Hainan Province, China.
At the Aerospace Administration headquarters on the island, a heavy silence spread before the massive display screen.
After a long while, the automatic doors slid open, and a man with general's stars on his shoulders entered:
"Is this confirmed?"
Hearing this, several aerospace technicians seemed to find an outlet for their tension as they responded:
"Director Li, we've verified based on satellite reconnaissance—"
"Suspicious unidentified objects have been detected in the Earth-Moon orbit above Beijing, Washington, Moscow, London and Paris."
"Based on compiled intelligence, initial assessment indicates these unidentified objects are likely space battleships, totalling... 46 vessels."
"Forty-six?" The starred man's eyes widened before he quickly composed himself, his expression darkening. "Weren't there reports of massive unidentified objects near the Earth-Moon orbit? What's the situation there?"
At this, a technician operated his console, causing the headquarters' massive LCD screen to display footage from outer space.
The image clearly showed an enormous artificial structure in space, with its main body resembling two giant cones joined.
In the screen's top-left corner, data about this colossal space structure was displayed.
Seeing the estimated area of 180 square kilometres, the starred man's eyelid twitched involuntarily as he asked sternly:
"What exactly is this structure?"
A technician swallowed hard before answering in a slightly trembling voice:
"Experts preliminarily assess that this structure is... a gun emplacement."
"A gun emplacement??"
Director Li felt his breath catch. A 180-square-kilometre gun emplacement? What exactly was this thing meant to shoot?
"How was this conclusion reached?"
"Report—based on preliminary blueprints of a gamma-ray cannon obtained from the SDS by friendly sources."
"The SDS?"
Director Li's face turned ashen. He wasn't entirely unaware of certain activities from above, but before any official action could be taken—space battleships, a 180-square-kilometre gamma-ray cannon... Had the SDS been planning rebellion all along?
"Did the experts mention what the consequences of firing this emplacement would be?"
The technicians exchanged uneasy glances before a young one murmured:
"Earth... should be fine."
"So complete human extinction then?" Director Li instantly grasped the implication, his expression darkening further.
What difference would Earth's survival be if humanity was wiped out?
"So, currently, the SDS is pointing this weapon of human extinction at us?"
Another technician whispered:
"Not exactly at us—it's aimed at the Antarctic Circle. Though everyone would die after firing anyway."
Director Li massaged the bridge of his nose, taking several deep breaths before asking:
"How many people know about this?"
"Estimates suggest America's aerospace administration has likely detected it too. Russia, the French Union, and British Union probably haven't—their space technology has always been rubbish."
This report brought Director Li little comfort as he maintained his grim expression.
"Make a copy of the file archives for me and prepare to share them with them."
"From now on, monitor these space fleets at all times, especially the movements of this gamma-ray artillery platform!!"
After speaking, Director Li couldn't help but swear at the security bureau personnel following him through the door:
"How could our friendly counterparts let something this big slip through? They actually allowed it to be built without noticing!!"
The head of the security bureau lowered his head and hunched his shoulders as he replied:
"According to reports, the SDS did allocate substantial funds for a project called Copernicus. Based on notifications from their side, Copernicus technology appears to be a research and development initiative for space urbanisation technology, and it's currently still in the planning phase..."
Hearing this, Director Li pointed at the artillery emplacement on the screen and voiced his deep scepticism:
"You're looking at this 180-kilometre monstrosity and telling me it's still in the planning stages, not yet implemented?"
The head of the security bureau lowered his head, not daring to make a sound.
Seeing this, Director Li didn't want to say much, merely stating calmly:
"Prepare the documents and activate Abyss Artefact 3-117. I'm returning to Beijing to report."
"Yes, Director!!"
Amidst the salutes of numerous staff, Director Li turned away with a grave expression, muttering:
"Should have known the Yanks couldn't be trusted. They've actually nurtured this kind of tiger."
Bearing deep resentment towards the Americans, Director Li hastily gathered the documents and used an Abyss Artefact to teleport back to Beiping.
...
45 minutes later.
Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Building.
Under the joint high-level teleconference, the five ambassadors reached a unanimous agreement.
Regarding the Tokyo freezing incident, they reached complete consensus with Luo Shu after thorough discussion and ultimately arrived at a mutually satisfactory outcome.
To put it simply: I can destroy you, you can destroy me, so let's all pretend nothing happened.
Luo Shu smiled as he shook hands with Li Yizhou, saying:
"As the old saying goes, no discord, no concord! Mr Li."
"Director Luo, you jest. War is something none of us desires. We've always advocated for peace."
Li Yizhou beamed as he shook Luo Shu's hand before slowly releasing it.
Luo Shu then immediately shook hands with the man beside him, Iman:
"Mr Iman, we'll likely have many opportunities to work together in future. I look forward to your guidance."
Hearing this, Iman replied with considerable emotional complexity:
"Not at all, not at all. To use an Eastern phrase, Director Luo, as long as you don't dig up my parents' graves, I'll be burning incense in gratitude!"
Luo Shu chuckled heartily in response:
"Rest assured, during the lottery draw, I excluded both you and Ambassador Li in advance."
Eric: "???"
Nikolai: "???"
Well then, so the two of us lucked out by the skin of our teeth?
After Luo Shu's bombshell, Nikolai and Eric found it rather awkward to approach for handshakes.
Their mothers had just narrowly escaped death - hardly the best moment for pleasantries with Luo Shu.
As for Anthony - needless to say, with his mother already dead once, then exhumed and reconstructed, he was practically fuming with rage.
But the outcome?
The British Union ordered him to endure it and recalled him for debriefing, with his future posting still uncertain, practically losing everything down to his underwear.
Expecting him to smile politely at Luo Shu now was simply impossible.
Not that Luo Shu particularly cared about their attitudes at this point. He'd demonstrated his strength precisely so he could afford to disregard these individuals.
The facts proved he could indeed make that choice.
With this in mind, Luo Shu smiled at the assembled ambassadors:
"Feel free to visit the Hidden Management Department for drinks when you have time."
"Next time for sure, next time for sure."
The ambassadors' strained smiles nearly made Luo Shu burst out laughing.
Only after Luo Shu had left the assembly hall and disappeared from view did the ambassadors drop their artificial grins, sinking into silence.
Breaking the silence, Li Yizhou was first to speak, teasing Iman: "Should I congratulate Mr Iman for successfully adding a new chair behind these five seats?"
Upon hearing this, Iman couldn't resist responding with veiled sarcasm:
"Mutual congratulations indeed. The person sitting on that new chair even has Chinese heritage. I imagine Mr Li must be very pleased, too?"
As these words were spoken, Li Yizhou and Iman exchanged glances before simultaneously letting out cold laughs and turning to leave.
After the two largest Unions had departed, Eric and Nikolai looked at each other, then promptly led their own delegations away.
Finally, Anthony remained on the spot, staring at his elderly mother's corpse before clutching his chest, gasping for breath and toppling over.
Instantly, the British Union staff panicked:
"The ambassador fainted from rage! Quick, someone help!"