183: Returning home

"The physical fitness is quite good, astonishing, even."

Dr. Illya's android body floated in mid-air, arms crossed over her chest, her crimson electronic eyes scanning the row of transparent life support pods before her.

Submerged in the pale green liquid filling these pods were the five members of the Dawn Adventure Squad, while Red Dragon Klaus Difan, due to his immense size, could only fit his head and vital parts into a specialized scanner.

"Gareth's muscle fiber density is five times that of Earth humans, and his bone strength is comparable to aerospace aluminum. And this is just his normal state data."

The Navigator added, "When he activates the energy in his body, which they call Dou Qi, the activity of his cellular mitochondria instantly explodes, generating a shield similar to a biological force field, capable of withstanding direct hits from small-caliber kinetic weapons for a short time."

"That magician named Alice," Ilya glided towards another pod, "the pineal gland area of her brain is abnormally active. An unknown crystalline substance is deposited there, which should be the organ they use to resonate with external energy."

Over the past few days, Ilya had not rushed to the legendary City of Magic, Stedwick. As a rigorous scientist, she knew that before conducting an on-site inspection, she must first perform a basic sample analysis of the research subjects.

Thus, these unfortunate native powerhouses became the first batch of guinea pigs.

"Is the data model complete?" Ilya asked.

"Completed, Captain." The Navigator projected several complex human energy flow models onto the holographic screen.

"Based on reverse engineering analysis of their spellcasting and combat processes, combined with the Faleim Civilization database records on Psionics, we can draw a preliminary conclusion."

"The supernatural power system of Mana Star is essentially an extremely crude and inefficient way of utilizing Psionics."

Ilya smiled, unsurprised.

"Just as expected."

"They adjust their brainwave frequency through chanting spells, and construct energy circuits through gestures and Magic Arrays. It's like someone who hasn't learned programming yet trying to run a program by shouting loudly at the computer or striking specific poses."

"The surprising thing is that this method actually works, though the efficiency is outrageously low."

Ilya pointed to the energy conversion rate data on the screen.

"Look at this. Alice casts a Great Fireball Spell. According to the Faleim People's psionic conversion formula, the power she mobilized should have been enough to fire a miniature laser cannon ten times, but the resulting thermal energy is only equivalent to a single hand grenade."

"Over 99% of the energy is dissipated during this cumbersome conversion process."

"This is like primitives who don't understand nuclear fission or fusion, much less antimatter annihilation, still using chemical combustion—which has an energy-to-mass conversion efficiency of less than 1%—to burn wood, and then having to perform a complex Fire Invocation Dance just to light the wood."

"While it does generate heat and can kill people, in the eyes of higher civilizations, this is a tremendous waste of energy."

Although she concluded that "magic is backward," Ilya was not bored by this. On the contrary, this primitive and savage power system gave her many new insights.

"However, I think we need to temporarily postpone the trip to Stedwick."

She turned around, her gaze passing through the porthole toward the massive celestial body that occupied a large portion of the view.

The gas giant, F-81-03.

This gray-blue giant planet hung silently in deep space. Beneath its lifeless cloud bands lurked unnerving gravitational turbulence.

According to previous scans, its mass was abnormally large, yet its volume was unusually small, which did not conform to conventional astrophysical models.

"Compared to studying the parlor tricks of a bunch of primitives, the secret of that planet is far more appealing to me." Ilya licked her lips. "A gas giant with such high density must be hiding something good in its core."

"Navigator, activate the nutrient pods and get them some food."

"Then adjust the course. We are leaving Mana Star's orbit."

"Target: F-81-03."

"Understood, Captain."

As the command was issued, the massive hull of the Wanderer trembled slightly, and the light from the Dark Matter Engine flared up again.

Klaus Difan and Gareth, who had just climbed out of the life support pods and were still confused, were horrified to find that the view outside the window had changed.

The purple-and-green land was rapidly receding. The sky had turned into deep darkness, and countless stars were scattered across the curtain like diamonds.

"Don't be alarmed," Ilya's voice came over the broadcast. "We're just taking you to visit the neighbors."

The Wanderer transformed into a streak of silver light, speeding toward the mysterious giant planet... Meanwhile, in another direction, a massive fleet had just completed a six-month Warp Drive journey.

On the outskirts of the New Sun System, thousands of spacecraft bearing the symbols of the Human Federation and various major consortium logos appeared out of thin air in this star sector.

This was the Human Federation's first large-scale faster-than-light colonization and development fleet.

"Exiting warp status. Engines cooling down."

"Shield systems self-check normal. Communication array connected to the intra-system local network."

"Welcome to the New Sun System, passengers."

A soft broadcast voice awakened the passengers who were in shallow hibernation aboard the Homeward Bound, a large personnel transport vessel belonging to the Interstellar Affairs General Bureau.

In a special cabin located in the middle section of the ship, Walker Tala slowly opened his eyes as the hibernation gas was expelled and the life support system was reactivated.

After his murky vertical pupils adjusted to the cabin lights, he immediately looked out the porthole.

There, a star emitting a dark red glow was burning silently.

Although its luminosity was far less dazzling than Earth's sun, even carrying a sense of weary, dusty yellow, in Walker Tala's eyes, this was the warmest and most intimate light in the entire universe.

"We're home..."

The old man's four hands gripped the edge of the porthole tightly. His body trembled slightly with excitement, and tears streamed uncontrollably from the corners of his eyes.

Behind him, Kul and a dozen other Kari scientists who had traveled to Earth also gathered around.

They looked at the familiar starry sky, searching for their mother planet, which was temporarily invisible to the naked eye. Many were already sobbing.

Although they had enjoyed the best treatment, accessed the most cutting-edge knowledge, and even participated in the Warp Engine research that changed the fate of humanity during their years on Earth.

Ultimately, it wasn't home.

There were no purple forests, no red sunsets, and none of the gravity or air that made them feel safe.

"We are back, and we brought the truth with us," Kul said, his voice choked, as he supported his teacher's shoulder.

They brought back not only longing but also knowledge and status.

As the first Kari People integrated into the core scientific research system of the Human Federation, their status was no longer just that of scientists; they were now bridges between the two civilizations and the future builders and guides of the New Sun System.

The transport ship slowly sailed into the interior of the star system.

The sights along the way profoundly shocked these Wanderers who had been away from home for several years.

The previously vast and desolate space had now become bustling.

In the asteroid belt region, large numbers of mining drones and heavy Engineering Vessels were working tirelessly.

Giant laser cutters sliced open asteroids, exposing precious mineral veins inside. Freighters loaded with ore lined up in a queue hundreds of kilometers long in the vacuum, heading toward various processing nodes.

Warships of the Human First Interstellar Fleet patrolled around the navigation channels. Their silver-gray armor and flashing navigation lights symbolized order in this star sector.

"Is that a new space station?"

As the transport ship gradually approached Kali Star, Walker spotted the gigantic, brightly shining structure in orbit around Kali Star.

It was a newly completed, large spaceport. Although its scale could not compare to Earth's Babel Tower, it was sufficient to accommodate the docking and resupply of hundreds of spacecraft.

It featured a massive wheel structure, surrounded by countless solar panels and defensive platforms.

On the outer wall of the spaceport, its name was written in huge, glowing Chinese characters—Aurora.

"Yes, that is the Aurora Space Station."

The official from the Interstellar Affairs General Bureau responsible for escorting them walked in and introduced it with a smile.

"It is the first permanent space hub we established in this star system, and also the administrative center and trade transit point for the Human Federation in the New Sun System."

"Most of the supplies and personnel arriving from Earth will transit here before being distributed to the Spark Special Zone on the ground or other mining bases."

Thanks to the maturity of Tachyonic Communication Technology, communication between the New Sun System and the Solar System no longer felt like a distance of several light years, and people on Earth could quickly learn what was happening in the New Sun System.

The spacecraft slowly approached the Aurora Space Station.

Through the porthole, Walker saw the busy throughput of the port.

Countless spacecraft were landing and taking off here—freighters carrying construction materials, passenger ships transporting human colonists, and various business vessels bearing corporate logos.

This was a vibrant tableau, the most powerful proof of civilization's expansion.

"Unbelievable..." Walker sighed. "In just a few years, you've made this place so prosperous."

Back then, the Kari Civilization had exhausted all its efforts just to send a few people to a satellite, but now humanity was turning this place into a second home.

"This is only the beginning, Mr. Walker," the official said proudly. "Once the Warp Network is further perfected, this place will become a crucial stepping stone connecting the Solar System and deep space."

"Alright, we are preparing to enter the port."

"Our compatriots on the ground have prepared a grand welcoming ceremony for you, and the leader of the Kari United Government is waiting for you in the Spark Special Zone."

Guided by the automatic navigation system, the Homeward Bound smoothly slid into a berth at the Aurora Space Station.

The moment the airlock opened and Walker Tala stepped out of the ship, he took a deep breath of the air inside the space station—it was regulated but still carried a trace of his homeland's scent.

The fate of the Kari Civilization had completely changed. They had lost their independence and become a dependency. But looking at the bustling spaceport and his busy compatriots, who were employed by humans but whose eyes were filled with hope.

He felt that perhaps this was the best possible outcome.

Meanwhile, deep within the distant asteroid belt, a giant Mining Mothership bearing the Nikola Group logo was slowly devouring a rare-earth-rich meteorite.

Inside the mothership's command tower, a Senior Executive of the Nikola Group looked at the Star Map, his eyes gleaming with shrewd calculation.

"This batch of ore is extremely high purity. Shipping it back to Earth will yield at least 300% profit."

"However..." He frowned slightly, having just received news about the draft of the Interstellar Resource Tax Law and the Indigenous Rights Protection Regulations.

"That guy Lei Wen is getting too controlling. He actually demands that 20% of our profits be used for Kali Star's infrastructure construction and indigenous welfare? Those aliens aren't even human. Their status is lower than that of the laborers on Mars. Giving them such good treatment is ridiculous!"

"Hmph, if there are policies from above, there are countermeasures from below."

The executive sneered and dialed an encrypted frequency.

"Contact our processing plant on Mars. This shipment won't go through the official customs channel; take our internal logistics line directly."

"Also, tell that Kari foreman that if they want their bonus next month, they need to increase their workers' efficiency by 10%. If they can't increase efficiency, they must work overtime. Don't try to pressure me with the Kali Star Labor Law. The laws of a low-level civilization are just a piece of scrap paper; ignore them. If he has the guts, he can go report us to Li Zhenhua, but even Li Zhenhua can't do anything to us."

Clearly, in a new colony where the emperor is far away, shadows driven by self-interest were quietly growing despite the light.

Light and shadow, prosperity and exploitation, hope and helplessness.