He is Already a Tycoon at a Young Age! - Chapter 53
Only Krnovel
Episode 53
Episode 53 – New Frontier
“Hey, Hitler. Haven’t we been getting along well? I pushed hard for Ponzi during the last election.”
Hurst’s voice rang out on the phone.
“So, just tell us a little bit about it. We’ll print it in the paper the way you want.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think it’s possible to give special treatment to just one newspaper.”
I spoke into the phone.
Los Alamos.
There were no telephones near the launch pad, so we had to go to a nearby village.
“Damn, are you really hiding an alien from Mars? Your work is unpredictable. Then why don’t you send me a picture?”
“This testing ground is my private property. So, ‘in principle,’ I can prohibit other people from entering.”
I said it in a playful tone. I think you’ll understand what I mean.
“But don’t journalists have a duty to investigate for the public interest?”
“…”
“Even if someone were to trespass on my property, I wouldn’t be able to punish them severely.”
A brief silence.
Soon after, a familiar laughter was heard.
“I see what you mean. Then we have no choice but to investigate ‘carefully’. Right?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
As expected, understanding speech is fast.
The guards were just a decoration, a scarecrow for show.
“I think I’ll have some news to share with you sometime this afternoon.”
“Then I will also instruct my staff to prepare in advance.”
After hanging up the phone, I picked up a few newspapers from the stand next to me.
As I was about to take out coins from my wallet, a middle-aged man standing behind the stand smiled and said.
“You don’t have to pay.”
“I didn’t know newspapers were free.”
“Thanks to Mr. Hitler, many outsiders have come to visit us. Thanks to him, our income has increased significantly.”
“Then that’s good.”
I answered with a smile.
The number of people coming to see the rocket experiments will continue to increase.
“They will continue to come in the future.”
As I opened the newspaper, all kinds of provocative phrases caught my eye.
[Interest in Area 51 is growing! What kind of experiments are being conducted in the desert…]
[A story about alien visitors? In the note Hitler dropped…]
[Experts all look at it with skepticism…]
As expected, there isn’t a single proper report. There was even an article mentioning the previous rocket test.
[Robert Goddard is a leading figure in the field of rocketry and is known to have continued his experiments in recent years.]
The rest of the articles bordered on conspiracy theories.
‘Is there any other field as profitable as conspiracy theories?’
[The government put fluoride in tap water to lower people’s intelligence!]
[The world will end on May 21, 2011, as a result of deciphering the numbers hidden in the Bible!]
[Reptilian aliens attempt to conquer Earth!]
Books of this type sell millions of copies worldwide every year.
The same is true in all countries, including Australia, the United States, Russia, Korea, and Japan.
‘It’s ironic that some of them are real.’
The NSA’s wiretapping of American citizens, and syphilis experiments on black people.
Gulf of Tonkin incident, Bay of Pigs invasion.
It all happened in America.
Is there a reason why conspiracy theories sell so well in the United States?
‘I should probably go back to the launch pad soon.’
As I was walking back to my car, a man dressed in a ridiculous manner blocked my path.
A mask covering the face, a helmet, and even a silver protective suit.
It was a costume that looked like something out of a cheap sci-fi movie from the 60s.
“Alf, what do you think of this? It’s pretty cool, huh?”
“Why on earth are you wearing that?”
A snicker came out.
It was Richter.
“It’s a slightly modified welding mask. The heat was really intense at the last launch. So this time, I, I prepared in advance. Should I make you one too?”
“I’ll decline. I don’t want to be in the newspaper dressed like that. What are those pants?”
“Below is something my girlfriend made for me.”
“What I mean is that the pants are particularly cool.”
“No, just a moment ago…”
We got into the car and headed back to the launch pad on the outskirts of town.
“Oh, by the way, I heard Smith has some new materials.”
“If it’s new material…”
Is this a Soviet Union related issue?
Lenin’s assassination.
No matter how much I think about it, it still bothers me.
‘Because something that happened in the history of the original has disappeared.’
It is also possible that information was simply blocked in the Soviet Union.
‘I guess we’ll be able to check soon.’
If we review the new material, we will see some clues.
While I was lost in thought, the car arrived at the rocket launch site. The staff was busy preparing for the launch.
Goddard, who had discovered us, approached us with a smile.
“Today alone, more than fifty people have already been arrested. There must be a few more hiding on that hill right now.”
Goddard pointed with his finger to the hill near the launch pad.
Small black objects that appear small.
“I guess you only take pictures from afar.”
It looks like a swarm of cockroaches.
“How’s the rocket status? I didn’t know it could be relaunched so quickly.”
“What Mr. Hitler said was of great help.”
Goddard spoke in a very excited tone. As we entered the warehouse, a silver rocket greeted us.
Similar size to the one launched last time. Appearance seems to have changed a bit.
“I succeeded in attitude control by connecting the gyroscope and the rocket nozzle. If I had tried to figure it out on my own, it would have taken several more years.”
“I’m glad it helped.”
Was that such a big deal?
I just roughly recited what was in my notes.
I carefully examined every nook and cranny of the rocket.
‘Can’t the top of the rocket be a little more pointed?’
I think that would be better.
I guess I’ll have to tell you about it later.
“By the way, I’ve never heard of the name Rocket before.”
“The project name was Manhattan. We didn’t give the rocket a specific name. The one we’re launching this time is called Proto-17.”
Goddard answered.
It’s Proto-17.
Is this the 17th prototype?
I think it’s a bit bland.
“Let’s give it a new name.”
“If it’s a new name…”
“A name that people will remember.”
Proto-17 is a bit dry.
There must be a more sophisticated and attractive name.
Is there nothing useful in the history of the Yuan?
Roosevelt, Eisenhower, JFK.
During the JFK era, the US-Soviet space race was in full swing.
The slogan that was famous back then was definitely…
‘New Frontier.’
New Frontier.
A new frontier.
That should be fine.
The innovative feel was also well captured.
“How about New Frontier? We can make this rocket the first one.”
“New Frontier. It’s a meaningful name in many ways. I think it’s good.”
“Then I will reveal that to the press as well. As for other minor details, I will…”
As I was talking to Goddard, something caught my eye outside the warehouse.
Megaphone on a straw hat.
Even the cameras are moving busily.
“Let’s continue talking next time.”
I quickly ran to the man wearing the straw hat.
“Mr. Griffith! You shouldn’t be installing it so close to the launch pad.”
“Is there a problem?”
“The heat from the rocket could damage your camera. It could damage your film. You could even get hurt.”
“Then I guess there’s nothing I can do. I’ll clean it up right now.”
As Griffith waved his hand, the staff quickly moved their cameras.
The actors also moved while grumbling.
By the way, that guy…
This is a familiar face?
A handsome appearance, like looking at the statue of David.
“Is that actor Rudolph Valentino?”
“Yes, he’s a new actor we recently discovered. I guess you didn’t see the list of leading actors I sent you a while ago.”
“I haven’t been able to check properly because I’ve been busy. But I know that person.”
Rudolph Valentino is the lead actor in my role?
A representative handsome actor of the 1920s.
They said that over 100,000 people gathered at the funeral.
It was also famous that desperate fans committed suicide together. How could such a person play the role of Hitler?
My head is spinning.
Griffith spoke, tapping the megaphone.
“By the way, this is a really great show. I didn’t expect so many people to show up.”
He added.
“That kind of crowd is the perfect scene to capture in a movie.”
“More will be coming soon.”
Is this the first time a rocket launch has been included in a live-action film?
It’s quite a monumental day.
After chatting with Griffith, I called the security guards and Detective Burns.
“Allow journalists to enter. We will hold a press conference soon.”
“If we do that, not only reporters but also other people will rush in. Even if we inspect them one by one…”
“Tell everyone to come in. There are plenty of chairs, so feel free to come as many as you want.”
That’s what I wanted from the beginning.
After just a few minutes.
The reporters who had been sneaking in came rushing in.
The complete opposite of the last launch.
It was now difficult to find a place to sit.
“Mr. Hitler! What kind of experiments are you conducting here?”
“Is that really a rocket?!”
“Why did you keep this testing site a secret?”
I raised my right hand and calmed the commotion.
“The reason I kept this place a secret until now is because there have been no clear results yet.”
I looked at the audience and said.
All the reporters were busy writing down what I said.
“But it would not be wise for a businessman to ignore the curiosity and interest of the American people. Today, to you and the world…”
Having said that, I sent a signal.
As the truck approached, the rocket on its back slowly came into view.
Phew-phew-phew!
The camera flashes were loud and bright.
Yeah, we have to do a circus like this.
“Let me introduce you to New Frontier No. 1.”
***
I postponed the launch ceremony for two days.
A strategy to gather as many reporters and citizens as possible.
The crowd grew larger as the days passed.
“What on earth is this rocket?”
“Can you really fly into space with this? It seems a bit small for a person to ride in.”
“How does combustion occur in a vacuum?”
The reporters’ questions kept pouring in. I guess I should stop here.
“I’ll answer your questions after the launch. Now, don’t get too close to the rocket. Please stay within the safety line.”
In fact, the New Frontier was small. Compared to 21st century rockets, it was a toy.
Nevertheless, people continued to flock to see the sights.
Even those who came as family units.
“It is said that Mr. Hitler also invested in Rocketman’s magazine. What is his relationship with this writer, Schicklgruber?”
“I’ll explain that later.”
It’s Rocket Man.
I guess you’re curious about that too.
“Well, now I really have no choice but to succeed.”
Richter approached, still dressed in his ridiculous attire.
“Are you still wearing that?”
“It’s more comfortable than I thought. It’s not too hot, either. So, what if I fail this time?”
“Then let’s just think of it as buying expensive fireworks.”
I didn’t mind being laughed at right now.
I’m a bit worried about Goddard’s mental state.
It would be embarrassing for the country if we failed in front of so many people.
Then a loud shout rang out.
“5 minutes to launch!”
People gathered near the safety line.
A roar of voices.
“What’s so great about that lump of metal! When I was fighting in the war…”
“Shh, be quiet.”
An old man who looked like a Civil War veteran grumbled and closed his mouth.
“5…4…3…2…”
Richter and I looked at the launch pad from inside the observatory.
“1! Fire!”
A sharp, loud noise like a crash.
The rocket soared upward, spewing flames.
The rocket left behind a long smoke trail.
“Wow!”
The reporters who had been dazed for a moment quickly picked up their cameras.
The same goes for Griffith and the camera crew.
“What are you doing instead of taking the pictures quickly?! Did you take all the pictures?!”
“Oh, yes! I took all the pictures!”
The children’s cheers rang out.
On the contrary, all the adults had blank expressions. There was no commotion.
‘I’ve even thought about what I’m going to say when I fail.’
I guess I don’t need it anymore.
I called Dr. Goddard and the other assistants up to the podium.
They too looked up at the sky with expressions of mixed bewilderment and joy.
‘Now it’s starting to look like a proper rocket launch.’
It wasn’t quite the 21st century event, but it was still a great event.
It’s becoming a regular event now.
“Today’s launch is just the beginning. There will be more technological developments in space in the future.”
I said with a smile.
As your interest in space and science fiction grows, your interest in me will grow as well.
Then one of the reporters raised his hand and asked,
“Who was the unidentified man next to Herr Hitler in the observation post?”
“Unidentified man?”
“The guy wearing that weird mask.”
Mystery mask?
Unidentified man?
‘Are you talking about Richter?’
The outfit was so ridiculous that even the reporters didn’t recognize him.
“Is that person by any chance the author of Schicklgruber? I heard that Mr. Hitler is close with the author of Rocketman.”
“If this is Area 51, where are 1 through 50?”
“Where did the person next to me go now?”
“Mr. Hitler, are you a fan of Rocketman too?”
Oh, no.
Should I say Richter?
or not…
“Please tell me!”
As I hesitated, the reporters rushed in as if they were sure of it. I didn’t know the Streisand effect would explode here too.
Should we play some more like this?
I took a deep breath.
“The questions you asked are company confidential.”