707 The Shadow in the Distant Sea (1/2)
When the door opened, the northern wind blew snow all over the ground.
Jiang Chen closed the door, hung his winter coat on a hook, and walked to the Aerospace Technology Research Institute.
Compared to the previous ”workshop,” the snow-covered Aerospace Technology Research Institute could undoubtedly be called a proper workshop. It had a wide lobby and was a five-story building. Although researchers were still in short supply, at least it was more spacious.
He went straight to Jiang Lin's lab and saw him working with several researchers in lab coats around a two-person tall oil drum.
Jiang Chen went up then looked at the barrel for a moment.
”This is?”
”It's called the 'Messenger,' a space telescope that belonged to the Pan-Asia Cooperation. It has a maximum observation range of 13.8 billion light-years and captures light from the beginning of the Big Bang. It can directly observe galaxies in 1-50 light years, photograph the landforms of the planets, it can also be used to observe black holes, dark matter, etc…” As he put some things aside, Jiang Lin explained to Jiang Chen.
”Good lord, where did this thing come from?” Jiang Chen, clearly intrigued, stared at the object.
”The Zhao Corporation got it from the Taipei Space Launch Base. It was originally used to explore extraterrestrial civilizations. However, before it was put into use, the Third World War broke out, so this was brought into Taipei's Fallout Shelter... You told me to collect all equipment related to space, so I bought it.”
”How much was it?”
”10000 credits.” Jiang Lin shrugged.
10,000 credits was a huge sum for the average person, but it was nothing for NAC. If this was before the war, this space telescope would've cost at least billions of dollars' worth of pan-Asian currency. Now, it was worth a thousand canned foods.
”Great value, you did an excellent job.” Jiang Chen laughed then looked at the thing a few more times. ”How was this repaired?”
”This wasn't broken to begin with, but it wasn't completed. The survivors on the Taipei side sold the design drawings and the ground monitoring equipment to us. As long as we digest the technology and create the remaining parts, we just need to install it before it's good to go.”
Once this space telescope was completed and launched by Celestial Trade, the mysterious veil of the Natural Selection and Gliese 581g planet would also be completely uncovered. Only when the enemy was seen with one's own eyes could earth have the possibility of fighting its enemy.
After telling Jiang Lin to complete the space telescope as soon as possible, Jiang Chen left the Institute. On his way to the community center, he happened to see Wang Qing, who was looking for him.
From her face, there was a matter of urgency.
”What happened?” Jiang Chen stopped and looked at her.
Wang Ching nodded.
”A distress signal came from Liuding Town.”
”Liuding Town?”
While Liuding town still remained independent from the order of NAC-led Wanghai City, it had now become a vassal of NAC with close economic ties. For no other reason, no matter how strong its air force and long-range firepower were, its foundation was ultimately the sea, and they relied heavily on imports from onshore survivors.
Think about it - what kind of industry could be supported by an aircraft carrier?
More and more small and medium-sized survival camps envied the jurisdiction of the NAC. With closer trading with the Sixth Street, they had taken the initiative to join the NAC economic zone and accept the protection of the NAC military government. This could also save a considerable amount of tariffs and military expenses. Among these was the Beer Bottle Company that provided ammunition supplies for Liuding Town and the small harbor towns that had close trade ties with Liuding...