Age of Cosmic Exploration Chapter 160

Compared to others who had isolated orders, Yao Yuan as the captain, major, and the highest commander of many different bodies had to oversee many things.

War is different from a street fight. Many diverse elements play into the inner workings of a war. Even a street fight requires careful planning involving fighter numbers, weapon, retreat routes, and so on, much less an actual war. Even though the Hope had a small army, it had all the necessary departments responsible for surveillance, logistics, equipment, and militia. When all of the departments were mobilized, it required a sound mind to organize them all.

Furthermore, none of the 120,000 citizens on the Hope was an empty burden. Even though not everyone might prove useful at the front line, the Hope was not lacking in experts on surveillance, logistics, equipment, and militia. They formed the Barracks’ general staff.

Other than military affairs, there were also civil affairs, like the excavation above the Hope and public appeasement. Granted Yao Yuan had received help from the Hall of Communications, he still had to personally handle many things. He spent about 10 minutes finishing up all these things.

Then he rushed to a large, fifth floor conference room. He needed expert opinions from the scientists and researchers that had gathered in the room.

After Yao Yuan revealed everything that he knew, a contained commotion erupted. The room was obviously affected by the contents of Zhang Heng’s dream.

A scientist raced to the speech button, asking hurriedly, "Captain, you mean the creature on Moon 2 increases its technology and army strength by absorbing other civilizations?"

Yao Yuan nodded gravely. "Yes, that’s right. I know it’s hard to believe, but we’ve stumbled across so many impossibilities already, so why not this one?"

A warfare specialist also pressed to speak. "Captain, if Zhang Heng’s dream is true and the alien main body is linked to its creations, then it will know about the presence of the alien plant. This means we have a war on our heels."

Yao Yuan chuckled dispiritedly. "That’s right. The alien plant allows the alien to perform a super evolution. Furthermore, since our technology is also greater than the alien's, I doubt it would mind consuming us as well. Based on these 2 observations, there is simply no way it would leave us in peace. We have sacrificed many to get our hands on the technology inside the junkyard, but now we are the junkyard for that alien."

Yao Yuan sighed but quickly collected himself. "In other words, war is imminent. I’ve gathered everyone here to hear the brightest minds on the Hope out. Is there anything we can do to exterminate the alien on Moon 2? Professor Ivan and Mitsuda, you’ve done many experiments on the aliens. On Planet Sahara, the alien plant was taken out by a common Earth plant virus; could the same be replicated here?"

Ivan laughed sadly, but before he could speak, Saburo stood up. "Captain, since this is my expertise, the field of pathology, let me answer your question… Unfortunately, the same method will not work because this organism represents a perfect cell."

Yao Yuan frowned. "There is no perfection in this world! It is impossible for an organism to be immune to every single virus and bacteria found across the cosmos. Something must be wrong with the experiments!"

Saburo smiled despondently. "Captain, I too hope that the results of my experiments are wrong, but after hearing you describe Zhang Heng’s dream, I’m certain of the fact… that even though natural perfection might not exist, relative perfection is definitely possible.

"There is a row of DNA inside this organism’s cell that is uncoded. When the organism comes into contact with an unknown virus or bacteria, the cell will code a previously discovered antibody. If the protein doesn’t work, the row of uncoded DNA will tweak the formula of the amino acids slightly. Even if the newly formed antibody still doesn’t work, the adjacent cells will receive the tried formula as some sort of a dying message. Utilizing a trial-and-error concept, it’ll eventually form a usable antibody.

"This is why," Saburo lowered his head, "we are unable to completely kill this organism. Unless there is a supervirus that could infect all of the cells within a short period of time, nothing will work. A slow-working virus will allow the organism time to eventually code immunity against it. It is, as I’ve said, a perfect cell."

Yao Yuan too was at a loss for words. They had run out of options. Both H-bomb and the Genesis would take too long, and the alien plant was of no use…

Did they have no other choice but to warp out of there?

Then a few soldiers rushed into the room and whispered into Yao Yuan’s ear. Yao Yuan nodded slightly before announcing, "Ladies and gentlemen, unfortunately, our prediction is correct. About 5 minutes ago, a large army of alien monsters was found above the temporary base. There are more than a million of them."

The room rustled in panic. It was so chaotic that no one was paying attention to Yao Yuan.

Frustrated, Yao Yuan slammed his hand on the podium, sending the room into silence. Then he added, "But please don’t worry, because at least we have the technological upper hand. Furthermore, we have built a concrete base, so as long as we have enough energy and ammo, we should be fine. We’ve hunkered down around a small base, limiting our area of vulnerability, so their numbers advantage shouldn’t be that worrying.

"Here are my orders: first, the experiment on the alien cells must continue. I believe firmly that there is no perfection in space. There must be a weakness to this alien, and I want the Academy to find it for me…

"Secondly, the speed of excavation must increase. If necessary, I’ll allow the use of the Hope’s main cannon to help the excavation. As long as it won’t result in the Hope getting buried, I’ll allow any desperate measures…

"Then, for the Barracks, we need a steady replenishment of ammo and explosives. Also, we need to have mechanics at the ready to repair any damages to the space combat jets…"

Yao Yuan finished everything he wanted to say. After a pregnant pause, he looked at everyone gathered there. "Pray to your gods and ancestors for their blessings. Pray that this possible home planet will not be taken away from us…

"I’m sorry, but if there is no other choice, I’ll have to warp. Yes, a possible home planet is very important, but the safety of the entire human civilization is even more important. Therefore, if you wish to breathe clean air freely under a blue sky again, devise a plan to get rid of these alien monsters!"

When Yao Yuan was busy coordinating the military logistics, Ying’s team, who had been out for only half an hour, came back with harrowing news.

"What! The giant organism on Moon 2 is detaching itself? It gave up on Moon 2 and is heading towards us now?"

Yao Yuan was in utter disbelief, but he had to accept the truth after witnessing the pictures taken by the combat jets. The slice of alien that covered almost half of Moon 2 was curling off of the land. It was rolling into a sinewy meat ball, preparing to depart.

Its destination was obvious…

The main body intended to land directly on the planet to absorb the Hope entirely!

"Not only that, on the way back, we stumbled across many space-surfing alien monsters… they could travel through space, and even though they were slow, clunky, and fragile compared to our combat jets…"

Ying’s face fell, adding, "There are too many of them; it’s easily more than ten million!"

Chapter end