Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
An anonymous paper published on the LSPM forum suddenly stirred up the entire physics community.
It would be fine if it was just a pure imaginative work, but the problem was that, from the descriptions in the paper, it was obvious that the author was competent.
People connected this to the recent series of actions by Star Sky Technology, many people speculated whether this paper was published by Academician Lu.
It seemed as if the paper was paving the way for something incredible…
At the same time, inside the terminal building of Tiangong City, a tall and thin man was carrying a suitcase and quickly passing through customs.
“The air here is still the same as last year, it has a smell of industrial products.”
“The air here is artificially produced, it’s not surprising that you feel this way.” As Professor Feren looked at the surrounding buildings, he had an expression of interest. “I remember the last time I came here was more than ten years ago.”
Leonard cast an unexpected glance at him.
“You have been here before?”
“Of course, more than once.” Professor Feren squinted at this familiar yet unfamiliar street and said, “Your father and I dug for clues about the civilization of Mars. We came here countless times, I witnessed the rise and fall of this city.
“Sometimes I even feel that all of this is like a higher calling, like all of this was destined. Ever since the expedition of Professor Vernal, incomplete clues have been placed in front of us, and your father took over the unfinished clues from Vernal’s hands. We are destined to spend our entire lives studying those stones, to dig out the memories of those ancient civilizations, and you…”
Leonard said in an uncertain tone: “… and I finally found out the truth?”
This was what the archaeological community thought about him.
An outstanding young teacher, the star of the University of Oxford, the man who made the Martian civilization come to light again… He had heard these compliments countless times.
Of course, he was still quite proud of his accomplishments.
However, the old man standing next to him humbled him.
“No, what I want to say is… You finally dug out that great man from underground.”
“Don’t say that… I’m also an archaeologist. You are talking about me like I’m a gravedigger.”
“Haha, same thing, at least in my opinion there is no difference between the two… And believe me, no matter what earth-shattering things you did in your lifetime, people in the future will only remember one thing you did.”
“Digging Academician Lu out from the ground?”
Feren nodded approvingly. “No wonder you’re Gilbert’s student, you’re quite smart.”
Leonard: “…”
After leaving the terminal, the two got in the maglev car and headed to the hotel near the industrial area.
The accommodation fee here was not cheap, but fortunately, they could be reimbursed.
After putting down his luggage, Leonard fell on the bed and fell asleep.
After the breakthrough of stargate technology, the journey from Earth to Mars was much shorter, but the journey spanning hundreds of millions of kilometers exhausted all the energy left in his body.
He slept for the entire night.
In the early morning the next day, Leonard cleaned himself up, then found Professor Feren and went to the laboratory in the industrial zone together.
Before coming to Mars, he had emailed Lu Zhou and made an appointment to meet up.
As for why the meeting place was scheduled here, to be honest, Leonard was not particularly sure either.
When he walked into the laboratory, he could clearly feel that countless pairs of eyes were staring at him and Professor Feren, as if they were carefully guarding something…
In the lounge of the laboratory.
Lu Zhou saw the two people walk in from outside. He walked forward with a smile and gave Professor Leonard a big hug.
“Long time no see, my old friend, how are you doing recently?”
“Good, how about you?”
“I’ve always been good.” Lu Zhou then looked at the strange old professor standing next to him. He continued with a smile, “Is this your colleague?”
Looking at the old professor standing next to him, Leonard said with a smile on his face, “Feren, a professor in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Oxford, my colleague, and a friend.”
Lu Zhou smiled and said, “Really? The age gap is a bit big.”
“After all, I’m from his father’s generation.” Professor Feren smiled and continued, “I wonder if you remember Professor Vernal?”
“Vernal…”
Hearing this name, Lu Zhou’s eyes gradually showed a hint of nostalgia.
“Of course I remember, we went to Mars together… I was the last one to come back.”
Professor Feren said with a slightly apologetic expression, “Sorry for touching a sore subject.”
“It’s okay, actually I don’t care.” Lu Zhou waved his hand indifferently, smiled, and continued, “Speaking of which, is Professor Vernal okay?”
Professor Feren shook his head, “After doing some research on the Martian civilization, he passed away many years ago.”
Lu Zhou was silent for a while. He then sighed softly and said, “… Makes sense, he was from a century ago.”
Professor Feren nodded slightly and continued, “The father of Leonard… Professor Gilbert, began solving the mystery of the disappearance of the Martian civilization, and over the past century, we have been carefully researching Professor Vernal’s works. But now, because of the fossil that you selflessly gifted, our research has finally made a breakthrough.”
Lu Zhou smiled and said, “It is my honor to be able to help with your research.”
“No, it should be our honor to be able to receive your help.” Professor Feren sighed and continued, “Before this, I never thought that the secrets of Mars would be unearthed in my lifetime, and the history of billions of years ago can be witnessed again… But because of your return, everything has turned for the better.”
Professor Feren paused for a moment and continued in a sincere tone, “Although this may be a bit outlandish, we still hope to get your help. We are only one centimeter away from the truth.”
Lu Zhou’s face showed a dumbfounded expression.
“Although I want to help you… but I’m really sorry, I really don’t know anything about archeology.”
It was not that he didn’t know anything. In fact, Lu Zhou had watched the rough life of Martian civilization during his dreams. But he couldn’t tell this to anyone.
After all, there was a difference between archaeology and physics. Although the latter also emphasized evidence, there were many forms of evidence, while the former was not so flexible.
“Just tell us where you found the fossil,” Leonard said with an earnest expression looking at Lu Zhou. “We don’t need your help for the rest, we can find it ourselves.”
Hearing this request, Lu Zhou was a bit embarrassed.
There was a knock on the door of the meeting room, and an intern in a white coat walked in from outside.
“Professor, the experiment is ready, when do you plan to start?”
Leonard looked at Lu Zhou in confusion.
“Experiment?”
Lu Zhou made a helpless expression. “Don’t look at me that way, I’m also a scientist, isn’t it normal to do experiments?”
“I didn’t mean that.” Professor Leonard explained with an awkward expression, “I mean, didn’t you just build the stargate not long ago? Don’t you plan to rest for a while…?”
“The inquiry into science is endless.” Lu Zhou stood up from the sofa. As if thinking of something, he looked at Professor Leonard and said with a smile, “Want to come together?”
Leonard was taken aback for a moment. “Is this… appropriate?”
Lu Zhou smiled faintly and said, “Of course, it’s not a secret or anything.”
After that, he took the lead and walked out to the lounge…
