When the ship left the planet, Max had a vision of a large planet with several layers of metallic tubes forming a network around the planet, which served as protection. This technology could generate a field around the planet that would push it away in case of a crisis.
He controlled the ship and headed towards a large metallic ring that functioned as a hyperspace thruster, sending ships out of the solar system. As he approached, a light scanned the ship.
"Ship authorized for hyperspace use; choose destination."
Max looked at the map and chose a region: a small solar system with one sun, three planets, and several large asteroids.
"Choice approved, initiating hyperspace jump."
Max felt everything around him disappear. After a few minutes, everything returned to normal, and he saw the location. He was at a station used for hyperspace jumps.
He scanned the solar system to see which planet he would begin his exploration.
He sent the spacecraft to the densest planet, a small planet; it appeared to be eight thousand meters in diameter.
Due to the planet's composition, its gravity is slightly greater than that of planets of the same size, not far from the gravity of its star, 2 g.
Max requested an analysis of the planet to alter its atmosphere.
Summary of the Analysis: Planet 1.2g
A small, but extremely dense "Iron World".
The planet is 8,000 kilometers in diameter and has a gravity of 1.2 g. It is dense, metallic, and possesses a powerful magnetic shield.
The atmosphere: more "flattened" and dense. The air is more compressed near the surface.
Points to create the atmosphere:
CO₂ Control: Filter out the heavy volcanic gases that are "trapped" on the surface by gravity to prevent a lethal greenhouse effect.
Thermal Stabilization: Adjust the gases to retain heat, since small planets cool faster in a vacuum.
Max sent some construction robots to the planet to collect building materials, construct gas filters, and adjust the temperature.
In the lab, he began to think about his next step, which would be to dominate a solar system, contribute to the federation, and continue his research.
Upon arriving at the lab, he decided to make his first body modification: a filter. With the personal chip, he began analyzing the filters and chose the Alveolar Gas Converter.
It's a nanotechnology implant that coats the lungs, transforming any hostile atmosphere into life support. It filters toxins and heavy metals while breaking down complex molecules (like CO₂ or methane) to extract oxygen and generate thermal energy. Harmful byproducts are neutralized or converted into nutrients and mineral reinforcement for the body.
Max lay down on the workbench and began the modification, which went smoothly.
As he stretched, he felt great; it seemed like he was breathing like never before; he even felt more energetic.
He knew the price to pay when he started; it's hard to stop after the first implant. He began selecting plants that would go to the planet, those with high resistance to radiation and that could survive the gravity. After the selection,
Max began synthesizing seedlings of the selected plants.
A crimson grass has a high survival rate in nutrient-poor and hostile environments.
Next came the natural converter. The sky-blue grass. A grass that transforms everything around it in favor of life, but that only grows next to the crimson grass. The only success of this plant was to decrease its natural conversion.
These two plants should be able to stimulate this planet to create life or to make it emerge from the subsoil, if such a thing existed.
After completing everything, Max turns off the resting capsule and enters a state of hibernation, but his mind will remain active in the next projects until the completion of this construction order.