Joseph Cooper.
As a test subject in the early stages of Lazarus missions, he received extensive training related to the operation without his knowledge, and achieved excellent results.
At least that's the theoretical score.
Later, during a test flight of the Ranger spacecraft, Cooper's spacecraft malfunctioned due to gravitational anomalies in the upper atmosphere, but he miraculously escaped...
He was then dismissed and reportedly went home to become a farmer.
There were many reasons for the dismissal. The failed flight was one reason; the Lazarus missions was about to begin, and the need to weed out anyone unqualified to participate was another; even NASA's reluctance to support an astronaut deemed useless in the future was a contributing factor.
Under normal circumstances, Cooper's education and abilities would absolutely not have been sufficient to participate in Lazarus missions. The astronauts previously launched to the other side of the wormhole were mostly PhDs in various fields.
Although Cooper is an excellent pilot, he clearly lacks academic research skills. He doesn't even know that a black hole is actually a sphere. He is more skilled in engineering modifications and the like.
Of course, he may also be skilled in agricultural planting now...
Amelia recalled some comments she had heard before.
She didn't know Cooper; they weren't from the same era, and Cooper had never been to this secret base.
"Dad, are we taking this person with us?"
"Yes, Cooper, I remember him. He's a talented individual. He might be a bargaining chip for us, even if it's less valuable than a grain of sand, but more grains of sand are still more valuable..."
"And it turned into a desert?" Amelia suddenly asked.
Professor Brand paused for a moment, then laughed, "It could also turn into a chip?"
"All we can do now is take away a large amount of sand and turn it into our bargaining chips. Only in this way can we have more possibilities."
Amelia deeply understood her father's difficulties.
They are in a difficult situation. The only information they have is useful to the Mutual Aid Society, so they can only try their best to bring more things and take a chance to make a greater contribution to the project.
This way, their lives in North America will continue...
It might make things a little better...
These behaviors are like a destitute person who, worried that their family heirlooms are not valuable enough, would rather tear down the pillars of their house and sell them for money.
Cooper wasn't the only "pillar" like this; Professor Brand would occasionally point out a familiar talent while flipping through old files.
Amelia was taking notes on the list when her father called out nearly a hundred people, at which point she spoke up to stop him, saying, "Too many people isn't good."
Professor Brand, always obedient to his daughter, smiled and closed the file. He then instructed Amelia to give the list to Jody, telling him to arrange for people to find the people on the list and ask if they were still willing to participate in a great project...
He also highlighted some key targets, which he believed could potentially become grains of sand in the "chip" process.
Cooper was among them.
"I heard from Jody that the other side is also facing a shortage of astronauts. Cooper's simulated flight results were very good, so perhaps he can still contribute to our project."
Amelia left the office and quickly and secretly handed the list to Jody, instructing him to be discreet.
Jody was also aware of Professor Brand's plan, and he had always been a supporter of the old professor.
Especially after seeing Zhang Tianyuan return, they became even more convinced that the Mutual Aid Society would save the world and all of humanity in the future.
Professor Brand's plan now coincides with the views he holds deep in his heart.
" Dr. Brand, rest assured, I will complete this mission perfectly!"
Jody made a solemn promise, then slipped the list into the pocket of his suit jacket and went to make the arrangements.
The management of these high-ranking officials within NASA bases is relatively relaxed, so meeting Professor Brand's requirements is not difficult.
All he needs to do is set aside a small budget, launch a new project to cloak this plan, and then he can openly start recruiting.
Amelia had just returned to the lab after delivering the letter when she received instructions from her father—
Meet in the conference room.
This is an instruction issued to all key figures in both Projects A and B.
When Amelia arrived at the conference room, a large crowd had already gathered.
There were reserve astronauts like Doyle and Romilly, as well as scholars like Williams, Jenkins, and Smith.
Without exception, these people were at the core of both plans, and were also her father's confidants and the most trustworthy people.
After spending many years together, Amelia knew that these people all had lofty ideals and were like-minded people, which was why they were able to gather in this base.
Amelia already had a guess about what her father wanted to do.
It must be related to that escape plan.
However, Professor Brand was not as anxious as his daughter thought. He routinely had everyone report on the current progress of the project, making it seem like just a routine meeting.
It's just that it's too close to the last meeting.
Everyone was puzzled, but they still honestly reported the progress of their current projects, which could be summarized as no change and no progress whatsoever.
Professor Brand had anticipated this. He smiled, placed his glasses on the conference table, and looked at his trusted confidants with his cloudy but shrewd eyes:
"Yesterday I received an inside news report that 50,000 starving people were driven into the Nevada desert."
Everyone understood the whole story from just hearing the beginning; such things happened far too often in this era, and they had heard of them countless times.
Just like their previous shooting incidents, because they have happened so many times, there is no longer a fresh "template". No matter how outrageous the shooting incident is, similar examples can always be found in history.
This time is no different.
Seeing that no one responded, Professor Brand sighed and changed the subject, "Do you think we still have any hope?"
This statement stirred far greater emotions than the starving people themselves; everyone turned their attention to Professor Brand, trying to decipher his thoughts from his expression.
"Professor, we... of course we have hope. Didn't you say before that the gravitational equations were only one step away from being solved?"
Scholar Williams, who is also a student of Brand and has always deeply respected his teacher, said that he never expected his teacher, who had spent forty years deriving the equations of gravity, to suddenly say such discouraging things today...