Chapter 1236: Torture
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Just as Vladimir said — as
Difficulty and morale are inversely corresponding to each other — the more difficulties they meet, the lower the morale will be. Conversely, each difficulty that they overcome would boost morale by a significant amount too.
After the method of using the drone to check on the sand dunes before driving past them worked, every one breathed a sigh of relief. They don’t have to climb up the sand dunes on their tired breaths with their hands and knees in the sand anymore, and their moods lifted significantly.
Even though the sun is still boiling and the heat is still unbearable, everyone’s feeling much lighter.
Just like that, every time they meet a sand dune, everyone would stop before the sand dune. Those that wanted to go to the washroom will do so, and those that don’t will head out to stretch their limbs. When Zhang Zian found a suitable spot to get down from the sand dune, everyone would then get back into the car and follow the path that the drone had found. Even though it takes more time than just driving up the sand dune, but it’s definitely a lot more safer and more comfortable than the alternatives.
10am in the morning, when the team had come to a relatively flat piece of land, Peter Lee gave the order to stop and rest, and they would rest here until 3pm, where they will set off again.
So how do they waste five hours of their time?
It’s not realistic to set up tent again. Under the direct attack of sunlight, the tent is as hot as an oven, as is the car. While driving, they can still turn on the air-conditioning occasionally, or there would at least be hot air blowing through the car. But, when the cars are stopped, they definitely can’t turn the air conditioning on.
Thank goodness they had considered the problem of having to stop and rest in the middle of the day, and had prepared a few H-shaped collapsible alloy frames and a few rolls of long white cloth. They can be used in this situation.
Setting up a pair of alloy metal frames up a few meters apart, with it’s base lodged firmly into the sand and white cloth strewn over the top, it formed an easy shelter.
Don’t think that just because it’s simple, it’s useless. It’s effects were instantaneous. It’s completely different having shelter in the desert compared to when they were exposed to the sun, it’s almost 10 degrees colder in the shelter. It’s why those Arabian men wear long white robes despite it being scorching hot.
A few of these shelters were built quickly, and everyone parked their cars under the shelters, sitting in them with all their door wide open for air circulation. Or, they would bring out foldable chairs and hang out beside their car.
With a white cloth above their heads blocking the direct sunlight, they wouldn’t have to worry about sunburn anymore, and can remove their extra layers fo clothing.
The men were either topless or only with their singlets on, while the two ladies have also taken off their sun-protective clothing and only had their sports bra on. No one gave too much attention to them. Even though they say that l.u.s.t comes after satisfying basic needs, it’s too hot to think about anything s.e.xual now.
The weather is too harsh and most of them don’t have much appet.i.te, forcing themselves to eat something before scattering to do their own things.
Some of them are reading novels on their kindles, some watching videos on their tablets, some gathering together to play poker, while some closed their eyes for a short rest. But, with how hot it is, everyone felt like vegetables being left out in the sun to sun dry, and it’s hard to fully calm down.
There’s no wind at all, not even a sherd. The air is completely still. The sand would fall straight down if you grabbed a bunch and let it stream through the gaps of your fingers. Everyone’s internally cursing the d.a.m.ned weather, wis.h.i.+ng for someone that could shoot the sun down with an arrow.
Zhang Zian brought a small fan that could be powered with a powerbank, and could just barely enjoy bouts of hot wind.
On the inflatable mat, Fina occupied the s.p.a.ce closest to the small fan, Famous lied down in the middle with it’s tongue hanging out, and Zhang Zian could only sit furthest away, barely any wind at this distance.
Of course, he still has his buddy Richard, perched on his shoulder nearer to the fan, its wings wide open to cool down, much like a statue.
The sun seemed to be drawn into the sky, everyone antic.i.p.ating it to start dipping towards the west, but it’s barely moving.
Resting in the desert while it’s nearly 60 degrees celcius, it’s barely resting at all. Only the cars have any reprive, this is another form of torture for the humans.
Time slowly pa.s.ses, and the sun surely sets.
At three in the afternoon, the sunlight has already dipped so much that it could s.h.i.+ne directly onto the cars and people within the shelter, so Peter Lee gave orders to start leaving again.
Everyone wore back their sweat-logged clothes, keeping the white cloth and frames sluggishly. No one spoke, merely obeying the orders given to the,.
It’s already hard to handle the Sahara Desert in the midst of winter. With it being the peak of summer now, it’s even more unbearable. One day under the sun could melt even the toughest metals.