The phone keeps ringing
Commands were relayed to Underground Cities across the Global.
“Hawaii-1 Engine, spray angle adjustment complete!”
“Mexico-5 Engine, spray angle adjustment complete!”
“...”
Upon receiving dispatch from the control room, a large number of engines began to turn, limited by their size to a maximum turning angle of fifteen degrees.
Although the period of increased gravity was not long, it altered Earth's orbit.
It needed to be adjusted back.
At this moment.
Looking at the massive Jupiter in the sky, what was initially taken lightly had now turned into sheer terror.
They were afraid Jupiter would cause trouble again!
...United Government Headquarters.
“Hang-2 Underground City, three deaths, minimal property damage.”
“...”
“London-1 Underground City, eighteen deaths, minimal property damage.”
“...”
“Sulawesi-3 Underground City, twenty-one deaths, minimal property damage.”
“...”
As the losses from around the Global were tallied, they breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that only a few engines had malfunctioned and shut down.
That was close!
Humanity was almost plunged into a massive crisis.
“It's a good thing we conducted a comprehensive safety check on all engines in advance, discovered some hidden dangers, and upgraded some components.”
“Otherwise.”
“At least a hundred or more would have malfunctioned.”
“If it had been like before.”
“And followed the original orbit.”
“Preliminary calculations show that thousands of engines would have shut down; if that happened, our only option would be to ignite Jupiter.”
“...”
After hearing the experts' analysis, the high-ranking officials were once again filled with lingering fear.
Half of the engines shut down.
Restarting would be troublesome.
At this point, everyone remembered the theoretical proponent of Plan No. 9; if not for that paper, Earth would be in peril.
Even if they miraculously escaped.
The losses would be immeasurable.
“First, let's use the gravitational slingshot to leave Jupiter, then we'll properly reward our hero!”
...108 Astronomical Observatory.
“Old Chu, Professor Mi, you have a good son!”
Jin Xiangdong sighed, the son of his old friend repeatedly refreshed his understanding of excellence, and now he was even more extraordinary.
A graduation thesis.
It saved countless lives and reduced untold losses.
Immeasurable merit!
Relief!
Admiration!
With this contribution alone, some people on the academic committee still wanted to suppress Chu Xuan.
Simply ridiculous!
He had been angry for a while when Chu Xuan's Special Researcher application was rejected, but now, he felt instantly relieved.
Some people probably looked very displeased...Jing-3 Underground City.
At home.
He was digesting his food.
“Knock, knock!”
Someone knocked on the door; opening it, he saw several soldiers wearing exoskeletons standing there.
“Researcher Chu, hello, we are the United Government Security Forces, specifically here to pick you up and take you to a special shelter level.”
“No, thank you! Home is fine!”
Chu Xuan shook his head and refused.
Safety?
Where else could be safer than by him?
“This...”
Seeing that Chu Xuan wouldn't go, the other party looked a bit troubled.
“Tell your superiors truthfully, just say I said so.” Chu Xuan's tone was firm.
“Yes!”
After all, it wasn't an arrest, so the other party didn't take any coercive measures but instead contacted their superior.
A moment later.
“Researcher Chu, our superiors have ordered us to stay and protect you.”
Subsequently.
The few of them stood outside the door.
“???”
This scene left Han Ziang and the other two stunned.
What's going on?
Security Forces?
They said they were sending him to a safer place, which apparently didn't include them.
One must know that as family members of astronauts, they received certain privileges, but this time, they weren't asked.
Strange!
Could it be... this was a privilege for senior scientific researchers?
Also, he won the Science and Technology Progress Award and was so young.
Although one had to admit that while life was priceless, sometimes, its utility value could be measured.
Alright!
He accepted it!
Who told them they didn't have this ability.
They were unaware of Chu Xuan's astrophysics graduation thesis, and the United Government had not heavily promoted it.
They had always chosen to downplay it, mainly because insiders knew about Chu Xuan.
After all.
The worst-case scenario Plan No. 9 aimed to prevent was too terrifying, even igniting Jupiter.
At least tens of millions of people would die.
Chu Xuan had never mentioned it to Han Ziang and the other two either.
He had just closed the door.
Beep!
Signal connected.
“Xiao Xuan, did you know, Plan No. 9 has been activated.” He Shuli's voice came through, with a hint of excitement.
Chu Xuan: “I know.”
He Shuli: “I'm truly glad you chose to major in astrophysics back then, otherwise, who knows what would have happened.”
“...”
After praising him for a good while, He Shuli ended the call.
Just as he hung up.
Jin Xiangdong called too, and it wasn't over.
Qian Jinhua.
Ye Yang, the acting director of the N3 Experimental Base.
Xue Ming... Even the president of the Academy of Sciences called.
“A mere earthquake, is it really necessary? What's this about a thesis, what does that mean?”
Han Ziang was puzzled.
Liu Qi was also bewildered; the more he listened to those people, the stranger their words seemed.
Although Han Duoduo wasn't clear either, it didn't stop her from cheering.