Mojave desert, 2045
The Astro-Nuts gathered around their campfire in the vast desert expanse, the night sky unfolding above like a black velvet canvas dusted with stars. Their faces glowed in the flickering firelight, each one reflecting a shared love of the cosmos and the quiet thrill of discovery.
John, the group’s elder statesman, adjusted the knobs on his weathered 10-inch Dobsonian, its mount creaking softly as he swung it toward the southeast.
“Jupiter’s up,” he said, eye to the eyepiece. “Check out the cloud bands tonight… looks like the Great Red Spot’s just rotating into view. That storm’s been raging for what, three centuries? Wild.”
A few heads turned toward their scopes. The group fell into a familiar rhythm: observing, swapping eyepieces, calling out sightings like kids trading fireflies.
Amelia leaned back from her refractor, brushing windswept hair from her face. “Caught Saturn earlier. The rings are razor sharp tonight. Hard to believe it’s just ice and dust.”
Michael looked up from his star map with a grin. “Heads up… Perseids should be peaking tonight. I’ve already seen a few. Might get some bolides if we’re lucky.”
There were murmurs of interest. A few members tilted their chairs for a better skyward view, others turned cameras or logging apps back on.
Karen, the youngest of the group and a college freshman, sat quietly with her binoculars resting in her lap. “It’s so beautiful,” she said, almost to herself. “Even when I know the science… it still feels like magic.”
Daniel, adjusting his mount’s tracking, glanced over. “Did you see the new Webb image of the Crab Nebula? You could get lost in that filigree. Like looking at time itself.”
Their conversations drifted like the smoke from the fire, snippets of orbital mechanics, debates over stellar evolution, personal telescope hacks, and memories of total eclipses seen from rooftops and hilltops and backyards.
Then Sarah spoke, her voice soft but clear. “Does Venus look dimmer to anyone else tonight?”
The group stilled. Binoculars and telescopes swiveled. John adjusted his finder scope, then leaned into his eyepiece.
After a pause, he said, “You know… you might be right.”
David, already watching the planet through his 8-inch SCT, adjusted the focus slowly. “It’s not just the angle. It does look a little muted. Less brilliant than usual.”
The others followed suit, turning their optics toward the evening star. The conversation turned curious, speculative, Earth’s atmosphere? Venus’s clouds? Orbital phase? No one had a clear answer, but that was part of the fun. They traded theories, shared notes, and marked the observation in their logs.
The mystery lingered through the night. By morning, Sarah couldn’t shake it.
That afternoon Sarah went to the club forum with trembling fingers. “Hey fellow stargazers! Did anyone else notice something peculiar about Venus last night? It seemed dimmer than it should be, and I couldn’t help but wonder what might be causing this phenomenon. Let’s pool our collective knowledge and explore this together!”
A few people replied that they hadn’t looked, but would tonight. Some shared the question with friends, some didn’t see any difference, but most ignored the question.
“Maybe I was hallucinating” Sarah started to doubt what they had seen.
Early the next morning, replies start pouring in from fellow enthusiasts, each recounting their own reports of Venus overnight. Some describe a similar dimness, while others share their unique observations, such as subtle color changes. The online discussion quickly gains momentum as people from all corners of the globe join in, fueled by a shared fascination for the enigmatic celestial body.
Stargazer2021: “I was out last night with my telescope, and Venus caught my attention immediately. It appeared dull and lacked the usual vibrant glow. I wonder what’s causing it.”
LunaCeleste: “I didn’t catch the dimness, but I did notice a slight shift in color. Venus seemed to have a faint bluish tint around its edges. Could it be due to atmospheric conditions? I’m no expert, but it’s fascinating to speculate.”
AstroGalaxyExplorer: “I’ve been comparing my past observations of Venus, and indeed, there’s a noticeable change. Maybe we found aliens, Let’s keep the discussion going!”
CosmicDreamer: “I’m a photographer, here are some photographs from last night. It definitely appeared dimmer. I doubt it’s aliens, but who knows?”
NoviceAstronomer: “I’m relatively new to stargazing, but I did notice Venus looking dimmer. It’s amazing how a seemingly small change can spark such excitement and curiosity. I’m grateful to be part of this community and learn from all of you!”
ProfessorStarlight: “Hey everyone, Matt here. Or ProfessorStarlight, if we’re keeping it cosmic! I’ve been following this Venus conversation with real interest. First off, major props to Sarah for spotting something unusual and kicking this off. That’s exactly the kind of curiosity that makes this group awesome.
So, from a meteorological perspective, there are a few things that might be going on. Venus has a super thick atmosphere loaded with reflective clouds, mostly sulfuric acid, and changes in cloud density or composition can absolutely affect how bright it looks from Earth. Sometimes upper-level dynamics like wave patterns or fast-moving jet streams on Venus can change the way sunlight reflects off it, even temporarily.
That said, we also have to look closer to home. Local sky conditions… like thin high clouds, haze, or even dust in the air, can mess with how bright planets appear. Plus, Venus’s brightness naturally varies based on its position in its orbit. So while it might be something on Venus itself, it could also be a perfect storm (no pun intended) of viewing conditions and orbital timing.
Either way, this is the kind of mystery I love. I’ll dig into some recent satellite data and see if there’s been anything unusual with Venus’s cloud cover. In the meantime, keep those observations coming. Whether you’re a seasoned sky-watcher or just getting started, it’s cool to see so many people looking up and sharing what they find.”
As the news segment transitions to the weather report, the camera cuts to the meteorologist, Matt Gomez, standing confidently in front of a large weather map. The set is designed with a modern and sleek aesthetic, featuring a backdrop of vivid blue skies adorned with clouds, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and curiosity.
Matt is giving the weather report, but his mind is still on the why Venus has dimmed so much.
“Good evening, everyone! It’s time for your weather report.
“For tomorrow, we can expect a mostly sunny day across the region. The temperatures will be pleasant, with highs reaching around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. A light breeze will accompany the sunshine, providing a refreshing touch to your outdoor activities. It’s the perfect weather for a stroll in the park or enjoying some time in your garden.
“As we move into the evening, skies will remain clear, and if you’re an avid stargazer, then you’re in for a treat. I wanna give a quick shout out to the Astro-Nuts for spotting something curious: Venus is looking noticeably dimmer then it should right now. It’s usually the brightest planet in the sky, so if you get a chance tonight, take a look.
“That’s all for now. Have a fantastic day ahead, and remember to stay tuned for any updates. Stay weather-wise, and I’ll see you next time.
The segment returned from a commercial break with a familiar jingle, fading into the calm smile of the anchor seated at the news desk. Her tone was warm but curious.
“Welcome back to our program. Today, we have a special guest joining us, Sarah, one of the members of the local astronomy group the Astro-Nuts, who made an intriguing observation about Venus. Sarah, thank you for being here.”
“Thank you for having me. It’s exciting to be able to share our discovery.” responded Sarah
The anchor leaned in slightly, “Absolutely. So, tell us about what you and the Astro-Nuts noticed about Venus.”
“Well,” Sarah began, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, “we were on a stargazing trip out in the desert, just a regular night for the Astro-Nuts. But when we looked at Venus, it didn’t seem right. It looked dimmer than usual, and kind of… duller. At first, we thought maybe it was just atmospheric interference or our eyes playing tricks on us.”
“But you didn’t leave it at that,” the anchor prompted.
“Nope,” Sarah said with a smile. “I posted about it on our club’s online forum, just to see if anyone else noticed. And then it kind of snowballed. More people chimed in, not just from our group, but from all over. Some said Venus looked gray instead of white. Others shared telescope photos or even compared data. It was incredible.”
The anchor’s eyebrows rose with interest. “That must’ve been surreal.”
“It was!” Sarah laughed. “Even more so when one of our members, who goes by ProfessorStarlight, turned out to be a meteorologist on a Florida TV station. Next thing we know, he’s talking about our club and Venus live on air. We never expected to go from desert stargazing to… semi-famous overnight.”
The anchor chuckled. “That’s an amazing story. Do you have any idea what’s happening with Venus?”
Sarah grinned, half-serious. “Well, we need the experts and the big telescopes to really figure it out, maybe NASA’s already on it. But personally?” She leaned forward, voice dropping to a playful whisper. “I’m kinda hoping it’s aliens moving in next door. I mean, how cool would that be?”
The anchor laughed politely, clearly ready to wrap. “That would certainly be something. Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your story, and for reminding us just how exciting it is to look up and wonder.”
Sarah smiled again, the studio lights reflecting just a little bit of stardust in her eyes. “Thanks for having me. And hey, keep looking up. You never know what you’ll find.”
In a dimly lit NASA control room, bathed in the soft glow of monitors and equipment, two interns huddle together, their eyes fixed on the small screen of a phone. The quiet room thrums with the low hum of computers. As the rest of the world slumbers, the pair’s job is to watch the equipment as it works. They pass the time by watching Sarah’s interview.
“Nerdy *AND* that beautiful” says Rainier Drake, a half smile forming, “I’m in love.”
Ethan Parker didn’t bother glancing away from the interview, “Don’t be a tool, you’ll never meet her.”
But the words never registered with Rainier. Instead he focused on Sarah’s words, Venus is changing color?
Rainier turns to the control panel, “Why don’t we check it out? We’re NASA, We’ve got the best telescopes on, or off, planet earth. Let’s point one of the older ones to Venus and take a look.”
“What are we going to do? We’re just interns. We don’t have the authority to do that, we can get fired. Let’s do a write up and get permission tomorrow.”
Rainier pauses, “Nope, gotta risk it for the biscuit. I’m doing this, and then I’m gonna meet her!”
He goes back to his computer, and types away, entering new coordinates for the Hubble, top of the line in it’s day, but now an aging relic, perfect for investigating Venus without getting in too much trouble.
“You’re gonna get us both fired”, Ethan muttered, but resigned to Rainier’s flighty obsessions.
Rainier moved the program to the large screen so they can see it better. Slowly the grainy misshapen mess takes form into a still unrecognizable image.
“This… This is all wrong.”
Ethan walks up to the screen, “Are you sure you didn’t point it somewhere else instead? Venus has way more clouds.”
Rainier taps his keyboard a few times, “I didn’t make a mistake, and I’m not screwing with you, that’s Venus.”
“Where are the clouds? Why can we see the surface?! This is incredible! I can’t believe it. Venus looks so different without its cloud cover. This changes everything we thought we knew about the planet. What could have caused this?”
“It gets better”, said Rainier, turning on the thermal overlay.
“Look at the heat map”
Head cocked to the side, Ethan remarks, “Some areas are 1,000 degrees, some are 700. What the hell is going on?”
“That’s exactly what we need to find out.” says Intern 1. “Still think we’re going to get fired?”
“Fired? We’re going to be famous and rich!”
In a well-equipped conference room at NASA headquarters, Director Scott Cunningham stood at the front, surveying the assembled crowd. Representatives from across the federal space and intelligence communities filled the room. The tension was subtle, but it hung in the air like static.
“Thank you all for being here,” Cunningham began, his voice steady but clipped. “Your presence speaks to the seriousness of what’s been brought to our attention.”
He paused, scanning the rows of suited figures and agency badges.
“By now, you’ve seen the headlines. You’ve seen the chatter about Venus. Most of it’s speculation. Noise. But two days ago, two interns… yes, interns … started asking the right questions. And what they found… well, I’ll let them speak for themselves.”
He stepped aside.
Ranier and Ethan moved to the front. Neither of them looked ready. Ranier’s hands trembled slightly as he adjusted the mic. Ethan avoided eye contact with the room, clutching a slim tablet like a shield.
The conference room, with its vaulted ceiling and sweeping glass walls, suddenly felt vast and cold. The two young men stood under its lights, facing a wall of silence and scrutiny.
“Take your time,” Cunningham offered with a nod.
Taking a deep breath, they begin, their voices waver slightly at the start, their eyes dart between their notes and the faces of the professionals, seeking connection and validation. As they present each slide, their hands grip the remote control tightly, their fingers almost clinging to it for stability. Sweat forms on their brows, and they find themselves swallowing hard to combat the dryness in their throats.
The room, filled with anticipation, watches intently. The attendees listen attentively, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and scrutiny. Questions form in their minds, ready to challenge and test the interns’ knowledge and understanding.
But as the interns progress through their presentation, their nervousness begins to melt away. They find their rhythm, their voices gaining strength and clarity.
After the interns’ presentation concludes, a moment of silence hangs in the conference room. The attendees, caught in a mixture of awe and curiosity, exchange glances, their minds racing with questions. The interns, standing before them, feel a heightened sense of nervousness, aware of the weight of the room’s expectations.
The CIA’s Deputy Director for Intelligence, Franklin Holt, is the first to break the silence. He raises an eyebrow and leans forward, his voice carrying a tone of intrigue. “Fascinating discovery, indeed. But why are we”, he indicates to his colleague Deputy Director for Science and Technology, Kaitlin Horne. “here? Unless you think this originated here on earth, our involvement is… unnecessary”
“You are here precisely because we DON’T know what caused this.” replied the Secretary of State, Julian Singh, flatly. “This seems beyond the capabilities of anyone on Earth, but we can’t rule it out. And knowing what’s happening around the world is your job. Director Cunningham’s job is to determine how could such a significant change in Venus’ atmosphere occur without us detecting it earlier? Are there any theories or explanations as to what might have caused this?”
Kaitlin Horne, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity, nods in agreement. “I’m intrigued by the implications of this finding. Is there any data or analysis that can shed light on the possible mechanisms behind the disappearance of Venus’ clouds? And what about the hotspots detected on its surface? Could they be related to the atmospheric changes?”
General Fuller leaned forward, voice crisp. “Whether it’s a nation, a rogue actor, or something else entirely. If this kind of power exists, we need to know. Fast.”
They start discuss various theories in detail, ranging from atmospheric cycles that have simply been unrecorded, to solar wind stripping away the atmosphere. As mundane explanations fall one by one, the topic shifts to more extraordinary ones. Aliens taking the sulfuric acid or perhaps terraforming.
“What did you just say?” Holt locks his gaze to Drake.
“Maybe aliens are terraforming Venus”, his nervousness and fear returning under such immediate attention.
“Son of a bitch…” Holt muttered.
For a second, he just stared, caught off guard, jaw tight, like the wind had been knocked out of him. Then he blinked, recovered, and pulled out his phone.
Everyone looked at Holt, waiting for him to explain. He pulled his phone from his pocket and made a call.
“I know what project Tengri is. Get what little you have and send it to me. Then get your ass over here.” He hangs up.
He looks around the room, confusion everywhere.
Holt takes a moment to collect his thoughts before responding. “Project Tengri is a classified Chinese initiative that came to our attention approximately five years ago. While the details still remain limited, I have a strong suspicion it’s a project to terraform Venus.”
Horne interjects with a furrowed brow. “Terraforming Venus? That’s a massive undertaking. How could they have made such significant progress without us knowing?”
Holt offers a small nod of acknowledgment. “That’s precisely what I’m trying to understand. Our sources indicate that the Chinese have allocated substantial resources to this endeavor, but the specifics of their methods and the extent of their progress remain elusive. Tengri means Blue Sky in Mongolian, and is the name of an ancient god. We know it was expensive, and theorized it was related to the Venus launch five years ago, but had little evidence. Our inability to find ANY explanation for such spending on earth leads me to believe they’re terraforming Venus.”
“They’ve been terraforming Venus under our nose? That’s a power grab dressed as science. We can’t afford to be blindsided again. ” said General Fuller
Singh closed his eyes and leaned back, drawing a deep breath through his nose…
Then he opened his eyes and locked them on Holt, “Franklin, I need you to tear Tengri apart. Every wire, every shadow. Loop in our partners, scrape every channel. I want a full profile: what it is, what it’s for, and how far along they are.”
Holt gave a single nod. “Understood, sir.”
A week had passed since their last meeting, and the sense of urgency hung heavy in the air as Director Holt, Director Horne, General Flores, Director Cunningham, and the Secretary of State Julian Singh reconvened. The opulent conference room, adorned with rich mahogany furnishings and bathed in the warm glow of ambient lighting, set the stage for a crucial discussion.
Director Holt, began the meeting with a heavy sigh. “Ladies and gentlemen, I regret to inform you that despite our best efforts, we have made no significant progress in uncovering the nature of Project Tengri. The Chinese have been successful in keeping their intentions concealed, leaving us in a state of uncertainty.
“However, we do know they are planning another mission to Venus in 2050. Officially it is to explore and learn more, but when paired with what we already know. It seems more likely another step in terraforming.”
Frustration rippled through the room. The lack of clarity was dangerous.
Before the silence could solidify, General Flores leaned forward, voice sharp with determination. “Then it’s time we act. If they’re establishing a foothold on Venus, we can’t afford to sit idle. And if it’s not them, if something else is happening, we need to find out what.”
Director Horne frowned, weighing every word. “We still don’t know what we’re walking into. If this is extraterrestrial, our presence could be interpreted as a threat. And just by announcing a mission, we had better be willing to actually go to Venus in a hurry.”
Holt nodded. “Agreed. A premature move risks provoking allies, or something worse. Something we don’t yet understand.”
Director Cunningham finally spoke. “I side with General Flores. We’ve seen no solid evidence of alien intelligence. It’s more likely human, or natural. But doing nothing is the greater risk.”
Julian Singh had remained quiet, fingers steepled, gaze steady. Now, he spoke.
“I understand the risks,” he said carefully. “But we also have a responsibility to seek answers. A Venus mission signals our commitment to scientific transparency, and if the Chinese are behind this, it might force a reaction. Silence has its cost too.”
He turned toward Cunningham and Flores.
“Start drafting. Operational plans. Scientific goals. Diplomatic framing. I’ll brief the President.”
The room held its breath for a moment, then chairs shifted and notebooks closed. Orders had been given. Now it was time to move.
The grand hall of the White House was packed. The air hummed with the static energy of anticipation: reporters clustered near the front rows, lenses focused, mics armed, notebooks poised. Behind the podium stood President Sarah Monroe, flanked by General Tallulah Flores, CIA Deputy Director Kaitlin Horne, NASA Director Scott Cunningham, Secretary of State Julian Singh, and two young NASA interns, Rainier Drake and Ethan Parker.
The President stepped forward, hands steady, posture open. As the cameras clicked to life, the room fell silent.
“Good afternoon,” Monroe began, voice smooth and commanding. “Thank you all for coming. What I’m about to share isn’t just about science. It’s about our place in the universe, and how we respond when the universe shifts under our feet.”
She glanced toward the interns briefly, then back to the crowd.
“Over the past several weeks, amateur astronomers began reporting something strange. Venus, the brightest object in our night sky after the Moon, has dimmed. A lot. NASA has confirmed this is not an illusion, not equipment failure. Venus’s thick cloud layer is thinning. We don’t know why.”
A murmur rippled across the press corps. Monroe held up a hand, not to quiet them, but to lead them forward.
“Let me be clear. This isn’t just an atmospheric anomaly. Venus is a planet we’ve long viewed as a kind of cautionary tale: uninhabitable, hostile, boiling. And yet, something is changing. Something we can’t yet explain. That demands our attention.”
She motioned to the people beside him.
“General Flores will oversee mission logistics and operational readiness. Director Kaitlin Horne will lead intelligence coordination, working alongside Director Scott Cunningham, who is heading NASA’s scientific response. Secretary Julian Singh will manage diplomatic engagement with our allies and global partners.”
She paused, her expression softening.
“Now, let me be clear. This discovery didn’t begin in a lab or a mission control center. It began with a spark in the amateur astronomy community, citizens looking skyward and sharing what they saw. But it was two NASA interns, Rainier Drake and Ethan Parker, who did more than wonder. They dug deeper. They followed the data. They turned a curious anomaly into a confirmed phenomenon.”
She looked their way, proud but composed.
“They didn’t start the conversation, but they’re the reason we’re having it now.”
Rainier and Ethan looked up, stunned at the attention. Monroe smiled briefly at their disbelief, then pressed on.
“Today, I’m announcing the United States will launch a new mission to Venus. It will be unmanned, but it will not be modest. This mission will carry some of the most advanced atmospheric instruments ever built, designed to scan, study, and send back answers.”
A deep breath, then, with rising conviction.
“We’re not doing this because it’s easy. We’re doing it because it matters. Because when the unknown knocks, we don’t lock the door. We open it. And we learn.”
Cameras flashed. Reporters scribbled frantically.
“This mission will launch within the next year. Our timeline is aggressive, but not reckless. The data we retrieve will deepen our understanding of Venus, and may shed light on our own climate systems here on Earth.”
She leaned in slightly, voice lower but no less firm.
“I also want to say this: we are not going alone. We’re reaching out to our allies. We’re inviting the global scientific community to take part. If this is natural, we’ll learn from it. If it’s artificial, we’ll confront it. But either way, we will not be passive observers in our own solar system.”
The room, charged now, sat in poised silence as Aragon finished.
“This is a time for curiosity, courage, and collaboration. The mission begins now.”
She stepped back from the podium as the room erupted: reporters shouting questions, lights flashing, voices rising. Rainier and Ethan stood still, wide-eyed, in the eye of the storm they helped start.
The grand meeting room, draped in the red and gold of China’s flags, buzzed with the low murmur of officials taking their seats. At the head of the long conference table, President Jian Ling sat with youthful but undeniable authority, his gaze piercing and sharp. Next to him sat Director Cao, with his face placid and watchful.
President Ling clears his throat, commanding the attention of everyone in the room.
“Honored guests, Today you learn of the most ambitious project humanity has ever undertaken. Today you learn of Project Tengri,” President Ling announces, his gaze sweeping across the room. “Fifteen years ago, Director Cao’s mission was nothing short of transforming Venus into a habitable and sustainable environment for future Chinese generations. After a decade and a half, that endeavor begins to blossom.”
“China has long been the Dragon of the East, but we have spread our wings across the heavens. Project Tengri is our declaration to the world that we are no mere observers of the solar system, but its masters. The transformation of Venus is our first flight into our palace of the cosmos.”
Few in the room knew the full scope of Tengri. Fewer still believed it could succeed. President Ling’s declaration landed like a thunderclap. The generals and directors exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting a mixture of awe and disbelief. Some had heard rumors, fragments of truth buried in silence, but none had imagined this.
President Ling continues, his voice calm and authoritative, “As a mighty river might carve a valley from a mountain and lead the fish within to the ocean, Director Cao has led his team in carving a home for China upon Venus. His vision, like the river’s flow, is relentless and determined. What once seemed impossible is now becoming inevitable, as Cao guides us to reshape the future, just as the river shapes the land it touches.
“Project Tengri has borne its first fruit, and the world has begun to notice its sweetness. A tree that grows such a harvest cannot remain unnoticed forever. We knew this day would come. Now, we embrace it.”
Turning his attention to Director Cao, President Ling’s tone becomes more serious. “My friend, your success has not gone unnoticed. But you must do everything in your power to stay on schedule and ensure the success of Project Tengri. The eyes of the world will soon be on China, and we cannot afford to falter.”
There was no need for Cao to speak. His quiet nod of acknowledgment was enough. It was clear: he would not fail.
President Ling again turns to address the room.
“Tomorrow, I announce Project Tengri to the world. As the fruit of Venus ripens, the mighty dragon must unfurl it’s wings and claim its due.”
“I know that some of you thought this project was audaciousness bordering on arrogance. I ask you now to reconsider. After this announcement, the future of Venus rests upon our shoulders. Some would seek to challenge us, others to undermine us. Like the dragon, we shall rise above the storm”
“Together, we will make history. We will show the world that China is not just a power in the East. We are the power of the future.”
With that, the meeting concluded. The officials filed out, the weight of their roles pressing upon their shoulders. As they left the room, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind: China, under Jian Ling’s bold leadership and Xi Cao’s steady hand, was ready to lead humanity into the stars.
The chamber quiets as President Jian Ling steps to the podium, his expression calm but resolute. Behind him, the red and gold flag of China hangs like a banner of destiny.
“Distinguished delegates, honored representatives, and citizens of the world,
I stand before you not merely to announce a mission, but to reveal a truth already unfolding beyond your gaze.
For fifteen years, the People’s Republic of China has cultivated a vision not on Earth, but in the sky, on Venus. That vision is Project Tengri.
Under the quiet, relentless work our nation’s most gifted minds, we have projected this vision across the heavens. What was once a distant, hostile world now stirs with the early signs of change, change we have authored.
Venus, long shrouded in fire and acid, has become something else. It is no longer just a planet. It is a seed we planted, and now, a tree that has begun to blossom.
One day, its fruit will ripen. Not today. Not tomorrow. But the time will come when what we have nurtured may be harvested: a habitable world, a sanctuary for our descendants, a crown upon humanity’s reach.
Let there be no confusion: Venus is now part of China’s future. Not seized. Not stolen. Grown.
Like any farmer tending the first shoots of spring, we take pride in the work. But we also carry the burden. This undertaking is ours: its risks, its costs, and its responsibility.
And though we claim Venus as the fruit of our labor, we do not deny others a place at the orchard’s edge. Let those who come in peace observe, learn, and in time, collaborate. But make no mistake… the roots are ours.
Some will call this ambition. Others, arrogance. But history has never been written by those who watched the stars. Only by those who reached for them.
China does not wait for the future. We shape it.
Thank you.”
At the back of the hall, Director Holt listens as his suspicions are all confirmed. He mutters under his breath, “They actually did it.” Then louder, bitter and cold: “Fuck.”
This book is available in its entirety on Amazon, if you enjoy it, I would appreciate if you would purchase and review it.