Deep Space Wandering Fleet-Chapter 105 - 107 The Death of Elwin
Chapter 105: Chapter 107 The Death of Elwin
Zhang Yuan took a sip of water and set down his glass.
Indeed, a small number of people boarded the spaceship in pursuit of their ideals, but another group merely did it for a taste of “being different,” to showcase their uniqueness. Some made the decision on a whim after being inspired by various videos, signing up for the spaceship journey; others simply did it for fun…
He sighed inwardly. How could there be so many people of high moral character?
It was just that the cost of regretting the decision now was far too great.
But at this moment, everyone’s feelings were nearly the same, like wounds ripped open by a sharp weapon, with blood oozing out. One might try to stop the flow with their hands, but the bitterness seeped through the fingers, over the skin, and poured out unreservedly.
These people were already brave enough; it was not right to blame them for anything else. Not everyone was like him, with few attachments back on Earth.
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Even for himself, when facing certain things, he could only turn away weakly, clenching his teeth as he left.
Without the courage to look back.
“Alas, if only I had been accepted into graduate studies,” one lamented, “I could have delayed it by a year or two. I’m going into winter sleep next Wednesday, and I’m currently getting injections and taking medication.”
“Yeah.”
One of the girls couldn’t help but sob quietly.
Then the atmosphere spread to others at the table, a chorus of whimpers rising, even some of the boys could not help becoming sentimental.
There weren’t many aboard the spaceship with the privilege to stay awake, aside from Zhang Yuan; most of these friends were scheduled for winter sleep.
Sometimes, being the last to see them off was not a good thing.
“Alright, alright, let’s not cry for now. I have a little gift for you all! From Earth, you know!”
Zhang Yuan ran back to his dormitory and shared some of his cherished beef jerky with them.
It was truly painful to part with!
His only hope was that these snacks could divert their attention.
But as they chewed on the beef jerky from home, the bitterness seemed even more pronounced…
…
Thus, each day, about five thousand people—nearly one percent of the population—entered winter sleep, and the overall number of people on the spaceship began to gradually dwindle.
As the winter sleep plan continued, many unnecessary facilities, including various entertainment venues and botanical gardens, began to close one after another. The entire ecosystem, like leaves on a withered tree, started to fall away piece by piece.
But this was necessary, to safely endure the long and bitter winter by special means.
According to the Captain’s Room plans, these graduate students had the option to complete their education aboard the spaceship, a significant privilege.
So, Zhang Yuan still had a year’s worth of work to do on the spaceship.
In theory, based on his current study progress, he could have graduated with his master’s early. However, Deep Space University had no plans to enroll doctoral students at the moment, so they wouldn’t make an exception just for him.
Idle as he was, staying on for longer at the master’s level to learn a bit more was not a bad thing.
This day happened to be a rest day, and he and Li Zhendong were studying together in the library.
“Alas, about two thousand people chose to desert… Why become deserters? Some things don’t have an exit,” said Li Zhendong, somewhat resigned as he scrolled through his phone, coming across some rather disheartening news.
“At least we two have integrity!”
“My dad severely warned me—he said if I deserted, he’d just leave me frozen out there.”
It was unclear whether he was reflecting, envying, or reinforcing his own resolve.
Zhang Yuan glanced at the news report: Roughly two thousand people, unable to bear the pressure, chose to leave the Earth Era ship. From the industrial base on Jupiter’s moon, there were spaceships taking them back to the civilization of Earth. Various reasons—mental illness, physical ailments, etc…
He shook his head and sighed, “What else then? Their hearts are no longer here. Forcing them to stay on the spaceship? Impossible. Better to slink away.”
Those who had a change of heart at the last minute would find themselves nailed to the pillar of shame in history.
This act was even more despicable than desertion; even if they returned to Earth, their lives would be over. Whether in terms of public opinion or policy, Earth Civilization had enough means and capabilities to punish these cowards.
Just then, Zhang Yuan suddenly received a phone call.
“Old Zhang, Old Zhang, something’s gone wrong!”
“I have some very bad news to tell you…” It was Ye Kaifu’s voice. For some reason, he was deliberately lowering his tone.
“What’s wrong now?” Zhang Yuan’s heart skipped a beat.
“…” Ye Kaifu stammered, struggling to speak.
Zhang Yuan, noticing the unease in Ye Kaifu’s tone and his heart picking up pace, pressed on, “What’s the matter? Someone plagiarized my paper again?”
“No, it’s not that… I just passed by Area A when I heard some gossip.”
“The artist you know, Elwin, he’s dead!”
“Dead… dead?!” Zhang Yuan’s pupils dilated slightly, and the hairs on his skin stood on end.
How is that possible?
“He… he committed suicide.”
“… Why?”
“I don’t know.”
Zhang Yuan sat dazed in his seat. Artist Elwin wasn’t a close friend, but they had some interactions, making him a friend nonetheless. How had he suddenly died?
He vaguely had some guesses.
The sudden bad news left him struggling to catch his breath.
A person he had been chatting and laughing with just the other day, suddenly dead, never to be seen again.
The feeling was very strange.
After a while, a message came to his wristwatch; lowering his gaze, he saw that his superior, Lin Xuan, was summoning him to Area A.
Without time to think much, Zhang Yuan stood up and rushed over hastily.
“Did you call me here regarding Mr. Elwin?” Zhang Yuan said this immediately upon seeing her.
There was no smile on Lin Xuan’s face as she sighed, “Yes, the artist committed suicide. He left some of his personal belongings for you to have. Please come with me.”
Zhang Yuan followed her and hurried to Area A.
From a distance, he saw a white cloth; underneath, lay Elwin’s body, surrounded by a group of solemn-faced soldiers.
The Captain and several high-ranking officials were frowning, discussing how to handle the situation.
One of the officers said to Zhang Yuan, “We found your friend’s body in the Star Library. The cause of death was suffocation, due to the illegal operation that opened his glass helmet, causing oxygen to leak out…”
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“By the time we received the automatic space suit alert and rushed over, it was already too late.”
“May I see him?” Zhang Yuan swallowed and asked softly.
“If you wish,” was the reply.
Pulling back the cloth, Zhang Yuan saw the dead artist.
It was not his first encounter with death, but at that moment, his heart thudded hard nonetheless.
