A detailed, classified directive was transmitted moments later.
It went out to every Martial Master and above still on the orbital fortress. At the same time, the same information was pushed through secure quantum channels to every personnel cluster that are in the portals leading to the external realms, planets, and star systems. The message was clear, stripped of unnecessary language:
Begin rapid extraction of all key resources, technology, infrastructure, and mined materials.
Transport everything of long-term value back to the orbital fortress and designated secure locations.
Speed is now a survival variable.
The reaction in the external realms was immediate and messy.
