The higher-ups in "2012" had not been lying.
When Zhang Tianyuan finished his month of self-isolation and left the shelter, someone immediately took him to inspect the main force that would travel back to Legend World with him.
"At present, we've prepared a fleet of nine ships in total: three Antarctic research ships, one dock landing ship that can accommodate two helicopters taking off and landing simultaneously, three military replenishment ships, and two other warships that can each accommodate a single helicopter."
A member of the Mutual Aid Society First Division walking beside Zhang Tianyuan pointed to the dock landing ship at the pier as he introduced it.
It was a warship with a tonnage of tons, already a considerable show of strength for their country in this era.
The landing ship's superstructure stood amidships, much like that of a typical warship. Its most distinctive feature was the large helicopter deck where the stern abruptly leveled out (image included).
Beneath that deck was a massive well dock that could accommodate large and small air-cushioned landing craft, mechanized landing craft, or vehicle and personnel landing craft.
Seeing this behemoth, Zhang Tianyuan knew that the "2012" spacetime had truly begun pouring in serious resources.
This was a mainstay warship that would not be entirely outdated even a dozen years later. In the present day, it was a mainstay among mainstays.
Someone could be watching these ships' movements at any moment. Clearly, the higher-ups had already prepared themselves mentally, even if it meant exposing some classified information.
"Antarctic landing craft have already been placed aboard this landing ship. They can be deployed as soon as we reach the destination."
The man beside him explained, "Also, the other eight ships have already left port and assembled in the designated waters. They're just waiting for you to join them, President."
Zhang Tianyuan nodded as he opened the documents in his hands.
They showed that more than ten thousand people would be accompanying him this time.
Aside from the fleet's personnel, there was also an aerospace team of over five hundred people. They would be sent from here to the Imperial Capital in Legend World, then head north with Bai Xu to find the space launch site for the International Space Station.
Apart from the aerospace team, the rest mainly consisted of personnel with Antarctic research experience, doctors, administrative staff from the Mutual Aid Society, diplomatic personnel, and combat personnel from the army, navy, and air force.
Moreover, every ship was fully loaded with supplies, theoretically enough to meet
the needs of every research station on the Antarctica Continent.
Beyond these, there were many other detailed arrangements.
The things Zhang Tianyuan had not considered had also been patched up. All he had to do was take everyone over.
Aboard the landing ship.
Zhang Tianyuan met the five hundred selected aerospace personnel, as well as the servicemen at their various posts aboard the ship.
Everyone's eyes were involuntarily drawn to him.
Clearly, without Zhang Tianyuan needing to explain much, they already understood the weight of the mission resting on their shoulders.
After a brief self-introduction, Zhang Tianyuan wasted no time. With all the servicemen aboard watching, he sent the five-hundred-strong aerospace team to the outskirts of the Imperial Capital in Legend World.
The Mutual Aid Society members stationed there would make arrangements for them.
But unlike the previous crossings.
This crossing did not last only *** Zhong as the others had.
After he sent everyone through, the Spacetime Tunnel remained open for another ten seconds.
This was for an experiment.
An experiment proposed by the "2012" spacetime to test the continuity of the Spacetime Tunnel.
During the ten seconds the tunnel remained open, a remote-controlled vehicle connected to a communications cable sped through.
After entering the Spacetime Tunnel, the remote-controlled vehicle would communicate with the "2012" side, transmitting information back and forth.
If both sides received information from the other, it would mean that the fiber-optic communications cable remained continuous while passing through the Spacetime Tunnel, rather than being divided.
The results of the experiment were very encouraging.
In less than ten seconds of communication time, "2012" received all the information sent back by the remote-controlled vehicle.
This meant that the design for the spacetime railway project was entirely feasible.
The "2012" side really could build a railway into Legend World.
Only after completing this experiment did Zhang Tianyuan set sail aboard the landing ship, heading for the designated waters to assemble.
After just half a day at sea, the landing ship successfully rendezvoused with the other eight vessels.
Under cover of night, after every vessel had extinguished its lights, Zhang Tianyuan opened the Spacetime Tunnel, enveloping the entire fleet as it sailed in close formation.
Select the waters off South America. Descend!
The people aboard the fleet only felt the sky suddenly brighten.
Then it seemed as though nothing had happened.
They were still aboard their ships, still at sea.
But as they looked through the portholes at the
rolling waves, everyone was utterly shaken.
It was all the same ocean, but a second ago, they had been looking at an ocean shrouded in night.
And now?
Even the sun was out!
"Is this a parallel spacetime?"
Some could not help taking deep breaths, wanting to taste the air of a parallel spacetime. Others looked around, hoping to find something different from their own spacetime.
Meanwhile, the experts busily brought out their instruments and began measuring latitude and longitude, determining their current position and setting their next course.
Zhang Tianyuan also contacted the Imperial Capital and the grasslands, learning that the aerospace team he had sent back had been properly settled and had begun preparing to head north.
Then the ship's radio began trying to contact their country's No. 1 research station on the Antarctica Peninsula.
At the same time, according to the advance plan, two flotillas, each consisting of one warship, one replenishment ship, and one research ship, began breaking away from Zhang Tianyuan's group and changing course separately.
They would head to rescue their country's No. 2 and No. 3 Antarctic research stations respectively.
After completing their mission objectives, they would also rescue nearby research personnel from other countries or replenish their supplies.
"CN01 Antarctica Scientific Research Station, this is the rescue team. Respond if you can hear us..."
The radio calls went unanswered for a long time.
Standing on the landing ship's deck, Zhang Tianyuan looked at the southern sky, his brow tightly furrowed.
The Antarctic expert beside him offered reassurance. "I've reviewed the construction standards for this spacetime's research stations. As long as they conserve resources, they definitely have enough to hold out for a year or two."
"Besides, it's April in this spacetime now. The Antarctic summer is already over. The people at the station may be preparing to overwinter, or their radio equipment may have broken down without maintenance. We don't need to worry too much."
"Let's hope so..." Zhang Tianyuan did not want to arrive at the Antarctic research station only to find his compatriots already dead.
They had clearly rushed here as fast as they could.
"Have our English calls received any response?" Zhang Tianyuan walked over to the communications console.
The operator shook his head.
Zhang Tianyuan narrowed his eyes and looked at the commander aboard the ship. "Can we get a helicopter airborne immediately to investigate the research station?"