Interstellar Survival: Invasion

Chapter 291: Heart of Pluto

"Reporting to the deputy corps commander, Master Crystal has not replied to any of my messages. I have no idea what he's doing," said Dodo, unofficially promoting my rank.

Only then did I remember what Master Crystal had told us about communication. We wouldn't be able to send any messages to each other.

"Hey, since Canyue is already the deputy corps commander, Old Du and I should be division commanders, right?" said Zhang Bao'er, seizing the opportunity presented by Dodo.

"Bao'er, this is not the time to talk about ranks. We need to finish surveying Pluto as soon as possible and prepare for the mission," I said.

At that time, Markus was slowly orbiting Pluto. Dodo set a timer on the ship, indicating that we still had 13 days before the empire commenced their attack with the superweapons.

"Dodo, is the analysis of Pluto's terrain and the optimal attacking route done?" asked Zhang Xingxing.

"Reporting to the commander, I am combing the league's database on the records of our battle with the empire to prepare an offense analysis. Of course, if I can get data of the empire's defenses on Pluto, I would be able to produce an even more detailed report," said Dodo.

While everyone was busy with their own thoughts, Dondon contacted me in private.

"Canyue, Wind Spirit is very unhappy that she's not involved in the mission on Pluto. I know we will bring you trouble if we go with you, but...you know the princess's temper," said Dondon meekly.

With one look, I knew that Dondon must have been scolded by Wind Spirit. I comforted him and even promised an even more important mission to them. I emphasized that the mission would be as important as our mission on Pluto.

My so-called mission was none other than Master Crystal's idea. We would use Wind Spirit's genes to go through the Midstar Army's defensive perimeter when entering and leaving Pluto. That was indeed an extremely important mission. However, it was still not the time to tell Dondon about it.

Dondon appeared relieved after receiving my promise. He hurriedly ran off to find Wind Spirit. After sending Dondon away, I stood still and gazed outside the window. At the time, Markus was facing the front side of Pluto. The beautiful white heart-shaped silhouette before me attracted all my attention. Looking at the beautiful scene, numerous beautiful memories rose in my head.

"Pluto's heart. It is too beautiful. Nature itself is the greatest artist," a voice rang out beside me. I turned my head and saw that it was Baron Sisse.

"Yes, it is beautiful, but it might cease to exist in the future. Nothing will stay beautiful forever," said Kelly, who had also come beside me.

"You mean the frozen nitrogen forming the heart will have its shape changed?" asked Old Du, who had never been to Pluto before. He had also been listening to our conversation.

"The league's researchers once believed that the heart of Pluto is located above the Sputnik Planitia, which is a scar left behind by asteroids. After tens of millions of years, the flowing nitrogen ice finally filled the scars, forming the heart of Pluto we all know. But subsequently, the league discovered that the nitrogen ice's formation was related to the planet's geothermal activity. In that case, the process will continue. Hundreds of thousands of years later, the terrain will definitely change. This is similar in concept to Blue's continental drift, a process that will alter the shapes of Blue's continents," said Kelly.

"This isn't a big planet at all. Why did the empire choose to make it their base and imprison the great sovereign of Wisdom here?" asked Baron Sisse.

"To the south of the heart, there is a massive volcano named Wright Mons. It is a very unusual volcano. It is 4,000 meters in height and is the largest ice volcano in the Solar System," said Kelly. As she continued her explanation, I noticed that everyone in the room was paying attention to our conversation.

"The first-generation league explorers conquered Pluto's icy surface and established a research base at the foot of Wright Mons. The base's purpose is to better understand the situation inside the planet," said Old Du.

"The Gliesens had established the research base because they coveted the methane inside the planet. They wanted to use it as a supplement alongside their iron energy. That's the research base's true purpose," said Zhang Bao'er, who had suddenly recalled the war between us and the Gliesens.

"We might have been selfish back then, but with a powerful enemy in front of us, we are brothers-in-arms. I believe that after this war, the league will come to view the order of the universe from a new perspective," said Old Du patiently.

"Hopefully. I really hope so. I also hope that we will live to see that day," said Zhang Bao'er. His words were simple, but there was still a depth to them.

"In that case, the enemy must have taken over the league's research base. Is the great sovereign imprisoned there as well?" I asked.

"No," answered Zhang Xingxing on behalf of Kelly. "The empire's base of operations is not at the Sputnik Planitia. It is located at an even more terrifying place."

Even Temo, someone from a so-called superior civilization, grew curious. After all, the universe was so large that no civilization could brag to have unveiled all its mysteries.

"How terrifying can the place be? Tell us," urged the impatient Zhang Bao'er.

"We were already aware that the planet was filled with viruses. Back then, the league had decided to build their base at the heart because of how white the area was. Back then, the researchers believed that the color white was due to thick nitrogen ice and that the low temperature would be the perfect containment for the dangerous viruses found there," said Zhang Xingxing.

"I also know that. Back then, the league had elected to build their base on the Sputnik Planitia for safety reasons. After the establishment of the base, the early explorers started exploring the area around Pluto," said Old Du.

"Old Du, you overlooked something important. Even back then, the ice chunks spurting out of Wright Mons carried a virus with them. The virus was named Isi. Because it originated from within Pluto, it was quickly noticed by the researchers," said Kelly.

"You're right. I did overlook Isi. But Isi is a rather helpful virus. It can help us eliminate all infectious diseases that spread through the air with a cell temperature-drop process. The virus I mentioned earlier are the viruses that are fatal and dangerous," said Old Du.

We all knew about Isi. It was one of the greatest contributions Pluto had made to the league. But the league had marked the subsequent findings on Pluto as classified. Officials and soldiers of insufficient rank would not be able to learn about the new findings.

"Old Du was right. The league was wild with joy after obtaining the Isi virus. Thus, they attached even more importance to Pluto. More military forces and weapons were deployed to Pluto, hoping to further explore the planet. But that act was akin to the opening of Pandora's box," said Zhang Xingxing with a sigh.

"There are good and bad viruses, but they are all part of life. You have merely encountered a virus that is too difficult to control for your low-leveled civilization," remarked Temo calmly.

"Dwarf, if you're not interested in the topic, screw off. This is a conversation of a superior civilization. It has nothing to do with you," said Domo furiously.

Zhang Xingxing shot Temo a glance, but she didn't give him a direct reply. She slowly spoke, "To the west of Wright Mons is the tallest mountain range on Pluto: Tenzing Montes, reaching a height as tall as 6,200 meters. It is a precipitous mountain range standing atop the icy ground, and on the other side of the range is a mysterious area that has perplexed researchers for many years."

"Are you referring to the Cthulhu Macula? The conspicuous red patch on Pluto," asked Dodo.

"Yes. Beyond Tenzing Montes, to the west of the heart, the Cthulhu Macula can be found. Back then, it was believed that the patches were caused by methane and nitrogen in the atmosphere interacting with ultraviolet light and cosmic rays, resulting in the creation of complex hydrocarbons called tholins that cover the surface," said Zhang Xingxing.

"What's tholin?" asked Dondon, who had just returned to the command center with Wind Spirit. From his expression, his issue with her had been resolved.

"Tholin is what Blue researchers named a substance that can be found on icy celestial objects. It is considered a type of heteropolymer, formed by the solar ultraviolet irradiation of simple organic compounds such as methane and ethane. It is not something of a single element, and there is no confirmed elemental mixture that corresponds to it. Generally, tholins are red or brown. They are found in great abundance on the surfaces of icy bodies in the outer solar system," explained Dodo on Zhang Xingxing's behalf.

"Dodo's right. But after the discovery of Isi, a new theory emerged. They believed that tholins might be the appearance of an even more powerful virus. This red virus is believed to mix well with Isi, the white virus, and by obtaining the two viruses, an unequaled super virus can be created," said Zhang Xingxing.

"This is why low-leveled civilizations are considered short-sighted. They are always greedy for more, but in the end, they end up with nothing," said Temo, attacking the league once again.

"That has nothing to do with you. Nothing is worse than trash like your people, who would stab one of their own," said Domo.

"Peasant, this is my ship. Do you want me to eject you into space?" said Temo as he stood up in anger.

"Give it a try. See if my brothers will agree," replied Domo unyieldingly.

We all felt rather helpless. The two seemed like they were capable of fighting each other in any situation. Fortunately, Old Du moved in a timely manner and pushed Domo back into his seat, preventing the conflict from further escalating.

"In fact, Temo isn't completely wrong. That was the parliament's choice back then. They had decided to study the tholins for the possibility of obtaining more viruses. At the same time, they could also harvest the planet for a secondary energy source. The parliament ordered the explorers to punch through the Tenzing Montes from the Sputnik Planitia to directly reach the Cthulhu Macula," said Zhang Xingxing.

"No wonder they didn't land directly with spaceships back then," said Kelly in realization.

Everything that Zhang Xingxing and Kelly had said was something not available in my downloaded knowledge. Once again, the different treatment between those in different hierarchies of the league was clearly displayed.

"So, what was found after they punched through the mountain range?" asked Zhang Bao'er who, like me, knew nothing about it.

"Following the order, the team of 20 explorers dug into the Tenzing Montes. They quickly found that the mountain range consisted mainly of nitrogen ice, especially the surface. There are very few rocks in the mountain range. Initially, progress was smooth. But halfway through, they made a new discovery," said Zhang Xingxing.

"What new discovery?" asked Zhang Bao'er impatiently while everyone else waited in anticipation.

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