Chapter 305 - The Final Drills (2/2)
However, due to time constraints this time, the survival training courses had been pared down. In fact, water survival training was completed in the swimming pool, and training in the tropics was simply omitted. Desert survival, however, was carried out as planned, though pushed to the back of the schedule in case the team hadn’t completed the others. Moreover, only two days were allocated for that.
Compared to the previous training sessions, the three remaining candidates were not burdened by the need to outperform the other. That was because no matter what their results were, the astronauts for the mission had already been confirmed. So, in the eyes of Jia Lai and Bruno, training was no different from a vacation.
Just then, someone walked into the lounge. It was the captain, and he was accompanied by a person.
Jia Lai and Bruno did not pay much attention to the second person because they figured that he must be an employee in charge of the survival training. Zhang Heng, on the other hand, appeared startled.
The captain did not introduce his companion. Instead, he went straight to the point. “You have received forty-five days of training, and you have mastered the various skills required of an astronaut. Throughout this journey, you’ve experienced many things, and fortunately, you’ve all persisted till the end. I am proud of your hard work and your efforts, and now, relish the opportunity to put your mark on history!”Jia Lai and Bruno shared a look, grinning with excitement seeping out of each other’s eyes. Being the final winners of the game finally sank in, and knowing they would successfully board Apollo 11 to set foot on the moon, the both couldn’t hide their delight. Especially considering everything that had happened before, and how Jia Lai went from being last on the least to be among the final three. Now that the dust had settled, he no longer needed to pretend and hide his innermost thoughts.
Among the three, only Zhang Heng remained unmoved. He looked at the man standing quietly next to the captain, and it evoked some memories.
Then, Jia Lai and Bruno heard the captain continue his announcement. “This afternoon, we will begin our final training. I hope that every one of you will take it seriously. These results will contribute significantly to determine who the final candidates are.”
“Wait a minute. Final candidates… What do you mean?” Jia Lai looked worried.
“We’re already the final candidates, aren’t we? The three final astronauts piloting Apollo 11-that’s the three of us, no?” Bruno’s eyes had become wide and wild. “You once told us a new infectious disease caused you to lose a significant number of astronauts, and the returning Apollo 10 crew have strangely been unable to recover. So, we should be the only three ones left, right?”
The captain kept a straight face as he answered, “Yes, that’s right. We’ve tragically lost many astronauts because of that mysterious infectious disease; to be precise, nearly all of them. That said, some of them managed to recover.” The captain looked to the man standing next to him. “Neil Alden Armstrong, former Apollo 10 commander, has passed the observation period a week ago and is now undergoing therapy to the road of recovery. He’s in good condition and is confirmed to be fit for Apollo 11.”
“Wait…” Bruno looked horrified as the shocking truth dawned on him. “That means only two spots left for us?”
“More accurately, there’s only one. We’re very fortunate that Captain Michael Collins, Service Module pilot, has been recovering well,” said the captain. “But don’t worry. Those who are not selected can join mission control and be part of the support team. You’ll still be able to participate in this great voyage.”