Behind him, Andrew laughed and cut in.
"Team Leader Hong."
"I remember you singing a different tune when Captain Bai was around."
"Yeah," Bruno teased as well. "Team Leader Hong, I liked you better when you were all defiant."
Their teasing left Hong Fan looking miserable.
"I..."
"I didn't know this thing would be so much trouble!"
A moment later, Fang Xu's voice came through the communications device.
"...Attention, all units."
"The fleet has reached the designated landing point. Our first landing mission is about to begin."
"Everyone, stay safe!"
"May humanity's glory endure forever!"
Hong Fan's expression turned solemn, and he swiftly issued his orders.
"Attention, all units!"
"Enter your Deep-Sea Pods immediately! I repeat, enter your Deep-Sea Pods immediately!"
After issuing the order, he led the way into the newly installed Deep-Sea Pod behind him.
Originally, Black Lady Two, which was primarily designed for travel within a planet, had no Deep-Sea Pods aboard.
But given Dawn Star's stronger gravity and the possibility that the g-forces during flight might exceed some crew members' limits, Lü Yongchang had ordered a batch of Black Lady Two craft modified.
Inside the Deep-Sea Pod, the pale yellow deep-sea fluid slowly rose.
Bruno's voice came over the communications channel. "Team Leader Hong, why is Academician Fang commanding the landing operation this time?"
"Doesn't Professor Lü usually command the first Landing Operation?"
Hong Fan answered calmly, "Generally, there are only two possibilities."
"First, something came up for Professor Lü."
"Second, Fang Xu has gotten himself into trouble again."
Bruno: "..."
The pale yellow deep-sea fluid rose past his neck, putting an end to his urge to ask more questions.
A Holographic Projection lit up before Hong Fan.
[All personnel detected inside Deep-Sea Pods. Begin landing operation?]
Without the slightest hesitation, Hong Fan issued