The Extra's Rise
Chapter 615 - 615: Moonshot (3)

The first sensation that struck me was the absolute silence. On Earth, even in the quietest moments, there was always something—wind through leaves, distant voices, the subtle hum of magical energy in the air. Here, on the lunar surface, silence was total and profound, broken only by the sound of my own breathing within the magical barrier that kept me alive in this airless environment.

My second step on lunar soil sent me floating upward in a gentle arc that would have been impossible on Earth without magic. The low gravity made every movement feel dreamlike, as if I were moving through water rather than across solid ground. I had to consciously adjust my movements, taking smaller steps and moving more deliberately to avoid accidentally launching myself into an ungraceful trajectory.

'Master would probably find this amusing,' I thought, steadying myself against the side of the advanced moon base that rose before us like a crystalline monument to human achievement.

The Tower of Magic's lunar facility was a marvel of engineering that defied conventional architectural logic. Transparent walls held back the vacuum of space while allowing unobstructed views of the stark lunar landscape, and the internal atmosphere hummed with the kind of sophisticated enchantments that only centuries of magical advancement could produce. The base sprawled across several acres, its modular design allowing for expansion as operations grew more complex.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Carrie said, her voice carrying clearly through the communication enchantments built into our protective barriers. She moved with the easy confidence of someone who adapted quickly to new environments, though I noticed she was also taking care to moderate her movements in the reduced gravity.

"It's incredible," I replied, still marveling at the sight of Earth hanging in the black sky above us—a blue and white marble suspended in infinite darkness. "To think that just this morning we were on that world, and now..."

'Now we're standing on the surface of the moon, representing Master's guild in humanity's first permanent expansion beyond Earth,' I completed the thought silently. 'The responsibility is both exhilarating and terrifying.'

Dr. Helena Morrison, the lead researcher from the Tower of Magic, approached our group with the measured steps of someone who'd spent considerable time adapting to lunar conditions. Her silver hair was pulled back in a practical bun, and her eyes held the focused intensity of someone accustomed to working in hostile environments.

"Welcome to Lunar Station Alpha," she said, gesturing toward the base behind her. "We've been maintaining operations here for six months, primarily focused on atmospheric research and geological surveys. Your aetherite extraction mission represents our first major resource exploitation attempt."

'Six months of preparation,' I noted with appreciation. 'The Tower of Magic doesn't undertake projects lightly.'

"What have your geological surveys revealed about potential aetherite deposits?" Carrie asked, her tactical mind immediately focusing on mission-critical information.

"Promising readings in three distinct sectors," Dr. Morrison replied, activating a holographic display that materialized in the space between us. The projection showed a detailed topographical map of the surrounding area, with several regions highlighted in pulsing blue indicators. "Our long-range sensors have detected energy signatures consistent with theoretical aetherite formations, but we haven't conducted direct sampling until now."

I studied the map carefully, noting the distances involved and the terrain features that would affect our extraction operations. The nearest indicated deposit was roughly two kilometers from the base, accessible via a relatively flat approach that would accommodate our heavy equipment.

'Master chose me for this mission because he trusts my judgment,' I reminded myself. 'I need to make decisions that will ensure our success while minimizing unnecessary risks.'

"We'll start with the closest deposit," I decided, pointing to the nearest blue indicator on the map. "Conduct initial sampling and assessment before committing to permanent extraction infrastructure."

"Sound strategy," Carrie agreed with approval. "Better to verify the deposits' quality and accessibility before investing in major construction."

Our expedition team spent the next hour organizing equipment and finalizing our approach strategy. The specialized detection arrays we'd brought from Earth needed careful calibration for lunar conditions, while the extraction machinery required comprehensive systems checks to ensure it would function properly in the low-gravity, vacuum environment.

The journey to our target site proved to be an exercise in adapted movement and spatial awareness. Our equipment carrier—a magical hover platform designed for lunar operations—glided smoothly across the regolith surface, but controlling its momentum in the reduced gravity required constant attention. I found myself developing an appreciation for the complex physics involved in operating effectively in this environment.

The lunar landscape around us was simultaneously beautiful and alien. Rolling hills of gray dust stretched to the horizon, punctuated by impact craters that created dramatic shadows in the harsh sunlight. Earth hung overhead like a constant reminder of home, its familiar blues and greens providing an emotional anchor in this stark, colorless world.

'I'm walking on another world,' I thought, still struggling to fully comprehend the magnitude of what we were accomplishing.

"Energy readings are intensifying," announced Dr. Sarah Chen, one of the Tower researchers who'd joined our expedition. She studied her detection array with growing excitement, the device's displays showing increasingly strong signatures as we approached our target coordinates.

"How much further?" I asked, feeling my own anticipation building as we drew closer to potentially discovering the first confirmed aetherite deposits.

"Less than fifty meters," Dr. Chen replied, her voice tight with professional excitement. "The signatures are stronger than anything we detected from orbit. If these readings are accurate..."

She didn't need to finish the sentence. We all understood the implications. Aetherite represented a fundamental advancement in magical technology—a resource that could revolutionize everything from transportation to combat applications. Successfully locating and extracting it would position Master's guild at the forefront of the next generation of magical innovation.

The detection array's displays suddenly blazed with activity as we crested a small rise in the lunar terrain. Below us, in a natural depression that might once have been a small crater, the ground itself seemed to shimmer with barely visible energy patterns.

"There," Dr. Chen said, her voice barely containing her excitement. "Concentrated aetherite formation, approximately thirty meters in diameter. The energy density is... extraordinary."

'We found it,' I realized, feeling a surge of triumph that made my heart race. 'We actually found it.'

The aetherite deposit spread across the crater floor like a field of crystalline structures that caught and reflected light in ways that seemed to defy normal physics. Some formations rose from the ground like metallic trees, while others formed geometric patterns that suggested some kind of natural ordering principle. The entire area pulsed with magical energy that made my skin tingle even through the protective barriers.

"Initial sampling protocol," Carrie announced, her veteran experience keeping the team focused despite the momentous nature of our discovery. "Small extractions first, comprehensive analysis, then we determine the feasibility of permanent extraction infrastructure."

Our sampling team moved with careful precision, using specialized tools designed for extracting magical materials without destabilizing their energy matrix. The first samples came free from the deposit with surprising ease, as if the aetherite formations were meant to be harvested rather than simply observed.

"Energy signature is stable during extraction," reported Dr. Morrison, monitoring her instruments with intense focus. "No signs of cascade failure or mana instability. The material appears remarkably resilient."

'Better than our most optimistic projections,' I noted with satisfaction. 'Master's faith in this mission is being validated with every reading we take.'

The next several hours passed in a blur of sampling, analysis, and careful documentation. Each test revealed new properties of aetherite that exceeded our theoretical expectations—higher energy density, greater stability, and compatibility with existing magical systems that suggested immediate practical applications.

"We need to establish permanent extraction points," I decided as the data accumulated. "This deposit is too valuable to leave unworked, and these results suggest we can scale up operations safely."

Carrie nodded in agreement. "The terrain is favorable for heavy equipment installation, and the deposit's stability means we can extract significant quantities without risking environmental damage."

'Master will be so pleased,' I thought as our construction team began surveying the area for optimal extraction point placement. 'Not only did we find aetherite, we found it in quantities and quality that exceed every projection.'

The installation of permanent extraction infrastructure required careful coordination between our various team members. Tower of Magic researchers provided expertise in energy matrix stabilization, while our guild's technicians handled the practical aspects of equipment installation and environmental adaptation.

The extraction points rose from the lunar soil like monuments to human ambition and magical advancement. Crystalline arrays focused and channeled the aetherite formations' energy, while automated processing systems refined raw materials into usable components. The entire operation hummed with precisely controlled power that spoke to the sophistication of our technological integration.

As the day progressed—though time felt strange on a world where day and night lasted weeks—our extraction points began producing refined aetherite at rates that exceeded our most optimistic projections. The material's properties proved even more remarkable than theoretical analysis had suggested, offering capabilities that would revolutionize everything from transportation systems to combat applications.

But even as I prepared for the eventual return journey, part of me was already planning our next phase of operations. The moon held treasures beyond our current understanding, and our successful mission had proven that humanity could not only reach other worlds but establish permanent presences there.

The aetherite deposits stretched beyond our current extraction area, promising months or years of profitable operations. Our permanent infrastructure could be expanded, our processing capabilities scaled up, and our understanding of this remarkable material deepened through continued research.

The success of our lunar mission represented more than just a profitable venture for the guild—it was validation of Master's vision and proof that his faith in my capabilities had been well-placed. I couldn't wait to return to Earth and report our achievements to the person whose approval meant more to me than anything else in either world.