Chapter 492: Hawke's Darker Heart

[Chapter 492: Hawke's Darker Heart]

Century City, Beverly Business Club.

Elon Musk stirred sugar into his coffee and asked Hawke across the table, "Why did you suddenly become interested in space business?"

Hawke took a sip of tea and calmly said, "I have a vision. In ten years, we can leverage satellites in low Earth orbit to provide continuous internet and Twitter services to users distributed worldwide."

Musk, a bit surprised, looked at Hawke. "That's a pretty forward-thinking idea."

"Be prepared in advance," Hawke said, though his real intention wasn't just about enhancing Twitter. This project could indeed promote Twitter's development further.

He explained, "Back in January, Apple officially launched the first smartphone. The number of smartphone users keeps growing. Twitter's Android department has formed an alliance with many phone manufacturers and app developers to promote mobile intelligence."

Musk, being from Silicon Valley, immediately understood: "Mobile smart devices will become widespread?"

"Exactly," Hawke affirmed. He knew these sharp business minds wouldn't miss this: "Everyone will have a smartphone in the future."

Musk nodded frequently. Tesla is collaborating with Twitter on developing smart electric car terminals, so he had enough insight: "Smart terminals will interconnect. Even though autonomous driving might be distant, smart navigation is just around the corner."

Hawke cautioned, "For smart navigation in electric vehicles, every mobile smart device can become an information feedback point, but how to achieve timely response? The network providers offer poor signals."

Musk pondered, "And we will be totally controlled by network providers."

Hawke added, "To avoid being strangled, we need backup networks and significantly advanced network technology. On the ground, we can't compete with companies like AT&T."

He pointed at the ceiling, "We take another route - space and low Earth orbit!"

"Great idea," Musk fully agreed. Tesla's main plan focused on electrification and intelligence, and satellites were an excellent choice.

But he had doubts: "This will require more than a single satellite."

"At least thousands of satellites," Hawke said. "I have prepared a decade-long plan named Starlink."

Musk blinked, "Very fitting name." He sensed business was calling: "My Space Exploration Technologies holds 10% of Surrey Satellite Technology in the UK."

"I plan to acquire that satellite company," Hawke had proposed this plan last year at the weddings of Brian's and his cousin's along with various alliances: "We are pushing a vast project with total investment exceeding a trillion dollars..."

Musk smiled, "Sounds a bit exaggerated."

Hawke had reached agreements during two weddings of the Ferguson family, no longer hiding: "If we do not exaggerate total investment, how do we appeal to the federal government and Congress for subsidies? Only high investment can impress patriots who care about America's development."

Musk understood perfectly: "Indeed, huge capital attracts more partners."

Hawke asked, "How's Surrey Satellite's business?"

"Not good. The pace of technological development in Europe and America has slowed," Musk said. As a shareholder of Surrey, he knew the status well: "Commercial satellite orders have declined annually. They cannot launch rockets themselves and rely on a few satellite orders to sustain operations."

Hawke asked directly, "How about the tech capability?"

Musk took this chance to boast: "If my company hadn't invested, Surrey Satellite would be dead. Now they barely maintain their technical team."

Hawke nodded and asked, "When will your Space Exploration Technologies truly have launch capability?"

"I'm negotiating with NASA," Musk had invested heavily over the years: "Expected cooperation by the latter half of this year or by next year's end, absorbing NASA's tech to gain launch capabilities."

Hawke recalled related memories. Despite Musk's bragging, his Starlink satellites had indeed been launched to low Earth orbit for ongoing experiments.

He said, "I've had people investigate Surrey Satellite. If feasible, send me detailed information; we can cooperate in space business."

Musk had been seeking investments everywhere and was thrilled to attract someone like Hawke, controlling massive cash flow: "No problem. Just ask if you need anything."

"For now, detailed info on Surrey Satellite," Hawke cautiously replied; Twitter's team was also working on that.

Space was about vision, satellites about Tesla's future. Musk said, "Count me in for your Starlink plan."

Hawke reminded, "It costs a lot."

"No problem," Musk beamed, "Spend money now for bigger returns later."

Hawke nodded gently, "Prepare at least a billion dollars, and I must tell you in advance: I will control Starlink."

Musk couldn't afford it all now, "I fully support you."

With this agreed, Musk said, "I invited Sergey Brin, Larry Page, and Jeff Bezos to join the tech revolution. They are very interested."

Hawke considered, "We should hold a secret meeting at the right time."

"We are the real drivers of new technology," Musk, now a billionaire, thought about securing interests in both politics and business.

He was more aggressive in thinking: "Since the new century, we tech giants rising from computing and the internet are a new force America hasn't seen before. We've supported both the Democrats and Republicans, but both parties are too old and rigid."

Hawke said nothing, waiting for him to continue.

Musk looked at Hawke, "You have more political experience. If we founded a party fully representing tech revolution, could we break the Democrats-Republicans grip on the White House and Congress?"

America had other parties, like the Reform Party which Donald Trump once used as a stepping stone, but none survived to the actual elections.

Hawke directly said, "Maybe in the future, but not now."

Compared to finance, energy, and military industries, the internet tech sector was too young.

Musk smiled, "I think so too. Hope America will see a different future."

Hawke said, "I believe that."

An ordinary person struggles to change much, but by leveraging social momentum Hawke stirred the storm; many things in America were changing.

Although one's power is limited, America's social landscape was different from before.

...

Musk left Los Angeles and returned to Tesla's headquarters in Palo Alto.

He immediately contacted Space Exploration Technologies and Surrey Satellite and dispatched detailed information on both companies to Hawke.

Thanks to investments from Hawke, Peter Thiel, and Reid Hoffman, Tesla's situation was much better, avoiding near bankruptcy as in another timeline.

Space Exploration Technologies, however, struggled.

Initial launch tests of their rockets had failed.

If Hawke successfully pushed the Starlink project and secured government subsidies, SpaceX could survive.

Thousands of commercial satellites, even with multi-satellite launches per rocket, meant lucrative business.

Musk had arranged for a meeting with NASA officials and wanted Hawke to join to cooperate on space business.

...

At Tesla's open test track, a lithium battery car under a cover circled rapidly.

The driver issued voice commands to adjust the car's air conditioning, radio, and music player according to the built-in intelligent system.

This prototype had been tested for months.

Musk hoped to begin commercial production next year and officially launch Tesla cars.

---

Los Angeles, Ocean Park Avenue.

A large shipment of materials about Space Exploration Technologies and Surrey Satellite was delivered by Musk's team.

Hawke had them sent directly to the West Coast Investment Foundation.

As the investment foundation, charity foundation, and environmental tech companies developed, the office in front of Twitter's old building was crowded.

That building was reserved for the charity foundation.

The investment foundation and environmental tech companies moved out earlier this year to Silicon Beach with their own offices.

The armored car delivering the materials parked in front of the investment foundation's offices.

Investment director Roger Keene came to receive the shipment.

Lots of printed materials plus two hard drives of electronic data were moved into the foundation.

Hawke entered an office with Roger and asked, "Have our investigations on Surrey Satellite and Space Exploration Technologies returned?"

Roger said, "Surrey Satellite is in the UK, originally a tech company founded by Surrey University, later spun off into a commercial satellite manufacturer. Our team hired experts to evaluate Surrey's current technology."

Hawke asked, "Can they still build satellites?"

"Yes, their tech keeps up with mainstream. Surrey still receives orders, but fewer now. With Britain's declining power, they struggle to remain competitive, mainly due to lack of R&D funding."

Hawke thought for a moment and said, "Elon Musk's Space Exploration Technologies owns 10% of Surrey Satellite. Completing the acquisition mainly depends on their satellite technology and core manufacturing team."

Roger said, "We are gathering detailed info on Surrey's R&D and manufacturing teams."

Hawke nodded and asked, "How about Space Exploration Technologies?"

"Musk is negotiating with NASA," Roger detailed. "The Falcon 1 rocket is the world's first privately funded liquid orbital rocket. Last March, it was first launched from the Marshall Islands but failed due to engine fire."

Hawke knew this; now wasn't the time decades later when civilian rocket companies popped up like mushrooms.

But Musk was leading the private rocketry front.

Hawke asked, "Any subsequent launches?"

"Not yet. After failure, Space Exploration suspended all launches. Musk seeks NASA's help to solve key technical problems."

Hawke said, "Got it." He instructed, "Keep closely watching both companies. If the chance is right, initiate acquisition of Surrey Satellite."

Roger said, "Yes! I'll expedite the deal."

For Space Exploration Technologies, Hawke just needed updated info; he would personally discuss cooperation with Musk.

...

When Hawke returned to Coast Building, Brian called.

He said, "Tom Emmer and Johnny McCain both announced via Twitter and TV that they will run in next year's election."

Hawke asked, "What's Paul's attitude?"

Brian said, "Waiting to see. California has the most 55 electoral votes. To get our support, let's see the conditions they offer."

Such matters were pure interest exchanges; support depended on concrete benefits.

The future was uncertain, but for now, Hawke aligned with the Ferguson family, "Alright, we wait and see."

He asked, "Has the Sacramento transition started?"

Brian smiled, "Arnie's thoughts are back in Hollywood. My team is managing the transition smoothly."

...

After hanging up, Hawke logged into Twitter. Among political news, the announcements of Tom Emmer and Johnny McCain running for next year's election were front page.

Both declared candidacy within half an hour.

They first needed party nominations.

Hawke vaguely recalled that McCain represented the Republicans in the 2008 election in his previous life; he had no memory of Tom Emmer.

He had met Emmer only when attending George Walker Bush's victory party in DC.

George Walker Bush had served two terms and, by the Constitution, couldn't run again.

Tom Emmer and Johnny McCain were Republican veterans.

Emmer was majority whip in Congress; McCain had contested Republican nomination back in 2000.

...

While Hawke pondered, Twitter updated with a video.

Hillary Clinton held a press conference in New York announcing her run next year.

The Democrats weren't playing by the usual rules this time.

The next day, Illinois Senator Barack Obama held a press conference announcing his Democratic primary challenge to Hillary.

In the previous timeline, Obama won with strong African American and marginalized group support and eventually won the presidency.

Undoubtedly, these groups played a crucial role in Obama's campaign.

During his tenure, LGBTQ rights also advanced rapidly.

But Hawke's actions over the past three years had changed this situation.

The marginalized groups plan BlackRock wanted previously had become Hawke's plan years ago.

Hawke's people infiltrated the Mattachine Society and Feminist Majority Foundation.

He also pulled Steve Nutt out of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's core base to form the Minority Rights Protection Association.

That group renamed the 'Colored People' to 'Minority Groups.'

Rosa, Solana, and Steve Nutt had become LGBTQ opinion leaders.

Steve Nutt's outstanding performance in the Philip Affair made him a spiritual leader.

Obama had trouble winning widespread LGBTQ support because Philip sacrificed himself, putting LGBTQ group against Democrats.

Litigation over Philip's San Francisco compensation was ongoing.

As for African Americans, Saint Steve had a black son and rallied many African American communities nationwide.

Obama's base was actually splitting.

Other matters like healthcare reform and war depended on party confrontations.

Hawke couldn't say more, but Obama's path to win this election was harder than his previous life.

Obama might not even get the Democratic nomination.

Obama was manageable, but Hillary was impossible to let win.

Hawke had secretly clashed with Hillary multiple times recently.

Except a setback in Africa, he mostly had the upper hand.

Hawke didn't need to guess. If Hillary got elected, one after another harsh measures against Twitter and Hawke's companies would come.

Of course, he had considered the worst.

Hawke's heart was even darker than Hillary's.

*****

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