This was simple enough. The fighter jet's refresh program gained the ability to control weapon modules.
This was not all. The weapons team also redesigned the missile's control program. Originally a vertical launch module, after improvements, as long as the correct coordinates were entered, no matter which direction it was aimed at during launch, the missile could automatically adjust and finally fly towards the correct target. Otherwise, just fixing the attitude of the weapon module could stump a group of people.
After the theory and design were completed, the next step was the modification of the fighter jet. This task was also first carried out through ground experiments. After obtaining firsthand data, the expedition team modified the fighter jet.
Not only the sleep cabin, but also the communication equipment, weapon systems, electrolyzers, and other necessary living facilities. Everything was based on the actual situation of the Expedition. First, ground experiments were conducted, and after repeated testing with no problems, the data was sent to the warship for corresponding modifications.
Even the internal space of the fighter jet was modified by the ground team. All unnecessary internal structures were removed to expand the activity space as much as possible. They even installed mounting interfaces for solar panels on the outside of the fighter jet.
Ou Zhanpeng was dumbfounded. The Expedition was powered by a nuclear fusion reactor and did not have this equipment at all. Where was he supposed to find solar panels?
The answer was very simple. Blue Star's companions had sent probes to Mars quite a bit over the years. There were seven or eight probes in orbit. By finding them, they could remove the solar panels and install them on the fighter jet.
This left Ou Zhanpeng speechless. Although Mars was far from Earth, solutions could be found. How could a living person be held back by a situation like this?
Time was tight and the mission was heavy. After receiving the data from the ground, the modification work immediately began.
As the actual user, Ou Zhanpeng personally participated in the modification of the fighter jet.
It was not that he didn't trust others, but that he had to understand the fighter jet's situation as much as possible. If there were any malfunctions or other problems, he would at least know how to repair them instead of being completely clueless.
Everything else was fine, but when it came to transplanting the sleep cabin, it was suddenly discovered that two were sent!
Ou Zhanpeng then realized that the reserved installation positions were also for two.
This would not do. An extra sleep cabin would take up a lot of space!
But on second thought, the higher-ups were very thoughtful. One was for primary use, and another was a backup. If the sleep cabin malfunctioned, they wouldn't have to wait to die.
Later, he learned that this was not the case at all. The intention of the higher-ups was that if they were leaving someone, they couldn't just leave one. To prevent any accidents, two people had to be left behind, adding another layer of insurance.
For this reason, the volume of the external compartment was even increased.
Ou Zhanpeng was quite depressed, but he quickly came to terms with it. It was good this way. It was lonely to be alone, and it was good to have someone to talk to.
Upon hearing this news, Ling Xiao immediately requested to stay: "Brothers fight together in war, father and son fight on the battlefield. If we die together, we can at least have a companion on the road to the underworld!"
He thought it was a good plan, but only a few minutes later, Ling Xiao received a resolute denial from the command center.
The reason was so sound that he couldn't argue with it. There were only a few fighter jets on the Expedition, and only a few pilots. Leaving one on Mars was already a last resort. If they left another one, who would fly the fighter jet?
Ling Xiao was unwilling but had to obey orders.
The ground team was not only focusing on the multi-functional fighter jets but also had a dedicated tactical group focusing on the Expedition itself.
When the warship would arrive at Mars, how to deploy the fighter jets, how to eject the weapon modules, how to use Mars for acceleration, how to fly after leaving Mars, and what to do upon reaching Jupiter were all within the scope of the tactical group's responsibilities.
Simply put, whether the Expedition would attack Mars or pursue the escape pod had to be decided by the higher-ups. However, as for the specific execution, the tactical group would offer opinions, and the Expedition could adopt them based on the actual situation or simply ignore them.
However, the tactical group's level of expertise was undeniable, and they proposed many valuable suggestions.
In late October, the modification of the fighter jets was completed, and all tests passed on the first attempt!
Facing the results achieved after nearly a month of hard work, everyone felt a sense of accomplishment.
While Luo Tu breathed a sigh of relief, he sent the other groups back to sleep, leaving only the first group on duty.
The flight to Jupiter was too far, and the ship's supplies were limited. During this period, all four groups had remained awake for the mission, consuming a considerable amount of food and supplies. They had to use them sparingly during the subsequent voyage.
Although this was what was said, when preparing supplies for Ou Zhanpeng, Luo Tu was not stingy at all. He filled the external compartment to the brim, which deeply moved Ou Zhanpeng. He repeatedly refused, intending to keep only a portion that would last until the Mars Express arrived.
Luo Tu refused even more decisively: "It's not just for you alone, you have a companion!"
Ou Zhanpeng was left speechless.
It was strange, everyone knew he had a companion and that the higher-ups had already decided on the candidate, but no one knew who it was.
Luo Tu likely knew the situation, but he chose to remain silent and refused to reveal any information, claiming it was the other person's wish.
This was even stranger. Who could make all the insiders help him keep secrets? This situation was quite bizarre!
For the next period, his only task was to familiarize himself with the fighter jet's performance under the guidance of the ground team.
In the blink of an eye, it was early November. Mars was very close, and they would arrive in three to five days.
Luo Tu once again woke up the entire crew. Everyone was to prepare for battle in advance. During the ground simulations, they had been hit frequently when approaching Mars, so everyone in the expedition team had developed the habit of preparing in advance.
Everyone's nerves gradually tightened, ready to face strong enemies.
However, the alien species were not as formidable as imagined. The Expedition not only encountered no interception, but the alien species that had been active on the surface of Mars also quietly hid due to the approach of the human warship. Only various alien structures still stood on the surface of Mars.
This was quite interesting, clearly indicating an intention to fight a protracted war.
One day's journey from Mars, the atmosphere on the Expedition reached its peak. It seemed as if every person felt that the enemy's aircraft would rush out at any moment.
With half a day left to reach their destination, the Expedition entered Level 1 combat readiness. Everyone ate and slept at their posts, not daring to leave for a moment.
Satellites and drones were launched in advance, entering Mars orbit first, to fully grasp the situation on and near the surface of Mars.
In the early morning of November 7, 2065, the Expedition arrived at Mars and successfully entered orbit around Mars.