Chapter 66: Prelude
People were actually prepared for the storm at sea long ago.
Having spent so much time at sea, they must have some experience. In addition, they pay close attention to any unusual weather conditions and will take note of any changes.
As soon as the weather at sea changed, many people noticed.
Looking from the boat, one could see that the sky had turned dark in all directions.
The blackness seemed contagious, pouring down onto the sea surface under high pressure, quickly covering the entire surrounding area.
Many people around were deeply moved, especially by the sheer awe and speechlessness they felt.
Luo Yin saw it clearly too, and she was startled herself.
Immediately, the people around sprang into action, packing up their belongings and moving things around.
This looks like a major storm is coming; we can't afford not to do something quickly.
Not long after, Luo Yin also got busy.
She's much better now and can do some things, so she joined the team to help them organize data and documents. Fortunately, everyone usually does this, so it's very useful in this critical moment.
Before long, the work on this side was finished, and everyone's attention turned to the ship on the other side.
Because they've set up those two big machines again, it looks like they're going to take action against something on the seabed.
James had signed the compensation claim earlier and had not come out since.
I rarely pay attention to their affairs, but I couldn't help but come and see what's going on today.
After all, they didn't want anything to happen to the other side.
As soon as I stepped onto the deck, I was brushed by the biting sea breeze, and then I saw the oppressive sky.
"This weather is so abnormal, they've gone mad!"
"The weather is terrible, I have to go back quickly, I can't stay outside."
Several tall men, seeing the weather, knew things were going badly and quickly turned back.
They knew very well that the situation at sea was definitely bad, so why not get out of there quickly? Were they waiting for a shipwreck to come? They must be asking for trouble!
The people around them looked frightened and their expressions were not good when they saw them come and go.
Many people, though afraid inside, outwardly look down on them.
"Tch, look at those tall guys, all that head for nothing, they're not even as good as us."
"That's right, we have to stay in the trenches until the very end. If anything unexpected happens later, we can come and help. Don't you all agree?"
"That's right, we're all here. If anything goes wrong, we'll know immediately."
Luo Yin watched as they all seemed to be on steroids, and she couldn't say anything more.
Her gaze swept around, and there stood her fellow soldiers, heads held high and chests out.
Actually, they should be considered more capable!
"Keep going a few more times!"
"Old Yang, I'm leaving the underwater situation to you guys. Make sure everything goes perfectly."
Old Yu patted him solemnly on the shoulder, looking at the five neatly dressed comrades.
Yang Anguo clenched his fist and looked at the people beside him.
"Don't worry, we guarantee we'll complete the mission."
As he finished speaking, the remaining four men all saluted.
The five men then nimbly flipped off the boat and quickly disappeared into the water.
The metal steel box was submerged in the turbulent water, the ropes slapping against each other, causing the large machine above to shake violently.
The five people underground were even more bewildered.
Xia Ming kept checking the next steps, while Old Hu, Old Zhuang, and Old Yu each led several people to guard different positions, striving to seize the opportunity and bring the sunken ship up in one go.
According to their calculations, they only have one chance. If they succeed this time, although they cannot salvage the sunken ship completely intact, they can at least recover more than 70%.
Once they've transported the sunken ship to a nearby island and escaped the disaster, things will be much easier from there.
Nearly a hundred people from both boats stood outside, waiting for the perfect moment.
Blind Chen stood outside from morning till night, even bringing their meals upstairs so everyone could have a bowl to eat.
But no matter how long they waited, a good opportunity never came.
After several rounds of negotiations, it was discovered that the eye of the storm had not yet arrived.
After all, according to their plan, they would take action half an hour before the storm appeared.
But now it's like all thunder and no rain; there's only some residual power, which isn't enough. However, according to Lao Yang and a few other people who went underwater, the seabed has already changed.
The vibrations were already felt on land, especially at depths of over 50 meters underwater.
But perhaps the earthquake was too deep and had not yet reached the location of the sunken ship.
Of course, besides their careful calculations, these things also rely on the knowledge and experience of several predecessors, especially experts who are very knowledgeable about marine life, who can handle these matters with ease.
Having spent most of my life researching my field of expertise, I should at least have something to show for myself.
"It's not time yet. According to the plan, it will be delayed by another four or five hours, probably until late at night."
Old Hu calculated again and again, then sighed.
"Forget it, this can't be rushed. We can't just wait it out. If something else goes wrong, we can't afford to be left unattended."
Xia Ming thought for a moment and looked at Yu Jingtong.
Mr. Yu added, "Then let's do it this way. We'll split into two groups. Mr. Hu and I will take the team to rest first, and we'll come to replace you in two hours."
Old Zhuang and Old Xia, who were standing nearby, nodded in agreement, thinking that this was a feasible idea.
Old Hu, however, wanted to decline, saying, "Why don't I stay and keep an eye on things? I won't feel at ease if I don't watch over them myself."
He was the one among them who knew the most about the ocean; although the others had some knowledge of it, they certainly weren't as proficient as him.
"Old Hu, you've been working hard all day, your body probably can't take it anymore."
Xia Ming advised him to rest, after all, the old man had been sick not long ago, and he remembered it clearly. "I know, I'll just take a nap up here, and have someone wake me up every half hour to check on me, otherwise I won't be able to rest well even if I go back."
Seeing that he said that, no one dared to say anything more, except for Lao Hu and Lao Zhuang, who calmed down.
After most of the people left to rest, the only people left on the warship besides the soldiers on guard were a few researchers who were accompanying Elder Xia.
Xia was one of them, but he was dozing off nearby.
Xia Ming noticed that many people were staring at each other, some were writing reports, and some could even fall asleep while sitting. Thinking they had all had a long day, he decided to let them rest for an hour.
"Work is never-ending, so let's take advantage of the time we still have and go take a nap."
"Don't worry, everyone. There are a lot of people here. My colleagues and I are watching over you. You can go and take a rest."
"Mr. Xia, we're not sleepy, we can keep going."
“Yes, we’re not sleepy, we can keep going!” The speaker yawned as soon as he finished speaking.
"Alright, that's an order, hurry up."
Because of Xia Lao's stern face, everyone finally behaved themselves.
An hour passed quickly, and everyone opened their eyes one after another, soon becoming fully awake as the sea breeze blew in.
The following period involved continuous monitoring of the weather conditions, with warnings issued for impending crises.
Luo Yin was sent to rest in the evening, since most people were still not very useful. Then, someone suddenly banged on a large basin, "Clang, clang!"
It woke almost everyone up.
Then came the assembly, a warning of the approaching storm.
When Loin heard the noise, he felt that something was wrong with the whole ship. He had never noticed it before, but the Maria was swaying from side to side.
And the feeling grew stronger and stronger, to the point that I could barely stand.
Not only she noticed it, but everyone in the cabin and on the deck noticed it as well.
The most nervous were the few people in the control room who were operating the machines. They watched as the hooks trembled incessantly, causing the ship to tilt to one side. They were terrified that if they exerted any more force, the ship would capsize into the sea.
But they didn't dare relax for a moment, because they had received orders to obey commands throughout the entire process and not to back down in the slightest.
The wind and waves kept crashing against the hull, one wave higher than the next, and some of the more slender people almost fell overboard.
Old Xia on the warship clenched his fists as he watched the crisis facing the Maria.
They knew their chance had come. The immense pressure of the tsunami crashed down on them, almost swallowing the two large ships in front of them, just like the one on the seabed.
At the same time, the underwater mountain range trembled continuously, radiating outwards from the depths of the earth like an underwater earthquake.
A warning was issued to all life on the seabed.
Get out of here now, or you'll die!
As a result, many large creatures fled for their lives.
Some schools of fish swam desperately, trying to escape this dangerous area.
Above, amidst the perilous storms and torrential rain, countless figures were swept about, yet they did not flinch, steadfastly holding their posts.
"Is the time here?"
"Is it almost done?"
Questions and scrutiny kept coming from their mouths.
It wasn't until Blind Chen nodded that Old Hu saw the message, immediately did the math, and realized that it had indeed arrived.
"You can come now!"
"Okay, okay." Xia Ming nodded.
"Everyone get ready. The plan will begin in five minutes."
These words reached everyone's ears within two minutes.
As for how such a large volume of air was transmitted, we have to thank the wireless equipment provided by James's family, which enabled their commands to be effectively transmitted.
"Knock knock, everyone stay in your rooms and don't come out."
The footsteps and knocking that followed brought Luo Yin back to her senses.
The people outside quickly left, and those remaining in the room looked at each other.
"Let's just stay put and not cause any more trouble," Yuan Fang said regretfully, as she hadn't gone to the scene.
Shao Shilan, standing nearby, remained silent. Of the four, only Sister You, with her superior skills, stayed.
After all, an hour ago, those with less physical strength and slower reaction times were replaced.
Especially on their ship, many people were just holding on by their last breath. Seeing the ship rocking again, no one had anything to say.
"It's alright, let's get some rest. We'll be useful someday."
“That’s right, you’re right. We’ll definitely need our help once things calm down. We’ll have no problem keeping the data organized.”
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
