As the Mars spacecraft soared into the sky, the entire English nation watched intently. Within seconds, the ship became a speck on the horizon.
On television, the two astronauts briefly appeared during liftoff but were quickly overshadowed by the twelve fully armed soldiers in the cargo bay.
Unlike traditional rockets, which ascend vertically, the Mars spacecraft relied on its powerful engines to achieve a plane-like takeoff. It then accelerated into the upper atmosphere at incredible speed.
Within fifteen minutes, the spacecraft reached U.S. airspace. One of the soldiers, acting as a spokesperson, stood by a specialized glass window, smiling at the spherical drone recording the scene.
"We are now flying over the United States," he said. "From here, I can clearly see the Great Lakes. In 30 seconds, we'll reach the Pacific Ocean, and then we'll turn back to the Atlantic.
Our mission today is to simulate a personnel drop and an emergency spacecraft landing on an uninhabited island in the Atlantic Ocean.
This exercise is designed to prepare for potential emergencies during future Mars or lunar missions.
Let me emphasize: this exercise is not directed at any nation. Please do not overinterpret our intentions."
The revelation that the exercise would take place on an uninhabited island just 300 kilometers from U.S. shores caused widespread amusement in England.
Across the Atlantic, however, American viewers fumed. Many cursed at their screens, but there was little they could do—300 kilometers was well outside U.S. jurisdiction. At most, they could lodge a formal protest, but even that would be toothless.
England, buoyed by the spacecraft's success, wasn't about to yield to U.S. pressure.
William confirmed with Sunday that the emergency pods, modified from Predator single-person space pods, could be safely recovered within three minutes without any risk of leaks.
He ordered four soldiers to don full combat gear and enter the pods. Moments later, the pods were launched from the spacecraft into space, descending rapidly toward the uninhabited island.
Two minutes later, the pods landed with a series of loud thuds, kicking up clouds of dust.
The spherical drone accompanying them livestreamed the event, capturing the soldiers' reactions.
As the dust settled, the pod doors opened. The soldiers stepped out, briefly disoriented but otherwise unharmed. They waved at the drone and shared their impressions, emphasizing how normal they felt.
After retrieving the pods, the spacecraft landed, and the soldiers regrouped for a simulated skirmish on the island.
The display filled the English people with pride, while analysts quickly grasped its implications.
If the pods could be adapted to carry weapons—or even nuclear warheads—England could launch an attack from space within 15 minutes.
A nuclear strike using pods the size of single beds could obliterate targets in just 20 to 30 minutes. Such an attack speed was unmatched, and the pods would be nearly impossible to intercept.
Following this demonstration, few nations would dare challenge England openly.
While William sought to enhance England's global standing, he didn't want the country to become a troublemaker.
As the four-star general beside him trembled with excitement, William issued a stern warning:
"While I'm open to granting limited access to the spacecraft, its control will remain firmly in my hands.
If anyone attempts to misuse it—or worse, take it from me—I'll ensure they understand the meaning of retribution.
Not just immediate payback, but generational vengeance.
And let me remind you, if I choose, this spacecraft can make a round trip to the Moon in ten days, carrying 50 tons of gold each time.
If that doesn't deter fools, I'll build ten specialized transport ships, each 30 meters long. Within a month, 1,500 tons of gold will flood the market.
In a year, 18,000 tons of gold would saturate Earth's financial markets, rendering global economies worthless.
Every capitalist would watch as their wealth evaporates or plunges into bankruptcy."
The general's elation gave way to unease, and others who had been considering exploiting William's invention were left speechless.
The idea of using gold as a weapon was terrifying. Even a single spacecraft injecting 1,800 tons of gold into the market annually would cause gold prices to plummet.
While 1,800 tons might not seem like much, the mere possibility of William increasing supply tenfold could destroy market confidence.
As gold prices crashed, currencies tied to gold would lose value.
If the U.S.'s vast gold reserves lost half their worth, the world would face another financial crisis.
While some fretted over the potential consequences, others saw opportunity.
Certain capitalists began scheming to leak news of William's threat, hoping to profit from the ensuing chaos in the futures market.
Their short-term greed exemplified why governments both encouraged and regulated capitalism.
Few capitalists cared about the broader societal impact of their actions.
William, no stranger to such tactics, didn't mind the opportunists.
First, he wanted the market to feel the weight of his offhand remarks. If mere words could stir the market, the actual execution of his plans would be exponentially more devastating.
Second, as a member of England's elite, William knew that most of the officials and socialites present were his natural allies.
Even those who competed with him in other areas would unite behind him when faced with a threat to their collective interests.
For William, this was a calculated move.
While he had no intention of fully weaponizing gold, the mere possibility served as a powerful deterrent to enemies and a reminder to allies of his influence.
As the spacecraft returned to London, it slowed down, circling the aerospace center multiple times to dissipate heat. Finally, it landed gracefully on the runway, stopping just meters from the viewing platform where William stood.
The astronauts, who had done little more than pull the engine lever, exited the spacecraft, waving sheepishly at the cameras before boarding a waiting helicopter with the soldiers.
An English aerospace scientist approached William, visibly nervous.
"Mr. Devonshire, is it true that the spacecraft can travel at 100,000 kilometers per hour in space and 30,000 kilometers per hour in the atmosphere?
If so, how could it cover the distance from the U.S. coast to London in just 25 minutes?"
William saw no reason to hide the truth. "The speed is as you said, but current metal technology poses challenges.
At such high speeds within the atmosphere, the spacecraft's exterior sustains significant damage. After about 20,000 kilometers, the hull needs a thorough inspection to prevent breaches."
The scientists nodded in understanding, unsurprised by the limitation.
"And in space, without air resistance or gravity?" another scientist asked eagerly. "Theoretically, could the spacecraft travel farther and last longer?"
"Absolutely," William replied with a smile. "I estimate the spacecraft can complete three round trips to Mars before needing a hull replacement."
"Three trips?" The scientist's jaw dropped. "That's over 330 million kilometers, considering Mars' shortest distance from Earth is 55 million kilometers."
Before their enthusiasm grew further, Lena interjected, cutting off their curiosity. "This is classified technology. We have no plans to disclose it."
After ensuring his mother's concerns were addressed, William handed off media duties to Abigail and took Lena, Selene, and Nyssa to the heavily guarded spacecraft hangar.
Inside, towering metallic crates held simplified combat robots. Combined with the armed soldiers outside, security was airtight.
William gave Lena a brief tour of the spacecraft, even letting her pilot it in hover mode around the hangar.
Afterward, he secured the Arc Reactor in a secret facility and locked the engine room's electronic doors before leaving.
The next day, global media was abuzz with coverage of the Mars spacecraft and its brilliant inventor, William Devonshire.
In contrast, U.S. outlets focused on why England had chosen an uninhabited island just 300 kilometers from their shores for the exercise.
Despite American demands for an explanation, England remained silent.
And nothing infuriates more than being ignored.
(End of Chapter)
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