165: Chapter 165 Global Live Broadcast: "Lingxiao" Commissioning Ceremony
Inside the bridge of "soaring heavens," the brief tension from handling the disguised scout incident had not yet fully dissipated when the main communication channel received an order from "Bright Dawn" base, signed personally by Lin Mo, with a priority of "Emergency - Global."
The order was concise yet profound: 【Authorize "soaring heavens" to conduct a simplified, real-time commissioning broadcast at its current coordinates, facing the globe. Objective: To consolidate consensus, demonstrate resolve, and deter the petty. Duration: No more than five minutes. Transmission: Enable the highest bandwidth redundant channel of the "Mozi" quantum network; footage to be broadcast after real-time security review by "Nuwa."】
Long Zhantian and the Vice Captain exchanged glances, seeing understanding in each other's eyes. Choosing to conduct a global broadcast at this moment—having just repelled snoops and with a formidable enemy about to arrive—was undoubtedly a brilliant move. This would not only amplify the silent deterrent effect of the counter-reconnaissance just performed but, by displaying the majestic readiness of "soaring heavens," would also show all wavering, watching, or even malicious forces the existence and determination of humanity's core combat power, injecting a shot of adrenaline into the cohesion of the "north heavenly gate project" and the GDA.
"Execute the order," Long Zhantian said in a deep voice. " 'Nuwa,' you are responsible for the multi-channel encoding, encryption, and security filtering of the broadcast signal to ensure no classified technical details or our precise tactical location are leaked. Vice Captain, coordinate all battle stations; prepare for thirty seconds with the best mental state. After the broadcast begins, maintain Level 1 combat readiness. Do not slack off."
"Understood!"
"Command confirmed, broadcast protocol initiated. Security filtering algorithm loaded." 'Nuwa's' efficiency was as always.
The order quickly spread throughout the ship. After a brief stir, an even more solemn and spirited atmosphere permeated the bridge and various battle stations. All crew members quickly straightened their uniforms and posture, their gazes fixed firmly on the screens or ahead at their respective posts. They knew that at this moment, they represented not just "soaring heavens," but the gaze and expectations of billions of compatriots behind them.
The thirty-second preparation time passed in a flash.
" 'Mozi' quantum broadcast link established. Connection confirmed for major global media platforms and the official GDC channel. 'Bright Dawn' base signal synchronized and ready. Broadcast countdown: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Signal transmitted."
There was no stirring music, no flowery opening.
On Earth, no matter where one was, any screen connected to the network was forcibly cut to this image at that moment (it could be closed, but the vast majority would not). The image was slightly shaky and noisy at first, then quickly became incredibly clear and stable.
What met the eyes of billions of people around the world was first the deep, boundless starry sky, with the Milky Way stretching across the horizon like a hazy band of light. Immediately after, the camera slowly zoomed in, focusing on a majestic, streamlined, silver-gray warship against the backdrop of the starry sky! It floated silently in the void, its hull gleaming with a cold, solid metallic luster under the light of distant stars. On the side of the hull, the two huge characters that seemed to be condensed from starlight— " Lingxiao" (soaring heavens)—along with the interstellar universal language "LINGXIAO" below, exuded a solemn and majestic aura.
The perspective came from a stealth drone outside the ship, which cleverly used the azure Earth as part of the background. At this moment, Earth looked like a precious sapphire hanging in the sky above "soaring heavens," half bathed in sunlight, half immersed in its own shadow—quiet, beautiful, and fragile. The visual impact created by this composition was indescribable—humanity's most powerful creation was standing guard at the gate of its home.
The camera cut to the interior of the "soaring heavens" bridge.
Without any superfluous introduction, the footage directly captured the straight-as-a-pine back and profile of Long Zhantian in the captain's seat. He was wearing a crisp, dark blue captain's uniform, and the stars on his epaulets and the brand-new GDA emblem were clearly visible in the soft light of the bridge. He was focused on the main screen in front of him, which displayed complex star charts and data streams, his expression calm and resolute.
Behind him were the equally focused Vice Captain, Weapons Officer, Navigation Officer, Sensors Officer... Every face was young and determined, their eyes sharp, their movements concise and efficient. The entire bridge was so quiet that only the faint sounds of instruments running and the occasional low-voiced, brief report could be heard, filled with the unique, repressed, and fervent professional atmosphere of a top combat unit.
A steady voiceover, slightly electronically synthesized but not cold, sounded—a neutralized narration processed by 'Nuwa':
【 "This is the Human Civilization Guardian Alliance's first aerospace mothership, 'soaring heavens'." 】
【 "We are currently located outside the Earth-Moon space, executing a critical defensive mission." 】
【 "This signal is transmitted in real-time via quantum network. What you see is what you get." 】
There was no threat-mongering, no emotional incitement, just a calm statement of facts and a display of status. This near-cold, calm reality of the North Heaven Gate contained more power than any grand speech.
The screen switched again, briefly showing a section of the "soaring heavens" flank. The secondary battery arrays, which had just undergone the "garbage cleaning" exercise and electronic countermeasures, had their hatches closed, but the murderous aura seemed to emanate through the screen. On the surface of the hull, several key nodes representing the Joint Force Field Shield System were flashing with rhythmic, standby-mode glimmers.
Finally, the camera pulled back, bringing the complete "soaring heavens" and the Earth in the background back into the same frame. The voiceover sounded for the last time:
【 "From today on, this ship and this crew, together with all other members who have joined the Guardian Alliance, will stand before civilization." 】
【 "Our journey is the sea of stars. Our bottom line is the eternal security of our home." 】
【 "Human Civilization Guardian Alliance, 'soaring heavens,' is now in position." 】
As the voice fell, the image froze on that classic composition of "Giant Ship Guarding the Blue Star" for three seconds. The North Heaven Gate screen went dark, the broadcast signal was cut, and each platform returned to its original programming.
The short four-minute and fifty-second broadcast ended abruptly, yet it set off an unprecedented emotional tsunami across the globe!
Earth, GDC Joint Command Center (temporarily established at the Earth Liaison Office of the "Guanghan Palace" base).
In front of the huge circular screen gathered the diplomats, military attachés, and senior representatives from various countries who had not yet left. When the broadcast screen showed the majestic posture of "soaring heavens" with Earth as the background, the entire hall fell silent, with only heavy breathing audible. When the camera cut to the bridge and they saw the incredibly professional, calm, and determined expressions of Long Zhantian and those young crew members, many representatives subconsciously straightened their backs.
The Admiral from the Polar Bear Country couldn't help but smash a fist into his palm, whispering in Russian: "That is a soldier! A real space soldier!" Behind him, representatives from several Eastern European and Central Asian countries had glowing eyes, their determination to follow even firmer.
The representatives of the European Union had complex expressions. Some were shocked and slightly comforted by the immense power and technology displayed, while others felt a flash of worry—this power was entirely led by the Dragon Country. But regardless, that resolute posture of defending the home could not be faked.
In the area of the Pretty Country delegation, the atmosphere was the most subtle. Wilkins had already returned to Washington, leaving behind a deputy. This deputy looked at the giant ship on the screen, which far exceeded any existing or planned space assets of the Pretty Country, and looked at those military personnel on the bridge—so different from the Pretty Country Space Force, full of Eastern characteristics yet incredibly professional—his face turning pale and then red. Representatives of several allied countries around him occasionally glanced at the lonely flag hologram, the meaning in their eyes indescribable.
And all over the world, in countless ordinary homes, bars, squares, schools... the few seconds of dead silence after the broadcast ended were followed by an explosion of tsunami-like cheers!
"So cool! Our aerospace mothership!"
"Did you see that? The background is Earth! It's really protecting us!"
"Those soldiers... they look so reliable!"
"Wuwuwu, I don't know why, but I want to cry..."
" 'In position'! Just those three simple words, why do they make my blood boil!"
" 'Eternal security of our home'... well said!"
Fear was diluted, confusion was dispelled, and an unprecedented sense of identity and pride, based on a shared destiny and powerful protection, grew wildly in the hearts of countless ordinary people around the world. The term "Human Civilization Guardian Alliance" (GDA), just born, along with the majestic image of "soaring heavens," took root in people's hearts with unprecedented speed.
At the "Bright Dawn" base, Lin Mo watched the global public opinion monitoring screen, where support, discussion heat, and positive sentiment indices were soaring like a volcanic eruption, and he exhaled gently. The goal of the broadcast had been achieved, even exceeding expectations.
He glanced at the dedicated countdown screen that maintained silent contact with "soaring heavens."
One hour and thirty-seven minutes remained until "the piercer" was expected to enter the interception window.
Showtime was over.