Chapter Eighteen: Explorations

Icarus surveys a habitable system within the Hub Zero wormhole network and discovers two planets in the habitable zone with entirely purple vegetation based on retinal photosynthesis rather than chlorophyll. The team explores ruins of an alien civilization that built low, single-story structures with round doors, apparently non-humanoid in form, but finds limited evidence of their physical appearance.

Icarus and Dae continue their systematic survey of Hub Zero systems, transiting another wormhole to find a large system with fourteen planets, including two in the habitable zone. The planets have an unusual purple coloration caused by retinal-based photosynthesis in all vegetation—a more efficient alternative to chlorophyll that reflects blue and red light. Dae explains this is theoretically superior to Earth's chlorophyll system, raising questions about why it hasn't been encountered before. Upon closer investigation with survey drones, the team discovers ruins of an alien civilization with distinctive architectural features: round retractable doors (pocket-door style), low squat single-story buildings with multiple underground levels, and rectangular loading doors with roll-up mechanisms. SUDDAR scans confirm extensive subterranean structures. The team finds limited evidence of the inhabitants' physical form—no statues are visible—but discovers a kiosk image depicting a hamburger-bun-shaped being with multiple legs and arms, though they cannot determine if it represents an actual inhabitant or is some form of advertisement. The animals observed display colors skewed toward blue rather than brown, possibly reflecting different color receptor sensitivities in the local predators. Dae warns against spending excessive time investigating every detail, reminding Icarus of their broader mission to locate civilization across the empire. The chapter ends with Icarus maintaining telescope focus on the closer planet as they depart, seeking one final detail.