Chapter 241: The Longest Night

3:30 AM Eastern Time, near the city of Newark, in a manor estate.

As the helicopter landed within the grounds, Radack leaped from the open hatch, and Dawei Rockefeller squinted, passing his pipe to a servant and approaching to meet him.

“Your visit in the dead of night is indeed an unexpected honor, Mr. Acting President.”

Radack shook hands with Dawei Rockefeller and spoke, “Sorry for disturbing your rest at such a late hour, but it’s a matter of life and death for the United States and I had to seek your advice.”

Dawei Rockefeller represents the fourth generation of his family, and on the surface, it seems that he no longer manages the vast family enterprise, appearing more involved in charitable work and often showing up as an environmentalist.

But Radack knows that this man is the true power holder of the famous family.

Of course, he is also the spokesperson for the ten conglomerates that stand behind the U.S. government, the most authoritative of the ten giants, with the other being the old Morgan obsessed with supporting Musk’s mission to Mars.

“Let’s go, I’ve prepared the place as you requested.”

Radack followed Dawei through twists and turns in the garden, finally reaching a wooden pavilion on a small mound.

Around the pavilion, an electromagnetic signal shielding device had been arranged to ensure no electromagnetic signals could enter or leave the pavilion.

“Mr. President, it seems your troubles are not small,” chuckled Dawei.

Radack looked out at the tranquil manor under the night sky and said, “Mr. Dawei, have you seen the video released by Dream Technology?”

“Oh, I just watched it knowing you were coming. Are you sure there isn’t a spy from the other side in the Presidential Mansion?”

Dawei’s sleep had been interrupted this night, which bothered him, but after getting up, his secretary reported the state of the conflict that had erupted between the United States and Dream Technology.

This made him realize that Radack’s visit was no trivial matter.

Dawei never imagined that Dream Technology could survive the formidable military strike of the U.S. military.

Yet, the result was a complete defeat for the U.S. military.

He could almost see the prospect of the United States faltering from this point on, a fatal blow to his family as well.

“No, absolutely no surveillance equipment. Our experts have thoroughly checked. So I can now determine who the other party is.”

Dawei asked with interest, “Is that so? Do you know the origin of Dream Technology?”

Radack nodded, “Yes, they should be the spokespersons for the aliens!”

“Aliens?” Dawei couldn’t help but laugh.

Radack remained serious and continued, “Don’t think I’m talking nonsense. This is absolutely true.”

He then elaborated on General Curtis’s conjecture, which intrigued Dawei.

“So, you three are not being controlled by a cult but by an alien AI? That sounds quite fantastical.”

Radack said, “It certainly feels that way at first, since aliens are a bit too sci-fi.

But Dream Technology possesses intercontinental missile interception capabilities that Earth currently doesn’t have, as well as space-based kinetic weapons and elusive surveillance capabilities.

These are sci-fi enough. The U.S. has already gone to war with Dream Technology. If we concede defeat, it is equivalent to handing over Earth to the aliens, to be at their mercy.”

Dawei looked at Radack and said, “Since Dream Technology is so powerful, how can we defeat them if we continue to be enemies?”

Radack analyzed, “Looking at the Almighty’s performance, it should also be AI on Dream Technology’s side. Maybe the aliens haven’t arrived on Earth, or they encountered an accident after arriving and only the spaceship’s main computer survived.

You know, just like the alien spacecraft in the infamous Area 51.

In this case, it can only rely on people from Earth to help it develop. Looking at how Dream Technology is developing, they won’t adopt violent measures against humanity.

That’s our chance. Our military conflict with Dream Technology can be paused, but the battle must go on politically and economically.

My idea is that our allies and we should decouple economically with the countries under Dream Technology’s control and form an iron curtain politically.

Without access to global resources, they won’t be able to develop.”

Dawei shook his head, “There’s already a significant flaw in your plan. We are already technologically behind, and complete decoupling is even more disadvantageous to us.

It’s like we’re the old Soviet Union and they are the United States.

The consequence of decoupling is that we become increasingly inferior and eventually beaten.”

Radack immediately said, “They directly attacked Area 51, which shows they fear us getting the alien ship’s technology.

But actually, we’ve moved many research findings to another base besides the Almighty AI.

Those findings will allow us to catch up with their technology quickly. We haven’t applied it before just to maintain control over Earth.”

Dawei nodded, “I’m aware of that. Do you think those things are enough to fight Dream Technology?”

“Yes, we have the technology for the high-powered laser weapons and space-based kinetic weapons that Dream Technology has shown.”

“What about those we can’t see?” Dawei frowned, not easily convinced.

Radack played his trump card, “The key point is that Dream Technology has already defeated the electronics and mechanical industry giants of ours.

If we don’t decouple, in less than a year, our economy will rely on the products of Dream Technology.

Then, your family’s businesses controlled by you and others will face bankruptcy. Can you accept that situation?”

A sharp look shot from Dawei’s eyes as he stared intently at Radack.

Radack calmly met his gaze. At this point, he had put everything else aside. If Dawei didn’t agree with his ideas and the United States reconciled with Dream Technology, as the initiator of the military strike, he would inevitably have to step down.

Dawei suddenly smiled, “Not bad. There’s a reason the Almighty chose you. I understand your idea, carry on with your business.”

**Radack felt a surge of joy inside but showed no emotion outwardly**, “Thank you for your support!”

++++++++

Boston, 4:00 AM.

General Curtis got off the rear of a fighter jet and hurriedly transferred to a helicopter, rushing to a luxurious manor in Boston.

In a secret room, Curtis met the target of his visit, a bearded man named Lawrence.

As the head of the Boston family, Lawrence’s enterprises monopolized most of the U.S. military weapon supply.

Being old acquaintances with Curtis, they got straight to the point.

“General Curtis, you seem to be in big trouble.”

Curtis nodded, “Yes, Mr. Lawrence, so I came specially to seek your support.”

“Support for what?”

“To continue our opposition against Dream Technology!”

“But the U.S. military has already lost the battle. Do you think there’s still a chance of victory?”

“The N1 Base!” Curtis said. “You know what’s been achieved at the N1 Base, it should allow your companies to develop further.”

“Heh, those achievements aren’t something you can decide to disclose, right?”

Curtis nodded, “Yes, but what if the other giants are willing to support it? As long as we stand against Dream Technology, your companies will profit.

In fact, if we give up fighting Dream Technology, including your companies and other family enterprises, all will be defeated and bankrupted by Dream Technology.

We have no other choice, do we?”

After a long contemplation, Lawrence finally smiled, “You’ve convinced me. When can my people enter the N1 Base?”

“Soon, no more than a week.”

++++++++

“What a long night this has been!”

Caesar stood on the rooftop of the Empire State Building, watching a faint light emerge on the horizon.

Next to him, an old man with white hair calmly said, “Who would have thought that in one night, the United States would stand on the brink of a cliff.”

“I believe humanity can defeat AI because it is invented by humans, even if it was invented by aliens,” Caesar said.

The old man paused with his cane and said, “If aliens really come to Earth, we may only be able to surrender.

So, whether or not we can defeat Dream Technology, we need to start a project similar to Noah’s Ark.”

“Understood, I will fully commit to this task,” Caesar promised.

The old man gave Caesar a stern look and said, “You think about how to guard against Dream Technology’s omnipresent surveillance.

As for the Ark project, leave it to Musk to carry out. I only trust him.”

With that, he turned and left.

Caesar watched the old man disappear from the platform.

The pressure in his heart suddenly lifted, and he let out a long breath.

Radack surely had given him the hardest task.

He and the old man had talked for two full hours on this platform until his mouth was dry.

Finally, he persuaded old Morgan to support the plans of the three of them, but the plan had to include a contingency similar to Noah’s Ark, personally overseen by Caesar for resource and technical coordination.

The three of them were relieved from the pressure of the video scandal, enabling them to carry on with their plans.

With this, they didn’t have to worry about stepping down because of the impact of the video scandal.

Thinking of this, Caesar couldn’t help but admire Radack’s strategy, which seemed like a desperate last stand could eventually lead to a greater day for the United States.

Thanks to “Annei” for the 200-coin tip!