86: Chapter 86 Responding to the "Beacon" Crisis
In the deepest, top-secret conference room of the Dragon Country's underground command center.
Around the oval conference table, the core of Dragon Country's power and wisdom were all present.
The atmosphere was thick enough to touch, and the air seemed to have stopped flowing.
In front of everyone lay a thin document, with the bright red words "Top Secret · Civilization Level" on the cover, which was shocking to behold.
The contents within the document were all the information regarding the "reaper" that the "system" had parsed: star maps, flight paths, identification codes, and that imminent five-to-ten-year time window.
Elder Li's gaze was like a torch as he slowly swept across every solemn face in the room. His voice was not loud, but every word carried immense weight: "Everyone is clear on the situation. What we are facing may no longer be competition between nations, but an unknown threat concerning the survival of the Dragon Country, and even the fate of human civilization. Today's meeting has only one topic: How do we respond?"
As soon as he finished speaking, an old man from the military with three stars on his shoulder slammed the table, his voice booming like a bell: "There is nothing to discuss! Fight! We must be prepared to fight! No matter if it's a "reaper" or a "sower", if they dare to run wild in the Solar System, they must be prepared to have their teeth broken! I suggest we immediately activate the highest combat readiness plan for the "North Heaven Gate" project, and prioritize all resources to support the construction of the aerospace fleet and the research and development of high-energy weapons!"
"I agree that combat readiness is the top priority," the leader in charge of the economy adjusted his glasses, his tone calm but urgent, "but we must consider sustainability. Devoting the entire nation's strength to military preparation will cause a huge shock to people's livelihoods and the economic structure. We need to formulate a detailed resource allocation plan to ensure that we maximize support for the construction of the defense system while maintaining the stability of the basic social order."
"Technology is key!" Elder Chen took over, his eyes showing both worry and determination, "The technological level of the "reaper" is unknown, but it is definitely far beyond ours. The "Quantum Long-Distance Sensor" designed by Comrade Lin Mo must be put into development immediately; we need this "eye". At the same time, we must increase investment in the "system" computing power to accelerate the parsing of the remaining parts of the "reaper" signal. Any piece of information could be crucial. The miniaturization of "Golden Crow" fusion and the weaponization of energy must also be accelerated immediately!"
The head of security, Long Zhantian, said in a cold voice: "Internally, we must be as solid as a rock. I suggest launching the "Great Wall" internal purge and loyalty strengthening plan to ensure that in the face of crisis, our team is absolutely pure and our will is absolutely unified. At the same time, the focus of foreign intelligence work must fully shift; we must spare no cost to collect every trace of information that may be related to extraterrestrial civilizations."
In the conference room, various opinions clashed intensely, but the goal remained the same.
No one backed down, and no one held illusions. All that remained was the calmness, decisiveness, and responsibility of the decision-making body of a mature civilization facing a crisis.
After several hours of in-depth discussion and analysis, a series of major decisions concerning the fate of the nation and even the destiny of civilization were finalized one by one.
Elder Li summarized at the end, his voice steady and powerful, echoing in the silent conference room:
"First, officially confirm the "reaper" signal as a "Civilization-level potential threat", and the Dragon Country will enter a "Deep Blue Watch" special state. Establish a top-level "Watchers" leading group to coordinate all response matters."
"Second, launch the final stage of the "North Heaven Gate" aerospace defense plan. Goal: Within five years, build a near-Earth orbit battle group with preliminary planetary defense capabilities, and complete the keel laying of the first interstellar destroyer!"
"Third, launch the "Kindling" technology leap plan. Concentrate all cutting-edge scientific research forces, with the technical route provided by Comrade Lin Mo as the core, to prioritize breakthroughs in quantum sensing, energy weapons, interstellar navigation, and planetary-level shield technologies."
"Fourth, launch the "Foundation" stability maintenance and mobilization plan. Ensure that under long-term high-intensity investment, order remains stable, public sentiment remains cohesive, and resource supply remains smooth."
"Fifth," he paused, his gaze sweeping across everyone, "launch the Human Unity emergency consultation mechanism. Led by the foreign affairs department, under the premise of strict confidentiality and controlled scope, report the situation to a very small number of core strategic partners such as the Polar Bear Country to a limited extent, and explore the possibility of a joint response."
Orders were like mountains. With the end of the meeting, like a stone thrown into a still lake, the ripples quickly spread to every extremity of the Dragon Country's vast body.
Resources were being mobilized, factories were transforming, laboratory lights burned all night, and the military entered higher-intensity combat readiness training.
An invisible, tense, and powerful atmosphere began to shroud this land.
Ordinary people might not have noticed obvious changes in their lives yet, but those in key positions clearly felt that the wheels of history were accelerating, rolling towards a future full of unknowns and challenges, but also containing infinite possibilities.
Meanwhile, in the "Candle Dragon" safe house, Lin Mo received the notification of the meeting's decisions.
Looking at those decisive and powerful measures, the sense of urgency that had risen in his heart because of the "reaper" calmed down a little.
He was not fighting alone. Behind him was a great civilization that had awakened and gathered all its strength.
He took a deep breath and turned his gaze back to the design drawing of the "Quantum Long-Distance Sensor".
"Time is running out," he said softly to himself, which was also a promise to this land, "must be faster!"