Chapter 50: Mars

The inaugural clash between the Wolfpack and the Tesla Institute came to an official close ten days later. A professional technology evaluation team reviewed both projects, weighing their practicality, advantages, and drawbacks.

The Wolfpack Design Bureau’s simple solution had already been implemented, receiving unanimous praise for its immediate impact.

The Tesla Institute’s complex solution was also handed over to the manufacturing sector. Although its immediate effects were less dramatic, its strength lay in its long-term stability and sustainability.

The final scorecard read as follows:

Wolfpack: Two hours to implement, almost zero energy consumption.

Tesla: Ten days to design, moderate energy consumption, with significant ongoing refinement required.

On the surface, it seemed the Wolfpack Design Bureau had achieved a decisive victory. However, the Wolfpack team had simply relied on a flash of inspiration—a clever hack. The Tesla team, conversely, had forged a powerful internal unity during the grueling process.

Only the teams themselves knew who had truly gained more from the experience.

When the general population aboard Noah learned of the results, the debates grew loud. The Wolfpack and Tesla clearly represented two divergent philosophies. Tesla was the bastion of traditional, rigorous science, while the Wolfpack dabbled in “unorthodox engineering” and lateral thinking. It was difficult to say which was superior.

Factions began to emerge among the civilians; there were those who waved the flag for the Wolfpack, and those who swore by Tesla.

“The Wolfpack Design Bureau just pulled a cheap trick,” a Tesla supporter grumbled unhappily. “I could have come up with that solution too. Why did they get such a high score?”

“That’s hilarious,” a Wolfpack fan retorted. “If you can do it, why didn’t you? It’s about breaking out of conventional thinking! Everything looks simple once someone else has already done it.”

“I still think the Tesla Institute is more reliable. You can only do real science by being down-to-earth and rigorous.”

“Is the Wolfpack not science? Simplifying complex problems is the pinnacle of science.”

The overt and covert debates continued, sparking a massive trend of scientific interest across the ship. The passengers were already the elite of humanity, each possessing specialized skills. Now, in their leisure time, people enjoyed picking up science textbooks to broaden their knowledge.

With so many talented individuals on board, the competition for good positions was fierce. More knowledge meant more job security.

…

In the blink of an eye, more than two months had passed since the spaceship’s departure. They were closing in on the Red Planet. The spaceship began its deceleration sequence, firing its reverse thrusters.

From the Observatory, Mars,that distinct orange-red sphere could be seen with crystal clarity.

Jason felt a surge of excitement.

Mars, here we come!

There were solid reasons why humanity had chosen Mars as its foothold. First, it possessed water, an atmosphere, and mineral deposits, making its resources relatively abundant compared to the vacuum of space. Second, it was the most accessible option. While Saturn’s moon Titan was a viable candidate, it was simply too far away.

Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, is a terrestrial planet with a diameter about 53% that of Earth. Its axial tilt and rotation period are eerily similar to Earth’s, giving it comparable seasons and days, though its year is approximately twice as long.

Named after the Roman God of War, its bloody, orange-red appearance is due to the hematite iron oxide,covering its surface.

Before Mariner 4 first flew past Mars in 1965, many on Earth speculated that liquid water existed there. The shifting light and dark features observed through telescopes looked like continents and oceans, and slender lines crisscrossing the surface were famously misinterpreted as irrigation canals constructed by an intelligent civilization.

Although the “canals” were later proven to be optical illusions, the hope for water and life remained.

Radar data from the Mars Express and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter had long ago shown massive amounts of water ice beneath the poles and mid-latitude surfaces.

In 2008, the Phoenix lander directly confirmed the presence of water ice beneath the topsoil. By 2013, the Curiosity rover discovered that Martian soil contained abundant water, approximately 1.5 to 3 percent by weight. This meant Mars had enough water resources to sustain future colonies.

Of course, the view from the Observatory included not just Mars, but also the Moon and Earth.

A few days prior, Jason had personally witnessed the Moon being torn apart by Earth’s tidal gravity. The celestial body looked as if it were being peeled like a fruit, tearing apart piece by piece. It was a terrifying sight. Large chunks of lunar rock were ejected into the void, turning into meteors that rained down on Earth, leading to cataclysmic collisions.

Fortunately, humanity had already fled. Jason did not disclose the details of the Moon’s destruction to the general public; he felt there was no need to traumatize them further.

The Moon is no longer relevant to us, he told himself. People must look forward. Mars is humanity’s next stop.

Jason rubbed his hands together, feeling a rare impatience. Humanity’s current ecosystem aboard the ship was too constrained; they desperately needed the resources and energy Mars could provide.

Conquering a planet relied not only on human effort but, most crucially, on science and industrial capacity. They were currently in a phase of rapid technological acceleration. Jason hoped to use Martian resources to finish building the Noah.

His goal wasn’t to migrate to Mars permanently; what he truly wanted was to complete the spaceship.

Currently, they had only utilized a tiny fraction, perhaps one ten-thousandth of the spaceship’s potential internal volume. If fully constructed and outfitted, the population could live inside the spaceship indefinitely. Why bother struggling to terraform a hostile planet?

Furthermore, humanity simply did not have the technological capability to terraform Mars. At best, they could build a base similar to the old lunar colonies, living under glass domes. In that case, it was better to stay on Noah. It was larger, mobile, and safer.

The leadership was well aware of this strategy: Mars was a transit station. A supply depot. They were here to mine. However, the mining operations might last a long time, during which they would develop new technologies and unlock the skills necessary for deep space travel.

Jason let out a long breath. Technology. It is the most important thing in the universe. It is humanity’s best sword and strongest shield.

The competition between the Wolfpack and the Tesla Institute was a net positive, driving the civilians to value education. However, real science is meticulous and rigorous; experiments need to be repeated and verified, which takes time.

Technology doesn’t advance in sudden leaps every day. A month of silence is normal. The tech tree must be climbed one branch at a time.

Tesla was doing well, producing small achievements consistently. The Wolfpack, however, had gone completely radio silent. No one knew what they were working on. Professor Hao Yu had once mysteriously hinted that it was a “grand undertaking.”

Since the scientists were given autonomy, Jason didn’t interfere. A semi-annual report would suffice. He was busy enough as it was.

“Mr. Jason, the Tesla Institute is holding a major briefing today. They’ve invited you to attend,” Lily approached his desk and informed him.

Over the past few months, she had become an exceptionally competent secretary, though she still struggled with the nuances of social interaction.

Since the “Repopulation Initiative” had been announced, Jason constantly heard strange rumors suggesting he and Lily should have a child early to “set an example.” The gossip was relentless, despite there being absolutely nothing going on between them.

Jason had a certain fondness for Lily, but it was strictly professional goodwill, not romance.

“Oh? Is it important?” Jason asked, looking up from his screens.

“They claim to have discovered a major secret regarding the Noah spaceship,” Lily said, her face serious. “They insist your presence is mandatory.”

Jason’s expression shifted instantly. If it was related to the nature of Noah, he had to go.

The technological sophistication of this spaceship was baffling: the artificial gravity, the expanded spatial geometry, the constant mass, the indestructible hull. This series of phenomena was practically magic to their current understanding. If even one of these secrets could be unraveled, humanity’s technological level would experience a quantum leap.

Of course, Jason felt that was unlikely to happen so soon…

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