Chapter 475: Aircraft
"This is!"
Dr. Wells quickly walked toward the machines placed in the corner of the underground space. The closest to him was a machine tool that could cut various parts.
These machines were clearly not from the same era as the underground space, and there were still some leftover materials scattered around the machines, clearly indicating someone had manufactured something here.
The old man was also helped into the underground space by the researcher. He looked at the empty underground space, muttering vague words:
"They completed it... we didn't fail... hehe... hehe..."
He collapsed to the ground, a foolish grin spreading across his face.
[They have already become part of this city]
A system prompt suddenly appeared before Lin Ye's eyes.
"This should be the place where the previous exploration squad made the aircraft. There are ready-made machines and materials here. If we need to manufacture an aircraft, it shouldn't take too much time."
Dr. Wells began checking the condition of those machines as well as the quality and quantity of the materials. "Isn't this strange? Since they lost contact, the country has been organizing a new exploration squad. I see these machines were all manually spliced together. If their situation was the same as ours, it would have been impossible for them to manufacture an aircraft in such a short time."
The Captain felt something was off about this place.
"Maybe the flow of time is different. Maybe they stayed here for a very long time before they could make these machines."
Lin Ye walked over to Dr. Wells and learned how to use those machines from him. Although he didn't know how to make an aircraft, he was very skilled at crafting various spiritual energy items.
The other researchers also gathered around to help. After witnessing the tragic state of their predecessors, all they wanted now was to grind out the aircraft as quickly as possible.
The Captain took his squad outside to collect materials and aviation fuel. The remaining materials in the underground space were barely sufficient. If any problems arose during the manufacturing process, their materials would fall short.
"With these materials and machines, we can only manufacture a small aircraft. We can squeeze in about six or seven people if we pack tightly, but that's not the main issue. If the exit is up there, we can make several trips back and forth.
Of course, that's the optimistic scenario. Perhaps when we ascend to a certain height, we'll be teleported out of this area. Maybe once we go up, we can't come back. If that's the case, the people below would have to rebuild the aircraft from scratch. So I'll stay down here and only leave after the aircraft returns."
Dr. Wells said this while making modifications on the blueprint.
The blueprint and drafting tools were placed on the workbench next to the machines. Many books related to aircraft were piled up near the workbench.
It seemed the previous exploration squad didn't have a researcher as knowledgeable and experienced as Dr. Wells.
"Doctor, you should still go up with the Captain and the others. We'll study carefully later. As long as we have the blueprint, we can manufacture the aircraft."
A nearby researcher hurriedly said.
"Stop talking nonsense. If watching once from the side was enough to manufacture an aircraft, then experts like us wouldn't be needed."
Dr. Wells began assigning tasks to the researchers under him. Lin Ye also blended into the group and started making various parts for the aircraft.
At first, Dr. Wells was worried Lin Ye would waste materials, but after a while, he pulled Lin Ye aside to manufacture various parts requiring high precision.
Even while wearing a full suit of armor, the parts Lin Ye produced were exceptionally precise. Moreover, Lin Ye's strength and speed far exceeded ordinary people, allowing him to quickly complete many complex operations.
"If my students had even half your skill level, I'd feel at least ten years younger."
Dr. Wells couldn't help but sigh.
The Captain only took a few hours to bring back the first batch of supplies. With Lin Ye's help, they had also assembled the first small aircraft.
Dr. Wells personally completed the aircraft's control system. Combined with the engine and balance system crafted by the other researchers, the aircraft was thus spliced together.
Lin Ye had been assisting the whole time, and those complex parts were all crafted by his own hands.
"To think it was completed this quickly..."
Logan said, moved.
"It's only complete if it can take off."
Lin Ye reviewed the manufacturing process in his mind and didn't find any issues.
"Do we need a test flight? I checked it several times before installation, there shouldn't be any problems."
Dr. Wells said, his face full of exhaustion.
"No need. If this city prohibits flight, we'd be in trouble. I'll take some people up first to test it. If there's danger above, I'll try my best to find a way to notify you. If you receive no news, it means we can't come back."
The Captain felt he was the most suitable to scout the path. Even if he couldn't return, the people below could quickly manufacture a second aircraft.
"I'll go up. I don't like waiting for results down here."
Lin Ye, wearing the Nameless Armor, entered the aircraft. Logan followed Lin Ye and sat in the driver's seat. He was one of the few researchers who knew how to pilot an aircraft.
After that, two combat team members and two more researchers entered the aircraft. Logan piloted the aircraft, slowly moving forward. On one side of the underground space, there was an area that allowed small aircraft to take off vertically.
The Captain pulled a lever, and the ceiling of the underground space cracked open, revealing a gap through which they could leave.
Logan piloted the aircraft vertically upward, quickly leaving the underground space.
Lin Ye crouched uncomfortably inside the aircraft, one hand resting on the intact sword hilt, the other gripping the Cross Scepter.
"Which way do we go up? Keep ascending vertically?"
Logan shouted loudly.
Every part of the aircraft was making noise. After all, this was something cobbled together in a few hours. That it could operate normally at all was entirely due to the perfect coordination between Lin Ye and Dr. Wells.
"Head above the tallest building!"
Lin Ye also roared loudly.
"Received!"
Logan piloted the aircraft straight toward the city's tallest building. The aircraft was moving fast, giving the feeling they were about to crash into the skyscraper.
Fortunately, Logan didn't have that particular hobby. He skillfully pulled the aircraft up above the building, then began rapidly increasing altitude.
"...Wouldn't it be better to go a bit slower?"
Regina listened to the suspicious noises around them and tightened her grip on the parachute cords.
"At times like this, you have to go all out in one go! Otherwise, what if the aircraft falls apart?!"
Logan continued to increase the ascent speed. He had participated in the engine manufacturing process. Those researchers had a general understanding of aircraft, but several had deeply studied engines, so they had improved the engine's quality.
Even if the aircraft fell apart now, the engine wouldn't fail.
"So accelerating upward prevents it from falling apart?"
Regina couldn't understand what Logan was saying.
"What I mean is, as long as we can escape this area before it falls apart, Mr. Lin and you guys can keep us all suspended in mid-air!"
Logan was already prepared for the aircraft to break apart.