A few days later, at geostationary orbit.
Releasing the tail smoke, adjusting its posture, and shifting position, every step was exceptionally proficient. After recovering the debris, Ou Zhanpeng and Ling Xiao calmly returned.
As time passed, the incident of refusing to learn eventually subsided. Ou Zhanpeng continued to repeat the monotonous work, as if nothing had happened.
On the way, Ou Zhanpeng's peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of two blue-green tail flames. The IFF system showed no response, nor did he recall the base arranging personnel in that direction: "Ling Xiao, there's a situation ahead to the left!"
As he spoke, he quickly activated the radar, and two unfamiliar echoes immediately appeared on the screen.
"It's a spaceship from the United States of America!" Ling Xiao said.
Ou Zhanpeng's expression immediately turned grim.
According to the common agreement among the Blue Star companions, outer space did not belong to any single companion and territory division was not allowed. In theory, American spacecraft could appear in any airspace.
But theory was theory, and reality was reality. This area was close to Cloud Palace No. 2, a relatively sensitive special airspace. What were the Americans' intentions?
"Ling Xiao, report to the base!"
"Roger, Base, we've encountered an unidentified spacecraft..."
Ou Zhanpeng switched to the public communication frequency, "Spaceships ahead, listen up. This is our air defense identification zone. Immediately report your identity and purpose, otherwise, you will be responsible for all consequences!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a stiff response came over the radio: "Hi hi, don't be nervous, buddy, we are the 'Green Lake' orbital cleanup ship from the United States of America, currently performing cleanup operations."
Ou Zhanpeng was a little stunned. What was going on? They were in someone else's air defense identification zone so brazenly? Who gave him the courage?
"What kind of joke is this, being here?"
"Of course, it's here!" The other party's tone was as if it were natural, "First come, first served. We've already reached an agreement, haven't we?"
Ou Zhanpeng became even more confused and immediately switched frequencies: "Base, the other party claims to be an American cleanup ship, talking about reaching an agreement and first come, first served!"
"Is it the Green Lake?"
Ou Zhanpeng knew something was wrong as soon as he heard it: "What? You know?"
"I know this ship submitted an application to the base, but I don't know its exact location. Since we've run into it, please keep an eye on it!"
Ou Zhanpeng became more and more confused: "Wait a minute, what do you mean?"
"It means what it says." The base replied, "The Joint Base was destroyed by aliens, but many people remained in orbit. They are desperate and will do anything to obtain fragments and items from alien warships. We don't lack that kind of junk, so the higher-ups reached an agreement with the United States of America, which is what he means by first come, first served."
Ou Zhanpeng finally understood what the Green Lake meant.
Ling Xiao chimed in: "I see. Then let them have it."
There was half a warship on the moon. The Landing Mountain Base was swamped with work and couldn't possibly study everything. Did they really need these few insignificant items?
The base added: "The original words from above are that resisting aliens is not our sole responsibility. Other companions should contribute their share of effort and money. But if you want the horse to run, you have to let it eat grass. I also have an unconfirmed rumor that the higher-ups are preparing to establish a joint laboratory to provide some alien items to friendly companions for joint research and mutual progress."
"Understood!" Ou Zhanpeng breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he had been nervous for nothing.
Letting them have it was fine. After all, their objective was to quickly clear the orbital debris, not to collect alien artifacts.
Although the Joint Base was destroyed, there were still over a dozen companions behind the base. With so many companions working together, the cleanup progress would surely be faster.
Ling Xiao's voice was full of surprise: "Is this a space version of us eating meat while others drink soup?"
A tinkling laugh immediately came from the radio, but it was quickly suppressed: "Ling Xiao, don't try to make me laugh!"
Ou Zhanpeng's eyes lit up. His attention immediately shifted from the United States of America: This voice, this tone, something was up!
Ling Xiao looked incredibly innocent: "When did I try to make you laugh? Why are you slandering me out of the blue?"
"Alright, alright, stop with the nonsense. Base, do we two have to stay here to watch the Americans?" Ou Zhanpeng quickly interrupted, otherwise, he felt the next scene would be a forced display of affection.
"Yes!" The voice from the base returned to normal, "According to the agreement reached by the higher-ups, when the other party enters our identification zone, they must notify us in advance, and we will dispatch personnel to supervise them throughout. They are entrusted to you."
"What exactly do we need to supervise? In what aspect do we need supervision?" Ou Zhanpeng asked.
"In two aspects: first, to prevent the other party from gathering our intelligence; second, to supervise whether they clean thoroughly."
"What do you mean?" Ou Zhanpeng suddenly had a bad feeling.
"They are only interested in alien items. If they are not watched, they will collect everything left behind by the alien ships and leave all the human debris."
Ling Xiao immediately became indignant: "What kind of people are these?" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"It's not the first day the Americans have been like this," Ou Zhanpeng was not surprised at all. "Base, 024 understands and is supervising the other party."
After speaking, he switched to the public channel: "Green Lake, we have been ordered to supervise you. You can begin your operation."
There was a moment of silence on the radio, and a stiff, very reluctant response came: "Ok, we're starting!"
On the screen, the spaceship from the "deceased" Joint Base slowly approached the debris field, extending two slender mechanical arms. It grasped the floating debris one by one and sent them into the specialized collection port for debris.
From a distance, it looked like a misshapen crab picking and choosing as it fed.
Ling Xiao couldn't help but laugh: "It's quite interesting. I never thought the United States of America would use such backward methods!"
The technology for cleanup ships was not high. Looking at Blue Star, there were quite a few companions capable of designing such things.
The problem was that merely designing it was not enough. Being able to perfect the design, put it into production, manufacture it, and send it into space in such a short period of time was only possible for one entity.
They chatted idly for a while, and before long, two more American cleanup ships approached. One of them extended its mechanical arm, but instead of grasping debris, it flicked it like an outstretched finger, sending the debris into the collection port of the ship opposite.
Then, it extended a tube, about as thick as a finger, and blew towards the floating debris, which obediently flew into the belly of the cleaning ship opposite.
The three ships interacted with each other. Those who knew were cleaning up orbital garbage, but those who didn't might have thought they were three children playing a game!
Ling Xiao couldn't help but comment: "The equipment is a bit lacking, but the methods are indeed ingenious!"
Ou Zhanpeng also nodded: "No matter when, we shouldn't judge people by the crack in the door..."
Before he finished speaking, a burst of brilliant fireworks suddenly erupted between the three cleanup ships.