Chapter 418

Chapter 418: Aliens? Invasion?

The fourth round of testing passed without incident.

With only three minutes remaining, Lin Mo and Wei Yuni discovered the leak point simultaneously—a hole the size of a grain of rice. This was, of course, a simulated leak, but it also represented a real point of failure.

The entire simulated space module was almost entirely composed of components that could mimic various malfunction mechanisms. From a technical and cost perspective, it was not any less than a real spacecraft. Given the enormous investment made by the aerospace training center, it was likely worth hundreds of millions of RMB.

Once they identified the leak, the emergency measures became quite simple. Sealant sprayed from the outside immediately, taking into account that there is no air in outer space. This sealant used two separate spray compounds.

Compound A had exceptionally strong adhesion, capable of quickly sealing cracks and gaps, while compound B rapidly solidified compound A, turning it into a material harder than steel, instantly blocking the leak point.

However, the materials used for training were not the same as those utilized in real space, and they could still be catalyzed by another compound known as type C, which would disperse into gas and prevent the simulator components from becoming one-time-use items.

Inside the simulated space module, two astronaut candidates responsible for the operation used other materials to seal the leak, creating a double insurance emergency to buy them more repair time.

Lin Mo and the other candidates could clearly feel that their training mode was not just a simple ascent into space; it involved the operations of a space station.

As they exited the training area, the next group of astronaut candidates climbed into the simulator wearing realistic spacesuits.

Lin Mo and Wei Yuni saw the scoreboard: 43 points. Their hearts tightened, but upon looking closer, they relaxed because the remarks indicated they had passed.

This was not really a place to be satisfied with just passing at 60 points.

Although the highest score was 100, Lin Mo and his group scored only 43 points. However, this was already quite impressive for their first attempt at handling a space accident.

As long as they could continuously cope with more than four major faults and fifteen minor faults, it meant they would be qualified to respond to various emergencies in space. The benchmark was precisely 40 points, and they narrowly surpassed it by three points.

The quality of aerospace products is considered the highest among all industries, and numerous preventive measures are taken in anticipation of potential emergencies, ensuring redundancy with two or more emergency plans.

If they genuinely reached space, with three or even four layers of automatic protective technology, encountering such frequent accidents would be quite unlikely.

Otherwise, the Aerospace Department would immediately hold accountable everyone from those production units, as such quality would be unacceptable.

“I almost thought this time would be a total disaster,” Wei Yuni said, feeling exhausted and drenched in sweat as if she had just been pulled out of water.

“Yeah! Passing is great; I just wonder what our individual scores will be,” Lin Mo replied, still looking at the group rankings. The elimination rate here is brutally high; once deemed unqualified, they would be ruthlessly cut without a second chance.

Group scores are one thing, but individual scores matter too. There are dedicated personnel who assess each person’s performance and response capabilities from the recorded evaluations. In a team, facing an opponent like a god is not the problem; having a teammate akin to a pig becomes a concern. Individual performance and cooperation play a crucial role in whether they pass this round of selection.

“Qualified!”

Numbers fifteen, forty-five, and fifty-one all sighed in relief, exchanging glances. If they hadn’t passed, the outcome would have been unimaginable.

“Number one, number four, we owe it all to you this time.”

Number forty-five recalled the frantic search hours in the simulator, feeling as though every passing moment was a countdown to their lives.

“Yes, yes, yes! Number one, number four, if it weren’t for you, we would have been in deep trouble and might not have passed.”

Number fifteen nodded repeatedly. As Lin Mo’s partner, he felt immense pressure, yet could not afford to panic and had to calmly assist with the operation.

In that moment, he even forgot that they were in a simulated assessment rather than real space, his heart pounding as if it were about to leap out of his chest.

Number forty-five and number fifty-one wore similar expressions. Just moments ago, it was Lin Mo and Wei Yuni who discovered the leak point at the last second and saved everyone, earning the most crucial points.

"Ha ha, everyone contributed; this wasn’t done by one person alone."

Lin Mo said with a smile, acknowledging that their score was the result of teamwork and collective effort.

Among the new group of candidates set to replace Lin Mo’s team was Meng Yinan, along with group leader C, totaling six people; they were the last group.

"Number eighteen! You can do it!"

Lin Mo raised his fist towards the floating simulated space module at the exit of the zero-gravity area.

With confidence, Meng Yinan waved back at Lin Mo, giving him a thumbs-up.

"Boss, just watch me!" Meng Yinan motivated herself.

Each round of training was a decisive battle; moving forward brought them closer to astronaut qualifications, while going backward meant packing up and going home.

In this fourth round of selection, everyone had completely shed their pressure. No matter if they would stay or go, passing or failing no longer weighed on the remaining candidates’ minds.

As everyone released their burdens, the psychological and professional skills tests conducted by the Fifth Aerospace Training Center would effectively uncover the candidates’ true potential without being hindered by a poor mindset.

After enjoying a refreshing hot shower in the shower area, Lin Mo returned to the simulated space flight testing zone, just in time to see Meng Yinan’s group finishing their assessment.

Their results were quite good—42 points, just one point lower than Lin Mo’s group. At least they passed, and they reacted to their scores almost identically to Lin Mo’s team.

"Boss!"

Seeing Lin Mo waiting for him, Meng Yinan rushed over, holding a large space suit helmet, dripping with sweat, walking as if she were on the moon, swaying side to side.

"Well done, number eighteen! Just one point behind us, I…"

Lin Mo started to say something when suddenly piercing alarm sounds erupted around them, followed by additional sirens.

"Warning! An unidentified object is invading! All personnel please refrain from moving! Warning! An unidentified object is invading! All personnel please refrain from moving!"

The loudspeaker’s voice echoed throughout the training center, accompanied by alarm bells and flashing red warning lights. Automatic doors began to close rapidly for area isolation, including those in the now-empty simulated space module.

The twenty-one astronaut candidates found themselves isolated in a large hall within the building.

The unexpected invasion alarm was no small matter, and Wei Yuni and Meng Yinan’s faces shifted with concern.

"What’s happening? An alarm? A red alert?"

"What’s going on? Are we going to war?"

"Unidentified object? Aliens? An invasion?"

"Quit talking! Find a place to hide quickly!"

"Hide? Didn’t they say we can’t move freely?"

Tat-tat-tat!

Boom!

Gunfire erupted outside, accompanied by a tremendous explosion. It sounded as if something was blowing up. The building housing the simulated space module shook lightly, and the lights inside flickered, suddenly dimming before lighting up again, but only some of the lights remained on.

Presumably, the power system had been damaged, and the backup system had activated.

The aerospace training center was a restricted area on high alert for civilians; even in the case of an invasion, the damage might not be extensive.

The twenty-one candidates looked pale; the presence of gunfire indicated a serious situation.

Chaos engulfed the training center as departments sprang into action.

No one knew what was happening; even Major General Sun, who was in charge of their group, had not appeared, perhaps dealing with the unexpected incident inside the training center, unable to allocate personnel to oversee the twenty-one candidates in the simulated space training area.

"Do you want to get shot? The first rule for pilots is to stay alive. Pilots who won’t run away aren’t good pilots."

"You guys, stop talking and quickly look for advantageous terrain and possible self-defense weapons."

"Right, don’t freeze! Get moving!"

Aside from four candidates with technical expert backgrounds who looked a bit lost, the others had military training and were all in the air force. The fighter pilots quickly clustered together.

"Who has been on the battlefield?"

In that moment, combat experience became the most valuable resource.

No matter how good one was at shooting, without battlefield experience, even the finest steel is just ordinary iron.

"I!"

"I!"

"Me too!"

In no time, several people stepped forward, all of them pilots.

Among them were number one, number two, number four, as well as numbers eighteen, twenty-three, and thirty-nine; together they numbered six, nearly one-third of the remaining candidates.

Had these individuals all seen combat? The others without battlefield experience widened their eyes, seemingly incredulous that such a large number had real combat experience; it was terrifying.

These people from all corners of the world had participated in actual warfare.

What did this indicate? The world was not as peaceful as many imagined.

"But we don’t have fighter jets or a battle plan."

Number four, Wei Yuni, despite stepping forward, felt a sense of frustration akin to being unable to cook without rice. They were fighter pilots, not ground special forces.

Pilots heavily relied on the battle plans provided by strategists and commanders; without a detailed battle plan, fighter pilots were just like headless flies.