Hot Wavelength

Chapter 48 (Dawn and Dusk Line 2): Uncertainty

In November 2031, Liangguo Rocket City

Michael Max is widely recognized as one of the world's most imaginative leaders in cutting-edge technology, and his innovations across various fields are dazzling.

At first glance, the areas he explored did not seem to follow a main axis, and the various projects did not form an organic whole.

Besides well-known companies like Esby Space Technologies, Nikola Electric Vehicles, and Starstra Communications, Michael also produces humanoid robots and is involved in brain-computer interfaces and new intelligent medical technologies.

What's puzzling is that he also works in the traditional energy industry, operating and managing power plants, and his power company is one of the main suppliers to the state's power grid. He even owns a factory that produces low-cost, prefabricated houses that can be quickly installed.

Michael, Daphne, and their son Vito are currently in the prefabricated house that Michael built himself.

It can be said that Daphne was the one who understood Michael's innovative logic the most. She knew that Michael had only one main focus, which was interstellar survival.

When Michael was choosing a destination for interstellar survival, he immediately ruled out the moon because it has no atmosphere.

The moon is ideal for astronomical research, observation, and launch activities, and the rare metals on the moon will become important minerals for human space industry.

However, the moon's living conditions are not suitable for large-scale interstellar migration; it can only serve as a base or a springboard.

Enceladus and Europa appear to harbor signs of life, and beneath their icy shells, the conditions might be suitable for single-celled organisms. However, it's too cold there, and the gravitational tides from the two giant planets are too strong.

For a long time to come, it will be impossible for humans to build settlements on their surfaces.

Michael barely hesitated for a second before deciding that Mars was the target for interstellar migration. Mars is located in the habitable zone of the solar system, with an axial tilt similar to Earth's, experiencing the same four seasons, and its rotation period is also very close to Earth's, rotating once every 25 hours, with day and night alternation.

Mars has no liquid water or an oxygen-rich atmosphere. Most critically, its metallic core has long since cooled, preventing the formation of a stable magnetic field like Earth's, leaving its surface filled with high-energy radiation from the sun and interstellar space.

Even when wearing heavy protective suits, humans may still be at risk of health damage.

Michael's original plan was to build a fully enclosed "capsule" deep within Mariner Rift Valley on Mars, and then continuously expand its scale to create an underground city.

Nikola Tesla's theory of faster-than-light waves was a godsend for Michael. Thus, Michael's plan to survive on Mars transformed into building a faster-than-light wave power station to heat the Martian core and create a magnetic field.

Melting ice in the earth's crust produces liquid water on the surface. Dry ice in Antarctica will also sublimate into carbon dioxide, forming part of the atmosphere. Through long-term photosynthesis by algae, the oxygen content in the atmosphere will continuously increase.

However, things are not as simple as they seem; scientific tools that can solve problems often come with unknown and enormous risks.

The logical judgment of a binary computer is progressive; inputting a question will give a yes or no result. However, there are many things that cannot be judged by a simple yes or no.

The ambitious feat of building a superluminal power station on Mars has encountered the aforementioned challenges. Success would represent an unprecedented leap forward, granting humanity a stage for exponential resource growth; failure could lead to utter destruction for both Earth and humanity.

Michael desperately wanted his external consultant, VESSEL, to give a definitive answer: "yes," and he would do it; "no," and he would reluctantly give up. Embarrassingly, VESSEL's answer was neither "yes" nor "no," but a third: "uncertain."

On the other side of the world, centenarian Andre lay in his hospital bed, with Eileen and her daughter Mandy by his side. On the other side, Martha reported the results of her investigation into Michael and his company to her ex-husband, who was also her boss.

According to publicly available information and insider tips, Martha learned that Michael planned to use Nikola Tesla's theories to build a superluminal power station on Mars.

Erin and Mandy were surprised when she mentioned that the power station construction materials taken from Martian soil were inspired by Mayan polymer clay.

"This is a huge secret. I have written it into a press release. Once it is published, the global public will definitely pay unprecedented attention to our SkyHigh Media."

Andek hesitated for a moment, then said, "Martha, do you think I asked you to investigate and verify this matter just to grab attention for Sky High Media?"

Martha paused, seemingly understanding the old woman's intention. A seasoned investigative journalist with many years of experience, she was well aware of the unspoken rules of the news media. Even if a responsible media outlet possessed crucial secrets of a government or business tycoon, they wouldn't necessarily report them all.

This is not just a matter of money and interests; sometimes it is also a matter of avoiding panic and social responsibility.

Breaking news events undoubtedly amplify the influence of the media and the journalists themselves, but the timing and impact of reporting the news are equally important.

We must consider both the public's capacity to bear it and the reactions of those involved, since media oversight is based on maintaining social stability and progress. "I understand. Personally, Michael is a friend of all of us," Martha said, glancing at Eileen and her daughter. "Publicly, reporting on Tesla's theory of faster light waves and the so-called Martian faster light wave power station, which has not yet been accepted by the mainstream scientific community, is simply absurd and hard for the public to believe."

Andek smiled kindly and said to Martha, "You have indeed matured a lot. Even if we don't talk about the big principles of media conscience and responsibility, just considering the reputation of Sky High Media and you as a top reporter, rashly releasing this news could very well drag us all into a vortex."

Andrej gestured for Martha to take notes; he was going to dictate a letter to Michael Max, explaining the pros and cons, highlighting the risks, and trying to stop his insane plan. The letter read:
Dear Michael:
Although we've never met, I'm sure you've heard of me, this old man who's spent his whole life in the media. Not only have I heard of you, but I've also constantly received news about you from my family and friends. Many of your innovations have both amazed and impressed me.

I am 100 years old. I have lived through wars and, as a close observer, witnessed one giant leap after another in human technology. In the past century, countless scientists, inventors, and business geniuses have emerged, shining like stars in the sky.

Of all of them, you are the one I admire and respect the most, Michael Max.

But when I received intelligence that you were suspected of using Nikola Tesla's theory of superluminal waves to inject enormous amounts of energy into Mars, I was shocked and asked Martha to investigate.

Martha's investigation results are in, and it seems that all of this was not unfounded. I feel it's necessary to discuss this with you and state my position.

Frankly, I oppose your plan and sincerely hope that you will immediately halt the construction of the Mars superluminal power station. The reason is simple: there is only one Mars in the solar system, while humanity only has one Earth.

Great men have great dreams. Without a doubt, you are a great man, and you have great dreams that most people wouldn't even dare to dream of. I know it's difficult to persuade you to give up, but I still can't help but say a few words to you for your consideration.

Let me start with a question that is both related to and not so related to your Mars project: how I view life and death.

Everyone wants to live forever, and I'm no exception. With the continuous advancement of gene biotechnology and the continuous improvement of medical standards, I also have two major advantages: one is that I'm rich, and the other, as you know, is that my wife, Eileen, is a top biomedical expert.

There's a simple logic here: to avoid death, I should utilize every available resource and condition. But that's not the case; I set a boundary for myself.

I adopted some technologies and drugs, such as stem cell injections and gene-targeted drugs, while I rejected others, such as replacing my internal organs with clones or undergoing a head transplant, which would involve grafting my brain onto another healthy body.

I am not a fatalist. My more than 80 years of hard work and struggle have shown that I am not someone who resigns myself to fate or gives up easily.

However, I firmly believe that birth, aging, illness, and death are inviolable natural laws. Even if humanity masters the technology to extend lifespan, or even to grant immortality, we still cannot cross that boundary.

Technologies such as human cloning, consciousness uploading, and head transplants are extremely dangerous and should be prohibited unless absolutely necessary. They would destroy our ethics, beliefs, and even our most basic moral principles.

I completely understand your intention to build Mars into a "backup plan" for Earth, after all, Earth has already faced a survival crisis due to human activities.

This leads to the next question: Is it true that we can never risk terraforming Mars? Of course not. If a major catastrophe were to occur on Earth, rendering human survival impossible, then I would wholeheartedly support your adventure to Mars.

Let alone Mars and ultra-light wave power stations, I will support you no matter which planet you go to or what measures you take, as long as there is even a sliver of hope for the continuation of humanity.

So, to summarize, my opposition isn't to your Mars terraforming plan, but to the timing. Earthlings are clearly not at a point where they should be desperately risking destruction to terraform Mars.

My days are numbered, but your future is long. Please be patient; your wisdom will surely recognize the life experience I have gained through nearly a century of exploration.
Hope is the best medicine for despair, and timing is the examiner of right and wrong.

"Your old friend whom I've never met, Andek."

After reading the letter, Michael broke out in a cold sweat. Sky High Media was indeed living up to its reputation; even core secrets such as Tesla's theory and terraforming Mars could be discovered by Andek.

Daphne was more concerned about Michael's attitude. After all, terraforming Mars was a dream that Michael had been striving for for many years, and it would be difficult to persuade him to give up with just a letter.

To Daphne's surprise, Michael didn't dismiss Andre's letter or rush to defend himself in front of her. Michael said seriously:

"It wasn't easy to convince me, but actually, I've been struggling with this for a while. Just how powerful are these superluminal waves? Will Mars explode?"

"So what do you plan to do?" Daphne asked.

Michael replied with his usual confidence: "Upgrade the external computer to conduct simulation experiments and let VESSEL give a definitive answer. The method for upgrading the computer already exists, namely ternary chips and algorithms."

&
The poem composed of collected verses at the end of the chapter:
Life is short, yet my heart is filled with trepidation. —Song Dynasty, Huang Shang
Who can understand the connection between his life and this life? (Jin, Tianxi)

Today's illness and sad condition, Tang Dynasty, Li Shen
Then I thought of asking my companions about the return journey. (Song Dynasty, Li Zhiyi)
(End of this chapter)