Chapter 1410 Bad News

Jinling Space Launch Center.

The sudden bad news from the front line made the entire ground command center into a mess.

earthquake!

It was an earthquake!

In the footage of the satellite aerial photography, the raging wind and sand rose into the sky, rolling out circles of arc-shaped shock waves. Swept by the violent airflow, the surrounding sand dunes were razed to the ground one after another, and the crater was filled, leaving only a deep scar on the surface of Mars. Looking from a distance, the entire mountain range is a mess, falling into ruins amidst the dust covering the sky...

Fortunately, there is no sea on Mars, and there is no lava that can erupt. The Mars scientific research station a few kilometers away was only shaken by the tremors for a while, except for some cabinets and potted plants that were knocked over. , and nothing serious.

However, what is worrying is that the collapse of the gate of hell has triggered a series of chain reactions including regional sandstorms.

At this moment, the center of the epicenter has a radius of tens of kilometers, and everywhere it comes into view is a cloud of gray dust.

Looking down from the satellite, it is impossible to see what is happening on the ground, nor to receive any signals from there.

In the command room of the ground command center, reports came and went.

Everyone's heart rose to their throats, and they all prayed for the compatriots on Mars in their hearts.

"An earthquake was found in the area of ​​15° south latitude and 128.1° west longitude! According to the observation results of the Mars scientific research station, the magnitude of the earthquake is initially judged to be above magnitude 9.5!"

"The Hell's Gate Mountain Range collapsed! The entire area is currently covered by sandstorms!"

"The dust storm is expected to last for about a week..."

"Latest news! Two personnel lost contact during the operation!"

"...well, one of them...is Academician Lu."

When he heard this sad news, Director Li's blood pressure rose instantly, and his eyes were covered with bloodshot streaks.

He stepped forward and grabbed the staff member who was sitting in front of the console. The 60-year-old man seemed to be insane, grabbed his collar and said spittle.

"What's going on! Is Academician Lu missing?! What's going on!"

The researcher who was grabbed by the collar was trembling, let alone speaking, he didn't dare to take a breath.

It's not that he's afraid of being beaten by the old man.

It was purely because he was afraid that after he had confessed honestly, the old man's heart would not be able to bear the bad news.

Now that Academician Lu's life or death is uncertain, it is a painful loss to the Republic itself. If an old leader who has walked all the way from the Pangudui era is lost, the loss will be too heavy.

Looking at the excited Director Li, Director Chang Hezhi who was standing beside him quickly grabbed him.

"Old Li, calm down, don't be so impulsive! It's not clear what's going on on Mars now, what if it's a false alarm?"

"Calm down! Tell me how to calm down!" Throwing the staff member aside, Director Li looked at Director Chang who was holding him, his beard trembling with excitement, "There is Mars! Not on Earth!"

If it was on Earth, let alone an earthquake, even if a world war broke out, they would take him home at all costs.

But on Mars, even if they wanted to do it, they would do whatever it took to do it, and there's simply no such condition to do it...

As soon as the anxious emotions came to the fore, the already aging cardiovascular system couldn't hold it anymore. Director Li stared at him and suddenly became short of breath.

Seeing that the situation was not right, Director Chang quickly supported him, and the staff next to him also rushed over.

"Lao Li! What's wrong with you, Lao Li!"

"Director Li fainted!"

"Quick! Call an ambulance!"

"Medical soldier! Someone has fallen here!"

The Space Launch Center, which was already in chaos, became even more chaotic because Director Li suddenly fainted in the command room.

Seeing Director Li being carried away on a stretcher, everyone's hearts were filled with a haze.

This is definitely the darkest moment in China's aerospace history.

There will never be a day as bad as today...

...

"Okay, I know."

Jinling Institute for Advanced Study.

Vice President Yang Xu, who was sitting in the office, put down the phone with a heavy face. Standing next to him, Director Qian Zhongming, who is the director of the Institute of Computational Materials, immediately asked.

"What's the situation now? Is there any news from the space launch center?"

Just 20 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 a synchronous orbit.

Because there was no warning, experts from the research institute initially judged based on the available information that it was caused by an earthquake.

And the magnitude of the earthquake is probably not small.

Considering that Academician Lu was performing a mission there, Yang Xu immediately called the Jinling Space Launch Center. Unexpectedly, the space launch center, which has always been familiar with them, became silent this time.

Although he didn't ask any useful information, his intuition told Yang Xu that the thing he was most worried about might still happen.

"...All launch activities have been suspended, which is probably related to the earthquake on Mars." After a moment of silence, Yang Xu continued, "Although the people there are unwilling to reveal more inside information, according to The schedule announced by the office before... I am afraid that the expedition team is in danger."

There was a hint of surprise in his pupils, Qian Zhongming's expression gradually became solemn, and he continued.

"How could this be? Could it be that extraterrestrial civilization..."

"I don't know, and it's hard to say," Yang Xu shook his head. "I'm afraid there is something hidden behind this fire plan. We don't have any news now, so it's better not to guess. Besides..."

Speaking of this, the tense expression on Yang Xu's face suddenly relaxed slightly, and he smiled calmly.

"Not to mention the words of Academician Lu."

"I believe that with his ability, even if he encounters a big trouble, the problem will not be too big."

There is Mars.

If that's the case...

Qian Zhongming smiled wryly in his heart.

Although he knew that Vice President Yang was comforting himself, he didn't feel much comforted in his heart. After sighing slightly, he restrained the expression on his face and asked seriously.

"So what should we do now?"

After thinking about it, Yang Xu said.

"Let's block the news for the time being, and let the experts of the astronomical institute stop talking nonsense. Regardless of the current situation there, we will take the news from the Manned Fire Office as the standard."

Qian Zhongming said in embarrassment.

"I'm afraid the blockade won't last long. It's not just us... I'm afraid the whole world is staring at the situation on Mars. I'm afraid that some people will feel something is wrong by tomorrow at the latest."

Academician Lu is the spiritual pillar of Jinling Institute for Advanced Study.

At least 80% of the researchers gathered under this ivory tower because of his halo. If he encountered an accident, although these people might not leave, the blow to morale would undoubtedly be quite heavy.

Especially the world-leading position of the Institute of Computational Materials.

The reason why they were able to punch MIT and kick Stanford basically relied on Lu Zhou, the originator of the mountain. If they lose the halo of Academician Lu, although they will not fall from the altar, it is obviously very difficult for the world's number one throne to remain as stable as before.

"As long as it can be blocked," Yang Xu looked at the wall clock on the wall, and after a moment of silence, he continued, "The situation on Mars is still uncertain."

"At least, we can't mess things up by ourselves."

Almost at the same time.

Star Technology Headquarters.

Chen Yushan, who was sitting at the desk dealing with the work at hand, suddenly frowned slightly, and pressed her hand on her left chest.

"strangeness……"

The inexplicable throbbing made her whisper softly.

"Are you too busy at work recently?"

"It's the end of the year... It's time for me to consider cultivating a successor."

Sighing lightly, Chen Yushan raised her right hand and rubbed it between her eyebrows, then picked up the ballpoint pen on the table and regained her enthusiasm.

Obviously she slept soundly last night, but for some reason, she felt heart-wrenching pains in her chest.

just like……

Somewhere in her heart, it was as if a piece had been dug out...

-

(Thanks to the leader of the book friend "Zuo Yanchen" for the reward~~~(///ω///))