211: Chapter 211 Heading to the Moon

"There's an issue; I need to consult with the relevant departments tomorrow."

Chu Ge suddenly remembered the researchers on the aerospace carrier. The moon was right beneath their feet; if they weren't given something to dig up and study, they would probably go crazy with impatience.

"What is General Chu referring to?"

"Regarding that batch of exploration and detection equipment we set aside earlier, I mean to have it all brought up during the Engineering Ship's second return trip, with exploration equipment taking priority."

"Those devices are quite numerous and will take up a lot of space, especially that oversized drilling rig. General Chu, I still don't understand—why do you need such large drilling equipment? Are you drilling for oil?"

Commander Wang joked with a smile.

"Space isn't an issue. The moon is so big, we can put it anywhere; are you worried someone will steal it? We don't even need to install security cameras. As for the drilling equipment, one reason is that the rocks and soil below the lunar surface have more research value."

"The other reason is that massive anomalous area. I want to explore it; maybe there will be a surprise?"

In fact, the latter reason was Chu Ge's original intention for deciding to use those large pieces of equipment.

Commander Wang nodded and didn't pursue the topic further, showing a realization that 'you're the boss, you call the shots.'

After the two finished inspecting the Engineering Ship, Commander Wang accompanied Chu Ge for a tour around the base.

"Commander Wang, where's that fellow Soul Blade? How come I don't see it?"

"Oh, seeing that it was bored, the military sent it out on a sea patrol."

"That works too?"

"Yes, it's more effective than the Coast Guard or Naval Aviation. The key is that usually when we send naval aircraft, those island nations and Country H's fighters and patrol planes are like sticky plasters, clinging to you and impossible to shake off."

"The first time Soul Blade went to sea, the island nation actually sent a few fighters over to investigate properly, but as soon as they saw it was him, they turned around and left. There was no escorting, no radio warnings, nothing. It left us completely baffled at the time."

"And then?" Chu Ge pursed his lips to keep from laughing; he could imagine the scene.

"Then? Then we sent Soul Blade out on patrol a few more times. It was like entering uninhabited territory; they didn't even bother deploying planes anymore..."

"They must have collected Soul Blade's electromagnetic signature. Knowing it was him, and that they couldn't catch or drive him away anyway, they just let it be."

"It's actually quite boring. We've been tangled up for decades, and now it's suddenly so quiet; it's a bit hard to get used to," Commander Wang sighed with emotion.

"They're smart, I guess. By the way, Commander Wang, the military has already approved Soul Blade and the others to come with us to the moon this time. Later, tell him to, well, settle down."

"Mhm, I've already received the order. I'm planning to have them return to Hive Base tomorrow for a comprehensive inspection. If there are no issues, they'll be scheduled to return to Dockyard Base the day before departure."

"Good..."

Chu Ge and Commander Wang walked around Dockyard Base, chatting about recent work arrangements, with bursts of hearty laughter coming from them from time to time.

Behind them were Captain Gong and his subordinates, who were looking around; no matter where they were, they always maintained a vigilant heart.

At night, Chu Ge didn't move directly into the aerospace carrier like Li Gang and the others, but instead stayed in his usual suite at Dockyard Base. Chu Ge didn't know what Li Gang and the others were thinking.

Were they worried they wouldn't have a chance to stay on it later? Later on, they won't even have the chance to live in these concrete houses. Chu Ge hummed an out-of-tune song as he walked into the bathroom.

The next day, Chu Ge and Commander Wang urgently convened the managers of all departments involved in the Lunar Base construction, as well as relevant experts from the Aerospace Department.

They were to conduct a final data exchange and technical seminar.

The meeting was held in the largest conference center on the aerospace carrier.

Chu Ge was currently staring at the large screen on the wall, which displayed high-definition images of the far side of the moon—specifically, their destination, the Aitken Basin.

The next image showed a specific coordinate within the Aitken Basin. The image zoomed in to show a circular area outlined with a red dashed line; this would be the specific construction site for the Lunar Base.

"According to data previously sent by lunar orbiters, combined with detection data from two lunar rovers, we have roughly delineated this area as our base construction site," Director Huang of the Aerospace Department introduced to everyone first.

"Mhm, let's set it like this for now. After the kunpeng lands, construction won't start immediately. We need to wait for on-site survey data from the Exploration Team, especially structural data of the geological rock layers. Once confirmed, the Engineering Team will enter the site."

Chu Ge added to Director Huang's explanation.

"There's a lot to do during the wait. The Aerospace Aircraft Carrier will deploy some of its carrier-based UAVs to conduct comprehensive, supplementary reconnaissance around the base center."

"One goal is to complete the model data around the Lunar Base down to the centimeter. Second, I want to look and see if there are legendary ancient ice layers here at the lunar South Pole. If there are, they could be considered as a freshwater supply source for our base."

Chu Ge took over from Director Huang, giving a brief briefing on the post-landing arrangements.

"Academician Chu, for the industrial zone, we have decided to prioritize building a Helium-3 Extraction Plant and titanium-iron smelting plants based on satellite data provided by the Aerospace Department."

"The moon's ilmenite is incredibly abundant. Although titanium is also abundant on Earth—ranking ninth—it's mostly dispersed. The moon has large, continuous mining areas, with content increasing from Earth's 0.63% to 3.11%, which is six times the ilmenite content of Earth."

"No problem. Once the data is verified, you can proceed according to your plans."

Chu Ge was actually more focused on Helium-3 extraction. Energy is one aspect, but another key point is that his future Interstellar Fleet will need it as a material to construct protective shields.

"Yes!"

...

Everything was ready, and the date arrived at December 1st. The Huaxia authorities did not report on this expedition, instead maintaining a very low profile.

This also fits Huaxia's tradition; special projects under research or in progress are generally not disclosed to the public.

According to Commander Wang's thinking, the moment the Lunar Base is completed will be the time it is revealed to the world.

At exactly nine o'clock in the morning, under the gaze of all Dockyard Base officers, soldiers, and engineering personnel, the two behemoth warships ignited and lifted off one after another.

The "kunpeng" was in front, followed by the Engineering Ship. The two giant warships shot toward the moon like meteors, vanishing from everyone's sight in an instant.

Two long cyclonic wakes were left in the silent blue sky.

At the two satellite tracking and control centers in the west and south, and on several signal telemetry data ships in the Pacific, staff and military bigwigs were all staring intently at the two rapidly moving light spots on the large screen.

Soon, the two light spots became five. They lined up in a straight row, instantly breaking through the thick atmosphere, escaping Earth's gravity, and hurtling toward deep space...