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墨書 Inktalez
The Research Team boarded the Ocean Six, a polar exploration vessel that combines features of an icebreaker and a scientific research ship. Although they couldn't board the more famous Snow Dragon Research Vessel, everyone was still very excited.
Members of the Research Team carried various bags onto the ship, and the deck was filled with containers. They would spend two days on the ship, passing through the Drake Passage before finally arriving at the Antarctic Peninsula, where research stations are most concentrated and the weather and temperature are most suitable. China has established four research stations in Antarctica, with the Great Wall Station located here.
Upon boarding, each person was issued a card that they needed to carry whenever they boarded or disembarked from the ship. This card allowed the crew to keep track of passengers' boarding and disembarking information. Additionally, this card served as an electronic key for entering each person's room.
Bai Yujing finally took off her mask and stood on the ship, gazing at the vast ocean as they gradually left the southernmost city in the world. Setting sail gave her an exhilarating feeling, as if they were embarking on a journey to the edge of the world, heading straight to the ends of the earth!
"Is this what you look like? You're quite pretty! Why do you always wear a mask? My classmates and I thought you were an ugly duckling!" Bai Yujing turned to see it was the chatty little girl from the airport.
Bai Yujing smiled and nodded after removing her mask, quickly noticing that the girl's face turned red. She changed the subject: "Are you out here to enjoy the scenery too?"
The girl nodded: "I study oceanography, but I rarely get to see the ocean, especially this one near Antarctica. The natural phenomena, properties, and their changes are different from other places and even relate to global ecological environments, marine biological resources, and freshwater resources. I want to see it with my own eyes!"
Bai Yujing laughed: "A student of oceanography who hasn't seen the ocean? That's quite rare!"
The girl nodded: "Haven't you heard? Eighty percent of archaeological work is done in libraries; it's the same for oceanography!"
"Raiders of the Lost Ark?" Bai Yujing immediately responded.
The girl was pleasantly surprised: "You've seen it too!"
They exchanged glances and burst into laughter. The girl looked at Bai Yujing's slightly delicate face: "I feel like I've seen you somewhere before!"
Bai Yujing extended her hand: "Hello, I'm Bai Yujing!"
The girl suddenly remembered: "It's you! Wow, I didn't expect to see you here! How did you end up in logistics? That's unbelievable!"
Bai Yujing smiled: "I wanted to see Antarctica, so I asked someone to help me get a spot!"
This lie from Bai Yujing lacked credibility; there are many ways to go to Antarctica, and sneaking into the Research Team was too troublesome and taboo. However, being inexperienced, the girl didn't think much of it and nodded: "I'm Feng Mingming!"
“Feng Mingming?”
“No, it’s the one from Grass Radical, the name below! It means the tender shoots of the tea tree!” Feng Mingming immediately explained to Bai Yujing.
In the first two hours, the members of the Research Team were very excited, either on deck or observing the scenery outside through the glass. However, after two hours, most people began to experience seasickness, with many returning to their rooms to lie down and cope with this discomfort.
By the time the ship arrived at Drake Passage, almost everyone was struggling to hold on. Only Bai Yujing, Liu Xinwu, and Zhou Jun remained unaffected, able to stand steadily on deck while others were nearly incapacitated, pale-faced and vomiting. At this point, the upper deck was also closed off, not allowing anyone to enter, but it was likely that no one had the mood to go see the sea anyway.
The Drake Passage, influenced year-round by the westerlies, is also known as the Devil's Strait. It is the widest and deepest strait in the world, with a maximum depth of 5,248 meters. It is said that if two Mount Huashan peaks were stacked inside, not even their summits would be visible above the surface.
Here, winds are high and waves can reach over ten meters. The ship swayed violently in the large waves, making one feel insignificantly small. As the ship passed through, it would shake quite violently, causing many items in the rooms to topple over.
Bai Yujing sat in her room and felt as if she were on a swing; the entire ship rocked back and forth in an unimaginable manner. Given such conditions, it was no wonder that most people could not withstand it.
At this moment, Liu Xinwu opened Bai Yujing's door and said to her, “It’s time for dinner; everyone is gathering in the dining room. Do you want to come?”
Bai Yujing immediately replied, “Of course! I’ll be right there!”
Upon exiting her room, since everyone around was from the Research Team, Bai Yujing noticed a rather amusing situation: almost everyone was leaning against the walls as they walked slowly, unable to stand steadily. Even so, this was still better than some who lay motionless in bed with no intention of getting up to eat.
At that moment, someone walked steadily past Bai Yujing. She looked over and was surprised to see Zhu Wei Professor Zhu. At that moment, she appeared completely unfazed by the rocking of the ship, which astonished Bai Yujing. After undergoing two enhancements herself, she knew how strong her physique had become. Liu Xinwu frequently traveled between two locations and Zhou Jun was an expert in polar survival; however, she did not expect that a woman like her could remain completely unaffected.
Inside the dining room, most of the staff who lived at sea year-round seemed fine. A glance around revealed that those who looked pale and weak were mostly members of the Research Team. After getting her food on a plate, Bai Yujing found a place to sit by a window where she could see waves six or seven meters high crashing against the ship.
The waves came in layers one after another but Ocean Six remained steadfast. Aside from feeling a bit more jostled than usual, it continued its steady course through this vast ocean.
Liu Xinwu and Zhou Jun then sat down next to and across from Bai Yujing. Liu Xinwu looked at her and said, “Your body is doing well! I was a bit worried about how you would handle things here in Antarctica, but it seems like you’re fine!”
Zhou Jun asked, “I heard from the crew that this ship will reach the Antarctic Peninsula tomorrow. So we should be able to disembark then?”
Bai Yujing already knew about this situation and didn’t ask further. However, Liu Xinwu said, “No, the Antarctic Peninsula is where Great Wall Station is located; our destination isn’t there. Once we arrive there, most of the members of the Research Team will disembark. We still have three more days on this ship as we circle from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean, finally landing at Rasman Hills in Antarctica. That’s our ultimate goal: Zhongshan Station, part of the Antarctic Research Station!
"Originally, Professor Zhu Wei was supposed to get off at Great Wall Station, but due to our plans, she will accompany us to Zhongshan Station and stay at sea for five days. I wonder if she can manage as a woman..." Liu Xinwu immediately noticed Zhu Wei passing by after the meal and quickly swallowed his words.
Bai Yujing thought about spending five days on this ship and found it quite boring. However, as the leader of this expedition team, he couldn't show such emotions. He nodded at Liu Xinwu and said, "Alright, another member, the doctoral student in painting named Wen Feng, will he be waiting for us at Zhongshan Station?"
Liu Xinwu nodded, "That's right. This time we are looking for something, so we definitely need him to help us pinpoint the location. He has been working on topographic mapping in Antarctica for many years; we will certainly need his assistance! By the way, White Collar Team, you haven't mentioned what our mission is this time."
Bai Yujing immediately replied, "When we arrive at Zhongshan Station, we'll hold a meeting together. I'll tell you then; we can discuss the details of this operation and work!"
Liu Xinwu nodded, "Okay!"
Zhou Jun also looked at Bai Yujing, "You two are being so secretive; I'm starting to get curious!"
"Zhou Jun, you have rich survival experience in Antarctica. If any problems arise along the way, we'll have to rely on your help!" Bai Yujing said with a smile.
The ship finally arrived at the Antarctic Peninsula two days later. However, it was completely different from Bai Yujing's imagination of a fully frozen continent. Many areas had exposed ground and were not entirely covered by ice and snow. Although the weather was cold, it was not unbearable.
Numerous research stations were gathered here, including the United States' Palmer Station, the UK's Rothera Station and Faraday Station, Chile's President Frey Station, and nearly twenty other research stations crowded on this peninsula.
A large number of research team members disembarked one after another. Many had not eaten for two days and had lost weight; disembarking felt like a relief. Bai Yujing also observed Great Wall Station. Many buildings were clustered together, mostly two-story structures that felt more like a small town. The houses alternated in red, white, and blue colors, with red flags fluttering atop the roofs. Seeing the national flag at the end of the world made Bai Yujing feel proud.
However, while everyone else got off the ship, they still had to stay on board for three more days. Knowing the truth made Li Xiang and Liu Hai almost shed tears; they had fared no better than those research team members over these two days!
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