59: Chapter 59 The Energy Core of the Lunar Base
Inside the "Zhulong" safe house, Lin Mo had just finished the final tests on three fusion core drones when his internal communicator flashed a top-priority signal once again. It was an encrypted communication request from Elder Chen.
The holographic projection lit up, and Elder Chen's figure appeared. His face carried an irrepressible excitement, looking even more radiant than when the "Jinwu" was first successfully ignited.
"Lin Mo! Good news! Great news!" Elder Chen's voice came through the encrypted channel, still carrying a hint of a tremor. "The main structure of the 'Guanghan Palace' Phase II base has been completed three months ahead of schedule! Using the Lunar Regolith Solidifier and modular construction technology you provided, we have successfully built permanent living quarters, laboratories, and a preliminary ecological cycle system in the pre-selected area on the lunar nearside, capable of accommodating at least fifty researchers!"
A flash of joy also crossed Lin Mo's eyes. The rapid advancement of the Moon Base meant that the Dragon Kingdom had taken another solid step on its journey into the sea of stars.
"But," Elder Chen's tone shifted, his expression becoming solemn, "we have encountered a most critical issue—energy."
He pulled up a real-time image of the Moon Base. Several silver-gray dome structures could be seen rising from the desolate lunar surface, their scale far exceeding Phase I. However, at the edge of the base, there were only a few solar panels of limited area; during the long lunar night (lasting about 14 Earth days), they would become completely ineffective.
"The current solar power and the nuclear batteries we brought along simply cannot support the full operation of the Phase II base, especially for the large-scale scientific research experiments and resource extraction planned for the future." Elder Chen's brow furrowed. "Without a stable and powerful energy source, this base is like an exquisite model, unable to truly function, let alone serve as our outpost for deep space exploration."
Lin Mo immediately understood the purpose of Elder Chen's call and realized why this communication carried the urgency of a "climax." The Moon Base was the cornerstone of the Dragon Kingdom's space strategy and must not fail due to energy issues.
"We need a powerful energy core that is unaffected by sunlight." Elder Chen's gaze was burning as he looked at Lin Mo through the screen. "A miniaturized 'Jinwu' fusion reactor... that can be installed at the Moon Base."
This was exactly the technical direction Lin Mo had long anticipated and fully mastered through the system! Within the complete "Jinwu" technology package, there were already modular, miniaturized variant designs suitable for extraterrestrial environments!
"Elder Chen, the technology is ready." Lin Mo replied calmly without any hesitation. "The modular design of the 'Jinwu' technology includes a compact version specifically designed for extraterrestrial bases. Its power output is sufficient to meet all the energy needs of the 'Guanghan Palace' Phase II and even Phase III bases, with plenty of room for expansion."
"Excellent!" Elder Chen pumped his fist. "We need the full set of design blueprints, transport plans, and detailed process flows for remote/robot-assisted installation on the lunar surface, adapted for the lunar environment (low gravity, high vacuum, cosmic radiation, and lunar dust)!"
"Give me a little time to organize it." Lin Mo nodded. This was not difficult for him, given his complete technology and system assistance.
He immediately went into action, his consciousness sinking into the system to extract and organize the technical data for the "Extraterrestrial Base Miniaturized Fusion Reactor: Jinwu-Selene Type," adding specific optimization notes for the lunar environment. At the same time, he included a long-term vision plan for utilizing local lunar resources (such as Helium-3; although "Jinwu" primarily uses deuterium-tritium, Helium-3 is a superior future fusion fuel).
A few hours later, a detailed "Jinwu-Selene Type Extraterrestrial Fusion Reactor Lunar Deployment Plan" was sent to the "Guanghan Palace" project headquarters and the Xihe Base via a top-secret channel.
Almost simultaneously, the Dragon Kingdom's Supreme Command Headquarters issued an order: launch the "Moon Palace Power Supply" project! Mobilize all resources with the highest priority to prepare for transporting the first "Jinwu-Selene" core to the moon!
Deep in the Gobi Desert, within the Xihe Base, a new production line was urgently modified to begin producing special components suitable for space transport and the lunar environment. The aerospace department adjusted the next heavy cargo rocket launch schedule to ensure this vital "energy heart" could be delivered safely.
Every link was operating with high efficiency, all to ignite the Dragon Kingdom's "sun" on a planet 380,000 kilometers away!
Meanwhile, in a CIA safe house, Craig—who was secretly leading the "Dragon Slaying" project after his suspension—vaguely learned through remaining channels that the Dragon Kingdom was preparing some "major energy component" for its Moon Base, with an extremely high security clearance. A trace of madness flashed in his bloodshot eyes.
"The moon... energy..." he whispered hoarsely. "We can't let them succeed! 'Shadow,' get ready, our operation must be moved up! We must cut off the source before they send more incredible technology into space!"
He roared into the encrypted communicator, "Activate the 'Decapitation' contingency plan! Target: the protector behind 'Qingque'! I authorize... the creation of an 'accident' if necessary!"
The Dragon Kingdom's gaze was focused on the moon, about to inject it with the true light of life. Meanwhile, the venomous snake in the darkness flicked its tongue, preparing to launch its most lethal strike.