Did the world end today?

Chapter 153 The Fall of Ares

Good morning, Comrade Lin Xu.

"Help me pick up Qi Yuan and have him wait in the bridge command room."

Lin Xu interrupted Zhiyun and quickly gave the order.

Meanwhile, he had already gotten out of bed and was rushing towards the bridge command room without stopping.

Along the way, Lin Xu directly contacted Bai Mo and Shen Li, and activated the Butterfly Plan using the information he had and the real password for the Butterfly Plan.

But this time, he made a new request.

Confidential.

The news that the "Butterfly Plan" has been activated will not be disclosed to the public except to relevant personnel.

This is to minimize the scope of those who are aware of the information and to avoid information leaks as much as possible.

Upon arriving at the bridge, Bai Mo had already prepared the smart goggles, while Shen Li stood to the side, his expression slightly solemn.

Looking at his expression, Lin Xu couldn't help but feel an unusual emotion rising within him.

沈历
In the previous world, he was the chief engineer of the Star Travel One project.

In this world, he is the captain of the Vermilion Bird One.

His position must be quite important.

But until now, Lin Xu has not found any "powerful enough" qualities in him.

So, what is the correct way to use it?
It's unlikely that it will be found anytime soon.

We can only continue to try and fail.

Or, perhaps we should give him some autonomy?
In the past, he had always acted according to the orders he had given.

So each time, he was unable to play any "decisive" role.

So this time, why not let him move freely?

Thinking of this, Lin Xu immediately explained the situation and the plan to the three of them, and then gave the order:

"So what we need to do now is not simple, but it is very clear."

"We need to capture the Ares space station of the Western Alliance to obtain intelligence about the pre-establishment of the Western Alliance, including information about the Lanshi 2025 project."

"This information is most likely not stored on the memory associated with the main system, but is probably stored separately in isolation."

"Of course, it is also possible that these things are not stored in the form of data at all, but are stored through a separate physical medium."

"But that's not important. Even if there's nothing there, I can be sure that there are people in the know and people in command on the Ares space station."

"So now, I need you to develop a complete and reliable attack plan for me."

"There are 53 minutes left."

"We need to get in at least 20 minutes before the countdown begins!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Li immediately raised his hand and replied:

"Distance is not a problem. The landing craft has a shock engine and can reach the destination and complete the deceleration process in a maximum of 10 minutes."

"The key point is that we need a legitimate reason to enter the Ares space station."

After Shen Li finished speaking, Qi Yuan added:
"It's not just about entering; to be precise, it's about entering with weapons."

"Furthermore, it was done by carrying weapons without alerting the other side."

"At the same time, the speed of entry must be fast enough to leave the other side no time to destroy the data."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone frowned.

After a slight pause, Lin Xu added:

"There's one more point."

"We need to avoid casualties as much as possible - that is, we should keep as many people alive as possible."

"Because we are unsure whether there is any physical data inside the Ares space station, and we cannot locate the personnel who actually possess the intelligence, we need to try and fail."

"This is impossible."

Bai Mo raised his hand to interrupt, then said decisively:
"It's impossible to guarantee that everyone will survive."

"But we can try and fail at different times—do you understand what I mean?"

"clear."

Lin Xu nodded.

Bai Mo was still the one among the people in front of Lin Xu who had the deepest understanding of the "butterfly" mechanism.

While Qi Yuan and Shen Li were still trying to complete the mission in one go, she realized that the world she was in was just a stepping stone.

With 51 minutes left on the countdown, she decisively spoke up:
"In any case, the landing craft must first get close to the Ares—we can set the course toward Deimos, which will allow us to pass right by the Ares space station."

"Let's set off first, and discuss the specific plan along the way!"

"Qi Yuan, assemble the team and bring your weapons!"

"understand!"

At the command, everyone immediately sprang into action.

Lin Xu followed closely behind Bai Mo out of the bridge command room, while Qi Yuan led his team onto another landing ship.

Fasten your seatbelts, and once the engines are warmed up, it takes less than two minutes for the two landing craft to detach from Zhuque-1 and begin heading towards Phobos.

After the orbital information was reported, a warning came over the radio from Ares Space Station, reminding the landing craft to avoid the space station's orbit.

At this moment, the people on the space station were unaware that they had become prey in Lin Xu's eyes.

"The deceleration phase will begin in 8 minutes."

Bai Mo said in a deep voice:

"No matter how you want to fight, you must come up with a plan within 8 minutes!"

"I'm already thinking about it!"

Qi Yuan's voice came through the radio.

After a moment, he continued:

"How about I ask my wife?"

Do you really need to ask your wife about something like this?
Lin Xu was dumbfounded.

But to his even greater astonishment, Bai Mo actually agreed.

"Explain the situation to her and tell her to hurry up!"

Noticing Lin Xu's puzzled expression, Bai Mo casually explained:

"His wife was involved in the design of the collaborative rules for the Mars and Ares space stations, so she might know about some loopholes in the rules."

".clear."

Lin Xu suddenly realized.

It seems that in this world, Su Yuchen has finally broken free from the influence of the high-dimensional channel and become a truly good wife?
Perhaps this can be considered a good ending?

No.

Of course, it's not good enough.

Because they are both young, and they are even in a long-distance relationship.

Lin Xu gathered his slightly scattered thoughts, and just two minutes later, as the landing ship completed its first acceleration, Qi Yuan's voice came again.

"The only recourse is to utilize the principle of emergency avoidance!"

"The Western Alliance space station also assumes international rescue responsibilities. If it is confirmed that the landing ship is malfunctioning and unable to return, we can go to the Ares space station for refuge!"

"But we need to blow up the shock engine first!"

"understand!"

Bai Mo nodded immediately and then quickly reached out to operate.

Lin Xu was completely stunned.

What the hell?

Did they blow up the shock engine?

Listen, is this human language?
If I were sitting on the landing craft and the shock engine exploded, what would my chances of survival be?
But by then, he had no time to hesitate.

Following Bai Mo's instructions, Lin Xu quickly put on his equipment, and a moment later, the spaceship shook violently.

The overloaded shock engine failed, and the spacecraft could only rely on the slowly starting nuclear thermal engine to slow down.

"MAYDAYMAYDAYMAYDAY!"

Bai Mo sent a distress signal to all spacecraft, and a moment later, the Ares space station responded and issued a connection authorization.

The problem is that the standards of the two space stations are not consistent.

The landing craft cannot dock directly like it would to the Mars Palace space station; everyone must exit the spacecraft before it comes to a complete stop.

"be prepared."

Bai Mo's voice was steady.

"Don't worry, I'll hold your hand!"

At this point, the countdown had 45 minutes remaining. The Ares space station had already deployed its nets. After a brief confirmation and verification of his identity, Bai Mo decisively pressed the emergency escape button.

"boom!"

A slight explosion was heard, and the landing ship's hatch was thrown off.

Bai Mo first secured the safety rope, then nimbly exited the cabin and went around to the side to assist Lin Xu in exiting the cabin.

This was Lin Xu's first time being in the vast expanse of space.

The spacesuit he wore didn't look too bulky, but of course, it wasn't very flexible either.

The safety rope had been untied, and Lin Xu could no longer find anything to hold onto.

Like a drowning person, he instinctively wanted to grab onto something fixed.

But at this moment, what around him is fixed?
"take it easy."

Bai Mo's voice rang out.

"Oxygen can sustain you for 25 minutes, that's enough."

"Let's switch to the public channel immediately and stop talking nonsense!"

"clear."

Lin Xu quickly calmed down, and at that moment, Bai Mo stomped on the landing craft and rushed towards the nets released by the Ares space station.

The distance is not close.

It has even reached over a kilometer.

It takes several minutes just to "drift" across that distance.

Lin Xu couldn't help but worry that he would miss the Ares space station, but thankfully, the space station was getting bigger and bigger in his line of sight.

The net then captured the target and began to be retrieved.

Lin Xu was pulled into the space station's airlock, followed closely by Qi Yuan's assault team.

"Put down your weapons! Put down your weapons!"

The command from the Ares space station command personnel came over the loudspeaker:
"Report on your mission!"

"We were planning to land and explore Deimos, but both landing craft's engines were destroyed, which we suspect was caused by a small meteorite impact!"

"We need to rest and then return to the Yinghuo Palace Space Station!"

Bai Mo's explanation was completely consistent with the previous orbital report. After a simple verification, the airlock was opened, and everyone began to remove their equipment according to the instructions broadcast over the loudspeaker.

However, their weapons were also required to be placed outside the airlock.

Otherwise, the isolation door cannot be opened.

Inside the isolation door, several security personnel armed with rifles were already on guard.

This is a dead end.

Lin Xu looked at Qi Yuan, who had decisively and naturally put down his weapon, as if he didn't care at all.

Immediately afterwards, he took the lead and walked towards the isolation door, quietly waiting for it to open.

The other team members were the same; they had laid down all their weapons and were no longer any threat.
-
At least, that's how it seems to everyone inside the Ares space station.

The moment the isolation door opened, Qi Yuan stepped out of the airlock.

A moment later, the isolation door closed, and security personnel stepped forward to conduct a body search.

If we're going to take action, now's the time.

Lin Xu had his sights set on one target, knowing he couldn't offer much help.

However, locking down one of them can be helpful for the entire battle.

His breathing gradually became rapid.

But neither Qi Yuan, Bai Mo, nor any of the other assault team members seemed to have any intention of making a move.

They seemed to be waiting for something.

Until a slight collision sound was heard.

Everyone's eyes instinctively turned to the porthole.

"It's nothing, just a small meteor shower."

One of the security personnel spoke up.

next second.

"Crack!"

His neck was suddenly snapped.

Before he knew it, Qi Yuan had appeared behind him.

"Bang bang bang-"

Gunshots rang out immediately afterward.

Not only Qi Yuan, who had already seized the weapon, but the other security personnel at Ares Space Station also reacted and pulled the trigger in less than a second.

As the gunshots rang out, three of the six assault team members who had entered the space station fell instantly.

They had no chance to resist, because all their weapons had been left in the airlock.

Even so, they fought to the very last moment.

After the other six team members eliminated their enemies and obtained weapons, the situation instantly reversed.

Lin Xu held down the hands of an enemy beneath him, while Bai Mo lunged forward and punched the enemy in the Adam's apple.

Immediately afterwards, the two worked in perfect unison, twisting the enemy's cervical spine at an exaggerated angle.

"go!"

Qi Yuan has regained his footing.

The magnetic field level at Ares Space Station is slightly different from that at Mars Space Station, making you feel a bit lightheaded when you run around.

Fortunately, the recoil could still be controlled with difficulty.

At this moment, the most urgent alarm sounded throughout the entire space station.

The surrounding spacecraft began to rapidly approach the space station. Judging from their trajectories, it seemed that they intended to destroy everything here, even if it meant crashing into Ares Station.

Lin Xu fired a rapid burst of fire with his rifle, taking down a security guard who was trying to close the hatch. He then rushed forward and blocked the hatch from closing.

"go!"

Lin Xu shouted loudly:

"They want to destroy themselves!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Li's voice suddenly came through the earphone.

"Prepare to intercept."

"Just do your own thing!"

Lin Xu turned his head and saw a small spaceship rushing towards the Ares space station suddenly explode in mid-air.

Its pilot may never know what attacked it.

But Lin Xu knew.

That's the "obstacle clearing system" or active defense array carried on the Zhuque-1 satellite!

Stable.

The cleanup was proceeding swiftly and steadily, as the Ares space station was not particularly large to begin with.

In just 6 minutes, the entire space station was thoroughly cleaned.

When Qi Yuan led his team into the core module, the man standing on the control panel was attempting suicide with the pistol in his hand.

"boom!"

Lin Xu pulled the trigger without hesitation.

The bullet struck the man's wrist precisely, almost tearing his entire hand off.

Qi Yuan, along with the remaining assault team member, cleared out the three remaining security personnel in the core compartment. Bai Mo then rushed forward and restrained the man who was trying to pick up his pistol.

The battle is effectively over.

In a series of bloody personnel exchanges, the elite assault team members on Zhuque-1, who were clearly specially arranged by Jiang Xingye, ultimately gained the upper hand.

Even in the end, all that remained of them were two wounded individuals.

But in the end, they stood firm.

Qi Yuan looked around, followed Lin Xu who was walking towards the control panel, and said:
"You're a very good shot—have you trained before?"

"You taught him."

Lin Xu answered casually.

Then, he looked at the man slumped on the ground and asked:
"Lanzhou Stone Project".

"Tell me, what exactly is Project Lanshi?"

(End of this chapter)