Chapter 281 - This Is My Forte (1/2)

Chapter 281 This Is My Forte

Twenty minutes after the group completed the gut-wrenching Multi-Axis Trainer, Zhang Heng and the other players were sent to the next training facility by a minibus. Through the windows, he saw a large, white building flying two flags in the middle—the star-spangled banner on the right and a NASA flag on the left. A humongous replica of a rocket stood majestically beyond the building.

“Kennedy s.p.a.ce Center is located on Florida’s east coast on an island called Merritt Island. It was built in the year 1962, and named Kennedy in commemoration of President John F. Kennedy!” the high school kid chirped excitedly.

“Judging by our surroundings, I think we were at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station just now. The famous Project Mercury, Gemini, and early Apollo Missions all lifted-off from there. The coast enables rockets to launch toward the ocean without endangering lives. At the same time, the air force station is close to the equator as well. The location would give the launch vehicles an extra speed boost, making it easier to reach the velocities needed for orbit. However, the air force station couldn’t house the ma.s.sive Saturn V rockets, which was why the Kennedy s.p.a.ce Center was built nearby.

“Hold on. Is Kennedy dead in this game?”

“Yes, a.s.sa.s.sinated in Dallas, 1963. Although he gave the famous speech about choosing to go to the moon, he died before he could witness

“Everyone. Do I have to remind you again that this is not a tour bus? Aren’t you supposed to be more concerned about your current situation?” said an anxious Anthony.

“Yes. It seems our main quest is to set foot on the moon or, at least, travel to outer s.p.a.ce. Based on what I know, these two matters are just the same to me.”

“Why do you say so?” asked the girl.

She was the only girl on the team, and coincidentally, sat beside Zhang Heng when she got on the vehicle.

“Didn’t you know?” asked the high school kid in surprise, before continuing.

“According to history, Apollo 10 was launched on 18.5.1969 at 12.49 a.m. The captain told us that Apollo 10 was launched three days ago. That makes today the 21st of May.”

“So?”

The high school kid leaned back on his seat and smiled at the girl.

“Well, Apollo 11 was launched on 16.7.1969. Apollo 12 was then launched on 14.12.1969. There were five months between these two launching dates. Considering the time we have for this quest, so…”

“Didn’t you tell us that America ran this project called Gemini?”

“Project Gemini was conducted between Project Mercury and The Apollo Program. It started in the year 1961, and after ten times of sending astronauts to orbit the Earth, the project ended in 1965. To complete the main quest, we will have to get on Apollo 11.” The high school kid wore this gravely serious look in his last sentence. Suddenly, the chirpy atmosphere in the vehicle changed, and all eyes were on the kid.

“Why? Did something happen? Was Apollo 11 a dangerous mission?” asked the plump man.

“Dangerous?”