50: The game officially begins

Lin Mo's words were like a bomb, instantly igniting the stagnant atmosphere in the room.

"Test?" Zhang Mingyuan frowned, "You mean Titan Group intentionally let the Nova United States discover their technology?"

"Not entirely." Lin Mo took a deep breath, speaking rapidly, "Judging by the SIA's reaction, they weren't even aware of the changes in the Northern Mountains of the Emerald Principality over the past year. This indicates that Titan Group's information technology is even superior to the SIA's, not to mention the Emerald Principality government. They could have completely ensured that the Nova United States' intelligence system found nothing within the Emerald Principality government. But they didn't. They deliberately chose to let the SIA intercept some information now, and may have even actively guided the Nova United States to discover the so-called 'weapons of mass destruction.'"

"Why?" Zhou Zhenguo of the National Security Bureau asked in a deep voice.

"Because they are observing." A sharp glint flashed in Lin Mo's eyes, "Observing the international community's reaction to another 'washing powder' style accusation from the Nova United States, observing our stance, observing who will step forward, and who will back down."

The conference room was silent, everyone digesting this possibility.

"If that's truly the case," Zhang Mingyuan slowly began, "then Titan Group's objective is probably more than just a test."

"Exactly, this is what Titan Group wants, our 'sincerity'." Lin Mo nodded, "The Nova United States wants to use the Northern Mountains of the Emerald Principality to contain us, and Titan Group wants to use the Nova United States' actions to see our choice."

Zhou Zhenguo's finger lightly tapped the table: "So, what should we do?"

Lin Mo's gaze was firm: "We need to let them know that the Eastern Union will not sit idly by while the Nova United States acts recklessly in the Emerald Ocean. The Eastern Union has the right to sit down and talk with them."

"Good!" Zhang Mingyuan understood Lin Mo's unspoken words and made a decision, "Contact Comrade Zhou Zhengyang, and tell him that the Eastern Union has always stood on the side of justice!"

Federal Center, Starlight Command, Minister of Defense Grayson Mitchell stared at the real-time satellite images on the large screen, his face grim.

"The USS Carl Vinson has departed, but the Emerald Principality government has refused our inspection request," the Chief of Staff reported in a deep voice.

"Then enforce it by force," Mitchell said coldly. "Order the Third Fleet to enter the territorial waters of the Emerald Principality and implement a blockade on the Emerald Principality under the guise of an 'anti-proliferation operation.'"

"The President..."

"The President has already authorized it." Mitchell's eyes were icy, "This time, we will make it clear to the whole world what happens when you challenge the order of the Nova United States."

Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable emergency meeting.

Zorin, the representative of the Northern Steel Federation, slammed his hand on the table: "The Nova United States is openly trampling on international law! You have no right to enter the territorial waters of the Emerald Principality without authorization from the Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable!"

The representative of the Fog City Archipelago sneered: "The Emerald Principality's refusal to be inspected itself indicates a problem."

Masso, the representative of the Champs Elysees Federation, shook his head: "We need more evidence, not unilateral military action."

Zhou Zhengyang slowly stood up, and the entire room immediately fell silent.

"Representative of the Nova United States." His voice was calm yet carried an undeniable power, "If you insist on using force, then please remember, the Eastern Union will not sit idly by while aggressive acts undermine regional peace and stability. Do not say you were not warned."

Howard narrowed his eyes: "Is that a threat?!"

Zhou Zhengyang looked at him calmly, his tone unwavering: "This is a stance."

Five Ports City, Birch Palace.

A cold wind swept across Cinnabar Square, and the golden dome of the Birch Palace still shone under the gray sky. An emergency meeting was being held in the President's office.

"The Eastern Union has sent an invitation for a joint military exercise." The Minister of Defense pushed the document to the center of the conference table, "The location is the Southern Biluo Sea, and the time is set for 24 hours from now."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs frowned: "This timing is too sensitive; the Nova United States is being aggressive on the Emerald Principality issue."

"Precisely because of this, we must cooperate with the Eastern Union." The Director of the Federal Security Bureau tapped the table, "Titan Group possesses the 'Stone of Immortality' and its refining technology. Moreover, since we occupied the Holy Mountain, Titan Group has not sent any requests for trade. This indicates that Titan Group has very likely mastered the technology for artificially synthesizing 'youth hormone'. If the Nova United States people learn about this..."

The conference room suddenly fell silent.

Grand Duke Winter slowly raised his head, his ice-blue eyes sweeping over everyone present: "The Nova United States people cannot get that technology. We cannot gamble that Titan Group will not trade the 'Stone of Immortality' with the Nova United States guys."

"But if we get too close to the Eastern Union now," the Minister of Economy raised an objection, "the West will further tighten sanctions."

"They've already used all the sanctions they can," Dmitri sneered. "Are they going to add more? What? Pay us to take them?"

Grand Duke Winter stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the distant St. Valery Cathedral: "Inform the Eastern Union that we agree to the military exercise. Also, order the Yongning Ocean and Iron Sail fleets to immediately enter combat readiness."

Southern Biluo Sea, Eastern Union Naval Exercise Area.

On the azure sea, the Eastern Union Navy's newest Type 505 destroyer cut through the waves, the spray from its bow sparkling silver in the sunlight. In the distance, the Northern Steel Federation's Yongning Ocean Fleet missile cruiser, the 'Ivan the Great', was slowly entering the designated sea area.

"Exercise area cleared, all vessels enter combat readiness." In the bridge, Rear Admiral Li Weiguo stared at the radar screen, giving the order in a deep voice.

"North Steel side confirmed entering exercise area, requesting communication link." The communications officer reported.

"Connect."

Seconds later, the face of Northern Steel Federation Rear Admiral Ivan Kozlov appeared on the screen: "General Li, good to cooperate again."

Li Weiguo smiled slightly: "General Kozlov, long time no see. Let's get to business. In this exercise, we need to make it clear to certain people that the coastal waters of sovereign nations are not places where they can act recklessly."

Kozlov laughed heartily: "My thoughts exactly!"

Federal Center, Roman Palace War Room.

"Joint military exercise?!" The President slammed his fist on the table. "This is a blatant provocation!"

Minister of Defense Mitchell's face was grim: "The 'Carl Vinson' is in position, but we cannot risk going to war with two countries simultaneously."

"Then order the Seventh Fleet to leave port! As long as they don't enter the Southern Biluo Sea, they'll have no reason to open fire!" the President roared.

Secretary of State Carter shook her head: "The Emerald Principality government just issued a statement, agreeing to accept IAEA inspections... on the condition that the inspection team must be led by experts from the Eastern Federation and North Steel."

Mitchell turned to the President: "They are putting pressure on us."

The President was silent for a moment, then sneered: "They think this will stop us?"

"Mr. President," National Security Advisor Reynolds cautiously reminded, "If, while we're acting in the Emerald Principality, conflicts break out in the Southern Biluo Sea and the first island chain of the Yongning Ocean..."

"Then it's a two-front war," the President said coldly. "The Nova United States has fought two wars before."

Secretary of State Carter shook her head: "International public opinion is already against us because of the 'washing powder' incident; if we provoke trouble in the Southern Biluo Sea now..."

Mitchell interrupted her: "We can first have the carrier battle group stand by in the outer waters of the Emerald Atoll and observe the exercise's movements."

"Congress cannot provide a second budget," the Secretary of State immediately rejected the Minister of Defense's proposal.

The President stared intently at the two red dots representing the Southern Biluo Sea and the Emerald Principality on the satellite map, finally gritting his teeth: "Order the 'Carl Vinson' to withdraw to Petrel Island and lift the blockade on the Emerald Principality."

Southern Biluo Sea, exercise concluded.

As the sun set, the fleets of the Eastern Union and the Northern Steel Federation slowly departed the exercise area after completing their final drill.

"General Li, it was a pleasure working with you," Kozlov said with a laugh over the comms.

Li Weiguo nodded: "I hope we can fight side by side again next time."

After the communication ended, the adjutant quietly asked: "General, the Nova United States aircraft carrier has withdrawn?"

Li Weiguo looked towards the distant horizon: "Yes, they've withdrawn."

"Then we won?"

Li Weiguo smiled slightly: "In this round, we didn't lose."

70 kilometers above the Golden Buddha Federation Bay, in the middle of the mesosphere.

The pitch-black Marshal-class stealth special service vessel 'Night Owl' hovered in the thin atmosphere, its hull's nano-coating absorbing all radar waves, and its refracting prisms bending light around the hull, as if it didn't exist.

In the bridge, Chen Hao was in his physical body after a long absence. There was no other way; the Marshal-class battleship was his favorite when playing games before crossing over. So, after the Emerald Principality had resources to resupply 'Pierpoint', he immediately had it built.

Although it still lacked a jump engine, and the fuel reserves were not enough for casual 'warp drive activation,' he still wanted to take it out for a spin as soon as possible.

Chen Hao leaned back in the Commander's chair, looking down through the panoramic viewport. On the azure Gulf of Thailand below, the Nova United States Third Fleet's ships looked like tiny toys, and further in the distance, the outline of the joint fleet was faintly visible.

"Host, host! Look over there!" Xiao Jixiang's virtual image bounced into his mind, her small hand excitedly pointing downwards, "Is that ship the Nova United States' aircraft carrier? It's almost out of sight, so tiny!"

Chen Hao chuckled: "Yes, from 70,000 meters up, even an aircraft carrier looks like a little yellow duck in a swimming pool."

Emerald's projection elegantly appeared beside him: "Boss, the joint military exercise between the Eastern Federation and North Steel has concluded, and the Nova United States 'Carl Vinson' carrier battle group is withdrawing."

"As expected." Chen Hao sipped the iced coconut water in his hand, "The politicians in the Roman Palace aren't crazy enough to challenge two nuclear powers simultaneously."

Chen Hao's fingers gently slid across the holographic control panel, and a global strategic situation map unfolded before him. The aftermath of the joint military exercise still reverberated in the international public opinion arena, and the Nova United States' military retreat had already prompted countries in the Emerald Ocean to re-evaluate their positions.

"Emerald, how are the 'Web Weaver' team's preparations?"

"All nodes activated." Emerald brought up real-time monitoring of three operational locations, "Infiltration work in Black Sea Holy City, Slavic Holy City, and the Federal Center has completed preliminary preparations."

Xiao Jixiang suddenly appeared again: "Host, what are you going to do this time?"

"Bait." Chen Hao lightly flicked her forehead, "Use the Roman Palace's favorite 'North Steel threat theory' as bait."

Black Rye Principality, a deserted factory in Black Sea Holy City

'Antlion' typed the last line of code on the keyboard, and the progress bar on the screen reached 100%. "SIA Black Sea Holy City station's intranet penetration complete, data package injected."

A calm female voice came through the headphones: "Ensure all traces are cleared, especially the timestamps, which must match their daily operational cycle."

Three meticulously designed documents were quietly injected into the SIA's servers:

"Revised Edition of the North Steel and Emerald Principality Resource Cooperation Agreement"

"Holy Mountain Forest Park Rare Earth Mine Exploration Report (including anomalous data)"

"Partial Technical Parameters of Titan Mining Deep Scan Equipment"

Federal Center, SIA Headquarters Special Analysis Room

"Director! The East Europa branch has discovered explosive intelligence!" Analyst Kyle Jenkins rushed into Marcus's office, a set of unusually clear exploration data on his tablet.

Marcus adjusted his glasses, his pupils suddenly contracting: "Corl Forest Park? Isn't that the one heavily guarded by the North Steel Army...?"

"Exactly!" Jenkins pulled up a satellite comparison image, "The North Steel Army's deployment tracks in that area over the past three months match the ore vein's direction with an accuracy of 92%!"

Marcus carefully reviewed the document: "Rare earth mine? Wait... this ore reserve assessment..."

The technical director leaned over for a look and immediately gasped: "If the data is accurate, this will be double the global proven rare earth reserves! And the purity of these rare earths, the terbium content reaches 11%, which is 10 times that of ordinary deposits!"

"Immediately call an emergency meeting at the Roman Palace!" Marcus grabbed his jacket, "This is more dangerous than nuclear technology transfer!"

90 minutes later, Roman Palace War Room.

Minister of Defense Mitchell slammed the exploration report on the table: "The North Steel People don't want a buffer zone at all! They want to monopolize military raw materials for the next two decades! Neodymium, dysprosium, terbium... all essential materials for advanced weapons. Even more terrifying is this scanning technology report; their exploration depth is fifteen times that of existing commonly used equipment!"

National Security Advisor Reynolds frowned: "But this exploration technology is clearly beyond their technical level..."

"Look at this." SIA Director Hayes brought up a set of photos, "After we found the Northern Steel Federation transporting nuclear power equipment to the Emerald Principality, we screened all abnormal cargo around the same time and finally found a clue at a shipping company in the Ganges Federation."

The President's face was terrifyingly grim: "So the Northern Steel Federation exchanged nuclear power technology for this exploration technology? Notify the North Silver Shield Alliance to immediately activate the military exercise plan in the North. Also, notify those guys in Europa to launch a public opinion war and an economic war simultaneously, bringing out all the previously prepared sanction plans. In short, we must teach North Steel a lesson and force them to abandon the referendum results; we absolutely cannot let them occupy this mine!"