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Chapter 202: The Melon is Finished, Departing for
Jiuzhaigou
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“This is going to be interesting.”
Tang Rui’s team also calculated the trajectory of the stricken spacecraft. Upon discovering that their paths overlapped, he told Red Lotus to go wash a melon.
This melon was indeed large.
He just didn’t know how to handle America.
Others might be oblivious, but he was well aware.
The space platform lacked an orbit change device. It was equipped only with a miniature engine for attitude adjustment.
Dream on if you think that’s enough to change trajectories.
Bzz Bzz Bzz…
At that moment, Tang Rui’s phone vibrated.
He answered the call.
It was from the Space Command Center. The gist was that India was requesting assistance. They wanted us to deploy space fighter jets to rescue their doomed spaceship.
The aerospace command center sought Tang Rui’s advice.
If he wanted to rescue them, he would.
If not, he could simply claim that the space warship was undergoing maintenance.
“They just come out and ask us for a rescue? Did they say anything else?”
Tang Rui inquired after getting the full story.
If that was the case, there was no need for a rescue.
Did they really think they were entitled to such a favor?
Imagine the nerve…
“They mentioned the rescue fee.”
“How much are they willing to pay?”
“Eight million dollars.”
“The space fighter is in maintenance.”
Upon hearing this figure, Tang Rui was utterly disinterested.
He wasn’t heartless.
Even India didn’t value its own astronauts highly. Eight million dollars for a space rescue?
Ocean rescues cost more than that, let alone a space operation.
After ending the call, Tang Rui turned his attention back to his melons.
He didn’t give his India another thought.
Meanwhile, NASA was in a meeting, trying to figure out a solution.
The first idea was to seek help from Crimson and use space fighter jets to tow their platform to safety.
This option was well understood by all, yet no one voiced it.
Instead, they decided to suggest that India approach the Crimson for assistance.
This way…
They wouldn’t have to pay a dime to avert the crisis.
Upon sharing this plan, they immediately contacted India to advise them on managing the situation.
The outcome was predictable.
They were initially pleased to hear that India had sought help, but speechless upon learning of the rejection and the laughable offer made.
Didn’t they grasp the severity of the situation?
Believing an eight-million-dollar offer would suffice was delusional.
Even if they were to plead for assistance, they couldn’t possibly propose such a paltry sum.
The folks at NASA were so infuriated they resorted to cursing.
The phone was slammed down.
NASA was at a loss.
The pressure was mounting. India might disregard their astronauts, but NASA couldn’t ignore the space platform.
Despite lengthy discussions, no viable alternative emerged.
They had no choice but to escalate the issue and await directives from higher up.
Twenty minutes passed.
The order came through, instructing them to stand down.
Upon receiving this directive, NASA disengaged.
They were powerless to intervene.
At that moment, their satellite network detected their own missiles launching.
The missile’s launch captured global attention.
Tang Rui also noticed the missile and began tracking it.
“A SM-3 missile?”
Recognizing the missile type, Tang Rui understood its purpose.
It was an anti-air missile, typically launched from a guided-missile cruiser, renowned for its satellite-striking capability.
Now, America had launched the missile.
Their intentions were clear.
They planned to obliterate India’s stricken ship.
America’s approach was merciless.
Strike without warning.
How should he phrase it?
Should he thank India for providing the rocket?
Tang Rui scoffed internally, then focused on the holographic projection displaying the trajectories.
One was ascending.
The other orbited Earth.
If the missile maintained its course, it would hit its target without fail.
Shortly after, the SM-3 missile struck the Indian spacecraft, not the re-entry capsule, but the third-stage rocket.
Nevertheless, the re-entry capsule sustained severe damage.
Tang Rui recalculated the re-entry capsule’s new trajectory post-explosion.
This time, there were no casualties.
The capsule would complete two and a half orbits before re-entering the atmosphere and splashing down in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
With this conclusion, he tossed the melon seeds onto the table and exited the command hall.
There was nothing more to see.
He had finished his melons.
Next, it was time for the others to bicker.
Meanwhile, nations worldwide began reassessing the SM-3 missile’s capabilities.
This was no drill.
There was no opportunity for recalculations or simulations.
Destroying a spacecraft was a testament to rapid response capabilities.
The high-altitude, mid-orbit anti-missile prowess of the SM-3 was not to be underestimated, certainly more reliable than the SM-6.
It was no wonder the Japanese were keen on acquiring SM-3 missiles.
Their targeting was notably robust.
Yet, Tang Rui remained skeptical that the SM-3 could intercept the TF-17 and TF-41. One boasted an elusive trajectory, the other, a formidable warhead.
No panic was necessary; he had just witnessed a two-kick solution.
That night, India held a press conference addressing the day’s aerospace events and fielded questions.
Two main points emerged:
They resented his success. One wouldn’t rescue, the other would launch missiles.
Listening to India’s defiant words, the audience was impressed.
Five Great Powers, indeed, to rebuke two in one go.
Maintaining its stance, it planned to confront the remaining three, preferably at a United Nations meeting.
India, press on. You have our support.
The crowd jeered, barely concealing their schadenfreude.
It had been ages since such audacity was on display.
They egged on India to intensify its tirade.
Yet, this was all during the press conference. Afterward, India discreetly contacted the Americans to discuss a weapons purchase.
Tang Rui paid no mind to the press conference.
It was trivial.
Post-dinner, he and Li Shuyao began packing for a trip.
The destination was set.
Li Shuyao had spent the entire day researching and ultimately chose Jiuzhaigou.
Tang Rui was indifferent to the location.
Sightseeing was the same everywhere to him.
The following day, April 29th, Tang Rui and company embarked on their vacation.
Their private jet took them directly to Shu City.
From there, they drove an RV to Jiuzhaigou Valley, indulging in the simple pleasures of eating, drinking, and reveling..