197: Countdown

Genoq Star, New Harbor Wreckage Research Base.

Blinding searchlights illuminated the wreckage of the wanderer as if it were daytime, with dozens of researchers in protective suits moving between the debris.

Their scanners continuously beeped, recording every inch of the ship's structure.

"This energy shield generator is simply a work of art," a researcher's voice came through her protective visor.

She was crouching in front of a twisted metal device. "Although severely damaged, the core components are basically intact."

She carefully took out a palm-sized crystal; under the light, blue streams of light flickered within the crystal.

"This is..." the assistant next to her widened his eyes.

"The shield core," the researcher's voice trembled. "The Delta Civilization data mentioned similar technology, but it was never realized.

I never thought these..." She paused. "These barbarians actually mastered it."

Suddenly, an urgent call came through the communicator: "Dr. Mary! We found anomalous data in the main control room!"

Mary immediately stood up: "I'll be right there."

Inside the main control room, three technicians were gathered around a barely functional Bro terminal.

The data on the screen scrolled continuously, finally stopping on an encrypted message.

"This is..." Mary leaned closer to the screen.

"It looks like some kind of communication log," the technician rapidly typed on the keyboard. "We just decrypted part of the content; it seems to be..." His voice suddenly became tense. "It's a coordinate transmission record."

Mary's pupils suddenly contracted: "What coordinates?"

"The precise coordinates of Genoq Star," the technician swallowed. "And... the recipient is marked as 'Brood wanderer Fleet Flagship'."

Mary's fingers trembled uncontrollably: "When?"

"Thirty seconds before the ship self-destructed, half a month ago."

Mary spun around abruptly: "Contact the Council immediately! Top priority!"

Earth Federation Parliament Building, Emergency Meeting Hall.

A holographic projection displayed the complete information deciphered by Mary's team.

The Parliament Hall was silent, with even breathing clearly audible.

"So," Viktor broke the silence, "that orc became a scout?"

Emma stood in front of the projection, her face terribly grim: "It seems so.

According to the wanderer's flight log, the main force of the Brood wanderer Fleet will arrive in..." She paused. "...372 standard days at the Genoq Star system."

"A year?" an Member of Parliament exclaimed, "We only have one year to prepare?"

"To be precise, it's 356 days, less than a year," Emma corrected coldly.

"And that's the most optimistic estimate."

The Parliament Hall immediately erupted.

The Member of Parliaments argued heatedly, and panic spread rapidly.

"Silence!" Viktor slammed the table, his voice like thunder.

Once the hall quieted down again, he turned to Emma: "What's your plan?"

A hint of determination flashed in Emma's eyes: "Fully develop space combat capabilities."

She brought up a holographic blueprint. "Based on the research of the wanderer wreckage and our research into ship technology, we can already produce our own ships."

"Combining the Delta Civilization data, I am confident that the first Earth Federation warship can be completed within a month."

"One?" someone questioned, "Against thousands of enemy ships?"

"It's the first batch," Emma corrected.

"We will establish a shipyard in orbit around Genoq Star and simultaneously build at least twelve frigate-class warships."

"What about materials? What about manpower?" the finance Member of Parliament questioned.

"Such a project will drain the Earth Federation's reserves!"

"Then drain them," Emma's voice was as cold as ice.

"If we can't hold the orbit, no amount of reserves will be anything but preparations for the enemy."

The meeting lasted a full ten hours.

By the time the last Member of Parliament pressed his handprint on the resolution, night had fallen on Genoq Star.

"Full war status activated," Emma announced.

"From today onwards, all Earth Federation resources will be prioritized for the space armament plan.

All citizens of age must undergo basic space combat training."

As they walked out of the Parliament Building, Viktor called out to Emma: "Are you really confident that you can build up a space force capable of countering the Brood Fleet within half a year?"

Emma looked at the stars twinkling in the night sky and said softly, "To be honest, no."

"Then you still—"

"But we have no choice," Emma turned and looked directly into Viktor's eyes.

"We might have an advantage in ground warfare, but if thousands of ships blockade the planet's orbit, you should be very clear about what happens in a war without air superiority."

Viktor was silent.

After a moment, he nodded heavily: "What do you need me to do?"

"Mobilize all industrial power," Emma said. "Also, research on pulse laser weapons has been completed; production and deployment are up to you."

"That weapon codenamed 'Scorcher'?" Viktor raised an eyebrow. "Wasn't it still being tested a few days ago?"

A cold sneer played on Emma's lips: "Hmph, thanks to the gifts of those savages."

Genoq Star orbit, shipyard construction site.

Thousands of engineering drones moved through space, like diligent worker bees, assembling prefabricated components.

Below them, the curve of Genoq Star was beautiful and serene, showing no signs of the impending catastrophe.

"First shipyard framework completion 80%," the engineering director reported.

"Hull construction is expected to begin in 72 hours."

Emma stood in the observation deck of the space station, watching it all through reinforced glass.

Behind her, twelve top scientists were intensely discussing shield system optimization plans.

"Energy consumption is still too high," the physicist shook his head.

"According to this design, the shield will exhaust all the energy of a frigate in a maximum of 30 minutes."

"Then increase the energy core," Emma said without turning her head.

"But Speaker, that would greatly increase the blast—"

"So what?" Emma finally turned around.

"Remember, we are fighting for survival now, not doing academic research."

"If you can't withstand attacks on the battlefield, then it's zero."

The scientists looked at each other, then finally nodded in agreement.

At the same time, on the surface of Genoq Star, new recruit training camp.

"Faster! Faster! A little faster!" the instructor's roar echoed across the training ground.

"Imagine the Brood are right behind you!

They won't go easy on you!"

Hundreds of new recruits, wearing training exoskeletons, ran on the simulated battlefield.

Among them were pure-blood humans, mixed-blood humans, Frost Song Clan, Featherwind Clan...

This kind of mixed unit was unimaginable in peacetime.

"Listen up, rookies!" the instructor jumped onto a boulder.

"From today onwards, you are no longer farmers, workers, or merchants!

You are the first members of the Earth Federation Space Marines!"

A new recruit raised his hand to ask: "Sir, why do we need to learn space combat?

The Brood can't fight us on the ground at all; we can completely put the battlefield on the ground, can't we?"

The instructor sneered: "Do you think the enemy will obediently fight us in ground warfare?

Once orbit is lost, they will toy with us like bugs in a jar!

By then, everyone will die!"

At the edge of the training ground, Viktor silently observed everything.

His personal terminal suddenly rang; it was an urgent communication from Emma.

"What's wrong?" He pressed the answer button.

"Come to the orbital shipyard," Emma's voice was unusually serious.

"We've found something... not so good."

When Viktor arrived at the orbital shipyard, Emma and a group of military officers were gathered around a holographic star map.

On the star map, a red dot was slowly moving.

"This is?" Viktor approached.

"A Brood wanderer Fleet outpost," Emma pointed to the red dot.

"Our deep space probe just discovered it.

It's coming much faster than expected."

Viktor frowned: "How much faster?"

"At the current speed..." Emma took a deep breath. "In six months at most, the first batch of Brood warships will enter the Genoq Star system."

"Six months?!" Viktor exclaimed in shock.

"This is almost half the original schedule!

Our shipyards have only just—"

"I know," Emma interrupted him. "So we need to adjust our strategy."

She brought up another hologram, showing the design of a new type of weapon.

"This is..."

"Orbital defense platform," Emma explained.

"An enlarged version based on laser weapons.

Although it has poor maneuverability, it can provide the first wave of firepower when the Brood Fleet arrives."

"Is there enough time to build it?"

"It must be done in time," a crazy light flickered in Emma's eyes.

"I have already ordered the suspension of two frigates' construction and the concentration of resources to prioritize the completion of three orbital platforms."

Viktor was silent for a long time, finally nodding: "What do you need me to do?"

"Go to the underground city," Emma said. "Activate the 'Ark Project'."

Viktor's face instantly turned pale: "Are you serious? That's the last resort..."

"Six months, Viktor," Emma's voice was low and firm. "We only have six months left."

Genoq Star underground, secret facility "Ark."

Heavy alloy doors slowly opened, revealing a huge underground space, where the Earth Federation's most precious treasures were stored.

All the technological data left by the Delta Civilization, as well as tens of thousands of genetic samples.

"All critical data has been backed up," the technician reported.

"The ecological cabin system is operating normally and can support at least 500,000 people for long-term survival."

Viktor surveyed the massive underground shelter, his heart heavy: "I hope we never have to use it."

A month later, when Viktor returned to orbit, the sight before him took his breath away.

A streamlined silver warship was quietly suspended in the center of the shipyard, its hull gleaming under the starlight.

"Beautiful, isn't she?" Emma's voice came from behind.

"We call her the 'Hyacinth'."

"So fast..."

"The result of three shifts," Emma's face showed tired pride.

"Although many systems are still not perfected, at least she can fly."

She turned to the holographic star map, her expression becoming serious again: "We must complete the deployment of at least six frigates and three orbital platforms within the next two months."

"That's impossible," Viktor blurted out.

"It must be possible," Emma's voice was as hard as steel.

"Tell the workers, from today onwards, all shifts are canceled.

Everyone works to their limit, then takes stimulants and continues working until they collapse and are replaced."

"People will die!"

"If we don't do this, more people will die," Emma said coldly. "I am the Speaker; execute the order."

After Viktor left, Emma stood alone at the observation window, gazing at the boundless starry sky.

Somewhere in the unseen distance, thousands of warships laden with plunderers were sailing towards her world.

"Come on, Brood savages," she murmured softly. "Let's see who the real hunter is."