On an alien world, Hong Fan bore responsibility for every team member's life as their captain.
Even if the chance of encountering danger was only 0.01%, he had to choose the safest course of action.
At Hong Fan's command, several team members ran toward the nearby Planetary Lander, their faces tense.
Hong Fan followed slowly at the rear, clutching the entrenching shovel he had just tossed onto the ground and watching the surrounding rock walls and sand warily.
Only after every team member had passed through the Planetary Lander's hatch did he operate his Mechanical Exoskeleton and dash toward the open entrance.
All the while, he gripped his entrenching shovel tightly, afraid something unexpected might happen.
After all, that was how it always went in movies and TV shows!
Just as the captain returned to safety, something would usually go wrong.
Then... came the classic scene of everyone rushing to the rescue, only to get picked off one after another.
He had no desire to end up in a situation like that!
Hong Fan kept a wary eye on his surroundings as these wild thoughts ran through his mind.
Fortunately.
The way was clear. Apart from the yellow sand filling the air, nothing was out of the ordinary.
He pushed off hard with his right leg. With the help of his Exoskeleton Armor, Hong Fan cleared the final three meters in a single bound and entered the Planetary Lander.
"Close the hatch!"
As soon as he spoke, the hatch, of the same design used on the Starship, slowly descended with a dull thud.
The heavy hatch gave everyone a little sense of security.
Only slightly hurried breathing remained over the communications channel.
[Pressure stabilized.]
A gentle female voice sounded inside his helmet.
Hong Fan let out a long