Chapter 15: The Rare Earth Expedition Corps

Words : 1530 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Since Einstein shattered the concept of absolute mass and absolute energy, concluding that mass and energy could be converted into each other, humanity’s research in this area has never ceased. The atomic bomb and hydrogen bomb are prime examples. In essence, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion are merely different methods of converting mass into energy, with nuclear fusion being slightly more efficient. In this field of study, Xiao Yu could be considered as standing on the shoulders of giants. With the cumulative research achievements of all humanity as his foundation, coupled with the direct guidance of the great natural mentor from Jupiter, Xiao Yu was confident in overcoming the technical barriers to controlled nuclear fusion. Five hundred kilometers away from his base, Xiao Yu established another small base and used the Fengshen-1 helicopter to transport fifty specially designed robots to this site for research purposes. This facility was a dedicated controlled nuclear fusion research center. Although Xiao Yu had significant confidence in mastering this technology, risk assessment was still necessary. If a fusion reactor were to explode, the resulting devastation could obliterate the base Xiao Yu had painstakingly constructed. Extracting pre-prepared materials like deuterium and tritium from his old spaceship, Xiao Yu began intensive research. Meanwhile, in another direction approximately 1,000 kilometers away from Xiao Yu, a faint light suddenly appeared in the vast darkness of the night, followed by a second and a third—ultimately, there were seven lights. This was a small prospecting team. The seven robots, equipped with sufficient instruments, had arrived to conduct an on-site investigation of a rare earth mineral deposit in the area. Behind the robot team, a half-dome-shaped, peculiar aircraft emitted a roaring sound. With a powerful jet of air from its underside, the entire aircraft quickly lifted off and flew toward the base. Having completed its transportation mission, the Fengshen-1 was returning home. On the ground, in the pitch-black night, only the seven lonely robots remained, taking their odd, deliberate steps forward. Xiao Yu divided a fraction—one billionth—of his consciousness and monitored the scene through the night vision devices of the seven robots. The terrain remained relatively flat, with no significant undulations. The geography here was essentially consistent with the rest of Titan. One robot slowly bent down, its spotlight illuminating the ground in a bright patch. A large section of orange-red soil was photographed and transmitted to Xiao Yu’s mind via satellite. Xiao Yu issued the next action command. The robot extended its right hand, and a shovel emerged from its palm. It scooped a small sample of soil, then moved its head closer to the sample. A strange red light emanated from its eyes as it began analyzing the material. The other six robots dispersed in different directions. One robot walked 1,000 meters before stopping. It crouched down, extending a probe from its arm, which it drove into the ground. Xiao Yu watched intently. The probe drilled deeper—one meter, two meters, three meters... Finally, at a depth of five meters, it stopped. The robot began retracting the probe slowly. At the bottom of the probe, it carried samples extracted from five meters beneath Titan’s surface. The robot moved its head closer, and its eyes glowed red as it started analyzing the minerals. Meanwhile, 1,000 kilometers away, Xiao Yu was receiving the data in real time. The field survey continued for two days. The seven robots surveyed an area of roughly five square kilometers. After compiling the data gathered by all seven robots, Xiao Yu took a deep breath: “This... this is an extraordinarily rich deposit! Such abundant reserves, and so easily extractable—mineral veins like this are rare even on Earth!” Moreover, the most important thing was that not far from this mineral vein lay a medium-sized methane lake. This meant Xiao Yu could obtain an energy supply locally, requiring only periodic oxygen replenishment. Such conditions were truly exceptional. This discovery filled Xiao Yu with immense joy. In fact, this discovery immediately solidified Xiao Yu’s decision to establish an industrial base near this high-quality rare earth mineral deposit. Xiao Yu was no longer in the same position as when he was struggling and wandering helplessly through the stars. With Titan’s virtually unlimited energy supply and open-pit high-quality metal veins, there was no need to worry about energy or material sources. Establishing an industrial base was merely a matter of time and effort. The main base was Base One, the controlled nuclear fusion research center was Base Two, and this location would become Base Three. During this time, ten additional robot production lines became operational. Now, over seventy robots were produced daily. If not for the scarcity of certain metal materials, Xiao Yu could have increased this production rate to 120 robots per day. Of course, this “day” referred to Earth’s time—a day lasting 24 hours. “One mustn’t forget one’s roots. Even after leaving Earth, I can’t forget where I came from,” Xiao Yu remarked. “For this mineral vein, I’ll have to temporarily halt the production of less critical equipment... Hmm, I’ll also need to design and manufacture specialized mining equipment for this rare earth deposit. Furthermore, there’s no iron ore in the area, so I’ll need to prepare construction materials for the factories.” Xiao Yu drafted a schedule, planning to complete all preparations within two months. Amidst the rumble of machines and the bustling activity of robots, countless strange and varied mechanical devices were manufactured and gathered at a temporary storage site on the outskirts of the base. Fortunately, Xiao Yu now had upgraded capabilities, with the powerful computational support provided by the photon computer. Without it, these massive data calculations would have overwhelmed him. Inside the vast computer room, countless red and blue indicator lights flickered constantly. The faint white mist rising from the liquid hydrogen cooling pool was a testament to the intense heat generated by Xiao Yu’s “brain.” At least dozens of robots moved back and forth within the room, busily managing routine tasks. After two full months, Xiao Yu completed all preparations. At the temporary storage site, a large contingent of robots stood in neat rows, pulling various simple carts piled with countless materials and large machinery. “Rare Earth Expedition Corps, march out!” At this moment, Xiao Yu shouted the slogan with extraordinary pride. The so-called Rare Earth Expedition Corps consisted of a thousand robots, including construction robots, mining robots, flamethrower robots, and maintenance robots, as well as various rare earth mining equipment, a vast array of building materials, and the Fengshen-1 helicopter. Due to the sheer volume of materials, Xiao Yu couldn’t rely solely on the Fengshen-1 for transportation. Thus, he formed what he called the Rare Earth Expedition Corps, which was essentially a convoy of transport vehicles. The Fengshen-1 helicopter served as their navigator. With Xiao Yu’s order, a thousand robots began moving simultaneously, pulling their carts as they marched forward. Large wheeled machinery automatically activated and followed closely behind the main contingent. Equipped with basic computational devices, these machines could move wherever Xiao Yu directed them with ease. The massive convoy set out, kicking up dust as they went. To Xiao Yu’s dissatisfaction, the scene didn’t quite match the grand and heroic imagery he had envisioned. “Small places are just small places. Nothing here compares to Earth,” Xiao Yu muttered, already preparing the next batch of transport materials. In this convoy, each robot carried tons of materials—an unimaginable feat on Earth. However, on Titan, where gravity was less than one-sixth of Earth’s, every robot seemed superhumanly strong. Dozens of flamethrower robots carried strange, heavy tanks on their backs and wielded large flamethrowers. They led the convoy, continuously clearing the path by vaporizing small liquid methane lakes in their way. Overhead, the Fengshen-1 helicopter hovered low, roaring as it guided the convoy under Xiao Yu’s control. The enormous robot convoy advanced in an orderly fashion, undeterred by rain, wind, or darkness. The Rare Earth Expedition Corps pressed forward, vowing to illuminate this dark corner of the solar system with the light of technology. The convoy moved at an average speed of 25 kilometers per hour. As long as their energy supply remained sufficient, the robots required no rest. At this pace, they were expected to reach their destination in about two days. Encountering a small mountain range and a large lake along the way forced the Rare Earth Expedition Corps to detour slightly, causing some delay. Nevertheless, they reached the rare earth deposit 47 hours after departure. By this time, it was dawn at the mining site. The faint sunlight, having traveled over 1.7 billion kilometers, pierced through Titan’s thick atmosphere and illuminated the Rare Earth Expedition Corps. Amid the dawn, a thousand robots stood on the orange-red ground, surrounded by countless supplies and heavy machinery. Overhead, the massive Fengshen-1 helicopter circled continuously, its searchlights arrogantly sweeping in all directions. Only after confirming the Corps’ safe arrival did it emit a low rumble and depart. When the sun reached its zenith, marking noon, the robots and machinery completed their rest and inspection. Then, they began their work. Construction of Base Three had officially commenced.

Chapter 15: The Rare Earth Expedition Corps

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