104: Chapter 104 Standoff on the Moon

Inside the "Artemis III" landing module, Commander Mark Wilson and Pilot Anna Chen were sinking into deep frustration and embarrassment. Their mission objectives were drastically reduced, and even the hatch could not be opened normally, marking a major setback in Pretty Country's space history. Just then, they received a new, politically charged instruction from the Houston command center.

"odyssey, this is Houston. Based on the latest analysis, we have detected signals suspected to be Dragon Country lunar rover activity approximately three kilometers to your left. You are now authorized, provided you ensure your own safety, to attempt to start the ranger and conduct a limited close-range reconnaissance of that area. Repeat, this is a non-mandatory mission, but it is of significant value."

The subtext of the instruction was clear—despite the embarrassing landing, Pretty Country needed to demonstrate its "presence" on the lunar surface, even if it was just to "take a look" at Dragon Country's activities.

Mark and Anna looked at each other, seeing helplessness and pressure in each other's eyes. They knew the state of their spacecraft and the haste of this mission better than anyone, but a soldier's duty is to obey orders. After an emergency check confirmed that the ranger's systems were unaffected by the landing posture, the two started the ranger named "ranger."

The "ranger" slowly drove out of the shadow of the landing module, bumping along the rugged lunar surface toward the direction mentioned in the instructions. Its speed was not fast, and its movements carried a hint of caution, forming a sharp contrast with the swift and stable intelligent robots of the Dragon Country base.

They didn't know that from the moment the "ranger" started and deviated from its planned scientific research area, its every move was under the close watch of the Thousand-Mile Eye Plan auxiliary monitoring network and the fuxi - moon palace model of the "Guanghan Palace" base.

"Report, we have detected the 'artemis program' lander releasing a ranger, moving towards our base. Current distance is 2.8 kilometers." In the base's main control room, the monitor immediately reported.

Zhao Xiaopeng looked at the slowly moving light spot on the screen, his brow furrowing slightly. He immediately thought of the safety distance regulations in the lunar traffic management regulations formulated by Lin Mo.

"Deploy the 'yutu-3' unmanned patrol vehicle to move forward to the safety distance boundary for alert. Simultaneously, issue a clear warning to the other party through the public communication channel."

The order was given, and a larger Dragon Country unmanned patrol vehicle, equipped with multispectral sensors and laser rangefinders, quietly drove out from the base's flank. With faster speed and a smoother posture, it stopped precisely about 1.5 kilometers from the base, right in the path of the "ranger."

When Mark and Anna on the "ranger" saw the distant Dragon Country patrol vehicle standing quietly through the vehicle's camera, its metallic cold light reflecting, they were both shocked. The speed of the other party's reaction and the sophistication of their equipment far exceeded their imagination.

Just then, a clear, calm, and emotionless Dragon Country language female voice sounded in their public communication channel, followed by a standard English translation:

"This is the Dragon Country 'Guanghan Palace' base. Warning: Your vehicle has approached our designated safety alert zone. According to the earth-moon space traffic management and safety guidelines, please stop advancing immediately and withdraw beyond the safety distance. Repeat, please stop advancing immediately and withdraw."

In the silent vacuum of the lunar surface, the voice traveled clearly to the "ranger" via radio waves and was also transmitted back to Earth through delayed signals, heard by people worldwide following the event.

Mark reflexively stepped on the brakes, and the "ranger" stopped a few hundred meters away from the Dragon Country patrol vehicle. For a moment, a brief and eerie silent standoff occurred on the lunar surface.

On one side was the "ranger," representing an established space power but stumbling due to haste; on the other was the "yutu-3," representing an emerging space power, technologically advanced and firm in its stance. Between them was an invisible yet inviolable safety red line.

Global live broadcast cameras (mainly from relay satellites in orbit) captured this highly symbolic scene. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Pretty Country's next move.

Would they risk triggering an unpredictable conflict and continue forward? Or would they follow the warning and retreat dejectedly under the watchful eyes of the world?