90: Torn and Chaos

In stark contrast to the excitement and anticipation within the Eastern Federation, Western society was engulfed in a pervasive sense of panic and anger at being left behind by the times, plunging into an unprecedented cognitive dissonance. Social media, street corners, financial exchanges—everywhere was filled with waves of panic, anger, and despair.

In the financial markets, a bloody harvest had already begun. Golden Serpent Street, No. 23, Huge Rong Consortium trading floor.

"Liquidate everything! Now!" the trading director roared into the microphone. On the screens, sell orders for traditional energy stocks surged like an avalanche.

A young trader trembled, saying, "This is too brutal... We knew the news three days in advance..."

The director sneered, "That's why they pay us millions a year."

At the same time, Fog City's financial district was in an uproar. A Barclays Bank energy analyst broke down during a conference call: "We warned headquarters to cooperate with Titan... Now our proprietary trading losses exceed 7 billion pounds..."

The CEO of Credit Suisse Group was photographed smashing his computer in his office.

At the Total Energy shareholders' meeting, the CEO, pale-faced, tried to explain: "We insist on Europa's independence..." Before he could finish, an egg splattered on his face.

Small shareholder Marion Dupont pulled out a second egg: "My husband's pension! My children's future! You've ruined it all!"

As security dragged her away, she was still screaming, "You arrogant fools! You should have cooperated with Titan long ago!"

An analysis report from Beer Hop City Reinsurance showed that due to the failure to transform in time, the combined market value of Europa energy companies evaporated by over 2 trillion Euros.

A real-time poll from the Federal Center Post showed:

42% of the public believed the government should "immediately take strong measures to acquire the technology."

31% believed they should "cooperate with Titan rather than confront it."

27% expressed "complete disappointment with the government."

In UNN's prime-time debate program, experts from both sides nearly came to blows:

"This is the consequence of letting the Eastern Federation and Titan run wild!" a former Assistant Minister of Defense roared, "We should immediately freeze all of Titan's assets in New Union until they hand over the technology!"

"Then what?" an MTI energy professor sneered, "Let our companies never use clean energy? Golden Serpent Street has already calculated that a forced confrontation will cause the Nova United States' GDP to lose 35%! How is that different from national ruin!"

The New Township Times' headline was shocking: "The Second Energy Crisis: How Did We Lose the Future?"

The comment section below the article had become a battlefield:

"While our politicians were still gloating over shale gas, the Eastern Federation People already had the key to unlimited energy!" (12.3k likes)

"This is the consequence of cutting the research budget by 40%!" (9.8k likes)

"Titan must make its technology public! This is the wealth of all humanity!" (15.6k likes)

"The Titan CEO might be of Eastern Federation descent, I don't believe this is a coincidence!" (8.2k shares)

"Remember the EastWei incident? History is repeating itself!" (6.7k shares)

FOXS News' evening program was even more extreme: "According to sources, the 'Golden Crow' technology may have been stolen from a Nova United States national laboratory. Our intelligence agencies are investigating Titan's relationship with the Eastern Federation military."

Immediately following was the news: "List of Traitors: Nova United States Companies Cooperating with Titan."

The report brazenly listed financial institutions such as Huge Rong Consortium and Low Prosper, which had made early arrangements for fusion-related industries, calling them "economic traitors."

Outside the Europa headquarters in Brussels, protesters with different stances clashed:

Far-left groups advocating "Technology sharing is the future!"

Union members proclaiming "Protect Europa industry!"

Far-right groups demanding "Macaron step down!"

Environmental organizations stating "Our government lied to us for ten years with wind power!"

Riot police had to use water cannons to disperse the crowd. A young man, holding a red-stained Europa flag, cried in the mud.

The Premier of the Rhine Empire's gaffe during a televised speech instantly went viral:

"Of course, we have our own... uh... fusion plan... it's just... uh..."

The cover headline of the renowned economic magazine "The Political Economist" hit the nail on the head: "The Twilight of Europa: When Bureaucracy Meets Technological Revolution."

On the famous conspiracy theory forum—4chan, "declassified documents" circulated, claiming:

"Interstellar Peace is just a front for the Eastern Federation military, Titan is just a white glove!", "Titan - Interstellar Peace - Eastern Federation Government: The Iron Triangle Relationship Declassified."

The accompanying images were photoshopped "internal documents" and a complex equity structure diagram. Although most of the content was pure speculation, it still received over 50,000 shares.

On MyTube, a video titled "A Future Without Fusion" surpassed ten million views. In the video, a man claiming to be an energy expert predicted: "Within ten years, our manufacturing industry will all go bankrupt due to energy costs. The Eastern Federation People will produce everything with almost free electricity, and we can only become their market."

Meanwhile, a MyTube streamer claiming to be a former SIA agent began to rave: "I'm risking my life to tell everyone: the core technology of 'Golden Crow' comes from Area 51!" The video's viewership exceeded 20 million.

On the Amazon Books real-time bestseller list, the book "Energy Wars: How We Lost the 21st Century" suddenly surged into the top ten.

A new subreddit, /r/USApill (Eastern Federation Pill), appeared on Reddit, gathering a large number of "tech surrenderists": "Admit it, the Eastern Federation won, we should consider how to be good vassals."

A Detroit auto worker was interviewed on the street: "My grandfather went through the oil crisis, my father went through the subprime mortgage crisis, and now it's my turn, the fusion crisis! Where is the government?"

Programmers in Silicon Valley, California, debated intensely in a cafe: "Should we immigrate to the Eastern Federation? At least electricity is cheap there."

"Don't be naive, they won't want us."

"That's not necessarily true. We can't get into that company Interstellar Peace, but other companies should be fine, right?"

"That's true... It's better than waiting to be laid off here."

Retired residents of the Fog City Islands protested in front of the Parliament building, holding signs: "My pension evaporated with BP's stock price!"

In Harford Square, students from two factions engaged in a fierce debate.

"Technology should be shared!" The cooperation faction waved signs saying "Science Without Borders."

"This is a matter of national security!" The opposing students retorted with signs saying "Stop Tech Transfer."

An Eastern Federation international student quietly walked by, suddenly pushed: "Go back to your Eastern Federation!"

At the MTI Energy Forum, professors split into two factions for a heated debate:

"Titan's technological breakthrough should receive the Nobel Prize!"

"No, they should be sanctioned! This is a technological blockade against all humanity!"

An editorial in "Nature" magazine expressed the anxiety of the Western academic community: "When scientific breakthroughs become geopolitical tools, are we witnessing the advent of a 'technological iron curtain'?"

Nobel laureate Professor Watson wrote in "Science" magazine, warning: "If we build technological walls, ultimately, only we ourselves will be isolated."

As for the Roman Palace, the last time it was in such a panic was when it learned that Titan had already controlled the Emerald Principality. At the Roman Palace's emergency press conference, the spokesperson struggled to organize his words: "The President has instructed the Ministry of Energy... uh... to accelerate fusion research..."

A reporter interrupted: "Specifically, when can we catch up with the Eastern Federation?"

Spokesperson: "...Next question."

An internal email leaked from the Europa Commission showed: "Urgent recommendation to member states to stop sanctions against Eastern Federation high-tech companies, at least on the surface..."

The New Village Psychological Association reported a 300% surge in "fusion anxiety disorder" patients, with main symptoms including: repeatedly checking energy bills; frantically buying Eastern Federation stocks; developing a fear of traditional energy facilities.

Surveillance footage from a supermarket in Fog City captured a customer suddenly sweeping all the goods off a shelf when he saw a notice about rising electricity prices.

In the Champs Elysees Federation subway, young people argued with their phones:

"Macaron said last month that the Champs Elysees Federation would achieve fusion power by 2050, and now? The Eastern Federation People will be using it next year!"

"This is the consequence of Europa sanctioning Eastern Federation technology! We've been ruined by our own policies!"

The cover story of the Rhine Empire's "Der Spiegel" caused a huge uproar: "The Era of Technological Colonialism: We Are Becoming the Eastern Federation's Energy Vassals."

The article quoted an anonymous official: "Europa is considering launching an antitrust investigation into Titan and may seize its assets in Europa if necessary."

A retired Nova United States teacher wrote on Facebook:

"I just received a notice of electricity price increases, while the Eastern Federation People are about to have almost free electricity. Is this the future our children have to face?"

This post received over 500,000 shares within 24 hours.

In this unprecedented public opinion tsunami, Western society was undergoing a complete restructuring of its values. When the old order collapsed much faster than the new order could be established, panic, anger, and despair became the most natural reactions. And in this chaos, the only certainty was—the world had changed forever.

Five Ports City, a late-night meeting at the Birch Palace.

Grand Duke Winter's fingertips tapped on the mahogany desk, his voice echoing in the empty conference room. Outside the window, the nightscape of Five Ports City was fragmented by the golden domes of the Birch Palace.

"The Eastern Federation side still refused?" His voice was colder than the Siberian wind.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavrov took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes wearily: "They said they signed an exclusive agreement with Titan, and even technological exchange is not allowed."

"Heh," Grand Duke Winter sneered, "Since when did the Eastern Federation People learn to use 'commercial agreements' as a shield?"

Minister of Defense Dmitri suddenly spoke: "Mr. President, the SVR (North Steel Foreign Intelligence Service) is ready. 'Swallow' and 'Raven' have both infiltrated Mandala."

Grand Duke Winter's gaze turned to the window, falling on the colorful spires of St. Basil's Cathedral in the distance: "Tell Boltnikov to show his true capabilities."

Federal Center, Roman Palace Situation Room.

The lights of the Oval Office cast a long shadow of the President. Burns was displaying a set of satellite photos.

"According to NSA surveillance, the North Steel People have already acted." Burns pointed to several blurry figures in the photos, "These are the SVR's most elite special forces members."

The National Security Advisor frowned: "Where are our people?"

"Delta Force's 'Gray Fox' team is already in position."

"Direct armed infiltration? Won't that have too great an impact? Titan is not an ordinary multinational corporation, is it?" The Security Advisor was a little worried, "Can't we let agents try first?"

Burns shook his head helplessly, "I'm afraid, Mr. Sullivan, SIA lost its operational capability in the Emerald Ocean almost two years ago."

Brussels, Europa Special Operations Center.

Director Le Noir of the Champs Elysees Federation Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE) was fiercely arguing with his counterpart from the Rhine Empire Federal Intelligence Service (BND).

"You Rhine Empire People are always so indecisive!" Le Noir's tone carried obvious anger, "Now is not the time to discuss 'Europa values'!"

BND Director Klaus pushed up his glasses: "Direct armed infiltration of a private company? That's insane!"

"Insane?" Le Noir sneered, "Waiting to see your industry go bankrupt within five years won't be insane? Also, is Titan really a private company?"

The conference room door suddenly opened, and Europa High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Borrell walked in: "Gentlemen, I just received news that the East Ocean Cabinet Intelligence Research Office has dispatched 'Sakura Group'."

The room immediately fell silent. Klaus slowly took off his glasses: "Even the East Ocean People have made a move... It seems we have no choice."