Chapter 80: 24 Hours (5)
Translator: Lonelytree Editor: Lucas
Jay laid his tired body on top of a fallen rock. After lighting another cigarette, he flung the old one away to join the cluster of cigarette butts that littered his feet.
Turning to look at Zhang Heng, he kindly advised, "You can stop staring at the caved in entrance, you know? Come, take a break."
It was little wonder why Jay said so, because Zhang Heng looked exceptionally pale. He looked like a dying patient, not someone that had undergone a daily intensive training regime. Ever since he joined the Black Star Unit, Zhang Heng had been training alongside the rest of them. Of course, his physique still couldnāt rival the rest, but his physical state was already better than normal soldiers.
The reason for his blanched faƧade was because the usage of superhuman power would drain its user immensely. This was known among all the Black Star members. Research had shown that using the power would greatly lower oneās blood glucose level and, more importantly, present a heavy strain on oneās mental acuity.
Comparatively speaking, passive powers like Zhang Hengās divination were less draining than Jayās mental manipulation, which was more active. Zhang Heng had been using his power for several hours; that was why he was so tired.
Sighing, Zhang Heng picked a spot that was slightly far away from the caved in entrance and sat down. "The passageway is completely blocked, but the things inside should be fine, because I didnāt feel any warnings of danger."
After a short silence, Jay gave Zhang Heng a soft pat on his shoulder, saying, "Thank you."
Zhang Heng chuckled lightly. "Why thank me? This is what Iām supposed to do. Itās you that Iām worried about, actually. If you have to keep on tricking those plants, the strain youāll be under to keep your power activatedā¦"
As a reserved member of the Black Star Unit, Yao Yuan could have ordered Jay to do exactly that, but he opted for a more diplomatic measure because these circumstances were incredibly unique.
Depending on the third floorās storage of chemical potion and the time needed to mine a way in, Jay might need to keep on lying for more than two hoursā¦ two hours! It was practically unheard of!
It was, in other words, a death sentenceā¦
Even though that was not uncommon on the battlefield, the circumstances were different because Jayās power was irreplaceable. Yao Yuan realized that forcing him into the task would only backfire. After all, it was only natural for one to push back if one was forcefully pushed towards certain death.
Jay smoked silently, mulling over what Zhang Heng said. Suddenly, he heard light snoring coming from his side. He turned to realize that Zhang Heng had fallen asleep. Sighing, he helped Zhang Heng lie down into a more comfortable position and then lit another cigarette.
(ā¦ Why would you guys place such deep trust in me?)
(Bunch of idiots!)
Beyond the underground base, the first batch of scientists had reached the Hope. After consoling and dispatching their families, the group of scientists walked silently to the Academy. Huddled in their respective labs, they started collating the collected data.
"ā¦of course I would love to stay. Faced with this big tragedy, Iām as afraid as you are. I saw several people get crushed by falling rocks with my own eyes. Like our old friend, John. He was hit in the head and is still currently unconscious. So of course Iām afraid. But this is what I have to do."
A scientist said consolingly to his family.
"This is why we are allowed to leave the base so far ahead of everyone else. Itās not because of our stature, power, or anything like that. Itās the knowledge that we could provide!"
The scientist continued with a hint of pride intermingling with sadness.
"It is our responsibility to utilize this knowledge to provide a better chance at survival for the rest. Weāre living on their charity, so we owe them that much!"
This appreciation for life and sacrifice was inherently understood by this group of scientists that was given early leave. The scope of privilege they had been given didnāt go unnoticed.
On the Hope, the technician crews were well into their 10 hour shift. There was supposed to be at least three shift changes, but because most of the Workshop was stuck in the underground base, they had to barrel on. However, no one complained. Surviving on bites of energy bars and fresh water, everyone slaved away until the surveillance and security system finally came back online.
"Initiating energy buffers, counting down on central mainframe, three, twoā¦"
With the return of the Hopeās surveillance system, a bunch of data appeared on the computer screen almost instantly. They included observations on the sun, the star system, the earthquake, and the intergalactic magnetic fields.
Everyone came for their needed data and left. Analysis, experiments, discussions erupted all over the Hope. Everyone was trying their best to achieve their objective!
Disregarding the workers that were trapped in the industrial layer and the people that had been escorted back to the Hope, the base still housed around 110,000 people. That was about 90 percent of the total population!
It was not an understatement to say that the Academyās work was life-saving!
At times like these, it was easy to see that the spirit of Professor Alison had lived on through his colleaguesā¦
Back on the meteorite, 100 soldiers were escorting the second batch of citizens out of the base. The 14,000-sized crowd comprised of the remaining scientists, the known and latent Homo Evolutis, doctors, technicians, teachers, and their families.
Other than the soldiers that were on escort detail, every single military member, including the Major and all the Lieutenants, had remained in the base.
Just like how Yao Yuan had promised Chou Yue, he strived to be fair in his judgment regardless of circumstances. He had to abandon most of the people when they departed from Earth because he had to be selective. Not a day had gone by that he was not tormented by that decisionā¦
In the end, he knew that equality was not possible, so he settled for fairness. And fairness couldnāt be contaminated by personal interest. Therefore, he had ordered the military to stay because that was what they had signed up for. In fact, Yao Yuan promised that he would be the last to leave the baseā¦
Chou Yue asked skeptically, "Thatās what he said? Ren Tao, this is certainly just for show, right?"
Beside her, Ren Tao, who was also in a spacesuit, shook his head mildly. "No, I donāt think so. If itās just optics, he should have presented that statement during the gathering at the field, but he didnāt. Furthermore, the Majorās political standing is currently unshakable, so thereās no reason for him to do this other than the fact thatā¦
"This is what he truly believes."
Ren Tao continued, with a mysterious expression, "You can see for yourself how strong the Majorās prestige is. The crowd was instantly silenced the moment he walked into the field, remember? Furthermore, even though the people are leaving in batches, no one complained about the arrangement. Because they knew they could place their trust in the Major. Heās the force that ground the Hope. As long as heās around, I believe the Hope will be not rocked, unless, of course, god forbid, something unfortunate happens to him in the course of this crisisā¦
"He truly wishes the best for these peopleā¦. It appears I have misunderstood our Major. Yes, the frozen eggs could repopulate half the population, but theyāll be babies; theyāre useless in keeping the Hope or humanity and its civilization burning. And I believe that was his plan all along, and thatās why he hasnāt left."
After Ren Tao concluded his observation, Chou Yue butted in to ask crossly, "Then what about you? Why did you stay? You shouldāve been able to leave with the rest of them, right?"
"Well, you know me. I tire easily. My legs could barely move after carrying those two spacesuits, so I figured Iād come join you," Ren Tao replied with a happy chuckle.
He barely had time to evade the incoming punch. It passed through his open helmet and landed on his left eye.
"You are a giant idiot!"
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