Our great nation of China traverses the multiverse.

Chapter 53 The Steam Siren Sounds, Motherland Calls

Zhanjiang, the estuary.

This is one of the naval ports where the main warships of the South China Sea Fleet of China are gathered.

The flagship had just completed the military's testing and modification, and the officers and soldiers were enjoying a rare vacation.

But today, Wu Tong, the captain of the Type 055 destroyer Nanjiang, sensed something was amiss.

He was taking the opportunity to call his wife and daughter.

His daughter is nine years old and very cute. She kept asking him on the phone when he would come back to see him.

Wu Tong could only respond with an awkward laugh.

"Alright, alright, I know your business is important. Take care of yourself, okay?"

His wife gently noticed his embarrassment and quickly stopped their daughter from asking further questions.

She simply looked at Wu Tong, her eyes filled with intense and burning love.

"I know."

Wu Tong's resolute face finally revealed a gentle smile.

This is a genuine smile he only shows when facing something he loves.

"When you change ships and have more time, remember to come back..."

His wife nodded gently, just about to say a few more words.

Suddenly, a sharp horn blared in the harbor.

"Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep—"

"Level One Combat Alert!"

A sudden tightness gripped his heart. Almost instinctively, the muscle memory developed from his long-term training prompted Wu Tong to hang up the phone without hesitation and run frantically toward his ship.

What happened? Why did the Level 1 combat alert suddenly go off?!

Filled with doubt, Wu Tong quickly returned to his ship.

"Captain, all 181 crew members are present. Requesting instructions!"

The ship's first mate came to his side and immediately reported on the ship's situation.

At this moment, Wu Tong also clearly saw the document issued by the Naval Operations Command Center.

After reading it, he closed his eyes tightly.

After a moment, he suddenly opened his eyes.

His eyes were firm, his face resolute. He turned his head slightly, looked at the outline of the city behind him, and revealed a gentle smile.

After glancing back one last time, Captain Wu fixed his gaze intently ahead and declared loudly:

"Upon receiving orders from the command center that the enemy is crossing the South China Sea, anchor, distribute orders to all ships, and set sail to rendezvous with the main fleet."

"Attention! This is not a drill! This is not a drill!"

"Specific combat information data links have been distributed to all ships."

"Now, all ships, form battle formation!"

"Thirty knots, full speed ahead!"

……

Meanwhile, at home, his wife also heard that familiar voice.

The urgent sound of the ship's horn stirred up her memories.

She remembered that her husband had once told her that it was... the sound of a level one combat alarm.

"If this whistle sounds, I will rush to the battlefield without hesitation, and I might even die in it. Would you still accept me like this?"

At the Naval Academy, the young Wu Tong knelt down on one knee before her, proposed, and solemnly uttered these words.

Recalling past memories.

In an instant, she froze on the spot, covered her mouth, and two lines of clear tears flowed from her eyes.

"Mom, what was that sound coming from Dad's side just now? It was so awful, it hurt my ears!"

The daughter covered her ears, looking somewhat unhappy.

As a child, she didn't understand what the sound meant.

She just felt that the flute music was awful and that it would be best if it never played again.

But why isn't Mom making a sound?

The little girl put down her chubby pink hands, blinked her eyes, and looked at her mother.

"Mom, why are you crying?"

"Don't cry, Mommy!"

When the little girl saw her mother crying, she ran to hug her.

She snapped out of her daze, choked back a sob, quickly wiped away her tears, forced a smile, and hugged her daughter.

"Hey, sweetie, look, Mommy isn't crying, she's not crying!"

Wiping away her tears, she turned her head and glanced southeast, sighing inwardly.

"Old Wu, you must come back safely!"

……

"10 meters above the ground, retro-rockets activated successfully!"

"Landing successful. Ground search and rescue teams are rushing to the destination to ensure the safety of the astronauts."

Three days later, at the landing site in Siwangzi Banner, Inner Mongolia.

With a resounding roar from the retro-rockets, the spacecraft carrying the three lunar landing heroes successfully landed!

A few minutes later, the helicopter appeared on the observation screen.

Then, the location was determined, the hatch was opened.

The search and rescue team had undergone countless training sessions and was extremely familiar with everything related to welcoming the astronauts.

The three astronauts were carried out.

However, as soon as he came out, astronaut Zhai Gang noticed that something was wrong with the atmosphere at the scene.

"Congratulations to the three astronauts on achieving China's first lunar landing! Now, we will immediately take you back to the support vehicle!"

The search and rescue personnel appeared very anxious.

Moreover, what surprised the three of them the most was...

There weren't any reporters?!

It's not that Zhai Gang is narcissistic.

Did their return this time mean they successfully landed a man on the moon?

Surprisingly, there were no professional reporters here, only search and rescue personnel taking photos.

This……

Isn't that a bit too tragic?

Zhai Gang, Chen Dong, and Nie Zheng exchanged glances, their eyes revealing worry.

This isn't the normal procedure!

Something must have happened to make them the least prestigious astronauts in history.

Boom——

Suddenly, a blast of air roared throughout the entire landing site.

In the distance, several fighter jets, fully loaded, were cruising at low altitude!

The roar of the fighter jet engines, like a rumble of the earth, spread instantly, shaking the very soul.

But why are fighter jets patrolling at low altitudes at the landing site?

Zhai Gang lay half-reclined in the chair, lost in thought.

……

"The three astronauts have returned successfully, and the first phase of the lunar landing program has been a success. After this event, we can begin the construction of the second phase of the lunar program."

Zhao Guangyao approached Fang Jing, who was training.

I told him this good news that had just spread.

"It's good that it succeeded!"

Fang Jing was also somewhat excited upon hearing this.

Maybe it'll be his turn to go to the moon soon!