Setting Foot Among the Stars

Ever since Apollo 17's lunar mission ended in December 1972, no one had ventured beyond Earth's orbit, nor had anyone set foot on the Moon's surface. Sailing along the cold, pitch-black Earth-Moon transfer orbit, the Auspicious was like a lone boat on a vast ocean, enduring the baptism of solitude.

The darkness beyond the windows held a deathly stillness and cold utterly unlike any night on Earth. It seemed to belong to another world, like diving ten kilometers beneath the sea and gazing into an invisible abyss below.

After nearly forty hours of flight, the dark gray celestial body finally began drawing closer.

Watching it slowly approach, Nie Yun held the control stick and took a slow, deep breath.

"This is the Auspicious. We've entered the twelve-hour orbit and are approaching the Moon..."

Sitting in a passenger seat in the back, Liu Zhengwen gazed at the approaching Moon as well, feeling his heartbeat quicken.

Half of it was excitement; the other half was an emotion he couldn't even describe.

About five minutes later, he suddenly remembered something and instinctively spoke up.

"Speaking of which... who gets to step out first?"

Liu Zhengwen felt his face grow warm as he asked. He had no intention of stealing credit or chasing fame, but asking the question made him feel as though that was exactly what he was doing. Really, he just thought it was better to settle something that might cause a dispute before the mission began.

Nie Yun, however, merely smiled, seemingly unconcerned.

"You can go first."

Liu Zhengwen replied awkwardly.

"No, you should go first."

After all, Nie Yun had flown the Auspicious all the way here.

Nie Yun smiled. "I have to stay aboard the Auspicious and keep an eye on things. I'm afraid I can't go down with