Chapter 265 Volunteer Recruitment

January 18, 2040.

9:00 AM, Hainan Base.

Lin Mo stared at the numbers jumping on the screen and fell silent.

Number of applicants: 3,847.

This was twelve hours after the news of the manned test volunteer recruitment was released. Since early morning, the registration channel had been on the verge of collapse, and technical staff had worked through the night to expand server capacity just to keep it running.

"Senior," Li Xiao stood beside him, her voice trembling slightly, "it's still rising. It's already over four thousand."

Lin Mo didn't say anything, just watched the number.

Four thousand people.

There were active astronauts, retired pilots, engineers, college students, and ordinary workers and farmers. They came from every province in the country, every industry, and every age group. Their reasons for signing up were varied—some wrote, "I want to do something for the country," some wrote, "I've never had the chance to go to space in my life, and I want to try this time," and others wrote, "I believe in the sky ladder project, and I believe in you all."

The most moving application came from a sixty-eight-year-old retired teacher. In the remarks column, he wrote: "I know I don't meet the requirements, but please allow me to express my respect. What you are doing is something our generation wouldn't even dare to dream of. Thank you."

After Lin Mo finished reading that application, he remained silent for a long time.

Li Xiao whispered beside him, "Senior, these people... they're all volunteers."

Lin Mo nodded without looking back.

At 2:00 PM, the number of applicants surpassed five thousand.

The Engineering Headquarters held an emergency meeting. Attendees included Lin Mo, Chen Xueming, Zhao Gang, and several experts from the Astronaut Center.

"The screening criteria must be clear," Director Zhang from the Astronaut Center said, getting straight to the point. "The manned test is extremely risky; not just anyone can go. My suggestion is to select from active astronauts, giving priority to those with spaceflight experience."

Chen Xueming frowned. "But many of those who signed up are retired pilots. Their physical fitness..."

"Physical fitness is one aspect," Director Zhang interrupted him. "Psychological resilience and emergency response capabilities are more important. Spaceflight is different from flying a plane; the weightless environment, confined spaces, and communication delays all require professional training. Sending someone without systematic training is just sending them to their death."

The meeting room fell silent for a few seconds.

Lin Mo spoke up, "Director Zhang is right. The manned test is no joke; it must be carried out by professional astronauts."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"But those who signed up—we must remember their intentions."

Chen Xueming nodded. "Then we'll select from the Astronaut Center. Active or retired, anyone who meets the criteria will be considered."

Director Zhang thought for a moment. "Retired ones are fine too. As long as they pass the physical exam and meet the training standards, they can be included as candidates."

The meeting reached a consensus.

At 4:00 PM, Li Xiao found Lin Mo.

"Senior," her voice was a bit hesitant, "I want to sign up too."

Lin Mo turned his head to look at her but didn't speak.

Li Xiao continued, "I know I'm not professional enough, but I'm familiar with every system of the sky ladder project. I participated in the design of the Elevator Car's data monitoring, communication protocols, and emergency procedures. If something goes wrong, I might react faster than a professional astronaut."

Lin Mo was silent for a few seconds, then said, "No."

Li Xiao was stunned for a moment. "Why?"

"Because your battlefield is on the ground." Lin Mo looked at her, his gaze very calm. "In the sky ladder project, it's not just those who go up who are heroes. You being here, watching the data, guarding the system, ensuring every communication is clear and every parameter is normal—that is your mission."

Li Xiao opened her mouth to say something but couldn't find the words.

Lin Mo patted her on the shoulder. "I know you want to do something. But you're already doing it. Staring at the screen every day, monitoring every piece of data thirty-six thousand kilometers away, handling every anomaly, coordinating every communication—this is more exhausting than going up, and more important."

Li Xiao's eyes grew red.

"Senior..."

"So don't think about going up." Lin Mo smiled. "Stay here and keep an eye on things for me."

Li Xiao looked at him for a long time.

Then she nodded, her voice a bit choked up. "Okay."

Three days later, the final list was determined.

Three astronauts—Zhang Pengfei, Engineer Li Wei, and Medical Monitor Wang Yanan. They were the three people who had already been working on the Space Station for half a year.

Director Zhang explained, "They are the most suitable candidates. They've already lived in space for half a year, and their bodies and minds have adapted to the weightless environment. Moreover, they are familiar with the Space Station; if a problem arises during the test, they can handle it nearby."

Lin Mo looked at the list and remained silent for a long time.

Zhang Pengfei, forty-six years old, on his third trip to space. Engineer Li Wei, thirty-nine years old, a Space Station assembly expert. Medical Monitor Wang Yanan, thirty-six years old, female, medical monitor and health care, with excellent psychological resilience.

The three of them were thirty-six thousand kilometers away, waiting for the Elevator Car to come up.

"Did they agree?" Lin Mo asked.

Director Zhang nodded. "They agreed. Zhang Pengfei said it's their mission, and there's no reason to let others take risks for them."

Lin Mo was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Notify them to prepare for the test."

At 8:00 PM, Lin Mo had a video call with the Space Station.

Three faces crowded onto the screen, all of them smiling.

"Chief Designer Lin!" Zhang Pengfei waved. "I heard we've been selected?"

Lin Mo nodded. "Yes. Are you ready?"

Engineer Li Wei chimed in, "We've been ready for a long time! For the past six months, we've been watching that cable every day, just waiting to take the elevator down for a stroll!"

Medical Monitor Wang Yanan laughed beside him. "Engineer Li, it's taking the elevator up, not down."

Engineer Li Wei scratched his head. "Right, right, right, up. It's all the same anyway."

Lin Mo was amused by them.

After laughing, he said seriously, "This test is high-risk. You must be mentally prepared."

Zhang Pengfei's expression also turned serious. "Chief Designer Lin, we understand. From the day we became astronauts, we've been ready."

Engineer Li Wei nodded. "We're not afraid."

Medical Monitor Wang Yanan smiled. "Chief Designer Lin, don't worry. We will definitely do a good job with the test and come back safely."

Lin Mo looked at the three faces on the screen and was silent for a few seconds.

Then he said, "Good. I'll wait for your return."

Late at night, Chen Xueming called.

"Old Lin, is the list set?"

"It's set. Zhang Pengfei and the other two."

Chen Xueming was silent for a few seconds, then said, "They really are the most suitable."

Lin Mo nodded. "Yeah."

The two were silent for a while.

Then Chen Xueming asked, "Old Lin, do you think they're afraid?"

Lin Mo thought for a moment. "Maybe. But they are astronauts; they know how to face fear."

Chen Xueming chuckled. "True."

After hanging up, Lin Mo walked to the window and looked at the night sky outside.

Thirty-six thousand kilometers above, those three people were waiting.

Waiting to board that elevator leading to Earth.

Waiting to complete the first manned sky ladder test in human history.

He thought of Li Xiao's red-rimmed eyes from the afternoon.

He thought of the names of those five thousand-plus applicants.

He thought of the message from that sixty-eight-year-old retired teacher.

"What you are doing is something our generation wouldn't even dare to dream of."

Lin Mo looked at the starry sky and said softly:

"We will do it for you."