Dead on Mars

Chapter 211 - Sol Three Hundred and Twenty-Seven, You Gave Me Life
Chapter 211: Sol Three Hundred and Twenty-Seven, You Gave Me Life

“You can’t?”

“Of course not. I’m not omnipotent.” Tomcat shook its head. “Although I also wish to take out a remote control that guarantees success from a four-dimensional pocket, allowing the cargo spacecraft to dock perfectly with the space station with a press of the button… the 22nd century isn’t here yet.”

It sat on the opposite side of the table as it began typing. The computer chassis under the table began to whirl as the heat-dissipating fans spun.

“What did Mr. Cat say?” Mai Dong asked.

“It said that its plan is identical to mine,” Tang Yue replied. “But even so, it is unable to perfectly dock Tianzhou 37 with the space station.”

Even though Tomcat had severely criticized Tang Yue’s ideas, it had still used this meritless plan. This was also because the cat was out of choices.

“Even Mr. Cat can’t do it?” Mai Dong gently sighed as water vapor condensed on her visor.

“Back when Earth vanished, this same cat said it was impossible. It was also the one who said it’s impossible when we launched the Eagle.” Tang Yue strained his neck and peeped. Tomcat was sitting behind the monitor, its eyes reflecting the backlight of the screen. “Regardless of what it says, just take it in the opposite manner.”

As Tang Yue spoke, the workstation at his feet began humming, spewing out hot air as though it was hiding a turbojet engine. Clearly, Tomcat was up to something.

“Tomcat, what sort of shady website did you visit? Did the computer get hit with a virus?”

“That’s right, a website Old Zheng recommended me before leaving…” Tomcat just spoke randomly. “Exciting cat videos, with hundreds of categories—sexy Persian cats, Siamese cats, Ragdolls, and Scottish Folds. Oh… This is too hardcore. This is a leopard cat. Heavens, look at its stripes. It’s so wild.”

Tomcat continued spouting its nonsense, leaving Tang Yue at a loss.

“Alright, what exactly are you doing?”

“I’m fine-tuning the entire process. What you showed me was like a crappy straw hut… To be honest, this is an impossible mission. We know nothing about the United Space Station’s condition—its speed, its altitude, its attitude. We don’t know its docking mechanism’s orientation, nothing,” Tomcat said. “We are playing golf blind. And we need to do a hole in one. Worst of all, this hole is randomly running everywhere.”

“You definitely can resolve this problem.” Tang Yue gave a thumbs up. “As for the docking, can we get Mai Dong to provide any guidance?”

“The precision of the eye is not sufficient. The distance you estimate is often further or nearer than the actual distance.” Tomcat shook its head. “Besides, I don’t believe Miss Mai Dong to have sufficient physical and mental strength to do so.”

“By speaking to me so calmly, it means you have already thought of a solution.”

Tang Yue was full of confidence in Tomcat. As long as it wasn’t worried, he didn’t need to worry.

“It might also be because I’ve given up myself to despair. Everything is destined, so let it be.” Tomcat cocked its head, stuck out its tongue, looking like it had died.

“No way?” Tang Yue stared with widened eyes.

“Count yourself lucky, punk.” Tomcat retracted its tongue and stretched its neck. “The United Space Station is out of commission, but Tianzhou 37 is completely fine. We can use Tianzhou 37 to initiate the dock, using its docking system to do a remote observation. It’s just that their relationship will be overturned. Usually, it’s the space station that’s tracking the spacecraft, with the cargo spacecraft being the target. Now, the space station will be the target, and Tianzhou 37 will be the tracker.”

Under normal circumstances, a dock was a mission that required both parties to work together. However, the space station was now out of commission, so all they could do was rely on Tianzhou 37. Instead of calling it docking, it was more of a grappling.

Tianzhou needed to grapple the United Space Station.

“Apart from this problem, are there any other difficulties?” Tang Yue asked.

“It’s best you don’t ask. Just maintain your present state of mind,” Tomcat said. “Otherwise, I’ll have to resolve the problems with the workstation while also resolving your psychological problems. That will be too troublesome.”

“I mean if there’s anything I can help with…”

“Nothing.” Tomcat cut him off. “Spend time chatting with Miss Mai Dong. She’s now considered your fiancée, but you don’t know much about her. You don’t have much time left, and if you don’t take this chance, there may not be any chances left.”

Upon hearing the word “fiancée,” Tang Yue’s heart stirred.

Having been single all this time, hearing this term made him feel like it was referring to someone else.

“Fiancée…” Tang Yue slumped on the table. “Isn’t one called a fiancée only after an engagement?”

“Didn’t Miss Mai Dong agree to marry you? That’s considered an engagement, she’s naturally your fiancée,” Tomcat said. “Tang Yue, what did you do to have the lady make the first move. If it wasn’t because Earth vanished and every man in the Universe is dead, would something like this happen to you?”

Tang Yue was momentarily unable to retort.

If Earth has not vanished, he would have followed the schedule to return. It was unlikely he would have kept any deep ties with Mai Dong.

Everyone knew how well-liked Mai Dong was at the Center. As for Tang Yue, he was just an ordinary mechanical and electrical engineer. After the mission to Mars ended, the former would return to school to complete her studies. After graduation, she could enter a relevant organization for work. Years later she would be promoted to management, while Tang Yue would remain at the Center. His future would just be endless wrenches.

If Earth hadn’t disappeared, Tang Yue would most likely be forced to go on a blind date. The date might be the daughter of his mother’s former classmate who was roughly of the same socioeconomic status. They weren’t a Princess and her Prince Charming, so if they found each other okay, without any strong positive or negative feelings, they would probably lead the rest of their lives together. They would then start worrying about their housing loans and their children’s education.

Fifteen years later, Mai Dong and Tang Yue might reunite, perhaps in some hall. Mai Dong and Tang Yue would shake hands warmly, with Mai Dong looking beautiful and sharp in a suit while balding Tang Yue wore a huge red flower ribbon on his chest. Behind the two of them would be a striking banner saying: Warm welcome to the representative of the Aeronautics Science Co.’s management to our senior technicians!

When Earth vanished on an ordinary night, their fates were completely changed.

“I’m just an ordinary person,” Tang Yue said. “An ordinary person without any capabilities, talents, or looks. My youth was mediocre and I basically scraped through my thesis to get a university degree. I managed to be recruited into the Center through some connections. Even joining the Mars Landing Project was a fluke… To be honest, I never thought I’d really be selected.”

Tomcat glanced at him.

“It’s commendable that you realize your limitations.”

“People my age actually know our limitations,” Tang Yue said. “They know what kind of person they are, as well as their standards. They no longer fantasize about themselves being the center of the world.”

“That’s not what I think,” Mai Dong suddenly said.

Tang Yue was stunned.

“I don’t have such thoughts, Tang Yue…” Mai Dong said. “Without you, I wouldn’t have lived to this day. You have given me life.”