Surgery Godfather-Chapter 449 - 410 In the Polar Sky
Chapter 449: Chapter 410: In the Polar Sky
Chapter 449: Chapter 410: In the Polar Sky
“Why hasn’t there been an update?”
Jim Basa was beside himself with worry, desperate for information – it had been so long since they first reported in, and yet no news.
Steven’s condition was growing increasingly dangerous. Previously symptomless, he had now started experiencing headaches and dizziness, feeling suffocated due to a lack of oxygen.
The biggest problem was, everyone was at a loss for what to do next, frustratedly pacing on the spot, feeling helpless.
Susan was only an excellent general practitioner; managing a whole brain DSA was already quite an achievement. She could not possibly offer better treatment options, and the conditions onboard the spaceship were insufficient for further treatments.
All the top doctors in the United States were here. Even Dr. Massimo, the best intervention physician, was powerless.
Even if they sent Massimo now, it would be pointless. Using remote surgical equipment would also be of no use.
Massimo’s theoretical success rate on Earth was only 20 percent. Having factored in myriad variables, the remaining hope was minimal, otherwise, Massimo would have already taken action.
“Steven has requested to connect with his wife.” reported an operator at the control center.
The internet connection onboard the spaceship had been shut down, with only a single line of contact with Houston remaining.
“No, the communication systems have malfunctioned.” Jim Basa replied coldly.
“What do you mean? Why didn’t I get informed about the communication systems going offline?” Collins, already frustrated from waiting, roared angrily.
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“In an emergency, communications failures are not all that surprising, Collins. Even your cell phone could malfunction, it’s entirely within reason.” Mercado was obviously more mature, gently reminding him.
The room went silent; everyone was looking around at each other.
“Are we just waiting for death?” John Ansen broke the silence.
“This is space exploration; it’s space adventure. With adventure comes sacrifice. In 1986, seven astronauts sacrificed their lives in the Challenger explosion. In 2003, another seven sacrificed their lives in the Columbia explosion.” Jim Basa was sombre and calm.
“Steven! Can he be saved? Is there someone who could save him? Why abandon him? Why are we abandoning him?” John Ansen burst with emotion.
“We haven’t given up, we are all waiting for news. Everyone, please calm down. Screaming won’t help to rescue him. Trust me, let’s work together, and we can save him, we must.” Jim Basa tried to stabilize everyone’s emotions.
“Isn’t this just a waste of time? Isn’t this giving up?”
“This isn’t up to you, nor is it up to me. I’m trying my best too, you need to calm down.” Jim Basa’s tone shifted from loud to calm; he understood John Ansen’s feelings.
“We don’t need to wait anymore, activate the rescue operation and connect the remote medical equipment. I am going to perform the intervention operation.” Massimo suddenly decided, rallying in support of John Ansen’s protest.
“Is this what Washington is waiting for? Is this how they want us to act?” Someone suddenly brought this question up.
“Everybody, slow down, let me think. Is there any news from the outside? If you can solve this problem, I can order it right now, but we’re depending on the help of the Chinese doctors now, which is beyond my abilities. The situation is complex, it’s not as simple as you think.”
Jim Basa was still doing his best to comfort everyone, otherwise they would start turning on each other.
“Secretary, are there updates from outside?” Jim Basa asked his secretary, who had been tracking the progress of the situation.
“Retired astronauts joined together and initiated a movement to save Steven. They’re expressing dissatisfaction with Washington’s slow actions.”
“Congressional opposition lawmakers have started to speak out, asking the president to explain the situation.”
“A few lawmakers have combined their criticisms, claiming that the situation was a result of insufficient NASA funding. They insist that every effort should be made to rescue Steven, otherwise the public’s faith in the space program would be shaken. This would create a vicious cycle, making it difficult to implement grand space programs.”
“Susan, how is Steven doing?” Jim leaned on the table with both hands, facing the communicator and making the call.
“His heart rate is 40 beats per minute.” Susan had to suppress her inner fear and helplessness to pull herself together.
“How long can he hold on?” Jim Basa loosened his tie.
“I don’t know, it’s up to God.” Massimo was staring at the screen.
“Professor Massimo, I agree with your opinion that the air conditioning is indeed broken here.” Jim Basa’s shirt was soaked with perspiration.
Finally, Jim Basa’s cell phone rang.
“John Ansen, please repeat the name of the doctor you want to invite, the hospital where he works—”
“Yang Ping, Sanbo Hospital in Nandu Province, China—”
“This is an order from the White House. Spare no effort in the rescue, at any cost. Find out where Dr. Yang Ping is. John Ansen, get in touch with Dr. Yang Ping immediately. We need to prepare in advance. The Vice President will fly to Houston to coordinate the rescue.”
Everyone started to get excited.
“The Secretary of State will meet with the Chinese Ambassador to ask for China’s assistance.” Jim Basa was as cold and calm as ever.
If Steven were to lose his life, the public’s faith in the space program would be shaken, causing the appropriations committee in the House of Representatives to slash funding for NASA, which would slow down the pace of the grand space program.
Business from dozens of companies such as Boeing, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics would take a significant hit.
The agents of these giants could not sit by and watch as their slice of the cake shrinks.
Therefore, their attitude and ability to handle risks directly determine the scope of their future aerospace steps. The size of these steps determines the amount of funding invested.
Jim Basa understood these intricate relationships better than these simple doctors.
——
“Where are we now?” Yang Ping looked out the window at the landscape below.
“We just left Alaska. Now we’re flying over the North Pole; Polar flight.” Old Cheng was shuffling a deck of cards.
Having mostly digested their lunch, the three discussed playing a few rounds of the game Fight the Landlord to relax.
“Excuse me, which one of you is Dr. Yang Ping?” A beautiful flight attendant walked in and asked.
Yang Ping raised his hand. Did the flight attendant recognize him?
“Hello, Dr. Yang, we received a message from our company asking you to check your email inbox. Because you have a national emergency task, our plane needs to return immediately and make an emergency landing at Fairbanks Airport in Alaska. After you disembark, a special American plane will take you to Houston.” The flight attendant didn’t know the specifics of the task either.
Yang Ping was slightly puzzled. He was about to open his email when a WeChat video call from Director Han rang.
“Xiao Yang, are you currently on a plane back to China?”
“Just passed Alaska. We should be over the North Pole now.”
Once confirmed, the person speaking changed to Dean Xia.
In the video, Director Han, Dean Xia, and several other unfamiliar faces seemed to be gathered in a small meeting room in the hospital.
“Dr. Yang Ping, Sanbo Hospital now formally notifies you that you have been appointed by our Ministry of Foreign Affairs to go to Houston, United States, to deal with an emergency in the International Space Station. The plane will soon make a U-turn and make an emergency landing at Alaska’s Fairbanks Airport. A special American aircraft will transport you to Houston after you leave the plane. Remember, in this mission, you represent our country. You also have absolute diplomatic immunity during your mission. The U.S. State Department is holding a press conference to announce to the world that they have invited our country’s doctors, in other words, you, to help manage the crisis in space, and to announce your diplomatic immunity.” Dean Xia spoke word by word.
Then, a staff member from the Nandu Province Foreign Affairs office read the appointment letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In the end, Director Han reassured him not to worry, since they were the ones who made the invitation, he should confidently showcase his expertise.
Yang Ping inhales deeply, he was actually asked to help with Steven’s crisis.
Upon further inquiry about any additional support needs, the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. would send the personnel to Houston to welcome Yang Ping and to accompany him throughout.
Caught off guard and unable to think of any support he might need, Yang Ping asked, “How is the patient, Cory, doing?”
“Everything’s fine, rest assured!” Director Han pacified Yang Ping.
At a loss for words, Yang Ping ended the WeChat call and pulled up his emails, a little over a dozen in total.
President Huang and Old Cheng were both stunned, as if part of a movie.
“Look, what’s happening?” Old Cheng pointed out of the window.
As far as the eye could see, a military aircraft could be observed. Amazingly, another one on the other side of the window.
The fighter jet roared past and continued to accompany the flight for only about a minute, then immediately dispersed, one flew ahead and the other stayed behind.
Passengers who saw the fighter jets in the cabin started to panic. What was happening?
“Dear passengers, please stay calm. These are planes from the US Eielson Air Force Base, they are here to escort and navigate our plane. We’ll make an emergency landing at the Fairbanks Airport in Alaska due to a special passenger aboard our plane carrying out an urgent task. Please keep calm and remain seated. After landing, there will be a fifteen-minute stop before we continue this flight. We apologize for the inconvenience.” The soothing voice from the intercom spoke in different languages.
“They’re escorting us for the emergency landing. Air currents are complex above the polar region.” The flight attendant explained.
“I thought it’s a hijacking?” Old Cheng gave out a sigh of relief with cold sweat.
Anything can happen these days. Old Cheng kept wiping his sweat and drank some juice to calm himself down.
“Is it really about Steven?” President Huang continued to gaze out the window, it was a spectacular sight.
Yang Ping speculated that it should be, probably John Ansen’s suggestion.
The air currents are complex over the polar region. It is necessary to have navigation assistance for such an abrupt change of course and emergency landing.
The escort, on the other hand, seemed pointless. Just a brief show for the sake of formality.
As Yang Ping was considering this, John Ansen sent another message on WeChat, asking if he needed anything else prepared.
It really was his suggestion. What a coincidence.
