I planted a sacred tree in Tokyo.

Chapter 698 Mars: Thanks to Nature's Gift

"Attention passengers, please pay attention!"

"The fleet is about to enter Mars' gravitational field. Please find the nearest 'in-cabin assist handle' to secure yourself; hold on tight and be prepared for possible turbulence."

"Dear passengers"

The broadcast repeatedly echoed throughout every corner of the spaceship.

This prompted people to find a place to lie down or sit, while gripping the handles next to them—the so-called cabin assist handles—to prevent themselves from rolling around on the ground due to the violent shaking.

On that expanding planet, the major powers were either recuperating or participating in 'exchange meetings', and two months had passed in the blink of an eye. Meanwhile, the American fleet that had left the planet was gradually approaching Mars and was about to be captured by its gravity.

Mars and the planets they live on both revolve around the sun.

Sometimes, two planets will move to their closest point to each other, almost touching.

Sometimes, however, it will rotate to the sides of the sun, with a distance between them measured in hundreds of millions of kilometers.

America's spacecraft used nuclear fission technology, also known as a 'cold nuclear reaction system': compared to a thermonuclear reaction system, it is more polluting, less energy-efficient, and consumes more energy. But it is still more powerful than a conventional internal combustion engine system.

Even so, it is impossible to conduct interstellar travel when the two planets are far apart;
So the reason why the American elites and superhumans can move so quickly is not just because of the frequent superhuman disasters on that planet; if they miss this period, they will have to wait another twenty months.

"Finally got it,"

"Fortunately, there were no restrictions on 'space'."

Ordinary passengers, or even ordinary superhumans, would naturally grip the 'cabin assist handle' next to them.

However, the members of the Veteran Guild stood in the control rooms of each spaceship, arms crossed, gazing at the increasingly clear crimson planet in the distance.

"Yes, the mission is still ongoing, that's good, that's good."

In fact, the veterans had a huge disagreement about whether to leave the planet they used to live on.

If the 'Nightmare Space' is the work of some 'being' attached to that planet, their actions are almost tantamount to desertion and will certainly be severely punished. Fortunately, even though they are in a spaceship, they can still carry out their 'daily' missions, which has relieved many people.

"On the bright side, wouldn't our exploration of Mars be considered expanding our 'space' territory?"

Someone couldn't resist making a joke, which earned them a glare from their colleagues.

"Is space so vast that it needs our exploration?"

"Ladies and gentlemen!"

In this somber atmosphere, the former King of Rap clapped his hands.

“Look, over there, that milky white ‘tooth’.”

Following the direction of the finger, everyone indeed saw a small, milky-white dot quietly rolling: an ordinary person would need a telescope to observe it.

"That's Deimos, about 12 kilometers in diameter, with an orbital period of 30.3 hours. Its appearance means—"

This fleet of spacecraft has now fully entered Mars' gravitational pull.

really,

The spaceship swayed slightly before regaining its balance.

"Next comes the entry into the atmosphere: 'air' which is 95.3% carbon dioxide, which sounds terrible."

"It's alright, a simple spell will allow you to move freely."

The middle-aged man, codenamed 'The Mage,' spoke indifferently. As a noble 'Mage,' he possessed a vast array of spells to deal with any problem.

Tsk, we can't afford to exchange for that!
Many 'veterans' couldn't help but inwardly complain;

Of course, experienced players with money usually exchange for that magic just in case.

"Is this 'spaceship' okay?"

Some people have raised questions again.
They know their own situation best. Their so-called 'spaceship' was assembled in outer space; it has neither the ability to independently escape planetary gravity nor has it ever tested landing from space onto a planet. It would be ridiculous if it fell apart halfway through the flight.

"Don't worry, I won't let you be reduced to ashes like the Columbia disaster."

The veteran, codenamed 'The Magician,' made no attempt to hide his true feelings, even stating bluntly:

"Even if the spaceship explodes, a mere 1,400 degrees Celsius is perfectly manageable for us."

The so-called 'Columbia disaster' was the darkest day in America's space history. About forty years ago, America's 'Columbia' space shuttle was launched and was operating normally in low Earth orbit. However, when it was returning to Earth, it exploded and disintegrated, killing all seven crew members.

It was precisely because of this major disaster that America suspended its space shuttle launch program and ceased its space exploration.

However, as the magician said, a temperature of 1,400 degrees Celsius is not necessarily enough to kill these veterans: besides, many of them can fly!
Escaping planetary gravity and flying out of the atmosphere may be difficult, but crashing into a planet is no longer a fatal thing for them.

Thinking about it this way, these 'veterans' are already far removed from normal living beings.

"Everyone, hold on tight, we are about to enter the Martian atmosphere."

A faint tremor came from beneath my feet, and the entire 'spaceship' began to enter the Martian atmosphere, with a red glow appearing outside the window.

This is because the spacecraft is entering the atmosphere at a 12-degree dive angle. Its speed is so fast that it creates a strong aerodynamic heating effect, causing the external temperature to exceed 2100°C. The high temperature generated by friction makes the spacecraft feel as if it is surrounded by a raging fire.

Mars' atmosphere has a very low oxygen content, so it cannot produce open flames; however, carbon dioxide dissociates into reactive oxygen atoms at extremely high temperatures, which also creates a reddish-brown atmosphere.

If you look up from Mars, you'll see streaks of crimson meteors streaking across the sky!

"Open the parachute,"

"Activate the descent engine—"

As orders were issued, spaceships, trailing long streaks of crimson light, continued to approach the crimson earth while constantly battling the planet's gravity.

As the spaceship drew closer to the ground, the view outside the window was suddenly covered by a layer of pink clouds.

"Mars' atmosphere has this color because it contains ice particles and iron oxide."

Amidst violent trembling, the middle-aged man codenamed 'The Magician' explained to the group, "We will land on a plain hundreds of kilometers away from 'Mount Olympus': hopefully we won't encounter too much turbulence."

Olympus Mons is a very prominent mountain on Mars and the highest volcano in the solar system, reaching 21,000 meters!

No, their 'hometown' is still expanding, and it's hard to say who will be the highest peak now.

Although these veterans didn't expect the 'spaceship' to take off again, no one knew whether an accident would occur with such a bold 'hard landing'.

Unfortunately, there's no water on Mars.

The ocean evaporated at least 36 billion years ago, making it impossible for anything to land on the sea surface.

"Or, is any of you interested in going down and learning to lift the spaceship like 'Superman'?"

Everyone remained silent in response to the 'magician's' teasing remark.

It's not that they lack the ability; a few with enhanced physical bodies could certainly try, but as I said before:
Who would do a job if they didn't have 'points'?

"Prepare--"

As the crimson earth drew closer, flames erupted from beneath the spaceship as it began to slow its descent.

This method would certainly be sufficient for ordinary small probes; but it's hard to say how these seemingly high-tech behemoths, which are actually spaceships landing for the first time, will perform.

"Landing!!"

Bang!
Suddenly, the view outside the window froze; it seemed like a successful landing?

"Let's go, gentlemen and ladies."

The magician raised his hand in a gesture.
"Let's go see our 'new home'."

As massive spaceships spewed out huge plumes of exhaust to slow down, they finally landed on the crimson earth; the hatches opened, and people in suits, ties, leather jackets, and trousers jumped out of the ships, beginning to survey their future 'home'.

"It's really desolate,"

After being blessed with the 'energy resistance protection' magic, these veterans can walk freely on Mars.

Some even possessed incredibly strong constitutions, allowing them to be directly exposed to the planet's atmosphere without any apparent harm.

"This is Mars, it would be strange if it weren't desolate."

As the veterans stepped out of the spaceship, the other superhumans also emerged, wearing thick spacesuits: they didn't have the air capsules sold by 'Space' that could sustain them for twelve hours by simply plugging their noses; as for the sub-zero temperatures, they could withstand them.

Mars' gravity is 38% of that of its 'homeland', and besides, everyone present is an extraordinary being, so they don't care about this little bit of weight.

Soon, a large number of people disembarked from the spaceship and began to gaze at their new home:

This plain is mainly composed of basalt, with the surface covered by hematite;

The same crimson sandstorm stretched from the sky to the ground, howling past!

The world was ablaze with crimson.

It's more than just 'desolate'; it's completely barren and devoid of anything!
"Everyone, don't be discouraged."

An extraordinary officer turned and applauded the crowds who were disembarking in their spacesuits or standing behind windows, disappointed as they observed their new home.

"Look at it from another angle, there are extremely rich iron ore deposits here."

"With our technology, we will soon be able to build a steel city!"

"As long as there are no extraordinary disasters—"

Whoosh——bang!

Before the officer could finish speaking, he was suddenly thrown forward and pinned to the hull of the spaceship.

A spear pierced the back of his head.

Most of it was submerged in the spaceship's sturdy hull, and the metal tail was still buzzing!
? !
Da da da da,

The thunderous sound of horses' hooves and the rumbling of wheels; coming from the crimson sandstorm, and incomprehensible languages.

"@#￥%!!!"

Amidst the roar that pierced the sandstorm, a chorus of agreement arose.

boom----

Next second,
A group of figures suddenly burst out of the sandstorm!
Those were chariots: pulled by magnificent horses with single horns on their heads, and driven by renowned figures.

"A Roman warrior?!"

Upon seeing the other person, the former "King of Rap" was truly dumbfounded.

No wonder this Level 5 'veteran' was so surprised: the classic Roman helmet featured vertical, bright red horsehair plumes; the 'segmented armor' composed of metal strips and leather straps protected vital areas such as the heart, while exposing the well-built upper body muscles!

Beneath the wide, golden belt is a red and gold skirt armor; holding a round shield in one hand and a spear in the other, the design is simply too classic.

Hunting dogs followed around these chariots pulling Roman warriors.

The hounds flashed by as they ran.
To teleport a distance out of thin air,
Its speed is in no way inferior to that of a unicorn!
Before the American veterans, superhuman troops, and dignitaries could react, the most ornately decorated man with the enormous red cloak on the foremost chariot was already brandishing his spear and shouting:

"Sparta!!"

"Sparta——————!!!"

???

Even the 'magician' was momentarily bewildered by this situation:
Did we go to the wrong place?

Could we actually be the Persian army?!

(End of this chapter)