We need a victory

It was midnight in Shangjing.

In Washington, that meant it was eight in the morning.

For most Americans, a new day had only just begun.

In a house in suburban New Jersey, a young couple and their newly four-year-old child sat at the dining table in their living room, enjoying breakfast together.

After mixing salad dressing into her bowl, Julie sat down at the table and glanced at the news on television. A report about the Ares Program was playing, and she couldn't help grumbling, "I don't understand why we have to spend money competing with the Hua Nation over these things. Wouldn't it be better to use that money for something meaningful?"

Buddy grinned as he chewed his bacon sandwich and watched television.

"You don't understand. This is how men waste money."

Julie rolled her eyes at her husband's words.

"Yes, I don't understand. I don't understand how a truck driver has somehow started worrying about outer space. Even if we give you every benefit of the doubt, they still aren't going to let you drive a truck on Mars."

Buddy raised his eyebrows and said with a smile, "Who knows? Maybe that day will come. Apparently, the Ares Program is recruiting volunteers. Maybe I'll be like Han Solo—"

"I'm warning you, don't even think about it!"

Seeing his wife's expression turn serious, Buddy gave her a helpless look and tried to reassure her.

"Relax, sweetheart... I was only talking. Of course I wouldn't actually sign up."

Just then, an unexpected development interrupted the news broadcast.

"We interrupt our scheduled coverage with breaking news. Just nine minutes ago, NASA observation satellites detected the Auspicious taking off from the Jinling Launch Center in the Hua Nation, carrying a lunar lander. As of the time we received this information, it had