124: Chapter 124 Interstellar Information Warfare

With the release of a video titled "The World Needs New Leadership: From Our Interstellar Proletarian Brothers," the entire global internet instantly exploded, with netizens of all stripes arguing fiercely.

"Comrades, I think we need to take this phenomenon seriously. Regardless of A-Zu's true intentions, he has revealed a fact: the oppression by capitalist countries is so obvious that even an alien civilization can't stand it."

"Are you crazy? A dictator with absolute power, unbound by any democratic process, shouts a few leftist slogans and you start believing him? This is the classic recipe for fascism, just with a rainbow coating."

"At least he actually destroyed the White House, while you just sit behind a keyboard typing."

"An alien cares more about my student loans than my own government, tears!"

"Those criticizing A-Zu, have you forgotten what our United States government has done? A-Zu destroying the White House is a violent revolution."

"The Paris Commune was a violent revolution, and the War of Independence was also a violent revolution. Every bit of freedom we enjoy today was snatched from the oppressors by countless predecessors using violence."

"Now an alien has helped us tear down a wall, and we've started defending that wall instead? Do you really love freedom, or are you just afraid of breaking out of your comfort zone?"

"That black one-eyed man from the Human Renaissance Alliance admitted he's a terrorist, yet some people are still applauding them? If you ask me, that whole group should go to hell!"

"Wake up, everyone. This is clearly an alien public opinion war."

"Here comes another one acting as a dog for the old world. How much does the United States government pay you?"

"Which word he said wasn't a fact? People like you don't care about the truth at all; you just want to protect that old system that oppresses the people."

In the meeting room of the underground military base, the large screen on the wall was playing a loop of A-Zu shouting on the steps of the United Nations Building.

The President watched this video three full times with a puzzled expression, then asked hesitantly: "Is it my imagination? Why do I feel like what he said sounds so familiar?"

The Secretary of State leaned back in his chair, took a deep breath, and said with intoxication, as if savoring a glass of aged whiskey: "Ah, I smell it. It's the scent of an old rival. The old Soviet Union—they've returned."

The President slapped his forehead hard: "No wonder! Isn't this just a remake of that old Soviet ideology? The problem is, how long have these aliens been on Planet Wuhu? How do they know these things?"

"Heh, how could the aliens themselves come up with such tricks?" The Secretary of State lifted his hand from the chair armrest and pointed to the frozen image on the screen. "There must be Earthlings helping them behind the scenes."

"That guy with the footprint tattooed on his face, Sima Bei—it must be him who wrote the speech. Our own people always know our weaknesses better than aliens do."

"He knows what we're afraid of, knows where our society is most vulnerable, and knows what slogans can ignite the biggest bonfire within us."

"Heh, Earthlings acting as advisors for aliens, using our own old script to fight our own new war."

The President pulled his hands back from the table and stood up, pressing them onto the armrests of his chair.

He walked toward the electronic map at the other end of the meeting room. On the map, New York City was highlighted by a red, flashing border, and next to it, A-Zu's complete trajectory from the White House to the Pacific Ocean and then to the United Nations Building was densely marked.

"Then we will act in two steps. First, immediately organize a public opinion counterattack. Use every available media channel, pull up all the real historical data caused by that old ideology, and push the live video of A-Zu massacring civilians on Fifth Avenue this morning and the interviews with the victims' families back to the top of the trending lists."

"Second, immediately contact the other Permanent Five nations and other countries around the world. From today on, nothing related to A-Zu is allowed on trending lists, recommended slots, or mainstream distribution channels."

The Secretary of State stood up and straightened his suit lapels, his expression returning to his usual seasoned and cold demeanor.

"Understood, Mr. President. The first plan will be launched immediately, and all mainstream media will synchronize the launch of counterattack special features within half an hour."

The President nodded and turned back to look at the large screen, where the image of A-Zu shouting was frozen on the last frame.

"They wrote a good script, but the person who wrote it missed one thing: the script of the old Soviet Union never survived to the final act."

Midnight. Inside the underground military base, the President stood in front of the camera, with a simple dark blue backdrop and a quietly hanging Stars and Stripes behind him.

"My fellow citizens of the United States, and friends around the world watching this speech. I am the President of the United States. I am speaking to you now from the underground command center in Washington, D.C."

"Earlier today, the White House was destroyed by an alien invader. Although our brave agents fought to the death, the enemy launched a sudden, shameless sneak attack, and we were ultimately forced to evacuate the White House."

"And just now, that invader stood at the entrance of the United Nations Building and delivered a speech to the global media."

He raised his eyes and looked directly into the camera.

"I want to tell you that this speech is a lie from beginning to end."

He lifted his right hand from the podium and held up one finger: "He told you about 'liberation,' about 'equality,' about 'proletarians unite.' These words sound familiar, don't they?"

"An alien prince arrives on Earth on the seventh day and demands unconditional surrender from humanity, strafes civilians with lasers on Fifth Avenue in the morning, destroys the Presidential Palace of the United States in the afternoon, and then suddenly wraps himself in the Stars and Stripes in the evening, claiming he wants to liberate all of humanity? Do you believe him?"

The President shouted: "Here, I want to say one thing to citizens all over the world: today, humanity proved one thing in the Pacific Ocean, and that is that those from Planet Wuhu are not invincible, just like the Guga Civilization."

"Therefore, as the President of the United States, I hereby officially announce: First, the Wuhu Ability Shop and all its affiliated entities are recognized as illegal organizations effective immediately."

"Any individual or group providing financial, material, or human support to this organization will be treated as guilty of treason."

He held up a second finger.

"Second, regarding the Human Renaissance Alliance, they hijacked parts of the global nuclear missile launch system through hacking means without any legal authorization. Their actions are also illegal."

"I hereby officially authorize the Department of Justice to launch a comprehensive criminal investigation into the Human Renaissance Alliance. No action by any organization can be above the law, even if they claim to be fighting aliens."

He retracted his fingers, placed both hands back on the podium, and his tone suddenly shifted from hard to slow and heavy.

"Finally, I have something to say to the residents of New York and the surrounding areas. You are now on the front lines of the battlefield. A-Zu and his accomplices are trapped in New York, which means the areas surrounding New York will be in a state of high danger for some time to come."

"I have ordered the National Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to establish safe corridors around New York. I ask you to make a difficult choice. Either stay put or evacuate New York."

"Our evacuation convoys and temporary shelters are already fully open in upstate New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut."

He took a deep breath and looked directly into the camera.

"We will not abandon any American, but we will not be naive enough to believe an alien conqueror's 'Declaration of Liberation.' We have all seen his script, and we can all see through his lies."

"Every word he said at the entrance of the United Nations Building today is just buying time for his attack tomorrow."

"We will not give him that chance. We have been punched, but we have not fallen. The mushroom cloud over the Pacific Ocean is our answer to them."

"May God bless the United States!!!"