Chapter 170: Space_1

Rolf was You Haoming's assistant for this repair mission, and after the two stepped out of the airlock, Rolf fixed himself onto the spacecraft and exclaimed while gazing into the profound space, "No matter how many times I see it, I have to say: it's damn spectacular!"

The spaceship shone silver-white under the sunlight, as though it were cloaked in a layer of holy light.

The Milky Way was clearer here than from Earth, and with no land, buildings, or mountains in sight, it was all a sea of stars in every direction.

Those who have never experienced being an astronaut could never imagine the vastness and emptiness of space.

But those who have experienced it tend to see the vast space like a beautiful maiden, irresistibly enticing one to draw nearer.

This was humanity's first foray into such profound depths of space, and only the six astronauts aboard the spacecraft had the opportunity to feel the emptiness of deep space.

They all knew that they were drifting further and further from Earth, their feelings resembling those of a first departure from home, tinged with a touch of sorrow and concern.

You Haoming took out his tools, "Let's admire it after we fix the air pressure device."

Rolf, only twenty-five years old, was the youngest and most active astronaut on the spacecraft.

As he caught the screws that You Haoming was removing, he said, "Commander, I know you're a materialist, but I still can't help but praise the Creator."

You Haoming smiled, "I'm only in charge of commanding you in the mission, not your beliefs."

Outside the cabin, the astronauts were accustomed to chatting non-stop.

Perhaps only in doing so could they feel that they were not alone because, in space, humans appear too fragile, too lonely.

Rolf switched topics suddenly, "Actually, I really wish the Commander could be the first person to land on Mars. You are the best astronaut I have ever seen, a respected elder brother.

"It's only those politicians with dog shit for brains who insist on fighting over which country's person should be the first to land on Mars."

The debate started after the Mars Explorer set off, and at first, PDC even invited Jiang Yu to participate.

Jiang Yu thought the issue was rather childish; once on Mars, it didn't matter which country one came from, as everyone would be Earthlings.

So Jiang Yu ignored PDC, and the final result of PDC's meeting was that Rolf would be the first human to set foot on Mars.

Bole, from within the cabin, said with a laugh, "Rolf, we can all hear what you're saying, and moreover, the whole repair process will be transmitted back to Xichang."

Rolf chuckled twice, but then immediately went to help You Haoming lift off the dismantled cover. "That bunch of fat-headed, old fools! What can they do if they hear me? Come to Mars and catch me, hahaha!"

You Haoming couldn't help but laugh as well, "If your Creator really exists, then He's pretty awesome."

Rolf was taken aback, "Why do you say that?"

You Haoming replied, "Think about it, humanity once created many civilizations and schools of thought, but what has been passed down are only the civilizations of The East and the West, and our two civilizations complement each other to a great degree.

"The civilization from The East is too reserved, and that from the West too ostentatious, and the societies built by these two civilizations are not perfect. But if the two could complement each other, perhaps a new future could be created."

Rolf was stunned again, "I haven't thought about such profound things."

Bole laughed, "Getting cold feet now, huh? The Commander is on a different level!"

"Getting cold feet" was a phrase he had learned from You Haoming; the six astronauts generally spoke in English, but after more interaction, they would occasionally throw in words from other languages.

Rolf: "Yeah, right, brown-noser!"

The three chatted while they worked for over three hours on repairs. Finally, You Haoming fitted the last screw, "Bole, how do the repair results look?"

Bole paused for half a minute before saying, "The hermetic seal system is back to normal, and the repair mission is complete."

Rolf sighed with relief, "Finally got this damn thing fixed!"

You Haoming smiled, carefully reassembling the case he had just removed, piece by piece.

After the two returned inside the spacecraft, the astronauts rested for over ten hours before You Haoming ordered Bole and Theodore to open the supply module.

Although the transition module and supply module were tightly sealed together, You Haoming still ordered the two to don their spacesuits for the operation.

The supplies inside the supply module were undamaged; only the controller was broken, which meant all operations had to be handled with extreme care.

Additionally, the docking system of the supply module was also damaged, likely as a result of a collision.

However, now with the external connector available, the absence of a docking system was of no consequence.

All six astronauts worked together, swiftly transferring the supplies from the supply module to Mars Explorer.

One of the advantages of being in space was the ease of moving objects; a slight push was all that was needed to move things that would require great effort on Earth.

Fuel replenishment was the final task, and to prevent any leakage from the previously repaired fuel lines, You Haoming ordered the closure of the transition module's airtight doors.

Bole and Theodore were in charge of the transfer operations in the supply module, with Mi Jingtiao overseeing the reception.

The fuel transfer went smoothly, with no leaks in the previously repaired lines.

When the supply was complete, You Haoming ordered Bole and Theodore to return to the spacecraft.

It was at this moment that Bishkov suddenly reported, "The supply module's controller has unexpectedly activated."

Before You Haoming could inquire, a series of loud "clacks" came from the transit module, followed by Theodore's cry of alarm through the communicator!

Everything happened so rapidly that no one had time to react. You Haoming looked at Rolf, who understood immediately and switched the images from the external cameras to the main screen.

Everyone saw the supply module's thrusters suddenly ignite! The force was so great that it broke the external connector, tearing apart the laboriously repaired connection system once more.

You Haoming immediately called out, "Bole, Bole! Theodore, Theodore!"

It was several seconds before Theodore's voice came through, "I... I can't believe I'm not dead!"

You Haoming quickly asked, "Bole?"

Bole was calmer, "Commander, I'm still inside the supply module, and now I'm preparing to leap out of the supply module to catch up with the spacecraft!"

From the external cameras, You Haoming saw that the supply module had drifted away from the spacecraft's trajectory.

He urgently shouted, "Bole! Stay in the supply module! Use its oxygen supply to hold on; we're going to rescue you immediately!"

The spacecraft was moving too fast; in just a minute or two, the astronaut could disappear into the vastness of space.

The supply module was a larger target and had much more livable space, which was advantageous for the forthcoming rescue operation.

You Haoming continued barking orders, "Rolf, maintain constant communication with Bole! Bishkov, immediately operate the power system to decelerate! Mi Jingtiao, locate the supply module and calculate the rescue trajectory!"

Although the front of the spacecraft was equipped with a four-vector thrust system, due to its length, the ship needed to slow down before it could make a blunt-angle turn.

Then Theodore's voice came through the communicator, "Com... Commander, please send someone to pick me up. My... my helmet is full of tears; I can't see where I'm going!"

Theodore was the only female astronaut in the group, and though she was a tough woman, the brush with death had made her cry profusely.

You Haoming asked, "You're not inside the supply module?"