bookbashuk Chapter 484 The Eve of Departure!
Chapter 484 The Eve of Departure!
The vehicles and personnel for the expedition were finalized three days before departure.
The vehicle is the "Chaos" mech, which has been upgraded again by the Mo Li team.
After the space folding engine is integrated with the dimensional compression navigation technology, its endurance is just enough to cover the limit distance of a single jump.
There are only two names on the list.
Zhang Yan is responsible for driving and core output.
The stargazer is responsible for navigation and data analysis.
Qin Xiao originally wanted to go along, but Nie Qingcheng vetoed it.
"The Earth cannot function without your watchful eye."
Nie Qingcheng made her decision firm at the meeting.
"Although the self-sustaining mode is stable, the physical foundation of the gate network still needs to be maintained by humans."
"In case anything goes wrong during the evaluation of the Eye of the Abyss, and Zhang Yan is not around, you must be able to make the final decision."
Qin Xiao opened his mouth, but ultimately swallowed his words.
He knew Nie Qingcheng was right.
But I just couldn't suppress the feeling of frustration in my heart.
The afternoon before departure.
Qin Xiao arrived at the underground mecha hangar.
Zhang Yan is conducting the final external armor check on the Chaos Mech.
Qin Xiao stepped forward and took out a black encrypted data chip from his pocket.
handed over.
"What is this?" Zhang Yan took the chip, which felt slightly heavy in his hand.
"Electronic signatures of all members of the Great Wall Group."
Qin Xiao's voice sounded somewhat muffled.
"And mine too, and Uncle Qin's too."
"Everyone left a message inside. Nothing more than telling you that we're here to protect this side of the earth, so go ahead and do your thing."
Zhang Yan gripped the chip tightly, his thumb tracing the texture on its surface.
"I will watch."
"Don't watch it while they're fighting." Qin Xiao forced a smile, his lips twitching slightly.
"Once you arrive at Guixu and settle down, you can treat it as a bit of fun."
"We're waiting for you to come back for a drink, Brother Yan. If you dare not come back, I'll take some men to Guixu and drag you back."
"it is good."
Zhang Yan put the chip into the cockpit's private storage compartment.
He patted Qin Xiao on the shoulder.
Meanwhile, at the main control console, Guanxing was conducting the final system synchronization test.
"Heart of the Celestial Craftsmanship is 100% complete, the output of the Chaos Mech Power Furnace is stable at 98%, and the progress of the Guixu Star Map analysis is 31%."
Guan Xing stared at the data stream on the screen, speaking at an extremely fast pace.
"The three components are working together correctly, and the warp engine is warming up normally."
"Zhang Yan, come over here and confirm the priority of the underlying protocol."
Zhang Yan walked over.
The highest-level password was entered on the screen.
Set "Protecting the driver's vital signs" and "Maintaining the stability of the Heavenly Craftsman's Heart core" as the highest priority.
"Thanks for your hard work."
"It's my job." Guan Xing pushed up his glasses.
"Get some rest early tonight, we need to go to the launch site at four o'clock tomorrow morning."
"Leaps take a huge toll on your mental energy; you must maintain peak performance."
That night, Zhang Yan did not go to the laboratory.
He changed into his pajamas.
I spent two hours busy in the kitchen.
I prepared a table full of Nie Qingcheng's favorite dishes.
Sweet and sour pork ribs, steamed sea bass, garlic vermicelli scallops, and a pot of milky white crucian carp and tofu soup.
Nie Qingcheng sat at the dining table, looking at the dishes on it.
She wore a simple silk nightgown today, with her long hair casually tied back.
"Didn't we agree that we'd still owe each other for Friday's meal?" She picked up her chopsticks and took a piece of pork rib.
"I'm returning it early." Zhang Yan ladled a bowl of soup for her, "I was afraid you'd think my cooking skills were rusty later."
The two ate very slowly.
They chatted about some trivial matters.
The roses in the villa garden need pruning.
Financial forecast for Qingcheng International in the next quarter.
Qin Xiao recently failed at another blind date, as the woman complained that he was never home.
There was no mention of the Ruins, the community, or the Eye of the Abyss.
Just like an ordinary couple.
Zhang Yan lowered his head and drank his soup.
This deliberate ordinariness is how Nie Qingcheng processes the anxiety of parting.
After dinner, the two went to the balcony on the second floor.
The night breeze was slightly cool.
The lights of thousands of homes in Jinghai twinkled in the distance.
Nie Qingcheng leaned against Zhang Yan's chest.
The two embraced and looked at the night sky.
She didn't say much in the way of giving advice.
He was just unconsciously rubbing the ring on his ring finger repeatedly with his left hand.
The inside of the ring is engraved with the character "倾" (qīng), which was designed by Zhang Yan himself.
Zhang Yan lowered his head and kissed the top of her head.
The tea aroma is very faint.
Nie Qingcheng's composure dispelled all his worries.
"Are you cold?" Zhang Yan asked.
"I'm not cold." Nie Qingcheng snuggled closer to him.
"I just think the stars are really bright tonight."
The two stood on the balcony for a long time.
Until Nie Qingcheng's breathing became even.
Zhang Yan carried her back to the bedroom and settled her on the bed.
After covering her with the blanket, Zhang Yan quietly left the bedroom.
We arrived at the study.
He locked the door and turned on the terminal on the table.
The last time it was connected to the "Cosmic Sea Observation Protocol".
The public channels were still buzzing with activity.
Trade information and bounty notices from various civilizations are constantly being updated.
Zhang Yan didn't look at those.
He directly opened the highest-level public announcement publishing interface.
Fingers tap rapidly on the virtual keyboard.
"H-001-Ω will carry out a long-distance interstellar scientific expedition in 24 hours from standard time."
"Destination: Coordinates of the Ruins of Return".
"Mission nature: non-military, non-provocative."
This is to inform you.
He did not hide his whereabouts, nor did he use any encryption or disguise.
This is a declaration.
Tell all the civilizations that are secretly watching: Earthlings are about to make their move.
The destination was the Ruins of Return, a place even a Level 3 civilization dared not easily set foot in.
This serves as a warning to those with ill intentions who covet this opportunity.
It is also a fearless attitude.
Click to send.
The announcement pops up with the highest priority.
It was instantly pinned to the top of the public channel.
The previously scrolling information feed experienced a brief pause.
A few seconds later, there was still no reply or mockery in the channel.
That eerie stillness spoke volumes more than any noise.
Zhang Yan prepared to close the interface.
His movements stopped.
In the read list below the announcement.
An account with no ID and only a pure black pupil icon lit up briefly.
Eye of the Abyss.
That "Guardian," representing the universe's highest assessment body, which remains in a state of silent observation.
It read the announcement.
And it gave a very faint feedback.
It confirmed the operation and did not obstruct it.
Zhang Yan stared at the pupil icon.
Ten seconds later, it dimmed again.
The Eye of the Abyss did not stand in its way.
Is this a good thing, or does it mean that the Ruins are dangerous enough that even the Eye of the Abyss thinks that Earthlings going there would be suicide?
He doesn't need answers.
Zhang Yan stood up, turned off the study light, and walked towards the bedroom.
We're leaving tomorrow.