The wreckage of the "Shadow" was secretly transported to a deeper cave hangar, along with the roll of film that recorded the "face-to-face" encounter with the SR-71, which shook the world.
The brief clamor at the victory banquet was like a stone thrown into a deep pool; after the ripples subsided, a deeper silence and a harsher reality emerged.
The final assessment and decision-making of the top leadership regarding Operation Sky Curtain were rapidly formed under absolute secrecy.
Conclusion: The value of Mingzhao extends far beyond the scope of a single weapon system.
The theoretical system she demonstrated, which was ahead of its time, her engineering capabilities, and her calm and decisive actions in the face of adversity are a "national treasure" of greater strategic significance than the "Shadow" prototype itself.
At the same time, the existence of "Shadow" and its achievements must be completely hidden under the fog of history, and all key personnel related to it, especially Mingzhao, need the highest level of protection and isolation.
One evening, Zhang Meng came to Mingzhao's dormitory alone, her face solemn, holding a thin document in her hand that seemed to weigh a ton.
“Comrade Mingzhao,” his voice was hoarse, “this is…the organization’s decision. For absolute safety, and also so that you can devote yourself to more important research without distraction.”
Mingzhao took the document.
It was a cleverly crafted "accident report" and follow-up arrangements: "Mingzhao," a young technical backbone of a key national defense laboratory, was seriously injured and disfigured in an accident while participating in a high-risk chemical experiment. He needed to be isolated for a long time and live under an assumed name, and then completely disappeared from the public eye.
Accompanying this was a new identity document, a file transfer document, and an appointment letter from a newly established comprehensive cutting-edge technology research institute deep in Southwest China. The position was "Chief Technical Advisor," with extremely high authority, but no official title or status.
There were no questions asked, and no arguments were made.
Mingzhao's gaze swept over the words without the slightest fluctuation. She had long been accustomed to being accompanied by solitude and secrets.
"I will follow the arrangements," she said calmly, her voice as cold as ever.
Almost at the same time, an order regarding Howard's job transfer was also issued.
Due to his outstanding performance in the "Galaxy" network construction and subsequent support, he was promoted to the rank of senior colonel and transferred to a department of the General Staff to be in charge of the demonstration and preparation of a brand-new, highly classified space-based reconnaissance system.
The order required him to take up his post immediately, and due to the extremely special nature of the work, he needed to completely sever all unnecessary ties with all past social relationships.
The farewell came unexpectedly, yet it was also something we tacitly anticipated.
There was no farewell ceremony, not even a proper place to say goodbye.
In the shade of the old locust tree below Mingzhao's dormitory building, the two faced each other in silence. The long, drawn-out echo of lights-out signal drifted from afar.
Howard was wearing a crisp new military uniform, the colonel's star on his shoulder reflecting slightly in the dim light.
He looked at Mingzhao, a thousand words stuck in his chest, but in the end, they all turned into a heavy admonition: "...Take care of yourself. Be careful in this new place."
He knew that from then on, he would soar through the heavens, guarding the eyes of the nation; while she would retreat into the deep mountains and forests, becoming the nation's most profound brain.
The two lines may never intersect.
Mingzhao raised her head, the moonlight outlining her serene profile.
She didn't say anything, but took out a small object wrapped tightly in oil paper from her pocket and put it into Howard's hand.
Then, she took a step back and gave him a deep look. Her gaze was complex and indescribable, containing concern, entrustment, and an unspoken resolve.
He turned around and walked without looking back toward the jeep waiting downstairs, his figure quickly disappearing into the deep night.
Howard stood there for a long time before slowly opening his palm.
Inside the oil paper package were several special ceramic substrates, meticulously hand-polished and gleaming with a deep blue hue.
It was the prototype that Howard sent through special channels that night to deal with abnormal electromagnetic interference.
She not only fully understood his warning, but also reverse-engineered and optimized the core materials in a short period of time.
The cool film lay in his palm, yet it seemed to carry her lingering warmth and complete trust.
The jeep bumped along the rugged mountain road, carrying Mingzhao toward the unknown "Deep Spring".
Howard also boarded the train heading north to a new battlefield.
At this moment, the stars and the abyss quietly separated.
...
The "Deep Spring" Research Institute, hidden deep within the folds of the continuous mountains in southwest China, is less a research institute and more a self-contained miniature society. Entry and exit are subject to extremely strict checks, communications are under absolute surveillance, and contact with the outside world is almost completely severed.
This place brings together top minds from all the country's top-secret fields, who have also "disappeared."
Mingzhao's new identity is that of a senior technical consultant who is disabled due to injury and has a reclusive personality.
She lived in a small building in the corner of the research institute's residential area, keeping a low profile.
He now wears a pair of slightly exaggerated black-rimmed glasses, which slightly alters his appearance. He is usually taciturn and always walks with his head down, as if trying to completely hide himself.
However, in the core laboratory and large computer room of "Deep Springs," she is the undisputed soul and master.
She holds no administrative position and does not attend any meetings, but every calculation she makes, every design sketch, and every brief instruction on the technical route is quickly regarded as gospel and is executed with the utmost resolve.
Her work is no longer limited to aviation. Based on the properties of "Stardust" and the forward-thinking ideas she brought, Deepspring's research scope covers many cutting-edge fields such as new materials, information engineering, energy and power, and even biomedicine.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
