150: The beginning of the Great Migration

Due to the social panic brought by the nuclear disaster, the Western world gradually moved towards the brink of chaos and collapse.

President Howard stared at the constantly flashing red areas on the holographic map, feeling deeply uneasy.

"So the situation now is that the Central Plains' nuclear radiation belt has split our Republic in two?"

Minister of Defense Jenkins brought up the latest radiation monitoring data: "Yes, Mr. President. Almost all states in the center have completely lost contact, and radiation levels are thirty times above the warning threshold." He paused, "The situation in the East and West is slightly better, but food production... is less than 35% of previous years."

"What about that damned Desa State?" Howard turned to the bottom right corner of the map.

"They have built a large number of underground shelters, both civilian and official, in the past." National Security Advisor Sally pulled up a video, "Their overall industry and agriculture, although damaged, remain intact."

The door to the conference room was suddenly pushed open, and Chief of Staff James walked in quickly, holding an encrypted document: "Mr. President, Militech's representatives have arrived."

Howard's face instantly darkened: "Make them wait. First, tell me about the civilian situation."

"Yes, Mr. President." James brought up real-time social media data.

The #EscapeNewUnion topic has surpassed 5 billion views. West Coast ports are packed with ships trying to reach the Southern Cross Federation, while survivors in the East...

The screen switched to a drone-shot video: on a deserted highway, refugee columns stretching for several kilometers were trekking on foot towards several countries in the Central Roma Continent.

"What does Militech say?" Howard finally asked.

"They are willing to provide shelter technology and vertical farm equipment." James lowered his voice, "The condition is... is... is to restore Militech's special autonomy in Desa State."

Howard stood up abruptly, his chair scraping loudly across the floor: "These damned fellows! Are they still dreaming of independence?"

"Mr. President..." Jenkins said bitterly, "We have no choice. Without their technology, at least one of the East or West won't survive this winter."

In the penthouse of a luxury apartment complex, the discussions among business magnates had concluded.

"Gentlemen, the voting results are in." Old Morgan tapped a crystal glass, "Those in favor of the 'Ark Project' please raise your hands."

Twenty-one hands shot up in unison, with only one young entrepreneur remaining silent.

"Paul?" Old Morgan frowned, "Do you have any objections?"

Paul stood up and walked to the window: "Do you really think the Southern Cross Federation will obediently give up control? If we push too hard, there's no guarantee they won't just throw caution to the wind, directly kneel to the Corporation, and drag us all down with them."

"Do you have an idea?"

"My suggestion is to act separately. One part goes to the Southern Cross Federation, and the other part..." He revealed a mysterious smile, "goes to the Black Continent to participate in the Tiangong Plan."

"Cooperate with those yellow-skinned monkeys?" A white-haired old man slammed his hand on the table.

Paul looked at him coldly: "Mr. Williams, you are being a bit extreme." He looked around at everyone, "Times have changed, gentlemen. Adapt or perish."

"Since there's an existing way out, why not try it?"

The conference room fell into dead silence. Finally, Old Morgan slowly nodded: "Form two working groups. Group A will execute the original plan, and Group B... will attempt to contact the Eastern Federation."

Neva International Airport had become a giant refugee camp. Former Heidelberg University Professor Hans Müller squeezed through the noisy crowd and finally found the tent with a sign that read "Southern Cross Federation Skilled Immigration Registration Office."

"Name? Occupation?" The official behind the counter didn't even look up.

"Hans Müller, physicist, tenured professor at Heidelberg University." Hans handed over his carefully prepared certificates, "I have twenty-seven papers in top-tier journals..."

The official suddenly looked up, a strange smile on his face: "Professor Müller? The Southern Cross Federation National University has reserved a position for you." He handed out a golden chip card, "A special plane will take you to Canberra tomorrow."

Hans took the card in shock: "This... why?"

"You are a talent, and you have considerable prestige among experts and Scholars." The official lowered his voice, "If you are willing to say a few words for us, that would be even better..."

"This..."

"We can reserve a batch of seats on the special plane for your family members."

"......"

In a Europa refugee camp, a middle-aged man wearing glasses stood on a container and gave a speech:

"Compatriots! The Southern Cross Federation has agreed to accept skilled refugees!" He waved an electronic visa, "As long as we pass the basic assessment, we can get a new home!"

"They have agreed to accept one hundred thousand skilled refugees! Doctors, Engineers, scientists get priority!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, but was immediately drowned out by a chorus of questions:

"What about ordinary people?"

"My wife is just an elementary school teacher..."

"What about the elderly and children?"

Hans wiped the sweat from his forehead: "Listen, this is the first step! As long as we get a foothold, we can..."

In a corner, several young people were whispering.

"Have you heard? The Eastern Federation seems to have a secret cooperation with the Corporation..." A red-haired girl lowered her voice, "My cousin works at Guixu and says their Eastern Federation-related projects have exploded recently..."

"Shh!" Her companion nervously looked around, "Can Corporation matters be discussed openly? It's probably some black technology cooperation or exchange of interests, nothing to do with us."

Not far away, a team of armed police was maintaining order. The police chief looked at the gradually emptying refugee camp and sighed to his deputy: "In another month, only the old, weak, and sick will be left here."

Southern Cross Federation Parliament House, President Marcus struck the gavel, trying to quiet the noisy parliament: "Gentlemen! Today we must pass the 'Border Control Emergency Act'! In the past month, we have received over eight million so-called 'skilled refugees'!'"

"The actual number is twelve million! And according to intelligence, at least thirty thousand former New Harmony Army soldiers have infiltrated among them!" The Interior Minister was roaring: "This is simply an invasion! In the past 72 hours, we have received over one hundred thousand Europa 'skilled refugees'! But according to investigations, at least half of them falsified their qualifications!"

"What's worse, agents from the North Roma Continent have come in among the refugees."

The projection in the conference room magnified, showing several suspicious individuals distributing some kind of electronic device, "We suspect they are planning some kind of conspiracy!"

"This is an invasion! We must immediately stop accepting all refugees!"

The parliament immediately erupted. The opposition leader immediately stood up to refute: "No! International public opinion will make us a target of criticism!"

"But this is already an invasion!" Minister of Defense Horton showed a surveillance video: in the suburbs of New Melbourne, a group of able-bodied men were secretly conducting military training.

"They call themselves the 'Europa Revival Group', and their goal is..." A bald man in the video was speaking, "'to establish a new home in the Southern Cross Federation'."

Opposition whip Kimberly pulled up a recent video and said to everyone in the conference room: "Look at this."

Eastern Federation National Television was broadcasting construction footage from the space elevator base. The footage showed tens of thousands of workers constructing in the center of the Gari Republic's territory in the Black Continent, under the direction of Eastern Federation Engineers.

Tens of thousands of engineering machines had already begun leveling the land. On the holographic explanation diagram, the base structure of the space elevator was clearly visible. Even more striking, the Interstellar Peace Corporation's logo was prominently displayed on the main equipment.

"They've started work..." The Minister of Energy murmured, "God, this speed..."

"The Eastern Federation's prestige in the Black Continent has reached its peak." Kimberly closed the video, "If we close our borders now..."

The President turned to the silently observing Technology Advisor: "Doctor, honestly, is there any possibility for us... to join this plan?"

The conference room instantly fell silent. The Technology Advisor pushed up his glasses: "Theoretically... yes. But the price is that we must acknowledge the Eastern Federation's dominance over space resources."

"Or rather, we will effectively lose our status as a sovereign nation and become... a vassal."

"But if we let those massive numbers of refugees enter the Republic, I fear that before our Southern Cross Federation can rise, we will be forced to perish!" The Interior Minister, unwilling to accept, couldn't help but vent his emotions.

Seeing this unspeakable truth spoken aloud, the conference room instantly became noisy.

In fact, everyone knew that this nuclear disaster was a heaven-sent opportunity for the Southern Cross. They could completely leverage their geographical advantage to gain maximum leverage, frantically plundering the wealth and talent of Europa and New Union.

However, things are always two-sided. Once an opening is made, more than what was initially desired will come in. If they truly only accepted high-value individuals, human rights public opinion would be like a mountain, completely crushing the Southern Cross Federation.

Especially when there was a Blue Star hegemon not far away, carefulness was the only option. Well, at least that's what they thought.

On one side was the moral high ground, on the other was practical interest; a straight path had become a dead end.

"Mr. President!" The secretary suddenly rushed in, "Urgent news! The Western New Union has announced the formation of a provisional government and has signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement with... Militech!"