Chapter 419: A Crisis of One Million Lives |
No one expected the Fire Thief Worship Cult to act so swiftly, launching a counterattack on the very same day as the assassination mission, before it had even concluded.
Relevant personnel urgently gathered in the operations room to discuss countermeasures. In addition to some officers and higher-ups from Suroma, the team leaders from various nations' action teams were also present.
Even though the previous assassination mission had not gone smoothly and various nations harbored doubts about Suroma, at this moment, external contradictions ultimately outweighed internal ones. The Fire Thief Worship Cult was the target that required a unified front.
Suroma dispatched a new major general officer to preside over the meeting. This major general began by asserting, "This attack is not a spur-of-the-moment retaliation; it must have been a plan formulated by the cultists long ago!"
Everyone nodded in agreement, sharing the same belief.
A spur-of-the-moment decision could never achieve such efficiency.
Li Meng spoke up, "I heard those cultists used the power of 'Scarlet Fear' to breach your nation's border defenses? How exactly was that achieved? Aren't the cultists themselves affected by it?"
Suroma, and even the Human Consortium, were unprepared for this move because the followers of the Fire Thief Worship Cult were human. Since they were human, the power of Scarlet Fear should also affect them.
The major general said in a grave tone, "Eliminate the impossible, and whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. The truth is, those wearing black robes are not necessarily cultists."
The major general nodded heavily, "Correct. Considering the Fire Thief Worship Cult has long colluded with the parasitized forms, such a thing is not impossible."
"This..."
Although shocked, everyone realized upon calm reflection that it made sense.
If the nations of the Human Consortium could form joint forces and alliances, couldn't the Consortium's enemies do the same?
Even if contradictions existed between the Fire Thief Worship Cult and the parasitized forms, facing the Human Consortium, the most rational decision would undoubtedly be to unite and resist.
"I can understand the cultists doing this, but why would the parasitized forms agree?" someone asked, utterly perplexed. "Isn't the instinct of these creatures controlled by alien spores to convert more of their kind? By cooperating with humans like this, aren't they violating their very nature?"
"Our understanding of the parasitized forms is not deep, especially since their leader, the 'Prophet,' has demonstrated considerable intelligence during engagements with the Joint Force. Employing strategies involving alliances with some humans is not impossible." The major general stated, "The immediate priority now is to inflict casualties on them outside the city and prevent them from entering this densely populated urban area!"
The city they were currently in was a major metropolis in Suroma with a concentrated population, nearly one million people within its limits. Once those suspected to be parasitized forms disguised as cultists charged into the city and spread Scarlet Fear, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"To eliminate them, why not deploy the intelligent war machines you developed?" the Xisiya team leader suggested. "Those intelligent machines aren't human; they shouldn't be affected by Scarlet Fear, right?"
"According to frontline reports, the enemy specifically carried remote signal jamming devices for this operation. Furthermore, even if the machines are unaffected, the people behind them will be! Although the war machines have automatic target acquisition and attack modules, human engineers inevitably need to perform some remote adjustments. During this process, if they see photos of Scarlet Terra, they will also be harmed."
"With Suroma's technological level, can't you have the AI automatically filter out related images?"
"It's possible, but those guys have screens and photos plastered all over their bodies. Whether directly blocking them or reducing image resolution, it would affect the combat efficiency of the war machines."
Another officer proposed aggressively, "Major General, directly request saturation bombing with missiles and rockets to clear the area!"
Others also expressed agreement. Remote bombing only required inputting precise coordinates, completely avoiding Scarlet Fear.
"Emergency communication request--!"
A notification suddenly popped up on the large screen in the room, followed by the appearance of some Suroma soldiers.
In the feed, a junior officer shouted, "Major General! The defense has collapsed! The soldiers simply cannot engage the enemy. Many have been scared to death by the images of Scarlet Terra. The enemy's vanguard has now breached the defensive line and will soon reach your city!"
As soon as the junior officer finished his report, the feed shook violently and then cut off.
The major general's face turned grim. "The third defensive line breached so quickly... That means the enemy will be at the city gates in half an hour at most."
Everyone's expressions varied. Given the enemy's speed of advance, using missiles would undoubtedly risk hitting their own positions.
A storm was approaching. The decision to stay or leave had to be made quickly.
If they chose to leave, everyone in the operations room could certainly evacuate—those present were either high-ranking officials and generals or elite team leaders from various nations. They could evacuate immediately or even use teleportation-type items to escape.
But what about the nearly one million people in this city? Large-scale evacuation was too late, and distributing a precious teleportation-type item to each person was pure fantasy.
Faced with this dilemma, the major general was caught in a bind. At that moment, another communication feed appeared on the large screen.
An elderly man with white hair, wearing a white lab coat, appeared.
Seeing the old man, the major general's face lit up with joy. "Dr. Haisen!"
Others looked at the old man on the screen; some recognized him, others didn't.
Li Meng adjusted his glasses. After joining the Countermeasures Research Office, he had gained access to many classified intelligence reports. Among the intelligence concerning Suroma, the list of important figures included this "Dr. Haisen."
The intelligence record on Haisen described him as a versatile talent in the field of intelligent machinery. Suroma's far-ahead intelligent robots, intelligent war machines, and their development and manufacturing process systems were all established by this Dr. Haisen.
"Major General, I am aware of the situation on your end," Dr. Haisen's aged voice sounded. "We can deploy the 'Annihilator' to deal with the enemy."
The "Annihilator" was the intelligent war machine Suroma previously used to thwart the Fire Thief Worship Cult, possessing immense destructive power.
"But, Dr. Haisen, the issue of remote guidance..."
"That is indeed the key," Dr. Haisen interrupted. "Remote engineers will be affected by Scarlet Fear, so the 'Annihilator' requires on-site guidance."
"On-site guidance?!"
"I will temporarily transfer the authority. Major General, you are responsible for finding some personnel to go to the front lines and provide on-site guidance for the 'Annihilator' to eliminate the cultist army. Due to the enemy's deliberate signal interference, ordinary intelligent robots cannot handle the guidance task. It must be done by real people."
"Having real people guide it? Won't those sent still be affected by Scarlet Fear?!"
"That is not my concern," Dr. Haisen's tone was cold and stern. "I suggest you dispatch some high Mind Power Ascendants to provide guidance. Their resistance to Scarlet Fear is stronger. They just need to hold out until the 'Annihilator' eliminates the enemy."
After speaking, Dr. Haisen cut the communication. The darkened screen now only reflected the major general's gloomy face.
Real people providing on-site guidance for the "Annihilator"... High Mind Power Ascendants...
The major general turned and looked at the team leaders from various nations' action teams.
"Everyone..."
"Stop right there!" A small-nation Ascendant who was both a team leader and a member abruptly stood up. "I absolutely will not go for on-site guidance. That's completely suicidal!"
Although others remained silent, their expressions clearly indicated they felt the same.
The results of the Human Consortium's previous rule experiments had been partially disclosed. People understood clearly that compared to ordinary people, high Mind Power individuals facing Scarlet Fear could only hold out a little longer; there was no fundamental difference. They would still be driven insane or killed by that power.
Simply resisting the irrational fear brought by the rule was extremely difficult. Moreover, going to the battlefield meant facing attacks and harassment from cultists while also having to manage guiding the "Annihilator" in combat... This was completely fantastical.
"I know it's difficult, but the situation is critical. The entire city, nearly a million people, needs your help!"
"Why not transfer high Mind Power Ascendants from other cities?" Li Meng inquired. "Using teleportation-type items, there should be enough time."
"We will transfer people. However, due to the betrayal during the previous operation, we need to vet some Ascendants to ensure their backgrounds and loyalty. And you all, and the Ascendants you brought, have proven beyond doubt to have no loyalty issues during the operation!"
The major general was naturally referring to Peter. How this undercover bishop managed to pass vetting and join the team was still unclear due to the short timeframe. This led to a crisis of trust among Suroma's higher-ups regarding their other domestic Ascendants, making them hesitant to rely on them easily.
"...Such a matter must be discussed with our nation's higher-ups."
"Indeed. And as a team leader, I cannot make decisions on behalf of my team members," the Xisiya team leader said. "For such an unplanned task, even if the higher-ups agree, it depends on whether the team members are willing to execute it."
...
Outside the operations meeting room, Guan Tong and the other action team members were waiting for the meeting to conclude.
"Seems pretty serious?" Yang Ran peered toward the meeting room door. "It's been almost an hour and it's still not over."
"I also think it's not normal," Silver Fox stroked her chin, thoughtful. "Perhaps our mission isn't over yet. Xuewu, what do you think?"
Bai Xuewu shook her head. "I don't know. What about you?"
She was asking Guan Tong, who replied, "I don't know either."
At that moment, the office door opened. The team leaders from various nations walked out with somber expressions.
Li Meng approached Guan Tong and the others. Facing their questioning looks, he concisely explained the meeting situation.
"What?!" Yang Ran exclaimed after hearing it. "Going for on-site guidance? What's the difference between that and suicide?!"
Silver Fox, who usually liked to joke, now wore an extremely serious expression. "This is indeed too dangerous."
Li Meng said, "That's why I didn't agree. I believe Head Gao and the other higher-ups won't agree either. You are all elites with limitless potential for the nation. You cannot be sent to do such a thing. The cost of losing you is higher than this city falling."
Yang Ran scratched his head at this point. "The city falling... isn't that bad either. Don't scold me yet, think about it. If those cultists are parasitized forms in disguise, then the parasitized forms' goal is to convert humans into their kind, right? Even if they occupy the city, they won't kill indiscriminately. Then Suroma can just launch a large-scale military operation later to recapture the city!"
The others were momentarily stunned, not expecting Yang Ran to have this perspective.
However, the next moment, Bai Xuewu spoke up to refute it.
"No," she said. "Parasitized forms not killing people... that's already a thing of the past. After months of fierce fighting between the Joint Force and the parasitized forms in Black Flag Country, it has been discovered that the parasitized forms have changed their strategy. They have begun consciously eliminating humans who cannot be converted or have no conditions for conversion."
She looked at Yang Ran. "You said Suroma would quickly recapture the city after it falls. If you can think of it, the parasitized forms naturally can too. Then, when the parasitized forms judge there isn't enough time to convert the people in this city, they will raise the butcher's knife to reduce future obstacles."
Yang Ran was dumbfounded, speechless.
The others looked grave. They knew Bai Xuewu definitely wasn't talking nonsense.
Because she had been fighting on the front lines in Black Flag Country all along. No one present understood the parasitized forms better than her!
"If that's the case... if this city falls, nearly a million people will..." Chen Na's small face turned pale. That consequence undoubtedly felt terrifying to her.
"...It might be a huge tragedy, but we are powerless," Li Meng said.
At that moment, Bai Xuewu suddenly stated, "I'll go guide it. Relying on the mecha's mobility, as long as I shut down the visual module, I won't be affected by Scarlet Fear."
Hearing this, the others looked at her in surprise.
"How will you move with the visual module shut down?" Li Meng immediately rejected it. "No!"
"...I, I can help," Chen Na spoke softly. "My [Perception Domain] isn't 'sight,' so it won't be affected. If needed... I can be Sister Bai's 'eyes.'"
Bai Xuewu pressed her lips together, touched, and patted Chen Na's shoulder, giving her a grateful look.
"You two..."
Li Meng didn't expect the two to make such a choice and was momentarily at a loss for words.
Silver Fox sighed, holding her forehead. "In that case, I can only stay too. As the eldest big sister, I can't lose to my younger siblings."
"Then I'll help too!" Yang Ran also mustered his courage to declare. "Since everyone has decided, I definitely can't fall behind!"
The only one who hadn't stated his position was Guan Tong. Everyone looked at him, their captain.
"In that case, what more is there to say," Guan Tong said. "I'll have Shadow shut down 'vision' among the Five Senses. He will use a combination of touch and hearing to judge enemy positions and assist with guidance."
"Guan Tong, you too?" Li Meng had thought Guan Tong would approach it rationally and refuse his team members.
"I think with Xiao Na's [Perception Domain], there is indeed a chance to complete the guidance and save the nearly one million people in the city," Guan Tong paused. "Moreover, I really want to kill those parasitized forms."
The others were momentarily stunned.
The first part they found understandable, but the second part made them realize that Guan Tong seemed to harbor deep enmity with the parasitized forms.
"Let's go, Xiao Na. Time is tight; we need to practice coordination first." Bai Xuewu took Chen Na's hand and quickly walked out.
She needed to operate the mecha with the visual module shut down, guided by Chen Na using [Perception Domain]. It sounded easy, but in reality, it wasn't that simple.
Yang Ran followed along. Silver Fox, sensing Li Meng had something to say, stayed behind temporarily.
When only Silver Fox and Guan Tong remained among the team members, Li Meng said, "Bai Xuewu and Chen Na, they are both relatively young, prone to impulsiveness and acting on emotion. But Silver Fox and you, Guan Tong, you have more experience. Are you truly decided on taking this risk?"
Silver Fox said frankly, "Section Chief Li, I do think Chen Na's ability can indeed help, but I also believe the risk is very high. I choose to stay only because I don't want to abandon my teammates. Even if this decision is wrong, I will bear the consequences together with my teammates."
Li Meng: "What about you, Guan Tong? I want to know what you're thinking. I can tell that after learning those cultists are parasitized forms in disguise, you also seem somewhat impulsive. This makes me think you chose to stay because of other enmity with them. Am I wrong?"
"No, you're not wrong," Guan Tong admitted. "They once tried to harm people close to me, so I decided to completely erase them from this planet... But putting aside personal enmity, my Shadow and Shadow Domain, combined with Xiao Na's perception, can indeed produce miraculous effects in a combat environment without vision. When it concerns the lives of over a million people, since there's a chance to save them, it's better than giving up."
Li Meng was silent for a few seconds, then took a deep breath. "I understand... I will report to Head Gao. But I also have a requirement: you must prepare for both possibilities. Once the situation turns unfavorable, you must ensure the ability to withdraw at any time!"