Chapter 266: Digging a Hole for America
Chapter 266 – Digging a Hole for America
Thump!
Carrying the capsule, Chen Yu gradually descended from the exosphere to an alt.i.tude of just 100 meters above sea level. Only then did he feel rea.s.sured and let loose of the capsule. He then watched the capsule plunge into the ocean like a meteor and creating waves several meters tall.
Half a minute later, the capsule resurfaced and swayed around along with the waves.
Boom.
Landing on top of the capsule, Chen Yu bent down, twisted the hatch’s lock, and opened the hatch.
Squeak.
After opening the hatch, Chen Yu poked his head into the capsule and looked around. “Is everyone alright?”
“I’m good.”
“We’re all doing well.”
“どうもありがとう… (Thank you very much…)”
Everyone responded after exchanging brief looks with each other.
“Good, then. Stay inside. I’ll transport you guys back now.”
After saying so, Chen Yu closed the hatch and dragged the s.p.a.ce capsule back to the Earth Spray’s metal platform.
Ten minutes later, Chen Yu arrived before the launchpad.
At this time, ships of various types had already surrounded the launchpad. There were also numerous helicopters hovering above it.
“Come on out.” Ignoring the armed soldiers, Chen Yu stepped onto the platform and reopened the s.p.a.ce capsule’s hatch. “Climb out one by one. Hold onto the ladder and don’t fall into the sea.”
The first one to exit was the j.a.panese girl. She jumped onto the metal platform with everyone’s help. However, even after stepping on land, she still carried a somewhat fearful expression on her face.
Following the girl, the bullet comment group’s four other partic.i.p.ants and the donation group’s five partic.i.p.ants exited the capsule one after another.
The last ones to exit the capsule were Little Peach and the Russian engineer.
“This is…truly a magnificent s.p.a.ce flight!”
After partly climbing down the ladder, the old engineer excitedly kissed the Andromeda s.p.a.ce capsule’s exterior and refused to climb down.
“The review is over. Thank you for your partic.i.p.ation and support.” Approaching the metal arch, Chen Yu called up the virtual globe and said to the bullet comment group’s members, “I’ll start teleporting you guys first. Let’s hope we can meet again in the future.”
“Can I take a group photo with you?” the young doctor asked calmly while taking out his phone.
“I want one as well!”
“The same is true for me.”
“そして私… (And I…)”
After getting their group photo, the five partic.i.p.ants reluctantly left through the portal one after another.
They wouldn’t forget this trip to s.p.a.ce for the rest of their lives.
“It’s your turn now.” After sending the five away, Chen Yu turned to look at the donation group’s members. “It’s time to leave. Do you want a group photo as well?”
“It is my honor to have a group photo with you, Mr. King. However, I won’t have to trouble you to teleport me back.” Pointing at the several ships behind him, the China Aeros.p.a.ce Corporation Director said, “I need to make a report over there.”
“Me too.” The Director of Airbus raised his hand.
“I won’t be returning either.” Still remaining on the ladder, the old engineer said, “I need to help my country recollect the Andromeda s.p.a.ce capsule.”
Nodding, Chen Yu looked toward the three remaining individuals and asked, “What about you guys?”
“I need to return. I’ll be troubling you,” the Director of Google Planetary Resources said, bowing.
“Me too,” Arianes.p.a.ce’s representative said.
“I-I wish to visit the floating castle. May I know if I have the opportunity to do so?” Musk asked tentatively.
“No.” Chen Yu rejected Musk decisively.
“…T-Then I’ll return as well.”
After sending everyone away, Chen Yu arrived onboard a Chinese warship together with Little Peach. They then entered the cabin under the guidance of an enthusiastic officer.
“h.e.l.lo!” The warship’s commander, who had been standing in the hallway for quite some time now, bowed respectfully to Chen Yu. “I am the commander stationed on Light Island. It is an honor to meet you.”
“We are fellow countrymen. No need to be so polite,” Chen Yu said, waving his hand. “Contact the various countries’ representatives nearby and have them gather here for a meeting. I’m going to talk about the Earth Spray’s usage distribution briefly.”
“Yes, sir.”
The commander solemnly nodded and ordered one of his subordinates to carry out Chen Yu’s demands. He then led Chen Yu to a s.p.a.cious meeting room and respectfully served tea to him.
“Thank you, but it is inconvenient for me to eat or drink in this suit.”
“Okay.” The commander nodded. He then sat beside Chen Yu, took a look at the time, and hesitated to speak.
“What do you want to say?” Chen Yu asked, taking the initiative.
The commander immediately straightened his back. After spending several seconds arranging his words, he carefully asked, “M-Mr. King, regarding the Mars colonization plan, aside from the s.p.a.ceX Corporation, will you not consider adding more partners?”
Hearing this, Chen Yu crossed his legs and visually scanned the commander. He then asked, “Is this your personal opinion? Or is it the governments?”
“P-Personal.”
“Good, then.” Chen Yu nodded. “The so-called Mars colonization plan is just a hole that’s neither too large nor too small. Both good and bad are mixed in. Why would you want to get involved in this matter?”
“A hole?” The commander was stunned.
“Think carefully.” Lowering his voice, Chen Yu said, “What would you need a Martian colony for? It might sound good on paper, but it’s just a big heaping pile of trouble. This is especially true for national units. Before the emergence of technology to change planetary environments, the more people we send to Mars, and the larger the city we construct on Mars, the greater the burden we carry would grow. Aside from tourism and research, what other uses would a Martian colony have?”
“This…” The commander fell into deep thought.
“It would be more cost-effective to build a small site if you are aiming for scientific research. What’s more, modern human civilization is still incapable of creating a self-sufficient ecosystem. In other words, a Martian colony will have to rely on Earth to launch materials to it consistently. Meanwhile, the Earth Spray can only be used a limited number of times each day. If the Earth Spray is split between so many countries, how many times can Musk, or America, use it per day?”
“s.p.a.ceX doesn’t have the rights to use the launchpad!” The commander’s eyes glowed in realization. “He did not partic.i.p.ate in the construction of Light Island and the Transdimensional Academy. If he wants to use the launchpad, he can only do so by purchase or request the rights from the American government!”
“That’s right. Once I open the Interstellar Portal and send a large batch of people to Mars, America will have no choice but to carry this burden.” Leaning back against his chair, Chen Yu made a ‘6’ gesture. “Nice, right?”
“With this, America will have fewer launches available for other uses. America might even be forced to use liquid-fueled rockets to satisfy its lower-priority needs,” the commander calmly a.n.a.lyzed. “However, while this is a huge burden, America can also get a lot of valuable data and experience about s.p.a.ce colonization.”
“That’s why I said both good and bad are mixed in this matter,” Chen Yu said, shrugging. “However, at the end of the day, the Martian colony is more of a symbol than something practical. Moreover, I understand that inequality is the cause of trouble. With the world’s current political situation, if I decide to bring an additional party to Mars, I will have to bring a whole bunch more. If that’s the case, I might as well stop doing everything and focus on opening portals for you guys every day. Take the vacuum maglev train, for example. You guys must’ve suffered a lot in the foreign relations department, right?”
“I-I don’t know much about this…” the commander said, slightly embarra.s.sed.
“If you have the chance, have a few children, and you’ll understand what I mean.” Pointing out the window, Chen Yu said, “Anyway, I’ve already given the launchpad to you. Now that cost is no longer a problem, establishing a Martian colony should be a piece of cake. You might even be faster than s.p.a.ceX if you decide to do so. However, I believe the higher-ups won’t do so. The more likely scenario is that they’ll set up a small research site and a.s.sign most of the launch opportunities for launching cutting-edge satellites and deep s.p.a.ce explorations.”
“T-This is not something I can comment on.”
“I’m just speaking casually.” Chen Yu waved his hand. He then picked up the cup of tea before him and tried to drink it, only to give up after finding that his helmet was in between his mouth and the teacup.
Half a minute later.
Boom!
The meeting room’s door opened, and a group of government representatives with different attires and skin colors pouring into the room.