Child’s play, nonsense, a mere spectacle for attention.
No matter what the insults were.
Everyone standing beneath the Launch Tower paid no mind at all.
Even if deep down, they knew this launch was doomed to fail.
But looking up at that towering structure, at the sleek, pure white slender body, they felt like true aerospace engineers, orchestrating a grand voyage to the stars.
That alone was enough to set their blood boiling with passion.
[Team Announcement – Command of the Launch Mission – Allei: Countdown one hour thirty minutes, all units report readings.]
Atop the Launch Tower, Allei glanced at the time and issued the announcement.
He might have already fully immersed himself in the roleplay, dressed in a researcher’s white coat, wearing serious expressions and non-prescription glasses to appear cultured.
“Fuel Tank pressure is normal.”
“Fairing status normal.”
“Simulated Payload Bay load increase complete, balance normal.”
“Separation Explosive Device normal.”
[Team Announcement – Command of the Launch Mission – Allei: Second and third inspection teams begin withdrawal, first team continues monitoring readings.]
One by one, the Phoenix Fire crew withdrew from the Launch Pad atop the steel tower.
“We should head out too. It’s going to get really hot here soon,” Kang Jie said.
Wu Xiaomi hesitated, reluctant to leave, reaching out as if to touch it, but it was out of reach, not even visible.
“Here.”
Bai Xiao Zhi grasped the girl’s wrist and leaned forward.
Her fingertip lightly brushed the edge of the Fuel Tank.
Satisfied~
[Touching it won’t affect the launch, right?] Wu Xiaomi asked cautiously.
“No,” Kang Jie laughed, “even if it did, it wouldn’t matter. This thing’s yours anyway.”
O…mine?
“This launch isn’t under the name of Phoenix Fire, but yours, because… the one who saved Phoenix Fire in the storm wasn’t me, it was you.”
Four prominent emblems were printed on the pristine white slender rocket body.
They were the insignias of Phoenix Fire, Monsoon, Ark, and The Other Shore.
Besides them, there was also a name.
……
Launch Countdown:
1:00:00
A few kilometers from the Launch Pad stood the Viewing Platform.
All the Stage Area Raiders had been sent there.
It offered the safest shelter and the best viewing angle.
Wu Xiaomi, however, was taken to the Launch Control Building.
Just like a real launch, during the final preparation time, everyone in the work area was busy.
— Except Phoenix Fire’s people were busy taking selfies and posting on social media.
“This is a rocket launch participation! Even if it’s just a play, ordinary people don’t get chances like this in their entire lives. Take some photos, hang them up when it’s rebuilt at home, ha… that’s real prestige!” — by Allei.
“Who’s going to count down later? The last ten seconds before launch.”
“I!” “Me!” “I-I-I!” “Get lost! Let me do it!”
When recalling rocket launches, the most unforgettable moment is always those final ten seconds.
“In the tension of the countdown, listening to the last data report from the staff, then announcing ignition, watching it soar into the sky with tears in your eyes…” Allei’s eyes gleamed fiercely, glaring wide, “There’s no way I’m giving up this precious chance! I’m the Command of the Launch Mission this time!”
“Whoever you are, let’s decide by rock-paper-scissors!”
“No way. I’m counting down! If anyone dares to snatch it, I’ll chew their tongue off!”
Huang Xiao’s mouth twitched as he quietly moved the camera away.
Keeping these embarrassing idiots serious was harder than climbing to the sky. Allei had only put on the cultured act for a few seconds…
Better to turn the camera toward Wu Xiaomi, Bai Xiao Zhi, and Kang Jie’s side. At least it’s more pleasant to watch.
“By the way, do you know the origin of the launch countdown?” Kang Jie was chatting with Wu Xiaomi.
[No idea.]
Just what Wu Xiaomi was about to say.
Kang Jie adjusted his collar and proudly began to explain: “In 1929, Fritz Lang’s film Woman In The Moon introduced the countdown to attract the audience’s attention.
Since then, the launch countdown, full of ritual and ceremony, became a reality in actual launches.”
Oh~~~
Knowledge upgraded.
“Actually, if everything is well prepared and all personnel are on standby, a countdown isn’t necessary.”
[So, are we doing a countdown?]
“Of course~ But I already have my countdown person picked. Allei and the others won’t win against this one no matter what.”
[Who?]
“You~”
Wu Xiaomi opened her mouth wide, trying to draw a shocked emoticon on paper, but her hand shook so badly she ended up with garbled scribbles several times.
[Bu-but… I can’t even speak!]
“You just hold up a blank paper and write a number on each sheet.”
[I-I-I’m… nervous!]
“You can’t see it anyway, what’s there to be nervous about? Just hold up the numbers.”
Shock, shock, shock.
“Go write them. We’re about to launch.”
……
Launch Countdown: 00:15:00
The last group of personnel began withdrawing from the Launch Tower.
At this moment, Wu Xiaomi truly felt the atmosphere.
Like the members of Phoenix Fire and Monsoon around her, she gradually forgot this was a farce.
Forgot her identity, forgot her past. She started to blend in, becoming one of the staff.
“Xiaomi, are your numbers ready?”
No!
Wu Xiaomi anxiously tossed out sheet after sheet of paper.
In such an important moment, the numbers had to be neat and perfect!
But her hands shook terribly, and she couldn’t see…
No matter how she wrote, she wasn’t satisfied.
Xiao Zhi refused to help, insisting: as long as it’s written by you, it’s enough.
“Just these few,” Kang Jie picked up some crooked numbers, “they’re readable, that’s good.”
Those scribbles were curled like instant noodles, are you sure?
“As long as it’s yours, I think no one cares about handwriting.”
Why would you say such things…
[But we’re streaming live! Huang Xiao just said the whole world is watching, even Ma laoshi, the billionaire who wants to go to Mars, left a comment!]
“So what? Don’t worry, Phoenix Fire isn’t performing for others. Whether they like it or help out is their business. We just have to do our part, and you just be yourself. That’s enough.”
What nonsense.
That makes us look unreliable, unworthy of cooperation!
Wu Xiaomi grumbled angrily and buried her head back into writing.
Unfortunately, the fifteen minutes flew by in an instant.
In the end, she still couldn’t write a satisfactory number.
“All personnel withdrawal complete, prepare for launch, final ten-second countdown!”
“Xiaomi, countdown now!”
Wu Xiaomi hurriedly tidied the table and raised her paper.
“The camera’s here, Xiaomi, smile.”
She turned to face the camera, smiling, smiling…
Smile my foot — she was so nervous she was about to cry!
“Start countdown, Xiaomi — hold up!”
Wuwu, no choice.
Red-eyed, she raised the first sheet.
[10]
Silently counted one second.
Then threw away the first, fumbling to raise the second.
[7]
Where were 9 and 8?
Because of nerves, the girl had no idea she’d put the numbers out of order.
Everyone bit their lips and stayed silent, tacitly holding back laughter, not telling her.
[3]
[9]
[6]
[5]
[8]
[4]
[1]
[2]
[LAUNCH!!!]
Ignition.
The instant the flame erupted, fire and smoke gushed wildly from the four Fuel Tanks at the base.
Pressure changed sharply, roaring explosively.
Like a thunderclap, it shattered the pitch-black silence of the night.
Brief but brilliant, it illuminated all the petty struggles hidden in the dark.
That day.
All survivors saw the girl.
Saw the firelight.
Saw that band of freaks emerging from the Mangu Mountains.