Cataclysmic Era: I can unlock the tech tree

After confirming the status of each spaceship, Bai Yixuan nodded to Hong Fan beside him.

Hong Fan quickly adjusted the radio frequency and said in a deep voice.

"Calling ground control, we have arrived at the designated location!"

Because of the short distance, Lü Yongchang's response came quickly.

"Pfft... Got it!"

"All drivers, cease all operations."

"Repeat this: Stop all operations!"

"From now on, Zero will take over all tasks!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the pilots in the eleven Xuan Nu II aircraft released their grip on the control sticks and pressed the automatic cruise switch.

……

Inside the live stream room.

"What's going on? It's been stuck for over ten minutes, could it be frozen?"

"Are you kidding me... this thing can get stuck?"

"So what are those ten Mystic Maiden IIs going to do? Are they just going to stay there like that?"

"I just suddenly thought of a possibility. Do you think these ten Xuan Nu II aircraft could be pieced together to form one large airplane?"

"Hey upstairs, have you been watching too many cartoons?"

"..."

Just as everyone was discussing it wildly in the comments, the previously still image suddenly began to change.

The flames at the tails of the ten Xuan Nu II spacecraft, which were located at an altitude of 9.1 kilometers, suddenly grew larger.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the ten Mystic Maidens IIs were lined up in a straight line.

"Holy crap...could the person upstairs really be right?"

"Impossible, absolutely impossible! How could this thing possibly turn into a giant airplane?"

"Are you kidding me? If this thing could transform, I'd eat this computer screen right now... Holy crap!!!"

In the footage, the cabins of ten Xuan Nu II aircraft slowly "split open" from the top.

With the help of hinges and a hydraulic system, these "steel plates" gradually flattened out.

Just like the unfolding of a satellite's solar panels, the rectangular-structured cabin of Xuan Nu 2 unfolded to form a flat platform.

The cockpit and engine were completely separated on opposite sides of the platform.

Next, the ten deployed Xuan Nu IIs were connected one after another, forming a larger steel platform.

The moment the assembly was completed, several modified small Hall thruster nozzles below the platform emitted pale blue flames, while the exhaust flames from the engine nozzles on one side of the platform also diminished slightly.

Upon seeing this extremely sci-fi-style scene, the live stream chat exploded with excitement.

"Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!"

"Where are those guys who were just freeloading? I'm waiting for you guys to start your live stream!"

"..."

……

More than ten minutes later, thirty astronauts wearing silver-white spacesuits, with safety ropes around their waists and electromagnetic boots, walked steadily on the "Pinduoduo version of the spaceport" made up of ten Xuan Nu 2 spacecraft.

"Wu Ran!"

Bai Yixuan waved to the distance and shouted loudly on the radio channel.

The next moment, a hearty laugh came through the radio.

"White Team, long time no see!"

"I heard you went to Mars and were stuck there for almost half a month?"

At this moment, Wu Ran had already walked up to Bai Yixuan's side.

Because they were in space, he didn't dare use too much force, only gently patting Bai Yixuan's shoulder: "Don't take your good fortune for granted!"

"Ask these astronauts, which one of them has been to Mars?"

"You have no idea, after we became the pilots of the Mysterious Maiden No. 2, we basically spend every day on long-distance trips between the Earth and the Moon, either transporting cargo or loading and unloading cargo!"

"Tell me quickly, what's it like to land on Mars?"

Upon hearing Wu Ran's words, Bai Yixuan's face immediately revealed a proud smile.

Just as he was about to boast about it, the frustrating "drilling routine" on Mars came to mind.

He waved his hand strangely, changing the subject: "Alright, enough of this nonsense, let's get down to business!"

As he spoke, he glanced to the side.

After the cabin of the Xuan Nu II was unfolded, all the internal machinery was displayed on the platform.

The equipment inside the cabins of the ten Xuan Nu II aircraft, arranged in order, formed a complete production line.

"Bai Yixuan, can you hear me?"

Just as Bai Yixuan was curiously observing the cable production line, Lu Yongchang's voice came through his earphones.

"Professor, I can hear you!" Bai Yixuan's expression turned serious as he responded softly.

"Next, you will lead those novices to get the entire production line up and running."

"Once the production line is confirmed to be operational, Zero will take over the production tasks."

"After you leave the personnel on duty, you can return on the spaceship that transports the raw materials."

Bai Yixuan replied in a deep voice, "Yes, Professor!"

The Xuan Nu II has limited load-bearing capacity, so they did not bring any robots or robotic arms up this time.

Therefore, all the transportation work had to be done manually by thirty astronauts.

……

A few hours later.

Bai Yixuan stood on the platform constructed by the No. 10 spaceship, where the production equipment produced the cables.

As for Wu Ran, he stood on the platform constructed by Spaceship No. 1.

That's where the raw materials are imported.

"Have all the tests been completed?"

Bai Yixuan asked in a deep voice.

Upon hearing the inquiry over the radio, Wu Ran turned to look at the two astronauts beside him.

Because it was their first time participating in such an important mission, Wu Ran could see the nervousness on the faces of the two astronauts through their glass masks.

"Inspection of the No. 2 production line is complete."

Hong Fan's voice came through the radio.

When it comes to serious matters, even Hong Fan appears much more composed.

As the first report was given, the two astronauts next to Wu Ran immediately relaxed, and their expressions became much calmer.

"Inspection of production line in compartment one is complete!"

"..."

Announcements rang out over the team's radio.

"Wu Ran, you can start the production line now!"

After listening to the reports, Bai Yixuan said in a deep voice.

The next moment, a slight vibration came from the steel plate under my feet.

The production line is up and running!

Because there is no zero-point manipulation, the production line operates at a slower speed at this time.

Bai Yixuan stared intently at the dark discharge port, five meters in diameter, in front of him, afraid that he would miss the shot of the cable appearing.

A few minutes later, a braided cable with a diameter of five meters and a black surface appeared prominently at the discharge port of the production device.

Then, guided by the mechanical device, the cable continuously entered an opening at the bottom of the cabin and stretched straight towards the blue planet below.

Bai Yixuan stared blankly at the scene before him, a hint of amazement in his eyes.

To be honest, you can only truly appreciate how awe-inspiring a five-meter diameter cable is when you see it with your own eyes!

"Captain White, how's it going on your end? Did you ship the goods?"

Wu Ran's voice came through the radio.

Bai Yixuan composed himself and quickly replied, "The production line is running smoothly!"

As he spoke, he turned to look at the distant deep space, where a Mysterious Maiden II was flying towards them, trailing a long, dark blue flame.

"Everyone, it's time for us to go back!"