"Things started to go wrong."
At NASA headquarters, Nelson looked at the intelligence just sent back from the Middle East with a serious face, and said to Musk in a solemn tone.
"The Ras Lakhela Metal Hydrogen Plant obviously has no direct and close connection with China's lunar exploration project, but as soon as this incident came out, the two were tied together in public opinion."
"Now, almost all mainstream media are exaggerating the false news that the attack was aimed at the lunar exploration project, and even the European camp media are following up."
"This is very unusual. Metallic hydrogen fuel may be very important in the Chang'e-3 project, but according to the technical summary previously announced by China, the Long March rocket used by Chang'e-3 only made certain improvements based on the original liquid hydrogen fuel. It's just an improvement, but it doesn't actually fundamentally upgrade the engine."
"In other words, even if we don't consider the impact of the metallic hydrogen plant that has been built in China, even if they really can't get enough liquid metallic hydrogen and fall back directly to liquid hydrogen fuel, it won't delay their launch plan."
"But they acted as if the project was about to be aborted."
After hearing his words, Musk spread his hands and replied:
"If it were me, I'd probably be crazier than them."
"Crying children are fed by milk. I am the one who suffers the loss. Why not take this opportunity to exaggerate the losses and earn greater benefits?"
"This is what a good businessman should do, and obviously, Huaxia is such a good businessman."
"Not to mention tying the metallic hydrogen plant to the lunar exploration project, I will even tie it to the development of the entire country."
“In short, the bigger the noise, the better.”
"This is different."
Nelson interrupted Musk's "unbridled thinking", then picked up an unclassified public opinion report and threw it in front of Musk.
"You can see for yourself that the impact of this incident on public opinion far exceeds all previous incidents we have monitored."
"The people are still as irrational as ever, but this irrationality has taken on a completely different form."
"Do you know what is the most terrifying thing? The most terrifying thing is that almost more than half of the people ask China to deal with it 'personally'."
"You should understand the meaning of the word"
Musk nodded and replied:
"I understand, but so what?"
"The Middle East is too far away from us, and it is not one of my traditional strategic destinations. Even if the opponent really completely controls that area, I don't see how much impact it will have on me and our business."
"What's more, I can't do anything."
"If I couldn't do it, I wouldn't be sitting here today."
Nelson's attitude was more blunt than ever before, and only at this moment could he truly show the power that a NASA administrator should have in front of ordinary businessmen.
"We cannot take any unnecessary action until the truth is found out."
"Other departments are trying their best to move forward, but it is clear that they are still too slow."
"So, we must come up with a way to slow down the fermentation of public opinion."
"And this solution has to come from SpaceX."
Musk looked at Nelson in surprise. He could completely understand what the other person meant.
The current fermentation of public opinion in China is that "the lunar exploration plan is blocked and some countries are benefiting from it." And if you want to prevent such "public opinion" from continuing to expand, there is only one way:
Speak first to get rid of suspicion.
"So you want SpaceX to cooperate with the Chang'e Project?"
"Of course it's impossible!"
Nelson quickly denied it.
"Didn't you learn enough lessons from your cooperation on LITV technology? I don't want something like this to happen again."
"I mean, the Falcon 9 rocket is about to be recovered and reloaded. Maybe, we can extend an olive branch to them - all they lack is rockets, and we happen to have rockets, right?"
".Use our rockets to transport their detectors?"
Musk asked, dumbfounded.
In fact, his surprise was not surprising.
Although there have been many cases in history of borrowing or even leasing rockets from other countries to launch satellites and other spacecraft, those cases were either purely commercial activities or occurred between two alliance countries.
Does China need to exchange money for technology?
Obviously not needed.
Are the two parties an alliance?
Apparently not.
Then, such a proposal seems particularly ridiculous.
Before Nelson could answer, he continued:
"This is completely outlandish and there is no way they would accept such a proposal."
"In fact, such behavior is called 'cramming' in their language, or in other words, they only believe in religion when disaster strikes. Do you think they would be so stupid?"
"We don't really need to help them transport it."
Nelson shook his head and replied:
"This is just a statement - or a safety statement."
"What kind of safety statement is this? Giving us their highly confidential detector to transport and letting them bear the risk of leaking the secrets, is this also called a safety statement?"
"Wrong, we handed over the Falcon-9 to them - my plan was to claim that the Falcon-9 rocket could be used for the next launch in waters controlled by China."
".Is it really worth it?"
When Musk finished speaking, even Nelson couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
Yes, is it worth it?
Just for the sake of a "risk" whose final impact has not yet been determined, do you retreat to this extent?
——
But he really couldn't take the risk.
In other words, Congress really cannot afford to take this risk.
What is the significance of the metallic hydrogen project and the lunar exploration project?
Regardless of their significance to China's own development, they also share a common characteristic.
That is, they are all landmark projects after the establishment of the Arab Commonwealth.
In both projects, the Commonwealth countries have invested huge amounts of money and resources.
To start with these two projects is to go against China's Middle East strategy.
If this incident is really, as the intelligence department speculates, a third-party organization is instigating the relationship between the two parties and wants to break the balance that has been maintained with great difficulty, then they must have more follow-up action.
The only thing we can do is to completely separate the relationship before those actions are implemented.
Thinking of this, Nelson said:
"Whether it's worth it or not, we have to try."
"At least, give us our attitude."
After hearing his words, Musk also realized that there was no room for discussion on this matter.
He could only pray secretly in his heart, hoping that China would be more cautious.
After all, he didn't want to risk the Chinese using the Falcon-9. Although it was only a single launch, who knew what they could get?
"Okay. But I still hope that this is just a compromise in public opinion."
The Middle East, within a certain mountainous area.
Ahongchad was hurriedly packing his luggage in the camp, and his passport, which he had prepared long ago, was already in his pocket.
Relying on this "special pass" issued by the United States, he can reach Turkmenistan through the border within two hours, and then take a plane there, leaving this land full of yellow sand and violence and flying to his heart. Another home in .
At this time, he felt extremely calm, without even a hint of guilt for "betrayal".
Yes, he did believe in Allah, the One who gave him guidance and comfort.
However, he could no longer serve God.
Because, just in the past few hours, after the white man he was interacting with left, he suddenly figured out something.
That is, everything that seems incomprehensible must have a reason behind it, or in other words, it must be controlled by some kind of interest.
Let’s not talk about it remotely, let’s talk about the organization that we believe in. Are the various wars and attacks they launch simply for the so-called lofty beliefs and the so-called revenge?
of course not.
After all, isn’t the purpose of the organization to establish a so-called “heaven on earth”?
And as long as "politics" is involved, it will definitely not be simple.
Even if we take a step back, satisfying one's own religious needs is essentially a non-secular benefit.
Therefore, although the attack on the oil pipeline in Ras Lakhela was strange, it seemed reasonable if he used the most malicious thinking that he was accustomed to.
What does China want in the Middle East?
Don’t you just want a stable, obedient, and safe alliance?
So, what other obstacles stand in their way?
Those countries that oppose them are part of the resistance, especially the Turks who have a clear temperament against the Arab Commonwealth.
But the problem is that if China wants to eliminate such resistance, it must not act as unscrupulously as its own side.
They need a perfect reason and a motive that is impeccable in terms of international legal principles and universal values.
Thinking of this, Ahongchad let out a long sigh.
He silently apologized to Allah in his heart and found an absolutely irrefutable reason for his "betrayal".
Faith really cannot stop DF-21.
After packing the last piece of luggage, he looked outside the room warily.
The location he was in was just a small camp, and there were only twelve militants gathered here. Because they were far away from the "frontline" conflict area, everyone was very relaxed, and no vigil posts were arranged.
This brought a lot of convenience to his plan. If he successfully left the camp and got into the mountains to the north, no one would be able to find him again.
After the plane flies to Morocco, I will start a new life with a new identity.
Hope is just around the corner.
Ahomchad put on his backpack and checked his passport again.
Then, he carefully opened the door, stuck his head out, and glanced at several nearby rooms.
The light of the campfire was faintly visible, but there was no sign of any activity.
He held his breath and took the first step to escape.
The sand under his feet made a slight friction sound, which seemed a bit harsh in the quiet camp, but fortunately no one was awakened by this sound. After moving for two minutes, he had arrived at the outskirts of the camp.
The camp behind him remained silent, and his mood gradually relaxed.
The pace quickened again, bypassing the last low wall, and he was already standing in the wilderness.
The moon hung low, illuminating his path forward so clearly that he could hardly help but run.
——
However, at this moment, his movements suddenly stopped.
Even the whole person froze in place.
Opposite him, a figure appeared.
And he was extremely familiar with this person.
The "leader" of this camp is Haqqani.
The other party had obviously discovered him, but at the first moment, he did not react, nor did he realize that Ahongchad appeared here to "escape".
He just asked doubtfully:
"Ahomchad, where are you going?"
"Why don't you bring a light? It's too dark in here and you're going to get hurt."
Ahongchad's mind went blank, and huge fear surged into his heart. He was silent for a few seconds before he answered:
"I just wanted to take a breather - you know, things have been rough lately."
"Yeah, that's not good."
Haqqani on the opposite side sighed and continued:
"What happened in Ras al-Khayra is like a joke. Omar is said to have come out to deny our responsibility, but no one believes it."
"Why don't they understand? We don't care about what's going on there at all."
"In AFghan, our operations have made great progress, and are even only one step away from success. How can we possibly cause trouble for ourselves?"
"Maybe they don't understand us."
"Yes, they will never understand what we believe."
Ahomchad replied in agreement, and at the same time, he had slowly approached Haqqani on the opposite side.
The other party still didn't notice the backpack he was carrying behind him - maybe the long-term guerrilla life damaged his eyesight, or maybe malnutrition caused him to suffer from severe night blindness, but no matter which possibility it was, it was Ahonchad's chance.
"However, the pain will eventually pass. This is just a short-term setback."
Ahomchad continued to distract Haqqani, who spread his hands and said piously:
"May Allah bless us."
"May Allah bless you."
Ahunchad whispered.
Then, his right hand quickly pulled out from his waist.
The next second, a sharp dagger pierced Haqqani's throat.
Haqqani pushed Ahonchad away in disbelief. There was a "gurgling" sound in his throat, but other than that, he could no longer make any sound.
Ahomchad took two steps back and looked at Haqqani who was struggling on the ground with pity.
"Go to heaven."
"Our end is coming. At least you won't be in pain."
(End of chapter)
