(Dusk and Dawn Line 2): Uncertainty

November 2031, Rocket City, Liang Nation

Michael Max is recognized globally as the most imaginative leader in cutting-edge technology, his innovations across various fields dazzling observers.

At first glance, the areas he ventures into don't seem to follow a central theme, with projects appearing disconnected rather than forming an organic whole.

In addition to the well-known Acebe Space Technology Company, Nikola Electric Vehicle Company, and Star Array Satellite Communications Company, Michael also produces humanoid robots, is developing brain-computer interfaces, and pioneering new intelligent medical technologies.

Puzzlingly, he is also involved in the traditional energy sector, operating and managing power plants; his electricity company is one of the main suppliers for the Liang Nation's Sa Prefecture power grid. He even owns a factory that produces low-cost, quickly installable prefabricated homes.

Michael, Daphne, and their son Vito are currently staying in one of Michael's own prefabricated homes.

Daphne, arguably, understands Michael's innovative logic best. She knows that Michael has only one central theme: interstellar survival.

When Michael considered destinations for interstellar survival, he immediately ruled out the Moon due to its lack of atmosphere.

The Moon is ideal for astronomical research, observation, and launch activities. The rare metals on the Moon will also become important mineral resources for humanity's space industry.

However, the Moon's survival conditions cannot support large-scale Interstellar Migration; it can only serve as a base or a springboard.

Enceladus and Europa show signs of life, and beneath their icy shells, they might meet the survival conditions for single-celled organisms. But it's too cold there, and the gravitational tides from the two gas giants are too immense.

For a very long time into the foreseeable future, it will be impossible for humans to establish settlements on their surfaces.

Without a moment's hesitation, Michael set his sights on Mars for Interstellar Migration. Mars is located within the Solar System's habitable zone, its axial tilt is similar to Earth's, it experiences seasonal changes, and its rotation period is remarkably close to Earth's, rotating once approximately every 25 hours, leading to day and night cycles.

Mars lacks liquid water on its surface and an oxygen-rich atmosphere. Most critically, Mars's metallic core has long since cooled, preventing it from forming a stable magnetic field like Earth's. This leaves the Martian surface exposed to high-energy radiation from the Sun and interstellar space.

Even wearing heavy protective suits, human health could still be at risk.

Michael's original plan was to build fully enclosed "capsules" deep within Mars's Valles Marineris, gradually expanding them to create an underground city.

Nikola Tesla's Superluminal Wave Theory was a godsend to Michael. Consequently, Michael's Mars survival plan shifted to constructing a Superlight Wave Power Station to heat Mars's core and generate a magnetic field.

This would melt the ice in the planet's crust, creating liquid water on the surface. The dry ice at the South Pole would sublimate into carbon dioxide, forming an atmosphere. With prolonged photosynthesis by algae, the oxygen content in the atmosphere would gradually increase.

However, things are not as simple as they seem. Scientific tools that can solve problems often come with immense, unknown risks.

The logic of binary computers is sequential; inputting a problem yields a yes or no answer. But many situations cannot be determined by a simple yes or no.

The ambitious endeavor of building a Superlight Wave Power Station on Mars encountered precisely this dilemma. Success would mean an unprecedented leap forward, providing humanity with a stage for exponentially increased resources; failure could spell doom for Earth and humankind.

Michael wished his external brain, VESSEL, could provide a definitive answer: "Yes" to proceed, or "No" to reluctantly abandon the plan. Embarrassingly, VESSEL's output was neither "yes" nor "no," but a third result: "uncertain."

On the other side of Earth, the centenarian Andek lay in his hospital bed, with Irene and her daughter Mandy by his side. On the other side, Martha reported the findings of her investigation into Michael and his company's activities to her ex-husband and boss.

Based on public information and tips from informants, Martha learned that Michael planned to use Nikola Tesla's theory to build a Superlight Wave Power Station on Mars.

When she mentioned that the power station's construction materials, sourced from Martian soil, were inspired by Maya pottery, both Irene and Mandy expressed surprise.

"This is a huge secret. I've already drafted a news release. Once published, the global public will undoubtedly pay unprecedented attention to our Sky High Media," Martha said.

Andek pondered for a moment and replied, "Martha, do you think I asked you to investigate and confirm this matter just to generate buzz for Sky High Media?"

Martha was taken aback, seeming to grasp the old man's intention. As a seasoned investigative journalist with many years of experience, she was well aware of the unwritten rules of news media. Responsible media outlets, even when in possession of significant secrets about governments or corporate titans, don't always report everything.

This isn't just about money or quid pro quo; it's sometimes about preventing panic and fulfilling social responsibility.

Sensational news undoubtedly enhances the influence of the media and the reporter themselves, but the timing and handling of the news are equally important.

One must consider the public's capacity to absorb the information, as well as the reactions of those involved. After all, media oversight operates with the fundamental bottom line of maintaining social stability and progress.

"I understand. Personally, Michael is a friend to all of us," Martha said, glancing at Irene and Mandy. "Professionally, reporting on Tesla's Superluminal Wave Theory, which hasn't been accepted by the mainstream scientific community, and the so-called Mars Superlight Wave Power Station is simply too incredible for the public to believe."

Andek smiled kindly and said to Martha, "You've certainly matured. Even setting aside the conscience and responsibility of the media, purely from the perspective of Sky High Media's and your reputation as a star reporter, rashly leaking this news could very well drag us all into a vortex."

Andek motioned for Martha to take notes. He would dictate a letter to Michael Max, outlining the implications and risks to dissuade him from his audacious plan. The letter read:

"Dear Michael:

Although we haven't met, I believe you must have heard of me, an old man who has spent his entire life in the media. I not only know of you but also constantly receive news about your various endeavors from the people close to me. Many of your innovations have left me both shocked and impressed.

I am 100 years old. I have experienced war and, as a close observer, witnessed firsthand humanity's technological leaps time and again. In the past century, there have been countless scientists, inventors, and business geniuses, shining like stars.

Among all of them, I admire and respect you, Michael Max, the most.

However, when I received an insider tip suggesting you were preparing to use Nikola Tesla's Superluminal Wave Theory to inject immense energy into Mars, I was deeply shocked and asked Martha to investigate.

Martha's investigation has concluded, and it appears this is not unfounded. I feel it necessary to discuss this matter with you and state my position.

Let me be frank: I oppose your plan and sincerely hope you will immediately cease the construction of the Mars Superlight Wave Power Station. The reason is simple: there is only one Mars in the Solar System, and humanity has only one Earth.

Great men have great dreams. Undoubtedly, you are a great man with dreams that ordinary people wouldn't dare to imagine. I know it will be difficult to persuade you to give up, but I can't help but offer a few words of advice for your consideration.

First, let me address a matter that is both related and unrelated to your Mars plan: my perspective on life and death.

Everyone desires immortality, and I am no exception. Advances in gene biotechnology and medical treatments are constantly improving. I also have two major advantages: one is wealth, and the other, as you know, is that my wife, Irene, is a top expert in biomedical science.

There's a simple logic: to avoid death, I should utilize all available resources and conditions. But this is not entirely true; I have set boundaries for myself.

I have adopted some technologies and medications, such as stem cell injections and gene-targeted drugs, but I have refused others, like replacing all my internal organs with cloned ones, or head transplants, which involve grafting my brain onto another healthy body.

I am not a fatalist. My more than 80 years of struggle and hard work also demonstrate that I am not someone who resigns himself to fate or gives up easily.

However, I firmly believe that aging and death are natural laws that cannot be broken. Even if humanity masters technologies to extend lifespan or even achieve immortality, we must not cross that boundary.

Technologies like human cloning, consciousness uploading, and head transplantation for rebirth are extremely dangerous and should be prohibited unless absolutely necessary. They threaten to destroy our ethics, our beliefs, and even our most fundamental moral bottom lines.

Your desire to turn Mars into Earth's 'backup' is something I can completely understand, especially given that Earth is already facing a survival crisis due to human activities.

This brings up the next question: are we never allowed to risk terraforming Mars? Of course not. If a major disaster is about to occur on Earth, making it impossible for humanity to survive, then I will wholeheartedly support you going to Mars.

Let alone Mars and the Superlight Wave Power Station, I will support you going to any planet and taking any measures, as long as there is a sliver of hope for humanity's continuation.

So, to summarize, I am not against your Mars terraforming plan, but against the timing. It is clearly not yet time for Earthlings to be so desperate that they must risk destruction to terraform Mars.

My days are numbered, but your future is long. Please be patient. Your wisdom will surely recognize the life experience I've gained through nearly a century of seeking:

Hope is the cure for despair, and timing is the judge of right and wrong.

Your old friend whom you have never met, Andek.

Michael read the letter and broke out in a cold sweat. Tian Gao Media truly lived up to its reputation; it could discover core secrets like the Tesla theory and terraforming Mars.

Daphne was more concerned about Michael's attitude. After all, terraforming Mars was Michael's dream, one he had strived for for many years. It would be difficult to convince him to give up based on just one letter.

To Daphne's surprise, Michael did not dismiss Andek's letter with disdain, nor did he rush to defend himself in front of her. Michael said with a serious expression:

"It's not easy to convince me, but actually, I've been struggling with this decision recently. How powerful are Superluminal waves? Will Mars explode?"

"Then what do you plan to do?" Daphne asked.

Michael replied in his usual confident tone, "Upgrade the external brain computer to run simulations and let the VESSEL provide a definitive answer. We already have a method to upgrade the computer: the ternary chip and algorithms."

&

Poem composed of collected lines:

My remaining years are few, my ambitious heart startled, Song, Huang Shang

Who can comprehend another life and this one? Jin, Tian Xi

Today, my ailing body bears a sorrowful countenance, Tang, Li Shen

Then I think of inviting a companion to ask about the journey home. Song, Li Zhiyi