[Chapter 636: The Shipbreaking Game]
It didn't matter if Mr. Billionaire was having a meltdown; it was almost unbelievable that the plunging Dow Jones had managed to halt its downward trend. More than ten billion dollars didn't seem that ridiculous, did it?
In fact, fifteen billion was just the surface number; offshore trust companies had also purchased two billion dollars' worth of stocks. Even so, there was no way this could shift the market's movement.
The main reason was the herd mentality; the international hot money flowing into the U.S. was extremely sensitive. If the stocks they favored were showing early signs of performance, then it was best not to hesitate -- get in there and buy!
"Sir, Tanner is here. He says there's something important."
"Okay, Lisa, let's have two cups of tea -- just those green leaves, one and a half scoops each."
"Got it, sir. I won't add too much this time."
"Master, the Ulyanovsk aircraft carrier has been purchased by a Swiss company. I heard they plan to turn it into scrap metal."
"Cough, scrapping it? Damn it, we can't even sell off the iron ore here, are they out of their minds? By the way, did you look into that company?"
"Checked. It's been established for less than a month -- clearly just a shell company."
"Ha! I knew it. It must be those CIA idiots again. Damn, there's no surprise in this at all."
Tanner paused, feeling skeptical. His master was certain this was true. Seeing the confusion on his face made William White chuckle.
The Ulyanovsk aircraft carrier situation was nothing short of a conspiracy. This was the first nuclear-powered carrier for the Soviets, and half the job was already done.
Don't underestimate that 50% completed work; that's the basis of an aircraft carrier. In the end, the carrier was hardly worth a paltry twenty million dollars to scrap. You have to know, the Soviets had already poured billions into this aircraft carrier.
During this period, the Soviets were easier to fool; they actually believed that they were selling old scrap metal. By the time they had the ship mostly dismantled, the scrap metal company would simply back out.
As a result, not only was the ship dismantled, but the shipyard also went under. A deposit of twenty million might not even cover the scrapping costs.
"Tanner, I'm offering you a hundred T-72 tanks, but without their weapon systems; you can only use them as tractors. The price? Just scrap metal prices. Are you buying?"
"Buy? What would I do with that?"
"Uh, use them as tractors? If nothing else, they can be scrapped."
"Master, don't kid around. If we used these for farming, diesel wouldn't be free. As for the scrap metal, it's alloy; it's not something you can process easily."
"So, these things are just junk; even if they were given to me for free, they'd just clutter my space. You think a nuclear aircraft carrier is ordinary steel?"
"Master, I see now. They just want to dismantle that ship."
"Exactly! Back in the day, they duped the Soviets into believing how awesome nuclear submarines were. As for aircraft carriers, they're just mobile targets. When the Soviets figured out they had been played, that's when this Ulyanovsk deal came about. Too bad, that ship will never see the light of day."
"Now it makes sense; no wonder those Soviets looked so defeated."
"By the way, Tanner, how are things on our end?"
"Master, they're asking for resource exchanges."
"Ha, now that's peculiar. I'm offering cash in dollars, gold is also on the table... resources? Who knows what they want? Should I just send them all vodka? Damn, I should buy a distillery."
"Master, their prices are skyrocketing, the ruble is virtually worthless, and even dollars don't have the purchasing power like they do here."
Hearing this, William White couldn't help but sigh. Business can be ruthless; trying to make a fortune at this time certainly made someone hate you a bit.
"Resources are fine; we'll specify the delivery location. Tanner, with all these supplies going over, if they get seized... Best to deliver in batches. They are the navy after all; finding an island should be simple enough. So, how's the supply looking?"
"Pretty good, mostly new."
"Alright then, let's finalize the deal quickly. Things have been a little tight with Max lately. These big guys would make for excellent good luck charms."
"Okay, master, I'll contact them right away."
One supercarrier was just that easily wasted; this is what selling one's own territory for profit feels like. The Soviets really paid the price for this.
Most importantly, if you manage to wrap this one up, the next steps would be way simpler.
Unfortunately, this simplistic plan of the Americans didn't just ruin this carrier; it also bankrupted the shipyard. A group of highly capable experts simply vanished.
William White's regrets were not out of sympathy for the Soviets. This aircraft carrier was bound to show up in the Red Alert game. If you don't finish, how will I know how to set the combat power.
The most critical point is that players surely wouldn't buy it. You say it's nuclear-powered just because you say so? Maybe it's just Soviet nonsense.
...
"William, I heard you plan to buy some toys?"
"George, I'm buying through normal channels. Ahem, well, nowadays, what counts as normal channels? What's up? The Apache is trash, and I can't buy better? Besides, these won't be used in the U.S."
"Ha! No one cares about your toys; they just want to know if any really powerful stuff is coming up."
Bush Jr. chuckled slyly. He shrugged off William White's complaints, since the reissue of the A-10 basically affirmed the Apache's inferiority.
"Sure, big weapons are available for a price; I'm scared I might get carried away. George, is this under anyone's radar? Honestly, I was already thinking of taking off. Damn, I don't even know who to get revenge on."
"What? Are you sure?"
"Ugh, the scariest part is that the price isn't even steep. If it weren't so outrageous in power, I might've bought a few just for fun. If I got bored of the moon, I'd just toss a couple up there."
"Are you sure?" Bush Jr.'s voice was noticeably shaky; it seemed he wasn't the only one afraid for his life.
"George, buy one, get one free, plus missiles with a thousand-kilometer range. The margin of error is said to be a few kilometers, but who the hell cares about precision!"
"I get it, William. This is a sticky situation; keep your nose out of it."
"Duh! Do you think I'm stupid? Whatever. Well, I really don't know how to put this."
William White was truly at a loss for words. The moment the Soviet Union fell apart, the folks in Washington surely knew. You guys are only thinking of money; do you have any idea what kind of stuff can destroy the world dozens of times over? Where the hell have you been?
For one ship, you don't even flinch at scheming like this. What about those big weapons? Shouldn't they have dealt with them first?
As for this nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, William White thought it wasn't even worth paying attention to. If the Soviets' successors planned to continue the production, they were sure to meet a swift demise.
Aircraft carriers were games for the rich. First off, you need at least two -- no use owning just one. Secondly, you need a bunch of underlings. If all you have is a lone commander, what use is it?
*****
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