I ask you to build tractors, but you build rockets?.

Chapter 754 Lightning Night
10月14日到10月15日，最关键的时间不过7、8个小时，换做是普通事件，恐怕连做准备也来不及。

However, there was enough time in the Western Pacific for two sudden actions to shock the world.

Although the outside world's reaction was delayed, the subsequent waves it created were extremely intense.

Countless experts are scrambling to interpret a series of intricate coincidences and conflicts, but the most shocking thing is of course the astonishing reaction speed of the two parties involved.

Whether it is China or Aramco, the emergency mobilization and handling capabilities they have demonstrated are amazing.

In just a few hours, thousands of aircraft from both sides were scrambled into the air, including four aerospace planes and six unmanned spacecraft. At the same time, more than 200 warships were dispatched, involving more than 40 people, and large-scale mobile deployment was carried out over thousands of kilometers.

Even though the performances of both sides have their merits and demerits, compared to the other parties, it can be said to be a dimensionality reduction attack, which is simply unimaginable.

Therefore, all countries waited for the incident to be over, and only then came to their senses and realized that the world was almost dragged into the vortex of war, and then they were drenched in cold sweats.

According to the interpretation of outside experts, this night is vividly called the "Night of Lightning".

The cause is as sudden and unpredictable as lightning, the reaction it provokes is equally swift, and the end is as sudden as the lightning disappears.

It was fleeting, but it left an indelible impression and devastating damage.

Except for the parties involved in this incident, others had no chance to intervene, and didn't even have time to understand the inside story.

The Lightning Night was also a bloody division of power. From now on, everyone realized that China and the United States were already completely isolated from others and at a higher level, possessing abilities far beyond the average level.

Now that the country has made up for the last shortcoming, it can almost be said that a long-cherished wish has been solved. There are no more urgent issues of a similar level, and we can free up more energy to be used in other areas.

As for Artemis, the source of all the troubles, it is now under control. Apart from Turkey and a few Eastern European countries clamoring for compensation, it has not been affected by very intense public opinion.

"It's a blessing."

Robert wiped the sweat from his head and looked with emotion at the Artemis team who had been working hard for several nights.

The cause of the artificial sun's failure has been identified. It is not a reflective film or other mechanical failure, but a control program problem that is easiest to solve.

Amid the AI ​​craze, Artemis introduced an AI-controlled dynamic response adjustment system. However, due to the immaturity of the system, a large number of errors occurred, which eventually led to loss of control.

Once the cause is found, it is naturally easy to solve. The ground is working overtime to improve the control system. Due to its complexity, Artemis has designed and developed a new architecture that supports remote OTA upgrades. All you need to do is upload and install the updated patch package.

Although its hardware experienced a spin, it was not seriously damaged due to timely intervention. The basic frame and reflective membrane were basically intact, at least there was definitely no fatal damage.

Once it is confirmed that the control system has been restored, it will be raised to a high orbit and deployed again, with the assistance of the space shuttle for observation. This will be much safer.

As for the inevitable significant delay in operating hours, it is the least considered factor.

"Very good, you have done a great job. I hope to hear good news from you after I go to China."

Robert was about to motivate his subordinates, but he didn't expect a voice to sound from behind:

"I'm sorry, Mr. Director, your work may be arranged elsewhere."

It sounded familiar, and Robert turned around and saw that it was the captain of the President's Secret Service. He immediately understood.

Could it be that Office 13 has another plan? It seems that the trip will be delayed again, but what could be more important than the crisis of alien civilization?
His frank attitude surprised the captain, but he still took Robert into the car silently, and then, contrary to his usual behavior, followed and squeezed into the back seat.

There was not only him, but also another special agent. The two big men sandwiched Robert in the middle. The latter was about to ask a question, but he seemed to realize something and stopped. His face turned pale in an instant, and his head that was against the roof of the car slowly drooped down, and his hands were weakly grabbed by one hand on each side.

"Where will I be taken?"

The hoarse voice made it impossible to tell that it was the same person, but the captain's expression remained unchanged:
"When you did that, you should have thought about your own fate."

"Okay, but please let me see my son again."

"I'm afraid not. This requires special permission. You are not allowed any further contact with the outside world at this time."

The rest of Robert's words were stuck in his throat. After a long while, he murmured in a low voice:

"You don't know... At that time, the nuclear bomb was already on everyone's head. I couldn't watch this happen. Humanity still has a lot to do."

"Go to the judge... No, just give up your excuses, sir. You have committed the greatest betrayal in the history of the United States. This is an unacceptable betrayal. You are a sinner."

"No, I was an officer on that submarine, I stopped everything, people won't see me as a traitor."

"Whatever you say."

"Okay, then who will take over my trip? Don't let Jim go. He doesn't have the personality or rank to go. This is a very sensitive matter, especially at this time."

"This is not your concern. Claire is already cleaning up the mess for you."

……

Planitia Zero, Mars.

Although it has not yet completed the exploration of the designated area, Firefly 1 has actually almost done everything it can.

Unless the Earth explodes, Mars, hundreds of millions of kilometers away, will not be affected by it, let alone the hard work of a small robot.

Firefly 1 works day and night with the support of nuclear batteries and AI. It has already circled the small core area of ​​the Zero Plain positioning point many times, and the wheel tracks have almost covered the visible area.

In the process, it gained a considerable understanding of the geological composition, historical geological activities, and surface soil of Mars, enough to publish many papers - but they were all ignored.

All those who knew about this didn't care about it and just wanted to find traces of inhumanity.

Firefly No. 1 used its probe to take distributed samples as much as possible and carefully analyzed the components of the soil, but there was nothing special.

The geomagnetic field may be a breakthrough, but the geological activity on Mars is far less intense than that on Earth, and the geomagnetic field itself is weak and unstable, so it is of little significance without long-term reference data.

Firefly 1 completed the entire detection process of a calibration point, and after a simple analysis - it was meaningless.

It did not show any disappointment, but just quietly drove the motor, moved to another slightly farther calibration point, and continued drilling.

The retracted drill bit was unfolded again and moved down little by little to insert into the soft sand on the surface of Mars, but it stopped just after it touched the surface of Mars.

Firefly No. 1 stood still as if a stop-motion animation was paused, as if it had merged with the surrounding scenery, becoming an inherent, lifeless part of it.

Firefly No. 1 died, quietly.

(End of this chapter)