The shipboard computer's simulation lasted four hours, completing 470 million low-modulus calculations and 13 million finite element analyses, ultimately yielding six plausible results. The success rates of these results, from lowest to highest, were 0.2%, 1.1%, 3%, 3.3%, 7%, and 20%. However, considering the actual situation, Qin Zhongquan and the first mate agreed that the 3% solution offered the best value. Of course, given more time, they would have preferred a 100% success rate solution rather than risking their team members even the slightest bit.
It took twenty minutes to mobilize the crew. Qin Zhongquan used this time to rush to Hangar 2 and watch the maintenance platform gradually fill up with people and equipment. His duties prevented him from participating in this high-risk mission, so he could only remain aboard the Terminus, patiently and calmly waiting for the landing team to complete their mission and then taking over the subsequent casualty reports.
The twenty-one crew members, ready to go, were divided evenly into three groups: A, B, and C. Each group consisted of two technical support personnel stationed on the lunar surface, two torpedo handlers, two sweepers, and a guide. Each team leader was chosen by the team members. They would land using a rocket-assisted lander, with the Terminus providing communications and positioning support. Qin Zhongquan, as captain, witnessed the entire process of their departure.
When everyone was ready, the first mate gave an order and the three landers were slowly lifted by the preparation platform into the isolation cabin on the flight deck. Accompanied by a huge noise and alarm bells, an explosion-proof airtight door gradually closed and the air in the isolation cabin was discharged.
After a while, the idle people who stayed here felt the dull sound of mechanical locks coming from the floor and walls. The outer gate of the isolation cabin opened, a series of navigation indicators and searchlights lit up on the No. 2 flight deck, and the monitors installed outside the Terminal began to send back video signals.
From the large screen hanging above the hangar, it can be seen that the transfer robotic arms on both sides of the flight deck have started working. The three landers were accurately and flexibly flipped 90 degrees by them and aimed at the exit more than 100 meters away.
Everything went very smoothly. When everyone counted to thirty seconds, the tail of the cone-shaped lander began to spew out orange-yellow flames. The three robotic arms were released one by one at five-second intervals. The lander shot out in a diagonal line, accelerated to a certain distance, and then turned around in a programmed manner to change its lunar orbit.
Qin Zhongquan stood there watching for a long moment, until the external monitors could no longer detect the lander, and then he returned to the captain's chair in the command cabin. His appearance didn't disturb the others. The first officer was just below him, looking incredibly excited. The communications team was gathered around a computer monitor, seemingly discussing something. On the main screen in front of them, twenty headshots were arranged in three rows. Judging by the real-time signals, their physical condition was generally quite good—after all, the mission hadn't reached its critical juncture yet.
He sat down, fastened the safety straps to his seat, and then picked up the intercom on the console. "Ahem. Attention, everyone on board! Everyone, immediately proceed to the nearest safety seats. I repeat, immediately proceed to the safety seats! The Terminus is about to conduct an emergency maneuver!" He finished his words, then leaned back against his backrest, seemingly drained of all strength, and closed his eyes.
If Lin Ke's prediction was correct, the Apocalypse would be attacked by kinetic weapons in three minutes and lose nineteen of its good brothers who had bravely fought alongside them in this operation.
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