scélérat

Chapitre 13

"Let me contact them first, wait for my call. But in my opinion, this mission is indeed unusual."

Guo Dong was very efficient; ten minutes later, he sent the meeting time and location to my phone via text message.

The person I'm going to meet is named Peng Deng, a scientist who also worked on China's lunar landing program and was a key participant in the lunar survival project.

Since he had already finished get off work, the meeting place was his home. And Peng Deng happened to live in the same neighborhood as Yang Hongmin.

I think that in order to solve the housing problem for its researchers, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation probably bought a lot of houses in this area.

The man who opened the door for me was a dark-skinned middle-aged man, who didn't look like a scientist conducting research indoors at all. Considering the project he was in charge of, his dark complexion must have come from the Gobi Desert near Jiuquan.

"Teacher Peng, this is Na Duo."

"Welcome." Peng Deng ushered us into the house. He glanced at Kou Yun next to me and said, "I thought you were the only one who came."

Since she had promised Kou Yun to bring her, she had naturally prepared her explanation beforehand. Kou Yun gave her a sweet smile and said, "I am Kou Yun, the teacher's assistant. I help with some record-keeping and data collection and organization."

If I had thought of that sooner, I should have bought her a more formal suit to make Kou Yun look more professional, instead of her current cute princess-like outfit. However, I can't reveal my true identity to Guo Dong, so I shouldn't give myself away.

There was no one else in the living room. After sitting down on the sofa, Kou Yun solemnly took out a pen and notebook. To be honest, I was worried that this clerk would fill the notebook with funny faces.

"Teacher Peng, you should already know why I'm here. Would you please begin to explain the situation?" Heaven knows what Guo Dong said; he managed to brush it all off with a single sentence.

"You know, besides completing the launch missions assigned by the state, our carrier rockets often take on commercial launch projects. Because our Long March series is stable and relatively inexpensive, it is very competitive in the international market. The successful launch on January 17th this year, which you want to know about, was such a commercial launch. However, what we carried was not a satellite."

"If it's not a satellite, then what is it?" Peng Deng's first question surprised me. In my mind, aren't all commercial launches satellite launches? Oh no, I've heard that some foreign companies are doing space tourism, charging tens of millions per person, but those seem to be done by space shuttles, not launch vehicles.

"The thing that was launched is somewhat related to my current work," Peng Deng said, a strange expression on his face and his brows furrowing, as if there were still some puzzling questions about this launch mission that happened nearly half a year ago.

Thinking of the shared identity between Peng Deng and Yang Hongmin, I blurted out: "The moon? Related to the moon?"

Peng Deng nodded: "That time, our rocket wasn't transporting anything to near-Earth or far-Earth orbit, but to the moon, 380,000 kilometers away. The rocket model used was the Long March 3A carrier rocket, which will carry out the 'Chang'e-1' launch mission at the end of the year."

"But isn't my country's lunar landing program supposed to start at the end of this year, launching a lunar orbiter? Why did they launch it first without warning?"

"This is not part of the lunar landing program. As I said before, this is a commercial launch. Someone else pays us to send things into space. The client is a company registered in the Netherlands. I don't know much about their background, but I've never heard of them in the space exploration field before."

What are they going to send to the moon?

"A probe module that can achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface using the reverse thrust of a rocket. Because this probe module was not manufactured by us, but was directly transported to Jiuquan by the client, we cannot open it to see what is inside. It's probably a lunar rover or something like that."

"Even our own lunar landing program won't launch a lunar orbiter until the end of the year, followed by an unmanned lunar landing. How could... this private company have gotten ahead of us?" I asked in surprise. A private company has actually surpassed China's progress in lunar exploration—are they just too amazing, or are we just too incompetent?

Peng Deng shook his head: "It's not what you think. While building a probe or lunar rover requires highly advanced technology, it's not exactly cutting-edge. Some well-known international machinery manufacturers can produce them. In fact, many NASA projects, such as the Mars rover, are custom-made by these companies. We won't launch a lunar orbiter for several months, and the unmanned lunar landing will be even later, but that doesn't mean we haven't mastered these technologies. The Chinese approach to things is to strike only when there's absolute certainty, so the lunar landing plan is being implemented step by step, without any grandstanding. Besides, deploying a lunar rover to the lunar surface isn't too difficult. The unmanned landing we're aiming for in our lunar landing plan requires both deployment and retrieval. We need to land the probe on the moon and then bring it back safely to Earth with the collected lunar samples. The lunar probe we launched in January didn't have a return capability; once it was on the moon, it was gone forever."

His explanation cleared up my doubts; otherwise, it would be absurd for any company to have space capabilities surpassing China's.

"Moreover, taking on this order has another advantage: it can help us accumulate experience for our lunar landing program. It's great that someone is paying us to conduct experiments," Peng Deng said, making a small joke.

"So the probe successfully landed on the moon?"

"The Long March 3A rocket took 74 hours to launch the lunar thruster into lunar orbit. After the thruster carried the probe around the moon five times, it successfully separated from the probe at the location designated by the client, somewhere on the dark side of the moon. It can be said that our mission was successfully completed. However, we do not know whether the probe ultimately achieved a successful soft landing because its signal was transmitted directly back to the client."

“It’s on the dark side of the moon,” I said.

“Yes, the dark side of the moon, you should know that, right?” Peng Deng asked me.

I nodded. Due to the angle of the moon's rotation and revolution, the moon always presents the same face to the earth, while its other side is always hidden in shadow; this is the dark side of the moon.

Peng Deng had told me almost everything he knew by now. I also understood what was causing his doubts and what made Guo Dong feel that this commercial launch mission was unusual.

Fifth, the Eagle of the Mist (5)

Regardless of what's inside the lunar probe or what its functions are, all actions of a private company should be related to profit.

However, human space exploration is still in its infancy. Whether it's China, the United States, or other leading space technology nations, they are all still in the investment phase. The trillions of dollars allocated by governments each year are not expected to yield immediate returns. So, what motivates a private company to invest so much money to launch a probe to the moon? And this is a non-returnable probe, unable to bring back even a single gram of lunar soil.

If someone does something that no one around them can understand, that person will most likely be considered mentally unstable. But if a company does something like that, does that mean the entire decision-making team of that company has developed a mental illness?

There must be a reason for such an investment in the hundreds of millions, but I just can't think of one right now. Not only can't I think of one, but Guo Dong and Peng Deng can't either.

So what about Yang Hongmin? Did he know the reason?

Peng Deng had asked everything he wanted to ask. He didn't know anything about the company's background; he couldn't even remember the name of the Dutch company. However, I believe Guo Dong would definitely not let this company go and would investigate its background.

Kou Yun diligently kept records without saying a word. A few times I peeked at his notebook and saw that it was indeed filled with densely packed notes.

After saying a few words of thanks, I was about to take my leave when I gestured for Kou Yun to get up. But then I noticed her giving me a meaningful look.

I couldn't figure out what this little girl was up to. Afraid she'd cause trouble, I glared at her and urged her to get up quickly.

Kou Yun moved his lips and silently uttered three words.

I could tell from her lip movements that it said "Yang Hongmin".

By this time I had already stood up, and Peng Deng also got up to see me out, but I didn't take a step. Instead, I asked him, "Professor Peng and Academician Yang Hongmin must be quite familiar with each other, right?"

Kou Yun's reminder made me realize that Peng Deng and Yang Hongmin were both members of China's lunar landing program, and even lived so close to each other. Furthermore, Guo Dong had helped me contact him, so he must be someone familiar with Yang Hongmin. Did he have his own thoughts about Yang Hongmin's murder?

Peng Deng nodded, his expression somber, and said, "Old Yang has a quick temper, and it's inevitable to have disagreements with him. But we all know he has a good heart, and even if we argue sometimes, he doesn't really take it to heart. Who knew he would encounter such misfortune this time?"

When I heard him say this, I suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. When I was talking to Peng Deng, I acted like I was still a reporter, but God, I was a fugitive from the Public Security Bureau, the one who openly killed Yang Hongmin! Just now I introduced myself as that person. Luckily, luckily, this Peng Deng doesn't seem to know the name of the unfortunate guy who was caught.

Peng Deng didn't notice the fleeting awkwardness in my expression and continued, "I heard that the murderer was caught on the spot and must be severely punished. Old Yang's contribution and role in China's lunar landing program are irreplaceable."

As he spoke, his expression grew increasingly somber.

Even though I didn't kill anyone, I felt incredibly guilty at that moment and nodded repeatedly in agreement.

The person Peng Denglian was arrested by the police was someone I didn't even know, and they didn't mention the phone call Yang Hongmin made before boarding the ship yesterday, which shows that the case was kept very confidential, and he wasn't the person I expected to know the inside story.

"By the way, Teacher Peng, have you ever visited his home?"

"I go there often, since we live close by."

Have you seen the root carving in his cupboard?

Peng Deng nodded: "You mean that pine root carving? I've seen it before."

"Pine root carving? Is that made from pine roots?"

"Oh, I don't know what kind of root it is. I meant he carved a welcoming pine tree."

"Welcoming... Pine?" I opened my mouth wide, recalling the carving in my mind, and it did seem to resemble a pine tree.

Guo Dong and I were so focused on the eagle that we mistook a perfectly good pine tree for a soaring eagle.

"So, did you see an eagle at Academician Yang's place?"

“An eagle?” Peng Deng frowned.

I was about to explain that it wasn't a real eagle, but something related to eagles, when Peng Deng hesitated for a moment and said, "Eagles? I do know what that means, but I've never seen one at Lao Yang's house."

I was overjoyed to find a major clue in a casual question, but then I heard Peng Deng say something that completely surprised me.

“I remember he hasn’t been to China in recent years.”

"Is the eagle a person?" Kou Yun finally couldn't hold back any longer and blurted out the question with wide eyes.

“Yes.” Penden seemed puzzled by our reaction: “Aren’t you talking about Dr. Vebri?”

Kou Yun and I looked into each other's eyes and couldn't help but laugh.

I searched high and low for it yesterday but couldn't find it, and now I've found it without any effort.

Dr. Vebri, chief scientist at Yunsen International Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Switzerland, is a close friend of Yang Hongmin. Yunsen Machinery is one of the most renowned companies in the world that manufactures machinery related to space exploration. Because of Vebri's eagle-like eyes and hooked nose, and his extremely sharp work attitude and methods, his friends nicknamed him "The Eagle."

As I left Pengdeng's house, I looked up at the night sky.

The clouds are thick tonight, and the moon is nowhere to be seen.

VI. The Key to Annihilation (1)

"The eagle has been found!" Guo Dong shouted as he turned around.

The investigation team's special case room was thrown into chaos.

I could hear everything clearly on the other end of the phone, and I couldn't help but feel a little smug.

No matter how prestigious your investigation team is, or how experienced its members are, the key breakthroughs were still achieved by me.

As for whether my progress was somewhat accidental, that's called good fortune coming to those who are lucky, or that heaven rewards those who persevere. It's also a kind of ability, and it doesn't make me feel embarrassed at all.

I've long since passed the age of youthful humility. I occasionally boast to myself, and my confidence and thick skin have grown proportionally—two powerful weapons for navigating the world.

However, new talents emerge in every generation, replacing the old. Given time, Kou Yun will surely hone these two weapons to be even more formidable than I am. While I was merely boasting in my heart, she had been praising herself all the way from Peng Deng's house to the hotel.

"Yes, yes, you're a super qualified recorder. You didn't cause me any trouble at all."

"Just a recorder, just someone who didn't cause you any trouble?" Kou Yun said, hands on her hips and pouting.

"No, no, no, you're like Dr. Watson by Sherlock Holmes's side, making great contributions to solving cases."

"Sherlock Holmes? That name sounds familiar. Watson? Strange names, who are these two?"

I was speechless for a moment, but luckily I was quick-witted and immediately changed my tune: "Then you are like Gongsun Ce by Bao Zheng's side. We can't do without you."

Kou Yun had received a good education in traditional culture and finally realized who these two were. He tried to look cool for three seconds, but couldn't help but chuckle.

"I don't want Gongsun Ce, I want, I want..." Her eyes darted around, and she said loudly, "I want Bai Yutang." Her whole face lit up when she mentioned the handsome Bai.

I shook my head. How could she suddenly be in love? This girl's thoughts change faster than the weather in June.

"Wipe your mouth, you're drooling."

Kou Yun hurriedly wiped it with his hand.

"Brother, you lied to me!"

"Who told you to laugh like that... ah..." I roared. This girl has actually evolved to pinching. Who taught her such a vicious trick, or... is this a woman's innate skill?

I had a good night's sleep, and when I woke up, I called Guo Dong.

It seems Guo Dong didn't sleep all night; he's already made some progress in his investigation of Vibri's situation. This has proven to be a crucial clue, gradually pulling something hidden in the shadows out of the open.

The entire investigation team was mobilized and worked at full capacity to gather intelligence. One of the team members even flew to Hong Kong in the early hours of the morning, then transferred to a plane to Switzerland to personally visit Yunsen.

Guo Dong told me that in another 24 to 48 hours, the case would be initially pieced together, and he would explain the details to me then.

But he couldn't resist my persistent questioning and eventually told me some information.