153: Chapter 153 "Project Beitianmen" Revealed Globally
The far side of the moon, the core meeting dome of the "Guanghan Palace" base.
There were no windows here, but the massive circular dome itself was a complete lunar rock crystal that had undergone special treatment. External scenes were captured by cameras distributed everywhere, processed, and then seamlessly projected onto it, creating a 360-degree starry sky view with no blind spots. At this moment, the dome displayed a magnificent view of Earth—the blue and white planet hung in the pitch-black sky, occupying nearly a third of the field of vision, serene and beautiful.
The atmosphere at the conference table beneath the North Heaven Gate dome, however, was the complete opposite of this tranquility.
Around the oval conference table sat over twenty people. Aside from Elder Chen of the Dragon Country, military representatives, and Lin Mo, who served as the technical core, the rest were heads of state or plenipotentiary representatives from GDC core member states and important observer nations. Everyone's faces looked exceptionally solemn under the soft artificial light. The air was thick with a mixture of anxiety, determination, and the heavy sense of a final hour.
The meeting had already been underway for half an hour. Lin Mo stood at the main presentation position. Behind him, a massive holographic screen had just finished playing a heart-pounding sequence: from the spectral diagram showing the abnormal enhancement of the "beacon" signal, to the trajectory animation of KBO-7793, "the piercer," hurtling forward after activation, and finally to that bone-chilling "greeting"—【Silence, or Annihilation】.
As the video ended, the conference room became so quiet one could hear a pin drop. Several representatives from small and medium-sized countries were already breaking into a cold sweat, clutching their electronic pens tightly. Wilkins, the Acting Secretary of State for Pretty Country, had a sallow face, his lips pressed into a thin line.
"Gentlemen and ladies," Lin Mo's voice broke the silence, steady and clear, reaching every representative's ears through the simultaneous interpretation system. "This is the reality we currently face. It is not a vague prophecy, nor a distant possibility. It is an entity that has already entered our backyard, clearly carrying a destruction command, and is estimated to—" he glanced at the terminal on his wrist, "—arrive at Mars' orbit in 132 hours and 7 minutes, posing a direct threat to our forward facilities."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, lingering briefly on the faces of several hesitant representatives.
"Over the past few years, especially in recent months, we—specifically, led by the Dragon Country, with varying degrees of participation and support from all of you—have made some progress in space exploration and defense technology." Lin Mo's tone held no boastfulness, only the calmness of stating facts. "The 'Guanghan Palace' base, the 'soaring heavens' aerospace carrier, 'Jinwu' energy, 'Mozi' communications... these achievements have given us the qualification to stand here and discuss how to respond, rather than waiting for destruction in ignorance."
"But this is far from enough." Lin Mo's tone suddenly became sharp. "'soaring heavens' is the first sword humanity has wielded toward the stars, but it hangs alone in orbit. 'Guanghan Palace' is the first hand we've extended to the moon, but it is isolated in one corner. Facing a civilization that can easily activate a celestial body billions of kilometers away as a weapon, our existing strength is too scattered, too weak, and too passive!"
The holographic screen changed, unfolding a grand and complex blueprint. It was a conceptual diagram of a three-dimensional defense system covering Earth-Moon space and extending to Mars' orbit. Hundreds of space stations, defense platforms, early warning satellites, and rapid-response ships of various functions and models were dotted throughout like stars, connected to each other by flickering quantum communication links to form a vast and precise network. In key positions such as Low Earth Orbit, Lunar Orbit, and Lagrange points, the silhouettes of several aerospace carriers, far exceeding 'soaring heavens' in scale and appearing even more majestic and formidable, were highlighted.
Directly above the blueprint were four bold, powerful Dragon Country characters that seemed to have a metallic sheen, with the translated English below them:
【North Heaven Gate Project】
(Nantianmen Initiative)
—Blue Star Civilization United Fleet and Orbital Defense system
A muffled sound of collective gasping echoed in the conference room. Although some representatives of major powers had already heard rumors of Dragon Country's space military concepts through intelligence channels, this was the first time such a complete, grand, and technically detailed overview of the plan had been publicly presented.
"This is the core framework of the first phase of the 'North Heaven Gate Project' that I am submitting for your review today." Lin Mo manipulated the interface, and the blueprint began a dynamic demonstration. "It is not a unilateral military expansion by any single country. Instead, it is based on the GDC framework, with all participating countries contributing resources, technology, and talent, sharing command and results. It aims to build the first truly active space defense line for our civilization!"
He further explained: "The plan is divided into three phases. Phase one: within five years, build an early warning and rapid response network centered on Earth-Moon space, covering the main navigation routes of the inner Solar System, and complete the construction and deployment of at least three 'soaring heavens-class' aerospace carriers and supporting escort fleets. Phase two: within ten years, push the defense frontier to the asteroid belt, establish a permanent Mars defense outpost, and develop and deploy the next generation of capital ships. Phase three: depending on technical breakthroughs and the evolution of threats, bring the ecliptic plane of the Solar System under effective monitoring and defense."
"This will require an unimaginable investment of resources!" the representative of the European Union couldn't help but speak up, their voice dry.
"Yes, it will," Lin Mo admitted frankly. "But please compare the cost of investment with the cost of losing everything. The arrival of 'the piercer' has already proven that silence and retreat do not bring safety; they only invite more brazen plunder and purging."
"How can we trust that such a massive plan can succeed? How will technical bottlenecks be overcome? How will command authority be defined? How will benefits be distributed?" The representative of Japan raised sharp questions, which were also the doubts held by many countries.
Lin Mo seemed prepared. With a light tap, another window popped up next to the blueprint, containing a dense technical catalog and a draft sharing agreement.
"Technically, the 'North Heaven Gate Project' will establish a completely transparent technology sharing pool. Dragon Country is willing to take the lead by opening twenty-seven key technical patents, including the 'Jinwu' fusion engine miniaturization module, the 'Mozi' quantum communication core protocol, and the 'Thunder Department' particle cannon basic design, for all participating countries to study, use, and improve within the agreed framework. Simultaneously, a joint research institute will be established to tackle new technologies required by the plan, with shared results."
These words caused quite a stir. Dragon Country was actually willing to give up such core technologies? Many representatives showed looks of disbelief.
"As for command and benefits," Lin Mo continued, "the plan will establish an independent 'North Heaven Gate Command,' directly responsible to the GDC Permanent Council. Countries will enjoy corresponding decision-making weight, industrial order shares, and future deep space resource development rights based on their contributions (resources, technology, personnel). For specific details, here is a three-hundred-page draft agreement for your detailed review."
He sent the draft agreement to each representative's terminal.
"However, the prerequisite for all of this is," Lin Mo's voice rose a bit, carrying an indisputable power, "we must first win the battle before us! 'the piercer' is not just a threat, but also a litmus test. If we cannot repel or even destroy this single verification unit while possessing 'soaring heavens', then any long-term defense plan will lose its meaning, and the GDC will collapse!"
He switched the screen again, showing real-time images of 'soaring heavens' and the approaching trajectory of 'the piercer'.
"The public announcement and activation of the 'North Heaven Gate Project' should not happen after the threat is removed, but before the war begins!" Lin Mo's gaze became incredibly fiery. "I want that incoming 'Scavenger' to see that what it faces is no longer scattered, weak civilization outposts, but a whole that is rapidly uniting and arming itself! I want all the stars in the Solar System to witness that the response of human civilization to the 'greeting' of destruction is not the silence of fear, but the roar and counterattack of a united will!"
He looked around the room, saying word for word:
"Therefore, I propose: First, starting immediately, the GDC officially approves and activates the 'North Heaven Gate Project' Preparatory Committee, with each member state indicating their intention to participate and preliminary contribution amount within the next 24 hours. Second, authorize 'soaring heavens' and Captain Long Zhantian to take full responsibility for the combat mission to intercept and destroy 'the piercer', with all GDC member states providing all necessary information, logistics, and orbital coordination support. Third, after this battle, regardless of the outcome, the 'North Heaven Gate Project' will use this as a starting point and advance at full speed!"
The conference room fell into a brief silence, with only the Earth simulated on the dome slowly rotating.
Suddenly, the representative of Polar Bear Country—a gray-haired general with a resolute expression—slammed the table and said in heavily accented English: "We are in! Polar Bear's space force resources and the 'snowstorm' supercomputer array will, from now on, prioritize serving the interception mission and the 'North Heaven Gate Project'! Silence or annihilation? To hell with that! We choose to fight!"
"The European Union... agrees to participate in the plan's preparation and will provide technical support within the framework." After a brief internal exchange of glances, the European representative also made their stance known.
Then, one by one, the national representatives began to express their positions. Small and medium-sized countries saw an opportunity to get a piece of the pie in the grand plan and enhance their own technology and security; major powers saw the strategic necessity of integrating global forces to deal with future uncertainties. More importantly, the blade of 'the piercer' was already at their throats, leaving no room for much hesitation or calculation.
Wilkins of Pretty Country's face shifted through various expressions before he finally said hoarsely under everyone's gaze, "The United States of America... in principle, does not oppose strengthening Solar System defense cooperation. However, the specific mode and degree of participation require detailed review by Congress. Nevertheless, regarding the current threat, we can share some deep-space monitoring data."
This was already a concession of sorts. Lin Mo knew it was impossible to get everyone to commit unreservedly all at once. With the participation of the major powers, the plan had its foundation for activation.
"Very well." Lin Mo nodded, looking at the beautiful blue planet in the dome projection, then at 'the piercer' on the screen, whose countdown was constantly decreasing.
"Then, from this moment on, the 'North Heaven Gate Project' officially enters the implementation phase. And the first sacrifice—or rather, the first keystone—we offer to this plan and to all of humanity—" His gaze was as sharp as a sword, as if piercing through the lunar rock dome to look into the deep starry sky.
"—is that nail called 'the piercer'."
The meeting ended amidst urgent arrangements, and the representatives hurried away, needing to communicate with their home countries immediately. Lin Mo remained under the empty meeting dome. Elder Chen walked over and patted him on the shoulder.
"The pressure is immense, isn't it?" Elder Chen asked softly.
"But it must be done." Lin Mo looked at the Earth on the dome. "Make the plan public, lay out the goals, and tie everyone to the war chariot. Only in this way can a power transcending a single country or nation erupt. We are fighting for our civilization's right to survive; there should be no reservations in this war from the start."
"What you mentioned in your speech, 'let all the stars witness'..." Elder Chen smiled. "It was very powerful. But specifically, how to fight 'the piercer'—do you have a plan yet? Long Zhantian is still waiting for your specific technical suggestions."
A sharp glint flashed in Lin Mo's eyes: "I have some ideas, but they need to be combined with 'soaring heavens' combat data and the latest deductions from 'system'. Let's go to the lab; some things need to step off the blueprints now."
The great gate of the "North Heaven Gate" had been pushed open a crack amidst the distant deep-space threat and humanity's resolute consensus. And the first test behind the door had already come rushing forward with the howl of destruction.