Countdown: Humanity's struggle to survive against yesterday

Chapter 64 Jiuquan

Northwest of the Badain Jaran Desert, the vast Gobi stretches out as a desolate backdrop, with the horizon as straight as if cut by a knife, and even the wind carries the ruggedness and emptiness of sand and gravel.

This is the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, also known as Dongfeng Space City.

This is the starting point of China's space dream, a steel fortress and a haven for stars deep in the desert.

Looking out, the most awe-inspiring sight is the manned launch tower, a colossal blue-green steel structure rising from the ground. The trusses, over a hundred meters high, interlock and crisscross, like the outstretched arms of a giant embracing a rocket ready for launch.

The tower is densely covered with elevator tracks, work platforms and cable trays. The silver-gray rocket body gleams coldly in the sunlight, and the red logo of "China Manned Spaceflight" on the rocket body is eye-catching and solemn.

At this moment, inside the manned capsule of the rocket, which was ready for launch, two astronauts were chatting casually, their words revealing no trace of tension or excitement.

One of them, named Wang Kai, was 32 years old. He had broad, upright shoulders, deep-set, calm eyes, and a restrained and composed demeanor. He was the commander of this voyage.

The other one is named Tang Fei, 28 years old. He is slender and agile, exuding vigor and sharpness. His eyes are clean and bright, and his face naturally radiates the enthusiasm and aspirations unique to a new generation of astronauts.

Tang Fei lay half-reclined on the cushioned seat, staring up at the ceiling, and sighed, "Commander, am I the one among the new generation of astronauts who has flown the most consecutive times?"

Wang Kai smiled upon hearing this: "Don't even mention you, I broke the record too. I flew 20 times in this month, even the seniors at the base don't get this kind of treatment."

"Then tell me, what's the point? Going to space today, only to return to base tomorrow as the world regresses—isn't that just pointless fuss?"

"Xiao Fei, I'll just take your words as a complaint; please don't take them to heart."

Tang Fei's expression turned serious: "Commander, don't worry about that. I was just saying. I'm not really complaining. I'm just a little sad about the brothers in the sky."

Hearing about his brother in the sky, Wang Kai looked quite helpless.

The Tiangong space station, which is near the Earth, will have 6-9 people in orbit for a long time, with a crew rotation every six months.

The most recent rotation was between Wang Kai and Tang Fei.

The two had barely stepped into the Tiangong space station when they were immediately returned to the ground base. This phenomenon initially shocked them greatly, and the entire base was in disbelief, as if they were dreaming.

But as the whole world fell into this situation, the base and command center were no longer afraid.

After staying on the ground for two more days, the two received orders to continue their ascent into space.

At the same time, news also came from the lunar space station that nothing unusual had happened there.

This caused an uproar among the world's major spacefaring nations.

However, this news was initially kept very secret. The public announcement that low Earth orbit was also affected by this phenomenon, while high Earth orbit and deep space still need further verification.

Tang Fei: "Commander Wang, why is the reset range only covering the Earth and about 1000 kilometers of near-Earth orbit? It sounds like a scene from a science fiction novel."

"It must be that book, Time Cycle!" Wang Kai nodded.

"Yes, that's the one! You know it too..."

"Of course we know, it's become essential reading for us astronauts now..."

Wang Kai paused for a moment, then added, "Perhaps it is precisely because the scenarios and hypotheses depicted in these science fiction novels have actually come to pass that humanity has become hesitant and dares not immediately announce these discoveries."

"Why is that? Wasn't the decision made to postpone the announcement until New Year's Day?"

"It's also to give the public a buffer period, in case they can't accept it." Wang Kai frowned. "Think about it, what would happen if it were announced immediately after discovery?"

"Probably..." Tang Fei pondered for a moment, "It will probably be like what is described in science fiction novels, where humans will think about escaping Earth."

"Yes, that's exactly right."

"But this is simply impossible!" Tang Fei asked, his face filled with excitement.

"This isn't The Three-Body Problem, nor is it The Wandering Earth, where humanity still has time to plan carefully. This is the Great Regression Era, where every time the world regresses, all escape plans will be rendered meaningless."

"Can't we still go to heaven?" Wang Kai retorted.

"Didn't he die three times in such a rush!"

Tang Fei looked terrified and said excitedly, "The escape plan is unrealistic. With the current storage capacity and technological level of human manned spacecraft, even if someone could escape, it would be an extremely rare exception."

Wang Kai's expression was solemn: "Don't talk about escaping or not escaping, that word sounds jarring. If we really don't send people up 1000 kilometers above the Earth in batches, Earth can still provide logistical support, and we can slowly build a lunar base. Humanity won't need to escape at all."

"Even so, it's still difficult. Science and technology cannot be preserved. With the world regressing, and with research equipment declining, relying solely on memory to sustain life can only last for a generation at most."

"Xiaofei, why are you so pessimistic?"

"I'm not being pessimistic, it's just that you and I are discussing..."

"Alright, you two, stop arguing! We're getting annoyed..."

The next second, a deep voice from the control tower came through their earpieces.

Wang Kai and Tang Fei exchanged a glance and gave each other an awkward smile.

In the control tower, Qin Zhengguo looked exhausted. After telling the two to stop, he turned to look at his colleagues.

"Everyone, please put down what you're doing. I have a few words to say:"

Everyone heard their discussion just now, right? I know many of my younger colleagues have thought the same way as Tang Fei.

As Qin Zhengguo spoke, his gaze swept over the group of people.

The dozen or so younger staff members, seeing this gaze, all dared not meet it.

"There's nothing that can't be thought of, and nothing that can't be discussed. We should judge by actions, not intentions. The fact that you're all still holding your posts shows that you haven't been intimidated. On the contrary, I think it's more beneficial to the work to speak your true thoughts."

A young staff member couldn't help but raise his hand when he heard Chief Engineer Qin say that.

"Xiao Li, do you have something to say?"

"Yes, Chief Engineer Qin! Now that you've brought it up, I do have a few words to say."

"Okay..." Qin Zhengguo nodded.

The young woman, named Xiao Li, spoke directly and loudly: "Chief Engineer Qin, I'm not pessimistic, I'm just confused. This is our 20th time launching the 'Kunpeng' rocket again, and we have less and less time to prepare. We've already experienced three failures recently. Will this cause psychological trauma to our astronauts?"

Perhaps someone deliberately left the communication system open, and Wang Kai and Tang Fei happened to overhear the conversation.

Wang Kai raised an eyebrow at Tang Fei, who smiled shyly in response.

The person who just stood up for them is named Li Yi. The two have a long-standing relationship, which is unknown to others, but Wang Kai, who often trains with them, does know about it.

After listening, Qin Zhengguo nodded: "To say there was no psychological trauma would be a lie. Let's leave that aside for now. Does anyone else want to speak?"

Another young staff member raised his hand and said, "Chief Engineer Qin, I'd like to ask if it's possible to invite some memory experts to assist us in our work?"

"Chief Engineer Qin, I also have a question. If we announce to the public on New Year's Day that there is no major regression in space, will our base be impacted in the future?"

"Chief Engineer Qin..."

One question after another was posed, and Qin Zhengguo listened without answering, letting the younger generation ask questions. His older colleagues, on the other hand, remained silent, watching the young people with smiles as they poured out their dissatisfaction and doubts.

For the past month, everyone has been holding back, so it's a good thing that we now have this opportunity to talk openly and honestly.

Finally, when no one raised their hand to speak, Qin Zhengguo said solemnly, "Everyone has worked hard during this time, and I would like to express my gratitude to you all on my behalf."

After speaking, Qin Zhengguo bowed to everyone. No one made way for him or said anything polite; everyone just waited quietly.

Want to know why Chief Engineer Qin suddenly called a meeting today?