Chapter 65
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Chapter 65: Departure Report Before Return
When Lei Ming saw them coming, she smiled and waved. Approaching them, she first greeted Mo Chuan before discussing today’s plans with Luo Yu and the others.
Luo Yu had confirmed the return date with the space station on the day she contacted them. The training sessions in the simulator control room had been aligned with this timeline, and so far, the training was progressing smoothly with no risks of delays. Thus, according to plan, the Shan Hai Jing would officially embark on its return journey tomorrow afternoon.
During the final return simulation today, they would review the path to the designated coordinates. After that, Luo Yu would contact the space station again, as previously agreed, to report before the return.
Since re-establishing communication with the space station, Luo Yu had sent a status report of the time capsule after each simulation session, receiving updates on the return preparations. Up until yesterday, it had been nine consecutive days without any issues, and the handover tasks at the space station appeared to be progressing well.
However, to be on the safe side, Luo Yu planned to call Hu Jiao after the simulation training today to confirm the situation on the ground.
As they chatted, they entered the simulator. Luo Yu and the others boarded the navigation platform and stepped inside the Shan Hai Jing, while Mo Chuan sat in the control room with Lei Ming to observe the simulation training.
Two and a half hours later, the darkness inside the simulator gradually faded, and the air was slowly replenished as the Shan Hai Jing landed steadily on the navigation platform.
The final simulation training successfully reached the coordinates point within the expected time frame three times consecutively, bringing the ten-day training to a satisfactory conclusion.
Once the time capsule stopped, the three didn’t rush to exit. They first unfastened their safety harnesses and relaxed their postures. At that moment, Luo Yu reached for the communication device and sent a return report request to the space station.
A few minutes later, the communication device signaled that the connection was established. Luo Yu spoke first, “This is the Shan Hai Jing. I am team leader Luo Yu. We unexpectedly fell into the historical time period thirty thousand years ago a month ago. The time capsule is now fully repaired, and the return simulation has been completed. We apply for official return after twenty-four hours, heading to the communication edge coordinates…” She then reported the chosen coordinates.
After she finished, she waited briefly until she heard the clear voice of the space station dispatcher through the communicator. “Hello, Luo Yu. It’s great to hear your voice again. Your return request has been approved. We will officially activate the comprehensive signal transmission and reception from the space station in twenty-four hours. The entire signal coverage will last for ten days. Please arrive at the coordinates within this timeframe.”
“Okay. Additionally, there has been a change in the personnel for the return journey.” Luo Yu recounted the previously agreed plan that Zhu Huai and Ying Zhao had initially been unable to return due to illness but had now miraculously recovered. Therefore, everyone decided to return together.
“Understood. The personnel change report has been received.”
Luo Yu continued to ask, “Are there any changes regarding the escort team?”
“The escort team will consist of two short-range time capsules, each equipped with two team members. The overall team leader is Hu Jiao, and they are expected to depart to assist you when the Shan Hai Jing arrives at the edge coordinates. The rendezvous point is set at the entrance of the time channel, one thousand years ahead of the space station.”
Luo Yu asked a few more questions regarding the entire rendezvous process, getting detailed answers from the space station, clearly indicating that they were well-prepared for the reception. Nodding, she responded, “Okay, I have no further questions.”
“Alright, Luo Yu. Wishing you a smooth return.”
She reached out to turn off the communicator, leaning back in her chair, pondering for a moment before sitting up again to dial Hu Jiao’s satellite phone.
After a moment, the signal connected, and a cheerful voice came through the communicator, “Hey, sis! Ready for tomorrow’s return? I just heard the Shan Hai Jing reported to the space station and was about to send you a message!”
Hearing Hu Jiao’s enthusiastic tone eased Luo Yu’s mind significantly. She smiled slightly. “I have everything ready here.”
“Great! I’m all set too.” Hu Jiao then went on to explain the configuration of the escort team to Luo Yu. “The fuel is fully stocked! The supply cabin is topped off! I’ll make sure everything is clear when I pick you up!”
Luo Yu thought for a moment before asking about the Bureau’s situation, but Hu Jiao paused for a moment, her tone less exuberant now. “The new Strategic Commander takes office in three days. The Bureau has been preparing for this the last couple of days. I haven’t seen Zhu Long in two days. I suspect things are a bit busy that way, but it’s all after you come back. You can rest assured, there shouldn’t be any issues on the way.”
After hearing this, Luo Yu turned to Zhu Huai beside her and said seriously, “Well, let’s just see what happens after we return.” She then shared with Hu Jiao that Zhu Huai and Ying Zhao had decided to return with her.
“This is great! I knew both of your mentors were loyal!” Hu Jiao’s tone brightened again. “Now I’ll be at ease. I was scared you’d get lost on the way alone; thinking about that kept me up last night.”
Zhu Huai scratched her ear beside her. “Hu Jiao, if you can’t sleep, read a book. Don’t call us in the middle of the night. We need to rest up tonight since we’re returning tomorrow.”
Recognizing Zhu Huai’s voice, Hu Jiao chuckled. “Knowing you all are coming back, I can sleep soundly now!”
Next, Luo Yu went over the meeting arrangements with Hu Jiao to ensure everything was sorted properly before asking her to go back and rest early, then she switched off the communication device.
The three emerged from the time capsule, and Mo Chuan and Lei Ming were already at the navigation platform waiting for them. The two were accompanied by two engineering assistant robots, holding the gear that Shan Yi had given them, as well as daily necessities that Mo Chuan had prepared.
Mo Chuan gestured to the two robots. “Tomorrow morning, we need to conduct the final inspection before departure. Let’s start loading these items now, so we won’t be caught off guard later.”
Upon seeing this, Luo Yu and the others quickly thanked her. As Mo Chuan spoke, the two robots began loading up from the nearby automatic slide. Zhu Huai turned and entered the tail section to unlock the airtight layer, and the three of them began to collect and neatly arrange the categorized items onto the empty seats in the tail section.
Ying Zhao happily said while putting things away, “Good thing the tail section is free now; otherwise, there’s no way all this stuff would fit in our small space!”
She finished speaking, and the three exchanged glances, sharing a slightly mischievous smile. At that moment, Zhu Huai cleared her throat and said seriously, “This is all fate.”
Once they were done with their preparations and stepped outside, they noticed it was getting late. Ao Ci had arranged a farewell banquet for that evening, and they were about to head out for the feast.
Just as the three of them were descending the navigation platform to join Mo Chuan and Lei Ming on their way to Ao Ci’s place, Mo Chuan raised a hand and said, “Hold on a moment. There’s one more thing. I need to confirm with you; the Semantic Super Crystals implanted in you three need to be removed before your departure tomorrow? If so, I need to make some preparations in advance.”
This was likely due to concerns that they might face some inspections upon returning. If it were discovered that there were foreign objects implanted in their skulls, it could lead to trouble. However, the three looked at each other and then turned back to smile in unison, “No need.”
Zhu Huai rubbed her head and grinned, “I plan to return in ten years, so it should be fine to leave the super crystals in for that long, right?”
Mo Chuan chuckled and patted her shoulder, “You can leave them in for fifty years without any problem.”
As they chatted, they reached the entrance of the simulator and watched the hangar robot secure everything before stepping outside onto the helipad. The sky was nearing dusk, and another day was coming to a close.
Mo Chuan summoned a medium-sized aircraft, and they all flew eastward together.
Ao Ci lived in the second cliff dwelling, one of the earliest cave villas in Di Qiu, situated deep among the eastern mountains. The entrance to the cliff dwelling was a narrow natural fissure in the mountain, resembling a giant who had cleaved the mountain open with a knife, creating this extraordinary sight.
“The handiwork of nature is truly wondrous,” Luo Yu remarked softly. The entrance was bordered by steep rock walls, and across from it lay a primeval forest. Access was only possible by aircraft or wing suits. It indeed looked like a good place for hiding away.
Zhu Huai and Ying Zhao had visited this place during the last music banquet and, knowing it was Luo Yu’s first time here, they both smiled and said, “The inside is even more astonishing. The style is completely different from our ninth cliff dwelling, and you’ll understand once we go in.”
The group disembarked the aircraft at the helipad at the mountain’s opening and followed the butler robot that Ao Ci had sent to wait for them as they walked further inside.
The further they ventured into the cliff dwelling, the more spacious it became. Surprisingly, the interior of the mountain wasn’t completely sealed off. As they walked deeper, they noticed beams of sunlight filtering down from above. Luo Yu took a closer look and realized it wasn’t hidden refractor lights. She saw a small crack in the middle of the rock wall, and that was where the light was coming from.
As they walked, Zhu Huai explained, “The last time we came, the butler robot introduced us to this place; it’s called the Heavenly Mechanism Line. It’s a natural formation, isn’t it amazing?”
After passing through this Heavenly Mechanism Line and moving deeper into the mountain, the soft sound of flowing water began to reach their ears. As they drew closer, they discovered a spring pool where several thin streams poured down from high up on the wall, filling the pool with its uniquely sweet fragrance.
Beyond the spring was a path within the rock wall, and after a few minutes of walking, the path suddenly opened up, revealing a towering stone door that slowly swung open. The butler robot courteously stepped aside and raised a hand, saying, “Please, come in.”
They arrived just as dusk was settling in. Initially thinking they had arrived early, they were surprised to find the interior bustling with people as soon as they stepped through the door. Ji Shu and Ti Ran had already arrived and were watching Wanhua showcase his zither.
The Shan Yi they had met yesterday was also there, along with the expert professors they had been interacting with over the past few days, including members of the exploration team that had gone to the previous two historical time periods. As soon as everyone saw the three of them, they greeted them with smiles, and the hall was filled with great excitement.
After they settled in the hall and exchanged a few pleasantries, Ao Ci joyfully walked out from the inner room. Upon seeing her, Luo Yu and the others quickly stood up to greet her.
Ao Ci smiled and said, “Although there are many people today, you all know each other, so don’t feel too reserved. Gatherings and separations are part of life, so there’s no need to be sad.” After speaking, she raised her hand, inviting everyone to the side banquet platform.
Luo Yu and the others followed the crowd to the side, discovering that this hall connected directly to an outdoor terrace. The terrace featured a long, low stone table surrounded by a row of crackling small campfires in the center.
Perched at the edge of a cliff, the terrace had a semi-open design, with its guardrails and roof made of endless soft glass. Sitting there to eat and chat, they could enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery of the mountains without worrying about sudden rain.
Everyone settled onto the soft cushions on either side of the long table. At that moment, the moon began to peek out from behind the clouds. Initially shrouded in clouds, the skies cleared for just a moment as a gust of wind scattered the clouds, revealing the moonlight.
They ordered their favorite drinks and dishes, and shortly, the in-house housekeeping system served them at their places. The terrace quickly filled with fragrant aromas as everyone enjoyed the delicious food amidst laughter and chatter, not feeling sad about the impending farewell tomorrow.
As everyone finished their meals, the plates were cleared away, and fragrant fruit tea was served on the stone table. Meanwhile, the three members of the exploration team were discussing their upcoming plans for the historical time period surveys.
They had already come to preliminary conclusions regarding the cycle of civilization, but many details were still uncertain, including the structure of human society in the late stages of those two historical time periods, which needed further confirmation. They wanted to know if there were indeed remnants left solely by the initial humans in those late periods.
Ti Ran, having heard the exploration team’s plan to depart in five days, took a sip of tea and turned to Luo Yu and the others with a smile, saying, “We still have about twenty days left in the portal transition period for our two time periods. Once you return, we can keep in touch for a while. If there are any new developments, I will let you know.”
The firelight from the campfire flickered on Ti Ran’s face as Luo Yu glanced at her and smiled, raising her cup, “Alright, let’s keep in touch.”
