Courtyard House: Primordial Chaos Pearl

In the rice paddies of the subsurface ecological module on Planet Gushen, golden waves of rice once again rolled. The soil, improved by interstellar microorganisms, allowed the second batch of interstellar rice to achieve a stable yield of 520 kilograms per mu (approximately 0.16 acres). News of this reached Earth, prompting member states of the alliance to accelerate the adoption of the technology—the lunar small supply station has completed the construction of its ecological module, Brazil's tropical crop experimental module has begun testing, and India's water-saving irrigation system, combined with microbial technology, has achieved a water resource utilization rate exceeding 90%.

Lin Xiangyang, dressed in a white lab coat, is recording data in a microbial culture chamber. Three months after large-scale application, he discovered that the morphology of some microorganisms had undergone subtle changes: the original rod-shaped structure had become slightly curved, the reproduction rate had increased by 20% compared to the initial stage, but the nitrogen fixation efficiency had decreased by 15%.

"Dad, the microorganisms have undergone adaptive mutations." Lin Xiangyang approached Lin Dong with the test report, his tone grave. "Although it doesn't have a significant impact on crop growth at the moment, if the mutations continue, it could lead to a complete loss of nitrogen-fixing ability and even disrupt the microbial balance in the ecological chamber."

Lin Dong took the report and traced the data curve with his fingertip: "Have you found the cause of the mutation?"

"Our initial assessment is that it's due to the long-term effects of the cave environment," He Yushui added. "The liquid water in the cave contains trace amounts of ammonia. After prolonged exposure, microorganisms have undergone subtle adjustments in gene expression to adapt to the environment. We've also found a similar trend in microbial samples from the lunar resupply station, only the degree of variation is milder."

Yan Jiecheng had just sent back a video from the lunar resupply station when he heard the news and rushed back immediately: "The lunar ecological module is built to simulate the environment of Asteroid. If microbial mutations spread, not only will lunar crops be affected, but the already built Bennu and Mars resupply stations may also be at risk."

The news quickly reached the Alliance Council, and representatives from various countries were in an uproar during the video conference.

"We demand an immediate halt to the application of microorganisms and a comprehensive risk assessment!" A representative from a European country took a firm stance. "If this results in reduced crop yields, the alliance will be liable for compensation."

Brazilian representative Carlos countered, "Stopping the application now would lead to an imbalance in the microbial community within the ecological chamber, resulting in even greater losses. We should focus our efforts on studying the mutation mechanisms and finding solutions."

Indian representative Rajiv echoed, "India's water-saving technology is deeply intertwined with microorganisms; a sudden halt would paralyze the irrigation system of the lunar resupply station."

Watching the various parties arguing on the screen, Lin Dong knew in his heart that panic wouldn't solve the problem; only scientific data could. He immediately proposed: "The alliance should establish a 'Microbial Mutation Emergency Response Team,' with Lin Xiangyang as the technical leader, to integrate data from laboratories in various countries and produce a mutation mechanism analysis report within 48 hours; at the same time, we should launch the 'Microbial Bank' project to preserve the original strains at low temperatures as an emergency backup."

Lin Xiangyang did not disappoint the trust placed in him. He led his team into the laboratory and, using the offline computing power of the Lighthouse system and the gene sequence deduction of the Chaos Beads, completed the whole genome sequencing of the mutated microorganism within 36 hours.

"Found it!" Lin Xiangyang presented the analysis results in the video conference. "The nitrogen-fixing gene fragment of the microorganism underwent methylation modification, resulting in a decrease in nitrogenase activity, but at the same time, it enhanced the tolerance to the ammonia environment. This is a typical environmental adaptive variation, not a malignant mutation."

He Yushui added, "We can use 'guided gene editing' technology to repair the methylation modification of nitrogen-fixing genes while preserving the microbial environment's tolerance. Chaos Pearl's improved CRISPR-Cas9 system can achieve precise editing without causing secondary mutations."

Lin Dong continued, "The emergency response team has developed two plans: the short-term plan is to repair the existing mutated microorganisms through gene editing, which can be completed in batches within 48 hours; the long-term plan is to establish a 'microbial adaptability monitoring network' to track the status of microorganisms at each supply station in real time and provide early warnings of mutation risks."

The data and solutions dispelled the doubts of various countries. The European representative was the first to express his opinion: "We are willing to provide support in the form of gene sequencing equipment."

Carlos said, "Brazil's tropical crop laboratories can provide a site for mutation verification."

Rajiv added, "India will share microbial monitoring data from the lunar resupply station to help build a global monitoring network."

The emergency plan was quickly implemented. Inside the microbial culture chamber on the planet Asteroid Gushen, gene-editing equipment operated 24/7. The repaired microorganisms were reintroduced into the ecological chamber, and nitrogen fixation efficiency quickly returned to its initial level, while retaining their tolerance to ammonia. Simultaneously, the microorganisms at the lunar resupply station were also modified, and crop growth curves returned to stability.

On the day the crisis was over, Lin Xiangyang received a video blessing from the courtyard. On the screen, Yan Bugui's science museum had added a special section on "Interstellar Microbial Mutation and Prevention," with Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong leading children on a tour, and elderly people holding models and carefully explaining the role and risks of microorganisms.

"Xiangyang, you're really something!" Yi Zhonghai gave a thumbs up. "To solve such a big problem at such a young age, you're even better than your dad was back then!"

Liu Haizhong said with a smile, "I wrote the five characters 'Breaking Through the Microbial Situation' and have already hung them in the science museum. From now on, all the children should take you as their role model!"

Lin Xiangyang scratched his head sheepishly: "It's all thanks to everyone. The technical support from the alliance and the guidance from my dad and the others were very important."

Following the video call, the Alliance Council convened a special meeting and formally adopted the "Interstellar Microbial Safety Management Regulations," incorporating the monitoring network, gene editing repair, and microbial bank proposals put forward by Lin Dong's team into the Alliance standards. Simultaneously, the Council unanimously agreed to launch the "Panasonic Joint Exploration Project"—Panasonic, the second largest object in the asteroid belt, is rich in metal resources such as iron and nickel and may possess a more complex ecological environment, making it an important target for expanding the interstellar agricultural supply chain.

Lin Dong was elected as the chief person in charge of the exploration project, Yan Jiecheng served as the technical director, Lin Xiangyang was responsible for the design of the navigation and emergency systems, and He Yushui led the planning of the ecological cabin. Jia Dongxu's core component base received new orders, Bang Geng led his team to develop high-pressure and corrosion-resistant parts for agricultural machinery specifically designed for Pallas's Planet, and Jia Zhangshi continued to deliver nutritious meals to the workshop workers every day, muttering, "Let's strive to make our parts shine on Pallas's Planet!"

Inside the underground ecological capsule on Planet Gushen, the restored microorganisms have become active again. The interstellar rice in the paddy fields is growing vigorously, and the ice crystals on the ceiling of the cave refract red light, like strings of lanterns hanging in the starry sky. Lin Xiangyang stood by the edge of the field, looking at the microbial monitoring data on the lighthouse system screen, and wrote a new entry in his log:

"Mutation is not a crisis, but a gift from nature; disagreement is not the end, but the beginning of cooperation. On the road of interstellar exploration, there are no eternal safe zones, only guardians who work together."

Lin Dong walked to his son's side, gazing at the starry sky outside the window. In the direction of Pallas, that distant celestial body quietly awaited humanity's arrival. He knew that a new journey was about to begin, and many more unknown challenges lay ahead. But as long as the Alliance remained united, the beacon burned brightly, and the original aspirations remained unchanged, humanity would surely be able to carve out more places of hope for itself in the vast universe.

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