Chapter 4: Shatter This Universe

4. Piercing Through This Universe

A soothing melody roused Tang Xiao from his sleep. He opened his eyes, looked at his surroundings—which remained exactly as they had been—and scratched his head. It seemed he really couldn't go back.

【Administrator, I apologize for disturbing you, but there is a matter of great importance that requires your decision.】 Qi Jian’s voice came through the communicator at his side.

Tang Xiao ignored him, instead rising from the bed and walking to the bathroom. He had the Mainframe set the water temperature to freezing once again, then splashed his face vigorously.

He braced his hands against the vanity, looking up at his own reflection, pale from the icy water, his teeth clenched tight. After a long while, he stood up abruptly, put on his clothes, and said, "Mainframe! Lead the way. To the bridge!"

"Administrator, I apologize for the intrusion." Upon arriving at the bridge command center, Qi Jian bowed respectfully to Tang Xiao.

"Speak."

"The engineering team has established two mining stations near the gas giant. While you were resting, they already returned with two shipments of Helium-3 and completed the refining process. We are now capable of launching more spacecraft, especially the transport ships needed to shuttle between Dawn Planet and the mothership," Qi Jian reported.

"Continue."

"And... the reconnaissance team has sent back their report. They have preliminarily selected 17 landing sites. We can choose one of them to begin the landing." At this point, Qi Jian’s tone trembled slightly as he projected an interface for Tang Xiao.

"Landing sites? Is it necessary to come to me specifically for this?" Tang Xiao asked, feeling a bit strange.

Qi Jian replied solemnly, "Administrator, this first colony will very likely become our capital in the future. I... I dare not make such a decision on my own..."

Tang Xiao nodded. He raised his finger, just about to tap the screen, when he caught sight of Qi Jian’s complex expression.

In those eyes were anticipation, pride, and a hint of unease. His fists were clenched tight and trembling slightly, as he struggled to control his excitement. It wasn't just him; the others on the bridge were the same.

A chill ran through Tang Xiao’s heart. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. 600,000 people... and perhaps 5 billion more to come... With a single tap of his finger, he would determine their starting point.

He looked back at the screen, carefully comparing the landing sites this time. The knowledge that had been crammed into his mind like stuffing a goose surged forth like a floodgate opening.

Combining the knowledge he had acquired, he selected an area near mountains and water with vast grasslands. Pointing to the spot, he told Qi Jian, "Right here. The latitude is moderate, and there are water sources nearby. There is also a hill about 100 meters high that can serve as a defensive vantage point. First, deploy 20 marines to land, establish a defensive line, and immediately begin construction of the residential area."

"Yes! Administrator! This will be our first colony! It is our first step into this universe!!" Qi Jian was somewhat emotional and immediately began delegating the tasks.

Once the landing site was determined, work began on all fronts. The people in the cryo-pods were experts in various fields, and the administrative staff began to perform their respective functions; Tang Xiao did not need to guide every minute detail.

Soon, a transport ship carrying 20 marines and 50 construction workers took off from the mothership and descended toward Dawn Planet. The marines fanned out to drive away wildlife and set up positioning beacons, while the construction workers began organizing their mechanized engineering exoskeletons.

"Beacon signal is normal, Administrator. You may move the mothership into synchronous orbit," Qi Jian said after confirming the signal from the beacons.

Tang Xiao nodded and told the operators at the bridge console, "Enter synchronous orbit with Dawn Planet. Keep the mothership directly above the beacons at all times. Mainframe, provide assistance."

【Understood.】

The engines of the 41,300-meter-tall Kushan mothership roared to life. An immense force propelled the 370-billion-ton behemoth forward, descending into the outer gravitational sphere of Dawn Planet before matching the planet's rotation speed.

As it approached the orbit of Dawn Planet, the sheer mass of the mothership triggered several magnitude 3 to 5 earthquakes and groundwater eruptions on the planet's surface.

Once in the designated orbit, the mothership required minimal power to maintain its position, relying on the centripetal force of the planet's rotation and inertia. Staying synchronized with the ground beacons, a hatch in the center of the mothership opened, and an orbital drop pod was launched.

As the disposable drop pod hit the atmosphere, the friction caused the surrounding air to ignite. To those on the ground, it looked like a falling meteor. Just before impact, the pod’s retro-thrusters fired, spewing roaring flames to help it land smoothly.

The construction workers, who had been waiting nearby, immediately moved in to open the pod and assemble the modular housing made of ultra-light materials. The shell of the drop pod served as the exterior walls of the building. In less than 20 minutes, a two-story house was completed.

The mothership continued to drop buildings at a rate of one every 10 minutes—housing, solar and wind power facilities, water purification systems, and more.

Tang Xiao also began waking up farmers and maintenance workers from the 600,000 cryo-sleepers, sending them down to Dawn Planet via transport ships. He even appointed a man named Graham from among them as the village chief. For now, this small colony of less than a hundred people was, in every sense, just a small village.

Once the start was made, everything proceeded in an orderly rhythm. Tang Xiao stretched and stood up, looking at the busy people below, his mood still somewhat heavy.

Gazing at the vast universe outside the porthole on the other side, Tang Xiao walked over involuntarily. Seeing the stars, which were likely countless light-years away, he thought back to the inexplicable dream that had likely caused his transmigration. He touched the cold porthole as if touching those distant stars, and a flame began to burn within his heart.

Returning to his seat, Tang Xiao ordered, "Mainframe, pull up the data I need. I have many things to do."

【Understood, Administrator.】

He had somewhat resigned himself to his fate, sensing that he truly could not go back. If that was the case, if he continued to live in a daze, then perhaps one day, when the Star Destroyers arrived, he would still be left with nothing.

Moreover, after seeing the fervent and expectant eyes of Qi Jian and the others, Tang Xiao understood that he could not let them down. And... if this mothership was truly the reward given by this so-called destiny... then...

Tang Xiao sat back in the command chair and opened the colonial plan entries to review them. He needed to understand what difficulties he would face and how to solve them. The most important thing to understand right now was how to build a colony.

In an unknown environment, rapid development and establishing a firm power base was always the optimal choice.

Suppressing his confusion and unease, Tang Xiao clicked on an entry titled "Interstellar Colony Construction Guide" and began flipping through the files.

His gaze gradually began to burn with intensity!

This is mine... it’s all mine! That countless technology! Those countless talents! With such a foundation, I should...

That’s right...

I should pierce through this universe!!

【Easter Egg Image 1: "Homeworld" Mothership】

(End of chapter)