Charlie wade had been on a research vessel once before. He knew that although it looked like a single ship, the redundancy in its various systems was probably greater than that of two ordinary ships combined.
For such a vessel to break down suddenly was somewhat unreasonable.
Combined with the fact that the Japanese research team had already begun using helicopters privately, without informing their direct superiors, and had deliberately turned off tracking, this made him feel that something was seriously amiss. It did not seem as though these people were trapped here, but rather that they were deliberately staying for some purpose.
Yet the motive was very strange.
They were all research personnel. If they truly had some Antarctic project, it should be handled by the new team that had come to relieve them. Moreover, once a project was approved, they would certainly prepare everything in advance before departure, including personnel, supplies, and all equipment.
In that case, the researchers who had already spent an entire summer here and were supposed to return to Japan, along with the ship’s crew, would have no reason to deliberately remain in Antarctica.
Not only were they staying, but they were also carrying out covert activities on their own. What was that for?
Were they not afraid of being held accountable back home?
Even more absurdly, flying helicopters in Antarctica at this season was extremely dangerous. They were researchers, not soldiers following orders. Why would they take such great risks to conduct operations unknown to their authorities?
This made even less sense.
Originally, Charlie wade could have ignored the matter, but with the Japanese researchers flying their helicopters back and forth, even circling overhead, he could not feel at ease until he knew what they were up to.
Therefore, Charlie wade decided to visit their stranded research vessel first, to see if anything was unusual, or better yet, to find someone and ask directly what they were doing.
Most importantly, he had to ensure their activities stayed away from the Nordic research station. Otherwise, if the next time a great sun-like handprint appeared in the sky and they discovered and spread it, real trouble would follow.
Charlie wade shared his concerns with Lin Wan’er, Grace Lowes, and Song Rife. They all agreed that the Japanese team was acting abnormally, and since Charlie wade’s cultivation now depended on the shifting auroras, the helicopters flying about were definitely a hidden danger.
Lin Wan’er asked him, “Young Master, you asked Miss Ito for the coordinates of the research vessel. Do you not plan to visit their station first?”
Charlie wade shook his head. “Whatever they are up to, the station is their core area. By comparison, the immobilised vessel is surely more peripheral. To be cautious, I want to start with the ship.”
Lin Wan’er nodded thoughtfully. “What the Young Master says makes sense. Caution is always best.”
Grace Lowes then said, “Mr Wade, let Ruge accompany you. I can at least share some of the burden.”
Charlie wade declined politely. “Miss Yun, Miss Song, the two of you should stay here and look after Miss Lin. She has no cultivation. If danger arises, she may be unable to protect herself. I can go alone and return within a day.”
Lin Wan’er said, “Young Master need not worry about this servant. This servant can remain inside the station without stepping out, and there should be no danger.”
“No.”
Charlie wade refused firmly. “The environment here is special. If real danger occurs, support could not arrive in time. With Miss Yun and Miss Song staying to watch over you, I can be at ease.”
