Chapter 425: Could It Be Long Country?

No one could answer this question. Before the launch, all systems had undergone rigorous testing; in theory, such a serious malfunction should not have occurred.

"Latest projection: the satellite will re-enter the atmosphere in 6 hours and 23 minutes," the orbital analyst reported.

Korolyov took a deep breath, struggling to remain calm: "The crash zone?"

"Preliminary calculations point to the middle of the Baixiangyang, but the margin of error is large; it could deviate by thousands of kilometers."

Korolyov turned to the communications officer: "Report to Moshi immediately; we need to activate the emergency response plan."

Meanwhile, in another corner of the control center, several intelligence officers were whispering, their expressions exceptionally grave.

"Do you think this is a coincidence?" an older intelligence officer asked.

"Both countries' satellites suffering fatal malfunctions at the same time? The probability is almost zero," another replied, shaking their head.

"Then, did someone sabotage our satellites?"

"The question is who has this capability. The Star-Spangled Country just launched their own satellite; it is unlikely they would attack ours at the same time. Unless..."

"Unless a third party is involved." A flash of alertness crossed the intelligence officer's eyes. "Long Country? But they don't even have their own satellites, how could they..."

This speculation, while hard to believe, was becoming increasingly unsettling.

Just then, a communications officer ran over hurriedly: "Emergency intelligence! The Star-Spangled Country's 'Sentinel One' satellite has also suffered a serious malfunction; its orbit is decaying, and it is expected to crash within hours!"

The entire control center fell into a deathly Silence, then erupted into a flurry of hushed discussion.

Korolyov stood frozen in place, unable to believe his ears: "Confirm this news!"

A few minutes later, the intelligence was confirmed—the Star-Spangled Country's satellite had indeed met a fate almost identical to the "Dawn," and was falling rapidly.

"This cannot be a coincidence," Korolyov muttered to himself, complex emotions flickering in his eyes. "Someone doesn't want us to enter space... but who has this capability?"

He suddenly thought of something and turned to the intelligence officer: "Immediately pull up the latest intelligence on Long Country! Especially their secret activities in the northwest region!"

The intelligence officer nodded and left quickly. Korolyov walked toward the communications console, preparing to report this astonishing discovery to Moshi.

……

At the Star-Spangled Country's "Puluomixiusi" base control center, Doctor Bulaide looked ashen, staring at the orbital data display screen.

"Orbit continues to decay; a crash is inevitable," the orbital analyst reported, their voice carrying a clear sense of frustration.

Bulaide closed his eyes and took a deep breath: "What else can we do?"

"All possible remedial measures have been attempted," the satellite systems supervisor replied. "But the attitude control system has failed completely; we cannot stabilize the satellite's orbit."

Bulaide opened his eyes, forcing himself to face reality: "Estimated time and area of impact?"

"In 4 hours and 17 minutes, the middle of the Taipingyang. But the margin of error is large; it could affect coastal countries."

Bulaide nodded: "Prepare a public statement; we need to notify the countries that may be affected."

Just then, an intelligence officer walked over hurriedly, their expression exceptionally grave: "Doctor, there is a situation you need to know immediately—the Beijixiong Guo's 'Dawn' satellite has also suffered an almost identical malfunction and is likewise about to crash!"

Bulaide looked up abruptly, a flash of disbelief in his eyes: "Confirm this news!"

A few minutes later, the intelligence was confirmed from multiple sources—the Beijixiong Guo's satellite had indeed met a fate extremely similar to the "Sentinel One."

The control center was in an uproar; technicians and Military Representatives were whispering to each other, discussing the matter heatedly.

"This cannot be a coincidence," Bulaide muttered to himself, cold sweat seeping onto his forehead. "Someone deliberately sabotaged our satellite... but who has this capability?"

He turned to the intelligence officer: "Does the Beijixiong Guo have this capability?"

The intelligence officer shook their head: "Technically, it is unlikely. Moreover, their own satellite is also crashing; destroying their own work brings them no benefit."

"Then who else could it be?" Bulaide frowned, pondering all possibilities.

The intelligence officer hesitated for a moment, but finally voiced that seemingly absurd speculation: "Long Country?"

"Long Country?" Bulaide almost laughed out loud. "They don't even have their own satellites, how could they interfere with ours?"

The intelligence officer replied cautiously: "Don't forget the lesson of the Yangcheng Zhanxiaohui. We once severely underestimated their technical capabilities. According to the latest intelligence, Long Country has large-scale secret construction activities in the northwest region, with an unknown purpose."

Bulaide fell into deep thought. This speculation was indeed absurd, but after excluding all impossibilities, whatever remained, no matter how incredible, might be the truth.

"Continue monitoring the satellite's status," he finally ordered. "At the same time, I need an emergency call with Washington City. This is no longer a technical issue, but a national security crisis."

In Washington City, inside the Tuoyuanying Bangongshi, the leader had just learned the news that the satellite was about to crash, their expression grim and terrifying.

"This is an act of aggression!" they roared. "It is a blatant provocation against the sovereignty of the Star-Spangled Country!"

The Secretary of Defense tried to soothe them: "Sir, we have not yet confirmed it is man-made sabotage; it could be a technical malfunction..."

"Both countries' satellites suffering the same malfunction at the same time? Do you think I'm an idiot?" the leader bellowed. "Find me the mastermind! I don't care who it is, I will make them pay the price!"

The Secretary of Defense wiped away cold sweat: "Yes, sir. The intelligence department is investigating with full force. But currently, the greatest suspicion points to..."

"The Beijixiong Guo?" the leader interrupted.

"No, sir. The Beijixiong Guo's satellite is also crashing; they are victims just like us." The Secretary of Defense hesitated for a moment. "The greatest suspicion points to... Long Country."

The leader was stunned, brows locked in a frown: "Long Country? Do they have this capability?"

"According to the latest assessment, their progress in electronic technology and manufacturing has exceeded our expectations," the Secretary of Defense replied. "Furthermore, recent satellite imagery shows they have large-scale secret construction activities in the northwest region."

The leader's expression became even grimmer: "I need concrete evidence. If it really was Long Country, they will face serious consequences."

……

A few hours later, major global media outlets reported this astonishing event in extra-large font:

"Space Disaster! Two Countries' Satellites Crash Simultaneously!"

"Humanity's First Space Exploration Ends in Tragedy!"

"Mysterious Force Destroys Satellites? Has Space War Begun?"

At the Eastern Base command center, Li Mingyuan and his team members were closely monitoring global public opinion and the latest status of the two countries' satellites.

"The Beijixiong Guo's 'Dawn' has re-entered the atmosphere; the final telemetry signal shows it disintegrated over the Baixiangyang," the reconnaissance Group Leader reported.

"The Star-Spangled Country's 'Sentinel One' situation is similar; it disintegrated in the middle of the Taipingyang, causing no damage to the ground," another analyst added.

Li Mingyuan nodded: "What is the reaction from the two countries' officials?"