Courtyard House: Primordial Chaos Pearl

The red LED lights in the underground ecological capsule of Gushenxing continued to flash steadily, and the faint sounds of robotic arms harvesting rice could be heard from the fields. The ice crystals on the ceiling of the cave refracted starlight, as if the universe had been contained within this underground palace.

But today, the atmosphere here is different from usual.

The Alliance Council has just passed a resolution to launch the "Joint Exploration Program on Pallas." Pallas, the second largest object in the asteroid belt, has a diameter of approximately 525 kilometers. Its surface is covered with impact craters and complex terrain, rich in metallic resources such as iron, nickel, and magnesium. It may also contain deeper ice layers and more complex geological activity. For interstellar agricultural supply chains, it is the "resource heart"; for human deep space engineering, it is a "technological touchstone."

Lin Dong stood in the center of the command module, the screen displaying the orbital parameters and exploration data of Pallas. His tone was calm, yet tinged with barely suppressed excitement: "Panasonic is about 1.2 million kilometers from Asteroid, and the journey is expected to take 45 days. The Starship-1 will serve as the mothership, carrying the improved Red Star-130, drilling robots, underground tunneling machines, and modular ecological modules. We have only three objectives: safe landing, resource verification, and establishing an outpost."

Wearing heavy work clothes, Yan Jiecheng held a thick list of risks: "The challenges on Pallas are greater than those on Asteroids. First, the gravitational field is irregular, and there may be local gravity anomalies; second, the surface may have a loose layer of debris, making it easy to get stuck upon landing; third, the density of micrometeorites in the asteroid belt is higher, putting greater pressure on the protective crust; fourth, Pallas may have weak geological activity, such as ice volcanoes or earthquakes, which would affect underground excavation."

Lin Xiangyang sat at the data console, debugging the navigation system of the "Starship-1". He imported the gravitational anomaly data of Pallas into Lighthouse V4.0, and a three-dimensional gravitational topography map was immediately generated on the screen, resembling undulating black waves.

"I upgraded the navigation from 'orbit determination' to 'gravitational field fitting'," Lin Xiangyang explained. "The gravity of Pallas is not uniform, so we cannot use traditional two-body orbit calculations. The lighthouse will fit the gravitational field in real time and dynamically correct the course to ensure that the landing error does not exceed 1 kilometer."

He Yushui was conducting final sealing checks in the ecological module. The ecological module for the Pallas mission was smaller and more robust, employing a three-layer structure of "pressure resistance + radiation resistance + impact resistance." Looking at the seedlings on the cultivation rack, she said earnestly, "In the early stages of the Pallas outpost, we won't pursue high yields, but rather stability. We'll only bring simplified versions of the most mature salt-tolerant forage grasses, micro-vegetables, and interstellar rice. We need to survive first, then we can talk about expansion."

After the meeting, the Starship-1 began a full-scale refit.

Jia Dongxu's core component base received an order from the Alliance: to produce a new generation of impact-resistant shells, tunneling machine cutterheads, shape memory alloy joints, and redundant valves for the Pallas mission. Bang Geng and his team worked seven consecutive all-nighters to upgrade the cutterhead material from titanium alloy to a "superlattice wear-resistant alloy" improved by chaotic beads, increasing wear resistance by 300%.

"Uncle Dongxu, this batch of cutterheads has passed the extreme wear test." Banggeng slammed the test report on the table. "The tunneling speed can be increased by 40%, and it can maintain its toughness at a low temperature of -180℃."

Jia Dongxu grinned from ear to ear: "Great! Once the Pallas outpost is built, you'll be a Alliance-certified 'Deep Space Materials Expert'."

Jia Zhangshi carried a pot of steaming chicken soup into the workshop, still grumbling, "Don't all push yourselves too hard. If you ruin your health, who will go to Athena?" But when she handed the bowl to each person, she was exceptionally careful, as if she were holding some precious instrument.

Meanwhile, the "microbial bank" at the Gushen Star supply station is also under construction at an accelerated pace. He Yushui has separately cryogenically stored the original strains, mutated strains, and repaired engineered strains, and established a "mutation early warning model." If the microbial activity at any supply station deviates from the threshold, the lighthouse system will automatically report it and initiate an isolation procedure.

"This is our 'insurance'," He Yushui said to Lin Dong. "The mission to Pallas is high-risk, and we must hold the rear."

The day before his departure, Lin Dong received a video call from the courtyard house.

On the screen, Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui sat in a science museum, with a banner reading "Expedition to Pallas" hanging behind them. Children surrounded them, holding models of Red Star agricultural machinery, excitedly shouting, "To Pallas! To Pallas!"

"Lin Dong, I heard you're going to an even farther place again." Yi Zhonghai's voice was filled with concern. "Is it dangerous there?"

Lin Dong smiled and said, "There are definitely dangers, but we have a lighthouse system, redundant designs, and an alliance team. We will minimize the risks."

Liu Haizhong leaned close to the camera, proudly showing off his newly written calligraphy: "I wrote the four big characters 'Wisdom Breaks Through the Heavens.' When you come back, I'll hang them at the entrance of the industrial park!"

Yan Bugui held up a thick "Interstellar Agricultural Science Popularization Illustrated Guide": "I've included your Valley God Star's harvest story in the new edition of the guide, and the children love reading it. Xiangyang has already become their idol."

Upon hearing the word "idol," Lin Xiangyang blushed and quickly steered the conversation back to technology: "Grandpa Yi, Grandpa Liu, Uncle Yan, this time when we go to Pallas, we'll first build an outpost, then a supply station. Once the outpost is stable, I'll send you photos taken from Pallas."

After the video call ended, Lin Dong stood alone in front of the observation screen. On the screen, the bright spot of Asteroid shimmered silently in the darkness, like a distant lamp.

He knew that the mission to Pallas wouldn't be as smooth as the mission to Caesars. The more unknown a place is, the more likely it is to harbor hidden dangers.

On the day of departure, Starship-1 slowly departed from the orbit of Asteroid. The nuclear fusion reactor output was stable, the ecological module parameters were normal, and Lighthouse V4.0 entered "expedition mode".

For the first twenty days of the voyage, everything proceeded according to plan.

Until the thirtieth day, the density of micrometeorites at the edge of the asteroid belt suddenly increased.

"Micrometeorite warning." The system notification sounded. "Density: High. Estimated encounter window: 8 minutes."

Yan Jiecheng immediately ordered: "Execute proactive avoidance, pressurize the shell repair gel to 100%, and shut down non-essential equipment."

Lin Xiangyang quickly adjusted the course, and the Starship-1, like a nimble fish, brushed past the edge of the dust stream. On the observation screen, tiny bright spots swept past from the side, like a silent rain.

Just when everyone thought the danger had passed, a muffled thud came from the ship's structure.

"Warning! Outer hull impact!" "Starboard radiation shielding damaged!" "Slight pressure drop in the eco-chamber!"

He Yushui's expression changed instantly: "The drop in pressure indicates a micro-crack. If it's not repaired in time, the ecological cabin will slowly depressurize, endangering both crops and personnel."

Lin Dong stared at the data, his brain racing: "Where was the point of impact? What was the extent of the damage?"

The technician quickly reported: "A 5-centimeter crack has appeared in the outer shielding layer on the starboard side. The internal structure has not been penetrated, but the nano-repair gel in the shielding layer has been broken up and cannot be automatically filled."

Yan Jiecheng gritted his teeth: "We must go outside the cabin for repairs."

Extravehicular activity (EVA) – Conducting extravehicular activities in the asteroid belt is extremely risky. Micrometeorites could strike again at any time, and radiation can also harm the human body.

Lin Xiangyang looked at his father with a determined gaze: "I'll go."

Lin Dong shook his head: "No. You're too young, the risk is too great."

Lin Xiangyang panicked: "I'm in charge of the lighthouse system, I know the repair plan best. Besides, I'm lightweight, so extravehicular activity saves fuel."

Yan Jiecheng also spoke up: "Let me go. I have more experience."

Lin Dong paused for two seconds before finally making a decision: "Yan Jiecheng will exit the capsule, while Xiang Yang will provide real-time guidance from inside. The Lighthouse System will be responsible for monitoring the micrometeorite window and will only operate during the safe window period."

The safety window is only 12 minutes.

Yan Jiecheng donned his extravehicular activity suit, slung his repair toolbox over his shoulder, and slowly floated out of the airlock. On the observation screen, he appeared like a lonely star, moving against the black background.

"Repair initiation." Yan Jiecheng's voice came through the communicator, accompanied by soft breathing. "Locate the crack... Clean up debris... Apply low-temperature curing adhesive... Cover with shielding patch... Pressure test..."

Time passed second by second.

When the 12-minute countdown reached its final 30 seconds, the system suddenly issued an alert: "Micrometeorite dust stream is approaching, estimated arrival time: 25 seconds."

"Return immediately!" Lin Dong ordered.

Yan Jiecheng quickly completed the final securing buckle, turned, and floated towards the airlock. Just as he entered the airlock, a stream of dust swept across the starship's hull, and a bright spot flashed across the observation screen.

"Hatch closed!" "Pressure complete!" "Ecological chamber pressure stable!"

Inside the command center, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Yan Jiecheng took off his helmet, his forehead covered in sweat, but he smiled easily: "Done. We've already won a round before we even reach Pallas."

Lin Dong looked at him, knowing very well that this was not a "win," but a reminder—the road to Pallas was fraught with hidden reefs.

On the fortieth day of the voyage, Pallas finally appeared on the observation screen.

It is darker and colder than Osiris, its surface resembling repeatedly hammered metal, riddled with impact craters and trenches. Most striking is a massive dark band near the equator, like a scar running across the entire planet.

"That could be a fault line formed by an ancient impact," Lin Xiangyang said, pointing to the image. "It could also be a rift valley formed by the collapse of an ice sheet. If there is ice there, we can quickly establish a supply station; but if it's a fault line, the geology is unstable, and the risk is very high."

Yan Jiecheng nodded: "First, we'll conduct a flyby survey, then select a landing site. No rush, safety first."

The Starship-1 entered its orbit, with its radar and spectrometer operating simultaneously. Data was transmitted back in a flood:

Surface ice signal: weak, but strong reflections are present at the bottom of some impact craters.

Metallic veins: Abnormally enriched near equatorial fault zones

Gravity anomaly: Multiple localized high-gravity regions exist, suspected to be due to metal core shift.

Micrometeorite density: higher than that around Osiris

Looking at these data, Lin Dong felt a familiar feeling—another "unknown treasure trove," but also another "unknown trap."

"Lighthouse V4.0, activate 'Panasonic Risk Simulation'," Lin Dong ordered.

Lin Xiangyang pressed the confirmation button. On the screen, countless simulated scenarios were generated rapidly: landing stuck in the mud, underground tunnel collapse, excessive radiation, dust storm covering solar panels, communication interruption... Each scenario was like a knife hanging over his head.

"We need a more conservative landing strategy," Lin Xiangyang said. "We will first land in areas with high elevation and less debris to establish temporary outposts, and then use drilling robots to verify resources in the fault zone."

Yan Jiecheng agreed: "Let's do it this way. Survive first, then we'll talk about resources."

On the third day of the flight, the landing site was finally determined: located on a relatively flat plateau in the Northern Hemisphere, about 300 kilometers from the equatorial fault zone. The area has little debris and a low density of impact craters, making it suitable as an initial base.

"Landing countdown: 60 minutes." "Ecological cabin seal check: normal." "Tunneling machine self-check: normal." "Lighthouse system: Emergency mode on standby."

Standing in the captain's seat, Lin Dong watched the approaching planet Pallas on the observation screen and suddenly remembered that night in the courtyard—the first time he held the Chaos Pearl, he had only one thought in his mind: to survive.

Now, he has to lead a group of people to survive in a more remote and dangerous place.

「10、9、8、7、6、5、4、3、2、1—— 点火！」

The buffer engine emitted pale blue flames as the landing capsule slowly descended. The Red Star-130 improved version followed closely behind, its mechanical claws gripping the surface debris, and its anchoring device deployed, embedding itself into the soil of Pallas.

"Landing successful!" "Anchoring successful!" "Lighthouse beacon established!"

The first human imprint was left on the surface of Pallas.

But Lin Dong didn't relax. He looked at the gravity anomaly graph on the screen, feeling a vague unease—the "reef" on Pallas might not be on the surface, but underground.