100: Chapter 100 First Detention and Handover: The Twelve Warriors Enter the Moon Palace
Just as the promulgation of the "lunar traffic management regulations" brought a fresh order to Earth-Moon space and the Dragon Kingdom firmly grasped the initiative in lunar development, the "Guanghan Palace" base welcomed another historic moment—the first handover and rotation of long-term resident personnel.
Accompanied by a gentle burst of braking thrusters, the "Chang'e X" improved manned spacecraft, carrying the second batch of twelve long-term residents, landed smoothly on the dedicated landing field just hundreds of meters from the base's main structure under the precise guidance of the quantum navigation system. Before the stardust condensed on the spacecraft's hull could even dissipate, the hatch slowly opened.
Led by geologist Zhao Xiaopeng and energy engineer Li Zhenhua, the twelve "newcomers," dressed in the new generation of lightweight lunar suits, stepped onto the lunar surface one by one. When they looked up and saw the massive base before them, its domes continuous and shimmering with a silver-gray luster under the starlight, they were still deeply awestruck, even though they had seen it countless times in video materials.
"So this is... Guanghan Palace!" Zhao Xiaopeng's voice came through the communication channel, filled with irrepressible excitement. Taking steps adapted to low gravity, they walked toward that home for humanity on an alien star.
The airlock door at the base's main entrance slid open slowly, and the first batch of twelve residents, led by Wang Yan, stood in a neat line inside. Despite their faces showing the exhaustion of long-term work on an alien star, everyone's eyes were bright and determined.
When the old and new teams met inside the airlock, not many words were needed. Wang Yan was the first to raise his hand in a salute, and Zhao Xiaopeng and the others immediately returned it solemnly. Then came firm and brief hugs, with palms thumping heavily on each other's thick spacesuit shoulder plates. Everything was understood without words—this was the passing of the mission, the handover of responsibility, and above all, the deepest trust between comrades-in-arms.
"Welcome home, warriors!" Zhao Xiaopeng said in a deep voice, looking at Wang Yan and the others.
"Next, I'll leave it to you!" Wang Yan nodded vigorously, his gaze sweeping over every fresh and energetic face. "Take good care of this home!"
After a brief handover ceremony, Wang Yan led Zhao Xiaopeng and the others into the base. They walked through clean, bright corridors and visited the stably operating "tree of life" ecological cycle system, the vibrant greenery causing the new team members to exclaim in wonder; they passed the "Nuwa" platform control center, which was functioning efficiently, where huge holographic projections displayed every detail of the lunar construction; they arrived at the control console of the "Thousand-Mile Eye Plan" observation tower base, which had already begun data collection, where the deep starlight vistas seemed almost within reach.
"Every system here embodies the hard work of countless people and is vital to the country's future." Wang Yan finally stopped in front of a wall bearing the Dragon Kingdom flag and the "Guanghan Palace" logo, his tone solemn. "Our mission is not just to garrison, but to pioneer. This place will be our starting point toward even deeper space."
"Understood! We guarantee to complete the mission!" the twelve new resident members responded in unison, their voices echoing through the base.
Subsequently, the first batch of resident members led by Wang Yan, having completed all work handovers and data backups, boarded the spacecraft sent to take them back to Earth, carrying a wealth of scientific data and precious lunar living experience. In the dazzling light of the thrusters at the landing field, the spacecraft slowly ascended and began its journey home.
Meanwhile, the twelve "new lunar residents," including Zhao Xiaopeng and Li Zhenhua, officially took control of the "Guanghan Palace" base. Standing before the observation window of the main control room, looking out at that land both familiar and strange, their hearts were filled with a sense of mission and pride.
"Reporting to Earth Command Center: the first long-term residency rotation and handover of 'Guanghan Palace' base has been successfully completed!" Zhao Xiaopeng reported to the motherland 380,000 kilometers away via quantum communication. "The second resident team is in position, everything at the base is normal, we will continue to execute the established missions and open a new chapter of exploration!"
Inside the Earth Command Center, Elder Chen and many staff members witnessed the entire process through real-time footage. Seeing the determined eyes of the new generation of lunar explorers, Elder Chen smiled with relief.
Inside the "Zhulong" safe house, Lin Mo also silently followed this handover. Watching the new generation of "Guanghan Palace" residents officially begin their mission, this lunar outpost had truly entered a new stage of stable operation and continuous development. Humanity's footprints were being planted deeper and more firmly here.
The entry of the twelve warriors into Guanghan Palace was not just a simple personnel rotation; it symbolized a key turning point for the Dragon Kingdom's lunar cause from "building a home" to "managing a home," and it injected fresh and powerful blood for future challenges in the even more distant sea of stars.