A Brief History of Human Sadness

Part 13

The medical cabin is located at the deepest part of the base's architectural structure. This design is intended to mitigate the potential impact of earthquakes or violent storms. Equipped with an artificial intelligence system, it can diagnose most known diseases, prescribe medications, operate surgical instruments with precision, and even create rehabilitation plans for patients. Generally, astronauts are very healthy and have minimal chances of requiring medication or surgical treatment. Among them, X stands out, both physically and mentally. However, at this moment, she sits on the scanning platform in the medical cabin, looking anxious, seemingly awaiting a possible unfortunate outcome.

The artificial intelligence system emits a prompt sound and reads out a voice message. After hearing the content, X visibly relaxes, although she still seems uneasy. She glances once again at the displayed information on the interface to confirm the fact:

"Test Result: HCG Negative."

She breathes a sigh of relief, exits the medical cabin, and her face returns to its usual calm demeanor.

With only ten days left until the arrival of visitors from Earth and the construction of the new base nearing completion, X hasn't mentioned the unexpected incident from that night, and Y, of course, doesn't dare to ask. He is simply puzzled by the subtlety of human desires and the coldness of reason. Although he was aware of the special nature of this mission beforehand, scientists always design corresponding psychological or physiological experimental topics for each mission. It's not unusual. Despite the advancement of material civilization, human understanding of itself is still far from sufficient. How can we surpass other species and become God's favorites? Y has always believed that people like X represent a higher stage of human evolution: absolute rationality, high self-discipline, almost unaffected by desires and emotions. Even after the last incident, he still firmly believes in this.

It's late at night on Planet C1T-017. The recommended rest time in the mission manual has long passed, but the base voltage and satellite communication have been unstable recently, showing signs similar to those before a solar electromagnetic storm. So when X enters the living quarters, Y is still sitting in front of the control console, checking relevant data. Perhaps influenced by the test results just now, she unusually takes the initiative to speak to him: "It's late. We have to go there again tomorrow. Rest."

"I'll be done soon," Y replies, trying to maintain a calm tone and restrain himself from saying anything unnecessary, just as he has reminded himself in the past few days.

X doesn't speak further. Instead, she walks into the storage area. She stands in front of a row of shelves, staring at a collection box with a date label. Among them, there's a small ore, no larger than the palm of her hand, that changed her life forever — and perhaps the fate of all humanity. However, X doesn't feel particularly moved by this; to her, it's merely a job completed, signifying there will be more work in the future.

At this moment, she stands before this great discovery, just as she did yesterday and the day before, to carefully feel a strange existence. She noticed recently that this ore possesses a peculiar magnetic field, as if it broke through the radiation protection layer of the collection box and was sensed by her. Although her brain tells her it's impossible, her body's sensation is so real, beyond doubt. This inexplicable force, beyond all her knowledge, feels like some mysterious ancient presence in the universe trying to communicate with her in a way that transcends all human senses.

Every passing day, this indescribable feeling grows stronger. For some reason, she doesn't want to tell Y. Although regulations dictate that such abnormal situations must be reported to companions and even to Earth headquarters, something seems to guide X, telling her in a way beyond the wildest imagination : a secret is revealing itself to her,  and to her only.

X used to distrust intuition, considering it mere imagination without any scientific basis. But now she believes firmly. She begins to wonder if intuition comes from corners of the universe that science cannot yet explain, much like many mysteries regarding the essence of human existence. If this ore contains answers to some of these mysteries, she wants to be the first to know.

X doesn't care about this "selfishness." From childhood to now, she has long maintained indifference to others, already accustomed to the distance between herself and the world. Her self-discipline isn't motivated by moral constraints or shame but follows her own principles of thought and action.

Because of this, she never anticipated being overwhelmed by a force beyond reason. This mysterious ore seems to harbor astonishing truths about this planet and perhaps the entire universe. But what astonishes X isn't merely curiosity about the mysteries of existence. For the first time in her life, she's communicating with something beyond rationality, with another "being". And under its influence, she finds herself making unusually impulsive decisions.

X secretly rejoices that her "abnormal behavior" from a few days ago didn't result in consequences she didn't desire. As for Y's reaction, she's not worried at all. After all, everything here is her decision, including their relationship. Given that they are the only intelligent beings on Planet C1T-017, she could even say that she is the supreme ruler of this world.

However, at this moment, this incoming deity is unaware that she is very close to the greatest mystery of the universe.