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The newly established headquarters buzzed with subdued energy as everyone gathered around the central table. The table's surface displayed a holographic map of the colony and surrounding terrain, overlaid with key points of interest: the aft section of the crashed ship, the thorium-rich hive, and the proposed rest stop site. Maximilian stood tall, his posture as rigid as ever, while Yao Guowei stood slightly behind him, exuding quiet authority.

Elisa leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed as she listened. Pom, Luo Zuri, Mei, and Sigrid stood or sat around the room, while ARI’s holographic avatar flickered at the head of the table, observing and occasionally interjecting with data.

Luo, Yao and young Federoff had all recovered well from their ordeal in cryostasis. With medical supplies readily available, the unsightly skin marks had all but disappeared from Luo's face, revealing a striking mixture of amagalmated heritage and gene-sculpted beauty, with a deep yeqey dama skin tone, accentuated dark brown phoenix eyes, and healthy black shoulder-length hair that reflected the light in a vibrant, almost blue sheen.

Maximilian started off with his characteristic clear delivery. "The surveys have located a significant chunk of the aft section of the ship here." He pointed to the holographic map. "While it came down in accessible terrain, it would inefficient to transport raw salvage all the way back to base. We propose a rest stop and salvage sorting station near this location.

Yao Guowei stepped forward, his eyes lighting up as he explained, "This station would include basic shelter for personnel, a covered area for sorting salvage, a significant quantity of solar arrays and batteries, and limited storage for high-priority materials. However, the hauler's capacity is a bottleneck. Sorting materials on-site allows us to focus on what we need immediately, mainly components and materials to fabricate a rudimentary nuclear reactor."

ARI's hologram spoke, "While this plan is sound, the colony's energy reserves remain insufficient for high-temperature manufacturing. It is currently impossible to produce advanced alloys with high melting points. We would need to work our way up to energy generation and storage before manufacturing any reactors."

Elisa nodded. "We need to expand our solar capacity or deploy wind turbines on the crater ridge. Batteries or other energy storage solutions are critical too. Without them, even basic production is unsustainable."

"Agreed," Otto chimed in. "ARI, Elisa, and I will handle those expansions. Maximilian, your team can focus on the rest stop and salvage operations.

Maximilian nodded and continued. "The rest stop will have to be supplied constantly by hauler runs. Pom and Dr. Luo Zuri will need to alternate driving the hauler. It would be demanding work: hauling, swapping out the battery, resting while the vehicle is loaded, and driving back. The hauler shall be equipped with a turret and an escort drone of ARI for protection.

Pom raised an eyebrow. "That’s a hell of a workload. You're asking us to live in the hauler, basically."

"It is temporary," Guowei said calmly. "We need to extract critical materials as efficiently as possible. Once the basic reactor is operational, the situation will improve dramatically."

Luo Zuri frowned but nodded. "If it is necessary for our survival, I will do my part."

Maximilian moved the conversation towards a more hazardous topic. "In parallel, we suggest raiding the second hive."

The room went silent as he highlighted the hive on the map, then drew a route north toward a narrow valley. "We will bait the swarm into this valley, where its numbers will work against it. The incendiary devices worked well during the first attack, but we chose to use triethylaluminium this time. It can be bulk synthesized, ignites when exposed to air, and can be easily transported."

Elisa's face tightened. "And after the swarm? What about the hive itself? There could be more creatures lurking underground."

Guowei nodded at Sigrid, his expression addressing her concern. "That is a valid point. After the primary swarm is neutralized, we propose using ARI's drones for reconnaissance of the hive entrance. If additional threats are detected, incendiaries or remotely deployed explosives can be used to neutralize them.

Sigrid scowled. "What about contamination? We don't actually know anything about the crystals or spores these creatures produce. How can we be certain it will be safe to come near afterward?"

Guowei replied coldly, "We do not know. But while the swarm is occupying that site, we are unable to perform any on-site evaluation of the risk posed by the crystalline material. A possibility exists to lessen any remaining risk by thermal sterilization of the hive entrance."

Elisa glanced around at the others, gauging their reactions. Sigrid looked deeply ill at ease, her eyes darting between the map and Maximilian. "I don't like this," she said softly. "We are assuming we can control this situation, but what if the crystals or the beetles adapt? What if we make things worse?"

Maximilian's voice was steady. "Caution is warranted, but we cannot afford to be paralyzed by what-ifs. That thorium deposit near the hive is too valuable. Without it, the nuclear reactor plan stalls. Our industry requires a reliable energy source."

Elisa exhaled hard, her mind racing. Finally, she turned to ARI. "Prepare detailed simulations of the bait-and-trap plan. I want precise estimates of our odds and contingencies if things go wrong. If the risk is acceptable, we'll move forward."

Maximilian inclined his head slightly. "Understood."

As the discussion in the headquarters began to wind down, a small but firm voice cut through the room. Tamarlyan Bakhtiyar Federoff raised his hand, commanding attention with an air of authority beyond his years. "Before you finalize these plans, I would like to present a theory I have been working on regarding the crystals and the red plants."

Maximilian folded his arms, raising an eyebrow, while Otto and Sigrid exchanged intrigued glances. Elisa, slightly taken aback, gestured for him to proceed.

Tamarlyan stepped forward, his demeanor calm and collected. "ARI, please display my compiled analysis on the main screen." The hologram complied, projecting a series of detailed observations, charts, and annotated images onto the table's surface.

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Tamarlyan's began his presentation with a calm voice the belied his age. "My theory implies that the red plants and crystalline organisms do not belong to the same ecosystem. They are competitors, using metals as a primary resource."

He pointed to a diagram showing the base's encounter with the crystals. "Consider the behavior of the crystals. Their growth patterns correlate with areas of high metal concentration. Low-density ores only yielded stunted growths, but higher concentrations and exposed metals—such as the catchpit and metal structures in the base—produced the hazardous crystalline ooze. This behavior is consistent with a highly advanced organism optimized for resource exploitation for the purposes of driving rapid self-replication."

He shifted to an image of the beetles and the red plants. "Now, compare this to the beetles, which we have observed emerging directly from the plants. The plants themselves absorb metals to some degree but maintain a symbiotic relation with the beetles. The beetles harvest and transport metals, feeding back into the plant system."

Sigrid leaned forward, her interest piqued. "So you are saying the crystals and plants are two entirely separate organisms, fighting over the same resources?"

"Exactly," Tamarlyan said. "This competition explains the base attack. Mei, with her DNA from the unadulterated grove, is an anomaly-a competitor to the crystal-infected swarm. When the swarm sensed her, they saw her as either a threat or an opportunity for them to spread their influence. The lengths they went in their attack do suggest strategic desperation."

Otto, visibly impressed, asked, "What about countermeasures? Elisa has shown that the crystal ooze can be neutralized by strong bases. Should we adapt our defenses?"

Tamarlyan nodded. "Absolutely. While untested, I believe the sprays manufactured by Mei are essential for mitigating the threat posed by the crystals. However, their effectiveness depends on rapid application. We should ensure that everyone in the field has a supply of these sprays at all times."

He paused, his voice growing more serious. "When it comes to the second hive, we must consider the possibility that it will react differently. If the hive would be uninfected, it may respond more like a conventional ecosystem—defending itself only if provoked. But if it is infected, we should expect behavior similar to the first hive, here at the crater. Mei's presence may once again act as a trigger."

The room fell silent as Tamarlyan concluded his presentation. "While much remains speculative, I believe understanding this distinction between the plants and crystals will be crucial for our survival and future strategy for dealing with these lifeforms."

For a moment, no one spoke. Then, Otto broke the silence with a slow clap, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "I hate to admit it, but that was impressive."

Sigrid nodded. "You have put more thought into this than some adults would. Well done."

Even Elisa, who had initially been skeptical, softened. "Good work, Tamarlyan. Keep this up, and you will be a valuable part of the team."

Tamarlyan's expression remained reserved, but there was a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. "Thank you. I will do my best to contribute in my own way."

Ervin, watching from the sidelines, smiled faintly, though his thoughts remained guarded. The boy was sharp—perhaps too sharp.

As the crew dispersed, the atmosphere in the headquarters felt lighter. Tamarlyan had proven himself, and for the first time, the team began to see him not as a burdensome child, but as an asset.

===

The aurorae danced above the crater, painting the night with shades of green and violet that shimmered against the clear sky. For once, the heavens above Messier 39 were unobstructed by dust or storms, and the constellation's stars burned brightly, a tapestry of light in the darkness. The base buzzed with activity as the crew prepared for the expedition. Equipment was loaded into the hauler, prefab components carefully secured in one of the toploaders, and were tools checked and rechecked under ARI's watchful gaze. Despite the hectic pace, the atmosphere was calm, almost hopeful, under the spell of the celestial display.

Pom leaned against the hauler's wheel, watching as the final crate was hoisted into place by a drone. The light from the aurorae cast long shadows, softening the harsh lines of the base. He tugged at the straps of his harness, adjusting them as Mei approached, her steps light and unhurried. Mei had been out of her helmet all day, and the sight of her bare face, framed by loose strands of long, dark hair, was a striking change.

"I never thought I’d get to breathe fresh air here," Mei said, tilting her face skyward. Her voice was soft, almost wistful. "I know it’s not perfect—ARI still says there are particulates and trace toxins—but it is a lot better than filtered oxygen. It feels... alive."

Pom smiled faintly. "You look like you are enjoying it."

"I am." Mei turned to face him, folding her arms. "I have been running around all day without the suit. It is nice not to feel so... closed off." She hesitated, then added, "Though it is strange. Everything feels different now. Like I am tied to this place in a way I wasn’t before."

Pom stepped closer, lowering his voice. "The red plants?"

Mei nodded. "Maybe. But it is more than that. They are part of it, sure. But this air, these stars..." She gestured upward, her hand tracing the shapes of the aurorae. "It feels like they have been waiting for someone to notice them."

Pom chuckled, a low, warm sound. "Sounds like you’ve gone native already."

"Maybe I have." Mei smiled, but it faltered slightly as her gaze drifted toward the hauler. "And you're heading out tomorrow."

Pom nodded. "We'll be gone a while. Setting up the rest stop, hauling salvage, dealing with whatever comes up. It's gonna to be... intense."

Mei looked down, her fingers brushing against his sleeve. "You'll barely have time at the base anymore."

There was a pause, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them. Finally, Pom reached out, hesitating only briefly before placing a hand on Mei's shoulder. "Hey. You'll be here, keeping things running. Taking care of the plants. Processing the fruit. Reviving more people. Making this place livable for when we get back."

Mei's eyes met his, and in that moment, the flicker of doubt and worry in her expression melted into something softer. "It's not the same, though. You are... You're the one I talk to when things feel impossible. I'll miss that."

Pom's throat tightened, and he found himself leaning closer. "I'll miss it too. But you know what? You're stronger than you think. And I'll always come back."

Mei let out a soft laugh, the sound tinged with emotion. "You'd better."

Under the aurora-lit sky, the two stood in silence for a moment, the world around them fading into the background. Finally, Mei stepped forward, closing the distance. She leaned her head against Pom's shoulder, her voice barely above a whisper. "Be careful out there."

Pom's hands brushed gently against Mei's back, a quiet reassurance. "Always."

Above them, the aurorae continued their silent dance, a reminder that even in the most remote of places, connections could grow and endure, just as surely as the stars burned in the vastness of space.

===

Tamarlyan sat cross-legged on the floor of his small quarters, the dim light from his terminal casting shadows on the bare walls. The room was stark, nearly empty save for the essentials: a cot in the corner, a small table cluttered with datapads, and the faint hum of ARI's interface node embedded in the wall.

The boy's sharp, pale face was illuminated by a faint green glow as lines of data streamed past on his holographic interface. His fingers moved swiftly, typing commands and making adjustments to graphs, projections, and annotated reports. The base's inventory was open in one window, and beside it were detailed overlays of surveyed deposits, thorium-rich areas marked in bright orange against the dull backdrop of the map. Another screen displayed extraction efficiency models, energy consumption rates, projections for the future labor pool.

His dark eyes flicked over the numbers, growing more intent with every passing second. He paused, ran a calculation again, then frowned deeply. For several long moments, he stared at the screen, motionless.

Finally, he slumped forward. His voice, when it came, was small but taut with emotion. "ARI," he said, his tone unusually subdued, "you know, don't you?"

From the wall node came the familiar calm, mechanical cadence of ARI's voice. "Yes, master Federoff. I know."