator only needs 20 days to build. After it has passed the safety check, a shot will be fired by the cannon to create an upward path. Then, a first dispatch unit of about 15 people will take a shuttle to the surface to conduct field study and sampling."

  Yao Yuan addressed Ying, "Ying, you’ll be leading the team. Bring Zhang Heng and Ren Tao along. Make sure to keep communication open at all times. In cases of emergency, I’ll ask Xi Kong to use her power to reach you. Your team will also consist of 5 scientists and 7 Black Star troopers. Please ensure the safety of these 5 scientists. Among them will be Professor Mitsuda, the Whisperer."

  Ying nodded. "What about our equipment? I request for gear that is suitable for a planet with an atmosphere."

  "Approved," Yao Yuan answered immediately. "Other than those, I’ll allow your unit to carry 1 lightweight Gaussian cannon, and for every one of the members, a supermagnetic guided mine."

  Ying felt that there was nothing for him to add, so he nodded satisfactorily.

  Then Yao Yuan left the rest to Ying. He had faith in Ying’s meticulousness during mission planning, so he didn’t drop in to check.

  Ying didn’t disappoint. Other than Zhang Heng and Ren Tao, who were nominated by Yao Yuan, he picked Ebon and Liu Bai, making the total number of skilled Homo Evolutis to 5. Finally, he picked 5 Survivors to round up the party.

  Without being told, Ying understood Yao Yuan’s intention. Other than the ostentatious mission objectives, the hidden point of the mission was to provide field training to the Survivors. That was why Ying opted for a 50-50 ratio between the skilled Homo Evolutis and the Survivors, even though the Survivors’ ability wasn’t as powerful as the other Homo Evolutis'.

  With the increased progress brought in by the 4th revolution, the generator that took up ¼ of the Hope’s entire floor was completed within 20 days. Unfortunately, because the machine was too unwieldy to be fitted in the Hope, it had to be attached to the ship’s outer wall. This action earned Bo Li’s ire, since treating it as an external attachment would mean exposing such delicate equipment to damage.

  Yao Yuan, though, paid her no mind. It was, after all, a necessary decision. The thing would occupy a quarter of one of the Hope’s individual levels. Putting it inside the Hope would naturally mean sequestering part of the public space. The public ire from that would be worse than the wrath of a single Bo Li. Furthermore, since they were loaded with resources, if the device was damaged, they could just as easily build a new one.

  After exhausting a whole polymerized reactor, the generator was activated as plasma visibly surged towards the top of the ship. The floating debris above the Hope slowly gravitated towards the walls and formed a compact, horizontal rock barrier.

  As everything set into place, the front of the Hope opened to reveal the barrel, body, and even the rail where the cannon sat on. The cannon slowly pointed upwards and electricity could be felt suffusing the area as it charged up. Electricity could be seen running through coils inside the cannon, creating a plasmatic energy center.

  "Starting count down: 30, 29, 28..

  3, 2, 1…"

  Following the completion of the count down, the whole ship shook. In barely a second, a hole of 50 meters in diameter appeared above the Hope. Several pieces of pebbles broke away from the edge, tumbling downwards. However, the rest of the barrier held. Finally, through the hole, the people of the Hope could see the sky!

  Th
e cannon shot would be out of the planet’s atmosphere by then, far into the reaches of the cosmos.

  Everything was ready, but… the hole was too small for the shuttle to navigate through. In the end, Yao Yuan had no choice but to order 3 more shots. The shots increased the size of the hole to about 170 meters in diameter, and finally the shuttle could squeeze through.

  Inside the shuttle, everyone was in their spacesuit. With the anti-gravitational system activated, the shuttle floated slowly through the hole. The shuttle was grazing the walls at every side, but thankfully, with Ying’s power, there was no accident. However, due to the difficulties in navigation, it still took the shuttle about 10 minutes to pass through the 2,000-meter-long tunnel.

  The moment the shuttle broke through to open air, it felt like they were transported back to Earth.

  Beyond the windows was a field of grass where animals galloped away hurriedly, startled by the shuttle’s appearance. Ferns of many kinds and colorful flowers dotted the landscape. Clouds floated lazily up in the sky, pierced occasionally by aviaries of some sort. The sky was awashed in a palette of gold and red, for a sun was setting in the western horizon. It was so… beautiful.

  Ying wasted no time enjoying the scenery. Certain of the mission, he found a safe spot to land before leading the troopers out the shuttle. They needed to secure the perimeter. After all, this was an alien planet… even the plants could be dangerous!

  20 minutes later, Ying allowed the scientists to descend after making sure there were no obvious signs of danger.

  The moment they heard Ying’s consent, the group of scientists rushed out of the shuttle with much glee and excitement. Then they spread out to complete their own assignments. Samples were collected from the plants, animal feces, soil, air, and microbes. This was not a project that could be hurried, so even when the sky was fully dark, the sampling process hadn’t seen its conclusion yet.