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Chapter 196: Do Not Approach!

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

In misson control at NASA headquarters…

This was the largest space control center in the United States and also served as the control center for several of its space projects.

Congress had almost blacklisted NASA due to all kinds of crazy spending issues.

However, things were different now.

With an enemy of the same magnitude, Congress had no choice but to reactivate NASA and revitalize it.

Beep Beep Beep…

The global space monitoring network suddenly issued a warning.

The purpose of this network was to monitor the space activities of various countries, which included but were not limited to satellites, space shuttles, ballistic missiles, and other objects entering space.

Of course, that couldn’t be disclosed to the public.

Officially, this network was used to monitor outer space to prevent asteroids from hitting Earth.

Haha.

There had been a plethora of meteorites falling over the years, so the system’s use had been somewhat unproven.

The attendant set down his coffee and focused on the screen.

The White Emperor Space Fighter.

This fighter jet was already well-known within NASA.

So, when the duty officer saw the White Emperor, he wasn’t particularly concerned, especially since it was carrying a special large box—clearly, a satellite deployment was imminent.

The officer tapped a few keys on the keyboard and kept an eye on the White Emperor through the satellite network, calculating its flight trajectory as he did so.

Hmm?

Something was off about this flight path.

It coincided with the trajectory of their new outer space combat platform.

The outer space combat platform, recently launched, was a satellite—but not just any satellite. It was part of a larger system consisting of seven control and five strike satellites, a cornerstone of America’s space dominance.

But now, the White Emperor fighter was headed straight for it.

What to do?

This was outer space; on this turf, the White Emperor was unmatched. None of the conventional weapons, not even the anti-satellite ones up their sleeves, posed a threat to it.

An anti-satellite missile could potentially take out a satellite.

But it wouldn’t stand a chance against a space-faring warship.

In terms of speed and agility, there was no comparison.

Beep beep beep…

The attendant immediately hit the alarm.

This situation was beyond his pay grade. The alarm had to be sounded.

Promptly, personnel from NASA and Lockheed Martin convened in the mission control center.

The overlapping trajectories on the big screen were met with grimaces all around—it was as if they had swallowed something foul.

“Contact the National Security Agency immediately and find out what’s happening. Inform them to keep their plane away from our satellites,” ordered the head of NASA.

“Right, we’re getting in touch with the cameras,” someone responded.

But as communications were being established, Tang Rui had already maneuvered the White Emperor next to the satellite.

He circled around, slowing down.

The White Emperor came to a halt beside the satellite.

The radar system indicated no weapons or explosives inside the satellite—no immediate threat detected.

Curious, Tang Rui decided to take a closer look.

Puff…

The cockpit’s atmosphere vented out.

The hatch opened.

Clutching a universal tool, Tang Rui drifted from the cockpit toward the satellite.

Inside NASA’s control center…

Tang Rui’s maneuvers, as seen from the satellite’s cameras, were displayed on the big screen. He was observed leaving the fighter jet and approaching the satellite.

Panic ensued.

Don’t approach!

Unfortunately.

No matter how loudly they shouted, Tang Rui couldn’t hear them.

The satellite wasn’t equipped with a loudspeaker.

Tang Rui examined the satellite from all angles.

It was clear.

He was looking at a Transformer-like device requiring assembly.

The satellite before him seemed to be the core component.

After inspecting it, he adjusted the universal tool to match the screw model on the satellite.

Then he got to work.

Clack!

Sound doesn’t travel in space, but Tang Rui could imagine the noise. With the universal tool spinning, a screw came loose.

“Director, the China National Security Agency claims ignorance of the situation. They need to check with Crimson,” an attendant reported.

“What? If they don’t know, didn’t the China National Space Administration authorize the launch?”

“Yes, they did grant permission, but this craft belongs to a private company. It veered off its planned course, and they are reaching out to Crimson.”

“Keep them on the line and urge them to expedite,” the Director instructed.

NASA was left with no option but to keep trying, to get a message to the pilot… the astronaut… the technician, telling him to halt his dismantling effort.

Meanwhile, Tang Rui had already removed four screws and an external shield.

With the shield gone, the inner workings were exposed.

He observed the carefully shielded cabinet, a smirk forming on his lips.

Clearly, they had anticipated this scenario.

The cabinet was obviously designed to shield against electromagnetic pulses. Protecting against cosmic rays was one thing, but electromagnetic pulses? “Oh… God, make him stop. If he continues, the main computer will be ruined,” lamented a Lockheed Martin engineer.

They knew what lay inside the satellite; the critical components were vulnerable.

These parts were not designed to withstand cosmic radiation.

The design had accounted for this, allowing for entire cabinet replacements rather than on-site repairs—sending up a new unit was roughly equivalent to the cost of a space-bound round trip.

The disparity in cost between a chip and a full cabinet was negligible in the context of space travel expenses.

“Damn it… What’s the word? Have they made contact yet?” The supervisor’s anxiety spiked as he watched Tang Rui wield the all-too-capable tool again.

“They’ve said there was a navigation error. They were supposed to repair their own satellite but targeted the wrong one.”

“They mistook the satellite? Couldn’t they identify their own equipment?”

“Crimson mentioned that the employee was new and still on probation.”

“Then have him stop!”

The NASA team in the control center watched in dismay as Tang Rui extended his tool towards their satellite.

It was akin to watching…

A complete and utter breakdown.

Tang Rui was quite pleased with himself, feeling the tool’s vibration. Then, suddenly, the resistance ceased, and another screw was out.

Just as he was about to proceed, a communication from the Space Command Center came through..