134: Personal life support terminal

Several days passed quietly amidst intense and precise testing.

For Walker Tala and his students, these past few days felt as though they were samples placed under a microscope, undergoing a comprehensive scan by the most advanced biotechnology of Human Civilization.

From the telomere length of their genetic sequences to the oxygen-carrying capacity of every red blood cell in their blood, and from the conduction rate of their neural synapses to the composition of their gut flora, all data was recorded and filtered by the vast database of "white flower", ultimately culminating in a detailed "kari Race Extraterrestrial Environmental Adaptability Assessment Report".

At this moment, Lei Wen stood before the massive holographic projection table, reviewing the report that had just been generated.

Opposite him, Walker Tala and several core Kari scientists waited with curiosity for the results.

"Father, the results are much more optimistic than we expected."

The voice of "white flower" resonated in the quiet conference room. Accompanied by her voice, a pale blue holographic anatomical model of a kari Person slowly rotated in the air, marked with dense physiological parameters.

"Compared to the fragile performance of humans in the low-oxygen, high-radiation environment of Kali Star, where they must rely on fully enclosed life-support systems, the adaptability of the Kari People to the Earth environment has shown astonishing resilience."

Lei Wen raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh? Tell me more."

"First, the respiratory system." "white flower" zoomed in on the thoracic region of the model, which was the unique dual-lung structure of the Kari People. "The atmospheric oxygen content of Kali Star is only half that of Earth, which forced them to evolve more efficient hemoglobin and more powerful alveolar gas exchange capabilities than humans. On their home planet, they need to breathe desperately to obtain enough oxygen."

"But upon arriving on Earth," "white flower" paused, "this is an oxygen-rich hyperbaric chamber for them."

"That sounds like a good thing?" young Kul could not help but interject, subconsciously touching the spiracles located on both sides of his face.

"Too much of a good thing can be bad, Mr. Kul." "white flower" explained. "We conducted a simulated exposure experiment. When the Kari People breathe air directly at Earth's standard atmospheric pressure, the excessively high oxygen partial pressure causes a sharp increase in oxygen free radicals in your blood."

A simulation video played on the screen: a virtual kari Person's face instantly flushed after breathing a few mouthfuls of Earth air, their gait staggering, beginning to dance around as if drunk, before collapsing to the ground with dazed eyes.

"Oxygen intoxication." Lei Wen immediately thought of the term.

"Yes, this is a type of acute hyperoxic vertigo." "white flower" said. "For those of you accustomed to an oxygen-poor environment, Earth's air is too 'intense'. Prolonged direct exposure will lead to oxidative stress, damaging lung tissue and even the nervous system."

Walker Tala's eyes dimmed slightly. "In other words, we still cannot leave those heavy spacesuits?"

"No, quite the contrary." "white flower" dismissed his pessimism. "Solving this problem is very simple, one might even say cheap."

Following her command, a small, exquisite device appeared in the holographic projection. It was a nose plug made of silver-gray memory metal, or perhaps more like an exquisite facial accessory. It was only the size of two knuckles, just right to clip onto the spiracles of the Kari People.

"This is an intelligent gas filtration valve." "white flower" introduced. "Its principle is very simple. It is filled with high-density molecular sieves that can physically block 50% of the oxygen molecules from the air entering the spiracles, while allowing nitrogen and other inert gases to pass through."

"As long as you wear this little thing, Earth's intense air will be diluted to the oxygen content you are most adapted to before it enters your lungs."

"It's that simple?" Kul's eyes widened.

"It's that simple." Lei Wen nodded with a smile. "Compared to us having to carry heavy oxygen tanks on your planet, you only need to wear this little thing on Earth."

This conclusion made the Kari scientists present breathe a sigh of relief; the heavy stone that had been weighing on their hearts instantly felt half as light.

"However," "white flower"'s voice sounded again, "breathing is only the surface; the real challenge is at the microscopic level."

The holographic model switched to a microscopic cellular perspective.

On one side were the Kari People's immune cells, which looked like heavily armored infantrymen clad in thick plate armor, and on the other side were various microorganisms from the Earth environment.

"Although the red dwarf star of Kali Star has weak light, it has frequent solar flares and intense ultraviolet radiation. The bacteria and viruses that evolved in such an environment possess extreme tolerance and aggression. To combat these superbugs, the immune system of the Kari People has evolved to be exceptionally formidable."

"Our experiments show that the vast majority of common pathogenic bacteria on Earth, such as E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, are easily eliminated by their immune cells once they enter the bodies of the Kari People. In a sense, your constitution is immune to Earth's bacteria."

Hearing this, Walker Tala couldn't help but straighten his back a little.

"However," "white flower" changed the subject, and a red warning icon lit up on the screen. "This strength is directed at cellular organisms like bacteria. For certain viruses unique to Earth, your immune system is almost completely ineffective."

"There is a small subset of specific viruses on Earth, such as certain variants of the influenza virus, herpes viruses, and some RNA viruses. Their protein shell structures are completely different from those of viruses on Kali Star. Your immune system cannot recognize these foreign invaders. Once infected, these viruses will drive straight into your bodies, triggering a fatal cytokine storm."

"Even worse..." "white flower" listed a drug reaction list, which was covered in red crosses.

"Penicillin, cephalosporins, macrolides... the mechanisms of action for the vast majority of antibiotics and antiviral drugs currently available to humans are based on specific biochemical enzymes or cellular structures of Earth's carbon-based organisms."

"But the cellular biochemical mechanisms of the Kari People differ significantly from Earth organisms. This means that if we inject penicillin into a sick kari Person, not only will it not kill the virus, but it could even cause severe anaphylactic shock."

"In other words," Lei Wen summarized, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the group, "if we let you walk out of this laboratory without preparation, a flu that seems ordinary to humans could cost you your lives, and the medicine we have in our hands could be poison to you."

The atmosphere that had just relaxed became heavy once again.

"Then... what should we do?" Walker Tala asked. He looked at the AI named "white flower"; he believed that since the other party had raised the problem, they must have prepared an answer.

Lei Wen said confidently, "Paradox Technology possesses the most powerful biopharmaceutical capabilities on this planet."

""white flower", show your plan."

"Yes, Father."

The image on the screen changed again, displaying a design schematic for a set of personal equipment filled with a sense of future technology.

"This is a personal life-support terminal designed specifically for the Kari People."

This was not just a nose plug for filtering air, but a complete set of wearable equipment.

It included a silver collar that fit around the neck, with integrated micro-air filtration valves extending to the spiracles, real-time health monitoring probes, and a micro-medicine injection slot.

"This collar will monitor the wearer's body temperature, heart rate, blood oxygen, and pathogen reactions in the blood in real-time. Once it detects an unknown viral invasion, it will immediately sound an alarm."

"At the same time, I have launched a special drug research and development program based on the genetic map of the Kari People."

"white flower" displayed several drug molecular formulas currently in simulation.

"We are developing a broad-spectrum 'kari Immunoglobulin'. It is equivalent to installing an 'Earth virus recognition patch' for your immune system. After injecting this vaccine, you will gain resistance to common Earth viruses."

"In addition, regarding bacterial infections, we are re-screening and synthesizing new antibiotics specifically targeting the biochemical mechanisms of the Kari People. Although this will take some time, relying on our research results on blood orchid, the first batch of samples will be completed within a month."

"Before the vaccine and specific drugs are developed," Lei Wen looked at Walker Tala, "this collar will be your protective amulet. It stores emergency broad-spectrum antiviral interferon and adrenaline, which can save your lives in critical moments."

Walker Tala looked at the exquisitely designed collar, his heart filled with complex emotions.

This was not just a life-support device; it was more like one civilization's acceptance and protection of another.

Of course, it was also a form of control.

"We accept," Walker Tala said on behalf of all the scientists.

"Very good." Lei Wen nodded with satisfaction.

"Tomorrow morning, you will receive the first batch of equipment."

The next morning.

Tianqiong City welcomed a rare sunny day.

In a garden within the Leidian Industrial Park that was not open to the public, morning dew still hung on the grass blades, and birds chirped on the branches.

A secret elevator slowly rose to the surface.

The elevator doors opened, and Walker Tala and his student Kul were the first to walk out.

They were not wearing heavy spacesuits, but had changed into dark gray research uniforms customized for them by the Human Federation, matching the physical characteristics of the Kari People.

Around their necks, they each wore a silver metal collar emitting a faint blue light, with two transparent tubes extending from the collar, gently clipped onto the spiracles on their faces.

"Is this a morning on Earth?"

Walker Tala took a deep breath.

Filtered through the collar, the dizziness that should have caused him "oxygen intoxication" did not appear; instead, it was replaced by a slightly moist, cool breath filled with the fragrance of soil and plants.

This scent was completely different from the dry atmosphere of Kali Star, which was full of static electricity and acrid odors.

He raised his head, his vertical pupils, adapted to the dim light of the red dwarf star, narrowing slightly.

To protect their eyes, they also wore a pair of specially made polarized goggles.

Through the lenses, he saw a golden sun slowly rising from the eastern horizon. Ten thousand rays of golden light pierced through the thin clouds, dyeing the entire world in a brilliant gold.

"Too bright... and too beautiful." Kul murmured to himself. He extended his four hands, as if wanting to embrace this intense sunlight he had never seen before.

Although Earth's gravity (1G) was slightly higher than Kali Star's (0.8G), making them feel slightly heavy, as if carrying a light weighted pack, it was completely within the acceptable range for the Kari People.

Lei Wen stood on the lawn not far away. He was just wearing a casual shirt, holding a can of happy water in his hand.

He watched these alien scientists who were setting foot on Earth for the first time, smiling and raising his can in greeting.

"From today on, treat Earth as your second home planet."

"The experimental building over there has been prepared for you; it contains all the equipment you need."

Walker Tala turned to look at Lei Wen, then looked at the towering industrial park buildings in the distance and the spaceships and shuttles that occasionally streaked across the sky.

He bowed solemnly to Lei Wen.

"Director, please allow us to begin work immediately."

Lei Wen nodded, watching as this group of energetic alien scientists walked toward the brand-new experimental building under the guidance of robots.

""white flower"," Lei Wen said softly, "record this moment. This is the first time in the true sense that Human Civilization has absorbed alien intelligence."

"Recorded, Father." "white flower"'s voice sounded. "Additionally, according to the real-time monitoring just now, their personal life-support terminals are operating perfectly, and all physiological indicators are within the normal range."

"Very good." Lei Wen finished the last bit of happy water in the can and tossed it casually onto the lawn.

"I'm going to the Earth Science Research Center. Has the person in charge of the faster-than-light engine project team been decided yet?"

"It has been decided. It is a Doctor of Quantum Mechanics named Ilya, who is also proficient in high-energy physics and celestial mechanics, and has achievements in engineering design. She is the most suitable candidate for this project."

"Let's go, let's go meet her."