“Throughout history, chance passages by asteroids and comets have shaped our world in ways we still are only beginning to grasp. 60 Million years ago, a 10 mile wide asteroid struck the Yucatan peninsula, extincting the Dinosaurs. In 1066, Halley’s comet served as a grim omen, displayed on the Bayeux tapestry. And in 1971, The 1,200ft wide ‘Laika’ passed close enough to be visited by Man, with Archangel 7. But this is not the only mission to visit. The annals of history show us that, overshadowed by Archangel, 5 other missions were targeted to the asteroid. Missions that, though underappreciated, lay crucial stepping stones for our eventual voyages from the Earth to Mars.”
-Tom Hanks, Episode 3 of “From the Earth to Mars” (1999)
APRIL 11, 1971 - UTC TIME
Kennedy Space Centre, United States
Slicing the Floridian sky in two, a Delta N6 rocket ascends into the heavens. America’s newest exploration spacecraft, Explorer 55. A simple spacecraft modified from the designs of the Lunar Orbiters, with an extended fuel tank. Shortly after orbital insertion, 55 burns towards Laika, intercepting it several hours later, Two thirds of the way to the Moon. 55 carefully matches its velocity with the receding asteroid, now approaching with a relative velocity of an average jogger, sending back advanced telemetry on Laika’s weak inherent magnetic field, its gravity, and mineral distribution on the surface. These signals are sent back continuously as 55 passes just a quarter of a mile above Uglyok crater. And as if by intentional mischievous chance, a simple pebble collides with one of the solar panel hinges. With this impact, 55 enters a power-negative state, using the next few hours to take as much data as possible, before it gently lands on Albina, laid to rest.
Jiuquan Facility, Gansu Province, China
In the vast expanses of North West China, a new rocket takes off, the Feng Bao 1. Fastened within its Fairing, the satellite “Jia Baoyu” awaits, destined for Laika. It was to be just a simple flyby, no orbit would be attempted - Laika’s perigee near Tibet made this possible, just a simple arc soaring over the region, before reentering over the Indian region of Goa. Still, despite this, cameras would be able to photograph it. Besides, the propaganda value was more than enough. Soaring up through the clear sky, separating stage after stage, and letting Jia Baoyu coast towards the asteroid. Some slight miscalculations caused by outdated values of Laika’s trajectory. Even with this error, the spacecraft successfully flew just 150km away from it, taking a single, blurry photo. This was hailed as a magnificent achievement by Chinese newspapers, and was said to begin a new era of exploration.
Woomera Launch Complex, South Australia - 5:10am
Wilson “We’re ready for launch over here, sir!”
Smith “Engine ignition, fire her away!”
Wilson “Black Arrow II is away, Oberon in tow!”
Following the successes of Black Arrow, additional forms were built, adding in solid motors to the side, boosting propulsion, and giving it the ability to reach that needed height of Laika. The boosters fall away, crashing near the border of South Australia and the Northern Territory, with the first stage impacting just west of the Simpson desert, and the second and third stages in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
5:26am
The final, low propulsion energy stage integrated within Oberon fires, accelerating towards Laika one final time. If all goes to plan, it will fly past the asteroid not long from now, crashing into the North Atlantic after that. Just over 50 minutes after launch, an errant command overloads the electrical system of Oberon. Instantly, without any fanfare, the battery explodes, and Honeysuckle station goes quiet.
Kagoshima Space Centre, Japan
“Crystal is ready for launch.”
“Mu-4S is ready.”
“All prerequisites are met, launching in 3, 2, 1, Ignition.”
One of Japan’s wonderfully constructed rockets launches from Kagoshima Space Centre, barely making it more than a few miles above the island, following a rupture in the housing of a solid motor. The coast is showered with metal scrap and debris. It never even reached above the clouds.
1:13am UTC - Kourou Space Centre, French Guiana
A shockwave spreads across the forested terrain of French Guiana, evident of the maiden launch of Obsidienne. The third orbital rocket type from France. Solid booster, Liquid core, one more liquid stage, capable of lifting a mighty 2,500kg to Low Earth Orbit, and crucially, able to launch a mission to the Moon. This mission, a last minute reconstruction of the spacecraft “Tournesol”, repurposing it for Lunar orbit, and, following the appearance of Laika, hastening the schedule to launch in time for a flyby. With the collapse of ELDO in 1969 following the UK’s departure, France continued on, with some support from, surprisingly, Mexico, using this completed the design and testing of Obsidienne, an improved version of what used to be called Europa. With this, France truly announces its entrance into the global stage of space. Diamant and Asterix was one thing, but this true powerful rocket, the beginning of an era. Tournesol spreads her solar wings, firing her engine with glorious power, beginning a climb up to 400,000km.
9:38am UTC - Café Hydrogène, Kourou
Kourou had grown in recent years, thanks solely to the burgeoning French space agency, the town now home to 5,500 people, a solid 10% of the territory’s population. This increase allowed for more businesses to appear nearby, including the “Hydrogen Cafe” nearby the headquarters of the French Rocketry and Exploration Agency HQ. Hundreds of workers make their way through this Cafe at all points across the week, especially during this special mission. Sitting at a table in the corner, Propulsion engineer Michel Bidault, next to Orbital dynamicist Alain Percier
Percier “Alright, how much longer now?”
Bidault “Narrator is saying he’s about 30 seconds away.”
Percier “Mystifying, isn’t it?”
Bidault “It really is. Did you get to see it this morning? You could’ve seen it after launch, right?”
Percier “Was tough, I might’ve seen it? Could just as easily have been a star or satellite.”
Bidault “You didn’t expect anything like this, did you?”
Percier “I didn’t do much planetary science, I hadn’t even heard of Lutetia before Seafarer. I had just expected a little spherical rock.”
Bidault “Le Petit Prince.”
Percier “B612. Know your references-”
Bidault “Shush, quiet, he’s about to-”
“This world has much peace in its insignificance... Beauty in its desolation... It is an honor to be here, our world’s envoy as we reach to the infinity of the stars.”
Bidault “Good words.”
Percier “Better than I expected. Glad they’ve improved their cameras too.”
Bidault “Not like colour adds much for this.”
Percier “No, no, maybe not yet, but- Oh look at that.”
Bidault “My god.”
Percier “If that isn’t one of the prettiest sights any man has ever seen.”
Bidault “Stunning.”
Percier “...”
Bidault “Thanks for coming out here, I know you’ve been up since midnight.”
Percier “Oh, of course! Always happy to spend time with you.”
Bidault “You should head back to your apartment. You’ll want to be awake for the flyby, I presume?”
Percier “Silly, of course I will.”
12:07pm UTC
Tournesol flies away from the world which built it, already thousands of kilometers away, and turns around to image the Earth, Moon, and Laika. Normally Laika would be completely invisible at this distance. With the massive outgassing event, enough light is reflected to be visible, if only just.
4:14pm
Percier “We’re all ready for the first image. Sending the command now.”
Within a second, the complex, beautiful, intricate conversation is broadcast to Tournesol, decoding it into incomprehensible electrical signals, snapping a photo of Laika and Albina. The spacecraft sends it back, waits for a moment, and takes another photo, and another, and another. French national media reveals these photos live as they come in, broadcasting from the media enclave of Kourou.
April 28, 7:38am
Tournesol returns to Earth briefly, soaring over the ocean, using Earth’s gravity to fling it back out to cislunar space. Now, much the same way, it uses the Moon. Flying over its south pole, taking brilliant images of its stark, contrasted, cratered surface. This flyby, expertly designed by Alain Percier, extends its orbital period to equal the moon’s own period, whilst also lowering its relative inclination.
May 10, 12:50pm
Tournesol, swinging past Earth for the final time, momentarily ignites its engine, trying to correct a minute trajectory error picked up from flying ever so slightly further from the moon than planned. As this happened, something clearly seemed to be wrong. The engine sputtered out after a devastating few seconds. Through a rush of searching for issues, it was found that the engine’s valve had failed to fully close, leaving a tiny opening of less than a single square millimeter. Over the course of the mission post-launch, the fuel reserves had drained away into space, leaving it now empty. Tournesol is now locked into a path, not to fly past the moon, but to impact it.
May 25, 12:30am
The world’s eyes turn to the Moon. The small French spacecraft now diving towards the Moon’s south pole, seconds away from pulverising. Telescopes, observatories, everyone with the capacity to watch. She takes one final glance, a devastating view of the impending obliteration, and then, gone. A vast plume of debris is kicked upwards from the surface following a brief flash of light. This plume is, with careful observations, visible from Earth, and easily from Windjammer, having slightly changed its orbit to be in the right position during the collision. Now that it's here, Windjammer faces the impact site with its visible camera, and its spectrometer. It sees, confirmed by numerous studies, ice. Water, on the Moon.
- INTERLUDE -
May 12, 1971 - Baikonur Control Room
Ustinov “Congratulations, Sergei.”
Korolev “Thank you, sir. It-”
Ustinov “What is next? Do our plans stay the same?”
Korolev “Well, we are drafting plans for the Zvezda modules, these are going to plan. Planetary program is progressing well, in addition, Mayak-2 is starting production.”
Ustinov “What of Mars?”
Korolev “Mars? Well, we have Mars 8 launching in one week, and a new rover planned for-”
Ustinov “But people?”
Korolev “People? Sir, we are focused on the moon right now. Archangel 7 has taught us much about what a Mars mission might entail, and we have a long way to go. There was not enough space, and Leonov’s psychiatric report is nothing like we’ve seen before.”
Ustinov “What of something like a Zond? A pathfinder?”
Korolev “That is possible, but it isn’t-”
Ustinov “Look into it. 1973. A returning flyby.”
Korolev “Sir-”
Ustinov “You have your orders.”
Korolev “We don’t have-”
Ustinov “Use an LK capsule.”
Korolev “That’s rated 12 km/s for entry, a free-return Mars reentry would be more than that.”
Ustinov “Baikonur is full of our union’s greatest minds. Work on it.”
Korolev “SIR, LISTEN-”
May 13, 1971 - 4:02pm - Jibei Island, Republic of China
For the last decade, the Black Cat Squadron had been performing routine missions flying over the People’s Republic of China on behalf of the ROC. The squadron was almost disbanded in 1968, barely saved by an increase in hostility and instability in the PRC. Flights switched from patrols of the strait to land overflying. Performing high altitude reconnaissance of Chinese military sites, following up on satellite images, taking photos at higher resolution and quality with film. The Black Cat Squadron became officially based out of Jibei Island in April 1970, after the construction of the Jibei Joint Military Base, part of a recent military agreement with the US for protection and trade.
Recently, with frightening speed, a new facility appeared in the Alxa Left Banner, 180 km Southeast of the regional capital of Bayanhot. Intel, though limited, suggests the facility is named Fangxiang, after a musical instrument in use for centuries. Beyond this, all that is known is from satellite imagery. Three vast runways were constructed, on the outskirts of a complex of dozens of buildings. 3 satellite dishes can be made out, alongside a vast track extending out of a massive building, resembling those seen at Baikonur in the USSR. This was a behemoth military complex doubling as a launch site. Orbital reconnaissance is only so powerful, and so to gather the necessary intelligence, the Black Cat Blackbird takes to the skies. This SR-71, one of two under the control of Black Cat Squadron, had already done 28 sortie missions, going as far as Guam and back to test its capabilities under the program. With its 7000 km range, it can fly directly to and from Fangxiang.
Huang “I never get tired of flying these... Must be just like flying a spacecraft.”
Thompson “Glad you’re enjoying it, I’m still stuck with the U-2s.”
Huang “Don’t complain, I love those planes too. There’s something so beautiful about that high altitude flight, isn't there?”
Thompson “I suppose. I’m not exactly as fixated on it as you seem to be.”
First Lieutenant Kelly Huang took off from Jibei island, shutting off all communication as he entered PRC airspace shortly after. Kelly is a Taiwanese-American, born in San Diego to two Taiwanese parents in 1936, joining the Air Force in 1967, and quickly rising through the ranks.
4:54pm - 18,000m above Fangxiang Site, People’s Republic of China
Huang “Alright darling, we’ve gotta go low and slow for this. Don’t worry, I won’t let ‘em harm you.”
The pilot carefully shuts off the afterburner. His provided information had said the base was still under construction, allowing for multiple flyovers. He flew over the base once, now completing the massive turnaround, approaching from the south west. Then, alarms blare in the cockpit. Buttons flashed in front of him, as a plane flew overhead, violently shaking the SR-71 from the wake.
Huang “Oh sh- Christ!!! That’s that, sweetie, time to head home!”
He pushes the throttle forwards, flicking on the afterburner once again, and begins to enter a climb. An upgraded Myasishchev M-50 had just flown right over him. The PRC had purchased three of these planes from the USSR just a few months ago. Never flown beyond the confines of Alxa Left Banner, and unknown to the rest of the world, and almost as capable as the SR-71 itself. The PRC was alerted of the flight by an observation ship in the strait, with Fangxiang rightly assumed to be its eventual destination and warned. Kelly has barely 2 seconds to react as the M-50 drops a payload before firing up its four afterburners and turning away. A bright flash of light illuminates the cockpit, and the internal lights go off. Along with that same purchase of M-50s, the PRC had purchased several experimental models of a new weapon type, perfect for close aerial combat. An Explosively pumped flux compression generator - an EMP device. Expensive to produce, and only effective at close range, the PRC was permitted to buy several of the units for testing and experimental purposes once Soviet testing proved its absurd operating cost and niche use case. Never intended for actual combat use. And yet, Kelly and his plane were now tumbling out of control. The SR-71 was resilient, and took only a few seconds to regain full power, but recovering from the dive would be difficult, even without the M-50 tailing him.
Kelly re-ignites the afterburners, flaring into activity as he catches the enemy outside the cockpit. Attempting to perform an evasive manoeuvre, he rolls the plane as far as he can while remaining flyable. He loses sight of the enemy, they must’ve returned to the base, or decided not to- A K-5 Air-to-air missile explodes just off the side of Kelly’s plane. There’s no time for this anymore. Kelly’s conscious mind shuts off, all he needs to do is fly the plane now, nothing else matters. In his mind, he disappears when the missile goes off, and comes back, safe at 25 km again, heading north to Mongolia. Flying back over China is too risky, instead, going through to Ulaanbaatar would offer a better chance of return, unless the PRC wanted to risk the retaliation of an airspace incursion.
Mongolia had, only two years before, been staunchly allied with the USSR, but following the assassination of Leonid Brezhnev in 1969, the relationship fell apart in every angle. The assassination frightened Yumjaagiin Tsedenbal, ruler of Mongolia, beginning to act strange; frequently dizzy during meetings, forgetting points in speeches, and insisting on reducing his time outside his residence. The paranoia alienated the populace of the nation, and worried the USSR. This culminated in February 1970, when Tsedenbal and his family fled for Moscow on the Trans-Mongolian railway. They would never reach their destination, a bombing occurring shortly outside the town of Darkhan, orchestrated by PRC agents, acting in an attempt to expand the nation into Mongolia. Their plan ultimately failed, the guards stationed across Inner Mongolia, ready to invade, had to be recalled to population centers to deal with numerous riots. The USSR had intended to install its own puppet government, but several ongoing wars had stalled their plans. Reinforcements were being sent to Egypt, fighting in the War of Attrition, dragging on for months after the blockade and bombing campaign at the Suez canal. Beyond just this, Soviet troops had to be deployed to Nigeria during the civil war, following the United States’ entrance into war, backing Biafra. The US had been supplying the Biafran populace with food, lessening, though not negating, the devastation of the famines. The US’ backing of Biafra resulted in a souring of relations with the UK, who eventually pulled out of the war in July 1970, Biafra becoming an independent nation, still supported and given relief by the US.
With the distacton of the USSR and PRC, it was the perfect opportunity for America to install its own government. Hoping to strengthen its control in the region, 45 year old Anandyn Enkhbayar, a political activist from the city of Choibalsan, and openly pro-America was installed as the new President of the Democratic Republic of Mongolia, allied with the United States. Now, approaching the capital Ulaanbaatar, Kelly Huang frantically hails ATC, informing him of his situation, and urgently requests that Jibei island be informed of the situation. He lands the SR-71 on the gravel runway of Buyant-Ukhaa Airport, kicking up a flurry of small stones and dust. The crew of the airport rushed out, securing the plane as instructed, and providing Huang with residence until a return flight could be organised. The photo film of Fangxiang provided crucial insight into the PRC’s inner workings and concealed plans. Vast launch sites and satellite tracking equipment, the vast complex of buildings are residencies, incredibly valuable information. The near-shooting down of the SR-71 quickly became a diplomatic incident, though not entirely clear to the public. The PRC responded by increasing their Strait fleet, evident posturing, and worrying some in the ROC and USA that an invasion may be on the horizon.
May 14, 1971
A familiar shadow is cast across the Floridian coast, that checkered obelisk built with hundreds of thousands of man hours and tens of millions of dollars. This Saturn V however, looks different to all the rest, a large payload shroud adorning the top of the vehicle. And nestled within the shroud, comfortably fastened to the payload adapter, the pride of JPL. Voyager 1, America’s first real Mars lander. The ramping up of Saturn V production has allowed for spare flight vehicles, making way for unmanned flights taking advantage of its incredible power. Capable of launching 35t towards Mars, this utilises only a fraction of that capacity, sending a 2,000kg lander and transfer stage, with the lander itself being 1,600kg. A hulking behemoth, a 10 sided beast, filled with dozens of experiments operated by teams spread across the country, and the globe. A team out of Osaka University controlling an experimental seismometer experiment, to be deployed after landing. Another experiment, by Leiden University, would attempt to deploy a weather balloon, connected to a kilometer long spool.
May 18, 1971
In the Soviet Union, a similar behemoth of a spacecraft launches, Mars 8. Equipped with a suite of camera instruments, scientific instruments, and an atmospheric probe. All this combined makes for the most advanced Mars orbiter ever constructed, proudly displaying the red Soviet banner. After launch, it wastes no time performing the burn to Mars, burning its engines with unbelievable power. Mars 8 is on her way. In many ways, the space race to the Moon has ended, and Mars is the next goal, however far away. At least, that’s what had been thought.
May 26, 1971
UNE DÉC-EAU-VERTE ACCIDENTELLE SUR LA LUNE!
FRANCE’S MOON ORBITER FAILS - DISCOVERS ICE
Scientists around the world are stunned by the discovery of ice on the Lunar south pole. Due to an engine failure on France’s repurposed ‘Tournesol’ spacecraft, reaching orbit was no longer a possibility, now locked into an impact trajectory. All that could be done was for the world’s telescopes to watch as a cloud of debris appeared on the southern limb of the Moon. Those able to perform spectroscopy were shocked as the plume revealed high water content, proving the existence of water ice in the Moon’s permanently shadowed craters. What this may mean for future Lunar exploration is unknown, but is surely a crucial step towards space-based colonies. President Scranton, along with French President Georges Pompidou, gave a joint press conference.
Scranton “This discovery, thanks entirely to the hard work of our French allies, is one of the greatest discoveries to have been made in the space age.”
Pompidou “Together, we are happy to say that we will be working together, and are in the preliminary stages of searching for a French astronaut to join the mission of Apollo 17.”
In reality, US-French space agencies had already been cooperating for some time, it just so happened that this event had provided the perfect opportunity for an announcement to be made.
June 3, 1971 - Washington D.C., United States
Archangel 7’s crew continue their global tour, landing in Washington D.C., to meet with President Scranton and Vice President Ford, accompanied by Soviet Premier Ustinov. Historical photos are taken of Titov shaking hands with Scranton, Khrunov handing over a sealed rock from Laika, and Leonov meeting with Karol Bobko, the first American to spacewalk. This happened, even despite the rising tensions between the two nations. A small moment of peace in the world. The calm before the storm.
June 9, 1971 - Taipei, Republic of China
A vast shadow sweeps across the city of Taipei, that iconic Boeing C-137, emblazoned with blue and silver, Air Force One. US President Scranton and Vice President Gerald Ford descend down the steps, shaking hands with ROC President Chiang Kai-shek and Vice President Yen Chia-kan. Behind them, respective military leaders John Ryan and Huang Chieh. They are given a tour of the presidential facilities, and shortly after a wonderful lunch banquet, begin a discussion. The increased aggression and instability of mainland China in recent months has led to concerns, and opportunities. Chien displays a plan that has remained on the backburner for the past year or so, but now, is back in full swing. Project National Glory, a plan to retake mainland China. Scranton had been opposed to the plan, rejecting offers to participate since he took office 7 years ago. But now, with tensions close to boiling, it seemed like a real, feasible option. With the increase in the number of riots across the country, it was only a matter of time until total chaos broke loose. Agreements were formed, and plans were made. The US would fully commit to the defense of Taiwan, and on the advice of Ryan, an invasion would remain on the table if instability grows enough. Scranton was concerned about entering such a war, for obvious reasons, and refused to make any commitments, requiring careful deliberation of the true circumstances, if and when they should arise. Still, several battleships would remain ready for deployment, stationed in the Philippines and Okinawa. One can hope it doesn’t come to this.
June 14, 1971 - Cape Canaveral, Florida
In recent times, the allure of the Moon has been growing. Early Apollo era enticement had faded away following the repeated and seemingly ordinary expeditions of crew to the Lunar surface. Archangel 7 and the discovery of ice in lunar craters served to revive the enthusiasm that had been lost, bringing a swarm of researchers and engineers to NASA, JPL, and space programs all around the world. This renewed optimism forced expanded plans for exploration as well, initial plans for a Moon base had begun to crystalise within NASA, research into ISRU fuel production beginning, and studies into low-mass high-bandwidth communications systems. This would come incredibly useful just before the next phase of exploration begins - Total lunar reconnaissance, poles and far side included. Third generation Surveyor probes are months away from launching, carrying more advanced equipment, cameras, and a small solar-powered rover, carrying a small radioisotope heater to survive lunar night. Alongside this stands a planned fleet of lunar orbiters, imaging the surface, scanning for resources, and most importantly, communication. One of these, one of the most beautiful pieces of engineering so far, deploys its vast solar panels as it prepares to fly to the moon. Beacon 1 activates its three ion engines, beginning the arduous, month-long spiral out from the Earth.
August 5, 1971 - Earth-Moon L2 Point
After more than 40 days of constant thrust, twirling around the Earth, Beacon arrives at the Moon. It gently slips into orbit of the Earth-Moon L2 Lagrange point, maintaining a permanent view of the far side of the Moon, and the Earth, at the same time. In future, a second Beacon will be placed at L1, serving as a secondary relay. Test signals are sent to and from the spacecraft, showing incredible performance only slightly less than the most optimistic expectations. The perfectness and surprise stability of the orbit at the Lagrange point served only to brighten visions of the future, some dreaming of massive orbital colonies stationed here, and space-built radio telescopes staring away from Earth and all the noise.
August 13, 1971 - Cape Canaveral, Florida
Riding the wave of Lunar optimism, the first of the new Surveyors takes to the skies. Surveyor HR-I flickers its engines to carefully descend, the vastness of Tycho Crater stretching across the view below. News stations broadcast the live telemetry, and a live feed of a mechanical simulator in JPL powered by the real, live data, and a plaster model of the region. 5,000,000 tuned in across various networks to watch, and sat waiting once landing had been called out. Under a minute after landing, the first image was sent back - a mesmerising photograph of Tycho crater’s central peak. An image that inspires all those who see it, bringing yet more people into the spaceflight industry.
August 15, 1971 - Cape Canaveral, Florida
To many onlookers, the field of asteroid research had truly begun to flower. The encounter with Lutetia had revealed an incredible amount, lifetimes of research and discoveries had been overturned in a matter of hours. The manned exploration of Laika too, helped with this, bringing about discoveries and breakthroughs in the solar system that may not otherwise have been found for decades. The new form of ice, and the presence of ice in general, was an astonishing find which captivated the world nearly as much as the images of Titov against the Earth. Some made reference to Cat’s Cradle, the novel by Kurt Vonnegut, with reference to the fictional Ice 9, which thankfully was not an apt comparison. Continuing with this second age of asteroid exploration, another Seafarer spacecraft prepares to launch, the 7th one. This spacecraft, built over the past year, breaks free of its Arcturus launcher, and begins its coast towards another asteroid. 45 Eugenia, dictated to arrive in just 16 months, December 1972. Dandridge Cole’s grand vision for the asteroids continues to take shape, a beautiful plan of exploration and discovery. The Soviet Union’s evident plans for Asteroid retrieval and likely mining certainly helped with funding for his proposals; further exploration, landings, and sample retrievals.
September 14, 1971
Recently, the rioting in China has slowed down. The government had hoped the worst was over, and began to decrease the amount of guards in cities. Then, without warning, the rioting returned, hundreds across the entire country. Crowds chanted about the technological advancements in the US and USSR, about the freedoms elsewhere, and the oppression. Retaliation was violent and quick. Uprisings in Tibet and Xinjiang, shouting for independence, echoing 1959. Several of these riots were directly instigated by the CIA, operating in the region for years already, increasing their meddling in the past few months, attempting to hasten the instability. But this was something beyond what was planned. A full social uprising. The tens of millions of people forcibly relocated to rural communities, returning en masse to the cities, in a display of collective rioting seldom seen before.
September 15, 1971 - Washington D.C.
Scranton “Now then. Last point on the morning agenda, John, please, tell me the situation has improved. None of us want to incite a World War.”
Ford “Our latest intel shows no improvement, the riots are still ongoing, and from what we’ve heard, the PLA has already slain thousands of protesters.”
Scranton “Christ... And Taiwan?”
Ford “They’ve deployed almost all their forces to the coast. They’re ready to land in a matter of days.”
Scranton “Why did we have to agree to this. Notify the Pacific fleets to move to the west coast of Taiwan, we’ll be ready.”
Ford “The Taiwanese fleet has split into two, with one half deploying to Jeju Island in South Korea, preparing to invade Beijing via the Yellow Sea, should the time come.”
Scranton “Alright. We can spare a third of our fleet to go with them. Look into if we can spare any Carriers. Is that everything?”
Ryan “One more thing, tomorrow is China’s 10th National Congress, CIA operatives around Beijing report planning is underway among a large group of protesters. They’re planning to break into the hall during the meeting.”
Scranton “Are the guards not an issue?”
Ryan “They’ve stockpiled weapons, and have planned to detonate a bomb in a nearby building, dragging the guards away as a distraction.”
Scranton “Does the PLA know about this? If we do-”
Ryan “It’s unclear. Given that there’s no guards outside the planned building detonation site, we don’t think so”
Scranton “Very well. And I want to make one thing clear, if a war does break out, No nukes. If the PLA takes Taiwan, we fight conventionally. Unless they land a goddamn platoon on the shores of California, there’s no nukes.”
Ryan “Of course.”
Scranton “And air and sea deployments only, for as long as possible.”
Ford “We already have some ground troops ready for deployment, just waiting for confirmation. A draft can be organized too, if necessary.”
Scranton “...This is too much for right now. Take care of this, we’ll speak in the evening. Christ, imagine if Goldwater was the one dealing with this.”
September 16, 1971 - Great Hall of the People, Beijing
The 10th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party is well underway. Mao Zedong is giving a speech on the stage, speaking of the victories in recent wars, namely the Biafran war. And while speaking of their upcoming space expeditions, the nearing Yutu program, aiming to send spacecraft to the moon, a faint rumbling shakes the building. A few hundred meters away, an unassuming corner building explodes into a violent firestorm. The guards standing outside the hall ran over, and with this, a second rumbling. A crowd of people, thousands, tens of thousands, pour out of every street. They burst through the walls of the Hall. The crowd breaches the conference hall, all the 1,300 attending delegates and government officials try to leave in a turbulent stampede, but the encroaching crowd wins, pushing the delegates to the front of the Great Hall. Trembling, Mao’s projection of power and strength crumbles, cowering against the wall, behind hundreds of officials. In the uppermost row of the auditorium, a figure hidden in a helmet, draped in fabric, and fastened in metal emerges from the chaos, standing on the wooden fencing. He had just handed out dozens of pistols to the surrounding crowd. Everyone now armed has orders to fire as soon as he does. He aims, Mao in his sights, and pulls the trigger.
The distant sky is calm and clear. In Beijing, it’s storming.