39: Chapter 39 Craig's Misjudgment: A Last-Ditch Struggle?
Pretty Country, CIA Headquarters, inside the Strategic Analysis Room.
On the massive electronic screen, several high-precision satellite images were displayed, all focused on the Gobi region in the northwest of the Dragon Country, codenamed "Xihe Base". The images clearly showed the earth-shaking changes taking place on that land—a huge circular foundation pit, rapidly assembled dome structures, and a dense logistics network, all pointing to a large-scale construction project of unprecedented size.
Several analysts were nervously giving their reports.
"Sir, according to our latest image analysis, the construction speed of this 'G-7' project in the northwest region of the Dragon Country is abnormally rapid, and the scale of resources invested far exceeds that of conventional infrastructure. Judging from the structural form, it might be a super-large... industrial plant or a special storage facility."
Another analyst added: "Combined with the sporadic logistics information we have intercepted, a large amount of special steel, high-performance concrete, and cooling system-related equipment are being transported to that area. Its security clearance is extremely high, and we are unable to obtain core information."
James Craig held a cup of coffee, paced to the front of the screen, and squinted at the images. The corners of his mouth gradually curled into a smile mixed with sarcasm and understanding.
"Industrial plant? Special storage?" He sneered, shook his head, his tone carrying a sense of superiority as if he saw through everything, "No, Gentlemen, you have been deceived by appearances."
He put down his coffee cup and tapped his finger on the huge circular foundation pit and the dome being topped on the screen: "Look at this structure, this depth and scale! And these dense cooling pipe layouts! This is not some factory at all!"
He turned around, faced the analysts, and gave his "authoritative" judgment decisively:
"This is clearly a super-large, highly fortified strategic energy reserve! And it's underground!"
A slight commotion broke out in the analysis room.
Craig was extremely confident in his judgment. He continued to analyze, his tone becoming more and more certain: "The Dragon Country has been stunned by our energy embargo! They are panicked! They are digging underground caves frantically at all costs, wanting to store as much oil and natural gas as possible to cope with our potentially further tightened sanctions and alleviate the increasingly severe energy crisis in their country!"
He pointed to the endless stream of transport vehicles: "These special materials are to ensure the structural safety of the reserve and cope with possible geological activities or even... military strikes. These cooling systems are to maintain the low-temperature environment required for liquid natural gas."
"All of this," Craig finally concluded, with an expression of victory on his face, "shows that the Dragon Country has fallen into passivity and panic under our sanctions! They are preparing for the worst-case scenario; it is a typical, high-cost, last-ditch struggle!"
"But, Sir," a young analyst cautiously raised an objection, "their 'Guanghan Palace' lunar probe just succeeded, which seems to show that in the aerospace field..."
"That is nothing but bluffing!" Craig interrupted him impatiently, "One successful exploration mission cannot change the fact that their energy lifeline is being choked by us! It might just be a vanity project created by concentrating their last remaining resources, a smokescreen released to cover up their internal weakness!"
He waved his hand and issued an order: "Mark this 'G-7' project as 'Dragon Country Strategic Reserve Plan' and assess the risk level as 'Medium'. Continue monitoring, but there is no need to invest too many additional resources. Our focus should still be on finding that technology source and that university student named Lin Mo! I have a premonition that the breakthrough lies there!"
"Yes, Sir!"
The analysts accepted Craig's judgment and began to adjust their analytical focus in a new direction. They did not know that this misjudgment, based on arrogance and empiricism, would cause them to miss a truth capable of overturning the global energy landscape.
Craig walked to the window, looking at the bustling city outside, feeling quite relaxed. He seemed to have already seen the scene where the Dragon Country, after exhausting its financial and material resources on that massive "underground reserve", would finally have to bow its proud head to the Pretty Country.
"Struggle, the harder you struggle, the more miserable you will be when you fall." He whispered to himself, drinking the rest of the coffee in his cup in one gulp.
He had never imagined that beneath that Gobi desert, which he had labeled a "last-ditch struggle", what was being nurtured was not a cave for storing fossil energy, but an artificial sun about to burst forth and illuminate a new era.
This fatal misjudgment would win the Dragon Country the most precious, undisturbed time for development. And the moment the truth was revealed, it would bring unparalleled shock and panic to Craig and the entire strategic community of the Pretty Country.