Chapter 326: The Kremlin Panics
On the 3rd floor of the Kremlin Minister Meeting Building, Leonid’s office is here, which is a suite including an office, lounge, and more.
In the small lounge area, there is a refrigerator, medicine cabinet, sofa, and television. The room is not large, but luxurious like a palace, with a strong flavor of Tsarist Russia nobility.
The television is continuously playing clips of the Burning One Rocket recovery.
On the screen, Huntsville City is bathed in blazing sun, the silver-gray rocket dragging a blazing tail flame straight into the sky, the television commentary in English excitedly saying: “This is a revolution in human space history! Reusable Rocket Technology has been successfully achieved, the feat of multiple satellites per launch puts America far ahead in the Space Race.”
After the rocket launches, the image switches to the separation stage: three satellites precisely detach from the trajectory and enter preset positions.
Next is the most shocking part: the rocket boosters flip in the air, ignite reverse thrust engines, and slowly land in the predetermined ground area, recovery successful.
The entire process plays in a continuous loop.
Leonid is unprecedentedly silent, this image carries profound meaning, making him feel a deep sense of crisis.
It has nothing to do with the Space Race, nothing to do with self-esteem, it is the sense of oppression brought by the Star Wars Program, such oppression is so intense.
The Soviet Union’s “Soyuz” is still struggling with reliability, with heavy financial burdens.
If America can really deploy ten thousand satellites, that will be a strategic nightmare, every secret operation from Moscow to Cuba will be exposed under their sky eyes.
He suddenly stands up and presses the red button on the desk.
“Summon KGB head Andropov, Secretary of Defense Grechko, and comrades Mishin and Valentin from the Academy of Sciences.
Have them come to my lounge immediately!”
In the room, after everyone watches, they all fall silent, the joy brought by forcing America to concede in the Vietnam War vanishes completely in front of this image.
Leonid is the most powerful person in the Soviet Union, but compared to holding sole power, he has two competitors who can share power with him, one is Kosygin, the other is Podgorny.
Neither of these two is in this room.
“Everyone, take a look, this is the video just transmitted back from Washington, the Soviet Union’s television station hasn’t had time to broadcast this video yet, the Ministry of Truth hasn’t figured out the propaganda angle.
America’s rocket recovers like a toy, and sends up three satellites at once.
Johnson’s Star Wars Program is not empty talk, they really want to deploy a network of ten thousand satellites to monitor the globe.
Our intelligence shows these satellites will be equipped with infrared sensors and real-time data links, able to lock onto any heat source signal in seconds, we will lose the sky, losing the sky means losing everything.”
After Leonid finishes speaking, the room is silent.
If Andropov and Grechko are worried for the future of the Soviet Union, then Mishin and Valentin are more worried for their own futures.
They really can’t think of how the Soviet Space Agency can catch up to America in the field of reusable rockets.
If they can’t complete it, Leonid might send them to Siberia to plant potatoes.
“Everyone, this is an unprecedented crisis for us, I hope you have solutions.”
Historically, the Star Wars Program proposed by Reagan aimed to intercept Soviet Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles from space through advanced technology, thereby breaking the nuclear deterrence balance of “mutual assured destruction.”
It already scared the Russians half to death.
Now, the real Star Wars Program has been launched, the cornerstone has been laid, the threat is as thick as substance, the Soviet senior officials present feel as if a knife is already at their necks, ready to chop down at any moment.
“Assassinate.” Andropov says without hesitation: “We must take out Randolph Lin, if we don’t solve this problem, we’re doomed sooner or later.
Korolev’s will made us persuade the professor to join the Soviet Union, in fact from Korolev to Comrade Kosygin, everyone has shown goodwill to the professor in various ways, to this day he hasn’t shown the slightest intention to come to Moscow.
Instead, the possibility of him joining China is greater than joining Moscow.
Whether the professor is in China or in America, it is an unbearable loss for us, so assassination is the only means.
Slow down America’s progress, extend our progress.”
Leonid is already inclined, “You are responsible for formulating the proposal.”
Andropov looks at his watch and says: “Three days from now, three days from now is the best opportunity, we have no time to wait any longer.
Three days from now is Martin Luther King Jr.’s Funeral, his dying wish is for the professor to give the summary speech at his funeral, his funeral will have a lot of people attending, this is the best opportunity, we contact the gunman, strike him dead on that day.
This will be sudden enough, enough that they have no defense.”
Grechko nods: “I approve of Comrade Andropov’s opinion, this already seriously threatens our strategic balance!
If America can really monitor all our missile bases, our counterattack time will be shortened to minutes.
The nuclear balance will be destroyed.
More importantly, the professor’s existence itself is a destruction to the Cold War, if not for the professor, we would now be enjoying the joy brought by the Vietnam War, without worrying about America’s threat.
Comrade Leonid, let us take action!”
Leonid nods noncommittally, “Comrade Andropov, you are responsible for the preparations, it must succeed on the first try.”
Then he turns to Mishin and Valentin: “Comrade Mishin, when will our reusable rocket make progress?
I remember the professor told us the secret to orbital recovery.”
Mishin wipes the sweat from his forehead: “From a professional perspective, recovering a rocket requires advanced gyroscopes and computer control, our OKB-1 design bureau has the foundation, but lacks funds.
Their multiple satellites per launch uses a multi-stage separation mechanism and precise orbit injection, we can learn from it, but it will take at least two years to catch up, no, possibly longer.
As for the satellite deployment scale of Star Wars, ten thousand!
This is equivalent to a low-orbit constellation network, covering Earth like a swarm.
Our spy satellites number only a few dozen, coverage less than 10%, to achieve it would take at least ten years.
In the short term, developing anti-satellite weapons would be a more appropriate plan.”
Leonid does not get angry, but says: “Give me a Soviet version of the Star Wars Program proposal in one week.”
Then he ends the meeting.
When the press conference of Lyndon Johnson and Lin Ran reaches Moscow, after Lin Ran claims he can achieve multiple satellites per launch with 33, Leonid has no more qualms about assassinating Lin Ran at Martin Luther King Jr.’s Funeral.
If you don’t die, I won’t be able to sleep.
In the corridor, Grechko and Andropov walk side by side, Grechko reminds: “Comrade Andropov, absolutely do not send an American to carry out the mission.”
Andropov doesn’t understand, “Why?”
Grechko takes a deep breath: “Opportunities to assassinate the professor are few, if the first time fails, the second time will be much longer apart and even more difficult, the first time must succeed.
The professor’s prestige in America is too high, plus he is a representative of humanity’s advance into space, if using an American, what if the other party thinks a figure like the professor shouldn’t die, or he would rather expose himself as a SPY to report and expose to Washington, then we will miss the opportunity.”
In plain words, his prestige is too high, the scientist identity, peace-loving image, and prestige from advancing aerospace will cause SPYs turned from America to have a risk of turning back.
From Moscow or Eastern Europe sent to America, such risks are much lower.
Andropov nods: “Understood, Comrade Grechko, we will surely strike him dead on the first try!”
That day they drink in a high-end bar outside the Kremlin, the last sentence is:
“For the professor”
“The White House’s Star Wars Program has advanced a big step, reusable rockets, multiple satellites per launch, the NASA led by the professor is turning Mr. President’s blueprint into reality.”
In a bar on Long Island, the television is playing the image of the Burning One Rocket recovery, together with Martin Luther King’s death, this is the hottest news right now.
And both pieces of news are related to Lin Ran, the former goes without saying, the latter is that Lin Ran is considered Martin Luther King’s close friend, the last person he mentioned before death, designated by Martin Luther King to speak at his funeral.
In some sense, Lin Ran representing minority ethnic groups to run for president has even stronger legitimacy than Obama.
Sergei Viktorovich Petrov, the United Nations Russian Language translator, sits in this bar he often goes to, watching the reports in the news, feeling completely unwell.
He received a mission arrangement from Moscow to assassinate Randolph Lin at Martin Luther King Jr.’s Funeral.
Petrov thinks has Moscow gone mad?
Not that assassinating the professor is mad, as a Russian, he also thinks Lin Ran must die, if Lin Ran doesn’t die, the Soviet Union is too passive.
But the problem is, Moscow’s instructions are problematic, having him assassinate at Martin Luther King Jr.’s Funeral is sending him to die.
Why?
Because this is Martin Luther King, the famous black social activist, his funeral is all black people, aside from blacks, the whites who can attend are all famous figures.
He is a white person, still a Slav, as soon as he dares appear there, he will be followed by the FBI, no chance to make a move at all.
A white person, an ordinary unknown white person, appearing at Martin Luther King Jr.’s Funeral, even just nearby, will attract attention like a firefly in the night.
(Crowds mourning Martin Luther King line up on both sides of the sidewalks in Memphis, Tennessee, from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture)
(The day before Martin Luther King Jr.’s Funeral, sanitation workers in Memphis City are marching)
Petrov thinks the Kremlin gave him an absolutely impossible task.
When he tells this concern to Moscow, Moscow provides unprecedented support.
Allowing him to mobilize all KGB resources in America, but the problem is it’s useless.
What use is giving me all KGB resources in America?
The last black KGB agent goes back to Nelson Drummond in 1962, he was already caught.
Without finding a black person to execute the mission, even if you tell me, a group of us whites could charge into over 400,000 blacks in Memphis City to kill the professor? Even with a mowing down buff it’s impossible.
Finally Leonid personally decides, telling Petrov the Soviet Union’s top figure in America, codename Shark, John Edgar Hoover.
The Star Wars Program has deeply stimulated the Kremlin, even if losing a figure of Hoover’s level, they are willing.
Before this, in all of America, only Dobrynin knew Hoover was one of their own.
“Assassinate Randolph Lin?”
After waiting a long time in the Long Island bar, Petrov is taken to a secret location to meet this truly big figure.
Even with countless evidences hinting at his connection to President Kennedy’s death, he remains unmoved on the FBI throne, and he’s one of ours?
This is like Andropov being an American, Petrov’s confidence in Moscow reaches an all-time high.
You figured out reusable rockets, so what? You can figure out technology, we can figure out people!
The moment he meets Hoover, Petrov suddenly has confidence.
(Edgar Hoover meeting the Kennedy brothers in the Oval Office)
Hoover frowns deeply, then turns and leaves the office, leaving Petrov alone.
He directly dials a secret telephone to Moscow, talking directly with Andropov.
In the past, Hoover has always contacted Moscow this way, single line.
“I can’t do it! Not that I don’t want to kill the professor, but once I do, I will also lose my life!”
“To create opportunity for you, only one possibility, have him serve as an FBI staff member, infiltrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s Funeral site, then he suddenly opens fire.
But the problem is, once he opens fire he will definitely be caught.”
“What did you say? You mean, after he opens fire he directly commits suicide, then FBI employees pour sulfuric acid on his face to cover his identity?”
“This is actually an idea, you say this is the last mission? No more contact after?”
“Alright, alright, let me think.”
A cold voice comes from the other end of the phone: “Not think, it must be done, otherwise we will expose your cooperation with us, including all the secrets you desperately want to hide.”
Hoover shows a sinister expression, compared to Lin Ran, he wants Moscow destroyed more, but the situation is stronger than people.
Ever since boarding Moscow’s pirate ship, the handles Moscow has on him have grown more and more, now so many he can’t even count them himself.
Hoover returns to the room and says to Petrov in front of him: “You go to Atlanta now, go to St. Catherine’s Club and Community Center in Atlanta, once you arrive there, someone will contact you.”
Petrov asks: “Not Memphis City?”
Hoover waves his hand: “The funeral starts from Memphis City, but Martin Luther King’s body will be transported to Atlanta, Randolph Lin will give his speech there at the end, anyway what you need to do now is go to Atlanta!”
Still too tight on time, only three days for Moscow to prepare, so tight that Moscow hasn’t even figured out where Lin Ran will appear.
This also shows the immense pressure the Burning One Rocket brought to the Kremlin, so great that they want to get rid of it quickly, not even willing to wait half a year for the New York Mathematicians Conference at year’s end.
The funeral process starts from Memphis near the assassination site.
Martin Luther King’s body is transported to R.S. Lewis Funeral Home, lying there for public viewing.
This is a small private memorial, core attendees his wife and family.
Ralph Abernathy hosts the prayer ritual.
Then the body is placed in an open bronze casket, then escorted by police and National Guard to the airport, flying to Atlanta.
The funeral is held at Ebenezer Baptist Church there, which is also his family church, where Martin Luther King himself served as priest.
After Lin Ran arrives on the presidential special plane, he doesn’t expect there to be a conspiracy against him here.
