Chapter 444: Is Long Country Developing an Intercontinental Missile?

Star-Spangled Country, Langley, Intelligence Agency Headquarters.

When Intelligence Officer Thomas Tuomasilewen walked into the conference room, he gripped a red folder tightly in his hand, his expression unusually grave. The conversation in the conference room ceased immediately, and everyone's gaze focused on this intelligence officer who was usually not one to smile.

Tuomasilewen walked directly to Deputy Director of Intelligence Foster, placed the folder on the table, and said in a low voice, "Sir, you need to see this immediately. Confirmation level: extremely credible. Source: 'Starling'."

Everyone present knew what "Starling" was—it was one of the deepest and most reliable intelligence sources the Star-Spangled Country had planted within the high-level ranks of Long Country. The information provided was extremely rare, but it had never been wrong.

Foster's expression changed, and he quickly flipped open the document. As he read, the room temperature seemed to drop by ten degrees instantly. He raised his head, looked around at the senior intelligence officers in the conference room, and said in a low, serious voice, "Clear the room immediately. Only those with Red Ring clearance or higher may remain."

After waiting for the non-core personnel to leave, Foster pushed the document to the center of the table: "Gentlemen, we have a problem. A big problem."

"'Starling' has sent intelligence that Long Country is secretly developing a new type of long-range missile. Unlike traditional ballistic missiles, it may possess intercontinental range and ultra-low-altitude penetration capabilities." He paused, letting the weight of these terms settle in, "Codename 'Changfeng'."

The conference room was deathly silent, with only the buzzing of the air conditioner.

"How credible is the intelligence?" Deputy Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency Hape broke the silence.

Tuomasilewen straightened his tie: "Starling's intelligence is always accurate. Although the information this time is relatively vague, when combined with our analysis of Long Country's recent abnormal resource mobilization—including a 400% increase in special alloy procurement, the secret transfer of certain senior engineers, and the construction of a new military base with extremely high isolation—all signs point to a major military project."

"What do you mean by 'non-traditional ballistic'?" the Air Force intelligence chief asked with a frown.

"According to sporadic information," Tuomasilewen opened his notebook, "this missile may adopt a cruise method, flying at an extremely low altitude, capable of evading radar detection, flying thousands of kilometers along complex terrain, and precisely striking targets."

"That's impossible!" a technical expert blurted out, "At the current level of technology, cruise missiles can fly at most a few hundred kilometers; it is impossible to reach intercontinental range!"

Foster's gaze was sharp: "Six months ago, many of you also said it was impossible for Long Country to launch a satellite before us, and what happened?"

The conference room fell into silence again.

"If this 'Changfeng' project is true," National Security Advisor Warren spoke slowly, his voice hoarse, "it is a hundred times more serious than the satellite issue. The satellite was a symbolic technological race, but this—" he pointed at the document, "this is a destructive weapon that can truly change the global strategic balance."

"Especially the 'ultra-low-altitude penetration' point," the Air Force intelligence chief added, "our existing Anti-aircraft System is almost unable to deal with long-range missiles flying close to the ground. This means—"

"It means Long Country may obtain a first-strike capability that cannot be intercepted," Foster finished for him, "if this type of missile can carry a nuclear warhead..."

No one needed him to finish the sentence. Everyone present understood the terrifying implications.

"Report to the leader immediately," Foster closed the document, "highest priority, within today. At the same time, I request the activation of the 'Red Edge' protocol to collect all information regarding the 'Changfeng' project with full force. Tuomasilewen, you are responsible for coordination."

"Understood, sir."

Foster stood up, his eyes cold: "Gentlemen, we may have just lost the first place in the space race, but we absolutely cannot fall behind in the strategic missile race. National security depends on this."

Beijixiong Guo, Moshi, Lubiyangkaguangchang No. 8.

Inside the private office of Intelligence Agency Chairman Kolbov, the atmosphere was suffocatingly heavy. An hour ago, an intelligence report from "Red Star" appeared on his desk—"Red Star" was an agent who had been lurking in the scientific community of Long Country for many years and had never disappointed.

Kolbov read the report for the third time, his brows furrowing tighter. He looked up at the peripheral intelligence chief Potrov standing opposite him: "How credible is this intelligence?"

"Highest level, Comrade Chairman," Potrov replied, "although the details are limited, 'Red Star' risked great danger to send this information back. According to his report, Long Country is secretly developing a new type of long-range missile codenamed 'Changfeng', adopting a non-traditional ballistic design, and may possess intercontinental range and ultra-low-altitude penetration capabilities."

Kolbov's fingers tapped lightly on the desktop: "Is there any other evidence?"

"Yes, Comrade Chairman," Potrov handed over another document, "we have monitored a large amount of abnormal activity in Long Country recently: a surge in Special Alloy procurement, the secret concentration of key technical personnel, and the establishment of a highly classified new military base in the western Gobi region. All of these fit the characteristics of a large-scale weapon development project."

Kolbov stood up abruptly and walked to the window, looking at the gray sky of Moshi: "Ultra-low-altitude flight... what does this mean?"

"According to our technical experts' analysis," Potrov replied cautiously, "this may be a type of cruise missile, flying at an extremely low altitude, capable of hiding in the terrain and avoiding Radar detection. If it is as the intelligence says, possessing intercontinental range... that would be an extremely terrifying weapon, almost impossible to defend against."

Kolbov's gaze became sharp: "Immediately convene the Defense Committee and the top brass of the Academy of Sciences, secret meeting, four o'clock this afternoon, at the Kremlin underground command center."

Potrov nodded: "As you command, Comrade Chairman."

When Kolbov turned around, his expression had become unusually stern: "If Long Country really develops this kind of weapon, the entire global strategic balance will be broken. We must never allow this to happen."

Star-Spangled Country, Washington City, Tuoyuanying Bangongshi.

At midnight, Washington City was brightly lit. Inside the Tuoyuanying Bangongshi, the leader listened to the briefing from Intelligence Agency Director Foster with a livid expression; the atmosphere was as heavy as a funeral.

"You mean," the leader's voice carried disbelief, "Long Country might be developing a missile capable of flying thousands of kilometers at low altitude? Is this technology feasible?"

Secretary of Defense Maxwell interjected: "There are technical challenges, but it is theoretically feasible. The key lies in miniaturized Engine technology, Precision Guidance System, and range extension. If Long Country has truly mastered these key technologies..."

"If they succeed," the leader interrupted him, "what is the impact on our national security?"

Pentagon strategic analysis chief Major General Green was blunt: "Catastrophic, sir. Traditional ballistic missiles enter high altitude after launch, giving us time to detect and react. But this low-altitude cruise missile can hardly be detected in advance by the existing Radar System; by the time it is discovered, it may already be too late."

The leader's face became even gloomier: "Then what about us? Do we have similar projects?"

There was an awkward silence in the room.

"We have some preliminary research," Doctor Mongomery, head of advanced weapons development at the Department of Defense, replied cautiously, "but to be honest, our focus has always been on ballistic missile technology. Cruise missiles were considered only suitable for short-range tactical applications; no one had seriously considered developing them into intercontinental strategic weapons."

The leader slapped the table hard: "So we are falling behind again? Just like with the satellites?"

No one dared to answer this question.

The leader took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down: "I want to immediately launch a new project, highest priority, codenamed 'Falcon'. The goal is to develop a cruise missile with intercontinental range and low observability. The Department of Defense is responsible, and the Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency will provide full support."

He looked around at everyone in the room: "Gentlemen, this is the top priority for national security. I want you to mobilize the country's best scientists and engineers, spare no cost, and achieve a breakthrough as soon as possible. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!" everyone replied in unison.

"Very good," the leader stood up, signaling the end of the meeting, "Maxwell, Mongomery, you stay. We need to discuss some specific details."

When the others left, the leader's expression became even more serious: "I want you to understand that this is not just a scientific research project; this concerns the survival of the nation. If Long Country truly masters this technology and we do not, then the global landscape for the next few decades will be completely changed."

"We understand, sir," Maxwell nodded, "I will start assembling the team immediately."

"Not enough!" the leader suddenly raised his voice, "I don't want conventional bureaucratic procedures! I want you to push this project as if you were fighting a war! Draft the best talent, regardless of what they are currently doing; provide unlimited funding support; simplify every possible procedure. Understood?"

"Understood, sir," the two replied simultaneously, somewhat startled by the leader's outburst.

The leader walked to the window, looking at the White House garden, his voice low: "We have already lost the first round in the space race; we absolutely cannot fall behind in the missile race. Regardless of the cost."

Beijixiong Guo, Kremlin underground command center.

On the same day, the leadership of Beijixiong Guo was also holding an emergency secret meeting. Inside the Kremlin underground command center, the leader listened to the briefing from Intelligence Agency Chairman Kolbov with a livid expression.

"Are you sure this intelligence is reliable?" the leader's voice was like cold steel.

Kolbov nodded: "Highest credibility, Comrade Leader. 'Red Star's' intelligence has never been wrong, and our technical analysis also supports this conclusion. Long Country is secretly developing a new type of missile that could change the strategic balance."

The leader turned to Defense Minister Sokolov: "How great is the threat of this 'low-altitude cruise' missile?"

"If the intelligence is true, the threat level is extremely high," Sokolov did not hide his concern, "traditional Anti-aircraft System still has a certain chance of dealing with high-altitude ballistic missiles, but it is almost powerless against cruise missiles flying close to the ground, especially if it possesses intercontinental range and Precision Guidance System capabilities."

"Then what about us?" the leader's gaze swept over everyone present, "How is our progress in this area?"

Academy of Sciences President Lebedev cleared his throat: "We have some basic research, Comrade Chief, but frankly speaking, our focus has always been on ballistic missiles and space technology. No one has seriously considered the feasibility of an Intercontinental Cruise Missile."

The Chief's fist slammed onto the table, the coffee cup jumped, and the spilled coffee left brown stains on the classified documents: "Again! Once again being led by that Li Mingyuan! This is unacceptable!"

The conference room was deathly quiet; no one dared to break this terrifying Silence.