Interstellar Survival: Invasion

As Chief Technician Maerdo studied the hexagonal case in his hand, he said, "This is a case with a very long history. It can probably be opened as well. I think the patterns are actually the code to open it."

"How accurate is Canyue's guess?" asked Angela.

"Mostly accurate, but we have one big issue," replied Maerdo.

"What is it?" asked Zhang Xingxing nervously.

"Before exploring the planets in the Sirius System, the league had scanned everything within the stars' safe distance. The system is 3.5 light-years in diameter, while the league had spent eight years scanning the system. The only planet we found was Sirius I. If there are three other planets, let's not even speculate if they actually exist. If we intend to perform a more detailed scan for those planets with Saturn's technology level, we will need thousands of years," said Maerdo.

Zhang Xingxing slumped into her chair. In short, the search and rescue operation would not succeed.

"I have a different opinion," Chen Qiang suddenly said.

Everyone looked at Chen Qiang. Zhang Xingxing, in particular, had a look of reignited hope in her eyes.

"What if the four circles don't actually represent planets? What if they represent something else entirely? We can all see the path on the map. Perhaps it's a spatial tunnel or something like a wormhole? In that case, we can answer why there is only one planet here. But why are there four planets on the map?" asked Chen Qiang. "If this case was made for the purpose of transmitting information, there is no point in setting unnecessary and misleading targets on it. Perhaps these circles mean something else as well."

Everyone nodded. What did the circles mean, then? Everyone started voicing their thoughts. Some said that the circles referred to the biggest fixed stars of Canis Major, and some said they were comets, but no one could provide a convincing conclusion.

Meanwhile, my comrade, Zhang Bao'er, and I stayed out of the speculation like usual. Lounging comfortably on his seat with his legs crossed, Zhang Bao'er had an expression of someone who knew everything as he said to Old Du, "A bunch of chirping birds, but none of them is an actual expert at this. In the end, it will still come down to the few actually important people to solve the puzzle. Let's not waste our energy on this."

Old Du agreed, so he slumped down and started resting like Zhang Bao'er.

"These lazy fellows," I muttered.

For some reason, I suddenly found myself wanting to help Zhang Xingxing solve this puzzle. I wanted to help her find her father. It was as though a sense of honor in me was telling me to help her.

"A bunch of fools. A bunch of fools!" Zhang Bao'er continued prattling.

That might not be Zhang Bao'er's intention, but a thought appeared in my mind when I heard his words. 'Zhang Bao'er is truly a genius!'

"I understand!" I shouted.

Everyone looked at me, including Zhang Xingxing and her hopeful eyes.

"Canyue, don't make a fool of yourself," Zhang Bao'er hurriedly pulled at me.

"I think that the four circles might not be planets. They are probably four individuals. These are the individuals that will arrive at the forest and sea. This map might be a prophecy!" I declared confidently.

Everyone widened their eyes. Maerdo nodded, while even more hope covered Zhang Xingxing's face.

"You're a genius, Li Canyue!" Zhang Bao'er jumped and pounded my chest. "How did you think of that?"

I grinned foolishly instead of answering him. How would I tell him that he was the one who had given me the inspiration? If he knew, he would probably broadcast his genius to the entirety of the Milky Way Galaxy after this.

"Yes, I agree. Now that he mentioned it, I also feel like these four circles represent four individuals," said Chen Qiang.

"That answers the question about the circles. What about the forest and sea? Which celestial body is it on? We have three options," asked Zhang Xingxing.

"Well, good thing nobody thinks it's on Sirius A. That's probably a trip we won't return from," muttered Zhang Bao'er.

"Captain Zhang Han and Head Cassie paid with their lives to uncover this secret. We need to solve it. Although we still can't find the captain, with no signals picked up by our gamma probe, what if they had been forced to make a landing on Sirius B? The gravitational force of a white dwarf is strong enough to sever all signals. They might even still be alive," said Angela in excitement.

"Let's not waste time. We should set off immediately!" said Zhang Xingxing as she stood up impatiently.

"No. The gravitational force of a white dwarf is too strong, and the temperature is too high. Our current technology is still not good enough to overcome these problems. Our first priority should be this wormhole or spatial tunnel," said Chen Qiang as he pointed at the path on the map. Captain Angela found herself agreeing.

After the leaders discussed, they decided to split into two teams. One ship would head to Sirius I while the other would head for Sirius B. Both would search for the possible wormhole. Although we believed that our answer mostly lay in Sirius B, the captain decided to be safe and make a more comprehensive search.

Who would be going to Sirius B? The time had come again for one's perceived value to play a role.

Without a doubt, Zhang Xingxing would be in the team. To save her father, she had to go if she did not want the others to give up on her father. From the league's point of view, someone like Chen Qiang was naturally a talent they wished to preserve.

Thus, the ultimate team composition was decided: Sirius B team, Major Zhang Xingxing as its team leader with Li Canyue, Old Du, Zhang Bao'er, and Dodo; Sirius I team, Lieutenant Colonel Chen Qiang as its team leader with Maerdo, Xiaoming, Li Dahai, and Jiajia.

"But won't we have five individuals then? According to the prophecy, only four can reach," Zhang Bao'er suddenly said.

Everyone was momentarily stunned. Yes, that made perfect sense. For something like an ancient prophecy, everyone would rather believe than outright disregard it. And thus, an awkward atmosphere rose. Which members would be cut out of the teams, then?

"Androids don't count, right? They are machines! The individuals on the map refer to actual biological life forms!" I said.

"Li Canyue! This is racial discrimination! You're a racist!" Dodo, Jiajia, and three other androids started raging.

Their anger was understandable. For many in this era, androids were akin to family. However, that might not be the case for those from ancient times, and this case was most certainly an ancient one. Everyone accepted my explanation, but the androids on Saturn were still furious and continued to grumble non-stop.

Nevertheless, my theory solved our predicament. Captain Angela even told me how pleased she was at my flexible thinking. Thus ready, everyone set off. Even after getting onto our ship, Dodo was still grumbling at me. I knew I was in the wrong, so I did not say anything. Meanwhile, Zhang Bao'er and Old Du seemed to find the entire thing amusing.

"I won't forget this, fellows," I cursed the two.

"Hahaha!" They roared with laughter.

All our tasks had been distributed clearly. Angela was in charge of support and guidance in the mothership. When we were ready, we departed for Sirius B.