Luo Tu's mind was a mess, and it took him a while to sort out his thoughts: "Before reporting, we must come up with a detailed plan. We face many difficulties. First, we must leave behind necessary survival supplies, so the number of people cannot be too large. Otherwise, if supplies are insufficient, we will surely die. Second, we must understand electronic equipment, otherwise we cannot activate the weapon modules; third, we must have good foundational knowledge, otherwise without a fire control system, even if we successfully launch missiles, they will not hit the target... Also, taking people back is simply not realistic. It's best to launch another spaceship!"
Just as Ou Zhanpeng was about to speak, Luo Tu interrupted him again: "No, I have to report the intelligence to the base first."
After speaking, without regard for anyone else's opinion, he immediately reported the situation to the base, not only detailing Ou Zhanpeng's plan but also asking the base if it could launch a spaceship to pick up the people left behind.
Then, it was a matter of patiently waiting for the base's reply.
The Expedition had been flying for over two months, and at this moment, its distance from Earth was about thirty million kilometers, with a communication delay of a minute and a half.
The base's communication center was manned 24 hours a day. Thirty-four seconds later, the Expedition received a signal from Earth: "Expedition, base received, please wait patiently."
Xu Qing couldn't help but ask, "The launch window from Earth to Mars has long passed. Is it possible to launch a spaceship at this time?"
"The window has passed, but it's not for long. It's just a matter of spending more time. Not to mention whether we will pass through the firepower on our return journey, even if we do, we don't know when that will be. Launching a spaceship would be faster... If we leave enough supplies for the people left behind to last until the spaceship arrives, wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"
Xu Qing suddenly felt her brain wasn't working. This was merely changing from certain death to a slim chance of survival. How was that the best of both worlds?
"That's what they say, but accidents are unavoidable. We must plan carefully," Ou Zhanpeng said. "My idea is this: first, we must leave a multi-functional fighter jet!"
No one was surprised by this. After all, in space, flying capability was paramount, and on the Expedition, only the multi-functional fighter jet met the requirements.
"So, those who are left must be pilots!" Gu Haibo looked at Ou Zhanpeng with a conflicted expression, as the latter was one of the few pilots on the warship!
Among the 48 people on board, at least 40 were formally trained astronauts. It couldn't be said that every one of them was proficient in flying, but there were no less than 25 who could pilot an aircraft.
However, when it came to orbital flight, there weren't that many. At most, there were fewer than ten.
"This narrows down the scope!" Xu Qing's small face was full of gloom.
"There's no need to narrow it down. I proposed it, so I'll stay," Ou Zhanpeng said, once again volunteering. "Don't refuse, otherwise, I might not have the courage to make up my mind again."
"Let's not discuss personnel selection yet," Luo Tu said. "Leaving a fighter jet is fine, but a fighter jet is only so big, and it can't carry many things. How do you plan to survive until the spaceship arrives?"
At this time, the base still hadn't given any news, and whether a spaceship could be launched was still unknown, yet he was already planning for what would happen after the spaceship arrived.
Xu Qing's expression grew even more somber.
"I've thought about this too," Ou Zhanpeng said. "We can modify the fighter jet. We can move the sleep cabin onto it first, and then utilize the improved conditions to install a simplified life support system to increase the fighter jet's self-sufficiency time. It should be enough to last until the spaceship arrives."
"'Should'?" Luo Tu had always considered himself sharp-minded, but now he suddenly felt he wasn't quite sharp enough. "What does a simplified life support system mean?"
"It means exactly what it says," Ou Zhanpeng said. "First, oxygen tablets, which are very important."
"No problem, as much as you need!"
"Second, oxygen candles."
"Agreed!"
"We also need to install the sleep cabin onto the fighter jet, and we need a remote wake-up system."
Luo Tu thought for a moment and said, "The sleep cabin is definitely not a problem, but how will you dismantle it and then install it onto the plane?"
"Of course, we'll ask the base," Ou Zhanpeng said.
"What else is needed? Don't we need an electrolytic cell? There should be spares in the warehouse," Luo Tu said.
Those familiar with spaceflight knew that this device was used to produce oxygen and could be considered an essential piece of equipment for aerospace.
Ou Zhanpeng gave a wry smile. "I'd like to have it, but where would the fighter jet get its electricity?"
Everyone felt a headache. Xu Qing worriedly asked, "Without an electrolytic cell, how many days can we last relying only on tablets and oxygen candles?"
Ou Zhanpeng didn't know how to answer and could only weakly argue, "By sleeping more and waking less, we should be able to last longer..."
"There's no need to be so worried. The power module has a set of spare plutonium batteries. We can remove a few, and it should be enough," Luo Tu said.
As the captain, he understood the warship better than anyone and knew many things that others did not.
"That's great!" Ou Zhanpeng's mood instantly brightened.
Plutonium batteries are essentially nuclear batteries that generate electricity using the heat emitted by plutonium itself. Apart from low power output, they have no other drawbacks.
But if the power output is low, couldn't adding more batteries solve the problem?
As they were speaking, the communication console suddenly emitted a prompt tone. Luo Tu immediately played the message he had just received, and Shan Qiuyu's image appeared on the screen: "Expedition, we have seen your report. Regarding the situation on Mars, the higher authorities are conducting a comprehensive analysis and investigation, and there is no final result yet. However, I personally agree with your analysis. The combat plan you proposed demonstrates extraordinary courage, but there are still many areas that need improvement."
"I have reported the situation to the higher authorities, and the next steps will be decided by their research. I can answer three points for you: First, the alien base on Mars must not be let go. This is the primary mission of the expedition, and we absolutely cannot allow aliens to occupy Mars."
"Second, be prepared for both eventualities. Your plan is very creative and has many highlights."
"Third, although we have never launched an aircraft to Mars outside of the launch window, there are no theoretical problems. I have already organized personnel to calculate it. If all goes smoothly, the spaceship will arrive on Mars in seven months... The time is a bit long, but this is the fastest speed using all available means. I hope you can understand."
"Knowing this result, my feelings are as heavy as yours, but... uh, there is news from the higher authorities. They have approved your plan, but the details still need careful consideration. Also, the higher authorities have comprehensively optimized your plan. I will send you the detailed information shortly."
The communication ended. Although the higher authorities had approved Ou Zhanpeng's plan, everyone's hearts were in turmoil, extremely complex.