Chapter 291: 291

Chapter 291 Dangerous Mechanical Tick

Being an astronaut was one of the most complicated jobs a human endured . When Project Mercury first started, NASA recruited a total of 100 experienced pilots as astronaut candidates . Only seven were selected in the end . During the early stages of human space exploration, nobody really knew what would happen the moment they left the confines of planet earth . Theoretically, the list of mishaps could be endless, since space was infinite, and all they had were their guts and an overpriced tin can . Ground control was thousands of miles away, and there wasn’t anyone up there they could rely on . As an astronaut, they had to be prepared for every instance of an emergency, fixing problems that weren’t even in their manuals . It was a job that required not only bravery but also ingenuity . That was why the astronauts’ training was essential to them .

Their entire day during training was filled with a tight training schedule, enough activities each day to drive anybody crazy . Even breathing had become somewhat of a luxury . However, training did get interesting at times . The anti-gravity simulation on the parabolic flights allowed their bodies to float freely in the air . They also got to try astronaut food for the very first time . The dehydrated ready-to-eat meals weren’t nearly as good as the over-the-counter burger, but still decent and palatable .

The last activity was Zhang Heng’s favorite . He was in his spacesuit when he dived into the swimming pool, seeing the light piercing through from the surface to the bottom . A stream of air bubbles continuously shot out the snorkels of the divers beside him . He could hear the whoosh of air blowing from the vent inside his helmet and the low rumble of the occasional air bubble outside . Once wholly immersed in the water, Zhang Heng felt as if he’d entered a world of complete silence, and although he knew that he hadn’t yet encountered space, he had to admit that he enjoyed the feeling a lot .

Of course, these were just the highlights . The training was exhausting and a dull affair most of the time . Pushed into a regime fit to recruit a secret agent, the trainees had their limits put on trial, and even some of them were even broken . Not too long after that, the teaching-to-the-test classes and high-intensity physical training started taking a toll on the lot . Even Jia Lai had lost some weight as well . The saddest part was that he knew the lumps of fat would return once he left this quest . However, theory class and physical training weren’t the worst part of the course, for NASA had this machine that was capable of torturing one’s very soul .

Known as Johnsville Centrifuge, the machine could accelerate from zero to two hundred kilometers per hour in seven seconds . It was everyone’s worst nightmare . During training, the candidates were supposed to keep conscious under the pressure of tremendous G-forces while the machine sped up . Seeing how this machine worked, the Multi-Axis Trainer didn’t look so bad anymore .

Lastly, the most horrifying machine award had to go to the Lunar Landing Training Vehicle . This must be NASA’s ugliest and most dangerous invention . From its exterior, it looked like a giant mechanical tick and was used to simulate moon landings . NASA themselves admitted later that the Lunar Lander Training Machine couldn’t accurately simulate an actual moon-landing . It did not show what it was like to exit the aircraft . Most of the time, the clunky machine would put its pilot in grave danger too .

Inside a modern virtual simulator, operators could calmly discuss and analyze the reasons for their spacecraft crashing . The Lunar Landing Training Vehicle was different, however, were only two outcomes were possible once the pilot stepped into the machine that literally took off the ground . They could either successfully land the craft, or if they failed, god forbid, it would explode once it touched the ground . Right before the explosion, the pilot would best be quick to eject, if burning in rocket fuel and oxidizer wasn’t their choice for death .

According to statistics, NASA once produced four Lunar Landing Training Vehicles as an experiment . Three were destroyed during training sessions . In other words, it had a shocking failure rate of 75% .

“I wish someone can tie the machine’s inventor to it and let them have a taste of their own medicine,” grunted Jia Lai under his breath .

No matter how much they complained, though, the captain had already summoned the first person to the machine .

“The first person to go is Anthony . ”

Anthony raised his eyebrows, not the least willing to get on the bonkers contraption as well . However, after going through a month of intensive training, he had tried all kinds of weird machines and was able to muster up enough courage . Besides, the captain was still grading them, and Anthony wanted to leave a good and bold impression on him . After all, physical attributes weren’t the only factor that contributed to the assessment; the mental side of things was just as important .

Although he had a bad feeling in his heart, Anthony relented, deciding to obey the captain’s command as he boarded the aircraft . While fastening his seatbelt, the staff did a quick checkup on him .

“The wind is acting up today . Be careful,” the staff warned .

“Am I… supposed to say my last words right now?”

“The lever is under your seat . Pull it if you see your life flashing before your eyes . Once you pull it, you will be ejected out of the machine, and your parachute will bring you back to the ground safely . ”

“Understood . ”

“Let’s begin if you are ready,” the captain’s voice echoed through the intercom .

The Lunar Landing Training Vehicle started wobbling around dangerously like a drunk man the moment it lifted off the ground . Luckily, it soon stabilized and reached its expected altitude .

“1100 feet . Exceeding minimum altitude,” Anthony could be heard saying .

“Roger that . You can attempt to land now,” replied the captain .

At the same time, the rest of the players kept their eyes on the Lunar Landing Training Vehicle . From where they stood, it looked like a colossal flying tick, with an unsightly, exposed metal frame and four tiny legs sticking out its bottom . The front part of the aircraft was exposed and they could see Anthony nervously fumbling with the controls . Piloting the vehicle required great reflexes and skill, essentially like trying to balance a unicycle on a tightrope . Without a doubt, this was one of the toughest parts of their training, not to mention that the wind wasn’t on their side today . It would greatly increase the difficulty of landing the sensitive and erratic craft .

“He’ll kill himself if something goes wrong,” the listless young man said all of a sudden .

The other players glared at him in silence .

“What? Don’t tell me the thought hadn’t crossed your minds . We knew his day would eventually come, am I right? One less competitor ain’t a bad thing . Note to all; I’m referring to all of you here: I have never seen him as a worthy opponent . ”

Although whatever he said wasn’t pleasant to the ear, it was hard to argue with him . He might seem like a useless teenager, but throughout the month he spent at NASA, he had managed to surprise everyone with his excellent airmanship and theoretical knowledge, second only to that of Zhang Heng . Although the results weren’t released yet, he should have no problem getting selected as an astronaut . As for the rest, they started to think about what would happen after the results were released . Maybe the time had come to see the other players as enemies .

Anthony was still struggling to land the Lunar Landing Training Vehicle slowly . However, the rest of the players no longer paid their attention to him . They were backing off as if avoiding impending doom that was about to strike at any moment .

“You’re coming down too fast! Slow down! I repeat . Your landing speed is too fast . You need to slow down . Pull up and try again!”

Anthony was sweating nonstop, flicking switches, and vigorously adjusting the sticks in an attempt to bring the craft under control . Unfortunately, it seemed like the machine had lost its bearings and began wobbling violently in the sky . At the same time, it was coming down really fast . Then suddenly, it seemed to lose all power and dropped from the air like a stone . Within a few seconds, it crashed to the ground in a massive fireball . The players ducked to the ground as flames and heat washed over them with the shockwave .

The next thing they saw was a cloud of black smoke rising to the sky .