36: A thunderclap from the ground

He watched as thousands of The Arbitrators legions descended like divine soldiers deep into that planet-sized, massive scar.

He watched as that dreamlike underground landscape, composed of pure morse crystal, was discovered.

He watched how the Faleim scientists meticulously unraveled the grand and tragic truth behind the destruction of that planet.

He also watched how Consul Price, with unquestionable decisiveness, formulated a century-long plan for the entire civilization within just a few hours to completely transform a dead star system into a forward base.

Every "viewing" gave Lei Wen a deeper understanding of the strength and patterns of the Faleim Civilization, which he had created with his own hands.

They were like a group of the most efficient cosmic gardeners; when facing a desolate land, they did not think about how to adapt to it, but rather how to use the tools in their hands to completely transform it into the shape they desired.

Meanwhile, in the real world, Lei Wen's own "gardening" work was proceeding at an equally astonishing speed.

Just as the first batch of the Faleim People's Pioneer-class engineering fleet was still undergoing final adjustments in the mother planet's shipyard, Lei Wen's jinglei-class short-range transport ships had already completed all stages from blueprint to reality.

Over the past three months, the fully automated rocket production line in the Tianqiong City underground factory, built by the fourth-generation intelligent engineering robot legion, had been operating with unprecedented efficiency.

Hull modules composed of el-3 composite target material were precisely "printed" out one by one.

Each of the improved, more compact and efficient "Zhulong-Mini" cold nuclear fusion reactors was assembled.

Rows of Hall thruster arrays, flickering with dim blue light, were installed at the rear of the hull.

All production processes were conducted under the control of "white flower", a central AI that could be called god-tier, with an aesthetic full of industrial rhythm.

Its precision and efficiency were enough to make any top aerospace manufacturing enterprise on Earth feel ashamed.

When the core modules of the first batch of five jinglei-class transport ships completed production at the main factory in Tianqiong City, they were immediately disguised as ordinary industrial equipment.

Through specially opened green channels by land and sea, they were transported one by one to the brand-new final assembly factory located in Wenchang, Hainan.

There, another batch of engineering robots specializing in assembly and testing had long been standing by.

Like a group of skilled craftsmen, they perfectly assembled those precision parts from thousands of miles away in just one week.

April 1, 2028, Wenchang Space Launch Center, Hainan.

On this day, Wenchang became the true center of the world for the entire Earth.

In the early morning, when the first ray of golden sunlight pierced through the clouds and sprinkled onto this coastline full of futuristic atmosphere, private jets from all over the world had been landing one after another at the nearby Haikou Meilan International Airport like pilgrims.

On the special highway leading from the airport to the launch center, a massive motorcade composed of black sedans and special security vehicles was speeding along under the escort of police cars, with an inviolable and majestic posture.

Sitting inside the cars were the most powerful people on this planet.

They temporarily set aside their differences, conflicts, and geopolitical games, gathering here from Washington, Moscow, London, Tokyo, Paris, New Delhi, Pyongyang... just to witness a historical moment together.

The observation deck at the launch site had long been arranged to be solemn and dignified.

There were no excessive colorful flags or slogans here, only a sense of awe that arose spontaneously when facing the vast universe.

When Academician Chen Haikang and Dr. Alice Thorne walked side by side to the front row of the observation deck, all the camera flashes focused on them.

These two figures, representing the space programs of their respective countries, had now become symbols of the spirit of global cooperation.

Behind them was Russian President Flachi; his face, which was always known for being tough, now carried a hint of undisguisable wonder and complexity.

European Council President Michel was whispering with Japanese Prime Minister Fujiwara Chika.

Their eyes were filled with expectations for the future and a hint of anxiety about being left behind by the tide of the times.

Even the Indian Prime Minister, who had always maintained a delicate balance on the international stage, had come to the scene in person.

He looked at the launch gantry in the distance, which was more magnificent than any temple in India, with a thoughtful gleam in his eyes.

In the wider area behind them were delegations from nearly a hundred countries around the world and top scientists.

As well as business magnates like Lei Wen who had been specially invited.

Lei Wen sat in the crowd, appearing somewhat out of place.

The people around him were talking enthusiastically, discussing the far-reaching impact of this launch on the global political and economic landscape.

As for him, he just quietly watched the steel creation he had birthed with his own hands, his heart devoid of any ripples.

He was more like an artist who had completed his work, waiting for it to be publicly showcased to the whole world for the first time.

"...All system checks completed, weather conditions are good, meeting launch criteria."

The broadcast sound coming from the command hall made the atmosphere on the observation deck instantly quiet down.

Everyone held their breath, focusing their gaze on that steel giant about to carry the new hope of humanity.

It was a magnificent sight that was difficult to describe in words.

The massive "Tiansuo" rocket stood straight there like the World Tree connecting heaven and earth in ancient mythology.

And at its top, the dark silver hull of the jinglei-1 transport ship, full of sci-fi aesthetics, reflected a cold and determined light under the brilliant sunshine of Hainan.

It was like the tip of a sword about to be unsheathed, full of tension and ready to launch.

"We are standing on the threshold of history," a senior reporter from the BBC exclaimed in the live broadcast with his magnetic voice. "In a few minutes, when this spaceship takes off, humanity will no longer be a species merely bound to the Cradle of Earth's gravity. We will truly begin to possess wings to navigate freely between our home planet and its satellites, and I have no doubt that in the future, our footsteps will spread throughout the Solar System."

"Yes, John," the CNN commentator beside him added. "This is not just a technological breakthrough, but a leap in the spirit of civilization. It proves to us that when humanity chooses to set aside mutual strife and chooses unity and cooperation, the heights we can reach will exceed everyone's imagination."

"We are born of dust, our hearts set on the stars."

"Today, we are one step closer to the stars."

"...Attention all units, prepare for the one-minute launch countdown!"

When the calm voice of the chief commander rang out, it was as if the whole world had been pressed on the mute button.

In Times Square, thousands of tourists and citizens stopped in their tracks, looking up at the largest screen.

At the Shibuya crossing in Tokyo, the crowd that usually flowed incessantly stood still at this moment.

The whole world. Billions of eyes. At this moment. All focused on the same screen.

"...10, 9, 8..."

The sound of the countdown was like the heartbeat of a god, striking at the heart of everyone.

"...3, 2, 1, ignition!"

Boom—!!!

It was as if the heart of the entire planet began to beat violently at this moment.

Roaring flames and steam, like a mountain landslide and a tsunami, gushed out from the bottom of the launch gantry, instantly dyeing everything around it with a layer of orange-red halo.

The earth trembled, and the air groaned.

That primitive and violent power, released instantly by the thrusters ejecting propellant rapidly driven by the fusion reactor, shook the soul of every viewer through the live broadcast lens and sound system.

Under the gaze of countless eyes, the massive rocket, with a seemingly slow but incomparably firm posture, slowly and solemnly broke free from the embrace of Mother Earth.

Dragging that orange-red tail flame capable of illuminating the sky, it launched yet another solemn challenge toward that vast blue firmament with an indomitable posture.

Not long after, the jinglei-1 transport ship successfully separated from the Tiansuo rocket at an altitude of ten thousand meters and activated its Hall thruster array, which emitted a dim blue light.

Like a real meteor, it glided silently toward that deeper, darker universe.

When the live footage tracked and filmed by the military reconnaissance plane came through, applause erupted like thunder on the observation deck.

President Flachi's face revealed sincere admiration, and he gave a thumbs up to Academician Chen Haikang and Dr. Alice Thorne beside him.

Michel and Fujiwara Chika were clapping excitedly, their eyes filled with infinite yearning for the future.

People cheered and hugged; some emotional scientists even shed tears of excitement.

They were celebrating not just a successful launch, but the great cohesion displayed by Human Civilization when facing a common destiny.

On social media, discussions about this launch had formed a storm surge of information.

"Did you see that! That blue light! That is definitely not chemical fuel! That is the legendary Hall thruster! My god, we are really living in a sci-fi movie!"

"I declare that today is the first year of humanity's interstellar navigation!"

"Why is it the first year again?"

"So proud! As a Chinese person, seeing our Tiansuo lifting humanity's future into space, I feel like my DNA is burning!"

"As an American, I am equally proud! Look at those scientists working side by side; that is what we should be like! To hell with politicians and war!"

"I have a dream that one day my child can take such a spaceship for a vacation on the moon, just like we take airplanes today."

Optimistic emotions swept across the world like a warm ocean current.

People began to truly feel that we all live on the same spaceship called "Earth."

And when facing that dark ocean full of unknowns and dangers, the only choice is to pull together in times of trouble.

However, in this atmosphere of near-global optimism and unity, there were still some discordant, short-sighted, and greedy noises.

Lei Wen quietly watched the point of light that was getting smaller and smaller in the sky, a faint, imperceptible smile curling the corner of his lips.

He knew this was just the beginning.

A new era had quietly arrived.

On this planet, the most powerful industrial capabilities, the most cutting-edge technology, and the most resolute will had already begun to operate at full capacity for the same goal.

At the lunar starport, the keel of the voyager starship, which carried all of humanity's hopes, was about to be laid.

And he would be the most resolute "booster" behind all of this.

""white flower"," he said in a low voice through his bone conduction headset, "closely monitor the movements of the US Congress regarding the next stage of the budget."

"Yes, Father." "white flower"'s voice responded calmly, "According to my model projections, under the huge public opinion pressure of this successful launch, Senator McConnell and his allies will not have any unusual movements in the short term, but they will never give up."

"I know." Lei Wen's eyes became deep.

"The radiance of human nature is indeed dazzling."

"But the greed and short-sightedness of human nature are equally deeply rooted."

Through "white flower", the "ghost" that was omnipresent in the virtual world, Lei Wen had already learned that Senator McConnell and the military and capital groups behind him were planning an operation against the President.

Once the operation succeeded, the Vice President would take over state power before the election began.

That Vice President was their person, an absolute hawk with extreme Cold War thinking.

But Senator McConnell and those people behind them absolutely did not know.

Their plan had already been leaked while it was still in the drafting stage.

There was a pair of eyes from the abyss staring at them.

They wanted to obtain state power.

Perfect.

Lei Wen also wanted to obtain control of this superpower.