The living quarters are so large that they cannot be hidden away.

Zhang Fan stared at the items on the list, not understanding why some parts were on it.

For example, that hinge should be on the transmission mechanism, but the living quarters don't have a transmission mechanism. The mechanical lock is also inexplicable; do they use keys to open the living quarters?

The amount of titanium alloy steel plates on the list is twice that required to build the living quarters. If his estimate is correct, the outer shell of the "No. 5" living quarters should have been reinforced with double-layered steel plates.

Why make it so sturdy? What exactly is "he" trying to do?

Zhang Fan decided to change his approach and think about where he would place the "No. 5" living module if it were him.

Since it can't be seen from any angle, it can only be hidden in one place:

underground!

Zhang Fan put on his spacesuit, grabbed a shovel, and walked outside the base.

First, the No. 5 living module will not be too far from the Mir Station base, because the living module needs the base to provide energy; second, the surface cannot be too hard, after all, digging a pit on Mars is not easy, those rocky surfaces can be ruled out first, and areas rich in clay are more suitable and need to be investigated.

If the living quarters are buried underground, their location can be determined by distinguishing between new and old soil.

Zhang Fan walked around the base several times before realizing that finding the underground living quarters would not be easy. A small dust storm on Mars could easily erase these traces, let alone six months that had passed.

The location where the pipelines will be buried is unlikely to be too far from the existing living quarters area, as laying pipelines on Mars is a very complicated task. Considering cost, the base won't have too many spare pipelines. External pipelines to the living quarters are generally kept to a minimum length, minimizing unnecessary length.

Thinking of the pipelines, Zhang Fan slapped his forehead, realizing how foolish he had been. Why had he been searching around like a headless fly? He should have just checked the pipeline routes directly.

Zhang Fan returned to the base. Although the pipelines of the "Peace Station" were numerous and complex, the pipelines connecting to the living quarters were relatively easy to find. After all, in addition to electricity and oxygen, the living quarters also needed to be provided with fresh water, while other compartments rarely used water.

However, to Zhang Fan's surprise, there were only four sets of pipelines that could simultaneously provide electricity, oxygen, and water.

That shouldn't be the case. If there really was a "No. 5" living quarters, there should be 5 sets of these pipelines as well.

Zhang Fan decided to inspect each living quarters.

Living pod 1 is where Zhang Fan is currently staying, so we don't need to check that; living pods 2 and 3 have been inspected and no abnormalities were found; living pod 4...

Huh?

Why can't I turn on the lights?

Zhang Fan connected the arm monitor to the No. 4 living quarters for testing, and found no faults in the circuitry. He also turned on the water tap in the No. 4 living quarters, but no water came out.

This is unreasonable.

He crouched down and used a screwdriver to unscrew the titanium alloy steel plate on the right side of the bulkhead.

The interface was empty; the water and electricity lines were not connected to the No. 4 living quarters.

Zhang Fan returned to the corridor and pounded the ground forcefully near the door of living pod number 4.

Thump thump thump—

One of the floorboards emitted a hollow echo.

Zhang Fan inserted a shovel into the gap in the floor and pried up a composite floor tile. After moving the tile aside, a hatch appeared in front of him.

Found! Living pod number 5!

Zhang Fan sat on the pried-open floor, his heart pounding, his feelings tense and complicated.

The purpose of the hinges and mechanical locks on the list, which I didn't understand before, is now clear, because the hinges and mechanical locks are now wrapped around the hatch, locking it shut.

The No. 5 living module was buried vertically underground.

Based on the current situation, there were at least two astronauts in the "Mercy Station" six months ago. If there was someone in the "No. 5" living module, then "he" was locked up by another person.

Do the two of them have some deep-seated grudge?

As for burying the other person alive?

Being confined in a cramped living pod, living in complete darkness for six months, is terrifying to even think about.

Is anyone really inside right now?

If this is true, it would be Zhang Fan's first substantial contact with his own kind since the extinction of humanity.

What if there really is someone down there?

It's fine if it's a woman, but what if it's a man?

What would happen if there were only two men left in the whole world?

Male on top of male?

The question has suddenly become philosophical, holy crap!

Having lived alone for so long, the thought of a second man suddenly appearing on Mars made Zhang Fan feel uneasy. Perhaps it was because he'd read too many post-apocalyptic novels, filling his mind with darker aspects of human nature.

Based on the current situation, the other side is practically imprisoned underground, and without the help of ground personnel, the hatch cannot be opened upwards.

From this perspective, "Case 5" is essentially a prison. And prisons always evoke images of prisoners. Is it really okay to release someone like that?

But is it possible to commit crimes on Mars? What country's laws apply?

Zhang Fan decided to open the hatch anyway. No matter who the other person was, in an era where humanity had already perished, their right to survival should not be taken away.

In any case, we'll have to open the hatch to find out.

Zhang Fan retrieved a hydraulic shears from the maintenance bay, cut the hinges wrapped around the hatch, then braced himself in a horse stance, gripped the handles with both hands, and turned the valve.

Click, click, click, click—

The hatch must have been untouched for a long time, making it difficult to open.

Click—

After turning the handle once, he finally heard the sound of the hatch unlocking. Zhang Fan took a deep breath and used both hands to lift the hatch upwards.

The hatch opened, and a foul odor wafted out, almost making Zhang Fan vomit. Light streamed in from the corridor above, illuminating the area near the hatch, but the bottom of the cabin remained dark.

Zhang Fan turned on the headlight on his helmet, and the light shone on the bottom of the cabin. He was so frightened that he almost fell in.

On the bulkhead of the No. 5 living module, a pair of bright green eyes were watching him. Through the reflected light, he saw a "golden-maned lion king".

The "Golden Lion King" also saw Zhang Fan and immediately let out a terrifying roar.

"Ooh! Ooh! Subreka!"

Zhang Fan felt a chill run down his spine. The stench around him, combined with the piercing roar, made him feel as if the creature was a monster from hell.

"Ivanka! I will kill you!"

The "Golden Lion King" clung to the bulkhead and began to climb upwards. Zhang Fan fell backwards to the ground, kicking his legs frantically as he retreated, terrified.

Clang! Clang!

The hinges attached to the bulkhead were straightened, and the "Golden Lion King," whose feet were locked, could only struggle after half of his body crawled out of the hatch and could not pounce on Zhang Fan.

"Ooh!"

It was clear the other party was furious. Zhang Fan, however, calmed down. The corridor lights had already illuminated the entire "Golden Lion King."

A person with flowing golden hair, whose limbs were hinged to the bulkhead.

The creature inside "Number 5" living pod wasn't a monster, but a person, a real person.

From the tattered clothes on the other person, Zhang Fan could vaguely make out that they were astronauts' work clothes.

Realizing this, Zhang Fan turned on the simultaneous interpretation in his headset. If the other person was also an astronaut, they wouldn't have been shouting randomly, but rather speaking in some other country's language.

"Who are you?" Zhang Fan asked.

Upon hearing Zhang Fan's voice, the "Golden Lion King" immediately stopped roaring and ceased its struggle.

And who are you?

The eerie female voice emanating from the "Golden Lion King" immediately evoked the image of Qiu Qianchi from a martial arts novel.

Qiu Qianchi, whose tendons and veins were severed by her husband Gongsun Zhi and who was abandoned in the crocodile pond below the alchemy room, survived by relying on trolls.

Zhang Fan really wanted to reply, "I am Yang Guo."

"Zhang Fan, astronaut of the 203rd Mars mission, who exactly are you?"

"Is Ivanka there?" The other party didn't answer, but continued to ask.

“Ivanka? I don’t know who you’re talking about. Right now, besides me, you’re the only one in the ‘Peace Station’.”

"She's not here?"

"Didn't you hear me?" Zhang Fan said, a little angry. "Let me put it this way, right now there are only two humans on the entire Mars, you and me."

The other party remained silent for a long time before finally answering slowly:

"Ross cosmonaut Katerina Gagarin".