"Orion... Countdown to its arrival!"
That chilling, inhuman rage, like solid ice, froze the souls of everyone in the control center. The declaration of an advanced civilization, carrying an overwhelming and terrifying pressure, made Earth like a fish on a chopping board.
However, this desperate declaration lasted only a moment!
"Hmph! A mere projection dares to presume to claim descent?" Ming Zhao's cold voice was like a sharp blade piercing the cold night! Her fingers tapped the final command on the core screen, which was infused with the golden light of "Stardust"!
Buzz—!
On the screen, the obscure runes representing the "Orion" defense mechanism, like solid ice thrown into a furnace, completely collapsed and dissipated under the impact of the golden torrent!
The terrifying thought that had forced its way in vanished instantly, like an electric current being cut off! Only the area on the main screen representing the "Orion" constellation remained, now a glaring gray that symbolized "connection interruption"!
"The counterattack... succeeded?!" Su Xuan's voice trembled with relief and unbelievable joy.
Yan Zhensheng's clenched fist loosened slightly, his palms covered in cold sweat.
Valery, Lao Zhao, and the others were dumbfounded, as if they had witnessed a miracle!
Mingzhao slowly withdrew his hand, his fingertips still seemingly surrounded by a faint golden halo.
Her face was paler than usual, but her eyes were surprisingly bright.
"It has only temporarily repelled its remote information tentacles. Orion's main body... is still on its way. Time is running out."
Her words once again brought everyone back to the harsh reality.
A fleet of advanced civilizations is heading towards the solar system!
"Comrade Mingzhao!" Yan Zhensheng's voice carried an unprecedented solemnity and a hint of pleading, "What... should we do?"
At this moment, the boundaries of nations and factions become blurred in the face of the survival of civilization. He represents the will to survive of all humanity.
Mingzhao's gaze swept over the still-shaken Valery, over the pale-faced Vasily and the KGB agent, and finally settled on the deep night sky outside the window.
"Stardust exposed, Earth's coordinates are no longer a secret. Passive defense means only destruction. The only chance for survival..."
She paused, then spoke each word as if making a declaration.
"It is to actively ignite the spark, so that Earth's civilization will have... the right to engage in dialogue before it arrives!"
"Spark?" Everyone was bewildered.
"By pooling global resources and using stardust remnants as a catalyst, we will build a global network of resonant spark energy."
Mingzhao retrieved an extremely complex global energy node distribution map.
"Using the Earth's own magnetic field and core energy as a basis, the Starfire Network resonates and amplifies to simulate the original frequency of stardust."
This might create a pseudo-field of primordial matter around Earth, confusing or delaying Orion's precise positioning, buying us a final window of opportunity, and also... our only bargaining chip to show that we are not worthless insects!
This plan is so ambitious it's almost insane! To mobilize the entire world's resources? Under the threat of Orion? Easier said than done!
Just then, the secure communication line in the control center, which was used to restore communication, rang shrilly!
Yan Zhensheng grabbed the microphone, and came the urgent and solemn voice of the highest level, mixed with noisy background sounds in other languages.
Upon closer listening, it turned out to be a live connection from the Global Emergency Summit!
"Comrade Zhensheng! Is Comrade Mingzhao there? The situation is extremely urgent! Monitoring stations in the United States, Japan, South Korea, India, and other countries have simultaneously detected an unusual deep-space signal source! It's extremely fast! The characteristics... highly match the Orion signal you reported! They are requesting to share all intelligence! Especially... regarding the special energy source and defense plan!"
They've come, just as expected! And they're filled with greed and coercion!
Mingzhao nodded slightly to Yan Zhensheng. Yan Zhensheng took a deep breath, handed the microphone to Mingzhao, and turned on speakerphone, making the control center the temporary venue for this meeting that would determine the fate of humanity.
Mingzhao's calm voice traveled through the radio waves to world leaders and top scientists across the ocean:
"Situation briefing: The advanced civilization fleet codenamed Orion is expected to arrive in near-Earth orbit within 90 Earth days. Its purpose is unclear, but its hostility is evident."
The only possible solution to buy time is to build a global Spark Energy Resonance Network. This requires countries to open their core geological and magnetic field monitoring stations, share energy network scheduling authority, and provide the highest level of computing resources.
No sooner had she finished speaking than a haughty and superior American English voice rang out (from the American representative):
"Ridiculous! Dr. Ming! You think you can make the free world relinquish core data sovereignty based solely on your word and a vague network? Evidence! We need solid evidence to prove the reality of this Orion threat! Furthermore, regarding the special energy source you mentioned, the United States possesses the most advanced laboratories and security facilities; it should be entrusted to us for safekeeping and research! This is the responsible attitude towards human civilization!"
Immediately following, a sharp English voice with a Japanese accent interrupted:
"Hi! Dr. Ming's concerns are understandable. But in building such a massive network, technological dominance is crucial!"
Japan is a global leader in precision manufacturing and energy control! We propose that Japan take the lead in establishing a technical committee to coordinate network construction and ensure efficiency and...security.” The words are brimming with a desire for technological monopoly.
The voice of the South Korean representative was not to be outdone:
"The Republic of Korea possesses the world's most advanced communication network! The core hub of the Spark Network should rightfully be located in Seoul!"
Furthermore, regarding that special energy source, we have reason to believe that part of its theoretical basis may have originated from the early research of our deceased scientists, and our country has the natural right to inherit it! "The familiar tone of "the theory of the origin of everything".
The English spoken by the representatives from India, China, and South Korea was heavily accented and tinged with a strange confidence.
"India is a great power in space! Our powerful GSLV rockets and advanced space station program are the only reliable option for building space nodes in the Starfire Network!"
Furthermore, regarding energy sources, ancient Indian Vedic scriptures contain records of energy similar to Prana, demonstrating my country's first-mover advantage in the field of advanced energy! The core algorithms of the network should be deciphered under the leadership of Chinese scientists!
The statements from these countries were filled with greed, calculation, arrogance, and an undisguised covetousness for "Stardust"!
At the critical juncture of civilization's survival, their first thought was still to seize dominance and divide the spoils! They even attempted to claim "Stardust" for themselves!
In the control center, Su Xuan trembled with rage. Yan Zhensheng's face was ashen. Valery's eyes were filled with contempt and sorrow.
Mingzhao's face showed no anger, only a calm that bordered on pity, and... a hint of cold mockery.
"Evidence?" Mingzhao's voice remained calm, yet it was clearly transmitted to every attendee through the microphone. "The evidence you requested is now presented."
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