Chapter 85: You’re My Only Contact At Nasa
After the war ended, plus failing to get on NASA’s supplier list, Glenn Martin Company’s days became increasingly difficult.
Revenue decreased, profits slid, prospects dimmed; that was Glenn Martin Company’s current situation.
Meanwhile, General Aerospace, as a subsidiary spun off from General Electric, not only became a potential NASA moon landing supplier but also had a large amount of business that could bring stable cash flow.
For example, cooperating with Boeing and Airbus to design, manufacture, and maintain commercial airplane engines, and providing engines, avionics equipment, and power systems for military airplanes and government clients.
Compared to Glenn Martin, General Aerospace’s basic business was much more stable, and the cash flow from military airplane orders had high stability.
Of course, Glenn Martin was not without advantages; Glenn Martin Company had participated in the early Titan rocket project, which could make up for General Aerospace’s business shortcomings in the aerospace field.
“That old dog George Merkel jumped in after learning we wanted to merge with Glenn Martin, trying to compete with General Aerospace.
Alright, but anyway, I can handle it.” After complaining, John Morgan summed up: “Randolph, if there’s anything you need my help with, I won’t hesitate.”
George Merkel was Marietta’s CEO; Glenn Martin in history underwent several mergers to become Lockheed Martin.
Its first merger was with Marietta Company.
“You should have seen the newspaper and know I promised to complete the moon landing in August,” Lin Ran said.
John Morgan nodded: “Of course, it’s hard not to see it—newspapers, television, radio, all about Randolph and NASA.
Was that line where you called NASA all trash real or fake? That doesn’t sound like your style.
My new girlfriend I met recently wants to meet you; she says can she invite you to the weekend ball? She has quite a few hot-bodied women friends who also want to meet you.”
After attending the Elephant Party fundraising dinner together last time, John Morgan was much more open.
Lin Ran said: “Really, I just wanted to provoke NASA’s high-level officials; what they did before was too rotten.
Girlfriend? You have a wife and you’re still finding girlfriends.”
John Morgan explained: “Men need careers and also need women. This girlfriend I met is gentle, generous, and considerate; she just came from Europe to America to study abroad. I’ll introduce you next time.”
Lin Ran’s eyes narrowed; she just came from Europe and has many women friends—could she be on a mission approaching John Morgan?
“Forget it, I can’t afford it.
Let’s get to business. I’ve already discussed it with James Webber; for this Pioneer Probe landing on the moon, we’ll give the order to General Aerospace.
General Aerospace will participate throughout this moon landing.
Because whether it’s the rocket or the probe, they are ready-made; we’re afraid someone inside NASA will sabotage it, so we need General Aerospace to send a team of engineers to cooperate with me in modifying the rocket and probe.
In short, we need General Aerospace to send absolutely reliable personnel to participate,” Lin Ran said.
As long as no one sabotages, Lin Ran was 100% confident.
But he couldn’t prevent that 100% chance someone would sabotage.
This was when John Morgan came in; only an old family could find enough trustworthy personnel.
“I understand what you mean; don’t worry, leave this to me.
You’re my only contact in NASA; I know the importance of this matter.
For me, the priority and importance of this matter surpass taking over Glenn Martin Company,” John Morgan said with an unprecedented serious demeanor.
Lin Ran also understood the other’s meaning.
The Morgan family definitely had dense, intricate connections inside NASA, in Washington, in the White House, but Lin Ran was John Morgan’s personal contact.
If Lin Ran could secure his current position in NASA, it would be a huge benefit for General Aerospace and John Morgan; they were a community of interest.
Additionally, Lin Ran was already bringing him benefits; wasn’t NASA’s moon landing order to General Aerospace the best proof?
Even though it was currently just a manpower outsourcing order.
But as Lin Ran’s influence inside NASA increased, the benefits he and General Aerospace could share would only grow.
Time was short, so the order to General Aerospace went from decision to signing in just three days.
General Aerospace meeting room
John Morgan pushed open the glass door of the meeting room, striding hurriedly, with a trace of barely noticeable tension on his face.
He knew today’s negotiation concerned General Aerospace’s future and was the best opportunity to press down the price.
At the conference table, Glenn Martin Company’s CEO William Bergen was already seated, brows furrowed, gaze sharply scanning the thick stack of documents in his hand, as if searching for flaws.
This thick stack of documents was a photocopy of the latest NASA and General Aerospace contract.
“Mr. Bergen, merging with General Aerospace is a win-win.
Although Glenn Martin won’t exist anymore, it will live on in a new form, far better than before,” John Morgan said with full confidence in his tone.
“If Glenn Martin merges with General Aerospace, I am confident in taking most of NASA’s manned moon landing orders, including the most critical rocket manufacturing.”
Whether manned moon landing or other aerospace projects, rockets were the big part.
No matter what you send up—spaceship, satellite, space station, or whatever—it required rockets.
William Bergen raised his head, gaze sharp as a knife: “Can you get NASA to kick out Boeing and make Glenn Martin Company the Mars Five manufacturer?”
John Morgan met his gaze and said gravely: “You should know the purpose of Randolph saying NASA is all trash, and that Randolph was once General Aerospace’s chief science advisor.”
William Bergen frowned slightly and nodded: “Of course I know; he wants to seize technical discourse power in NASA.
But he hasn’t succeeded yet.
He wants to gain unique discourse power, but the premise is he really can send the Pioneer Probe to the moon, and there’s less than three months.
Besides, if not for Randolph’s existence, I wouldn’t be talking so much with General Aerospace.
Your offer is far inferior to Marietta’s.”
John Morgan said: “Exactly, precisely because Randolph hasn’t succeeded yet, that’s the current price.
Once Randolph succeeds, that price will drop even further.”
William Bergen was silent for a moment, a flash of hesitation crossing his face. He put down his pen and sighed: “Alright, I’ll consider it. But I need more time.”
John Morgan’s mouth corner curved up slightly, relieved in his heart: “Of course, Mr. Bergen. I believe you’ll make a wise choice.”
He glanced at the perpetual calendar on his watch: “There’s still 75 days until President Kennedy’s hearing in Congress.”
There will be 6 more chapters later.
