Chapter 4 Alien Star

　　—Sometimes appearance and essence stand in direct opposition. Outwardly vibrant with life and peace, yet inwardly fraught with deadly peril and crisis.

　　The Kuafu spacecraft entered the atmosphere.

　　“Jiuquan Launch Center, Jiuquan Launch Center, this is Kuafu. This is Kuafu. We have entered the atmosphere. Please respond.” Yang Zhiyuan called the ground control center repeatedly, yet received no reply.

　　Through the observation windows the company beheld a deepblue planet.

　　Veiled in white clouds, it resembled a beautiful maiden draped in a white gauze, at once mysterious and strangely unfamiliar.

　　The vessel circled the planet, descending gradually.

　　White clouds drifted across the sky; the surface below was a continuous expanse of green. Those clouds, like sheep with lowered heads grazing upon the meadow, appeared indolent and scattered, yet remained ever vigilant—ready to scatter at the slightest disturbance.

　　The ship pierced the cloud layer, and a continent came into view: an endless green expanse.

　　“This is not Earth. This is certainly not Earth,” murmured the experienced navigator Yang Zhiyuan. “Radar indicates the planet is far smaller than Earth, possessing only a single landmass of modest size; nearly the entire globe is covered by ocean. Where in the universe are we?”

　　The others exchanged glances.

　　Having already entered the atmosphere of an unknown deepblue world, the only course was to land first and assess the situation afterward.

　　The spacecraft continued to reduce speed. Through the windows the landscape below grew steadily clearer: boundless green, continuous forests and grasslands, lakes and rivers scattered like stars…

　　It was a planet of extraordinary beauty—mountains and plains, rivers and lakes, abundant flora and fauna, plentiful water. They were about to embark upon a mysterious journey.

　　“Look! Golden light ahead!” Zhou Ke suddenly exclaimed.

　　Indeed, in the distance rose a structure resembling a pyramid.

　　The pyramid stood majestic, like a colossal golden Buddha; under the sunlight it reflected a dazzling golden radiance, resplendent and blinding.

　　The pyramid now lay directly beneath the ship.

　　Looking down, the company saw that it stood at the center of a city. Radiating outward from the pyramid like the spokes of a wheel were several roads.

　　Within the city dark points moved—apparently humanoid beings. These creatures seemed to have noticed the Kuafu in the sky; they raised their hands to shield their eyes and pointed upward, gesturing and discussing.

　　Suddenly a powerful beam shot from the pyramid’s apex and struck the Kuafu squarely.

　　Instrument panels instantly flashed red.

　　“We are under attack!” Yang Zhiyuan cried. “First Officer Zhou, primary and secondary propulsion systems offline. Emergency activation of backup system three. We must locate a landing site for an emergency descent.”

　　“Understood.” Zhou pressed the console buttons, yet the ship did not correct its attitude. “Captain Yang, backup system three has also been disabled; it cannot be engaged.”

　　The vessel coasted forward on residual momentum, like a kite whose string has snapped, swaying unsteadily from side to side.

　　“Captain, radar shows a relatively large, flat open area fifteen hundred kilometers ahead. We should attempt an emergency landing there.”

　　“Very well. We have no other choice.”

　　Gliding on residual energy, the Kuafu managed to reach the destination—a level plain rich with water and vegetation, beside a large lake. The landing gear was extended, and the ship settled safely beside the water.

　　Inside, the crew remained shaken.

　　“First Officer Zhou, report the exterior oxygen content, temperature, and related data of this planet.”

　　“Received, Captain.” Zhou replied, “Instruments indicate atmospheric oxygen at twentynine percent, no hazardous elements present, current exterior temperature twenty degrees Celsius—suitable for human survival.”

　　An emergency council was convened at once. The following consensus was reached:

　　1. This is an unknown planet. En route back to Earth the ship encountered some anomaly that brought them here.

　　2. An advanced civilization exists upon this world. The beam fired from the pyramid instantly disabled the propulsion systems, demonstrating formidable power.

　　3. Repair the propulsion systems as swiftly as possible and escape this planet.

　　All agreed on the urgency of repairing the drive systems. The scientific contingent, however, argued that having arrived upon an unknown yet habitable world presented a rare opportunity; they should exit the vessel for a brief scientific survey.

　　The flight crew maintained that the recent attack proved the presence of a highly aggressive advanced civilization; any extravehicular activity carried enormous risk. The ship should be repaired and departure effected with all possible speed.

　　Deadlocked, the crew side ultimately yielded, permitting Wang Yue, Zheng Ya, Su Ziqi, Dong Yifeng, Bao Mingkai, and Huamei—six in total—to exit first for a short stay and preliminary investigation. Captains Yang Zhiyuan and Zhou Ke would remain aboard to repair the propulsion systems.

　　Before departure the careful Wang Yue asked: “Captain Yang, is it possible that the advanced civilization within that pyramid will continue to pursue us?”

　　“Professor Wang’s reminder is well taken. I shall activate the ship’s cloaking system at once.” Yang nodded. “In addition, those exiting must carry personal defense weapons as a precaution.”

　　By 2069, spacecraft cloaking technology had advanced to ecological invisibility: the vessel could blend seamlessly into the surrounding environment, remaining undetectable by naked eye or radar.

　　The hatch opened and the six stepped out. They wore light spacesuits without helmets, each carrying a laser sidearm and a backpack of supplies.

　　Looking upward, they saw that this world, like Earth, possessed a single star hanging in the daytime sky. Judging by its position, it was morning.

　　To the naked eye the star appeared fully one size larger than the Sun as seen from Earth.

　　Beneath their feet the grass was soft. Nearby clumps of plants resembled chives, bearing pink blossoms that drooped toward the ground and nodded in the breeze as though welcoming the visitors.

　　The exterior temperature was ideal, the air fresh. Excitement and delight filled them at having reached so hospitable an alien world.

　　By 2069 human manned craft had visited every corner of the solar system; footprints remained upon Enceladus and Titan, yet neither was suitable for human habitation.

　　Mars, though terraformed and hosting permanent bases, still required protective gear; life there remained inconvenient.

　　This planet, by contrast, so closely resembled Earth—except that its oxygen content exceeded terrestrial levels, producing at first a sensation of oxygen intoxication.

　　Beside the ship lay a lake; opposite rose a high mountain, the water nestled at its foot.

　　Lightfooted, the group approached the shore—a stretch of sand free of grass. A gentle breeze stirred ripples across the surface.

　　“Is this liquid water?” Professor Dong Yifeng extended a measuring probe into the lake. “Indeed it is liquid water, and free of any harmful elements—natural mineral water!”

　　At this the others cupped their hands and drank.

　　This wondrous world possessed fresh air and cool, sweet water—the fundamental conditions for carbonbased life.

　　After the long interstellar voyage, the inexplicable diversion onto an unknown planet, and the sudden attack that forced an emergency landing, all were physically and mentally exhausted.

　　Emerging now upon so vibrant and beautiful a world—lake and sky merging in one hue, a soft breeze upon their faces, and the mild intoxication of excess oxygen—they shed the burdens of ordinary life and found a moment of repose and peace.

　　Wang Yue, Zheng Ya, and Su Ziqi removed their boots and played barefoot at the water’s edge.

　　Dong Yifeng and Bao Mingkai sat upon the lakeside grass; Bao lit his pipe, Dong smoked a cigarette. Both had removed their footwear and dangled their feet in the water while conversing. Huamei sat beside them, gazing at the lake.

　　Everything was perfect; the years seemed serene.

　　While the company still reveled in the scenery, Huamei suddenly noticed a strange eye floating upon the water beside Bao Mingkai’s right foot. The eye, fishlike, drifted slowly, stealthily approaching his foot.

　　In an instant a piercing scream rang out. All turned toward the sound and saw Bao Mingkai leap half a meter into the air before falling heavily back onto the shore.