Courtyard House: Primordial Chaos Pearl

The safe zone in the northern hemisphere of Pallas has transformed from a barren plateau into a nascent interstellar ecological hub. Silver-white modular modules line the edge of the subglacial lake, interconnected with ecological modules, biological laboratories, resource processing modules, and an exhibition center, resembling a string of pearls embedded in the crimson landscape. Red Star-130G geological adaptive agricultural machines traverse the hub, some busy expanding water pipelines, others conducting surface patrols; their robotic arms swaying, showcasing the harmonious coexistence of technology and nature.

"Phase I of the Ecological Hub project is complete!" Yan Jiecheng said excitedly, holding the acceptance report. "All three ecological modules are in operation, with a water recovery rate of 95%, ample oxygen reserves, and the interstellar rice improved by microbial polysaccharides achieving a yield of over 550 kilograms per mu, setting a new record for agricultural production in the asteroid belt!"

Lin Xiangyang was in the biological laboratory, overseeing the large-scale production of microbial polysaccharides. Inside the improved fermentation tank of Chaos Pearl, the microbial community of the subglacial lake on Ceres was rapidly multiplying, and the polysaccharide extraction rate had stabilized at 35%. "The polysaccharide production line is now fully automated, producing 100 kilograms of high-purity polysaccharides daily, enough to supply the crop nutrient solution for three ecological modules, with surplus to support the bases on Ceres and Mars." He pointed to the production curve on the screen, "The experimental data from various countries in the alliance have also been reported. After adding polysaccharides, the radiation resistance of Brazilian tropical corn increased by 30%, and the drought resistance of Indian wheat increased by 25%, far exceeding expectations."

He Yushui focused on the protection of the subglacial ecosystem. She spearheaded the designation of the "Subglacial Lake Ecological Protection Zone," employing a minimally invasive design for the water intake pipeline, with only two intake points on the ice and a flow control system to ensure stable water levels. Simultaneously, 20 ecological monitoring robots were deployed on the lakebed to track the dynamic changes in the microbial community in real time. "We must achieve a balance between development and protection," she emphasized at the alliance's video conference. "The subglacial lake's ecosystem is a gift from the universe and must not be destroyed by human development. All water intake and exploration activities must be conducted within the ecological carrying capacity."

The Alliance Council highly recognizes the achievements of the Pallas asteroid project and unanimously decided to hold the first "Global Interplanetary Agricultural Technology Expo" on Pallas, inviting representatives from various countries, researchers, and businesses to showcase their technological achievements and deepen cooperation and exchange. This is the first time that humanity has hosted an international event in the asteroid belt, making it of extraordinary significance.

Preparations for the expo are in full swing. Inside the exhibition center, booths from various countries are being set up one after another: ESA is showcasing its latest mineral purification technology, the UAE is presenting a model of an ecological cycle system for a Mars base, Brazil is exhibiting tropical crop varieties resistant to extreme environments, and India is showcasing an innovative solution combining water-saving irrigation with microbial polysaccharides.

Hongxing Agricultural Machinery's booth occupied a prime location in the exhibition center. A scaled-down model of their geologically adaptive agricultural machinery, an interactive demonstration screen of their Lighthouse System V4.0, a realistic projection of a subglacial lake microbial community, and physical samples of their Chaos Beads-based improvement materials attracted considerable attention. Standing before the booth, Lin Dong explained to visiting representatives from various countries: "Hongxing Agricultural Machinery's core philosophy is 'adapting to local conditions and achieving mutual benefit.' From improving agricultural machinery in traditional courtyard houses to today's interstellar ecological hub, we firmly believe that the significance of technology lies in enabling humanity to better adapt to the universe, rather than conquering it."

On the opening day of the expo, the Pallas Ecological Hub was bustling with activity. Representatives from more than 20 countries of the alliance and more than 300 researchers gathered in the central exhibition cabin. People of different skin colors and languages ​​exchanged ideas and discussed ideas around the booths, and the air was filled with a warm atmosphere of innovation and cooperation.

At the opening ceremony, Lin Dong, as the rotating chairman of the alliance, delivered a speech: "Today, we gather on Pallas not only to showcase the technological achievements of interstellar agriculture, but also to build consensus and move forward hand in hand. The universe is vast and full of challenges, but as long as we adhere to open cooperation and respect nature, we will surely be able to sow hope on more planets, build an interstellar agricultural supply chain, and let humanity's footprints spread to more distant stars."

Following the opening remarks, the expo officially commenced. Representatives from various countries took to the stage to showcase their core technologies, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience. Lin Xiangyang, representing the younger generation, shared the development history and future plans of the Lighthouse system: "Lighthouse V4.0 has integrated four major functions: geological monitoring, ecological regulation, emergency rescue, and navigation and positioning. In the future, we will incorporate a large AI model to make it the 'super brain' of the interstellar hub, providing comprehensive support for human deep space exploration."

His speech was met with thunderous applause. Pierre, ESA's technical advisor, praised him, saying, "Mr. Lin Xiangyang's vision represents the future of interplanetary agriculture. The innovation and responsibility of this younger generation gives us even more confidence in humanity's deep space endeavors."

During the expo, exciting news also emerged: five countries, including Australia and South Africa, formally applied to join the Global Interstellar Agriculture Alliance, expressing their willingness to share their agricultural technologies and resources and participate in the construction of the interstellar ecological hub. The Alliance Council unanimously approved the applications, further expanding the "circle of friends" for interstellar agriculture.

During his meeting with representatives of the new members, Lin Dong reiterated the core principles of the alliance: "Openness, cooperation, security, and win-win. Regardless of national size or technological strength, anyone who agrees with these principles is an important member of the alliance. We will share the technological achievements of Pallas, assist new members in establishing interstellar agricultural experimental bases suitable for their own countries, and jointly promote the development of human interstellar agriculture."

On the last day of the expo, the alliance released the "Panasonic Declaration," which outlined three major development directions for the future: First, to deepen the construction of the Pallas ecological hub, launch the second phase of the project, and add research modules and talent training modules; second, to jointly carry out the "Distant Star Exploration Program," targeting more distant celestial bodies beyond the asteroid belt to find new resources and ecological treasures; and third, to establish an "Interstellar Agriculture Talent Training System," integrating educational resources from various countries to cultivate multi-skilled deep-space agriculture talents.

That evening, a grand closing banquet was held at the Pallas Ecological Hub. Outside the capsule, the red night sky of Pallas was dotted with stars; inside, people raised their glasses in celebration, their songs and laughter echoing through the universe. Lin Xiangyang, holding a glass of nutrient solution brewed with water from the lake beneath the ice, walked to Lin Dong's side: "Dad, look at Pallas now, doesn't it look just like the place you dreamed of back in the courtyard house?"

Looking out at the starry sky, Lin Dong's eyes were filled with emotion: "It's even better than I dreamed of back then. At that time, I just wanted the people around me to live a good life; now, we can enable humanity to live better and go further in deep space. All of this is inseparable from the cooperation of the alliance, the dedication of the team, and even more so from every person who has a dream."

He Yushui walked over and added with a smile, "And our old friends from the courtyard house, they have always been our support."

Just then, a video call came in from the courtyard. On the screen, Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui, along with their neighbors, were sitting around the science museum, the walls behind them covered with photos of the Pallas Exposition. "Lin Dong, the exposition was a huge success! We saw it on the news, the whole world is praising you!" Yi Zhonghai's voice was filled with pride. "Your Grandpa Liu, Uncle Yan, and I have decided to upgrade the science museum into an 'Interstellar Agriculture Museum,' so that more children can learn about your story and plant the seeds of their space dreams!"

Liu Haizhong held up a calligraphy scroll he had just written, bearing four powerful characters: "Star Farmers' Gathering." "This is for you," he said, "May the alliance grow ever stronger, and may you achieve even greater glory on distant planets!"

Yan Bugui said with a smile, "Now in my museum, there are not only models of agricultural machinery and soil samples, but also models of microbial aggregates that you sent back from Pallas. The children love them!"

Looking at the familiar faces on the screen, Lin Xiangyang's eyes welled up with tears: "Grandpa Yi, Grandpa Liu, Uncle Yan, thank you for your support. Once the second phase of the Ceres Hub project is completed, I will definitely invite you to come to space and experience the charm of interstellar agriculture firsthand!"

After the video call ended, Lin Dong stood alone in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of the convention center. Outside, the subglacial lake of Pallas reflected starlight, and the lights of the ecological hub shone brightly against the starry sky, like a lighthouse illuminating deep space. He knew that the closing of the first Interstellar Agricultural Technology Expo was not an end, but a new beginning.

In the future, humanity's journey of interstellar exploration will be long and will encounter many more unknown challenges. But as long as the alliance remains united, the beacon remains lit, and the original aspiration remains unchanged, there will be no insurmountable difficulties and no unopened land of hope.

Lin Xiangyang walked to his father's side, gazed at the starry sky, and wrote a new note in the lighthouse system's log:

"The grand gathering of the planet Pallas brings together the stars of wisdom, and the newly formed hub opens a new chapter. The mysteries of the universe are endless, and the pursuit of exploration never stops. May we take Pallas as our starting point, join hands, and spread the light of the Red Star to the more distant universe, writing an immortal legend of the coexistence of humanity and nature."