Chapter 307

Chapter 307 Area 51’s Einstein

Spanning a total area of more than 500,000 square kilometers, The Great Basin Desert is North America’s largest desert . It occupies Nevada, more than half of Utah, a small part of Idaho, Oregon, California, and Wyoming .

Speaking of the desert, the first name that crosses the mind has to be Las Vegas .

In 1888, the place was a tiny town . It wasn’t until 1905 that a large number of gold miners flooded into the area when gold was discovered . However, like the other gold-rush towns, the gold mines became empty after a brief period of excitement . Las Vegas soon returned to its previous rural state . Its actual rise was during the Great Depression, where the state legislature passed a bill to legalize gambling . It turned the sleepy desert town into a dazzling city filled with hotels, nightclubs, and casinos . Unfortunately, Zhang Heng and the other two players were not here to tour Las Vegas, landing instead at the Area 51 Air Force Base . Constructed more than a decade ago, it was located on a lake bed in Nevada, only 130 kilometers from bustling Las Vegas . In the decades since its establishment, the United States had always infamously denied its existence . At the same time, to prevent curious eyes from prying into the covert test site, the Air Force bought another 9,000 acres of land around it and slapped it with a no-fly zone .

Area 51 was initially used to develop Lockheed’s U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance spy plane . After its completion, other top-secret projects also kick-started from this base, and it wasn’t until 2013 that the United States officially recognized the existence of Area 51 .

This also shrouded Area 51 with a layer of mystery . Many believed that the so-called ‘Green Man,’ a frozen corpse of an alien, was stored among the base’ confines . Every newly elected president would come to visit this place after their inauguration . There was a growing community of extraterrestrial and UFO enthusiasts, swearing that they had caught sight of a short, gray creature with a large head moving nearby .

However, Zhang Heng and the other two players obviously didn’t have such luck to catch a glimpse of UFOs and extraterrestrials . The person who greeted them was no green alien, but an ordinary-looking man in charge of the air force base . After exchanging handshakes with the team, he informed them that the simulation environment had been set up, and training could be carried out at any time .

It was rare for the commander to show his humane side . When he saw that it was already sunset, he decided that he would move the training forward to tomorrow morning . So, after dinner, the three were given the opportunity to move around freely . However, they were only allowed to move around very few designated areas, and no matter where they went, there was always someone watching . The person in charge of hospitality apologized for the uncomfortable restrictions, reiterating that nothing was deliberately done to go against them . They were simply following the most basic security protocol .

Zhang Heng and the team nodded, indicating that they understood the situation . But seeing how tight security was, it would be almost impossible for them to do anything secretly while on the base . At least they would be safe until tomorrow morning . It was a rather pleasant outcome, where it might also be the last peaceful night they would get to enjoy . After dinner, Jia Lai looked at Zhang Heng and nodded politely .

“See you tomorrow . ”

When Jia Lai was done, he was in no mood to do any walking under the supervision of security personnel . So, he returned to his room . When Bruno saw him leaving, he too got up quickly and followed him until they reached his place . In the end, though, he watched as Jia Lai slammed the door in his face, almost hitting his nose .

Bruno felt awkward . Jia Lai had made it clear that he didn’t trust him, having no intention to discuss tomorrow’s plans with him . He felt like a tool, being used for someone’s own gain . His judgment was sadly accurate . Bruno was interested to know Jia Lai’s plan in advance, just to see if there were any parts of it he could take advantage of . It would be better if he killed Zhang Heng and Jia Lai at the same time . Now that the door was closed before him, Bruno had no choice but to return to his room .

So, Zhang Heng was the only one left in the cafeteria . He quietly finished his last spoonful of baked beans . The sky outside the window had darkened a lot, and with dry, gusty winds kicking up the yellow sands, the crimson sun soon fell below the horizon of the dunes . Even in the presence of an existential threat, at the impending life or death battle, it was hard to ignore such a magnificent sight . “Such magnificent desolation, isn’t it?” a strange voice came from behind .

“Sorry?” Zhang Heng turned around and saw a middle-aged man dressed as an engineer . He seemed to be an Area 51 researcher . Seeing that he had caught Zhang Heng by surprise, he smiled . Instead of continuing the previous topic, he asked, “You are an astronaut from NASA, aren’t you? I heard that you are going to the moon . ”

“My name is David . ”

Zhang Heng introduced himself, then put down the knife and fork he was holding as he extended a hand .

“We are the crew of Apollo 11 . Well, technically, only candidates…”

“I’m Einstein . ”

The middle-aged man shook hands with Zhang Heng, who immediately raised his eyebrows . Zhang Heng had never seen how Einstein looked when he was young, but when the middle aged-man mentioned his name, Zhang Heng realized that they actually bore some resemblance .

The middle-aged man released his hand and smiled .

“Just kidding, you know the nature of our work . We signed a non-disclosure agreement before we came here . We can’t reveal our real names . Let’s talk about you instead, Mr . David . Are you satisfied with the place?”

“You seem to be doing very well . ” “You too . As recently as sixty years ago, no one thought that humans could fly the skies in a big iron bird . Ten years ago, no one believed that humans could leave earth and go to outer space . Even today, many still don’t think that humans have the ability to set foot on another celestial object…” Einstein paused . “…but all this happened, with the help of mathematical formulas, great engineering advancements, and repeated experiments . Humans have completed those seemingly impossible things, time, and again . Isn’t this a modern miracle? No disrespect to the one who led the Jews to their promised land, but I have to say, technology is the greatest power in this world . ”

It was a typical remark of an engineering student . In a way, though, it was difficult to argue with him .

“I’m sorry to have interrupted your meal . When I heard that NASA’s astronauts are here, I had to come and meet you folk,” said the middle-aged man as he shrugged . “No one comes to this place usually . Anyway, it was nice meeting you, Mr . David . ” “I’m also glad to have made your acquaintance, Mr . Einstein . ”

“Okay, I shall not interrupt your siesta . I wish for you to succeed in your training and get on Apollo 11 . I will listen to the broadcast when they talk about you landing on the moon . ”

The middle-aged man ended the brief conversation . With mug in hand, he turned and walked out . It was now completely dark outside .

However, as Einstein was almost at the exit, he stopped again . Turning around, he said, “Oh yeah, I almost forgot . I have a small gift for you . Consider it as a token of our first meeting . I left it in your room . I hope you like it . ”