November 2031, Rocket City, Liangguo
Michael Max was widely recognized as the world's most imaginative leader in cutting-edge technology. His innovations across a dizzying range of fields left people dazzled.
At first glance, his work seemed to lack a central focus, and his various projects did not appear to form a coherent whole.
Besides the well-known Acebe Space Technology Company, Nikola Electric Vehicle Company, and Star Array Satellite Communications Company, Michael also manufactured humanoid robots and invested in brain-computer interfaces and new forms of smart healthcare.
What was even more puzzling was that he worked in the traditional energy industry, operating and managing power plants. His power company was one of the main suppliers to the Sazhou power grid in Liangguo. He even owned a factory producing low-cost prefabricated houses that could be assembled quickly.
Michael, Daphne, and their son, Vito, were now inside one of the prefabricated houses Michael had made himself.
Daphne could be said to understand Michael's innovative thinking better than anyone. She knew he had only one central focus: survival among the stars.
When Michael chose a destination for interstellar migration, he immediately ruled out the Moon because it had no atmosphere.
The Moon was ideal for astronomical research, observation, and launches. Its rare metals would also become important resources for human industry in space.
But the Moon's living conditions could not support large-scale interstellar migration. It could only serve as a base—or a stepping stone.
Enceladus and Europa seemed to show signs of life. Conditions beneath their icy crusts might support single-celled organisms. But they were far too cold, and the tidal forces exerted by their giant planets were immense.
For the foreseeable future, humanity would not be able to build settlements on their surfaces.
Michael had barely hesitated before choosing Mars as the destination for interstellar migration. Mars lay in the habitable zone of the Solar System. Its axial tilt was similar to Earth's, giving it four seasons, and its rotation period was also very close to Earth's: it completed a rotation roughly every twenty-five hours, with day and night taking turns.
There was no liquid water on the surface of Mars, nor was its atmosphere rich in oxygen. Most deadly of all, the planet's metallic core had long since cooled, leaving it unable to generate a stable magnetic field like Earth's. As a result, the Martian surface was awash in high-energy radiation from the Sun and interstellar space.
Even with heavy protective suits, humans could still suffer damage to their health.
Michael's original plan had been to build sealed "capsules" deep inside the Martian Valles Marineris, then expand them over time into an underground city.
Nikola Tesla's Superluminal Wave Theory had been a godsend to Michael. His plan for surviving on Mars had therefore become a plan to build a Superlight Wave Power Station, heat the planet's core, and create a magnetic field.
The ice trapped in the ground would melt, producing liquid water on the surface. The dry ice at the south pole would also sublimate into carbon dioxide, forming an atmosphere. Over time, the long-term photosynthesis of algae would steadily raise the oxygen content in the atmosphere.
But things were not as simple as they seemed. Scientific tools capable of solving problems at a stroke often came with enormous, unknown risks.
Binary computers made their judgments in stages. Given a question, they returned either yes or no. But many things could not be judged with a simple yes or no.
The audacious plan to build a Superlight Wave Power Station on Mars had run into just such a problem. If it succeeded, it would be an unprecedented leap forward, giving humanity a stage with vastly expanded resources. If it failed, Earth and humanity might be doomed.
Michael wished his external brain, VESSEL, could give him a definitive result: "yes," and he would proceed; "no," and he would reluctantly give up. Awkwardly, VESSEL's answer was neither "yes" nor "no," but a third possibility: "uncertain."
On the other side of the Earth, the centenarian Andek lay in a hospital bed. Irene and her daughter, Mandy, kept watch beside him. On the other side, Martha reported the results of her investigation into Michael and his companies' activities to her former husband, who was also her boss.
From public information and tips from informants, Martha had learned that Michael planned to use Nikola Tesla's theory to build a Superlight Wave Power Station on Mars.
When she mentioned that the idea for the station's construction materials, extracted from Martian soil, had been inspired by Maya soft pottery, Irene and Mandy were both surprised.
"This is a huge secret. I've already written it up as a news article. Once it's published, the public worldwide will pay unprecedented attention to Tiangao Media."
Andek pondered for a moment, then said, "Martha, do you think I asked you to investigate and verify this so Tiangao Media could grab the public's attention?"
Martha was startled. She seemed to understand what the old man meant. She was a veteran investigative reporter with years in the business and knew the unwritten rules of the media. Even a responsible outlet that had uncovered a major secret involving the government or a business tycoon did not necessarily report everything.
It was not just a matter of money or exchanging favors. Sometimes it was also about preventing panic and fulfilling a social responsibility.
Sensational news undoubtedly raised the profile of both the outlet and the reporter, but the timing and manner of its release mattered just as much.
The public's ability to handle the news had to be considered, as did the people involved and how they might react. After all, the media's oversight role rested on the basic principle of maintaining social stability and progress.
"I understand. Personally, Michael is a friend to all of us." Martha glanced at Irene and Mandy, then continued, "Professionally, reporting on Tesla's Superluminal Wave Theory, which mainstream science has yet to accept, and this so-called Martian Superlight Wave Power Station is simply too far-fetched for the public to believe."
Andek smiled kindly at Martha. "You've certainly matured. Even setting aside the high-minded talk of journalistic integrity and responsibility, just consider the reputations of Tiangao Media and you, its star reporter. If we rush this story out, it could drag all of us into a maelstrom."
Andek gestured for Martha to take notes. He wanted to dictate a letter to Michael Max, explaining the stakes, warning him of the risks, and stopping his reckless plan. It read:
"Dear Michael,
Although we've never met, I'm sure you've heard of me—the old man who's spent his whole life in the media. I haven't just heard of you; I've also been hearing all sorts of news about you from people close to me. Many of your achievements have both astonished and impressed me.
I'm a hundred years old. I've lived through wars and, as a close observer, witnessed one great leap in human technology after another. In the past century, scientists, inventors, and business geniuses have been as numerous as the stars.
Of them all, the one I admire and respect most is you, Michael Max.
But when I received a tip that you seemed to be preparing to use Nikola Tesla's Superluminal Wave Theory to pour enormous amounts of energy into Mars, I was stunned and asked Martha to investigate.
Martha's findings are in. It seems this was no baseless rumor. I felt I had to discuss the matter with you and make my position clear.
I won't hide it: I oppose your plan, and I sincerely hope you'll stop building the Martian Superlight Wave Power Station at once. The reason is simple: there's only one Mars in the Solar System, and humanity has only one Earth.
A great man must have great dreams. You are undoubtedly a great man, with dreams greater than most people could even imagine. I know it will be difficult to persuade you to give them up, but I can't help offering a few thoughts for you to consider.
First, let me talk about something that is both related to your Mars project and unrelated to it: how I view life and death.
Everyone wants to live forever, and I'm no exception. Genetic biotechnology continues to advance, and medical care keeps improving. I also have two major advantages: money, and, as you know, my wife Irene is a leading biomedical expert.
The logic is simple: to avoid death, I should use every resource and opportunity available to me. But that's not what I've done. I've set a boundary for myself.
I've adopted some technologies and treatments, such as stem cell injections and gene-targeted drugs. But I've rejected others, such as replacing all my internal organs with cloned ones or undergoing a head transplant—that is, grafting my brain onto another, healthy body.
I'm no fatalist. More than eighty years of struggle and hard work should be proof enough that I'm not someone who leaves everything to fate or gives up easily.
But I firmly believe that birth, aging, sickness, and death are natural laws that must not be broken. Even if humanity masters the technology to extend life, or even make people immortal, we still must not cross that boundary.
Technologies such as human cloning, mind uploading, and rebirth through head transplants are extremely dangerous. Humanity should prohibit them until there is absolutely no other choice. They would destroy our ethics, our beliefs, and even our most basic principles.
You want to make Mars a 'spare Earth.' I completely understand your intentions. After all, human activity has already brought Earth to the brink of a crisis of survival.
That brings me to the next question: should we never risk changing Mars, no matter what? Of course not. If a major disaster were about to strike Earth and make human survival impossible, I would wholeheartedly support your taking that risk on Mars.
Forget Mars and the Superlight Wave Power Station—you could go to any planet and take any measures. If there were even the slightest chance of ensuring humanity's survival, I would support you.
So, to sum up, I don't oppose your Mars terraforming plan itself. I oppose the timing. Earth's people have clearly not reached the point where they must take desperate measures and risk destruction to terraform Mars.
I don't have much time left, but you have a long future ahead of you. Please be patient. Your wisdom will surely recognize the lessons I've learned over nearly a century of searching:
Hope is the remedy for despair; timing is the judge of right and wrong.
Your friend, though we've never met, Andek"
After reading the letter, Michael broke out in a cold sweat. Tiangao Media certainly lived up to its reputation. Andek had even managed to learn core secrets like Tesla's theory and the plan to terraform Mars.
Daphne was more concerned about Michael's reaction. After all, terraforming Mars had been his dream for years, and one letter was unlikely to persuade him to give it up.
To Daphne's surprise, Michael did not dismiss Andek's letter or rush to defend himself to her. His expression grave, he said:
"Persuading me won't be easy. But to be honest, I've been conflicted lately too. Just how powerful are Superluminal waves? Could Mars explode?"
"So what are you going to do?" Daphne asked.
Michael answered with his usual confidence. "Upgrade the external brain computer and run simulations. Then VESSEL can give us a definite answer. I already know how to upgrade the computer: ternary chips and algorithms."
""
Poem assembled from lines at the end of the chapter:
The years are few; my valiant heart is shaken. — Huang Shang, Song
Who understands the bond between this life and the next? — Tian Xi, Jin
Today, my ailing body grieves at the sight. — Li Shen, Tang
I long to ask a companion when we'll set out for home. — Li Zhiyi, Song
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