Chapter Six: Visiting the Solar System

After meticulous observation and measurement, Kondon submitted a vast amount of data to Kos. As usual, Kos floated gently into Yanan’s office carrying the observation reports, and Yanan was eager to learn about Kos’s latest discoveries.

Yanan asked, “What new findings did this observation yield?”

Kos replied, “Through four-dimensional scanning, the spatial structure and topological principles of the pyramid on that blue planet are completely consistent with the architectural characteristics of the Tarl people. However, there is still not enough evidence to prove it was built by them. Inside, there is a highly advanced alarm system capable of recognizing various microwaves and transmitting signals both forward and backward in time. When our microwave signal touched this alarm, it may have relayed our signal to its creator. In other words, during our scan, the pyramid’s creator may have detected our probing activity.”

“Is there any other information?” asked Yanan.

Kos answered, “Inside the pyramid, there are several biological entities in suspended consciousness, and their external form and physiological structure are extremely similar to the life forms of the Tarl people. However, judging from their architectural art and the electromagnetic waves drifting into space, their technological level is quite backward and cannot be compared to the Tarl civilization. We even discovered some very primitive radio telescopes installed by them, which can indeed transmit and receive basic electromagnetic signals. Based on these observations, the intelligence of the creatures on this planet might be comparable to our mantis brethren. Although the life forms are singular, the variety is abundant.”

Yanan said, “Please leave all your observation data.”

Yanan realized the significance of the information Kos had gathered and decided to compile the data into quantum energy packets, sending them to Chief Aibot’s office.

After a careful analysis of the data sent by Yanan, Chief Aibot, with his rich governing experience and social insight, immediately understood the gravity of the situation. He summoned Yanan, the Director of the Space Administration, to discuss countermeasures. Historically, the Tarl and Quatpa peoples had waged many wars, each side claiming victories and defeats. The Chief’s greatest concern was that the Tarl might alter the genes of Earth’s life forms, exploit Earth’s resources—and indeed the entire solar system—to strengthen Tarl civilization, ultimately threatening the survival and development of the Quatpa.

At Chief Aibot’s behest, Yanan tasked Kos with assembling a team to visit the solar system. The core mission was to locate the origin and creator of the captured device, Voyager One, and to investigate the relationship between its creator and the Tarl people.

Following a series of deliberations, Yanan’s team reached a consensus and received the Chief’s approval. They resolved to directly visit the solar system and land on Earth to survey its environment and gather intelligence concerning the Tarl presence.

At midday on a planet without an atmosphere, where the surface temperature soared, the Quatpa people remained comfortable in such conditions. A three-tiered, cake-shaped spacecraft, as large as a basketball court, was parked in the center of a vast plaza. Yanan personally arrived to see off his subordinates. This time, Kos—experienced in interstellar travel—and the young Kondon led a team of three mantis assistants to visit the solar system and conduct an on-site survey of Earth. Free from gravity’s restraint, the team members floated lightly beside the ship, bidding Yanan a final farewell. After entering the craft, its top emitted a brilliant, multicolored beam that stretched ahead. The ship relied on this beam to carve a channel through space, providing the necessary pull; drawn by its light, it entered the darkness of the cosmos at superluminal speeds.

The team’s ultra-fast vessel would soon pass through the Kelter star system again.

Kos addressed the group, “Last time we passed Kelter, their military almost shot down our ship. This time, don’t worry! Our scientists have upgraded the ship with a new temporal function. When we enter the Kelter military’s detection zone, their surveillance and weapon systems will experience a reversal in the sequence of time. No matter how fast their weapons, they won’t have a chance to hit us.”

With that assurance, everyone confidently opened their instruments, using the opportunity to observe the legendary Kelter planet. The ship sped by so quickly that the members could not get a clear look at their target, but indeed, the vessel encountered no interference from Kelter forces.

Kondon’s superluminal ship crossed countless star systems, traversing the vast interstellar expanse from the inner regions of the Milky Way to its outer fringes—a long journey, inevitably tiring. The crew took turns piloting the ship, spending idle moments in conversation, which naturally drifted to the topic of the Tarl people.

A mantis assistant asked, “Director Yanan’s reason for surveying the solar system and landing on Earth is the Tarl people. If we are suddenly attacked by the Tarl when we enter the solar system and land, what should we do?”

Kos replied, “Rest assured, we have powerful support behind us. In two recent clashes, our Quatpa forces routed the Tarl army completely. Their leaders understand well what consequences provocation would bring.”

Another mantis asked, “Who is stronger, the Tarl or the Kelter?”

Kos answered, “The Tarl now surpass the Kelter in some advanced technologies. Their greatest achievement is the mysterious pyramid application system, and their research in the biological sciences—especially medicine—is exceptional. Their average lifespan is now five times what it once was, remarkable for such fragile life forms. Militarily, their biological and genetic weapons inspire fear. If we were to confront the Tarl directly, our black-hole weapon could annihilate their entire planet in an instant, but their genetic weapons could slowly drive all life on Quatpa into extinction through agony.”

A mantis asked, “Are the Tarl and Kelter the same species?”

Kos replied, “Their life forms are quite similar, especially their highly consistent deoxyribonucleic acid. Both are carbon-based and reproduce sexually, sharing fragile vitality. Yet they are distinct species. Every Tarl has gender and reproductive capacity, while among the Kelter, only the female chief or queen possesses such abilities, resembling the breeding patterns and social structure of ants or bees. Compared to the Tarl, the Kelter are slightly more resilient, due to their long evolutionary chain living on gaseous planets. Both share the weakness of being unable to process food themselves, needing to devour other organisms for energy and metabolism.”

Kondon interrupted Kos and the mantis, informing Kos, “Our ship alerts us: we are about to reach our destination. Please prepare yourselves.”

The Kos team’s ship had entered the Walter cloud at the edge of the solar system. After a brief rest and reorganization, Kondon piloted a small craft with three mantis assistants toward the core of the solar system, their final destination: Earth. Kos himself remained with the larger ship, conducting studies and measurements of the solar system’s physical structure from its outskirts.

This was the Quatpa people's first visit to the solar system and their inaugural landing on Earth—a development that boded ill for the Tarl. The Quatpa might uncover the secrets of Tarl authorities throughout the solar system, and the Tarl experts had already detected Quatpa’s interest in Earth. Given the Tarl civilization’s plan to settle on Earth, the Tarl authorities could not remain indifferent to this intrusion.