Lin Xian nodded.

This conclusion wasn't hard to deduce, and he had thought of it himself.

Only this could explain why the space-time particle, unaffected by external forces and not interacting with any material energy, would constantly adjust its direction to pursue Earth relentlessly.

[There must be something on Earth attracting it, or rather, they are attracting each other, like gravity. This is a unique gravitational force belonging only to these two objects!]

"Is it possible that there is another space-time particle on Earth? Are they attracting each other?"

Lin Xian asked.

Liu Feng shook his head:

"It shouldn't be possible. If there were, I should be able to detect it. But nothing is absolute. We haven't seen anything or found anything yet, so we can't just jump to conclusions irresponsibly, right?"

Lin Xian exhaled a long breath and stood up.

He walked to the globe model:

"Let's sort things out. So, in about two months, this space-time particle will arrive at Earth. We can only conduct further research on it after we capture it, including calibrating the space-time clock, detecting space-time curvature, studying the cosmological constant, and so on..."

"Can you be more specific about the time? And can you determine the location where the space-time particle will arrive at Earth? Is it the 380,000-kilometer Earth-Moon orbit? Is it the altitude of a space station, a few thousand or a few hundred kilometers? Or is it the Kármán line, 100 kilometers above the ground? Or can this thing eventually land on the surface, and we can just scoop it up with a long fishing net?"

Liu Feng shook his head and held up one finger:

"First of all, the specific time, location, and altitude of arrival on Earth cannot be determined now. I can only be sure that the space-time particle is definitely coming towards Earth. Based on my analysis of its trajectory, I don't think it's likely to land on the surface, it should pass through the atmosphere... Of course, that's if it doesn't drastically change direction again. I can't say for sure."

"But, not being sure now doesn't mean we won't be sure later. About a week or ten days before the space-time particle arrives at Earth, I should be able to accurately pinpoint the altitude and location where it will pass over Earth. So I suggest that, currently, when we consider the capture plan, we should focus on the near-Earth space region of 10 kilometers to 500 kilometers."

Then, Liu Feng held up a second finger:

"Secondly, because this space-time particle has no mass and no physical form, conventional methods will definitely not be able to capture it, unless we use a special 'field' to bind it. This is not difficult for me. Since I can find it, I can bind and capture it!"

"Give me a month, and I can definitely create the 'Space-Time Particle Capturer'. As long as we put the space-time particle into the capturer, it will be immediately bound, unable to move, unable to relocate, and integrated with the capturer... Wherever we take the capturer, we can take the space-time particle."

"At that time, we can study the space-time particle closely and use it for research. For example, we can use this space-time particle from another space-time as a reference coordinate point to calibrate the space-time clock; and subsequent studies of space-time curvature and the cosmological constant will be much easier."

"Therefore! The most critical and prioritized thing to consider now is—"

"How to approach and capture this precious space-time particle with the Space-Time Particle Capturer in the atmosphere or even in near-Earth space."

……

Lin Xian and Liu Feng exchanged glances.

The answer was self-evident.

[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.]

Huang Que, that woman, never misses her mark. She knew everything long ago! She knew about the existence of the space-time particle, knew that the space-time particle would pass through Earth's atmosphere, and clearly knew that only rockets and spacecraft could capture the space-time particle!

Currently, the maximum flight altitude of civil airliners is 15,000 meters.

The maximum flight altitude of manned fighter jets is about 25,000 meters.

The world record for the maximum flight altitude of unmanned reconnaissance aircraft and aircraft specifically designed for altitude is only about 30,000 meters.

30,000 meters...

That's just the stratosphere, still far from the 100-kilometer Kármán line and even higher outer space.

So.

Just like the note Huang Que left for the two of them in the lab.

Only rockets, spacecraft, satellites, and even... the spaceplane that Longguo just successfully launched, can carry out this "Space-Time Particle Capture Mission."

"Lin Xian."

Liu Feng slapped the table, impatiently:

"I'm going to Gansu, to Jiuquan!"

Rumble rumble rumble——————

Hot gas streams spewed out from under the wings of the jet plane, propelling the heavy airliner to take off and climb into the clouds.

Gansu.

Located in northwestern Longguo, it's the Loess Plateau in many people's minds.

Because it is located at the intersection of the eastern monsoon region, the northwestern arid and semi-arid region, and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau alpine region, its climate characteristics are very complex and is also known as the region with the most complex climate types in China.

Jiuquan City is located in the northwest of Gansu; and the famous Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is located in the northeastern region of Jiuquan City. The terrain here is flat, dry and rainless for many years, and sparsely populated, making it an excellent area for establishing spacecraft launch sites.

As the plane plunged and landed, Lin Xian saw a completely different landform from the southern lands through the porthole—

Yellow.

Simply put, that's the word.

The yellow that met the eye was the most direct impression the vast Loess Plateau gave.

After getting off the plane.

The two got into a pre-arranged vehicle and headed to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

Lin Xian originally intended to contact Huang Que first.

But unfortunately…

The two had only met a few times and hadn't exchanged contact information. They didn't know what to do if they were stopped by the guards on the way to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

Oh well, they would take it one step at a time.

After leaving Jiuquan City and arriving at the area where the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center was located... everything in sight was once again the familiar yellow.

The ground was yellow,

The distance was yellow,

Only the sky was a clear, cloudless azure blue. In all other directions, east, west, north, and south, there was only the feeling of endless yellow sand.

In fact, these seemingly sandy surfaces are still planted with a type of water-locking and sand-fixing grass, but the color of this grass is also yellow and sparse. Lin Xian didn't know what kind it was.

…

From a long distance away, they saw the text sign for the Longguo Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

Looking further into the distance, they saw the towering launch tower and the huge park surrounded by walls.

They arrived at the gate of the launch center without any obstruction... The dust raised along the way was still very conspicuous, because there were no other vehicles in the vicinity besides their car.

Just as Lin Xian stood in front of the gate, wondering why this journey had been so smooth—

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

The gate of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center suddenly opened wide, and a tall and voluptuous woman wearing a thick cotton coat and large sunglasses that covered half of her face walked out from inside.

She smiled slightly, took off her sunglasses, and her crystalline blue eyes emitted a clear, flowing light like the sky, looking at Lin Xian and Liu Feng standing in front of the gate:

"Too slow!"

…

In the launch site, Huang Que pointed to the launch tower in front:

"Some time ago, at the end of last year, Longguo's first successful spaceplane flight departed from here. Unlike normal airplanes, spaceplanes don't take off with a running start on a runway. Instead, they are launched into a predetermined orbit by a rocket before they can activate their own boosters to carry out flight missions in near-Earth space."

"The Shenzhou rocket used this launch tower at that time. When we use the spaceplane, we will use the same procedure as during the test flight, launching from here and then landing at the Alxa Airport... When landing, the spaceplane is no different from an ordinary airplane. It only needs rocket propulsion during launch; otherwise, it can't fly to such a high orbit."

Huang Que explained earnestly to the two of them, but in fact, the two weren't stupid and had already researched it before coming.

They had long guessed that since Huang Que was so resourceful and could handle the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, she could probably also handle a national treasure like the spaceplane.

Sure enough, it was the same as the two had envisioned.

Spaceplanes are different from ordinary airplanes. The fuel they use is roughly the same as that of rockets, with a built-in oxidizer. Whether in a thin atmosphere or in the vacuum of space, they can burn and jet to gain forward momentum.

Ordinary airplanes, including fighter jets, use conventional engines.

These engines rely heavily on oxygen in the atmosphere to help the fuel burn and then jet out to gain kinetic energy.

This is also why ordinary airplanes and fighter jets can't fly over 30,000 meters... The atmosphere at 30,000 meters is already very thin, only one percent of the atmospheric density at sea level. This level of oxygen content is not enough to support engine combustion. Even with a series of high-tech pressurized air technologies, the best aviation engines can't support flights at altitudes of 30,000 to 40,000 meters.

But spaceplanes are different.

Their fuel and propulsion methods determine that they don't rely on oxygen in the atmosphere and can go wherever they want.

Since Liu Feng analyzed that the height range of the space-time particle's appearance is roughly in the space range of 10 kilometers to 500 kilometers...

Then the spaceplane is simply custom-made for them!

Using a rocket is definitely not an option. Rockets are too fast, and they would fly past in a flash. Where would they have time to capture a space-time particle the size of an apple or baseball? Not to mention that rockets are a one-way ticket... If Lin Xian and Liu Feng were really launched, how would they come back?

Furthermore, Liu Feng can't be sure yet whether this space-time particle is visible or not, whether it can be seen with the naked eye.

Using satellites or space stations for capture is even more impossible.

These two seem to be stationary, but in fact, their orbital speed around the Earth is also very fast... The space station can orbit the Earth in just 90 minutes.

Moreover, the altitude restrictions for satellites and space stations are harsh. If the height of the space-time particle decreases to below 300 kilometers, they can only stare blankly.

Therefore, all things considered.

The spaceplane, with its flexible height control, strong maneuverability, and the ability to operate the direction and move precisely, has become the best choice for carrying out missions in the atmosphere and near-Earth space.

"This mission of ours must be kept highly confidential."

Huang Que looked left at Lin Xian and right at Liu Feng:

"You two should understand that we must not let any outsiders, anyone we don't trust, know what we are doing, what we are capturing, and when we are acting."

"So... to ensure absolute safety, we must personally ride, and even operate the spaceplane."

"How is that possible!" Liu Feng exclaimed:

"Riding it would require a long period of training. In two months, it would be remarkable if we could train to ride the spaceplane safely... This kind of thing, bluntly speaking, is no different from astronauts! Operating the spaceplane is simply a pipe dream!"

"You misunderstood me."

Huang Que blinked her deep blue pupils, looking at Liu Feng:

"I have already arranged the spaceplane pilot. He is someone who can be trusted. And he will only be responsible for our physical training, technical guidance, and the actual operation of the spaceplane in the next two months... In other words, he will stay in the cockpit the whole time and will not participate in our 'Space-Time Particle Capture Plan'."

"What I mean by operating the spaceplane is operating the external robotic arm."

Huang Que took out her phone and showed them a picture of the spaceplane extending its robotic arm:

"We are not professional astronauts, let alone operating outside the cabin, so we can only operate the external robotic arm inside the cabin to capture the space-time particle. The only task that requires us to actually operate is this one. Of course, we don't need to worry about the driving, and we don't have the ability to control it."

"So, for the sake of secrecy, we can't let anyone other than us operate this robotic arm. Liu Feng, I don't know how Lin Xian told you about it, but the matter of the 'Space-Time Particle' must not be exposed. Only we must know what we are doing and what we have captured."

Lin Xian nodded, agreeing with Huang Que's idea.

From the looks of it now, this space-time particle is far more important than they imagined, far, far more important...

He even suspected whether Jask's right hand pointing to the sky and the phrase "We'll meet in the sky" he left for himself referred to this hard-won and very precious space-time particle.

In short…

This rare opportunity.

Maybe it's the turning point for all the current mysteries and predicaments, and they must seize it!

Liu Feng looked at Huang Que with a complaining expression:

"I naturally have no objection to what you said. I'll listen to Lin Xian. It's just that you clearly knew about the space-time particle long ago! Why were you being so cryptic in the lab back then? Even if you didn't know enough about it, at least the term 'space-time particle' could have been said, right? Even if you didn't explain it after saying it... I would have saved a lot of time if I had heard that term."

Heh.

Huang Que shook her head and smiled:

"I couldn't say it before, but I can say it now, so of course the 'space-time elasticity' has increased."

"Space-time elasticity?" Liu Feng was completely confused.

"Let Lin Xian explain it to you slowly later." Huang Que didn't plan to teach Liu Feng, or maybe she couldn't teach:

"Of course I can communicate with you about the things you figured out yourself. If you can't figure it out yourself, don't ask me. I can't answer any of your questions."

"Okay, let's continue with the main topic. Besides that person who is the coach and the spaceplane pilot, it's not enough with just the three of us, it's still too few. This space-time particle capture operation is full of various uncertainties, and besides the driving that we don't have to worry about, all sorts of other things, such as watching instruments, reporting data, operating the robotic arm, backup support, even handing tools, etc... The more people the better, of course, but still, it must be on the premise of being trustworthy."

……

Lin Xian and Liu Feng looked at each other after hearing this.

"Do you have anyone to recommend, Liu Feng?" Lin Xian looked at Liu Feng.

Liu Feng shook his head:

"I don't have any relatives or friends now. Li Qiqi is also gone. In this world, the only person I'm familiar with is you, only you."

"Then I don't have any suitable candidates either." Lin Xian spread his hands:

"I can't just pull people from my company over, right? Seriously, it's not that I don't trust them, but on such an important matter, I'm still not comfortable with them, and I don't want them to know."

Suddenly.

Lin Xian thought of a round figure.

"Gao...Yang..."

Lin Xian looked at Huang Que:

"I suggest that since you understand everything and know everything, why don't you look at who is reliable and pull a few people over? Being able to help us to this extent, I still trust you very much. If you really want me to find someone myself... then I can only call Gao Yang over, but that person is very unreliable. Although he's not a bad person and doesn't have any malicious intentions, his brain is really a bit... not very sharp, I feel."

"Gao Yang, huh."

Huang Que smiled inexplicably when she heard this name, as if she was very familiar with him:

"Of course Gao Yang is okay."

"You know Gao Yang?" Lin Xian was a little surprised.

These two people... are completely unrelated! They're completely not the same style, not even people from the same world.

"I don't know him." Huang Que said softly:

"But... I can tell you bluntly that Gao Yang is fine and can be trusted."

"Alright."

Huang Que carefully selected.

Since Huang Que said that Gao Yang was fine, then Gao Yang must be fine.

Gao Yang had been a gaming expert since he was a child, starting with playing Contra on the Famicom, all the way to arcade King of Fighters, Starcraft, DotA, and LoL... Although Gao Yang didn't reach the level of a professional player, he was still undefeated in the student circles of Hangzhou back then.

Gao Yang's "micro-control" was very strong, which is what everyone commonly calls computer operating skills.

Lin Xian believed that he could hand over the task of operating the spaceplane's robotic arm to Gao Yang. He would definitely learn this kind of thing very quickly, and with a certain talent, it would at least be more reliable than himself.

Huang Que handed the two a piece of paper with an address in the capital written on it. There was no name or sign, just go to No. xx on xx Road. It looked very hidden:

"According to Liu Feng's calculations, there are at most two months until the space-time particle reaches the Earth's atmosphere."

"We must train during these two months, at least to the point where we can ride the spaceplane... Don't underestimate this step. It's a bit different from riding an airplane and requires some training; if you have extra energy, familiarize yourself more with the equipment operation in the spaceplane's passenger cabin and operation cabin, just in case."

"So, Lin Xian, you go back and solve Gao Yang's problem. Three days later, we'll meet at this top-secret astronaut training base. It has been completely borrowed by me, and there is no one else besides us. It's absolutely safe and won't leak any information."

Liu Feng raised his hand:

"I still have to make the Space-Time Particle Capturer. I estimate that I'll be late for a while. After I finish making it, I will take the Space-Time Particle Capturer and go to the secret training base in the capital to find you."

"Alright."

Huang Que nodded and smiled at the two of them:

"Then, let's set off! From now on…"

"We are a team!"

……

Donghai, a small tavern.

Gao Yang downed a glass of wine, sighed, and shook his head:

"Ah... it won't work, Lin Xian. They didn't approve my leave."

He smacked his lips:

"I told the store manager that I want a long vacation for the next two months, I don't want salary, and I don't need them to pay my social security, I'll pay it myself, and they can even waive my position... I just want to ask for a two-month long vacation to accompany my brother to do something very important."

"Then quit."

Lin Xian used his chopsticks to pick up a peanut and chewed:

"I told you to quit a long time ago, come to Rhein Company. Just do any position. Or what kind of project do you want to do? What kind of dream do you have? I'll invest some in you, don't sell cars anymore."

"Hey, you can't say that, Lin Xian."

Gao Yang filled his glass with wine:

"It's not like doing one thing and loving it. I always feel that there's no high or low in work, and I seem to really have the talent to be a salesman. As you said... I'm a congenital sales saint, born to sell!"

"My personal value is just this much, and my vision is just this much. I'm quite happy mixing in this circle. You really want me to be a department team leader, or start my own business and be a boss, I know I don't have that ability... It's not that I don't want to break out, don't want to leave this comfort zone."

"It's that I'm very clear about my own position, I just have this much ability, I can talk a little and use my glib tongue. But hey, in the end, heaven and earth are big! Brothers are the biggest!"

Gao Yang picked up his wine glass and clinked it with Lin Xian:

"Resign! Resign, f*** it! I'm not doing it anymore!"

"At worst, after I come back from Jiuquan with you, I'll find another place to sell cars again! Anyway, gasoline cars aren't doing well now, so I'll switch to a new energy 4S store to be a salesman!"

Lin Xian smiled slightly.

He could tell that Gao Yang was still very reluctant to leave this job. After all, he had been doing it for so many years, and he probably had some feelings, some social interactions, and some sense of accomplishment and value from self-recognition.

Lin Xian was a little unwilling to let him quit for himself.

He looked up, drank the wine in his glass, and put the glass on the table:

"Don't panic, don't rush to quit. Wait for me at your 4S store tomorrow."

He called Huang Que that night when he got home.

……

The next day, the 4S store.

Lin Xian walked in and handed Gao Yang a thin, unremarkable, folded piece of A4 paper that was so translucent that it seemed blank:

"Give this to your boss."

"What's this!" Gao Yang was confused.

"Never mind, just give it to the boss, go directly to the boss, don't go to the store manager."

30 seconds later, Gao Yang entered the boss's office.

38 seconds later, the boss rolled and crawled, rubbing Gao Yang's shoulders, respectfully! As if facing a formidable enemy! He sent Gao Yang out:

"It's okay! Go! Just go! Your salary will still be paid here! Your position will be retained! No no no... you'll get promoted when you come back! I'll let you be the store manager!"

"You tell me... hey, Gao Yang! My Brother Gao! For such a small matter, you tell me, is it necessary to alarm the country! You, you, you... you really scared me to death!"

"Don't, don't talk nonsense after you get, get out! This store will be yours when you come back! I'll promote the current store manager one level, to the head office, and this store will be yours! You'll be the one calling the shots from now on!!"

Gao Yang looked confused, looked at Lin Xian who smiled without saying a word, and took the A4 white paper personally handed over by the boss with both hands.

He opened it…

And found that the white paper was very blank, with only a red stamp in the lower right corner!

The top department in all of Longguo!

The unit name on the red stamp was very short, starting with the character "Guo"... only three characters.

Very short, very short.

But it scared Gao Yang's legs so much that he almost fell to the ground.

At the very top of this paper, the simplest three characters were written—

[Let him go]

……

The next day.

The top-secret astronaut training base in the capital.

Inside the hall.

The spaceplane pilot and coach Wei Cheng, Lin Xian, and Gao Yang stood in a row.

Huang Que stood three or four meters in front of them, like a leader giving instructions.

"No way!"

Gao Yang shouted:

"Just the four of us!?"

He pointed at himself, looked left at Lin Xian, looked at Wei Cheng wearing a national aerospace uniform, and looked at the beauty Huang Que across from him:

"Just the four of us are going to fly a spaceship!?"

"Have you guys seen that childhood cartoon? The one with two mice flying a plane and a tank, Shuk and Gek!?"

Wei Cheng, who was ten years older than them, smiled slightly and corrected:

"A spaceplane is not a spaceship. If the flight altitude is not high, it's actually not that complicated."

Huang Que looked at Gao Yang, as if she had known this would happen, and smiled:

"Besides... it's not four people, it's five people."

She turned her head and looked at the corridor next to her:

"Have you changed your clothes? Come out quickly! Everyone is here waiting for you!"

"Coming—"

A melodious voice like a lark came.

Along with the voice, what leapt out from the corner of the wall was a bouncy, dark brown, fluffy high ponytail.

The girl hopped out in a well-fitting astronaut training suit, her beauty mark at the corner of her eye just right, her charming eyes curved into two cute crescent moons.

"Senior Lin Xian! Senior Gao Yang!"

Whoosh.

She stopped on the spot.

Two small dimples appeared on her lips, and in the refreshing smile, she imitated the two of them and suddenly saluted:

"Chu Anqing! Reporting for duty!"