"Ask me to cover a private company's rocket launch?"
Su Yi was sitting at his desk on the fifth floor of the Washington Press Center when he received the call from the station director, with the interview outline for next week's Senate hearing spread out in front of him.
In the end, the director actually asked her to do such a price reduction thing?
Who is she?
She is China Central Television's rookie, Su Yi, known as one of the four little flowers.
I can beat the table when Presidents Oval Office and Lanpu face to face, I can fly around the world with the Secretary of State, and I have the private phone numbers of countless political figures in my hand.
The articles she usually writes are often written by White House. According to a high-level source, even if she interviews companies, she is one of the top 50 in the world.
0 top companies.
When did you get reduced to interviewing small businesses?
Is a small business worthy of condescension?
"I'm not free." Su Yi refused directly.
"I am preparing for an exclusive interview with Secretary-General North Atlantic Treaty Organization next week. Is a private enterprise more important than these things? Maybe it is a PPT company."
"No!" The director refused without even thinking.
"This is a joint greeting from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Propaganda, and the military. You have to go whether you want to go or not. Not only do you want to go, but you also have to live broadcast the entire process without missing a word."
Su Yi was stunned for a moment. "If a private company launches rockets, what does it have to do with the military?"
"Don't ask so many questions, this is an order." The director sighed. If the other party was not a related party, how could it be her turn to have such a great opportunity?
It doesn't matter if you are good-looking, the most indispensable thing on stage is beauties.
It's just that the elders said hello and specifically told her to take more care of her. They also told her not to say it explicitly for fear of hurting the girl's self-esteem.
"Relationships are really troublesome!" the station manager complained silently, and then patiently coaxed the young ancestor, "Su Yi, for this interview, talk less and take more photos."
"Your exclusive interview with Secretary-General North Atlantic Treaty Organization can be put aside for now."
Su Yi curled his lips and said with contempt in his heart, "Humph, the station director must have accepted the small favor and dragged me to work as a coolie."
"When you get the chance, go back and complain to the old man at home and ask for a new leader.
After hanging up the phone, Su Yi reluctantly packed his luggage and deliberately stuffed his unread celebrity autobiographies in preparation for passing the time at the press conference.
A bumpy ride.
After flying and driving again, Su Yi finally arrived at the destination.
In addition to a whole factory in front of you, there is Gobi as far as the eye can see.
The dry air was just like Su Yi's mood at the moment, extremely irritable.
"It's really a shabby place."
Arriving at the media sign-in area, Su Yi was surprised to find that all the media who came were domestic media.
"Is it specifically defrauding domestic PPT companies?!"
"Huh, I'm going to call home now."
Su Yi was about to make a call when he spotted some old acquaintances.
"Teacher Lei, why are you here?" Su Yi Unexpectedly, this domestic veteran also came.
Su Yi I remember, the other party hasn't come out to run for many years, why did he come out today?
And that teacher Fan is a famous domestic photojournalist. Doesn't he only attend important occasions?
Is it necessary to come to a small press conference?
"Is this scam company so willing to burn money?"
Su Yi looked at a few motivated seniors with a bit of contempt in his heart. "A group of middle-aged men, just for some money, they don't even give up their reputation."
"You want to kneel down and lick it, but I won't. This time the manuscript must be written in a bad place."
Su Yi Just as he made up his mind, a group of Middle Eastern reporters rushed in.
Su Yi frowned.
When did the Middle Eastern media become interested in aerospace?
Don't they only care about oil, war and finance?
Before she could figure it out, another group of Western faces rushed in.
Reuters, Associated Press, BBC, the New York Times----the world's top media, everyone is here.
Su Yi saw Aaron Connor at a glance. This was a veteran reporter who Associated Press ran Pentagon. He was a veteran she admired very much.
He works vigorously and resolutely, and never changes his expression when faced with anything.
"Aaron Connor? Why are you here too?" Su Yi stopped him, "Aren't you attending the military spending hearing with Pentagon? How come you have time to come here?"
Aaron Connor turned his head and looked at her with an alien look. "Oh my God, Su Yi, are you living in the Jurassic? You don't actually know who the boss of Warhammer Heavy Industries is?"
"Who is it?" Su Yi looked confused, "Is he famous?"
Aaron Connor slapped his forehead with an expression like "Why haven't you been fired yet?" He was about to explain when suddenly there was a commotion.
Aaron Connor and Su Yi looked over and saw three Black Hawk helicopters passing over the Gobi beach at low altitude and landing steadily on the open space in the factory area.
The hatch opened and a group of officers filed out.
Walking at the front is Admiral Jensen, this is a real boss.
Following him was Air Force Lieutenant General Davis.
Next to him is Major General Bradley, the Pentagon's deputy secretary for acquisition and equipment.
Su Yi is a little confused about this picture.
Pacific Fleet Commander.
Pentagon Deputy Minister of Purchasing.
These people appeared at a press conference of a private company at the same time?
Before Su Yi had time to digest this information, General Jensen and Lieutenant General Davis walked out of the crowd and shook hands with a young man warmly.
This young man didn't even wear a suit, but wore a leather jacket casually, as if he was on a casual vacation.
Moreover, she has broken hair that Su Yi despises very much. In Su Yi's opinion, only part-time workers wear this kind of hair.
Among ordinary people, he can be regarded as a bit of a master, but for Su Yi, who is used to seeing celebrities and politicians, there is nothing special at first glance. At most, it is just that his aura is a bit flamboyant and his steps are a bit unrecognizable?
"Strange, why does this kind of person shake hands with the big guys? He looks familiar? Who is this Asian guy?"
Su Yi took a photo casually and planned to ask colleagues.
"Xiao Lin, do you know this person?" Su Yi was about to send the message when the press conference started.
A colleague also sent a message: "Oh my God, Su Yi, you actually met Fu Haoran, he is my idol!"
"Wait a minute, I'll tell you later."
"Huh?" Su Yi is a little confused. Why is this friend of his so crazy? He is not handsome either, so how can he become an idol?
Fu Haoran walked onto the makeshift podium. Today he was dressed very casually. He didn't look like a big boss who was feuding with a certain president.
Su Yi sat down with his arms folded, still showing disdain on his face.
So what if he looks handsome?
He's just a lucky businessman.
No matter how fiercely you brag, can you still be better than NASA?
Fu Haoran stood in front of the stage without holding the manuscript.
"Welcome everyone to Warhammer Heavy Industries. I invite you all to come today. I have nothing else to do. I just want to brag with you."
The audience burst into laughter.
Su Yi sneered.
It is indeed the scammer's trick, first build affinity.
"Fifty years ago, humans also boasted about their awesomeness."
"They say they want to land on the moon, they want to go to Mars, and they want to spread human footprints all over Solar System."
"As a result, as soon as the Cold War ended and the bragging was over, everyone turned around and forgot about it, and then continued to grab oil, land, and
Grab that little profit."
"I think it's a pity."
"So I want to try and realize all the awesome things I boasted about back then."
He turned around and pointed at the big screen behind him.
A grand blueprint slowly unfolds.
"Warhammer Heavy Industries's space program is divided into three steps."
"The first step is to launch 12,000 low-orbit satellites within a year and build a free communication network covering the world."
"Let herdsmen in the desert, fishermen on the Pacific Ocean, and exploration teams on the Gobi beaches all have access to high-speed networks that don't get stuck.
"The second step is to establish a low-Earth orbit space station within three years and launch the Space Elevator plan."
"Let ordinary people spend a few thousand dollars to go to space and see the earth."
"The third step is to build Moon Palace Base in Luna within ten years. Then, officially start the Mars colonization."
He put down his hands and looked at the audience.
"I believe that the future of mankind lies in the stars and the sea."
There was silence under the stage.
Su Yi sneered.
Idiots talk about dreams.
NASA has burned hundreds of billions of dollars and failed to return to Luna. How dare you, a private company that is not even a listed company, make such big claims?
What a joke.
She turned around to complain to Aaron Connor, but found that there was no expression of ridicule on Aaron Connor's face.
This old reporter, who has been running Pentagon for twenty years and has seen countless arms dealers bragging, is staring at the stage with an almost pious look.
Not only Aaron Connor, but all the reporters and officers in the audience were staring at Fu Haoran, their eyes full of fanaticism.
Su Yi frowned.
Are these people crazy?
At this moment, Fu Haoran turned around and pointed at the factory behind him.
"Next, let me show you our first assignment."
The tall factory door slowly opened.
A rocket slowly emerged from the shadows.
The corners of Su Yi's mouth drew into wavy lines.
Is this the homework he was talking about?
Isn't this too shabby?
The arrow body is made of bare stainless steel, and it doesn't even have to be painted, making it look cheap.
That's why the rocket head is pointed, a bit like a missile?
"This is our first-generation launch vehicle, Warhammer Fist No. 1." Fu Haoran introduced, "The maximum low-Earth orbit carrying capacity is 70 tons, and the single launch cost is 1,500 US dollars per kilogram."
Su Yi's first reaction is, why don't you even need to draft a draft when you are bragging?
"I dare to boast, it is 90% cheaper than NASA."
As if expecting Su Yi to think so, Fu Haoran continued, "Many people will definitely ask, why is it so cheap?"
"The answer is simple, we used cement to make the rocket's heat shield."
The whole place was in an uproar.
Cement?
Build a rocket out of cement?
Su Yi almost laughed out loud.
She finally understood why the director asked her to come.
This is not an aerospace press conference at all.
This is the biggest farce of this century!
A lunatic built a rocket out of cement and dared to talk about colonizing Mars.
This will definitely be a front page headline this year!
She took out her mobile phone and mocked on her personal Twitter: I saw a joke today. Someone fancifully built a rocket out of cement and even landed on the moon.
As soon as she finished sending it, she heard Fu Haoran say, "It's useless to just talk, let us witness our first launch today."
What?
Launch now?
Here?
It wasn't written at all on the invitation!
Also, what if it explodes so close to us?!
All the reporters panicked and didn't know whether to run away or pick up their mobile phones and cameras.
"Light the fire!"
Fu Haoran didn't give them a chance to react, and a deafening roar exploded instantly.
Orange-red tail flames soared into the sky.
Warhammer Fist No. 1 slowly rose into the sky, getting faster and faster, and broke through the clouds in more than ten seconds and disappeared into the sky.
Su Yi put down the camera and curled his lips.
So what if the launch is successful?
Just a cement rocket.
What can it be used for?
However, at this moment, she heard Aaron Connor next to her suddenly let out a heart-rending exclamation. "I'm going! The speed is wrong! This is fucking Mach 7!"
Su Yi looked up at the big screen.
Real-time speed numbers pulse on the screen.
Mach 7.2.
Su Yi has great doubts.
Mach 7?
This is faster than most supersonic missiles currently in service!
How can a launch vehicle fly so fast?
"The track is wrong!" General Jensen's voice suddenly sounded, his face turned extremely ugly, "It has not entered the planned track and is flying eastward!"
Everyone is looking at the big screen.
Huh? Why does this rocket launch so fast?
Also, why is the trajectory of this rocket a little crooked?
Also, don't you think this rocket looks more and more like a missile?
Everyone has great doubts in their hearts.
Suddenly, Fu Haoran spoke again, "I'm very sorry, there was a small technical failure."
"Our rocket has deviated from the scheduled course and is flying towards the eastern coast of North America at a speed of Mach 7."
"It is expected to crash in 32 minutes -"
Everyone followed Fu Haoran's eyes and looked at the large screen aside, which was simulating and calculating the rocket's crash location.
Soon, a map of the eastern coast of North America appeared.
Oh, that's Washington.
Wait, why is this white building so serious?
That seems to be----
Deathly silence.
Three full seconds.
Then, the entire press conference completely exploded.
"Oh my god! The rocket is going to hit White House!"
"Big news! The biggest news of the century!"
The reporters took out their mobile phones like crazy and yelled at the camera.
"Boss! It's going to be on the front page! Warhammer Heavy Industries's rocket is flying towards White House! Mach 7! There's no way it can be stopped!"
"Listen to me, just write in the title <Warhammer Heavy Industries declares war on Lanpu>! Yes! Declare war!"
"Go to White House. This is the big news of the century. It will definitely go down in history!"
All the reporters were so excited that they didn't bother to pick up their cameras even if they dropped them on the ground.
Su Yi stood there, his mind going blank.
She hasn't reacted yet, what's going on?
Wasn't there a major accident during the rocket launch?
Why does the person in charge on stage seem to be watching a show?
Isn't this an accident?
At this moment, Su Yi heard General Jensen next to him sigh and say, "I knew this guy had no good intentions. He said he was sending rockets, but in fact he was sending express delivery to Lanpu."
He said to the adjutant beside him, "Notify Pentagon to activate the highest level air defense warning."
"Also, bring me the antihypertensive medicine. I'm afraid of having a heart attack."
"Admiral, can we intercept it?" the adjutant asked anxiously.
"Intercept?" Jensen smiled bitterly, "How can we intercept a Mach 7 hypersonic missile? It won't even be able to absorb other people's exhaust."
"Even if we can intercept it, it's too late."
What?
Su Yi couldn't believe my ears.
The broken thread in her brain was suddenly connected.
The admiral was at the press conference, which is unreasonable in itself.
Faced with a rocket flying towards White House, the first reaction is not to arrest the opponent, but to complain!
Wasn't this an accident from the beginning?
At the same time, Washington, Rose Garden.
Lanpu is standing in front of the makeshift podium, with his hands open, facing the camera confidently. "No one understands aerospace better than me! No one understands national security better than me! Some people are destined to be clowns!"
"In less than a month, he will go bankrupt and disappear from the rich list!"
--
"I will let the world know that no one can do business on this planet without Amerikan's permission!"
The words just fell.
A group of United States Secret Service agents in black rushed over, picked up his arm and ran to the underground bunker without saying a word.
Lanpu's wig was rubbed askew and his tie was pulled behind his ears. He struggled and shouted, "What are you doing! Let me go!!"
"Mr. President! Emergency!" the agent leader's voice was trembling, "A Mach 7 UFO is flying towards us! It will arrive in 28 minutes!"
Lanpu was stunned, thinking that he heard wrongly.
"What?! Rocket?! Where did the rocket come from?!"
"It's Warhammer Heavy Industries! They said the rocket launch failed!"
Inside the underground bunker.
Lanpu After understanding the complete process, he yelled, "Intercept! Intercept me quickly!"
"Knock out all the Patriot missile! Even if you hit it with an F-22, you have to knock it down!"
The chief of staff stood aside, his face pale, and he shook his head. "Mr. President, we can't do it."
"We have no means to intercept Mach 7 hypersonic missiles.
"The F-22's fastest speed is Mach 2.2, and it can't even catch up with others."
"What should we do?!" Lanpu screamed, "Are we just sitting here waiting to be blown up?!"
"The good news is," the chief of staff swallowed, "According to intelligence, this rocket does not carry a warhead."
"Even if it crashes, it won't cause too many casualties.
"It's just that this building may be gone."