130: Pick-up and drop-off

Human colonists built the kari Biosphere No. 1 Laboratory in the Spark Special Zone.

Through the half-meter-thick reinforced organic glass dome, the dim and oppressive purple sky outside seemed within reach. Gale-force winds whipped up dust containing massive amounts of metallic particles, constantly drumming against the transparent barrier, producing a fine and dense rustling sound.

Inside this enclosed space, which completely simulated Earth's ecological environment, environmentalist Zhao Mingyuan was worrying over a set of sample data under the holographic microscope.

"What a suffocating place." He took off his glasses, rubbed his throbbing brow, and sighed to his assistant beside him, "Although we were mentally prepared beforehand, the atmospheric environment of this planet is much more inert than we expected."

The screen displayed the latest atmospheric composition analysis report: oxygen content was only 55% of Earth's sea level, which was equivalent to a high-altitude environment of over 5,000 meters on Earth, while the proportion of nitrogen was as high as 82%. The remaining space was occupied by high concentrations of carbon dioxide and several other inert greenhouse gases that were rare on Earth.

The greenhouse effect on Kali Star was much stronger than on Earth. Because of the thick atmosphere's heat retention, even though the light and heat of the kari Star were much smaller than the Sun, Kali Star still maintained a temperature similar to most regions on Earth.

"If an Earth human without any protective measures stood on the wasteland outside," Zhao Mingyuan pointed to the purple wilderness outside, "within five minutes, he would develop symptoms of high-altitude reaction such as headaches, nausea, and a rapid heartbeat due to acute hypoxia. Twenty minutes later, he would fall into a coma due to low blood oxygen saturation, and within an hour, he would go into shock from respiratory failure and eventually die."

"Moreover," the assistant added, pulling up another set of hair-raising microorganism images, "the things in the air here are also very troublesome."

That was the unique microbial community of Kali Star.

Due to the weak light from the red dwarf and strong ultraviolet radiation, the microorganisms here had evolved extremely tough cell walls and extreme aggression. Although they were helpless against the gray-green skin of the Kari People covered with a cuticle, for the tender-skinned Earth humans, these microorganisms were deadly pathogens.

"This is a fungal spore we have tentatively named purple mold," the assistant zoomed in on an image, "Once inhaled into the lungs, they will rapidly expand by absorbing moisture in the alveoli, leading to severe lung infection and fibrosis. Our existing broad-spectrum antibiotics have very poor effects on them; only specific silver-containing compounds can inhibit their growth."

"In this environment," Zhao Mingyuan looked at the ruins of the Kari People city visible in the distance and exclaimed sincerely, "The Kari People were actually able to develop an industrial civilization, and could even send people to their satellite using those crude chemical rockets... This is simply a miracle of engineering."

In such a low-oxygen environment, the combustion efficiency of fossil fuels was extremely low.

Flames that could be easily ignited on Earth might require a blower to desperately pressurize them here to be maintained. This meant that the Kari People's internal combustion engines and rocket engines had to face the problem of oxidant scarcity, which was much more difficult than for Earth humans, at the very beginning of their design.

"They just wanted to take a look at the starry sky and forced the impossible to become possible." Zhao Mingyuan shook his head, "It's a pity that the harshness of the living environment destined them to be unable to go further by their own strength."

It was precisely because of this harsh external environment that humans had to build a completely isolated domed city on this alien land. Only air that had been filtered countless times and artificial sunlight were the guarantees of human survival.

However, in order for humans to truly rule this planet, just hiding in the dome was not enough.

In order to study the physiological structure of the Kari People, look for possible genetic defects, and develop targeted biological control methods (or euphemistically called "medical technology to improve the health level of the Kari People"), the medical advisory group sent by the Human Federation made a request to the kari Joint Government.

"We need corpses."

In the conference room of the temporary administration center in the Spark Special Zone, Smith, the head of the human medical advisory group, made this request that caused all the kari officials present to change their expressions.

"We need a large number of fresh Kari People corpses of different ages and genders for comprehensive research in anatomy, pathology, and genetics. It is estimated that we need at least five thousand in the first phase."

"This is impossible!"

The representative from the kari side was an elderly Minister of Health. He stood up angrily, his four arms waving due to excitement.

"In our culture, the dead must return to the earth. Their bodies will turn into nutrients to nourish the purple forests, and their souls will ascend to the starry sky. Massively desecrating corpses is a trampling on our traditions and dignity! The public will absolutely not agree!"

Although they had decided to hand over the future of their civilization to humans, on some bottom-line issues, this gentle race still showed their final stubbornness.

"Dignity?" Doctor Smith laughed, his fingers tapping gently on the table, "Mr. Minister, please understand the situation. We are doing this for the health of all your people."

"We have brought technology that can cure your terminal illnesses and genetic drugs that can let you live for decades longer. But if we don't understand your body structure, how can these technologies be applied to you? Don't you want to increase the average life expectancy of your entire population?"

"That doesn't mean we can process our compatriots in batches like livestock in a slaughterhouse!" The Minister of Health did not give an inch, "We can provide a small number of remains of those who have no relatives and voluntarily donated them before death, but this is already the limit!"

The two sides were at a stalemate.

If this problem was not solved, human biological research on the Kari People would stagnate. But if they forcibly scavenged corpses, it would likely incite public anger and even trigger large-scale riots. This did not conform to the Human Federation's strategic policy of "ruling with minimum cost."

Finally, after several rounds of fierce negotiations and personal pressure from Commander-in-Chief Li Zhenhua, a compromise plan was proposed.

"Establish a Joint Medical Research Center."

Doctor Smith threw out this plan, "We will build two top-level medical research centers in the Spark Special Zone and your capital [Dawn] respectively, nominally as a cooperative project between Human Civilization and the Kari Civilization."

"Your doctors and scientists can participate in it. We can share some research results, such as vaccines and treatment plans for common infectious diseases of the Kari People."

"In exchange, you must legally provide enough research samples to the research center through official channels. Not just corpses, but medical donors. Your government is responsible for publicity and issuing pensions to the families. We are only responsible for receiving. Of course, we will also provide equivalent product returns."

This plan gave the kari government a way out and also used the bait of "sharing results" to shut the mouths of opponents.

After all, who doesn't want to live a little longer?

"We agree." The Minister of Health finally sat back in his chair with satisfaction. Sure enough, the previous toughness and indignation were just bargaining.

Meanwhile, on Earth, 5.4 light-years away.

Lei Wen was staring at the list of excellent Kari scientists sent by Grey Wind in the office of the Director of the Interstellar Affairs Bureau.

The first name on the list was that familiar name: Walker Tala.

Following that was a long list of Kari scientists with outstanding talents in physics, materials science, biology, and other fields, including Kul, the young genius who discovered a new alloy formula.

"Talent is hard to come by." Lei Wen sighed.

But he soon discovered a serious problem.

"white flower." Lei Wen asked with a frown, "How old is Walker Tala this year?"

"According to the conversion of the physiological cycle of the Kari People, she is already 98 years old, equivalent to a human." white flower gave the answer quickly, "Although the natural lifespan of the Kari People is slightly longer than humans who have not taken the blood orchid, capable of living to about 150 years old, considering his long-term fatigue and mental stress in his early years, his expected remaining lifespan is less than 30 years."

30 years.

Lei Wen's brows furrowed even deeper.

Even if human spaceships were now equipped with antimatter engines and could accelerate to 25% of the speed of light, counting the acceleration and deceleration process, it would still take more than forty years to return to Earth from the Kari Star System.

That is to say, if a spaceship were sent to pick him up now, by the time the spaceship returned to Earth, Walker would have long since died of old age.

"This won't work." Lei Wen shook his head, "I am not looking to get a corpse or a specimen of senile dementia. What I need is his still-active brain, and I need it now."

Other young scientists might be able to wait, but Walker could not, because Walker could still derive the tachyons theory even when his brain was being interfered with by Grey Wind in various ways. This kind of talent was what Lei Wen valued most.

"Is there any way to get him here faster?" Lei Wen asked, although he already had the answer in his heart.

"It is impossible with current human technology." white flower replied very bluntly.

Lei Wen was silent for a moment.

"Connect me to Li Zhenhua."

A few minutes later, the private terminal of Commander-in-Chief Li Zhenhua, far away in the Kari Star System, suddenly rang. After connecting, he found that it was actually an image of Lei Wen on the screen.

"Commander Li, this is Lei Wen."

"Director!" Li Zhenhua stood at attention and saluted, then said in surprise: "Aren't you on Earth? How..."

"This is the technology of the Faleim People. Their communication can ignore distance and transmit instantly."

"The Earth Council recently passed a special act called 'Special Act on Absorbing Excellent Talents from Extraterrestrial Civilizations into the Human Federation's Scientific Research System'. I need you to gather those excellent scientists and scholars in the Kari Civilization."

"The Faleim People's scientific research ship that passed through the Kari Star System once provided me with a list of excellent Kari scientists."

"Director, you mean..." Li Zhenhua's heart jumped.

"I have contacted our allies." Lei Wen lied without blushing or skipping a beat, "The Faleim Civilization agreed to lend us a small high-speed transport ship with jump capability to transport these scientists who are crucial to Human Civilization."

"This ship will arrive in orbit of the Kali Star in three days. Its identification code is Hermes."

"Listen, Li Zhenhua." Lei Wen's tone became serious, "This matter must be classified as top secret. Publicly claim that this is a joint scientific research project between Human Civilization and the Faleim Civilization. Do not let the Kari People know that we are here to completely poach their talent."

"Also, you must go and invite Walker Tala personally." Lei Wen emphasized, "Give him the highest courtesy, and make sure he and his team serve Human Civilization voluntarily."

"Understood, Director!" Li Zhenhua nodded solemnly, "I will arrange everything."

The communication was cut off.

Lei Wen turned to look at another screen, which was the communication interface of Grey Wind.

"Grey Wind, stop playing." Lei Wen looked helplessly at the young girl on the screen who was wearing sunglasses and sunbathing on the beach of Kali Star, "There is work to do."

"Oh? New mission again?" Grey Wind took off her sunglasses, full of expectation.

Lei Wen sent the mission briefing over.

"Detach a small transport ship with a Jump Drive, disguise the appearance as Faleim style, and go pick up Walker Tala and that group of scientists to Earth."

"Remember, be fast and steady, especially that old man. Don't let him have any sudden illness and die during the jump."

"Also," Lei Wen added, "Prepare a full set of scientific research equipment and living facilities on the ship. I want them to start working for us on the way. Tell them this is the benefit of joining the Human Federation."

"Tch, I knew it wasn't anything good, actually making me a school bus driver..." Although Grey Wind muttered, her actions were very honest, "Fine, fine, since you are the boss, I will go pick up those nerds now."

Three days later.

A uniquely shaped, all-silver-white, and perfectly streamlined spaceship silently broke through the atmosphere and hovered over the huge tarmac of the Spark Special Zone.

It did not eject any tail flames, and it hovered steadily in mid-air solely by relying on the anti-gravity field, exuding a suffocating nobility and mystery.

Li Zhenhua, who had been waiting there for a long time, led a team of soldiers towards the group of Kari scientists wearing spacesuits provided by humans.

Standing at the very front was that talented old man, Walker Tala.

He looked at the spaceship that clearly did not belong to human style, and there was a stronger thirst for knowledge in his cloudy eyes than in young people.

"Mr. Walker." Li Zhenhua stepped forward and bowed slightly. The translator on his shoulder displayed: "This is the express train to the truth."

"Please board the ship. On the distant Earth, a brand-new world is waiting for you."

Walker Tala took a deep breath, looked back at the purple planet that gave birth to him and raised him, and then took a step forward without looking back.

He knew that once he left, he might never come back.

But he didn't care.

Because at the end of that sea of stars, there was the answer he had spent his whole life searching for.