Deep Space Wandering Fleet
Chapter 242 - Chapter 242 Chapter 242 Official Departure

Chapter 242: Chapter 242 Official Departure Chapter 242: Chapter 242 Official Departure Due to the significance of this “Icebreaking Journey,” the recruitment station in Central Square was swamped with people – even those without any particular skills came to see what the buzz was about.

The public’s interest in this icebreaking journey was truly the greatest it had ever been!

“Hey, buddy, interested in becoming a Diplomat? Don’t you play the violin?”

The somewhat uninformed friend was stunned, “What does being a Diplomat have to do with playing the violin?”

“Of course, there’s a connection, the Diplomats we’re recruiting this time must have an artistic specialty! Think about it, an icebreaking journey can’t be something too serious, right…”

“Thousands of years ago, wasn’t Xia Country’s icebreaking journey to Country Mi all about playing ping-pong?”

“That makes sense, but my violin playing is nothing more than amateurish…”

“Come on, let’s check it out. Do you mean to say you’ve been practicing all this time just for your own amusement?”

At the thought of promoting Earth Civilization among an Alien Civilization, these folk artists’ eyes sparkled, their desire to perform in full blowout mode!

Indeed, the rumors were not wrong; the majority of people being recruited this time were cultural workers, such as musicians, dancers, painters, sculptors, and so on.

Luckily, the “Earth Era” spaceship also carried a few professional artists like Elwin when it departed. After all, the heritage of a civilization is not just about technology, but also a wealth of intangible cultural heritage, such as music, painting, and sculpture.

These artists, as precious as pandas, were now scoring performances by folk performers.

But when it comes down to it, the diplomatic team wouldn’t be too large, just twenty or thirty people in total. An icebreaking journey is not a vacation and shouldn’t have too many people, plus the shuttle’s carrying capacity is limited, so selection would inevitably be rigorous.

This was a matter that would represent the face of all of Human civilization, so any mediocrity would be quickly eliminated.

“That civilization… could it be trying to deceive us? Are they planning to catch us all in one fell swoop?” Lin Xuanyuan’s face was creased with worry, truly a million kinds of uneasy about Zhang Yuan becoming a Diplomat…

But as to such a significant matter, she felt embarrassed to say anything. She could only dawdle here, hoping Zhang Yuan might change his mind… or, at the very least, be more cautious.

“Deceive? Do you think we’re all fools? Is it that easy to deceive us?” Zhang Yuan felt a bit amused. “Catch us all in one fell swoop? What’s the point of capturing so few people, other than annoying Humans for no reason?”

“What if it’s some sort of Parasite that can completely control you? That what…”

Zhang Yuan marveled at her imagination and tapped her forehead, “You should read fewer science fiction novels and learn more Science! If there were such an advanced Parasite, I would really have to study it… because the other side has never interacted with our brain structure! Could it crack the Human brain on the first try? Even the super-life Zero-XZ couldn’t do it, let alone that civilization.”

During the conversation, Zhang Yuan suddenly had an idea: “Why don’t you come along too? We do need a representative for exchanges in medicine and a doctor to accompany us. However, there’s only one spot, and you have to pass a selection test. Don’t expect any help from me, okay?”

“Really? Then I’ll sign up right now!” Lin Xuanyuan hopped over to register as if accompanying him would make it a bit safer.

Zhang Yuan shook his head with a smile.

Everyone has curiosity, especially about face-to-face exchanges with Aliens… Who wouldn’t want to witness such a historic moment?

Even with a modicum of danger, the potential gains far outweighed any risks.

And just like that, a month flew by…

…

After training for some time, all the selected individuals were finally ready for the official departure.

Standing at the forefront of the crowd before boarding the shuttle, Zhang Yuan said, “Today is the day we depart. I hope everyone follows orders. I am the commanding officer of this mission. If there are any issues, come to me directly…”

“Ahem, no need for more chatter. Everyone do one last check of your luggage. Violinists, don’t forget your violins. Painters, don’t forget your canvases…”

“Oh, and don’t forget to bring your brains…”

Everyone broke out in a good-natured laugh. After the final check confirmed everything was correct, Zhang Yuan raised his hand.

“Let’s go.”

The group saluted the camera solemnly and boarded the two small shuttles.

In the mother ship and the underground base, nearly half a million eyes watched intently the images of the two spaceships.

Everyone was well aware of the profound significance of this “Icebreaking Journey.”

It related to the future development of humanity and would affect the course of the next few decades, even up to a hundred years!

“Departure!” The shuttles’ tail wings emitted bright ion flames.

Because they were carrying so many passengers, the shuttles weren’t very fast. It took three days before the planet’s gravity officially captured them.

The process was fairly smooth; the spaceship circled the planet several times, slowed down, opened its Deceleration Umbrella, and finally reached the surface successfully.

Hiss!

The hatch of the cabin opened.

The diplomatic delegation consisted of 26 people in total, including Zhang Yuan, Lin Xuanyuan, Li Zhendong, and six other academic experts, as well as 19 musicians, painters, and other artists, accompanied by one journalist.

All of them were wearing space suits and helmets.

One hour later, the two teams successfully converged.

“Hello everyone, I am Jianna. We have successfully landed and joined up!”

“From now on, I will take you on a wonderful journey to an alien planet; let’s experience the culture of an alien civilization together,” said a female journalist as she walked down the spaceship and immediately started recording video.

“Do you know what my first feeling was when I got down?… To take off the helmet and breathe in the air deeply. But reason stopped me; after all, the atmosphere of this planet is unbreathable…”

“They say it smells like rotten eggs.”

“Although my curiosity is intense, I still won’t challenge this odor…”

She then touched a yellow plant, “Look at this alien plant; it has a definite stress response. When touched, it retracts back into the soil, a bit like a Mimosa. It’s to defend against constant typhoons.”

She looked up at the sky, “Ah, the sunset…”

Stepping on this land, indeed, everyone felt a sense of returning to their homeland.

Every person revealed a nostalgic expression. How many years had it been since they left their mother star?

Merely three thousand years.

The Sun doesn’t age, Earth doesn’t age, but humans have changed beyond count. Earth Civilization has passed its peak and begun to decline…

Lin Xuanyuan gazed at the sunset in the distance and said reflectively, “I still remember witnessing the last sunset… that memo drawn up by the Artificial Intelligence ‘Green Elf,’ the sunset now is no longer the sunset of old.”

Zhang Yuan touched the unknown yellow weed on the ground, and with a “swoosh,” the small plant retracted.

“Yes… the things in our memory always seem more beautiful. It’s a pity that this is not our mother star after all, it’s not fit for habitation, and we have no need to fight over anything…”

…

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