Overcoming the Impossible (1)

In truth, meteorites heading toward Earth had been countless since ancient times. However, because the Sun blocked those coming from the left, and Jupiter and Saturn shielded those from the right, there hadn't been a meteorite that dealt a "massive" blow to Earth since the extinction of the dinosaurs. Of course, that didn't mean there was no danger. In July 2019, a meteorite had grazed past Earth at a hair-raising distance.

And now, in 1986—the year of Yoon-gi's history—a meteorite was suddenly hurtling toward Earth, having narrowly escaped the gravitational pull of Jupiter and Saturn. And there were only six weeks left.

Because the United States and the Soviet Union had been pouring budgets into their space agencies that far exceeded the 2010s in terms of sheer investment, it was impossible for them to be unaware of the meteorite's approach. It was a state of emergency. Consequently, Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev, swallowing his pride, sent a request for support to the United States. This was because the meteorite's impact trajectory was aimed directly at the heart of the Soviet Union.

The United States, for its part, could not refuse Gorbachev's request. The size of this incoming meteorite was beyond imagination. Therefore, the American space agency, NASA, predicted that this impact would bring about a catastrophe equivalent to half of the meteorite strike that caused the Cretaceous extinction. To call it a "catastrophe" was an understatement; it meant that the civilization humanity had built thus far would be pulverized, and the few survivors would have to fight against a brutal, unforgiving nature.

It was a small meeting room in an area sharing East and West Berlin. Though it had been prepared in haste, Gorbachev and the U.S. Ambassador to West Berlin, Kane, were holding talks there.

"Not at all. We in the United States are also taking this matter very seriously. It is President Reagan's will that this is not the time for the United States and the Soviet Union to be obsessed with rivalry."

At Ambassador Kane's reply, Gorbachev let out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. Thank goodness indeed..."

However, Gorbachev's complexion remained dark. The Soviet Union, a communist state built to create a paradise for workers—that nation was about to be destroyed by an absurd event called a meteorite. If Gorbachev were to learn of the Chernobyl incident, which would he choose: the meteorite or Chernobyl? Considering the scale of the damage, Gorbachev was the type of person who would surely choose Chernobyl. The meteorite would bring about the destruction of the Soviet Union—no, all of humanity—while Chernobyl would only bring about the fall of the Soviet Union and the sacrifice of some of its people. Of course, neither should be chosen, but it was a matter of choosing the lesser evil if forced to pick.

"Excuse me, but how much full authority have you been granted, Ambassador? We have no time. Our Soviet space agency calculates that there are six weeks—exactly 41 days and 14 hours—until impact."

Kane nodded. "We have calculated similarly. I have come with the authority of the President's representative regarding this matter. While mobilizing the Department of Defense is impossible, I have the authority to use all agencies and budgets related to this crisis, including NASA."

"Then we can proceed quickly. Our Soviet space agency has determined that American spacecraft are most suitable for resolving this crisis."

"Is that so...?" As Kane reacted ambiguously, Gorbachev hurriedly continued.

"It could not be helped. While our Soviet Union has excellent capabilities in sending a small number of personnel into near-Earth orbit, the United States achieved the miracle of sending humans to the Moon. To land on a meteorite, experience in manned landing is required, and currently, our Soviet Union... lacks that capability."

At Gorbachev's honest admission of Soviet defeat, the "pride as an American" that resided in Kane's heart bloomed fully.

"In that case... I suppose there is no choice. We will use our American spacecraft. We happen to have a craft that was intended for the Apollo program anyway."

"Phew, thank goodness."

"However, there is one prerequisite."

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"What is it?"

Kane had already been briefed by the CIA on the proposals Gorbachev would make. Suggesting the use of American spacecraft was obviously part of the plan. Therefore, he performed his response exactly as instructed.

"The cost for the United States to launch a spacecraft once is 500 million dollars. How much of this cost can the Soviet Union cover?"

500 million dollars! As the terrifying sum—a staggering 430.7 billion ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠won by 1986 Korean currency standards—flowed from Kane's lips, Gorbachev gasped.

"5, 500 million dollars, you say?"

Unfortunately, the Soviet Union of this period had no ability to suddenly come up with 500 million dollars. Why else would the Soviet Union have begun opening up to foreigners during this period in original history? Moreover, because they lacked money, the Soviet Union would be devoured by foreign capital at an incredible speed, leading to the emergence of chaebols and the collapse of the middle and working classes. In such a situation, to squeeze out the nation's total strength to spend 500 million dollars? It was clear that a situation would arise where the entire populace would collapse, going far beyond the level of the Soviet Union's disintegration.

"500 million..."

"Of course, I am not asking you to bear the entire amount."

Gorbachev's complexion brightened. "I, is that so?"

"350 million."

"Gasp..."

"If the Soviet Union bears 350 million dollars, our United States will also do our utmost to help the Soviet Union."

"But, I cannot decide that right now..."

At Gorbachev's hesitation, Kane stood up. "There is not much time. The meteorite will strike in six weeks, but in reality, we have perhaps only one week left. Otherwise, we cannot launch the spacecraft in time. I look forward to the General Secretary's prompt reply."

With those words, Kane left the meeting place. It was an act that could only be done by someone who knew for certain that they held the upper hand. However, because Gorbachev knew better than anyone that he was at a disadvantage, he could not bring himself to curse Kane.

'Damn it, damn it... You want me to squeeze the people...? You want me to squeeze the people who gathered to live in a world where everyone could live well...?'

Deep in sorrow, Gorbachev realized the absurdity of the situation, yet he recalled one miracle.

In fact, the United States had the ability to launch rockets at this meteorite on its own. It was possible to send not just one rocket, but several. Because the United States was a country with money. As capitalism was already flourishing in the U.S., the wealth gap was enormous, but regardless, they had money. However, capitalism was at work even in this situation.

In any case, the meteorite's impact point was the Soviet Union. Therefore, the U.S. leadership judged that the Soviet leadership would be in a panic. If the Soviet Union did not answer until the end, the U.S. would wait until the last possible moment and then launch the spacecraft toward the meteorite independently. If they succeeded in destroying the meteorite, they planned to use it as a basis for a massive smear campaign against the Soviet Union.

Following the analysis of the CIA and various intelligence agencies, U.S. President Ronald Reagan gave the order for approval. There was no certainty that the meteorite could be destroyed. But if it were destroyed, they had to think about what would come after. It was a situation that truly showed why the United States was the world's greatest superpower.

However, the Soviet Union could not do that. The solution Gorbachev had come up with immediately was, quite literally, a method that relied on a miracle.

"Did you call for us?"

At the appearance of Yoon-gi and Kang Seok-ho, Gorbachev jumped up from his seat, forgetting his dignity. "Welcome! Please, sit down!"

Currently, the time remaining until the meteorite's impact was only 40 days and 8 hours. Because every minute and second was precious, Gorbachev was desperate.

"Uh... thank you."

Yoon-gi sat down with Kang Seok-ho, pretending he knew nothing. "The reason I called you two today is none other than the fact that a massive meteorite is currently falling toward Earth."

"Excuse me?"

"Whaaaat?!?!"

Yoon-gi was acting slightly because he already knew the situation, but Kang Seok-ho, hearing this for the first time, was shocked and asked back without a shred of pretense.

"General Secretary, I know it is very rude, but are you joking?"

Kang Seok-ho even asked back with a slight smile, unlike his usual self. That was how far removed the word "meteorite" was from reality.

"Sadly, no. A super-massive meteorite is currently falling toward the heart of our Soviet Union. If it strikes, it will be of a scale that brings about the return of the Cretaceous extinction. This is absolutely not a lie."

There was absolutely no reason for the head of a state to call a foreign investor to make such a joke. Therefore, Kang Seok-ho tried his best to pour his reason into accepting the fact of the meteorite.

"My god... my god..."

However, the only reaction Kang Seok-ho could muster was repeated confusion.

"The content regarding the meteorite I just mentioned is top-secret. Only a very small number of people in the United States know, and only a few in our Soviet Union know this ultra-top-secret information. It is likely a matter that would be treated as top-class in other countries as well."

"We, well, that, that's true. The moment it becomes known to the public, society will fall into a state of anarchy. Hmm..."

The Earth will be destroyed in six weeks. The moment this fact was announced, there was a high probability that society would actually fall into a state of anarchy. Why else would the saying, "Even if the world ends tomorrow, I would plant an apple tree," be handed down as a famous quote? It is because it is extremely difficult to actually do so. When a society is on the verge of ruin, it always falls into a state of anarchy—that is, chaos—and a meteorite was the perfect condition to not only create such a phenomenon but to encourage it. In just a few weeks, the meteorite would be clearly visible in the night sky; there was no way people could maintain their sanity.

"General Secretary, then the reason you called us today is..."

Kang Seok-ho stopped speaking, realizing his mistake. Kang Seok-ho had momentarily thought, 'Is Gorbachev trying to tell us to evacuate from the Soviet Union?' but he had a feeling that was absolutely not the case. However, since Gorbachev hadn't arranged this meeting to see Kang Seok-ho anyway, he didn't take issue with Kang Seok-ho's behavior at all.

"You are Chairman Choi Yoon-gi, correct?"

From Gorbachev's lips, if one were to count the honorifics and tone, a truly extreme honorific flowed out.

"Yes, that is correct."

"Chairman Choi Yoon-gi, I beg of you. Currently, the United States is demanding a cost of 350 million dollars from our Soviet Union in exchange for the use of their spacecraft. However, our Soviet Union does not have the finances to manage such money right now. Please... please, I ask for a personal loan for our Soviet Union."

In truth, he thought it was an absurd request, but this was all Gorbachev could rely on.

'Probably, it won't work...'

Gorbachev let his shoulders slump before even hearing the answer. However.

"Let's do that."

What came out of Yoon-gi's mouth was a prompt, decisive answer without a second of hesitation.