Chapter 245 Remote Command

December 9, 2038.

7:00 AM, Hainan Base Data Center.

Lin Mo stood before a massive circular screen, staring at the dense streams of data flowing across it. The screen was divided into over a dozen sections—on the left were real-time monitoring feeds from the offshore platform, in the center was the structural stress analysis model, on the right was the logistics dispatch list, and scrolling below were communication logs from various teams.

He had been standing there for two full hours.

"Senior Brother," Li Xiao said, walking over with two cups of coffee, "Sit down for a while. Your legs won't be able to take it if you keep standing."

Lin Mo took the coffee but didn't sit; he simply leaned against the nearby control console, his gaze never leaving the screen.

Li Xiao looked at him and sighed. Knowing she couldn't persuade him, she simply stood beside him and stared at the screen as well.

On the screen, a 3D structural model of the platform was slowly rotating. Red areas represented damaged parts—the east storage yard, Pier 3, and that snapped tower crane. Yellow areas represented locations needing reinforcement—around the anchor bases, the living area connections, and the foundations for the main cable supports.

"How much longer for the structural analysis?" Lin Mo asked.

"We'll have results by 3:00 PM." Li Xiao pointed to the progress bar on the screen. "The server is running a finite element analysis for seventeen different operating conditions. It's finished nine so far."

Lin Mo nodded.

"Senior Brother," Li Xiao hesitated for a moment, "do you think the platform's structure... is really okay?"

Lin Mo turned his head to look at her. "Why do you ask?"

Li Xiao pointed to the red areas on the screen. "During the typhoon, the waves were over ten meters high, and the impact force on the platform exceeded the design standards. Even though it looks fine now, I'm worried about invisible damage—like metal fatigue or microscopic cracks."

Lin Mo was silent for a few seconds before saying, "That's why your analysis is so important."

Li Xiao pursed her lips and said nothing more.

She knew how heavy her task was. Whether the platform could operate safely depended on whether her analysis was accurate. If any hidden danger was missed, the consequences would be unthinkable.

"Senior Brother," she said suddenly, "I won't miss anything."

Lin Mo looked at her and smiled. "I know."

At 9:00 AM, Zhao Gang pushed the door open and entered.

He was wearing a training uniform and looked travel-worn, a list in his hand.

"Chief Designer Lin, the supplies have been dispatched." He placed the list in front of Lin Mo. "The first batch takes off at noon today—three helicopters carrying tower crane parts and gantry motors. The second batch is tomorrow morning—two supply ships carrying materials and living supplies."

Lin Mo took the list and scanned it quickly.

The types of supplies, quantities, transport methods, and estimated arrival times—every item was clearly written. Zhao Gang had even listed some things Lin Mo hadn't had time to think of yet.

"You didn't sleep last night?" Lin Mo looked up at him.

Zhao Gang smiled. "I slept for two hours. That's enough."

Lin Mo looked at him but said nothing.

Zhao Gang added, "News came from Director Fang's side. She said George's people have been active in Southeast Asia lately, possibly related to our supply lines. I've notified all units along the route to heighten their alert. Nothing major should happen."

Lin Mo nodded. "Thank you for your hard work."

"It's nothing," Zhao Gang said, looking at the platform feed on the screen. "The one who's truly working hard is Chen Xueming."

On the screen, workers on the platform were clearing the mess left by the typhoon. Chen Xueming, wearing work clothes and a hard hat, was standing in front of a pile of debris, directing something. His movements were quick, but Lin Mo noticed his left arm wasn't moving naturally—he had injured it while saving someone during the typhoon yesterday.

"How is his arm?" Lin Mo asked.

Li Xiao pulled up another feed. "The clinic treated it. It's not fractured, but the muscle strain is severe. The doctor told him to rest for three days, but he ran back out at six this morning."

Lin Mo silently watched the busy figure on the screen.

"Senior Brother," Li Xiao said softly, "you know Senior Brother Chen; he can't stay idle."

Lin Mo nodded. "Have the clinic change his dressings every day and keep an eye on him."

"Will do."

At 3:00 PM, the structural analysis results came out.

Li Xiao stared at the final data popping up on the screen and let out a long breath. She turned and ran toward Lin Mo. "Senior Brother! The results are out!"

Lin Mo walked over quickly.

On the screen, the 3D model of the platform was now covered in different colors. Green represented safe zones, yellow meant areas of concern, and red indicated risks.

There weren't many red areas—they were mainly concentrated at the root connection of Pier 3 and the base of the snapped tower crane.

"The root of Pier 3," Li Xiao pointed at the screen, speaking rapidly, "has twelve connection points where stress exceeds standards, with a maximum excess of 23%. At the crane base, four bolts are deformed and need replacement. Everywhere else is within the safety range."

Lin Mo stared at those red areas, his mind racing.

"What about the reinforcement plan?"

Li Xiao switched to another set of images. "I've simulated three reinforcement plans. The first is local reinforcement, only strengthening the points that exceed the standards. It has the shortest construction time, but the safety redundancy is insufficient. The second is global reinforcement, completely reworking the entire connection area. It has high safety redundancy, but the construction period would be extended by ten days. The third is..."

She paused and pointed at the third plan on the screen. "It's a compromise solution. We reinforce the over-stressed points while adding six sets of diagonal braces to redistribute the load. The safety redundancy is close to global reinforcement, but the construction period is only extended by three days."

Lin Mo stared at the third plan for a long time.

"Use this one," he said. "Send it to Chen Xueming immediately."

Li Xiao nodded, her fingers flying across the keyboard. A few seconds later, the plan was transmitted to the offshore platform via an encrypted channel.

In less than a minute, Chen Xueming's video call request popped up.

"Old Lin!" Chen Xueming's voice came through the screen, the roar of machinery audible in the background. "I received the plan! Whose idea was the diagonal braces?"

Lin Mo glanced at Li Xiao. "It was her idea."

Chen Xueming was stunned for a moment, then gave a thumbs up to the screen. "Li Xiao, you're awesome!"

Li Xiao blushed slightly, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up. "Senior Brother Chen, I've marked the positions for the diagonal braces. There are six sets in total, with four anchor points each. When you're constructing, pay attention to the order—reinforce the red areas first, then add the diagonal braces, and finally strengthen the connection points."

Chen Xueming listened intently, nodding from time to time. "Got it. Anything else?"

Li Xiao thought for a moment. "I've calculated the materials; what's currently on the platform should be enough. If not, Zhao Gang can restock at any time."

"Good." Chen Xueming turned and shouted to someone nearby, "Factory Director Liu! The plan is here! Tell the brothers we start work tomorrow!"

Liu Jianguo's voice came from a distance: "Understood!"

After hanging up the video call, Li Xiao leaned back in her chair and let out a long breath.

Lin Mo looked at her and smiled. "Good job."

Li Xiao blinked. "Senior Brother, that's the first time you've praised me."

Lin Mo was taken aback. "Is it?"

"Yes," Li Xiao nodded earnestly. "Before, you'd only say 'Understood,' 'Fine,' or 'Continue.' This is the first time you've said 'Good job.'"

Lin Mo was silent for two seconds before saying, "Then I'll praise you more in the future."

Li Xiao laughed, looking very happy.

At 6:00 PM, the first batch of supplies arrived at the platform.

Three large helicopters roared as they landed on the helipad on the east side of the platform. The cabin doors opened, and fully equipped soldiers jumped out and began unloading cargo. Tower crane parts, gantry motors, reinforcement materials, medical equipment, living supplies... item after item was quickly unloaded and stacked in designated locations.

Zhao Gang stood before the screen, a slight smile appearing on his face as he watched the real-time transmission.

"Fifteen minutes ahead of schedule," he said.

Lin Mo stood beside him. "Your soldiers are capable."

Zhao Gang smiled. "They certainly are."

During the unloading process, a detail caught Lin Mo's attention—a young soldier, after finishing his load, didn't leave immediately but ran over to help a platform worker lift a heavy crate. Together, they carried the crate to its designated spot. The soldier patted the worker's shoulder, said something, and then ran back to his squad.

"What's that soldier's name?" Lin Mo asked.

Zhao Gang pulled up the feed and zoomed in. "Li Qiang, twenty-three years old, enlisted for three years."

Lin Mo nodded and said nothing more.

Zhao Gang looked at him and suddenly asked, "Chief Designer Lin, are you thinking that these soldiers might have to go 'up' with us in the future?"

Lin Mo was silent for a few seconds before saying, "Someday."

Zhao Gang's gaze fell on the young soldiers busy on the screen.

"When that time comes," he said, "I hope I can lead the team."

Lin Mo turned his head to look at him.

Zhao Gang smiled. "What, is that not allowed?"

Lin Mo smiled as well. "It is. Of course it is."

At 9:00 PM, Chen Xueming sent a video.

In the video, workers were constructing through the night. Searchlights illuminated the entire platform, and dozens of people were gathered at the root of Pier 3, removing damaged connection pieces. Electric welding sparks flew everywhere, and the shrieks of cutting machines were constant.

Chen Xueming stood nearby, directing with a walkie-talkie. His left arm was bandaged and hanging from his neck, but he seemed to ignore it entirely, running back and forth as usual.

At the end of the video, he said to the camera, "Old Lin, at this rate, we'll have it fixed in a week. Li Xiao's diagonal brace plan is great; it saved us a lot of trouble. Don't overwork yourself over there; get some sleep early."

Lin Mo watched that video for a long time in silence.

Li Xiao whispered from the side, "Senior Brother, Senior Brother Chen told you to sleep early."

Lin Mo nodded but didn't move.

Li Xiao sighed, stood up, and walked to his side. "Then I won't sleep either; I'll stay with you."

Lin Mo turned to her. "Why are you staying up?"

Li Xiao smiled. "If you don't sleep, how could I have the heart to?"

Lin Mo was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

"Fine, then let's stay up together."

At 11:00 PM, new information came from the platform.

Liu Jianguo sent a voice message, his voice tired but excited: "Chief Designer Lin! All the damaged parts on Pier 3 have been removed! We start installing the new ones tomorrow! We're half a day ahead of schedule!"

After listening to the message, Lin Mo turned to Li Xiao.

Li Xiao was yawning, but she stopped halfway when she heard the news. "So fast?"

Lin Mo thought for a moment and picked up the intercom. "Xueming, are you guys working through the night again?"

A few seconds later, Chen Xueming replied, "No, no, just normal shifts. The brothers are full of energy."

Lin Mo was silent for two seconds before saying, "Make sure to rest."

Chen Xueming replied with an OK emoji.

Li Xiao whispered, "Senior Brother, do you believe him?"

Lin Mo didn't speak.

He didn't believe him either.

But he knew he couldn't stop them.

One week later.

December 16, 2038.

At 3:00 PM, the platform repair project was completed a day ahead of schedule.

Lin Mo stood before the circular screen in the data center, watching the real-time images. Pier 3 looked brand new, with six sets of diagonal braces added to the base, gleaming with a silver-gray luster in the sunlight. The snapped tower crane had been removed, and a new one was being installed, its jib already halfway up. The storage yard was cleared, and the Carbon Nanotubes spools were neatly restacked and firmly secured with windproof netting.

Chen Xueming stood before the camera, looking even more tanned, but his eyes were bright.

"Old Lin, it's fixed." His voice was hoarse but carried a smile. "A day ahead of schedule."

Lin Mo looked at him on the screen for several seconds before asking, "How's your arm?"

Chen Xueming was stunned for a moment, then raised his left arm and moved it. "It's fine. The doctor took the bandages off yesterday."

Lin Mo nodded. "That's good."

Chen Xueming laughed. "Old Lin, when did you learn how to care about people?"

Lin Mo didn't answer, simply saying, "Next, it's time to lay the cables."

Chen Xueming's expression turned serious. "We're ready."

"Good," Lin Mo said. "I'll head over next week."

After hanging up the video call, Lin Mo stood before the screen in silence for a long time.

Li Xiao walked over and stood beside him.

Together, they looked at the platform on the screen—that steel giant island, having endured the battering of the typhoon, now stood even more firmly in the vast sea.

"Senior Brother," Li Xiao said softly, "what do you think it will be like on the day the Space Elevator is completed?"

Lin Mo thought for a moment. "It should be very bustling."

Li Xiao smiled. "When that time comes, I want to be standing at the very front to see it."

Lin Mo turned to look at her. "You'll definitely be at the very front."

Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling upon them.

A new day, a new beginning.