Jinling launch site.
An alert suddenly came from the satellites, and the entire ground command center began to panic.
An earthquake!
On Mars!
The satellite aerial shots showed the raging wind and sand soaring into the sky. Swept by the violent air current, the surrounding sand dunes were razed to the ground and the craters were filled up, leaving only a deep scar printed on the surface of Mars. The entire mountain range was a mess, with dust covering the sky…
Fortunately, there were no seas on Mars, nor were there volcanoes that could erupt. The scientific research station on Mars a few kilometers away was only shaken for a while by the tremors of the mountain. Except for some messy cabinets and broken glasses, it was nothing serious.
However, what was worrying was that the collapse of The Gates of Hell had triggered a series of chain reactions including regional sandstorms.
The center of the epicenter was tens of kilometers away, covered in dust.
The satellite couldn’t see what was happening on the ground, nor could it receive any signals from there.
Inside the command room of the ground command center, reports came one after another.
Everyone’s heart dropped to the bottom of their stomach as they prayed in their heart for their compatriots on Mars.
“An earthquake was found at 15° south latitude and 128.1° west longitude! According to the observation results from the Mars Scientific Research Station, the magnitude is determined to be above 9.5!”
“The entire Gates of Hell mountain range has collapsed! The area is currently covered by sandstorms!”
“The sandstorm is expected to last for about a week…”
“Latest report! Two personnel have lost contact during the operation!”
“One of them… is Academician Lu!”
When Director Li heard this bad news, his blood pressure rose instantly. His eyes were bloodshot.
He stepped forward and grabbed the staff sitting in front of the console. This sixty-year-old man seemed to have gone crazy as he grabbed the collar of the poor worker and said, “What’s going on?! Academician Lu is missing?! What is going on!”
The researcher, who was grabbed by the collar, was shaking. He didn’t dare to breathe.
It was not that he was afraid this old man would beat him.
He was afraid that after he had explained it honestly, this old man’s heart would not be able to bear the bad news.
Academician Lu’s life was uncertain. Director Li was an old man who had been following Lu Zhou all the way since the first Pangu reactor, so the loss would be a huge hit to him personally.
Director Chang Hezhi, who was standing next to Director Li, quickly grabbed him.
“Old Li, calm down, don’t be so impulsive! What is going on on Mars is still unclear, what if it is a false alarm?”
“Calm down?! How can you tell me to calm down!” Director Li looked at Director Chang. His jaw was trembling as he said, “He’s on Mars! Not on Earth!”
If this were on Earth, forget about some earthquake, even if it were a world war, they would do everything they could to bring Academician Lu home.
However, on Mars, even if they wanted to save him at all costs, there was nothing they could do.
Director Li’s already aging cardiovascular system could no longer hold. He suddenly became short of breath.
Director Chang quickly supported him. A staff member nearby rushed over.
“Old Li! Are you okay?!”
“Director Li passed out!”
“Quick! Call an ambulance!”
“Medic! Someone has fainted!”
The space launch site was in a mess. It became more chaotic because Director Li had suddenly fainted in the command room.
Director Li was put on a stretcher and carried away. Everyone’s heart was shocked.
This was definitely the darkest moment in China’s aerospace history.
There wasn’t a single day as bad as today…
“Okay, I understand.”
The Jinling Institute for Advanced Study.
Yang Xu, the deputy dean sitting in his office, put down the phone in his hand with a heavy expression. Director Qian Zhongming, the director of the Institute of Computational Materials, immediately asked, “What is going on? Is there any news from the launch site?”
Twenty minutes ago, the Institute of Astronomy of the Jinling Institute for Advanced Study observed a regional dust storm on Mars through an astronomical observation satellite deployed in geosynchronous orbit.
Because there were no warnings, the experts of the institute preliminarily judged based on the existing intelligence that it was caused by an earthquake.
And the magnitude of the earthquake was extremely high.
Considering that Academician Lu was performing a mission there, Yang Xu immediately called the Jinling space launch site. However, the Jinling launch site went quiet and did not respond.
Yang Xu’s instincts told him that his worst fears came to life.
“… All launch activities were suspended, probably due to the earthquake on Mars.” After a moment of silence, Yang Xu continued, “Although the people over there are unwilling to disclose more information, according to the Mars landing schedule previously announced by the office… The expedition team might be in trouble.”
Qian Zhongming’s expression gradually became dignified as he responded.
“How could this be possible? Could it be the extraterrestrial civilization…”
“I don’t know, not certain.” Yang Xu shook his head and said, “I am afraid there are hidden stories behind the Mars landing plan. We have no information at all, so it’s better not to guess. Besides…”
The nervous expression on Yang Xu’s face suddenly loosened slightly, he smiled calmly.
“We’re talking about Academician Lu here.”
“I believe that with his ability, even if he encounters great trouble, he will be fine.”
But he’s on Mars.
Qian Zhongming smiled bitterly in his heart.
Although he knew that Vice President Yang was comforting himself, he did not feel much comfort at all. After sighing lightly, he asked in a serious manner, “Then what should we do now?”
After thinking about it, Yang Xu said, “For the time being, block the news so that the experts at the institute don’t spread rumors. Regardless of the current situation there, we will follow the instructions from the Mars landing office.”
Qian Zhongming spoke.
“I’m afraid we can’t contain this news for long, it’s not just us… The whole world is staring at Mars. I’m afraid someone will feel something is wrong by tomorrow.”
Academician Lu was the spiritual pillar of the Jinling Institute for Advanced Study.
At least 80% of the researchers came here because of his aura. If he had an accident, these people might not leave the institute, but the blow to morale would undoubtedly be quite heavy.
Especially to the Institute of Computational Materials.
The reason that they were able to beat MIT and Stanford was basically because of Lu Zhou. If they lost the aura of Academician Lu, although they would not fall to the ground, it would obviously be difficult to maintain their position as the best in the world.
“Keep it a secret for as long as possible.” Yang Xu looked at the clock on the wall. After a moment of silence, Yang Xu continued, “The situation on Mars is still uncertain.
“At the very least, we shouldn’t be adding any more trouble.”
On the other hand…
Star Sky Technology headquarters.
Chen Yushan, who was sitting at the desk doing her work, suddenly frowned and pressed her hand to her left chest.
“Strange…”
The inexplicable throbbing in her chest made her wonder.
“Is it because there’s too much to do?”
“At the end of the year… I should also consider training a successor.”
Chen Yushan sighed and pinched her glabella. She then picked up the ballpoint pen on the desk and motivated herself.
She slept peacefully last night, but for some reason, there was a heart-wrenching pain in her chest.
It was almost like…
A piece of her heart was missing…