Chapter 188: Remember the Standard Answer (Part 2)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The following day, Zhang Xiaotian woke up, proceeded to the cafeteria for breakfast, and was then assigned by Red Lotus to greet the newcomers at the gate.

While everyone else had tasks to attend to, he found himself with idle time.

Red Lotus, however, ensured he was kept actively occupied, not allowing him to stay idle.

In this respect, Red Lotus was no different from Tang Rui.

Over the next two days, more than a hundred researchers from prominent research institutes across the country arrived at Crimson one by one.

They had long held great anticipation for the company

After all, Crimson was currently the most renowned company on the internet.

Furthermore, they were unlike other companies; there was close to no information to be found online about the company, enhancing its allure through the shroud of mystery.

The more enigmatic, the more alluring.

However, upon their arrival at Crimson Company, they were taken aback by the environment.

Indeed, it lived up to its moniker as the fusion of Lockheed Martin and Blackwater. The company’s compound featured a runway, hangars, fighter jets, and even special forces units.

What was most astonishing was the presence of an underground nuclear defense facility.

Unfortunately, with their level of clearance, they were denied access to these areas.

They could only observe from a distance, refraining from crossing the red lines demarcated by the office assistants in the designated activity area.

On the morning of the third day, after everyone had assembled, a message was relayed to all members, instructing them to convene at Multipurpose Conference Room 5 before 2:30 PM for a meeting.

“Red Lotus, have you completed the CG animations 1 tasked you with?” inquired Tang Rui after Red Lotus dispatched the meeting notice to the researchers.

“Master, all of the CG animations have been successfully rendered and assured to be of top quality.”

“Very well, then 1 shall take a short nap. Please be sure to awaken me at two o’clock,” responded Tang Rui with a nod before reclining on the sofa for some rest.

These past two days had been mentally taxing for him, perhaps because it marked his maiden tenure as a chief engineer, evoking a sense of excitement and sending his thoughts soaring.

“Understood, Master. I shall retain this in memory,” affirmed Red Lotus. She then dimmed the lights in the control room to a level that would not hinder slumber.

After that, she directed a robot to gently drape a thin blanket over Tang Rui.

After these arrangements were made, Red Lotus’ presence vanished.

At 2:30 PM, within Multipurpose Conference Room 5, a million researchers had congregated.

It was then that Tang Rui entered the room from outside, positioning himself at the center of the circular chamber.

Tang Rui surveyed the audience and, with a smile, began, “Ladies and gentlemen, I extend a warm welcome to Crimson Corporation.

“Allow me to offer a brief introduction. I am Tang Rui, the proprietor of Crimson, and concurrently the chief designer and director of the Armed Satellite Program.

“You are welcome to address me as President Tang; the titles of CEO or Chief Engineer are both suitable.

“Without further ado, let us proceed to the matter at hand. Prior to our meeting, we shall commence with a brief video presentation.”

Tang Rui took a step backward and gave a single snap of his fingers.

Click!

The primary lighting within Multipurpose Conference Room 5 extinguished, leaving only the cold lighting encircling the periphery of the ceiling. Nevertheless, no one was preoccupied with this alteration as the holographic projection had commenced.

Before their eyes, the chairs and other furnishings within the room had disappeared, replaced by a stunning display of the cosmos.

An overarching depiction of the Milky Way galaxy.

This rendering was an amalgamation of all human-captured starry sky images to date, complemented by optical information gathered through the quantum light information capture system and post-processing by Red Lotus. The outcome was strikingly authentic and enchanting.

As the holographic projection advanced, in swift succession, countless celestial bodies brushed by the onlookers.

Ultimately, a blue planet materialized in their sight: Earth, our native orb.

This holographic portrayal of Earth was no mere representation of a solitary celestial body; it showcased a myriad of satellites, space debris, and even space stations adorning Earth’s orbital confines.

Although a 3D CG animation, it encapsulated the orbit details of every satellite and remnant debris in Earth’s orbital realm.

While many among the assembly might not completely grasp the import of such data, it was, in essence, inconsequential— its impressiveness was the paramount attribute, and the rendering exacted no considerable computational load.

Tang Rui stepped ahead, then arrested the projection at a particular juncture, laying hold of a low-Earth orbit satellite.

“This is a remote sensing satellite that we designed and crafted, and this is its orbital track.”

In the midst of this disclosure, Tang Rui manipulated the image to magnify and expose the satellite’s orbital path.

All could discern the exposition distinctly, though their understanding of Tang Rui’s intent was somewhat uncertain.

“In regular circumstances, this satellite can operate without disturbance for over a decade prior to retirement. But in the event of unforeseen circumstances, such as this…”

Tang Rui altered the trajectory of a cluster of space debris to overlap with the satellite’s orbit. Then he relinquished control.

The holographic projection recommenced its operation.

The remote sensing satellite and the space debris continued onward along their respective orbits, eventually converging at a specified location.

In a fleeting instant, the satellite was impaled and rendered defunct by the space debris, hence transforming it into yet another fragment of celestial refuse.

The entire presentation was rendered with startling realism by Red Lotus.

“As you can see, the remote sensing satellite, to which we devoted significant effort, was rendered inoperative due to a swarm of space debris.

“It may be argued that satellites can maneuver to alter their orbits and evade space debris— a factual assertion acknowledged and applied by all nations worldwide.

“Nevertheless, as space debris proliferates in the future, could a trajectory modification be enacted in time to preempt an unexpected event?

“The prospect of evading all space debris is unattainable, as satellite orbital shifts are inherently bounded.

“Consequently, we are conducting research into armed satellites. Why?”

Tang Rui expounded before directing his query to the assembly.

“To eliminate space debris and ensure the safety of our satellites,” a researcher replied.

“Very well. Should someone inquire in the future, remember to furnish this response. Do not forget it,” affirmed Tang Rui with a nod before proceeding to trigger another gesture.

In response, the holographic projection transitioned to reveal a distinctive satellite.

Inside, a mechanized arm inserted an elongated metallic rod into a central conduit.

As a blue light flickered, the metallic rod was propelled from the satellite.

The metallic rod promptly traversed the atmosphere. A crimson shockwave materialized in its path, yet remained incapable of obstructing its descent.

In the succeeding moment, the metallic rod plummeted from the heavens, striking the epicenter of a metropolis.

Instantaneously, with the metallic rod as its focal point, an extensive subterranean shockwave erupted.

The adjacent ground and structures were lifted and lofted to altitudes exceeding hundreds of meters.

This potent subterranean shockwave surged forth in all directions akin to ripples in water. As it advanced, the ground ascended while towering edifices were cast aloft.

The Ferris wheel within the amusement park was overturned by the deluge of earth propelled from beneath.

A bustling urban center was reduced to desolation within a brief span of twenty seconds

In the following moment, the holographic projection transmuted once more.

Before the assembly materialized an armed satellite, distinguished by an expansive solar sail.

Just as the audience was enveloped in astonishment, a lengthy cannon barrel emerged from the satellite’s base, with the energy harnessed by the solar sail concentrated within the barrel.

Then, an incandescent beam of light pierced through the atmosphere below.

The radiant pillar penetrated the clouded skies.

It impacted the frozen terrain.

In an instant, the ice melted.

The high-temperature, ionized plasma, together with a shockwave, surged outward, annihilating all in its trajectory.

The earth surrounding the beam of light transitioned into molten lava.

The red-hot lava coalesced into a towering wave that engulfed the immediate environs.

Even from outer space, the telltale imprints of the beam of light were evident in the form of red, scorched scars left in its wake.

Snap!

Tang Rui snapped his fingers.

The holographic projection screen vanished and the room’s lighting was restored.

However, at this juncture, the entire assembly remained immersed in the profound sensory experience they had just undergone and had yet to emerge from the profound impact of it.

Two minutes later, Tang Rui broke the silence and addressed the assembly once more, saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, commit the initial response to memory.

“In the future, when questioned as to why we develop armed satellites, remember to furnish this standard reply.

“Nonetheless, our actual objective is to construct the other two types of armed satellites, a matter which we cannot disclose to anyone..”