Chapter 85: Take The Nuclear Bomb!
A cave, a cave?
Such things are actually not uncommon on the Moon.
In the early formation period of the Moon, its core was also scorching hot, plus intense and frequent asteroid impact activities, it also had active geological activity.
It is not surprising at all that some caves were created.
But the cave he saw at this moment did not look naturally formed!
It overall presented a square shape, with height and width both reaching around four meters, perfectly square, and the interior was deep, dark, and smooth.
How could such a cave be naturally formed?
At this moment, Zhao Jianguo instinctively shouted loudly: “Comrades, there’s a situation!”
But no one responded to him. He suddenly looked up and saw his comrades still proceeding with their heads down, carefully searching for any anomalies on the lunar surface.
They could not hear his voice, people on Earth could not hear his voice, and he could not hear their voices.
Taking a light breath, Zhao Jianguo did not act rashly, but continued with steady steps, hopping toward the nearest comrade.
Along the way, he had already opened the drawing board and drawn a circle on it.
According to the previously agreed code, a circle meant to assemble for quick communication.
Patting his comrade on the shoulder and showing him the circle, Zhao Jianguo pointed to a flat area dozens of meters nearby, then circled his arm around.
This meant notifying all comrades to assemble there.
That comrade extended his arm, made an OK gesture, then turned and left, while Zhao Jianguo immediately went to notify the next comrade.
Ten-odd minutes later, the dispersed astronauts all arrived at this open area. And at this moment, a new pattern had appeared on Zhao Jianguo’s arm.
An arrow pointing inward, followed by a vertical bar.
←|.
This meant everyone retreat together.
Although they did not understand why, the comrades still followed Zhao Jianguo’s will—even if it was not Zhao Jianguo the captain, but another comrade, the astronauts would still comply.
Since the comrade expressed this meaning, he must have his reasons. And on this battlefield at this moment, trusting a comrade’s judgment was a principle that must be followed.
Because there was no search mission, plus they were already familiar with the terrain, the retreat was quick, taking only about half an hour to retreat out of the special area.
The familiar crackling sound came to his ears again.
Communication restored.
Zhao Jianguo immediately said: “Number One calling Earth, calling Earth.”
His voice not only transmitted to Earth via radio, but also reached the comrades’ ears.
“Earth received, go ahead.”
“During the previous search, I discovered a cave, that cave…”
After detailing the anomalies of this cave, Zhao Jianguo made his judgment: “I believe it is very likely the passage leading to that underground chamber!”
At this moment, he clearly sensed a bit of excitement in the voice of the Earth Base commander: “Earth received.
I will report this discovery to the Commander. Please immediately execute replenishment and rest tasks, and wait for follow-up instructions.”
“Yes.”
After communication with Earth ended, the comrades’ voices came into his ears: “A cave? Right there?”
“Yes, a very large cave, very deep.”
“Finally found something!”
“Everyone dismissed!”
“Yes!”
The nine astronauts dragged their weary bodies toward their respective spaceships.
After quickly eating something and drinking water, Zhao Jianguo, still wearing the bulky spacesuit, lay directly on the bottom of the spaceship and closed his eyes.
A few seconds later, his breathing became long and steady.
He seemed to have fallen asleep.
No matter the environment, facing enormous psychological and mental pressure, he must fall asleep quickly during the limited, fragmented rest time.
At the same time, he must ensure that he could wake up immediately if there was any disturbance from the outside.
This was difficult to achieve, but it was a quality every warrior must possess.
Earth’s reply came after ten-odd minutes.
As soon as the voice sounded, Zhao Jianguo immediately opened his eyes.
He scrambled up, with no trace of drowsiness or fatigue left.
“Earth Command Department decides: explore that cave! Bring the nuclear bomb!”
“Received, guarantee mission completion!”
Zhao Jianguo acknowledged, put on his helmet, and after the cabin was evacuated to vacuum again, opened the hatch.
The eight comrades had also appeared.
Arriving at the nuclear bomb storage point, Zhao Jianguo inspected it and confirmed the nuclear bomb was usable, then pulled the handle and dragged the board cart forward.
Fortunately, gravity on the Moon was low; otherwise, it would not be easy for one person to pull a 300-kilogram nuclear bomb across the lunar surface covered in moon dust.
But even so, this was extremely physically demanding.
No problem though, he had comrades; they could take turns pulling. For complex terrain, multiple people could cooperate.
The astronauts headed straight for the goal, and after more than half an hour, they arrived again at the cave entrance.
Pressing the chemical medicine bags at different parts of their bodies, cool light lines slowly appeared.
At this moment, the nine astronauts were nine lamps.
One person dragged the nuclear bomb board cart, while the other eight held submachine guns in hand.
Safeties off, bullets chambered.
Without any hesitation, the nine stepped forward together into the pitch-black, deep passage that was like leading to hell.
This scene was clearly presented in the command hall via relay filming by the lunar detection satellite, to the eyes of Sun Changhe, Jiang Yang, and others.
Watching the nine figures disappear, Jiang Yang’s heart slowly rose.
That indeed did not look like a natural cave; it was very likely the passage to that underground chamber. And that underground chamber could basically be confirmed as left by aliens.
If so… what was inside that cave? What would the astronauts encounter?
Looking at the time, Jiang Yang saw it was already 1 p.m.
11 hours left until the apocalypse.
If that underground chamber could not be destroyed in these 11 hours, the apocalypse would come again.
Countless eyes stared tightly at the live broadcast screen, not daring to look away.
About 15 minutes later, an astronaut’s figure appeared at the cave entrance.
He drew on the thick moon dust with his arm, then stood up again and hurriedly entered the cave.
Those words were clearly presented to people via the lunar satellite.
“500 meters, no anomalies.”
Obviously, he had come out specifically to report the result.
People began waiting patiently once again.
This time, a full 30 minutes passed before an astronaut figure appeared.
“1000 meters, no anomalies.”
Then, the number became 1500 meters, 2000 meters, up to the current 4000 meters.
Each time an astronaut appeared, the interval was lengthening.
Obviously, the deeper the exploration progress, the longer the round trip time.
Next time, if no accident, the number should become 4500 meters.
And based on previous time calculations, this update should be in two hours.
The clock slowly pointed to 7:45 p.m.
4 hours 15 minutes left until the apocalypse. And at this time point, an astronaut should come out to report.
But Jiang Yang waited until 8 p.m., and still no astronaut figure appeared at the cave entrance.
