Volume One: Entering the Path Chapter One Hundred: Unravel
After leaving the laboratory, the two men exchanged few words, moving swiftly and without pause toward the place where the rescue team had brought back the spaceship.
After some time, they finally arrived at their destination.
Wu Jiang extended his hand, gesturing ahead as he spoke, “Doctor, the ship we recovered is just up ahead.”
Hearing this, the Doctor followed the direction of Wu Jiang’s finger and easily spotted the spaceship he had previously seen in the projection.
The Doctor nodded and said, “There’s no time to lose, let’s go over right away.”
“Alright,” Wu Jiang replied.
With that, the two continued forward, approaching the ship.
When they reached it, Wu Jiang looked at the members of the rescue team and said, “Thank you all for your hard work. I’ve brought the Doctor.”
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately jumped down from their vehicles and greeted in unison, “Hello, Doctor.”
“Very good, you’ve all done well,” the Doctor said, a smile lighting up his somewhat aged face as he applauded them.
Encouraged by the Doctor’s praise, satisfaction blossomed on the faces of the team. They responded in chorus, “It’s our duty; no hardship is too great.”
Wu Jiang was a little surprised by their eloquence, thinking to himself when these youngsters had become so adept with words, and he regarded his team members with a look of approval.
Hearing their response, the Doctor continued, “Good, good, I know you are all diligent. Now, let me take a closer look at this spaceship.”
On cue, everyone stepped aside to allow the Doctor through.
Seeing this, the Doctor said no more, stepping toward the ship’s hatch, with Wu Jiang naturally following close behind.
As they drew nearer, the Doctor scrutinized the spaceship, frequently reaching out to examine it. Wu Jiang simply stood guard quietly by his side, saying nothing.
After a while, the Doctor seemed to reach a conclusion.
He spoke: “The reason you couldn’t open the hatch earlier is that the ship, sensing danger, automatically activated its emergency protocols, which sealed the door. But this actually protected those inside.”
Wu Jiang nodded, responding, “I see. So, Doctor, do you have a way to resolve it?”
The Doctor nodded, “Yes. All it takes is to override the emergency protocol with the proper program.”
“Then we’ll leave it in your hands,” Wu Jiang said, indicating his understanding.
The Doctor nodded thoughtfully, then glanced at Wu Jiang. “It may take a little time, so I’ll need your team to keep watch and make sure I’m not disturbed.”
Wu Jiang waved a hand, “No trouble at all. It’s our responsibility after all.”
“Then I’ll get to work. I’ll have my men stand guard,” Wu Jiang said, turning away.
The Doctor nodded, watching Wu Jiang go before turning his attention back to the spaceship.
Wu Jiang returned to his team. They greeted him, “Captain.”
“Captain,” they chorused.
Without much small talk, Wu Jiang gave instructions: “The Doctor is working on cracking the ship’s system, and it’ll take some time. I need you all to keep an eye on the area and make sure he isn’t disturbed.”
Everyone nodded, accepting the assignment.
Seeing this, Wu Jiang nodded approvingly, “Very good. Stay alert, everyone. I’m counting on you.”
“Yes, we’ll accomplish the task,” they answered as one.
One of them added, “Don’t worry, Captain. We’re confident we can handle this, right, fellows?”
“That’s right!”
“You said it,” the others chimed in.
Wu Jiang smiled, waving his hand, “Alright, spread out and keep watch. Stay in contact—if anything happens, alert those nearby at once.”
“Yes!” the team responded, scattering to take up positions and maintain vigilance.
Satisfied, Wu Jiang said nothing more and returned to the Doctor. “Doctor, everything is arranged. Rest assured on this end.”
“Thank you,” the Doctor replied, looking up at Wu Jiang.
Wu Jiang waved a hand, “It’s what we’re here for. I’ll be nearby if you need anything.”
The Doctor nodded, “Thank you.”
With that, Wu Jiang moved aside, keeping a respectful distance—close enough to help if needed, but far enough not to interfere.
The Doctor, left to himself, began to work.
A blue projection screen appeared before him, and he began operating it skillfully. It was as if an invisible chain of data linked the spaceship to the screen in his hands. As the Doctor worked, lines of incomprehensible code flashed across the screen.
What would make an ordinary person dizzy seemed like routine to him. His expression was relaxed, even delighted, as he worked. Occasionally he would frown, as if encountering a problem, but the crease would quickly smooth out, suggesting it had been resolved.
Wu Jiang glanced at the Doctor’s screen, but after just a moment he felt a headache coming on and quickly looked away.
He muttered to himself, “What is the Doctor doing? One glance and my head hurts, but he’s been staring at it for ages without a sign of trouble.”
It was only natural for Wu Jiang to think this way—the Doctor had spent his life dealing with streams of data, while Wu Jiang, as captain of the rescue team, had entirely different expertise. It was only to be expected that he didn’t understand.
Unaware of Wu Jiang’s thoughts, the Doctor remained focused on bypassing the ship’s emergency protocols, inputting sequences of code into the system. A progress bar crept across the side of the screen, reflecting his headway in breaking through the emergency lock.
The bar was moving slowly, indicating it would take some time to finish.
Still, things were progressing smoothly.
Watching the numbers on the progress bar, the Doctor smiled in satisfaction and murmured, “Good, it looks like just a little more and it’ll be done. Let’s give it a final push.”
With renewed determination, he sped up his operations. The progress bar seemed to move faster, and it was clear the breakthrough would come soon.
...
Minutes ticked by.
The rescue team, maintaining their watch, started chatting as nothing unusual had happened so far.
“Hey, how much longer do you think the Doctor needs? I’m getting hungry and was hoping to get home for my wife’s cooking.”
“Oh, come on, you just want to brag about your wife, don’t you?”
“Nonsense! I’m really hungry, but having a wonderful wife is even truer than pearls. What can I say? She’s just that great.”
“Give me a break! Who knows what good deeds you did in a past life to marry someone like her. Seriously, I’m jealous.”
“Heh, you can’t envy me, but I believe you’ll find someone just as good someday.”
“I’ll take your blessing, then.”
While they chatted, a sudden cough interrupted them. “Ahem,” came Wu Jiang’s voice. He turned to them and scolded, “Save the talk for later—if you’re hungry, bear it, and if you’re missing your wife, wait till you’re home. For now, focus and do your jobs!”
“Yes, Captain!” the two immediately straightened up, returning to their watch with solemn expressions, falling silent once more.
Not long after, an exclamation of delight rang out from the spaceship, “Wonderful! It’s finally done!”
The voice, of course, belonged to the Doctor.
At once, Wu Jiang looked over, his face breaking into a smile as he hurried toward the Doctor.
“Doctor,” he called.
The Doctor looked up at the sound.
“Is it done? Have you cracked it?” Wu Jiang asked.
The Doctor nodded. “Yes, I’ll open the hatch now.”
He manipulated the projection screen, and a moment later, the tightly sealed hatch of the spaceship thundered open.
Wu Jiang, elated, said, “Doctor, the door’s open! It worked!”
The Doctor smiled, “Alright, now please bring out the people inside.”
“Yes,” Wu Jiang replied, waving to his team. “Brothers, over here—lend a hand!”
“Coming!” they called, hurrying over.
One team member asked, “Captain, what’s your command?”
“The Doctor has opened the ship’s door. Let’s bring out the people inside,” Wu Jiang replied.
“Yes, sir,” the team member answered.
Wu Jiang led the way into the ship, with several team members following.
Inside, they found three people lying down. Wu Jiang stepped forward, “Come on, two to a group, carry one each outside.”
At his words, the team worked quickly, lifting the three—Ye Junze and his companions—and carrying them out.
Wu Jiang followed them out, stopping before the Doctor. “Doctor, all three have been brought out. What should we do next?”
“Well done,” the Doctor praised. “Now, let’s take them back to our building—put them in the infirmary for now.”
“Yes,” Wu Jiang answered, signaling to his team, “You heard the Doctor. Take them to the infirmary first.”
“Copy that,” the team replied, placing the trio onto their craft and heading for the destination.
Watching his team depart, Wu Jiang turned to the Doctor, “Doctor, what should we do with the ship now?”
“No rush,” the Doctor replied. “This seems to be a portable vessel. Let me try something first.”
Wu Jiang nodded, watching as the Doctor manipulated the projection screen again. In the blink of an eye, the enormous spaceship shrank to the size of a human palm.
Seeing it work, the Doctor nodded and smiled, “Just as I thought.”
“Doctor, you’re remarkable! I never imagined it could do that,” Wu Jiang exclaimed in admiration.
The Doctor put away the now-miniature ship and waved a hand, “Just a bit of knowledge, nothing special. Let’s head back and check on our guests.”
“We’ll do as you say, Doctor,” Wu Jiang replied respectfully.
With that, the two made their way back along the path to the laboratory building.