95: Chapter 95 America's Struggle: "Artemis" Accelerates
Just as the Dragon Country's Guanghan Palace base was beginning to sprout greenery and construction was in full swing, on the other side of the Earth, inside the NASA headquarters of Pretty Country, a completely different atmosphere of anxiety and oppression permeated the air.
On a giant display screen, news clips released by Dragon Country's official media regarding the progress of the second phase of Guanghan Palace's expansion and the successful operation of the 'tree of life' ecological cycle system were playing. The rapidly expanding base silhouette, the efficiently operating 'Nuwa' platform, and especially the fresh greenery cultivated on the lunar surface in the footage were like invisible thorns pricking the hearts of every attendee.
"Gentlemen and ladies, reality is cruelly laid out before us!" NASA Administrator Howard Wilkins slammed his hand on the table, his face ashen. "The Dragon Country people have not only gained a foothold on the far side of the moon, they are building a city there! A self-sufficient city! Meanwhile, we, the artemis program, are still conducting lukewarm tests in lunar orbit!"
He looked around at the project managers, contractor representatives, and government oversight officials present, his voice carrying a hint of undisguised panic: "We must face a reality: in this race for lunar development, we are being left far behind! This isn't just a matter of face; it's a fundamental issue concerning future strategic resources, technological high ground, and even national security! Congress and the White House have lost patience. They need to see progress, right now! Immediately!"
Pressure enveloped the entire conference room like a physical weight. Reprimands from high-level officials, doubts from allies, dissatisfaction from the domestic public, and a deep-seated fear of losing space hegemony intertwined, forcing Pretty Country to react, even if that reaction was hasty and risky.
"Mr. Administrator," the head of the artemis program, a grey-haired but sharp-eyed veteran engineer named Tom Shaw, spoke in a deep voice, "although our 'Orion' spacecraft and 'Space Launch System' have undergone multiple unmanned tests, manned integrated training has not yet been fully completed, especially the risk assessment for the lunar landing phase..."
"Risk assessment?" Wilkins interrupted him, his tone almost crude. "Dr. Shaw, we aren't discussing perfect models in a laboratory right now! The Dragon Country people won't wait for us to complete all our risk assessments! I have just received orders: the 'Artemis III' manned lunar landing mission must be moved forward! Target time: within three months! The landing site will be the edge of the Shackleton Crater, as close as possible to Dragon Country's Guanghan Palace base!"
"What? Three months? And near them?" a safety consultant exclaimed in shock. "That's too risky! Our technical preparations are insufficient, and this could easily trigger unpredictable conflicts!"
"It's an order!" Wilkins growled, his eyes bloodshot. "We need to prove to the world that Pretty Country still possesses the capability to land on the moon! We need a presence there, even if it's symbolic! Being near them is to tell them, and our allies, that the moon is not some country's private backyard!"
The order was forcibly issued. The entire artemis program team was pushed into a corner. Budgets were increased recklessly, testing procedures were frantically compressed, and some steps that originally required repeated verification were skipped entirely, replaced by 'optimistic estimates' based on computer simulations. Engineers from giants like Boeing and Lockheed Martin worked day and night, trying to complete the mission within an impossible schedule.
In the haste, hidden dangers were already buried. An internally leaked risk assessment report was marked in red font: the stability of the landing navigation system in extreme terrain is questionable; the life support system redundancy of the new lunar spacesuits is insufficient; the success rate of the emergency return plan is based on an ideal model and does not consider unexpected situations...
But these warnings were selectively ignored under the high pressure of 'political correctness' and 'strategic needs.' At the press conference, Administrator Wilkins feigned composure, announcing the 'major decision' to advance the 'Artemis III' mission and emphasizing Pretty Country's 'firm determination' to return to the moon and its commitment to the 'open principles of lunar development.'
When the news broke, it caused a massive stir in the international community. Anyone with a discerning eye could see the haste and political intent behind it. Some European allies privately expressed concern, while the spokesperson for the Dragon Country Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when asked about the matter, responded calmly: "We welcome all international lunar exploration and cooperation based on peaceful purposes. Dragon Country is always committed to working with members of the community of shared future in outer space to jointly maintain the peace and tranquility of the moon."
The tone was calm, yet carried a sense of composure and confidence born of absolute strength.
Inside the 'Torch Dragon' safe house, Lin Mo watched the news about the acceleration of the artemis program, a barely perceptible curve appearing at the corner of his mouth. He naturally understood the struggle and powerlessness behind it.
"Anxious to prove yourselves?" he whispered to himself, his gaze returning to the busy and orderly footage of the Guanghan Palace base. "In the face of true strength, all impatience and recklessness only serve to highlight one's own weakness."
Pretty Country's lunar struggle was like a mirror, reflecting the panic and loss of footing of an old hegemon under the impact of a new era's tide. And a hasty lunar landing race, accompanied by unknown risks, had already begun.