228: Chapter 228 A Thorough Liquidation: Purification and Unification
After Craig's single-occupancy pod disappeared into the clutter at the edge of the Kuiper Belt, the dark core of the fourth "Scavenger" returned to its eternal silence. It remained suspended there quietly, like a cold, immovable monument, overlooking everything within the Solar System.
Yet, that faint flickering was completely recorded by "Fuxi". The analysis report was delivered to Lin Mo immediately:
【The target unit's core energy fluctuation frequency differs significantly from the previous three attack-type units. The flickering pattern shares a 23.7% similarity with some ancient coding sequences in the 'Watchers broadcast'. Preliminary inference: This unit is recording, archiving, and potentially transmitting observational data regarding 'human civilization's internal conflict resolution' outward.】
"It is watching how we end this," Lin Mo said, looking at the report in a low voice. "Watching how we deal with our own traitors, how we stitch up our own wounds, and how... we prove whether we truly possess 'symbiotic potential'."
Elder Chen stood beside him, his aged face full of solemnity: "Although Craig is dead, his accomplices—McCarthy, Davis, Kelson, and those who were deluded by the 'Freedom Day' manifesto and participated in the sabotage—are all still alive. How to deal with them will be the most severe internal test since the GDA was established."
"It is not a test," Lin Mo shook his head, his gaze firm. "It is a reckoning. A thorough reckoning. But it is not for revenge; it is for... purification. To allow our civilization, which has just learned to unite, to walk cleanly into the future."
Three days later, a global synchronized announcement was made.
A "Resolution on the Thorough Reckoning of Old Era Remnant Forces and Internal Insurgents," signed by the GDA Supreme Council and personally reviewed by Lin Mo, was transmitted through all public channels to every corner of Earth, the Moon, and Mars.
The resolution contained three core points:
First, the establishment of the "Truth and Reconciliation Committee." It will be composed of respected individuals, legal experts, historians, and representatives of victims' families from all major global affiliated regions. It will conduct public and fair trials for all personnel involved in the "Freedom Day" manifesto, the "stardust" incident, the "pluto project," and other acts of sabotage. It will not only hold them legally accountable but also record their confessions, motivations, and the full cause and effect of the entire event as historical material to warn future generations.
Second, the establishment of "Atonement and Reconstruction Labor Camps." For those involved with lighter offenses who show a sincere willingness to repent, they will not be sentenced to imprisonment or the death penalty, but rather sent to arduous construction posts on the Moon, Mars, and the asteroid belt to atone through labor and contribute to the reconstruction of civilization. After their sentences are served, they may choose to remain there and become builders of the new world.
Third, the launch of the "Eternal Memory" project. The names, images, and deeds of all those who sacrificed themselves in internal and external conflicts will be permanently preserved in the memorial hall of the "Kunlun" world. At the same time, the crimes of all traitors and saboteurs will also be recorded in full, never to be altered, never to be forgotten. Let history be the most impartial judge.
On the day the resolution was announced, the world was in an uproar.
Some applauded, believing this was the fairest trial for the traitors; some questioned whether the "labor camps" were too lenient and argued that they should all be executed; others worried that "Truth and Reconciliation" would open too many old wounds and trigger new hatred.
But more people, in silence, chose to accept it. Because they knew that this was perhaps the most balanced path the GDA could find between a "thorough reckoning" and "avoiding secondary trauma."
A month later, the first public hearing of the "Truth and Reconciliation Committee" was held in "Ark" city.
Sitting in the defendant's dock were McCarthy, Davis, Kelson, and dozens of core participants of the "Freedom Day" manifesto.
McCarthy, that old general who once screamed crazily in a Texas underground chamber about "rebuilding the true order with iron and blood," now sat there, his hair completely white, his eyes hollow. He did not say a word the entire time, neither pleading guilty nor offering a defense. Only when hearing that all the soldiers of the "soaring heavens" were posthumously awarded the highest honors did his eyelids twitch slightly.
Davis, that calculating former legal consultant, had completely broken down. He tearfully recounted how he had been deluded by McCarthy's "grand blueprint," how he had slid step by step into the abyss, and how he was woken up every night by nightmares. His confession was fully recorded.
Kelson, that tech fanatic, maintained an eerie calmness throughout. He detailed all the technical aspects of the "pluto project," from the gravity weapons of the "underworld" platform to the AI flaws of the "avengers" fleet. His confession provided a wealth of valuable firsthand data for GDA's technological research. At the end of his confession, he looked up, stared at Lin Mo on the podium, and said one sentence:
"In my life, I pursued power, I pursued breaking limits. I thought I had found it. But not until the moment the 'avengers' slaughtered each other did I understand that power without ethical constraints is merely madness. Consultant Lin, the path you are taking is the right one."
The hearing lasted for three whole months. Every day, new witnesses appeared, new evidence was presented, and new wounds were reopened. There were also new reconciliations and new understandings quietly occurring between victims' families and the penitents.
Meanwhile, the "Atonement and Reconstruction Labor Camps" were officially opened on the far side of the Moon.
The first batch of three hundred inmates arrived on a special transport ship. They would participate in the repair and expansion of the "Guanghan Palace" base in the harshest environment, washing away their sins with sweat amidst lunar dust and radiation.
Some broke down here, some were reborn here. But more people worked in silence, day after day, waiting for the day their sentences would end.
The "Eternal Memory" project was launched simultaneously.
Deep within the "Kunlun" world, a magnificent memorial hall rose from the ground. Inside were displayed debris fragments of the "soaring heavens," Long Zhantian's military uniform, and the names and images of every fallen soldier. Visitors could observe a moment of silence, lay flowers, and leave their tributes here.
On the other side of the memorial hall, a huge black wall was engraved with the names and crimes of all traitors and saboteurs. Every stroke was like a brand, impossible to erase forever.
A visitor asked: "Why put the names of these people together with the victims?"
The memorial hall guide replied: "Because history contains not only light but also darkness. Remembering the light is to pass on hope; remembering the darkness is to avoid repeating the same mistakes."
Six months later.
The final hearing concluded. The trials of all involved personnel were completed.
McCarthy, due to the severity of his crimes and lack of repentance, was sentenced to space exile, following in Craig's footsteps and disappearing into the darkness at the edge of the Solar System. Davis, due to sincere repentance and cooperation with the investigation, was sentenced to ten years in the labor camp. Kelson, due to significant technical contributions and a good attitude in pleading guilty, had his sentence reduced to five years and was permitted to continue strictly regulated scientific research during his sentence.
The remaining hundreds of participants were sentenced to varying terms of labor camps, imprisonment, or community service, depending on the severity of their crimes.
The reckoning thus came to an end.
But true "unification" was just beginning.
"Ark" city, Lin Mo's office.
Outside the window, that once tragic starry sky had now returned to peace. The fourth "Scavenger" remained suspended there quietly, like an eternal, silent witness.
Su Xiaowan pushed the door open and placed a thick report on Lin Mo's desk.
"The final statistical report on the reckoning. All procedures have been completed," she said softly. "Although the process was painful, but... we can finally look forward."
Lin Mo picked up the report and opened the first page. On it was the joint statement from the GDA Supreme Council:
【After a thorough reckoning and reconciliation, the main rifts within human civilization have basically been healed. From this day forward, the GDA enters the "Post-Reckoning Era." We will face any challenge from the stars with a more united and firm stance.】
He closed the report and looked up at the starry sky outside the window, looking at that fourth "Scavenger."
"It is still watching," Lin Mo said in a low voice. "It is waiting, waiting for us to prove ourselves."
"Can we prove it?" Su Xiaowan asked.
Lin Mo did not answer. He just stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the endless stars.
After a long while, he said: "The reckoning is over. The unification is also complete. Now, we can finally face that true 'test' with all our might."
He turned around and looked at Su Xiaowan, his eyes burning with unprecedented light:
"Notify all departments to prepare to convene the first global strategic conference of the 'Post-Reckoning Era.' There is only one topic—how to respond to that fourth 'Scavenger's' waiting, and how to... find that 'gardener' who may never appear."
"Or, if it truly never appears," his voice was low and firm, "we will become our own 'gardener'."