"May I ask why you wanted to see me alone?" The head of NASA skipped over the subject of the media and asked Trump.
After the briefing, Trump had requested a private meeting with him, which was why he was sitting here now.
"What do you think about the space station incident?" Trump's expression was unreadable.
"Uh, Mr. President, haven't you already set the direction for the investigation? I have no objections! I firmly support your decision!" The head of NASA seized the opportunity to pledge his loyalty.
Don't assume the head of NASA had to be some scientific heavyweight with unwavering convictions. In any country, the highest-ranking leaders of key departments were more like politicians, and research institutions were no exception!
"That was merely a political choice. What I want to hear now is your honest opinion!"
"Uh, very well, Mr. President. I think this incident was extremely strange. It doesn't look like a natural accident!"
"Then who do you think was behind it?"
"Given the current technological capabilities of the world's major spacefaring nations, none should be capable of doing something like this without leaving a trace!
"Even if some country had achieved a technological breakthrough and harbored hostility toward the International Space Station, it wouldn't have stopped at damaging an oxygen tank. A slight shift in target toward a more critical location could potentially have destroyed the entire station!
"So deliberate sabotage isn't particularly likely either! That's why we find the situation so strange!"
"Not an accident, but not deliberate sabotage either. What do you think caused it, then?" Trump asked, staring at him.
"Well..." He hesitated. "There are too many possibilities. I can't draw a firm conclusion!"
"With your clearance, you should know about Area 13, correct?" Trump's expression suddenly grew inscrutable.
"Uh... yes, of course!"