**Chapter 4: "Aftermath"**

The vast expanse of space seemed to stretch out before the Horizons Edge spacecraft like an endless, inky canvas of stars and silence, a stark reminder of the isolation and loneliness that came with being so far from Earth. As the crew struggled to comprehend the scale of the destruction they had caused, a sense of unease began to settle over them like a shroud. The detonation of the Lunar Disruptor payload had sent shockwaves through the Moon's crust, causing massive tremors and ejecting enormous amounts of lunar debris into space. The blast had also sent the Horizons Edge spacecraft tumbling through space, its crew thrown off balance by the sheer force of the explosion. Now, as they slowly regained control of the spacecraft, they began to assess the aftermath of the detonation. Dr. Emma Taylor's voice came over the comms system, steady and reassuring, but with a hint of concern. "Horizons Edge, this is Mission Control. We're reading you loud and clear. Your systems are functioning within normal parameters, but we need you to analyze the data from the detonation. We need to understand the full extent of the damage you've caused." The crew of the Horizons Edge nodded, their faces set with determination, as they began to pour over the data from the detonation. The images from the spacecraft's cameras showed a Moon's surface that was forever changed, a massive crater gouged out of its surface like a ragged, gaping wound. The destruction was breathtaking, a sight that seemed to defy comprehension. Dr. Rohan Patel's voice was barely above a whisper, his eyes wide with awe. "It's... it's incredible," he stammered. "The Moon's surface is cracked and fissured, and there's debris scattered everywhere." Dr. Lisa Nguyen's face was pale, her eyes fixed on the viewscreen like a statue. "We did that," she whispered, her voice trembling. "We unleashed a force of unprecedented power on the Moon's surface." Lieutenant Tom Bradley's expression was grim, his jaw set in a firm line. "We have to analyze the data," he said, his voice firm. "We need to understand the full extent of the damage we've caused. And we need to be prepared for any consequences." As the crew of the Horizons Edge began to assess the aftermath of the detonation, they couldn't shake off the feeling that they had unleashed a chain reaction that would have far-reaching consequences. The Moon's surface was forever changed, and the effects of the blast could be felt throughout the solar system. The spacecraft's systems began to beep and flash, signaling that the crew had data to analyze. Dr. Patel and Dr. Nguyen quickly got to work, pouring over the information and trying to make sense of it. The data showed that the detonation had caused massive tremors and moonquakes, and that the Moon's surface was still reverberating from the blast. The crew of the Horizons Edge exchanged worried glances, their faces set with concern. They had expected some consequences from the detonation, but they had not expected this. The Moon's surface was unstable, and the effects of the blast could be felt for miles. As they continued to analyze the data, the crew of the Horizons Edge couldn't shake off the feeling that they had only just begun to understand the true extent of the destruction they had caused. The detonation of the Lunar Disruptor payload had been a momentous event, one that would have far-reaching consequences for the Moon, the Earth, and the entire solar system. And as they floated in space, surrounded by the debris of the Moon's destruction, they couldn't help but wonder what the future held.