Chapter 261 Secondary Dock

December 28, 2039.

3:00 AM, Space Elevator Platform Command Center.

Chen Xueming sat before the main console, his eyes fixed on the data on the screen.

His eye sockets were deeper than they had been three days ago, his beard was longer, and he had lost weight.

But his hands were steady, and his voice was steady too.

"Final system self-check."

"Cable tension system, normal."

"Space Station positioning system, normal."

"Tractor control system, normal."

"Communication link, normal."

Reports came in one after another, and every "normal" made the atmosphere in the command center a little heavier.

Lin Mo stood behind Chen Xueming, not sitting down.

He rested his hand on the back of Chen Xueming's chair and pressed down gently.

"Ready?" he asked.

Chen Xueming nodded: "Ready."

Lin Mo did not speak again.

At 3:15 AM, the docking window opened.

"Begin ascent," Chen Xueming ordered.

On the screen, the tiny point of light at the top of the cable began to move slowly.

From 36,000 kilometers below, it inched closer to the Space Station.

The speed was very slow, only five meters per second.

But every centimeter had been precisely calculated.

"Distance, three hundred kilometers."

"Two hundred and fifty kilometers."

"Two hundred kilometers."

Xiao Zhou's voice echoed in the command center, and every number felt like a hammer striking everyone's heart.

Chen Xueming stared at the screen, motionless.

His hands were on the keyboard, ready to adjust the parameters at any moment.

But he knew that there was nothing to do now—all calculations had been completed, and all factors had been considered.

Now, he just needed to trust.

At 4:00 AM, the distance shrank to one hundred kilometers.

"Initiate terminal traction," Chen Xueming ordered.

On the Space Station, that small tractor started up again.

It dragged the guide rope, slowly moving toward the top of the cable.

This time, the length of the guide rope was not ten kilometers, but fifteen—Li Xiao's suggestion to add more redundancy.

"Tractor speed, two meters per second."

"Distance, eighty kilometers... seventy kilometers... sixty kilometers..."

The command center was so quiet that only breathing could be heard.

Li Xiao watched synchronously via video link from the base data center.

Her hands were tightly clenched, her nails digging into her flesh.

Zhao Gang stood beside her, also holding his breath.

On the platform, workers spontaneously gathered outside the command center.

No one spoke; everyone looked up at the pitch-black night sky.

Although they could see nothing, they knew that 36,000 kilometers above, a dance of destiny was unfolding.

At 5:00 AM, the distance was ten kilometers.

"Release guide rope."

On the screen, the thin line representing the guide rope extended from the Space Station and drifted slowly toward the top of the cable.

This time, its trajectory was more stable and precise than the last—Chen Xueming's three days and nights of calculations were becoming reality.

Five kilometers.

Three kilometers.

One kilometer.

Five hundred meters.

Chen Xueming's palms were full of sweat, but he did not wipe them.

"Prepare for docking."

On the screen, the two points of light drew closer and closer.

The position data at the top of the cable jumped constantly—thirty-seven meters, twenty-eight meters, fifteen meters, nine meters...

Chen Xueming stared at those numbers, his heart beating so fast it felt like it might jump out.

The last time it failed, the problem occurred in the final one hundred meters.

This time—

Three meters.

Two meters.

One meter.

"Contact!"

On the screen, the two points of light finally overlapped.

The command center was silent for a second.

Then, Xiao Zhou's voice rang out, trembling: "Docking successful! Locking mechanism engaged! Tension check normal! Cable and Space Station connection stable!"

Silence.

Then, cheers erupted like a volcano.

Xiao Zhou jumped from his seat and hugged his colleague, both of them crying and laughing.

Technicians hugged each other; some knelt on the ground, others shouted at the sky.

Outside the command center, the cheers of the workers were deafening, and someone set off fireworks, red flames blooming in the night sky.

Chen Xueming sat in his chair, motionless.

He just stared at the screen, at the points of light that had merged, at the words "Docking successful."

Then, his tears fell.

There was no sound, no expression, just tears sliding down his cheeks, one drop after another.

Lin Mo walked to his side, said nothing, just placed his hand on his shoulder and pressed down firmly.

Chen Xueming looked up at him.

"Old Lin," his voice was so hoarse it was almost inaudible, "we succeeded."

Lin Mo nodded, his eyes also a little red.

"Yes, we succeeded."

At 5:30 AM, the Space Station video signal was connected.

Zhang Pengfei's face appeared on the big screen, grinning from ear to ear: "Chief Designer Lin! Chen! Docking successful! The cable locking mechanism is completely normal! We just did a preliminary check, the connection point strength meets the standard, and the airtightness is good!"

Engineer Li Wei and Medical Monitor Wang Yanan squeezed in behind him, waving wildly.

Chen Xueming stood up and walked to the screen.

There were still tear stains on his face, but he did not wipe them.

"Thank you for your hard work," he said, his voice still a bit hoarse, "Next, I have to trouble you to perform a comprehensive inspection."

Zhang Pengfei stood at attention and saluted: "Guarantee to complete the mission!"

Medical Monitor Wang Yanan laughed from the side: "Chen, did you cry?"

Chen Xueming froze for a moment, then laughed a little sheepishly.

Engineer Li Wei chimed in from the side: "Chen is crying! Chen is crying!"

Chen Xueming glared at him, but couldn't help laughing.

The command center was filled with laughter.

At 7:00 AM, the sun rose.

Chen Xueming stood at the edge of the platform, looking at the orange-red glow on the eastern horizon.

The sea breeze blew gently, the waves lapped softly, and everything was so peaceful.

Lin Mo walked over and stood beside him.

"Not going to sleep yet?" Lin Mo asked.

Chen Xueming shook his head: "Can't sleep."

Lin Mo laughed: "Me neither."

The two stood in silence, watching the sun slowly rise.

36,000 kilometers above, that silvery-white cable was finally connected to the Space Station.

From Earth to space, humanity finally had a true bridge.

"Old Lin," Chen Xueming said suddenly, "thank you."

Lin Mo turned his head to look at him: "Thank me for what?"

Chen Xueming thought for a moment: "Thank you for letting me do this."

Lin Mo was silent for a few seconds, then said: "You achieved it yourself."

Chen Xueming laughed, smiling very happily.

In the distance, the workers were still celebrating.

Someone set off more fireworks, red, green, and gold, exceptionally brilliant in the morning light.

Chen Xueming looked at those fireworks and suddenly said: "Old Lin, I want to go up and see."

Lin Mo looked at him: "Once the Space Station is built, you will be the first one I let go up."

Chen Xueming nodded: "It's a deal."

"It's a deal."

The two stood side by side at the edge of the platform, watching the sun rise higher and higher.

A new day had begun.