The CX740 shuttle has crossed the North Pole orbit and is flying out of the shadow of the earth. The high-temperature paint on the fuselage is white, almost dazzling under the light of the stars.
This is its one hundred and seventy-fifth mission, and also its last. These old shuttles that were born in the last century are gradually being replaced by a new generation of cargo rockets and space elevators. At the same time, a second space elevator is also being built in New Guinea, and a new airport will also be born. When it is completed Japan is also the moment when this type of shuttle aircraft bids farewell to history.
When the shuttle entered the transfer orbit, Tang Xin could see the huge project under construction, like a light spot in the distant sky, flickering slightly. The new port was funded and constructed by China, and it has a resounding name - the Asia-Pacific Ring.
There were a total of forty-two passengers on board, including crew members, but there were no recruits. The recruits usually took the military's shuttle or took the space elevator directly. Nowadays, shuttles are rarely used for freight and are mainly responsible for transporting tourists. For the CX740, this is its only historical mission -
When the attitude engine of the huge shuttle starts operating, you can still feel a slight sense of gravity, but it is difficult to feel the passage of time in space. For Tang Xin, the meaning of time is that they arrived at Stargate Port at three o'clock in the afternoon.
Of course it's East Eighth District, Beijing time.
After changing out of her anti-gravity suit and listening to the sound of air flowing in after the hatch was opened, Tang Xin flew into the space with the others under the guidance of a very friendly young lady.
As soon as she landed, she saw her friend flying around like a large doll in a weightless environment.
"Tangtang, this way!"
Looking at the girl waving to her excitedly on the gravity-free corridor of the space port, Tang Xin shook her head helplessly: "My little princess, uncle and aunt asked us to go to the embassy area to get a visa. Can you come down first?"
"What's the need to be anxious?" The other party chuckled and didn't take it seriously: "This is sightseeing. When sightseeing, you should see more. By the way... what profession will you choose later? I heard that tourists are getting When using crystal equipment, you have to choose a profession, which is different from choosing a person."
"You think so far ahead."
"Of course," the girl chirped, "By the way, there are shops selling Aitaria souvenirs and local-style clothes over there in the business district. Why don't we try them on first? Let's see what professional clothes look better. Some?"
"I don't have to watch anymore."
"Tangtang, you are so boring."
Tang Xin only smiled softly. This was not the first time someone had said that to her.
The pigeon she said this to last time was taught by her that she could no longer take care of herself.
The girl was flying to the side, putting her face next to the glass on the side of the corridor, and suddenly said loudly: "Tangtang, look at how beautiful the earth is, much more beautiful than what you have seen on TV - that is our country, I see Arrive at your home!"
Although Tang Xin didn't think that the other party could see her home at an altitude of nearly forty kilometers, unless her friend's eyes were precision optical instruments. But she also had to admit that from this angle, the earth was indeed beautiful.
The huge spherical surface reflected the glowing light. Although Tang Xin knew that it was just the refraction and scattering of light in the atmosphere, it still made it look like a self-luminous body in a lonely universe.
A luminous, light blue crystal ball is full of vitality, making it embellish the light of life in the dark starry sky.
What's more, that is home, hometown.
At this time, Tang Xin's gaze suddenly stopped. From the corner of her eye, she spotted Scarpe flying out of the crowd. She was slightly startled, feeling that she had seen this woman somewhere.
Of course, Scape also noticed the girl who was looking straight at her. She floated in the air for a moment and subconsciously looked at herself. After making sure that there was nothing wrong, she couldn't help but look at the other person curiously and said: "We Do you know this beautiful lady?"
Tang Xin only shook her head.
Scarpe looked around again, stopped, and said politely: "Then you don't mind if I'm here, I'm waiting for someone."
Tang Xin nodded lightly: "Please do so." This is a public area, and the other person asking her for her opinion was just out of politeness. Scarpe looked at the two girls and couldn't help but sigh in her heart, wondering if all the girls in East Asia are so exquisite.
She couldn't help but ask: "Are you tourists?"
Tang Xin nodded again.
Probably seeing that the girl in front of her was not talkative, and the other girl's attention had not been here, Scarpe saw this and stopped asking any more questions. He only looked down at his communicator, and then stood quietly aside.
Tang Xin wanted to make her friend leave, but the latter was obviously unwilling, so she could only wait helplessly. After a while, she saw a man coming from the direction of the airport, holding a small box in his hand.
The other party came over and met Scape. The two exchanged glances before he handed the box in his hand to Scape. "Is it this?" Scarpet asked.
The man nodded.
"I'll take the first step." The man replied, "Those people are keeping an eye on me, so be careful."
Scape was noncommittal.
Tang Xin saw that the man only said goodbye to Scarpe, then turned around and went back the way he came. The latter opened the box, glanced at it, and muttered something in a low voice. She said it in Russian, and Tang Xin couldn't understand what it meant.
But at this moment, she suddenly saw a man emerging from the tourists in the corridor and heading straight for Scarpe from behind.
Tang Xin couldn't help but be slightly startled when she saw this scene, and subconsciously said: "Be careful!"
She thought it was too late.
But Scarpe's reaction was faster than she expected. She turned around like lightning and launched a spinning kick, hitting the man in the abdomen. If he were on the ground, this kick would probably make that person fly up and fall back hard.
However, in a gravity-free environment, the opponent simply flew up and flew back among the tourists.
The tourists seemed to have just reacted and screamed in fright. The man used his strength to roll on the ground without looking back. He just dodged in that direction and disappeared into the crowd.
Scarpe chased him a few steps in that direction, but when he saw the other party disappearing, he stopped and gave up the chase. She looked in that direction and shook her head, then turned around and looked at Tang Xin who reminded her, with a smile on her face: "Thank you."
Tang Xin shut her mouth.
She had actually acted out of instinct before. After all, she had never seen this before on earth. If it was just driven by reason, she might not have spoken before.
It's just that her best friend's reaction was much more exaggerated than hers. The girl just turned around and saw the scene of Scarpe kicking back sideways. She couldn't help but her eyes shone: "So handsome!"
Scarpe looked at the two little girls and said with a smile: "Is this your first time to Stargate Port? To express my gratitude, how about I invite you to drink coffee in the circular hall?"
Tang Xin instinctively wanted to refuse.
But her friend on the side had already nodded: "The circular hall, is that the famous sightseeing hall? I've heard of that place, and I originally planned to go and see it!" She looked at the badge on Scarpet's chest curiously. : "Ah, you, you, you are the Chosen One?"
Scarpe lowered her head and glanced at her brooch. On it was the star ring symbol of Stargate Port. It was actually just a commemoration of the chosen one. She didn't expect that the other person would be so excited.
However, although she was a selector of the older generation, she also knew that being a selector had become a popular profession now, with many star-chasers. She couldn't help but smile and nodded: "I'm just a former selector."
Unexpectedly, the girl became even more excited: "Ah, then you are the forerunner!?"
"It doesn't really count." Scarpet pursed her lips and smiled.
Tang Xin couldn't help but hold her forehead, and suddenly she regretted telling the 'little princess' the history of the Chosen Ones - she knew that her pigeon cousin was the most fond of the Forerunners, and because of the familiarity, she was more or less I was a little curious about that era, but I didn't expect that it would also infect my friends.
Scarpe glanced at the two of them and thought that the little girl who broke the casserole and asked the truth was a bit cute. However, she was more curious about the taciturn girl beside her.
After all, it was the other party who reminded her earlier, and the way the girl looked at her directly before always made her think too much. It was a bit strange to say that she looked at Tang Xin more and felt vaguely familiar with the other party.
The feeling was so subtle that it was almost indescribable.
Thinking of this, she spoke again: "Are you going to get a visa? In fact, the Chinese Embassy District is not far from the circular hall, so there is no time to waste. I will give you a ride later and take you directly to the Embassy District. alright."
"Okay, okay."
"Little princess——"
"What's the point, Tangtang, please reciprocate."
Tang Xin stared at the other person and sighed.
Compared with her companion's lack of moral integrity, she was obviously much more cautious, but Tang Xin thought about it and finally nodded - it was her companion's insistence, and it was not a big deal to come to Stargate Port. After all, this is actually a city that provides The space city is home to tens of thousands of people and is still expanding.
Moreover, this is a three-dimensional city, and the interior is like a maze.
If there is no one to guide the way, a first-time visitor will probably waste an incredible amount of time on the road.
And the time saved is probably enough to drink a cup of coffee. And she was the one who reminded the other party before, so it makes sense for the other party to say thank you - after all, if you give something, you should get something in return. This is also one of Tang Xin's mottos.
After all, unlike her dull-witted cousin, she never works in vain.
Seeing that the two agreed, Scarpe took them out of the gravity-free corridor.
After entering the artificial gravity zone from the no-gravity zone, life in Stargate Port is actually not much different from that on the ground, except that the landscape here is more monotonous and boring. Even if you overlook the earth, there will always be a moment when you get tired of it day after day.
But for those who came here for the first time, everything was full of novelty. Even Tang Xin couldn't help but take a second look at the Stargate Port - after all, this is the largest, most complex and most systematic project in human history. engineering.
Although it may only be the starting point of the human space age, it is enough to shine in the history of civilization.
Only when you are inside this huge project, you can't help but sigh that the crystallization of human genius and creativity, as well as the portrayal of them transcending themselves, all belong here.
Compared to her friend who was simply amazed, Tang Xin was obviously more emotional.
Of course, these are just the feelings of newcomers.
As for Scarpe, she had no emotion at all. Living in such a place day after day only made her feel bored - probably it would be better to meet such two interesting little girls, which made her feel novel.
The circular hall that the three of them were going to was actually just a sightseeing hall that doubled as a famous space restaurant.
When Stargate Port was first established, every gram of rocket transport capacity was equivalent to gold. Of course, there could not be any living and sightseeing areas. At that time, every inch of the Stargate Port was functional, and almost all of it was used for scientific research and military purposes.
Only with the process of commercialization and the rise of travel and sightseeing have these humanized modules gradually been added. For example, the circular hall was actually transformed from the original command center, and today’s command center has been moved to the Stargate Port. the central area.
Today's Stargate Port receives thousands of tourists every day. Of course, there is more than one sightseeing hall, but the most famous one is the circular hall.
After all, it is the first space restaurant to be officially opened in human history, and it is also a time-honored brand for nearly half a century. Its popularity is unmatched by other tourist destinations, both in terms of history and brand effect.
The three of them each ordered a cup of the famous space coffee in the lobby.
This kind of coffee is actually a famous gimmick. If you are an airport resident, you will definitely not order such expensive and unpleasant things. But since it was to receive newcomers, Scarpe didn't do anything special.
After all, it's like buying a souvenir, but actually drinking it reflects a mood.
The bartender obviously understood and gave the two little girls a 20% discount. When the three of them came to their seats on the observation deck with coffee cups made of space materials, Scarpe quietly told the two of them: "Even though they are just pretending to be waiters, the operators here are actually the military." With people from the government—"
She looked back and said: "All governments have investments and shares in this port. It is a big cake. There are actually many ways to visit here. I have to remind you."
She also introduced the history and many traditions of the airport to the two of them, as well as precautions.
After all, this is not a tourist destination in the ordinary sense. This port has gathered countless interests and eyes. The peacefulness on the surface cannot cover up something underneath. Normally, she would not have said it in such detail, but firstly it was to express her gratitude, and secondly because of the inexplicable good feeling in her heart.
She always felt that she had seen the little girl in that place.
Tang Xin looked at her friend and listened with interest.
But then she couldn't help but ask: "Is it like before?"
Scape was slightly startled. She didn't expect the other party to be so sensitive. She thought for a moment before nodding.
Tang Xin asked again: "Why didn't you chase him back then? Stargate Port should be very strictly controlled, right? If you really wanted to chase him, you might not be able to catch him."
Scarpet heard this and shook her head slightly: "It's useless even if you catch her." However, she did not intend to go into depth on this topic, because it actually had nothing to do with the two little girls in front of her. Of course she knew which side the people coming belonged to, but this wasn't the first time.
She dealt with Chinese embassy personnel, and Russia offered asylum to her and Querod.
But privately, there are still some people who are still determined to give up.
Because of this, she and Quirod have recently reduced their contact with Fang Plover.
The topic reached a dead end for a while, and there was a bit of silence among the three of them. Scarpe was sipping the unpleasant coffee without a sip, while Tang Xin looked at the airport scene outside through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows in the observation hall.
She thought to herself that this place didn't seem as safe as the rumors said.
Outside is the gravity-free zone of the port, where staff wearing protective suits are going up and down. Several spaceships are parked in the port, shining with a dazzling white light in the sun. But this direction is the cargo area, so the CX740 that transported them cannot be seen.
She raised her head and looked at the dark starry sky in the distance and the azure arc of the earth. The glowing atmosphere seemed to have only a shallow glimmering edge. Against the background of Earth, there is also a huge composite frame at the far end of the Stargate Port.
Judging from the scale of that frame alone, it is almost twice the size of Stargate Port.
But when the sun passes over the back of the frame, it casts a huge shadow on the glass curtain wall of the circular hall.
So even the girl on the side noticed this scene and couldn't help asking vaguely: "What is that?"
"Plan C."
Scarpe replied: "A new area construction plan for Stargate Port. When the construction there is completed, Stargate Port will be expanded to twice its current size. By then, the number of selected people entering Stargate Port will further increase. This plan will be from It was on the agenda thirty years ago.”
"so big."
"It's very big." Scarpe looked at the shadow and nodded: "But it's actually almost completed. After the new space elevator is completed, the project here will be further accelerated, and it is expected to be officially completed in two years."
Tang Xin listened to the conversation between the two, but couldn't help but recall the scene she had seen on Earth.
Civilians are still protesting against the further expansion of the Stargate Port project. The voices of this protest have become louder and louder on social media, and even in some parts of Europe, protesters have taken to the streets.
But on the other hand, governments around the world are still determined to expand the size of the Stargate.
However, what surprised her was that she had heard that the glow material mining areas in the asteroid belt were close to being exhausted. Now many selectors are still using glow material equipment mined and manufactured ten years ago. Governments of various countries are still Plan to further expand the scale of the Chosen?
Where does the glow come from?
She was thinking.
Suddenly there was a commotion from one side of the hall.
She couldn't help but subconsciously look over there - since the circular hall was expanded and renovated from the old command center, the hall was actually quite large. When she looked in that direction, she could only see some people gathered.
But Scarpe was holding them down.
"Do not care."
She replied: "It's just a guild conflict."
Having said that, she couldn't help but glance in that direction and frowned.
Among the crowd, she saw people from the Stargate Port Special Operations Team.
…
