Chapter 313

Chapter 313: Lockheed and Star Wars

“Don’t rush to write just yet. You need to include some useful things. The executors can consider Blackwater and the French Foreign Legion. Apply to Lab 41 for four ‘Poseidon’ battle mobile armaments to go with two ‘SWORDS’ battle robots. Regardless of whether we will use them or not, we must at least have them ready. The assault plan should cover multiple aspects: land, sea, and air. Each attack plan must have at least two to three auxiliary plans and secondary contingencies.”

Zariyev’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Battle mobile armament? What is that?” It sounded less like preparing to deal with a person and more like gearing up to face demons from hell. Just these firepower options could take on a whole regiment of enemies.

“Large manned combat robots, fully armored. Hmph, the tank killer, the king of mountain and urban warfare. Have you seen the Japanese animated series GUNDAM? If not, you should watch it and you’ll understand. Right now, only one company has publicly revealed the XOS-2 exoskeleton robot, but in fact, we already have the XOS-9 experimental machine. The public will never know the truth.”

“This… this is real? It’s simply amazing!”

The idea of a manned large robot seemed something only seen in science fiction movies or animations. Zariyev’s mouth dropped open as he looked at his superior, shocked by the incredible information being shared. It felt too fantastical to be true.

“Even you probably don’t know that the American government’s ‘Star Wars Program’ wasn’t entirely just a ruse to trick the Soviets into a military competition. In fact, since the program was initiated, it has never stopped. Otherwise, where would all that annual deficit come from? Area 51 is just a facade; the truth will always remain shrouded in mist.”

Mitch Friedman’s mention of the truth left Zariyev mysteriously excited, as if he had stumbled upon a tremendous secret.

Seeing the doubt in Zariyev’s eyes, Mitch Friedman sighed again and said, “Actually, this program was prepared and established long before the 1985 public announcement. Even I didn’t know at the time. Lockheed Martin is one of the participants. If the President hadn’t pushed through the loan for us in 1971, we would have gone bankrupt back in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Our core business areas include system integration, aviation, aerospace, and technical services, which are important components of the ‘Star Wars Program.’ Otherwise, we wouldn’t have merged with Martin Marietta under government directive and completed the ‘Magellan’ spacecraft manufacturing task in 1989…”

Since its inception, Lockheed Martin has always been a major product supplier for the Department of Defense and NASA, and it is also the world’s largest fighter jet manufacturer. They control all military satellite production and launch operations and are major manufacturers of intercontinental missiles, employing over 100,000 people across 45 states, 457 cities, and 56 countries in America.

However, to the outside world, including the media and the public, nearly everyone believed that the ‘Star Wars Program’ proposed by America in 1985 was merely a scheme to thwart the Soviets and lead to their downfall.

In reality, few knew that this program danced between fact and fiction, beyond anyone’s imagination.

No one even realized the complex ties between the successful Lockheed Martin and this program.

A high-tech military equipment company wouldn’t just grow and thrive without reason, nor would it acquire firms like Loral and LTV without justification. They also sought to merge with Martin Marietta and Northrop Grumman. If the latter merger had succeeded, they would have completely controlled 25% of the Department of Defense’s annual budget.

The Star Wars Program (Strategic Defense Initiative, or SDI) was intended as a strategic defense plan against ballistic missiles. It was initiated by the American government on January 4, 1985, designed for deployment beginning in 1994, but it was announced to have been discontinued in the 1990s. The plan aimed to defend against enemy intercontinental strategic missiles and spacecraft in outer space to prevent hostile nuclear strikes on America and its allies.

The objective was to create a multi-layered and multi-means integrated missile defense system with four interception levels targeting ballistic missile trajectories—boost phase, midcourse, and re-entry—primarily utilizing space-based directed energy weapons (like fluorine chemical lasers, nuclear energy, X-ray lasers, and molecular lasers with space-based mirrors) and kinetic weapons (non-nuclear interceptors and high-velocity electromagnetic railguns).

The Star Wars Program is a multi-tiered space defense initiative based on outer space, including global monitoring, early warning and identification systems, interception systems, as well as command, control, and communication systems.

Although it masqueraded as a defensive measure, in reality, it aligned closely with the American ethos of being a world police force; the overarching power that can strike whoever it wants; and the mindset that to refuse American help is an insult.

Even by today’s standards, the program still carries a futuristic and substantial science fiction aura.

Zariyev suppressed his overwhelming excitement, his face flushed and his eyes sparkling. Although a lot of what Mitch Friedman said contained information he had previously encountered, he hadn’t anticipated all these pieces fitting together in such an extraordinary way.

This was definitely a groundbreaking super news story. If any media outlet in the world caught even a whisper of what was discussed in this office, they would break their necks trying to get the scoop, more expertly than actual spies.

Mitch Friedman was pleased with Zariyev’s reaction, knowing this former KGB and CIA dual agent was entirely reliable; otherwise, he would not have revealed such information.

Mitch Friedman nodded, stopping further revelations. “Some things you only need to know. Keep the confidentiality regulations in mind. If there are new equipment updates, I will have Michelle send you another list. Remember, it must be foolproof. Don’t forget to summarize the reasons for previous failures. Keep in mind this is for Chairman Marceau. It’s for our livelihoods.”

“Right, for our livelihoods!” Professional tactical planner Zariyev nodded vigorously, his mind already filled with various combinations of equipment applications, unable to remain still as he sought a place to brainstorm.

While advanced equipment is not the essential factor for success, it can greatly improve the chances of an operation’s success. Access to cutting-edge technologies unknown to the public means having more tactical options to achieve objectives, allowing the operation team to fulfill their missions more easily. This is a very welcome outcome for both parties involved.

If it’s something that can be achieved with money, why sacrifice lives, right?

Even the most reckless outlaws would acknowledge this standard.

“When will the preliminary plan be ready?” Mitch Friedman interlocked his fingers, looking towards Zariyev.

Zariyev hesitated but said, “I need fifteen days to assess tactical strategies and determine the best dates and weather for the operation.”

“No, no, no!” Mitch Friedman shook his head and added, “I can only give you one week, yes, exactly one week. I need your preliminary plan on my desk in seven days. In the remaining seven days, I will work with you to revise it. I will also bring in the Blackwater people to discuss the feasibility of the plan. If we can’t impress Chairman Marceau within this half-month, well, there won’t be a later; we will both be out on the street.”

“Yes, Mr. Friedman, even if I have to work day and night, I will get the plan to you on time!” Zariyev nodded firmly, knowing it was crucial for his job.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, he had faced the hardships of uncertain living conditions. After making his way to America and receiving CIA training, he executed several missions before choosing to leave the CIA and joined Lockheed’s special operations. This place offered generous benefits and a comfortable life. Losing this job would mean he couldn’t support his lovely wife and obedient children or afford a comfortable home and car; he would have to move into an apartment and squeeze into a small room.

Oh God, it’s easy to slip into luxury, but hard to return to simplicity. How could he live then? Zariyev was almost unreservedly pinning his hopes on his superior. This was a situation where one’s rise lifts everyone, and one’s fall drags everyone down. He didn’t even need Mitch Friedman to push him; he was eager to start working immediately.

“Go!” Mitch Friedman gestured, and Zariyev hurriedly burst out the door.

“God bless us to succeed; that damn ‘Gold Coin’ or ‘Dragon Knight’ would be better off going to meet God sooner. Forgiving is up to God; I’m only responsible for delivering you to Him!” Watching Zariyev leave, Mitch Friedman clasped his hands together in a sincere prayer, then took a deep breath, picking up the phone and dialing a few numbers.

“Chairman’s office? Miss Annika, please connect me to Chairman Marceau. Thank you… Chairman Marceau? Hello, I’m Mitch Friedman. As you probably know, the news from the Pentagon and CIA… Right, you’re absolutely right. So I suggest we resolve this through unofficial channels. It may cost a bit more, but it will alleviate our worries… Yes! I will provide you with a detailed feasibility plan. Yes, in fifteen days, I guarantee a truly feasible, airtight plan delivered to you, thoroughly vetted and validated by the CIA, foolproof… Thank you for your understanding. I will serve Lockheed with loyalty to repay the Chairman’s trust in me.”