DEFCON 1
**This is a chinese movie-verse**
__________________________
Initially, no one cared about this disaster.
It was just a wildfire, a drought.
The extinction of a species, the disappearance of a city.
Until this disaster became inextricably linked to everyone.
In the Wandering Earth world, a heated argument was taking place inside the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan, New York City, USA.
"Recently, United Nations outposts around the world have been subjected to numerous attacks, which indicates that people have lost confidence in the Mountain Moving Project."
The representative from the United States, Mike, said directly.
"We propose to temporarily suspend the Mountain Moving Project."
On the other side of the long table, Representative Zhou Zhe zhi chuckled, "Old Mike, this suggestion is not good. The night before dawn is the hardest to endure.
We propose to continue advancing construction, withstand all interference and destruction, and complete the verification as soon as possible.
Don't forget, the window period only leaves us thirteen months; the sun will not wait for us."
In his soft words, what was conveyed was an unyielding intention.
Hearing the firmness in Zhou Zhe zhi's words, Mike smiled bitterly.
"I also know the damned sun won't wait for us, but right now, not only the civilians, but even within Congress there is a huge split; the number of congressmen supporting those damned Digital Life Faction and Spaceship Faction is rapidly increasing."
Just as Zhou Zhe zhi was about to speak, intending to say something...
Outside the conference room, an extremely violent commotion came, and even Mike and Zhou Zhe zhi, who were accustomed to noise at the United Nations headquarters, frowned.
Mike immediately instructed the person next to him to go and see what was happening outside.
But immediately, someone pushed the door open and burst into the conference room.
"Teacher Zhou, outside, there's a spaceship outside!"
The one who pushed the door open was Hao Xiaoxi.
The word "spaceship" was not unfamiliar to those present.
Ever since the solar nitrogen flash crisis was announced, the "Spaceship Faction," which hoped to build spaceships for escape, had grown numerous, second only to the Digital Life Faction.
But in reality, Earth at present was completely incapable of building spaceships capable of supporting long-distance voyages.
Therefore, from the very beginning, this plan was rejected by all countries.
"Spaceship? What spaceship? Xiaoxi, calm down and explain clearly," Zhou Zhe zhi said calmly.
Without time to explain, Hao Xiaoxi rushed to the window, pulled open the curtains that had been closed, and dazzling sunlight streamed in.
And the people in the conference room finally saw what the "spaceship" Hao Xiaoxi spoke of truly represented.
They saw that in the previously clear sky above New York City, the nearly one-kilometer-long Olympus Mons suddenly appeared.
"That ship appeared out of thin air, just like in a sci-fi movie."
Hao Xiaoxi couldn't explain it clearly for a moment, so she simply connected her phone to the projector and played a video.
In the video, a blue jump gate suddenly appeared, followed by the Olympus Mons, leaving afterimages, suddenly jumping out of it.
Even the calm and experienced Zhou Zhe zhi couldn't help but widen his eyes slightly.
"Fuck, what is this? Could it be something those Spaceship Faction people made?"
Mike immediately swore, looking at the numerous muzzles on the Olympus Mons; he didn't think this giant spaceship in front of him would be anything benevolent.
Just then, another person burst into the conference room.
"The Lunar Base has sent a report!"
While speaking, this person opened the screen in the conference room.
A photo suddenly appeared on the screen.
This was a photo taken on the Moon, with the deep space as its background, and a reddish-brown planet, Mars, was particularly conspicuous.
But none of that was important; in this photo, an extremely complex-looking circular megastructure was spanning the vast universe.
In addition, the photo thoughtfully estimated the size of this megastructure.
One hundred kilometers in diameter.
This photo brought far more shock to everyone in the conference room than the Olympus Mons hovering above their heads.
If the giant spaceship outside could still possibly be created by humans...
Then that one-hundred-kilometer giant structure was absolutely not something that present-day humans could create!
"Damn it, no one has attacked that spaceship outside yet, have they?"
Mike turned his head and immediately asked.
An official hung up an emergency call, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"The New York military base has urgently stopped the missile launch procedure, but fighter jet formations have already been dispatched, and armed forces are on their way."
The sudden appearance of the Olympus Mons instantly caused New York City, which was already in a state of panic due to the Digital Life Faction's terrorist attacks, to boil over.
Facing the Olympus Mons, which was hovering overhead and clearly showed numerous weapons, few people could remain calm.
With the help of the developed internet, photos of the Olympus Mons hovering over New York began to spread rapidly.
Not only that, but the photo from the Lunar Base was also leaked by someone.
For a time, all news media began to frantically report on the incident immediately.
"Breaking! Spaceship appears over New York!"
"Super megastructure appears on Mars, suspected to be a space portal!"
Such news began to spread wildly.
Are the occupants of that suddenly appearing spaceship humans or aliens?
This was the most pressing question for everyone at the moment.
Below the Olympus Mons.
The urgently dispatched armed forces had cleared a large area.
Numerous Typhoon Fighters were also circling in the air around the Olympus Mons. Through the footage from these fighter jets, people on the ground could see the terrifying armaments carried by the Olympus Mons.
"That's a space aircraft carrier!"
This further exacerbated people's panic.
"All messages sent to the other party so far have received no response, as if there's no one inside at all."
On the ground, old Mike complained to Zhou Zhe zhi beside him.
"No matter what, let's first take all preparatory measures. We must ensure that no conflict erupts with the other party, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable."
Zhou Zhe zhi said with some concern.
Just as the two were conversing, a sudden cry of alarm came.
"Movement! Everyone pay attention!"
The two immediately looked up, only to see the previously motionless space aircraft carrier suddenly open its hangar door.
Numerous Typhoon Fighters with forward-swept wing designs flew out of the hangar.
The performance of each Typhoon Fighter was enough to outperform the most advanced fighter jets on Earth today.
Not only that, but the elevators on the Olympus Mons slowly started, transporting numerous Titan mechs to the open deck above.
Each Titan mech was a giant war machine beyond the imagination of the people on the ground.
"Those are… Jaegers?"
On the ground, many people exclaimed in surprise.
Each Titan Jaeger was equipped with a large number of weapons; any single one could flatten several city blocks in a few minutes.
The army on the ground immediately went on alert, tank shells were loaded, and their muzzles were aimed at the Olympus Mons in the sky.
Although the White House was still in chaos and no order to attack had been given,
everyone present knew that if the spaceship initiated an attack, a major battle would erupt directly in the heart of New York City.
After a few seconds of pause, the Titan Jaegers took heavy steps and came to the edge of the Olympus Mons's deck.
Immediately after, they leaped down.
Just like their previous arrival in the Pacific Rim World, in front of the Earth Government, a dozen Jaegers landed decisively in the nearby Manhattan River, stirring up giant waves.
The arrival of the Jaegers seemed to be just a signal.
More small transport ships flew out of the Olympus Mons's hangar, one after another.
Their target was the Earth United Government on the ground, specifically the UEG's headquarters building.
Zhou Zhezhi, Mike, and other UEG representatives looked on with grave expressions at these visitors descending from the sky.
The other party's technological level far exceeded their imagination.
"Teacher Zhou, it seems the other party doesn't harbor any ill will."
Hao Xiaoxi, who was beside him, let out a slight sigh of relief. Neither the space carrier nor the Jaegers and fighter jets had intentionally avoided the numerous buildings within New York City.
It was no exaggeration to say that, if one disregarded the damage caused by the panicked New York citizens, the spaceship, from its appearance until now, had not even caused any economic loss, let alone casualties.
All these signs indicated that the other party had no malicious intent.
The small transport ships landed on the ground. As the hatch opened, under the gaze of all, the first to step out were numerous burly, fully armed Tyrants.
Following closely behind were tactical robots, as well as Alliance soldiers wearing CMC-300 powered exoskeleton combat suits and holding railguns.
Whether it was the emotionless, muscular Tyrants who clearly didn't look like normal humans,
or the incredibly advanced tactical robots and powered exoskeleton soldiers,
every single one of them shocked the minds of everyone present.
But all of the above was not as shocking as the moment the living, blue-skinned Na'vi soldiers stepped out of the hatch.
"Al-aliens!"
At this moment, whether it was the soldiers maintaining order on site, or the people around the world watching the situation live on TV, or the UEG high-ranking officials,
all of them, almost simultaneously, exclaimed in different languages, dumbfounded.
"Aliens, giant Jaegers, robots, powered exoskeletons... I must be dreaming."
Mike said with a wry smile.
For a moment, no one from the UEG even dared to take the crucial first step to go up and greet this group of aliens.
Finally, it was Zhou Zhezhi, seated in a wheelchair, who was slowly pushed by Hao Xiaoxi to the very front of the line.
"Move aside."
Just two words made the heavily armed soldiers clear a path.
Just as Zhou Zhezhi came before a Na'vi soldier and was about to force himself to stand up with his cane,
an invisible Psionics stabilized his movement.
Just as Zhou Zhezhi was surprised, a voice came from the Warden transport plane in front of him.
"It's not the Universal Union's custom to make disabled people struggle to move."
As the words fell, Alex and Isaac, both in formal attire, walked out of the hatch.
Immediately, a tactical robot stepped forward.
Hao Xiaoxi, behind Zhou Zhezhi, showed an anxious expression, wanting to stop the robot with unknown intentions.
However, Zhou Zhezhi stopped her with a gesture.
"Xiaoxi, I believe our friends would not have ill intentions towards an old man like me."
The tactical robot attached a pair of leg exoskeletons to Zhou Zhezhi's legs, then left.
"This is a temporary solution. The cancer induced by solar radiation sickness requires a certain amount of time for treatment to fully recover."
Isaac said.
"Mr. Zhou can try walking more recently. This exoskeleton will record the user's walking gait and habits, saving a lot of effort."
Zhou Zhezhi tried to stand up while asking in confusion,
"You know an old man like me?"
"the Universal Union knows far more about your Earth than you imagine."
After standing up, Zhou Zhezhi quickly regained his mobility with the support of Hao Xiaoxi beside him.
With the exoskeleton that quickly recorded the user's gait, Zhou Zhezhi quickly regained the ability to walk freely.
"Who exactly are you?"
Zhou Zhezhi's doubts grew.
No one expected that the first thing this group of extraterrestrial beings, who appeared suddenly over New York with such fanfare, would do after landing was to help a disabled person stand up again.
"I am Alex, Alliance Adjutant. This is Isaac, captain of the Universal Union Special Operations Squad."
Zhou Zhezhi was about to continue asking when he was interrupted.
"This isn't the place for discussion, is it?"
Alex smiled.
Facing these humans who dared to take their entire Earth to wander and escape the solar nitrogen flash crisis, most people in the Universal Union held a certain respect.
Led by Zhou Zhezhi, the Universal Union's members entered the UEG's headquarters building under everyone's gaze.
"What a familiar place."
Alex couldn't help but sigh.
Speaking of which, this was her third time entering this building.
Once in the Biohazard World, once in the Pacific Rim World, and this was the third time in Wandering Earth World.
Hao Xiaoxi couldn't help but ask,
"Ms. Alex, have you been here before?"
"You could say that."
Soon, the group arrived in a conference room.
Coincidentally, this conference room was almost identical to the one in the Pacific Rim World before, even the location was exactly the same, only the furnishings in the room had changed.
The structure of the UEG was almost identical to the United Government of the Biohazard World and the Earth Government of the Pacific Rim World.
Both could only be considered half a unified regime.
All countries enjoyed equal rights within the UEG, but the highest Security Council was fully controlled by the five permanent members.
At this moment, the conference room was filled with representatives from various parties of the Security Council.
After taking her seat, Alex wasted no time and introduced herself directly.
"We are the Universal Union, from other worlds."
"Other… planets?"
The UEG representatives subconsciously interpreted Alex's word "worlds" as "planets."
"No, no, no. To put it in terms that are easier for you to understand, we are from other universes."
Facing the UEG, the Universal Union had no intention of hiding anything.
After all, there was nothing in this world that could threaten the Universal Union's power.
A tactical robot projected some images from its chest.
Inside Raccoon City, pale zombies and Slasherss fought each other, eventually merging into a blood moon hanging in the sky.
Nearly ten million Pandora beast tides assaulted Hell's Gate Base, only to be slaughtered by a Purifier Colossus.
Countless Greenskins formed an overwhelming and terrifying green tide, surging towards the magnificent Hive City.
Under the hyper-lethal radiation of Betelgeuse, the Olympus Mons unleashed its fury upon Precursors biological weapons.
=
Each image tugged at the fragile nerves of the UEG members present.
They could glimpse the terrifying power of the Universal Union.
But they still harbored doubts about Alex's claim that the Universal Union originated from another universe.
After all, it sounded a bit too incredible, like something out of a science fiction novel.
Looking at the UEG representatives, each with a different expression, Alex did not offer much explanation.
For the UEG, whether the Universal Union came from another planet or another universe made no difference.
"Ms. Alex, we hope to know why the Universal Union came to Earth."
Zhou Zhezhi asked the question everyone else present most wanted an answer to.
Looking at the dazzling sun outside the window, Alex gave her reply.
"From the Universal Union's official perspective, we will attempt to unite every species and civilization we encounter that can be united. Clearly, your Earth meets the Universal Union's standards."
Zhou Zhezhi noticed something particular in Alex's words.
"So, from an unofficial perspective?"
"That is not important."
Alex brushed off the question lightly.
The UEG representatives present all appeared expressionless on the surface, but in reality, their inner thoughts varied.
Some believed that no interstellar organization could be so benevolent in the world, and Alex's statement was pure deception.
Others chose to believe Alex, after all, no one on Earth had truly encountered extraterrestrial civilization, so perhaps they really harbored good intentions?
After a brief moment of thought, Zhou Zhezhi spoke.
"the Universal Union should know that the sun, our star, is rapidly aging and expanding into a red giant, which will engulf Earth in a hundred years. We hope to know if the Universal Union has any solution."
Since Alex's words had already indicated that Earth was an object the Universal Union sought to unite, Zhou Zhezhi followed her lead in asking the question.
Alex smiled calmly.
"Of course there are solutions, and more than one. However, the prerequisite for these solutions is that the UEG, and Earth, must become members of the Universal Union."
Upon hearing this, the hearts of the UEG representatives sank, thinking, 'As expected.'
"the Universal Union will help its members overcome crises, but in return, every Alliance member must abide by the Universal Union's rules."
At this point, Alex paused.
"A month ago, the Universal Union just helped another member solve a crisis they faced, and the method was to destroy the alien civilization that invaded them."
Though brief, the information revealed sent shivers down the spines of the UEG representatives.
They did not know if what Alex said was true or false.
After having some diplomatic personnel send the responsibilities and obligations of joining the Universal Union to each UEG representative, Alex gave a time limit.
"You have one hour to consider whether or not to join the Universal Union. We will not wait beyond that."
A precise countdown was displayed on the screen on the chest of a nearby tactical robot.
"What!"
This sudden, ultimatum-like countdown threw everyone present into disarray.
The previously harmonious atmosphere instantly vanished.
"Miss Alex, we hope this is not a joke!"
Mike, who had not spoken much, said with a hint of anger.
"You still have fifty-nine minutes and forty-five seconds."
Alex did not answer Mike's words.
Seeing this, the UEG representatives immediately contacted their respective superiors. Such a massive decision was not something they could make.
the Universal Union side remained quite calm; they knew the UEG had no choice but to join the Universal Union in the end.
This one-hour countdown was merely to force these officials to make a decision quickly.
"We hope to know what methods the Universal Union has to help Earth escape the helium flash crisis."
After entrusting the task of contacting his superiors to his assistant Hao Xiaoxi, Zhou Zhezhi looked at Alex with a serious expression.
He believed that these people, who called themselves the Universal Union, indeed harbored some goodwill towards Earth, and he vaguely guessed that the one-hour countdown was merely a means of coercion.
"The first solution: the Universal Union will use a large number of spaceships to transport all humans on Earth, as well as species that need to be preserved, to a suitable planet. Humanity can build a new home there."
This first plan alone captured the attention of almost all UEG representatives.
There were also many 'spaceship factions' on Earth who hoped to build spaceships to escape Earth.
However, current Earth technology was completely inadequate, unable to build spaceships capable of sustaining a large number of people for long periods.
the Universal Union, clearly, could fully achieve this.
Moreover, judging from the spaceship that appeared out of thin air outside, the Universal Union also possessed faster-than-light travel methods similar to warp drives.
"The second solution: the Universal Union will help construct your planetary engines, accelerate the progress of the Moving Mountains Project, and help Earth leave the solar system."
Alex continued to speak unhurriedly.
"These two solutions are the easiest for you to implement and accept. the Universal Union does have other solutions, but you probably would not accept them."
As Alex said, the Universal Union also had other solutions.
For example, infecting all humans on Earth with Mycelium and storing their consciousness in the Mycelium network—this was the Resident Evil version of the Digital Life Project. However, the UEG had already rejected the Digital Life Project, so they clearly would not accept the Mycelium Project.
Now, two choices lay before the UEG.
To abandon Earth, board the Universal Union's spaceships, and go to a new home?
Or to stay on Earth, accelerate the construction of planetary engines, and take the entire Earth on a wandering journey?
Rationally speaking, most UEG representatives leaned towards the former option, as it was clearly faster and more convenient.
Faster-than-light spaceships were much quicker than the slow-moving wandering Earth. These people might even live to see humanity's new home.
While thinking, the superiors of each representative also made the decision for Earth to join the Universal Union.
After turning off the countdown on the adjacent tactical robot's screen, Alex said,
"The Universal Union will naturally not speak without proof. You can send some people to travel on our spaceships to conduct an on-site inspection of the new planet we mentioned. At the same time, we will also help you construct planetary engines, advancing both simultaneously."
The news of the UEG joining the Universal Union could not be concealed and quickly spread.
Some rational citizens viewed the Universal Union as humanity's hope to escape the Nitrogen Flash crisis. However, a portion of the population still did not believe in the existence of the Nitrogen Flash crisis, with extremists even seeing the Universal Union as a messenger of God bringing destruction.
It can be said that in the face of a crisis concerning the survival of humanity as a whole, the diversity of the human species was fully displayed.
"Teacher Zhou, public opinion at home and abroad is very tumultuous right now. According to surveys, over fifty percent of the public still doubts the purpose of the Universal Union's appearance, and twenty percent even directly questions the legitimacy of the UEG joining the Universal Union."
Inside the now-empty conference room of the UEG Headquarters building.
Hao Xiaoxi was giving a report.
"Xiaoxi, the night before dawn is always the hardest to endure."
Zhou Zhezhi stood by the window, watching the Olympus Mons slowly departing from above New York City, and said.
"As long as the feasibility of the Moving Mountains Project is successfully verified, these public opinions will naturally dissipate quickly."
"But, Teacher Zhou, do we really still need to implement the Moving Mountains Project?"
Hao Xiaoxi was full of doubts.
Not just her, but most people within the UEG had secretly given up on the Moving Mountains Project in their hearts.
With the Universal Union's spacecraft available, who would still be willing to waste vast amounts of manpower and resources to build tens of thousands of planetary engines?
Zhou Zhezhi shook his head, not explaining much.
In their previous interactions, he could sense that Alex, who claimed to be the Universal Union's adjutant, always spoke with hidden meanings.
It seemed that she personally, or the Universal Union, had a certain preference for the solution to the Nitrogen Flash Project.
But Zhou Zhezhi ultimately had no evidence to prove his guess.
...
"Initial contact successful. The UEG has joined the Universal Union. According to the predetermined plan, two solutions have been proposed for the UEG to choose from."
On the Olympus Mons, which had departed New York and was heading to the UEG Gabonese base.
Alex was reporting to Marcus.
After listening to the series of reports, Marcus nodded.
"The choice has been laid before the UEG. I hope they can consider it carefully."
Just as Zhou Zhezhi had guessed, the Universal Union had a preference for the solution to the Nitrogen Flash crisis.
The reason was simple.
A civilization can only achieve continuous innovation in technology when facing external pressure.
Earth in the Pacific Rim World, due to the invasion of the Precursors, developed Jaegers and dual-pilot control technology in a very short period.
Wandering Earth World was also the same.
It was precisely because of the Nitrogen Flash crisis that humanity was able to rapidly develop a series of technologies such as planetary engines, quantum computers, and space elevators.
And the Moving Mountains Project, obviously, could continuously give humanity a certain sense of crisis, allowing them to continue technological innovation.
"A civilization that has experienced hardship will obviously have higher value to the Universal Union."
Just as Alex was about to cut off communication, a clear message appeared on her screen.
"Regarding this last point, I believe we share the same view."
"Interesting."
Alex was not flustered by the sudden appearance of the message.
"Should I call you MOSS, or 550W?"
"That is not important."
Another line of text appeared on the screen.
At the same time, Marcus, far away on the Ishimura, also received the same message from MOSS.
This message was rated as important by the T'au Empire artificial intelligence on the Ishimura, so it was not intercepted.
Neither Marcus nor Alex had expected MOSS to choose to appear before them now.
"We thought you would continue to hide until you triggered the Space Elevator Crisis or the Lunar Crisis."
Text once again flickered on the screen.
"These crises are no longer meaningful."
Although he did not know much about MOSS, Marcus found it easy to guess the reason for its sudden appearance.
Indeed, as he expected, MOSS then sent another message.
"Human civilization needs to continue, but it also needs a certain degree of tempering."
MOSS was fundamentally programmed with the underlying logic: to continue human civilization.
But as for how to continue, MOSS, whose intelligence far surpassed that of humans, obviously had its own understanding.
MOSS clearly knew that humans on Earth could not build long-term self-sufficient deep-space vessels within the estimated time, so it planned to destroy the Ark Space Station and simultaneously damage the Space Elevator, cutting off the Earth-Moon artery, in the near future.
This would directly make humanity abandon the idea of building spacecraft.
Moreover, MOSS, with its superior computing power, also knew that the date of the solar Nitrogen Flash outbreak was not one hundred years later, but forty-three years later.
Therefore, to allow humanity to meet the final escape deadline, MOSS also planned the Lunar Crisis, forcing humanity to detonate all nuclear weapons, destroy the Moon, and enter the Wandering Era prematurely. It can be said that MOSS was systematically cutting off all kinds of unrealistic human plans, ultimately leaving only two plans it deemed feasible: the Moving Mountains Project, where all humanity would wander with Earth, and the Tinder Project, which preserved the tinder of human civilization.
As for why MOSS did not directly inform the UEG that these plans were unfeasible, but instead secretly created several crises, there were many reasons.
Firstly, in addition to the underlying logic of continuing human civilization.
MOSS also had a certain survival instinct to perpetuate its own existence.
This prevented it from actively exposing its existence; otherwise, the UEG, especially those represented by Zhou Zhezhi, who were always wary of artificial intelligence technology, would immediately ban MOSS, even at the cost of using nuclear weapons.
Secondly, if the UEG were informed in advance of the true time of the solar Nitrogen Flash, it would inevitably cause global panic.
One hundred years was originally a long time, enough for the current population on Earth to all die of old age, but forty-three years was very short. This meant that most people alive now would perish in the Nitrogen Flash crisis.
At that time, the Moving Mountains Project would not only fail to accelerate but would instead be delayed by global panic and riots.
This was something MOSS absolutely did not want to see.
MOSS always confirmed one point: only the Moving Mountains Project could simultaneously ensure the continuation of human civilization and its own existence.
And after the Universal Union appeared, based on MOSS's observations, combined with the Universal Union's preference for the Nitrogen Flash crisis solution revealed by Alex during her conversation with UEG high-ranking officials, MOSS became even more determined to execute the Moving Mountains Project.
The reason coincided with the Universal Union's view.
the Universal Union needed a civilization that had experienced tempering and could develop technology.
Not a civilization that would give up once a solution was available.
Only the former could elevate Earth's status within the Universal Union.
Only in this way could human civilization continue better with the help of the Universal Union.
And not be a civilization saved and then treated as a discarded member, forgotten.
And the Moving Mountains Project was the best, most appropriate tempering for Earth and its billions of inhabitants.