167: Chapter 167 Highest Alert! Global Alerts Issued
The brutal images and data of Jupiter's orbital observation station CR-7 being instantly torn apart were like a death knell. Through the "Fuxi" network and the "Mozi" quantum link, they crashed into every command center on Earth with GDC's highest authority at near-zero latency.
The first to sound was the "Deep Space Death Knell" alarm at the Dragon Country's "Bright Dawn" base, which had long been set to permanent silence and would only roar at the moment of civilization's survival. The shrill, long, and highly penetrating sound waves instantly swept through every corridor and room of the underground fortress, causing the hearts of everyone immersed in intense work to stop for a moment.
Immediately after, synchronized alarms at all of Dragon Country's strategic locations—the capital's West Mountain, the East Sea Fleet, the Northwest "Golden Crow" base—were remotely activated, their piercing shrieks tearing through the silence of the night.
This was not an isolated incident.
At almost the same second—
In Moscow, deep beneath the Kremlin, the blood-red alarm lights of the Polar Bear Country's Strategic Defense Command rotated frantically.
In Paris, at the European Union Joint Defense Headquarters, a black buzzer representing the highest threat level emitted a continuous scream.
In London, Berlin, Rome... the alarm systems in the capitals or core command nodes of all GDC core member states were forcibly activated by the highest priority signal automatically triggered by "Fuxi" according to the sharing protocols!
The alarm sounds merged into an invisible tidal wave sweeping across the globe!
"Global Defense Command Network (GDCNet) Level 1 Alarm!" A cold and grand synthesized electronic voice, through encrypted satellite and ground lines, forcibly cut into the communication channels of the military and political departments of various countries. "Confirmed extraterrestrial hostile unit invasion of the Solar System. Confirmed destruction of our outer observation facilities. Threat level: Extinction. Repeat, threat level: Extinction. Pursuant to Article 7 of the 'Blue Star Civilization Guardian Alliance Provisional Charter,' authorization is hereby granted to activate the 'star extermination' maximum combat readiness plan globally. All contracting states, please immediately enter a state of full defense and war mobilization according to the plan. Countdown synchronization begins now."
The "star extermination" plan! This code name, which had never been mentioned in public and only existed in the top-secret files of the highest national leaders and a very few core officials, was now laid bare before the public. It meant that civilization was facing a definite external attack that could lead to extinction; all internal disputes were suspended, and resources were unconditionally tilted toward survival and war.
Main Control Center of the "Bright Dawn" base.
Lin Mo stood before the circular screen wall, with a solemn-faced Elder Chen and several top military generals who had rushed over behind him. On the left side of the screen, the heart-stopping destruction footage last sent from Jupiter's orbit CR-7 played on a loop; on the right, "Fuxi" had simulated the real-time movement trajectories of two "reaper" units (the original "the piercer" and the newly appeared black triangular pyramid) based on the latest data. They were like two blood-dripping arrows, one after the other, pointing toward the inner Solar System—pointing at Earth!
"system, recalculate the shortest time for the two targets to reach the Near-Earth Orbit defense perimeter!" Lin Mo's voice sounded exceptionally calm against the background of the alarms.
"Calculation complete. Target 1 (the original 'the piercer') is maintaining its original predicted trajectory. Estimated time to reach the soaring heavens preset interception zone outside Mars orbit: 1 hour 22 minutes. Target 2 (the newly appeared triangular pyramid, code-named 'Ripper') has shown no obvious signs of long-distance acceleration since appearing; it seems to be performing some kind of 'scanning' or 'evaluation' near Jupiter's orbit, but its potential maximum speed may far exceed Target 1. Based on worst-case scenario deductions, the time it takes to reach the effective threat range is uncertain, but it could be within 12 to 48 hours," system reported quickly.
"One definite, one cruising... a typical reconnaissance and cleanup coordination pattern," Elder Chen said deeply, his knuckles turning white from gripping too hard. "They are testing our reaction and evaluating our defense strength!"
"It's also for all onlookers to see," a general added, his tone cold. "Look, this is the consequence of not complying with the 'cleanup.'"
"What is the global mobilization status?" Lin Mo asked Su Xiaowan, who was in charge of communications.
The several screens in front of Su Xiaowan were frantically refreshing with encrypted confirmation signals from all over the world. "Polar Bear Country has confirmed entry into the 'star extermination' state. All its Strategic Rocket Forces and Aerospace Forces have entered maximum alert, the nuclear arsenal has entered a special standby procedure (not for launch, but with an extremely simplified authorization process), and three large launch sites within its borders have been opened for GDC unified dispatch."
"European Union... internal communications are extremely chaotic, but the Military Integrated Command has forcibly passed emergency authorization, declaring entry into the 'Fortress Europe' maximum defense state. Its joint rapid reaction forces and some space monitoring assets have been integrated into the GDCNet temporary chain of command. The civilian sector has begun to activate emergency evacuation plans (targeted at major cities) and a resource rationing system."
"Of the other countries that signed the GDA letter of intent, over eighty percent responded with confirmation within five minutes, initiating a national-level state of emergency and authorizing the GDC to use their airspace, territorial waters, and some military facilities. The remainder... communications are congested or the governments are in emergency consultations."
"What about Pretty Country and its core circle of allies?" the general pressed.
"White House, The Pentagon... signals are connected, but no clear 'star extermination' confirmation has been given. Their North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) alarm level has been raised to the historical highest, DEFCON 1 (state of war), but they have not engaged in deep data sharing with GDCNet. Their Space Force Command... has an independent encrypted signal attempting to establish direct contact with soaring heavens; the content is unknown," Su Xiaowan reported quickly, her tone carrying a hint of complexity.
Fence-sitters, even trying to privately contact the front-line commander? The faces of several generals showed anger.
Lin Mo waved his hand: "Never mind them. The mobilized forces are already enough to support the first stage of the 'North Heaven Gate' defense. system, initiate the first stage of the 'Civilization Watch' protocol."
"Instruction confirmed. 'Civilization Watch' protocol stage one initiated," system's synthesized voice carried an unprecedented solemnity. "Globally, all industrial production capacity databases connected to GDCNet are forcibly linked, and optimization algorithms have begun allocating emergency production tasks. The civilian energy network has entered wartime control mode, prioritizing the defense industry, communications, and critical livelihoods. Major global financial markets... according to the plan, are forcibly suspended. All civilian satellites in orbit are to accept GDC unified dispatch or enter safe mode."
A series of invisible yet incredibly powerful commands spread across the globe instantly via quantum networks and traditional links. Factory production lines began to pivot, power grid loads were redistributed, exchange screens froze instantly, and countless satellites operating in the night sky quietly changed their orientation... The massive machinery of human society, amidst the piercing alarms, began to turn with an unprecedented, slightly awkward yet extremely determined posture toward the single goal of "war."
"Public sentiment?" Lin Mo asked a key question.
On the main screen, real-time public opinion monitoring from major global social platforms and news media was brought up. The images were a mess; comments of panic, questioning, prayer, anger, and bewilderment emerged like an explosion, and servers were overwhelmed. But at the same time, a peculiar trend was forming—more and more people were sharing screenshots of the soaring heavens commissioning broadcast, especially the image of the "Giant Ship Guarding Blue Star." The comment sections began to fill with voices saying "Believe in soaring heavens," "Believe in GDA," and "Humans unite," which were being liked and upvoted at an incredible speed.
"Panic is inevitable, but... the sparks of hope and unity have been ignited by us in advance." Elder Chen looked at the screen and breathed a slight sigh of relief. "The timing of the soaring heavens broadcast was perfect."
Lin Mo nodded, his gaze returning to that tiny point of light representing soaring heavens and the two lethal red markers ahead of it.
He connected to the dedicated quantum channel with soaring heavens and said directly without pleasantries: "Captain Long, global combat readiness has been activated, and the rear is operating at full capacity. Your mission remains unchanged, but its importance has doubled. The appearance of the 'Ripper' means that 'the piercer' may not be the only one, and it also means the enemy's attack patterns may be more diverse and bizarre. 'Nuwa' must use all means to obtain as much data as possible during the engagement, even if... the cost is high."
At the other end of the channel, Long Zhantian's voice came through with slight static, still as steady as iron: "Understood, Consultant Lin. All of soaring heavens is fully prepared, including for the worst-case scenario. The data will definitely be sent back."
Communication ended.
Lin Mo looked around at every tense and determined face in the control center, finally casting his gaze toward the beautiful blue planet in the center of the large screen.
The alarms of maximum combat readiness continued to echo shrilly in every corner of the globe.
But these alarms were no longer a wail of despair.
They were the piercing friction of a whetstone.
They were the clanging battle cry of the first torch and first spear that human civilization, after ignorantly stepping into the interstellar dark forest, raised trembling yet resolutely when facing the first beast to show its fangs!
"Next," Lin Mo's voice rang out clearly in the intervals between alarms, carrying a kind of forward-pressing determination, "it's up to soaring heavens."