Cataclysmic Era: I can unlock the tech tree

Time flies.

Under the pressure of the energy crisis, almost all researchers in Mars City are working themselves to the bone.

rest?

nonexistent.

Why sleep so much while alive? You'll have plenty of time to sleep after you die!

Starship infrastructure, conduit construction scheme...

The plans were quickly improved one by one.

Faced with a life-or-death crisis for the entire race, the potential of all researchers was unleashed!

Thus, thanks to the tireless efforts of all the researchers working day and night, a complete solution for a helium-3 collection vessel was developed six months later.

Zero quickly mobilized computing power and began the simulation experiment.

The moment the simulation test was passed, the factory, which had been idle for half a year, started up again.

Under Zero's full control, the construction of the Helium-3 collection vessel is progressing at a rapid pace!

2038.10

Ten helium-3 collection ships simultaneously set off from the Mars spaceport, embarking on a journey to Jupiter in search of energy!

In order to slow down helium-3 consumption as much as possible, during the period of developing the helium-3 collection ship, Lü Yongchang ordered the closure of most unnecessary factories and starships.

Only hummingbird-type mining ships are still working day and night in the asteroid belt.

While collecting mineral resources, they also plundered as much helium-3 resources as possible from the surface of asteroids to replenish their stockpiles.

Even so, the moment the helium-3 collection ship set sail, humanity's helium-3 reserves reached a critical threshold.

Based on a rough estimate of zero, it would only be enough for current human civilization to use for about six months.

……

2039.1

There are three months left before the helium-3 reserves run out.

Inside Mars City No. 1.

The command center was packed with people.

Almost all of the top officials of the Academy of Sciences arrived at the scene.

The reason is simple: today is the day those ten helium-3 collection ships arrive in Jupiter's orbit.

Faced with this moment that could almost determine the fate of humanity, everyone present wore an extremely solemn expression.

The same goes for Lü Yongchang.

As the chief scientist, the pressure on his shoulders will only be greater.

"Yongchang, can we succeed?"

The speaker's voice came from the side.

Lü Yongchang turned his head to look.

The councilor leaned on the control panel in front of him, straining to straighten his back, and cast a worried look at him.

Lü Yongchang remained silent for a while.

He then nodded vigorously.

"It can succeed!"

He parted his lips slightly and said softly, "Current human civilization cannot tolerate any failure!"

Upon hearing this, the councilor also fell silent.

After a long while, the old man sighed deeply, relaxed, and sat back down in his chair.

"yes."

"Human civilization cannot tolerate any failure."

"The Helium-3 harvesting project must succeed!"

The heavy burden of these past few years has almost broken the old man's body.

"Speaker, please go back and rest."

"The helium-3 collection project will probably take a few more days to produce results."

The councilor slowly shook his head, his gaze fixed firmly on the holographic image in front of him: "No rush, I'll go with you."

In the holographic image, a starship shaped like a ray slowly approaches the massive planet Jupiter.

The ray starship's belly was bulging, like a sphere, much like a pufferfish that had been inflated.

This design serves two purposes: to accommodate a large number of conduits and to store more helium-3.

"Calling Mars Command Center."

"This is Ray 1, please respond."

Bai Yixuan's calm voice came from the speaker.

Without the slightest hesitation, Lü Yongchang quickly picked up the microphone and replied, "Mars received, please go ahead."

……

Jupiter's orbit.

As time went on, Jupiter outside the porthole grew larger and larger, gradually taking up the entire porthole.

Looking at the enormous planet whose surface was covered with white, red, orange, brown, and yellow stripes, Hong Fan in the passenger seat took a deep breath.

"Speaking of which, we should be among the first humans to arrive on Jupiter, right?"

"Captain White, do you think this will be recorded in history?"

Sitting in the driver's seat of the Ray 1, Bai Yixuan rolled his eyes in annoyance, mercilessly exposing Hong Fan's fantasy.

"This event will certainly be recorded in history, but we were definitely not the first humans to arrive at Jupiter."

Upon hearing this, Hong Fan was momentarily stunned.

"Huh? That's impossible!"

"Why not?" Bai Yixuan said, glancing down at the holographic image on the control panel. "Have you forgotten about the 38 billion humans that Kuiper brought?"

"Their flight path happened to pass by Jupiter."

Hong Fan's face immediately fell; he seemed to hear the sound of his own heart breaking.

In the holographic image, a line of faint white highlighted text displays the remaining time for orbit insertion.

[Remaining time for orbit insertion: 15:00]

"Alright, stop sighing." Bai Yixuan's expression turned serious. "The countdown has started at 15 minutes."

He reached out and turned on the communication device, saying in a deep voice, "Everyone, pay attention, we are about to enter Jupiter's orbit, so be alert."

"This operation must succeed!"

A familiar and comforting response came through the headset inside the helmet.

"Don't worry, Brother Bai, don't you trust me to do things?"

"That's right, Brother Bai, after this mission is completed..."

"Holy crap! Jiang Li, quickly gag Wu Ran! This brat, he'll say anything!"

"This is terrible! That brat Wu Ran, we haven't even reached Jupiter's orbit yet!"

"..."

As the first gas giant planet explored by humankind, Jupiter is extremely dangerous.

With this in mind, Mars City specifically dispatched a group of experienced starship pilots to operate these ten Ray starships.

Therefore, at the moment of departure, Bai Yixuan suddenly realized that the pilots of these ten starships were basically his old teammates!

And so... the scene above occurred.

Hearing the playful sounds coming from his headphones, Bai Yixuan's lips curled up slightly, revealing a gentle smile on his face.

During a dull and tedious voyage, having a group of people chatting around you is actually a nice experience.

"Ahem!"

As the countdown ticked away, Bai Yixuan coughed lightly and spoke again, "Everyone, please be quiet."

"I need to contact the Mars command center."

As soon as he finished speaking, the team's communication channel fell silent again.

Bai Yixuan chuckled and activated the long-range communication device in front of him.

"Calling Mars Command Center, this is Ray 1, please respond!"

With almost no waiting time, Lü Yongchang's voice rang in everyone's ears.

"Mars received, please speak!"

Bai Yixuan raised his head and took a deep look at the enormous object that occupied the entire porthole.

"The ray is preparing to enter orbit. Requesting approval!"

"Approved," Lü Yongchang's voice came again. "Good luck!"