"What do you mean?" Xi Youli rolled his eyes at Guo Xuyang.
"If your people catch up, these people won't survive," Guo Xuyang said with annoyance.
"Our people are very friendly."
"I'd be a fool to believe that. Enough talk. When we get back, I'll take you to find You Demu."
"Are you serious?"
"More serious than pearls. President Jiang, please arrange for someone to pick up Yu'er and familiarize them with the operating procedures."
"Li Xing, come and pick up Yu'er and try operating it," Jiang Qixin said.
A young man in his thirties walked over, took the goggles handed by Yu'er, put them on, and sat at the control console.
"Everyone, please be seated. I'll operate it. I'm not very proficient the first time, so there might be some bumps. Please bear with me."
"Why so much nonsense? Lift it up," Jiang Qixin said.
"Yes." Li Xing complied and pressed the button, lifting the spacecraft.
"Locate our position, then fly back," Jiang Qixin instructed.
"Yes." Li Xing, following what he had learned from Yu'er and Yezi over the past three days, set the destination and pressed the button.
Guo Xuyang felt as if his heart, liver, and lungs were about to come out.
Jiang Qixin's face was even paler. He opened his mouth twice without being able to speak.
He had lost his voice.
"There's a problem with your operation," Yu'er exclaimed. "Did you use warp drive?"
"No, I didn't. I just marked the destination," Li Xing quickly replied. "Then I pressed the return button."
"Didn't you use the sequential transmission button?"
"No."
"You're amazing," Yu'er said, then fell silent.
"Where are we now?" Guo Xuyang finally managed to catch his breath.
"We've already reached where we left. The shelters are below," Li Xing said.
"You are truly amazing. We're back in the blink of an eye," Guo Xuyang said with a wry smile.
"What have you been doing these past two days? You can't even handle this operation properly."
Jiang Qixin, having recovered his breath, cursed loudly.
"I thought you were young and had a good mind, so I let you operate. But you, you almost sent me away."
"I was a bit nervous," Li Xing said.
"What's there to be nervous about? Yu'er operates so smoothly, and you, a professional, can't even compare to her, an amateur?"
Li Xing, scolded by Jiang Qixin, dared not utter another word.
"Alright, President Jiang. It's the first time, so mistakes are bound to happen.
This also lets us all experience the feeling of warp drive.
But this spacecraft is indeed amazing. We're back in the blink of an eye."
Guo Xuyang said from the side.
"If we can produce such a spacecraft, let alone this one, even half its speed would be better than ours."
"Who says not? How do you all feel?"
"President Jiang, we feel there's still a significant gap. We can't even get these parameters, so forget about building one, we can't even imitate it," said a middle-aged man in his fifties with white hair.
"How about this? We'll go down first, get the supplies, and then test it in space.
If it's not a day, it'll be ten days. If not ten days, then a month. If not a month, we'll test it for half a year or a year.
Anyway, this spacecraft doesn't use fuel and can fly anywhere there's air," Jiang Qixin declared resolutely.
"This..." The middle-aged man dared not say anything further.
He feared that if he spoke again, Jiang Qixin might not let them return, keeping them on the spacecraft forever, which would be tragic.
"President Jiang is right. Let's go down, replenish our supplies, and have Yu'er and Yezi take you for a spin in space.
Get a feel for these parameters. A week or two should be enough to get familiar with it," Guo Xuyang chimed in.
"I can't go," Yezi said from the side.
"I'm worried if Yu'er goes alone," Guo Xuyang said.
"I'll go with her," Lü Liang said from the side. "I don't have anything else to do when I get back anyway."
"Alright, you're familiar with Yu'er too. It's settled then.
I'll arrange for people to bring the supplies now, and we'll depart immediately.
We'll return only when the data is mastered and the spacecraft can be operated," Jiang Qixin said, making a phone call.
After Jiang Qixin hung up, Guo Xuyang leaned in and said, "Leave behind three top-notch experts. Not those who are half-baked."
"Have you found something?" Jiang Qixin asked excitedly.
"It's hard to say. You leave the people first. The rest can board the ship.
Consider it a free tour. Make sure to bring enough supplies. Don't let Yu'er down."
"The supplies are already prepared. For the past three days, besides removing the coverings, we've been preparing supplies.
We left on impulse earlier, so there wasn't time to load them. I didn't expect this thing to be so fast, leaving and returning so quickly.
If we mastered this technology, forget dominating Earth, going to the moon or Mars would be like child's play."
"Don't be too optimistic. These materials are not something we can manufacture with our current capabilities," Guo Xuyang said, pointing at the spacecraft's cabin.
"Not to mention the core materials."
"How did you find out?"
"You'll know after the experts discuss it."
"Alright then. If you can provide this data, I'll request commendation for you from higher up."
"We'll talk about that later."
Jiang Qixin kept the three older professors.
"Professor Wan, Professor Liu, Professor Qu, you're older, so don't trouble yourselves. Let the young people go."
"President Jiang, we also want to see how this spacecraft flies," said an old man with a full white beard wearing thick glasses.
"Professor Wan, the spacecraft is here with us. We'll have plenty of opportunities later.
It's just a matter of deciding when to go out."
"The sooner we master this data, the sooner we can manufacture it. I'm already this old, I don't know if I'll live to see us build such a spacecraft?"
"Yes, you will. As long as you take care of yourself, we will eventually be able to manufacture this," Jiang Qixin was touched by Professor Wan's words.
"Alright then, I'll go with you next time."
Professor Wan said, then unbuckled his restraints with the other two and walked over.
"Yu'er, you've worked hard during this period.
Take these people around outside, but don't go too far. Keep in contact at all times," Guo Xuyang said.
"No problem. How long do you think is appropriate?"
"Let's say within a month. Regardless of how much data is gathered, you must return within a month.
If you encounter danger, prioritize life safety."
"I understand. I'll try not to go too far."
"Don't go to the few places you went on the previous trips. There are some unknown creatures that can consume spacecraft.
Also, try to ensure the safety of these people."
"No problem. If anything happens, I'll contact you immediately."
"That's good. When you go out this time, it's best to lure the spy satellites away."
"I understand. I'll take these people to other countries first, then go to outer space after a tour."
"Clever. I'll reward you when you get back," Guo Xuyang said with a smile.