203: Chapter 203 The Enemy's Transformation: The Rebirth of America
The changes in the signals transmitted by the "Thousand-Mile Eye Plan" array were like the increasingly rapid tolling of a funeral bell, echoing not only through the "Ark" city and all core GDC institutions, but also piercing through the remaining barriers and crashing heavily over the old faction territories that had not yet fully integrated into the GDC, including the nominally independent yet declining former territory of the Pretty Country.
The past few months had been a slow, suffocating despair for this once-proud land. After the rebellion of Craig and his "Underworld" platform was crushed by thunderous force, the remaining old power structure fell into a state of actual paralysis and division. Some hardliners followed Craig toward madness and destruction; others huddled within their shrinking control zones, relying on residual military forces and crumbling ideological propaganda to linger on, refusing to acknowledge the new order led by the GDC.
Reality is more powerful than any propaganda.
When the people within the GDC jurisdiction enjoyed near-free fusion energy, experienced the transportation revolution brought by "floating vehicle"s, connected seamlessly with global wisdom through the "Kunlun-Education" world, and even began discussing the evolutionary possibilities brought by the "Prometheus" plan, the scene on the other side of the isolation wall was increasingly desolate.
Under energy rationing, power outages became the norm, and heating in the cold winter became a luxury; the breakdown of traditional industrial chains led to a shortage of supplies, and supermarket shelves were empty; the medical system regressed rapidly after losing GDA technical support (excluded actively or passively due to sanctions and hostility), and once-curable diseases became nightmares again; even more fatal was the information blockade and spiritual isolation—official media still touted the glory of "freedom and independence," but more and more people saw the true picture of another world through the underground network, information storage devices smuggled across the border, and even weak GDC public broadcast signals received with rudimentary equipment.
The despair and anger brought by that contrast, like magma surging beneath the earth's crust, finally reached a critical point under the catalyst of the overwhelming external threat—the "Kuiper Belt signal pulse interval continuing to shorten"—which concerned everyone's survival.
The collapse began in a major city on the West Coast. The cause was a three-day, region-wide power outage and the ensuing conflict over water. The local National Guard was ordered to suppress it, but engaged in fierce firefights with some equally desperate citizens who held weapons. The conflict spread rapidly. A local governor, who had long been dissatisfied with the central government, suddenly declared a "State of Emergency" with the support of some mid-level officers who also saw the situation clearly, and unilaterally sent a signal through secret channels to the GDC requesting "humanitarian and technical assistance."
This was like a spark thrown into a pile of dry firewood.
Within just seventy-two hours, similar events erupted in several major states and cities. The people no longer believed the old government had the ability to protect them, let alone give them any hope of survival in the face of the impending alien threat. They took to the streets, storming government agencies, shouting slogans like "We want to live!" "We want GDC technology!" and "Open the borders!" Some frontline troops began to refuse orders in organized units, or even defected.
In Washington, D.C., the capital and former center of power, the atmosphere in the underground bunker was not despair, but absolute dead silence.
Acting President Wilkins (who had ascended to power in the name of "state of emergency" after Craig's rebellion) slumped in his chair, staring blankly at the chaotic scenes on the surveillance screens. On the table in front of him lay urgent dispatches from various places, as well as a "final recommendation" jointly signed by the remaining sober high-ranking military officials and some council members: immediately contact the GDC to discuss terms for conditional integration, to avoid total civil war and the complete collapse of the country.
"Heh... conditional integration?" Wilkins let out a hoarse laugh, like a broken bellows, "A bunch of fools... do you think that by kneeling now, you can trade for the same status as those 'enhanced humans' or those sheep raised by the AI? It's too late... it's all too late..."
He grabbed a cup and smashed it against the screen. The picture flickered a few times but did not go out, still coldly broadcasting the chaos.
"They won't forgive us... Lin Mo won't... and that Long Zhantian even more so..." Wilkins muttered to himself, his eyes unfocused, "We tried to kill him, we tried to divide them, we lost all our chips... Going over now would just make us lambs waiting to be slaughtered..."
"Mr. President!" The heavy door of the bunker was pushed open, and a middle-aged general with an exhausted but sharp look walked in, followed by several armed guards. He was General Maxwell, one of the few members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who still maintained reason and a sense of responsibility. "Please sign this document. It is for the last people of this country, and also for... the overall interests of humanity. Resistance is meaningless now and will only drag more people into hell."
Wilkins slowly turned his head and stared at Maxwell, a final glimmer of madness suddenly erupting in his eyes: "Meaningless? No! There is one final meaning! We still have 'Nemesis'! Yes! Launch it! Aim that last core of the damn 'Underworld' platform, that unstable gravity bomb, at their 'Ark' city! If we're going to die, we'll die together..."
His words stopped abruptly. Because General Maxwell's muzzle was already coldly aimed at him.
"Mr. Wilkins," the general's voice was as cold as iron, "Your insane tenure ends here. Guards, arrest him for the crime of endangering the survival of human civilization."
Two guards stepped forward and unceremoniously dragged the limp, roaring Wilkins away. The change of power, in this desperate corner, was completed in the simplest and cruelest way.
Twenty-four hours later.
A small, unmarked shuttle, after obtaining special permission from the GDC border defense network, crossed the once heavily guarded border and landed at the designated docking hatch of the "Ark" city.
Stepping out of the shuttle was a small delegation led by General Maxwell, including several awakened council members, representatives of top scientists, and a highly respected judge. They carried no weapons, their expressions were solemn, and their eyes held exhaustion and shame, but more than that, a determination to burn their bridges.
They were led directly to the core council chamber of the "Ark" city. Lin Mo, Elder Chen, Long Zhantian, and other top GDC leaders were already waiting there. The atmosphere was heavy, but not hostile; it was more like a state of scrutiny and waiting.
General Maxwell did not engage in any diplomatic pleasantries. He walked straight to the center of the hall, bowed deeply toward Lin Mo and Elder Chen, and remained there for a long time without rising.
"I represent... the remaining forces of the former United States of America that still possess reason and a sense of responsibility," his voice was somewhat hoarse due to the weight, "and I express the deepest repentance and apologies for our past stupidity, arrogance, hostility, and the resulting obstacles and harm caused to the cause of all humanity uniting to resist the enemy."
He straightened up and met Lin Mo's gaze calmly: "We have no right to ask for forgiveness. But we plead, in the final name of a political entity that is about to completely perish, and in the name of millions of ordinary people who still live on that land, who yearn for survival and yearn to contribute to the future of human civilization... to request to join the 'Human Civilization Guardian Alliance' (GDA). We are willing to unconditionally hand over all remaining military command, control of strategic assets, and all scientific research data and industrial facilities. We accept all legal and institutional arrangements of the GDA and accept the unified management of the 'system'. We only ask... to give our people a chance to fight for human survival together."
After speaking, he held up a data storage device with both hands, containing the locations and passwords of all remaining military units, a list of all undamaged scientific research facilities, and the coordinates of all known resource stockpiles.
There was silence in the hall. Everyone looked at Lin Mo.
Lin Mo was silent for a long time. His gaze swept over General Maxwell's graying temples and the expressions on the faces of the delegation members, which were a mixture of shame and expectation. He remembered Craig's madness, the sneak attack of the "Underworld" platform, but also remembered the valuable contributions from scientists of the former Pretty Country during the "sower" plan discussions, and remembered the times when there had been cooperation and exchanges in the earlier days.
Human infighting, in the face of an overwhelming external threat, seemed so small and pathetic. But the complexity of human nature lies right here: there is the paranoia of someone like Craig who would rather perish together, and there is the courage of someone like Maxwell who takes responsibility at the last minute.
"Hatred and division are what the 'reaper's love to see." Lin Mo finally spoke, his voice clear and steady, "They would prefer that we kill each other off first in this dark forest. We have made too many mistakes in the past and wasted too much time and life."
He stepped forward, took the data storage device from General Maxwell's hands, and without looking at it, handed it directly to Su Xiaowan beside him.
"The GDC, or GDA, was founded from the beginning to integrate the power of all humanity to cope with our common survival crisis." Lin Mo's gaze became sharp yet inclusive, "As long as one agrees with this fundamental goal, is willing to put down past grievances, abide by common rules, and strive for the survival of civilization, then the door is always open."
He looked at Elder Chen and Long Zhantian, and both nodded slightly.
"On behalf of the GDC Supreme Council, I accept your request." Lin Mo officially announced, "The former United States of America control zone will be incorporated into the GDA as the 'North American Affiliated Zone'. A Joint Reception and Reorganization Committee will be established immediately, with General Long Zhantian in overall charge, to ensure a smooth transition, restore order, and rapidly integrate all resources and personnel into the global defense and production system."
"Thank you! Advisor Lin Mo! Thank you, GDC!" General Maxwell's eyes instantly turned red, and the members of the delegation behind him were also relieved and excited. This was not the humiliation of surrender, but the relief of finding a home in a desperate situation, the joy of finally being able to step onto the right path of fighting for civilization.
The news spread instantly across the globe via the GDC network. In the various states of the former Pretty Country, when the public heard this announcement from both official channels (which had been quickly taken over) and GDC public channels, many took to the streets, not to protest, but to hug and cry. The long-term suppression, fear, and confusion about the future turned into a dam-breaking flood of tears at this moment. They finally didn't have to be isolated from hope, finally could enjoy the dividends of technology equally, and finally could... contribute a share of strength for their own survival and for the future of humanity.
The sporadic remaining resistance quickly disintegrated in the face of integrated power. Most of the original military and police personnel calmly accepted the reorganization. Factories began to switch production to "keystone-1 type" materials or "floating vehicle" parts under the guidance of GDC technicians. Researchers couldn't wait to apply to connect to the "Kunlun-Education" network.
A long-lost vitality, painful yet full of hope, began to sprout again on this battle-scarred land.
The last and once most stubborn barrier within human civilization melted away in the face of the reality that survival was paramount.
On the observation platform of the "Ark" city, Lin Mo looked at the holographic image of the Earth. The dimness that originally represented the last isolated area was now completely lit up, blending into the brilliant radiance of the entire civilization.
"Humanity has finally stood together as a whole." Elder Chen stood beside him, filled with emotion.
"Yes," Lin Mo nodded, his eyes reflecting the complete radiance of that blue planet, "Although the scars remain, and although differences may appear in other forms, at least when facing the hunters on the other side of the starry sky, we will no longer leave our backs to each other."
He clenched his fists, feeling that hard-won sense of completeness.
"Now, it is time to let those 'hunters' who thought we would only fight among ourselves see the power that can be unleashed when a civilization truly unites and points all its wisdom, courage, and resources in the same direction."
The integrated Earth civilization, like an alloy that has been quenched and purified of impurities, had greater density, higher strength, and a sharper edge. It would carry the combined will of billions of people and face the unknown threat from the dark deep space that was approaching step by step.
The metamorphosis of the enemy was not becoming weaker, but finally recognizing reality and choosing to become a part of the overall power.