From the time the elevator slid down to when it stopped, I felt that the distance was about five or six floors based on normal floors. This also means that the location where we stopped should be 40 to 50 meters below.
The elevator opened, revealing a corridor-like passage. What we saw this time should be a real office space. On both sides of the passage were transparent glass rooms. There were many staff wearing white coats and white masks inside.
There was a lot of activity among the instruments and glass test tubes.
Minister An took us directly into a room at the end of the passage. This room is only less than twenty square meters. Unlike other rooms, the four walls of this room are made of brown glass, so that it cannot be seen from the outside.
The situation inside.
After everyone entered the room, Minister An said apologetically: "This is my office. There is only a table, a chair, a computer and a projector. I'm sorry that I can't seat you all."
All of us kept saying, "No, no, no."
Minister An signaled everyone to calm down, and then his face suddenly became worried and said: "Let me first tell you the purpose of our gathering here this time. In the early stage, Dr. Hu participated in an expedition to find an ancient desert city. He wanted to find
The capital of Kucha, a small country that disappeared on the ancient Silk Road. The early exploration work has been going very smoothly, because the initiator of this activity is an American overseas Chinese. He claims that his ancestors are descendants of the Kucha country, and in his hands
There is a map to search for the ancient capital of Qiuci. Through daily image communication between the headquarters and the expedition team, it turned out that in the first seven days, under the guidance of the overseas Chinese’s map, some ancient ruins buried in the desert were discovered. However, from the eighth day
At six o'clock in the evening, the command headquarters' image communication was suddenly interrupted without any warning. Please take a look at the image data first."
As he spoke, Minister An turned on the computer and projected the video through the projector onto a white projection screen on the wall.
As expected, the video showed an endless desert scene, and a camel team of more than a dozen people was slowly walking along the desert carrying scientific researchers.
Everyone should have realized that perhaps the purpose of this gathering was to regroup and go on the desert trip that Dr. Hu's expedition team had done before, so they all watched the video attentively.
The video is not very long. It seems that the videographers at the expedition headquarters at the time only edited some important parts, so the images we see are also intermittent.
In these images, what we see is just the scene where the expedition team discovered some valuable small-scale ancient desert dweller sites, cultural relics, mummies, etc. during their seven-day trip, and then the process of excavation and sorting.
At this time, Minister An paused the scene, and then said: "What we just saw is the itinerary of the scientific expedition team in the first seven days and the process of excavation of the ruins along the way. Please pay attention to these last images, the regional characteristics of where they are located, and the surrounding
Environmental characteristics. Because we still need to find that place to uncover the mystery of the disappearance of all the scientific expedition members except Dr. Hu, and to confirm what Dr. Hu said he saw the Devil's City."
After saying this, he pressed the mouse button again, and the image on the projection screen continued to play smoothly.
I saw in the image that it was already dusk in the desert, and half of the blood-red sun had disappeared under the sand dunes in the distance of the desert. A caravan of more than a dozen people was slowly moving forward accompanied by the crisp "ding-dong" sound of camel bells.
.At this time, in the image, a large black mountain suddenly appeared in the distance of the desert. The appearance of that large mountain was unusually abrupt and rapid, which made those of us watching the image feel a little strange.
At this time, I saw that the camel team on the screen suddenly became a little messy. The camels seemed to be frightened by something and became no longer docile. Instead, they seemed to be desperately trying to turn around and go back. The members of the scientific expedition team were a little confused.
He stopped in panic, and then gathered the abnormal camels.
Next, all the members of the scientific expedition team gathered together, including Dr. Hu. There was no sound in the image, but we could clearly see that the members of the scientific expedition team seemed to be arguing fiercely. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the crowd.
Zhong walked out and stood in the center of the circle, and then signaled everyone to stop talking, but he pointed to the mountain in the distance while talking and gesticulating. After a while, everyone seemed to agree.
According to this man's statement, he then dispersed, moved some tents and other equipment from a few of the camels, and then dug sand and smashed prongs, seeming to start preparing to camp at the location where he was at that time.
Just when everyone in the scientific expedition team was busy camping, we suddenly saw several people on the screen stopping what they were doing and looking around in a panic. One of them even pointed his mouth in one direction.
He opened his mouth wide and seemed to be exclaiming something.
Then the entire image began to shake, the screen became shaken, and then blurred. We could no longer see clearly what was happening on the image.
At this time, the image on the projection screen stopped abruptly, leaving only the light from the projector shining on the projection screen.
Minister An's voice sounded: "All the images stopped here and there was no signal. No one knows what happened after that. Dr. Hu's sudden return was beyond everyone's expectations. After the signal was interrupted, the first batch of rescuers
The team found him two days into the desert. At that time, he had no food, no water, and no camels around him. Except for a strange blue transparent box in his hand, the box contained the same thing just now.
The "death bug" that everyone saw. According to the rescuers, when Dr. Hu was rescued, his expression was natural and all body functions were in optimal condition. This is very difficult to understand."
Minister An said this and spread his hands: "This is all the image data and everything I know. I want to hear what everyone has to say. You might as well speak up and listen."
At this time, the man named Lao Zhu couldn't wait to say: "Minister An, we received an academic seminar notice from Beijing and came here to see "Insects of Death", saw these images, and heard you say so much, you
Let’s talk about the purpose first?”
Minister An was startled, then smiled bitterly and said: "In addition to experts, several of them are members of the national special forces elite action team. Can you not understand the intentions of your superiors?"
Old Zhu's expression changed, and he said word for word: "It seems that the country wants us to organize a scientific research expedition team to take that desert route again?"
Minister An forced a smile, lowered his head and fiddled with the computer without saying anything, obviously acquiescing to Lao Zhu's guess.
Lao Zhu looked at the other people present, and his lips twitched, as if he wanted to say something again, but in the end he didn't say anything. What's strange is that none of the other people present said anything. Such a strange incident
, I believe that the disappearance of the previous scientific expedition team made everyone feel scared, but no one raised any objection, which made me feel very strange.
Everyone in the room was silent for a while, then Minister An suddenly raised his head and said: "The country has trained experts in our industries and given us many honors and preferential treatment. I believe everyone knows it. Scientific research and exploration are our most scientific research.
This is the lifelong pursuit of personnel, and I tell you that I myself am also a member of this scientific expedition."
Minister An’s bright eyes and resolute expression left a deep impression on me for a while. During the subsequent desert exploration, I also deeply felt that Minister An, as a national scientific researcher, tirelessly explores unknown fields and explores his own professional knowledge.
Enthusiasm and sacrifice.
At this time, the water instructor who had been keeping calm suddenly said: "The general ordered me and my special operations team to ensure the safety of the experts and doctors, and to coordinate your scientific expeditions. As long as our special operations team is here, we will definitely
Ensure the personal safety of all experts.”
A cold snort sounded next to me, and a middle-aged man in a suit and leather shoes, who seemed to live and work comfortably, said: "General, what general? I am just an expert in antiquities appreciation. I don't know anything about desert geology, exploration and scientific research.
I don’t even know anything about biological research, so it’s useless for me to join the Laoshizi scientific research expedition. I just want to be my antique connoisseur in peace.”
"Really? You don't want to go?" A clear and pleasant female voice suddenly said. When everyone looked, it turned out to be Minister An's assistant, Dr. Lin.
With a half-smile but not a smile, Dr. Lin stared at the antiquities expert with her bright watery eyes and said, "Mr. Su, do you know why I want you to come here this time? Because I know the ancient city we want to explore.
There is an ancient object that you most want to see with your own eyes. I think only you can truly understand that ancient object and know its benefits."
The well-dressed antiquities expert looked at Dr. Lin in astonishment, while Dr. Lin looked at him with a smile. After more than ten seconds, the antiquities expert moved his eyes unnaturally, coughed slightly and said
: "I don't know what you're talking about...what antiquities I want to see most."
Dr. Lin chuckled like a silver bell, and then said: "It is said that during the Han Dynasty, King Jiangbin of Kucha married the daughter of Princess Jieyou of the Han Dynasty, and they became a loving couple. This is a beautiful story that will last forever in the history of the Western Regions. At that time, Kucha King Jiangbin
In order to marry the daughter of Princess Jieyou, the state of Qi paid tribute to the Han Dynasty with a treasure. It was said to be the most important treasure of the country in Qiuci. The treasure was originally a pair. One was sent as tribute to the Han Dynasty, while the other was left in Qiuci. Su
Sir, you must know the name of this treasure?"
Dr. Lin's words confused everyone present, but Mr. Su looked at Dr. Lin with a changed expression. The muscles on his face twitched and asked: "You...you mean that the ancient city submerged in the vast desert will be there?"
Is there another one with that...that treasure?"
Dr. Lin smiled and waved his hands and said: "I can't guarantee this, but I know that the ancient city we are looking for is the capital of Qiuci. I personally recommend that you go for this scientific research expedition."
Mr. Su's face changed one after another, and he stared at Dr. Lin. Suddenly, he shouted: "I'll go! But... I want to know how you knew that I... I was looking for such a treasure?"
Dr. Lin shook his head and said: "You don't need to know, you just need to know that my surname is Lin, that's enough."
Mr. Su's body suddenly shook and he swayed for a moment. He pointed at Dr. Lin's trembling body and said incoherently: "You are... you are Lin..."
The beautiful Dr. Lin suddenly looked at him coldly, interrupted him hastily, and said: "Mr. Su, please pay attention to your demeanor! You don't need to say anything anymore if you know my surname is Lin."
At this time, Minister An, who had been silently watching the conversation between Dr. Lin and Mr. Su, waved his hand and said: "Xiao Lin, Mr. Su has decided to go, so don't say any more. Experts, water instructors, generals
We have been told to rush to the departure point within ten hours, and the helicopter that will pick us up should have arrived at our base. Let’s get on the plane and talk about it in detail.”
I was shocked. It seemed that the general had arranged everything a long time ago. Regardless of whether the experts present agreed with it or not, they actually had no choice but to make their own decisions.
Sure enough, the expert named Zhu gave a long sigh and said nothing, while the other experts also looked confused and helpless.
Everyone followed Minister An into the elevator again and went up to the passage in the first area. When we walked out of the passage, it was already close to noon.
Minister An led us through some green military tent areas and arrived at a relatively flat and open area in the narrow valley. Sure enough, just as Minister An had judged, a military helicopter had already parked there. Surrounded by two teams of eight people
Soldiers in camouflage, wearing helmets, and carrying nuclear weapons.
A few minutes later, we all boarded the helicopter, and the plane roared into the blue sky.
Everyone sat in two rows on the plane. After getting on the plane, everyone was silent and had their own thoughts. I saw that Mr. Su seemed a little strange. He stared straight at Lin who was sitting diagonally opposite him.
The expression on the doctor's face alternated between excitement and sadness, but his eyes never left Dr. Lin.
I secretly speculated in my heart, is there any relationship between Mr. Su and Dr. Lin? But Dr. Lin has never looked at Mr. Su since he got on the plane. Now he closes his eyes and leans against the wall of the plane.
The eyes are calm and the mind is refreshed.
The other experts on the plane also had different expressions, and most of them looked a little sad. I believe these experts must be worried about the dangers of this scientific expedition, Dr. Hu's disorder and death, and the horror of the "death bug"
It should have given them a great sense of fear.
I couldn't help but sigh secretly in my heart. These so-called experts may be outstanding and the best talents in the fields they study. But these people are definitely not the kind of people who are willing to risk life and death to explore unknown areas. Of course,
In the face of uncertainty about life and death, everyone will have fear. This is also human nature.
I don’t know why, but this time I feel like I don’t have the fear of life and death. Maybe it’s the process of the first two missions that changed my whole outlook on life and life and death a lot. I glanced at the comrades around me again.
, I was surprised to find that they seemed to have the same calm expressions as me. They all closed their eyes quietly at this time, without fear or anxiety.
I shook my stiff neck and slowly closed my eyes. Amidst the huge roar of the plane, my mind began to fall silent. The road ahead was unknown. No one knew what this trip to the desert would be like.