Three days passed quickly.
This day marked the first test flight of the Tianjian.
Inside and outside the Tianyu base, crowds thronged, their faces reflecting a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.
The massive body of the spaceship gleamed in the sunlight, resembling an interstellar ark about to set sail, ready to face its first trial.
"Our Tianyu Base is awesome! They've even built a giant rocket."
"Yes, who would have thought that a dream that once required the joint efforts of countless aerospace workers could be realized at our Tianyu base, in such harsh and frigid conditions of the post-apocalyptic world?"
"Who can argue with that? It's truly unimaginable that we can not only live such a utopian life in the apocalypse, but also build a spaceship. It's like a dream."
"Sky Ship is awesome! Minister Niu is awesome! Tianyu Base is awesome! Chief Qiao is awesome! Mr. Chen is awesome!"
…………
Cheers, applause, and praises rose and fell from the crowd, as if to engulf the entire Tianyu Base in this fervent emotion.
Pride and joy radiated from everyone's faces; they felt incredibly fortunate and honored to be able to witness and participate in this historic moment.
Chen Yu, Lin Lele, and the others also brought tables, chairs, and benches, along with peanuts and melon seeds, and set up a simple viewing platform on the top of Shiban Mountain to witness this exciting moment together with the people below.
Inside the Red Sky Alliance base, a group of curious onlookers lay on the high ice and snow city wall, also gazing at the massive spaceship in the distance.
Niu Kesi, deputy director of the Science and Technology Department of Tianyu Base and chief commander of the Tianjian project, stood in front of the large screen in the launch command center, his eyes fixed on the various data on the screen and the constantly jumping countdown numbers.
With each passing second, his heart beat faster, a complex web of tension and anticipation weaving within him.
"Ten, nine, eight..." The countdown echoed in the command center, each number like a heavy hammer blow striking everyone's heart.
Niu Ke's hands unconsciously clenched into fists, and he felt his breathing become rapid. He knew that this test flight was not only a comprehensive test of the Tianjian technology, but also an affirmation of the hard work and wisdom of the entire Tianyu base team.
"Seven, six, five..." The countdown continued, and the spaceship's engines began to roar. The enormous thrust caused the entire aircraft to tremble slightly, as if it were making final preparations for the upcoming flight.
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"Tch! Look how smug they are, dreaming of reaching for the heavens. Why don't you just fly to the heavens and stand shoulder to shoulder with the sun?" A member of the Red Sky Alliance curled his lip, his tone full of disdain.
"That's right, they don't even know their own limitations, yet they dare to dream of building rockets," another person chimed in, their eyes gleaming with envy.
"Hehe, let's just wait and see the show. I think it will be a spectacular display of fireworks." Another member of the Red Sky Alliance sneered, his eyes full of disdain and mockery towards the Tianyu Base.
"Who knows, that so-called spaceship might not have gone very far before it falls down like a kite with a broken string. Then there will be a good show to watch," he said sarcastically, which drew laughter from the people around him.
However, their laughter did not last long before it was interrupted by a huge roar from afar.
"Boom!"
A strong tremor followed, as if the entire world was shaking.
The people who were lying on the ice and snow city wall inside the Red Sky Alliance base stopped talking and looked in the direction from which the sound came.
In the distance, the enormous spaceship slowly rose into the air, its massive thrust generating thick smoke and flames.
In that instant, all eyes were drawn to the breathtaking scene. Whether it was the cheering crowd at Tianyu Base or the skeptics within the Red Sky Alliance, everyone held their breath and watched this historic moment.
Flames shot out from the tail of the spaceship, leaving a dazzling trail between the ground and the sky like a giant dragon.
As the spaceship gradually rose higher, its roar gradually subsided, but the awe-inspiring power seemed to linger in everyone's hearts.
Inside the Tianyu base, cheers and applause surged up like a tidal wave once again. People cheered, hugged each other, and celebrated this historic breakthrough.
Even Chen Yu and his companions couldn't help but clap and cheer.
"Hmph! So what if they can build it? With natural disasters raging now, instead of thinking about the well-being of the people, they're messing around with these empty and unrealistic things. They've really put the cart before the horse!" A member of the Red Sky Alliance said with a look of disdain.
“Yeah, we can’t even get enough to eat, yet we’re wasting precious resources on this junk. Isn’t that just a waste of time?” Another member of the Red Sky Alliance said with a frown and a dissatisfied expression.
"Brothers, do you think it's possible that we're just starving, while the people at Tianyu Base aren't lacking in food and drink?" A relatively calm member of the Red Sky Alliance suddenly raised a different point of view.
"Zhao Fugui! Do you know what you're saying? You traitorous dog!" An angry voice interrupted Zhao Fugui.
"Brothers, beat him up!"
The crowd surged forward.
"Ouch, I was wrong, brothers, I was wrong, please don't hit me!" Zhao Fugui cried out for mercy as he dodged the punches and kicks from the crowd.
However, the enraged members of the Red Sky Alliance showed no sign of stopping, feeling that Zhao Fugui's words were an insult and a betrayal.
"You traitor, how dare you speak up for the people of Tianyu Base!"
"That's right, how could our Red Sky Alliance have a scoundrel like you!"
"Kill him! Eliminate this scourge for the Red Sky Alliance!"
Just then, a dazzling light shone in the sky.
Immediately afterwards, a deafening roar resounded.
"Boom!"
The sudden loud noise stunned everyone, including the Red Sky Alliance members who were beating Zhao Fugui. They all looked up at the sky and saw that the spaceship, which had been steadily taking off, had exploded in mid-air, turning into a huge fireball that then scattered in all directions like a meteor shower.
The members of the Red Sky Alliance were initially taken aback, then burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, I knew it! How could they possibly succeed! Now they've become the brightest firework in the sky!"
"Yes, that's truly gratifying! Let's see if they dare to cause trouble again!"
"Hmph, this is what happens when you overestimate yourself!"
"What are you guys doing? Get down here!" a furious shout rang out.
The group of people who had just been laughing suddenly froze, their expressions turning to one of fear.
Beneath the snow-covered city walls, a patrol team from the Red Sky Alliance, dressed in cotton-padded coats and carrying rifles, stood ready, their eyes blazing with fury as they stared at them.
The leading guard captain was a burly man with a livid face, clearly furious at their actions.
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