Technology invades the modern world

Chapter 339 The Unexpected Third Moon Landing
If he had to describe this year in one word, Lyndon Johnson would undoubtedly choose "roller coaster."

This isn't a roller coaster with ups and downs, but a roller coaster that goes down continuously after it goes up.

At the beginning of the year, the professor successfully mediated in Geneva, and a temporary ceasefire agreement was signed in the Vietnam War. The dawn of a peaceful resolution to the Vietnam War appeared, and his poll numbers returned to their peak. He surpassed his party primary rivals and became the Democratic presidential candidate.

Lyndon Johnson thought he was about to be brought back from the brink of death, after all, things couldn't get any worse, right?

We're already at rock bottom; the only way forward is to climb up.

Little did they know, things could only get worse.

The assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr., Professor John F. Kennedy, and Edgar Hoover completely devastated his approval ratings. Two of the four men died, with the Hoover case being the most heinous, involving the annihilation of an entire family, including federal employees, all under the guise of V.

Edgar Hoover, a truly powerful figure who controlled America's violent machinery and was protected by federal employees even after leaving office, died so suddenly. There is still no news about the killer, and the federal government has not even been able to find out whether the V at the scene of Kennedy's assassination is the same person.

This incident caused widespread fear in Washington, from ordinary citizens to elites, and Lyndon Johnson completely lost the trust of the people.

Power comes from position, but sometimes power is more than just position.

Lyndon Johnson is still in the White House, but he is no longer in the White House.

“Hello, is this Richard? This is Lyndon Johnson.” Lyndon Johnson made his last phone call to Nixon before taking the stage.

It's a tradition that after a candidate loses an election, the losing party calls the winning party to congratulate them.

Of course, not everyone does this. For example, after losing to White House in 2020, Big T refused to concede defeat and refused to call White House, which later led to the Capitol Hill incident.

In this day and age, most veteran politicians still possess this level of vision.

"Mr. President, it's a pleasure to receive your call. Tonight is an important night." Nixon wasn't surprised to receive the call; he would have been surprised not to.

Lyndon Johnson said bitterly, "Richard, first of all, congratulations on winning a hard-fought election."

This proves the will of the people of America, and I will soon announce the results to my supporters at headquarters.

Before that, I want to personally congratulate you on becoming the next president.

Nixon thought to himself, "Where was the hardship? It wasn't as hard as my 1962 California gubernatorial election." He replied, "Thank you, Mr. President. Your call touched me. This campaign was indeed very intense. I respect you and the ideals that the Democratic Party represents. Now that the election is over, we need to unite to face the challenges of our nation."

Veteran politicians often say one thing and mean another. No matter how easy Nixon felt about the election, he still had to say it was very difficult.

In the past, after elections ended, society returned to normal, and everyone respected the election results; if they lost, they could try again next time.

Of course, that's in the past. The new generation of politicians, led by Big T, don't want to play by the rules. Whether I win or lose, I still win. You cheated to win against me. The end of the election is not the beginning of healing the divisions, but rather the beginning of further tearing apart.

In an era of existing resources, past elections are increasingly ill-suited to the new environment.

This is not a problem with the system; it's a problem with human nature.

Lyndon Johnson nodded and said, “That’s right, Richard. We have so much work to do: Vietnam War, civil rights, the economy, the Cold War, space exploration. During the transition, I will fully cooperate with your team. The White House doors are always open for you. We must ensure that the country moves forward smoothly.”

After a brief pause, Lyndon Johnson added, "Richard, you should keep the professor in the White House, right?"

Nixon, far away in California, smiled upon hearing this: "Of course, Mr. President. The professor saved me from the abyss. Without the professor, your opponent today would not be Richard Nixon, but another Elephant candidate, perhaps Fred, perhaps Nelson Rockefeller."

The professor is the only candidate for NASA administrator, and if he wants another position, I think I will try my best to accommodate him, except for the vice president.

Because the vice president may need to succeed the president, he must be a native-born American, at least 35 years old, and have lived in America for at least 14 years.

After listening, Lyndon Johnson confirmed, "That's good. The professor is incredibly smart. You can talk to him about many things and listen to his advice. Well, I think you will definitely do that. After all, the professor has helped you formulate your election strategy from 1962 to today."

I want to confirm one more thing: will you continue with the Star Wars program?

Nixon said, "I will determine whether it is necessary based on the military's response, but based on the information I have at the moment, I will certainly maintain it."

Lyndon Johnson breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this, because the only thing that could save his reputation was the Star Wars program.

"Okay, congratulations in the end, good luck, and may God bless you and America."

Nixon replied, “I am very grateful for your generosity, Mr. President.”

I will assemble a transition team as soon as possible and will listen to your advice. Your experience is invaluable to us. Take care.

After hanging up the phone, Lyndon Johnson took a deep breath. He knew the final moment had arrived. He walked towards the stadium, where supporters below the stage were in tears and unprecedented silence. The TV anchors had already announced Nixon's victory.

As Johnson appeared, the television volume was turned down, and the meeting organizers began playing slightly melancholic blues jazz. He patted the microphone:

“Dear friends, supporters, and all our compatriots who have poured their hearts and souls into our campaign:”

Tonight, we stand here, facing an outcome we never anticipated.

I just spoke with our adversary by phone, congratulated him, and pledged our utmost support for the country’s smooth transition.

This is a democratic moment, a moment of unity for the American people.

I know tonight has been tough for many of us.

We strive together, with a shared dream of a fairer and more united America.

We fight to improve the lives of every American, to continue advancing civil rights, eradicating poverty, and maintaining peace.

These goals cannot be achieved overnight, but they are our shared beliefs and the guiding light for our struggle.

I want to thank you all: every volunteer, every donor, and everyone who spreads our message in the community.

Your efforts moved me, and your beliefs strengthened my resolve.

Your efforts are invaluable, and even if tonight's outcome is not what we hoped for, your hard work will never be forgotten.

Our journey has not been without its challenges.

Over the past few years, our nation has experienced turmoil and challenges, from the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement to the pain of the Vietnam War, from the assassination of President Kennedy to the assassination of Robert Kennedy, and we have been striving to find the right path.

I am well aware that our policies and decisions will not always win the support of everyone, but I firmly believe that our starting point is to make this country stronger and more just.

Tonight's defeat does not mean our ideals are denied.

On the contrary, it reminds us that democracy is an ongoing process, a journey that requires our continuous efforts and dialogue.

We must continue to listen to each other, continue to speak out for the neglected, and continue to fight for equality and opportunity for every American.

I especially want to say to young people: your passion, your ideals, and your courage are the hope for the future of this country.

Don't be discouraged by tonight's result. Your voices matter more than ever.

Keep striving, keep believing, and America's future will be even brighter because of you.

Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my family, my wife Bird, and my team.

Here I would like to express my special thanks to the professor. He has been my mentor and friend during this period. Our cooperation has been seamless and incredibly pleasant. Together, we sent the American people into space and onto the moon.”

Lin Ran was also watching TV. When he saw Lyndon Johnson specifically mention him on TV, Lin Ran grinned. He was quite moved, realizing that he had outlived another President America and was about to welcome the next one, Nixon.

Will the next one be better for America? He didn't know, but the next one would definitely be better for him.

During Nixon's term, he completed a visit to China, returned to the United Nations, formed an alliance with China to contain Russia, and decoupled from the Bretton Woods system.

This is much more interesting than simply assassinating each other.

Moreover, Lin Ran had prepared a big gift for Nixon.

In December, the third Apollo moon landing took place at Cape Calanavila launch site, which was also Lyndon Johnson's last time watching a rocket launch as president before leaving office.

"Mr. President, welcome to Karanawira."

As Air Force One landed at the airport in Calanavila, Lin Ran said to Lyndon Johnson as he stepped off the plane.

Lyndon Johnson looked normal and was in much better shape than before. Sometimes, uncertainty can be more agonizing than failure.

“Professor, I’m about to leave the White House. Before I leave, I’ve confirmed that Nixon will still hire you as NASA’s director,” Lyndon Johnson said.

Lin Ran paused for a moment, then said sincerely, "Mr. President, thank you, thank you for helping me get this position."

Lyndon Johnson smiled and said, "Professor, whether I say it or not, there's a greater than 9% chance that Nixon will hire you as NASA's director. I'm asking him to confirm this for my own benefit."

I only believed the Star Wars program would come to fruition when you were at NASA; I don't believe it when someone else takes over.

This is about whether my memoirs, which I'll write after retirement, will sell a few more copies; it's about my pension! I can't be careless.

The pension is a lie; if you can become president, you can't possibly worry about not having money for your retirement. Your posthumous fame is what truly matters.

Lin Ran understood. "Mr. President, rest assured, I will do my utmost to promote the completion of the Star Wars program."

Lyndon Johnson said, "Professor, there's one more thing I need to trouble you with. If I publish my memoirs and ask you to write the preface, you can't refuse."

Lin Ran nodded and said, "No."

Thousands of spectators gathered outside the Cape Calanavila launch center before launch.

Now, this place is a space tourism destination similar to the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Sanya.

Especially before the launch of the Saturn V, there were a lot of people gathered outside to watch it because it was so big.

The most numerous launches than the Saturn V rocket were the Burning 1 rocket recovery process. NASA would announce the recovery landing point in advance and then set up a viewing area for the public to watch the recovery process.

On launch pad 39A, the Saturn V stands like a steel monster, towering 110 meters high, like a silver-white monument, ready to send humans back to the moon.

On the ground, technicians were busy with final checks, while the countdown echoed from the loudspeakers: "T minus 10 minutes, all systems are ready."

Inside the transport vehicle, Aldrin said to his two colleagues, “Brothers, this time we’re going to the Fra Mauro highlands. According to the professor, the moon’s oldest secrets are waiting for us to uncover.” His companions on this mission were Jim Lovell and Jack Swift.

Jack Swigert was one of the few astronauts who volunteered to stay in the command module instead of the astronauts who landed on the moon.

The three of them, dressed in heavy spacesuits, entered the white room, which is the enclosed preparation area on the launch pad.

Aldrin was the first to enter the command module of the Odyssey, climb into the cramped seat, and fasten his seatbelt.

Jim and Jack followed closely behind.

The cabin air is pure and cool, filled with 100% oxygen to prevent nitrogen bubbles from forming.

The dashboard lights flashed, displaying various data: fuel pressure, oxygen level, and navigation system.

Aldrin pressed the communication button: "Kalanavella, this is number 13, everything is ready."

Kapcon Joe Kwin at ground control center responded: "Roger that, Doctor, countdown continues."

It's no longer up to Lin Ran to personally take command.

As an astronaut who embarked on his third lunar mission, Aldrin earned the respect of the vast majority of people within NASA.

"T minus 5 minutes." The speaker announced.

Jack checked the re-entry battery: "Battery C shows 36 volts, everything is normal."

Jim was adjusting the cooling circuit pump: "The cooling system is online."

Aldrin finally aligned the gyroscopes: "GDC alignment complete."

Outside the cabin, the swing arm 9 returned to the 12-degree position and launched the escape system armament.

T drops 8.9 seconds, the first stage five F-1 engines ignite, spewing out scorching flames.

The entire launch pad trembled, and the noise was like thunder, with the vibrations reaching the astronauts' bodies.

"T decreases to 0." Saturn V detaches from its restraints and slowly ascends into the air.

Aldrin calmly said, "The clock has started!"

Jack stared at the DSKY display: "P11 program running, Jim."

The rocket accelerated, and the G-force pressed down on their chests.

T+34 seconds: "Roll complete, we are now pitching."

T+1 minute and 8 seconds, breaking the sound barrier.

At 1 minute and 41 seconds T, the maximum dynamic pressure was reached. Suddenly, at 2 minutes and 16 seconds T, the first-stage central engine shut down prematurely due to longitudinal oscillation, with an amplitude of ±33.7g.

Aldrin frowned: "That shouldn't have happened."

Jack checked the data: "Two minutes ahead of schedule, but the outer engine is still pushing."

In the ground control room, Flight Director Gene Kranz stared intently at the screen: "Stay calm, continue monitoring."

T+2 minutes and 48 seconds, first stage separation, second stage J-2 engine ignition.

The rocket continued its ascent, passing through the Kármán line and entering the vacuum of space.

The blue sky gradually darkened, and outside it became a pitch-black starry sky.

At 5 minutes and 32 seconds, the second-stage center engine also shut down prematurely, but the remaining engines compensated by burning out all the fuel.

T+9 minutes and 50 seconds, second stage separation, third stage engine ignition.

At 12 minutes and 31 seconds T+, the engine was cut off, and Apollo 13 entered Earth orbit.

Aldrin reported: "SECO, everything is normal."

Kwin at ground control responded: "13, Caranaville, orbit good, continue TLI preparation."

In orbit, the spacecraft orbits the Earth at a speed of 7.8 kilometers per second.

Gravity disappeared inside the cabin, and the object floated.

Jack unbuckled his seatbelt and floated to the window: "Incredible, just as they said, what you see with your own eyes is completely different from what you get from the photos."

They conducted a system check, including ensuring that the fuel cells in the command and service module were functioning properly and providing electricity, water, and oxygen, as well as the airtightness of the lunar module Aquarius.

Jack entered Verb 82 and it displayed Noun 44: Track parameters are perfect.

More than two hours later, the TLI ignited, and the third stage fired again, propelling them into lunar orbit.

Jim felt the acceleration: "This is much more exaggerated than accelerating on the highway."

After burning out, they detach from S-IVB and enter a free return orbit. If anything goes wrong, gravity will be responsible for throwing them back to Earth.

The first two days of the trip were peaceful and monotonous.

20 miles from Earth, they perform routine maintenance: checking the thrusters, navigation satellite positioning, and eating dehydrated food.

Jack occasionally complained of stomach upset, saying that dehydrated food was just too unpalatable.

Aldrin was in charge of the television broadcasts showcasing life inside the capsule: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the live show from Apollo 13."

After all, this was the third moon landing, and the television stations weren't very interested, resulting in a small audience. Even Aldrin couldn't save the ratings.

55 hours and 14 minutes after launch. The spacecraft is now 33 kilometers away from Earth.

Ground monitoring detected a slight drop in oxygen pressure, and Kranz ordered, "Jack, start the cryo stir."

Cryo stir is a routine operation: it starts the fan to stir the cryogenic oxygen tank to prevent stratification and ensure accurate readings.

The service compartment has two oxygen tanks and two hydrogen tanks to supply the fuel cells.

Tank 2 was damaged during ground testing: the heater switch was short-circuited and the wire insulation was burned, but no one noticed.

Jack pressed the switch: "Start stirring."

The fan was spinning, and the current flowing through the damaged wires caused sparks.

The temperature inside the tank soared, and the pressure exceeded the design limits.

Suddenly, at 55 hours, 55 minutes, and 20 seconds, a muffled thud, like a shell exploding, was heard. The alarm lights inside the cabin flashed, and the voltage plummeted.

Jack's eyes widened: "Oh my God, what is that?"

Aldrin swiftly floated to the porthole and saw gas billowing out of the service module: "This is bad, we're leaking something into space."

The instrument displays show that the pressure in oxygen tank 2 is zero, and the pressure in tank 1 is dropping rapidly; fuel cells 1 and 3 have lost pressure, and the power system is on the verge of collapse.

Aldrin rushed to the microphone and grabbed it: "Okay, Kalanavila, we've got a problem here. Kwin, call the professor urgently!"

Jack repeated, "Kalanavera, we've got a problem."

The ground control room instantly descended into chaos.

Lin Ran was also in the ground control center, but he chatted with Lyndon Johnson in the visitor room. Over the course of three days, Lyndon Johnson talked to him about many interesting things in Washington.

Anecdotes about Washington lawmakers, reflections on the Vietnam War, the pressures of being president, the Federal Reserve's out-of-control situation, and more.

Lyndon Johnson felt he was passing on the Washington survival rules to younger generations.

The spiritual satisfaction of being able to teach a professor is hard to express in words, and I will write about it at length when I write my memoirs in the future.

Lin Ran obtained many secrets from this that would not be recorded in written records.

Similar to Lyndon Johnson, who knew all along that Humphrey also had the intention to run for office, and Walter Rostow, who had privately sided with Humphrey, he knew all of this.

What Lin Ran didn't know, Lyndon Johnson did.

The relationship between Rostow and Humphrey is only briefly mentioned in written records. As a staunch hawk, Walter Rostow made a rare compromise during the 1968 presidential election, publicly expressing his support for Humphrey's peaceful solution to the Vietnam War.

The only publicly available record is this one sentence, but we can infer from Lyndon Johnson that they had a prior connection and that their friendship was forged during the drafting of some bill.

The list goes on and on.

Lyndon Johnson spoke with great enthusiasm, and Lin Ran listened with great interest.

"Professor, from the Capitol to the Oval Office, I have always been at the very center of power. In my view, politics has never been an abstract ideological game. Its essence is about getting people, managing interpersonal relationships, harnessing people's ambitions, mitigating their flaws, and guiding their innate drive toward collective progress."

Because no matter how cleverly your system is designed, it is composed of people from top to bottom. Being composed of people involves human nature. A system is not a self-sustaining machine; it is a living organism.

The Marshall Plan succeeded because Soviet coercive measures led to repeated resistance in Eastern Europe, culminating in the Prague Spring. The Marshall Plan appealed to self-determination: assisting countries to rebuild in their own way, stimulating innovation and trade, and tapping into human ambition.

Even in our own America experiment, we see the dangers of ignoring human nature. Prohibition of the 20s aimed to create a sober, moral society through law, but it underestimated human tendency toward vice and rebellion, giving rise to organized crime and widespread delinquency.

When a nation attempts to defy these fundamental human realities—greed, fear, loyalty, innovation, and the yearning for freedom—it is bound to fracture, leading to a vast chasm between rhetoric and reality.

Lyndon Johnson was engrossed in his speech, intending to conclude his final presidential trip to Karanavila with a long discourse on why Soviet Russia was doomed to fail. Just as he finished, America's astronauts had already set foot on the moon once again.

Then there was a knock on the door, and after being granted permission to come in, NASA staff rushed in, panting.
"Professor, something terrible has happened! The Odyssey is in trouble! Two oxygen tanks have malfunctioned; one has exploded and the other is leaking. The astronauts are now facing unprecedented danger."

Aldrin hopes that you will personally command him.

(End of this chapter)