Chapter 385: Operation Begins

"The people in Zhou Mingyuan's faction are all very nervous right now. Although the situation is under control, the Underground City's movements have attracted the attention of some. As for the Curtain-Breaking Project, many candidates have been added to the list. I've checked them; they are all the children or relatives of those officials."

"Tell Su Jin to cancel the political vetting. Anyone who fails the Starry Sky Constitution test and the personality strength test is to be eliminated, regardless of their name."

Inside Chu Zhaonan's office, just after he hung up the communicator, a knock sounded at the door. A man with a composed, sharp gaze and dressed in military uniform walked in. Chu Zhaonan did not look back, his tone already carrying a hint of severity.

"You should be on the Vanguard Project's Far Star ship making preparations right now, not here."

Chu Jing took off his military cap and looked at his father's back. He had come here with two questions: one regarding the Vanguard Project, and one regarding the boarding list.

But seeing that back, he gave up on asking the second question. Because he understood his father, and he understood himself; he knew what kind of answer he would get, and he did not want to hear that answer.

"Dad, the Vanguard Fleet is already prepared. Of the two shield-breaking plans, only the second one remains."

Chu Zhaonan nodded without speaking. They were accustomed to using silence to communicate between father and son; it seemed to convey more information than language could.

"You guessed correctly. The dark-corrosion cells discovered in the Deep Red World possess the same survival structural configuration as abilities and invasions. If we dig deeper, we have every opportunity to solve the problems of the dark invasion and drinking water. This is the right direction. What I want to say is, the Phoenix Society can do it."

"I know they can do it," Chu Zhaonan said calmly.

"Can we give them a chance? Dad, I'm talking about the others, everyone. I thought about this question all night, and just now when I saw you, I hesitated again. I know that as the captain of the Vanguard Fleet, asking you this question now will disappoint you. I remember when you appointed me as the person in charge of the Curtain-Breaking Project, you asked me if I understood your decision. I said: I can understand, but my hesitation shows that I still cannot stand in your position to truly understand. That must be immense pressure and a difficult choice, ten thousand times more painful than me facing the fact that 'the Chairman's son is the first person of the escapee faction.' But Dad, if the problem of the dark invasion can be solved, and the whole world has a few hundred more days, would it be different?"

"Perhaps, but the logic is contradictory."

Chu Zhaonan's voice became a bit gentler as he said patiently: "Do you remember when you first entered the Naval Academy and came back to tell me about the theories you learned?"

"The key to a submarine's victory lies in the silence before the strike," Chu Jing replied.

"Yes," Chu Zhaonan nodded. "The dark invasion is a toxin, and the Sky Canopy Giant Curtain is a barrier. When you discover that the bugs have developed drug resistance and can even break the glass container, what will you do?"

"Dad, thank you. I'm sorry that you had to be the one to say these things to me."

Chu Jing fell silent after speaking. As the person in charge of the Curtain-Breaking Project, he knew that only by standing in his father's position could one speak these words with such a mindset, and only then could one stop waiting for the dawn of hope and bet everything with the most decisive means.

He looked at Chu Zhaonan's straight, standing back, then withdrew his gaze, preparing to put his military cap back on and leave.

"Wait."

Chu Zhaonan called him to a stop. Chu Jing turned around and saw his father pointing to a tea table in the corner of the study that had never been used since it was placed there. He said: "Since you are already prepared, stay and have some tea with me."

This was perhaps the calmest evening for Chu Zhaonan since he moved into the Underground City on Apocalypse Day. The father and son brewed a pot of tea and rarely chatted about family matters. Later, Chu Zhaonan talked about his original ideas for interstellar colonization in the Federation, and Chu Jing also said a lot about the fleet. They discussed the significance of civilization stepping into the Far Stars together, and even talked about high-dimensional speculations regarding the dark civilization, as well as the feasibility of future humanity launching a counterattack on Blue Star.

Throughout the process, Chu Zhaonan felt a sense of ease he hadn't felt in a long time. The tea in the cup never cooled. He watched the military emblem on Chu Jing's cap, which was placed upright on the table, shimmering with dazzling golden brilliance under the study lights. In that golden brilliance, he seemed to see a massive Far Star fleet carrying millions of human embryos and tens of thousands of young people rushing into the stars against the golden spots of the sun. Countless starry sky thrusters constructed a blue trail of light, carrying all hope and the seeds of civilization, sailing toward the Far Stars.

Jinhai, a gale enters the night, and the air in the ruined city is filled with the smell of decay.

At high points, one could still see the lights of some sparse survivor fleet camps glowing in the dark city silhouette, but these lights were shrouded by endless darkness and zombie tides. High walls and fences surrounded the industrial zone. Here at the Ring Star Train Factory, thousands of people were stationed. Inside the factory, thousands of manufacturing robots and engineering teams were working overtime to build an unfinished standard interstellar train hull.

On the main bridge of the Sky Dome Train, several key members of the Silent City and the Infinite Alliance gathered. The air was dull and desolate, as if a dark cloud hung over everyone's heads.

Lin Xian did not want to pass on negative emotions, so he only called Shi Diyuan, Xiang Xiang Ningjing, Mo Nika, Qian Dele, and Kiki, Chen Sixuan, Director Ding, and of course, the new partner, Jian Xuwei.

As for the Silent City side, there were only Mochizuki Shinji and Qian Suxun.

"So, this is no longer a question of cooperation between Dawn City and the Deep Red World, but rather that their actions are very likely to cause a huge change in the Star Abyss." The first to break the silence was Mo Nika. Her face was cold, and her tone was dismissive, but a hint of solemnity could still be caught in her expression.

"What will happen?" Chen Sixuan asked.

"Does that even need thinking? Haven't we encountered it in Yijin?" Kiki floated in the air with her arms crossed, saying with a serious face.

"But this is just speculation; it won't necessarily happen." Xiang Xiang Ningjing stood in the crowd and said at this moment: "My point is, if something were to happen to the Star Abyss or the strange entities, or if there were extreme changes, it would have already happened, right?"

"I like your optimism, Miss Ning, but I have to say something disappointing." Qian Suxun was constantly operating something on a computer, then opened a holographic projection map and said: "Since Apocalypse Day, the changes in the Star Abyss have never had any pattern. According to the detailed observation data from the Phoenix Society and our Silent City's investigation, there have been over 3,000 changes in the 6 Star Abysses in the Asia-Pacific region alone in these hundred-plus days. Of course, most of them were just tiny changes, but it is enough to show that all our current understanding and observations of the Star Abyss are inaccurate. Now, the mutation in Star Abyss No. 5 is also man-made, which has accelerated the process of the global polar night. How could you think the Star Abyss won't become even more extreme?"

"Yes, numerous experiments and conclusions have proven that the darkness is also in the process of 'adapting' to destroy us. The evolution of strange entities, the hunting of human settlements, and dark hunting all show that this threat is not static, but rather responds to humans and human behavior." Ding Junyi explained calmly with her hands in her pockets: "Extending from cosmic theory and the Fermi Paradox, 'silence' between civilizations is the best survival strategy. The reason humans still have 1% left alive is perhaps because of this asymmetry of intent. Therefore, once communication is opened with the darkness, things will inevitably develop in a worse direction."

"Damn it, I thought Dawn City colluding with the Deep Red World was to fight the Phoenix Society and play politics for territory, I didn't expect it to be like this?" Shi Diyuan cursed, his face filled with disbelief.

"These are not conflicting."

Jian Xuwei said at this moment: "Whether it's the former Federation or the current Dawn City, the upper echelons have always been full of factions. It's just that the apocalypse led to the taking of sides and the disintegration of survival philosophies. The Federation cannot be completely viewed as a single interest group. For example, the faction led by Zhou Mingyuan—Dawn City's various high-pressure policies and interest networks are basically supported by his power. It can be said that Dawn City is actually in Zhou Mingyuan's hands. During my time in Dawn City, I basically never saw Chu Zhaonan show his face, while the Garrison Army's main fleet, the Research Force, and the Seraphim Force are all in Chu Zhaonan's hands. It is very likely that this Vanguard Project is just a plan by Chu Zhaonan's faction."

Lin Xian looked at Mochizuki Shinji, who was closing his eyes to the side: "What do you think?"

Mochizuki Shinji slowly opened his eyes and said calmly: "Ye Lan is right. There is no possibility of stopping the Deep Red World from using mycelium technology on the dark-corrosion cells. The Phoenix Society came with this worst-case scenario in mind. From this point of view, Ye Lan is indeed a pessimist, but also a wise and decisive leader."

"That's not what I asked," Lin Xian said. "I mean, regarding the Vanguard Project breaking through the Sky Canopy Giant Curtain, and if the mycelium and dark creatures communicate, how bad could it get?"

"I think you asked the wrong question." Mochizuki Shinji looked at Lin Xian: "Shouldn't you be asking when the Vanguard Project and the dark-corrosion cell communication might happen?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes turned to the two of them.

Lin Xian paused upon hearing this and immediately understood Mochizuki Shinji's meaning: "You mean, they will definitely happen at the same time, and Dawn City might even apply pressure so that the Deep Red World cannot activate the dark-corrosion cells ahead of time?!"

"Bingo!" Mochizuki Shinji smiled blandly.

"So I think the Phoenix Society asked you to assist in controlling Dawn City's defense system hub because they believe the Deep Red World is cooperating deeply with this Vanguard Project."

"The Phoenix Society is not only worried about Zhou Mingyuan, but also worried that Dawn City will fall into the hands of the Deep Red World." Lin Xian let out a long sigh: "It seems the Phoenix Society definitely has more precise intelligence. This matter is much more serious than we thought."

"That's why the Iron Guard Brigade in Yongcheng Port has already been dispatched," Mochizuki Shinji said.

"Besides that, the Phoenix Society must have used other forces as well," Chen Sixuan frowned and said at this moment: "Dawn City has millions of people. If a problem arises, one Iron Guard Brigade won't be able to hold it."

Lin Xian shook his head: "The Phoenix Society didn't intend to hold it, they just wanted to transfer these people away. Now that Star Abyss 578 is closing in, Dawn City doesn't have much time left."

"Oh, forgot to tell you, the Phoenix Society's courier has already arrived at the Silent City," Mochizuki Shinji said at this moment: "Just now, I need to go receive them. If nothing goes wrong, I already know the purpose of them looking for me."

"What is it?"

Mochizuki Shinji said while walking away: "My Silent City can carry 500,000 people."

"Hey..."

Lin Xian was speechless for a moment. He was preparing to rush to Dawn City overnight and was thinking of asking Mochizuki Shinji for a transport ship, but this guy just left.

Who knew that not long after Mochizuki Shinji and Qian Suxun left, a crisp knocking sound suddenly rang out outside the mechanical door of the main bridge. Lin Xian was a bit puzzled; who knocks when entering this kind of mechanical gate? As a result, a timid figure appeared on the screen next to the automatic door. Lin Xian took a look and it was actually Shizhi.

*Hiss~*

The automatic door opened quickly, and Shizhi stood at the doorway looking nervous: "Sorry, I'm here to deliver support."

Lin Xian pointed to the button outside the door: "Actually, to open the door, you can press here."

"That, I know you are having a meeting, so..." Shizhi's voice sounded soft and muffled. She looked at the room full of people and hurriedly said: "Is it convenient now?"

"What support?" Lin Xian's spirits lifted as soon as he heard this.

Shizhi stood straight with her feet together and said: "... It's me. Shinji asked me to enter the city with you."

"Ah?" Lin Xian's eyes widened: "No..."

"There is also a 'Swordfish' transport ship. By the way, the space-based weapon you wanted has already been transported by Xun to the platform next to the Infinite."

Lin Xian breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this: "This guy is really..."

He said this while looking at Shizhi in front of him, smiled, and then said in a friendly manner: "There might be quite a few dangers going to Dawn City, unlike strange entities. I want to tell you this in advance, but you are very welcome to join."

Shizhi felt Lin Xian's friendliness and hurriedly said nervously: "Thank you. I won't be afraid, if... if you don't keep staring at me..."

Lin Xian frowned. He had felt before that this girl wasn't even afraid of dead people or strange entities, yet she was a bit afraid of others staring at her. This personality was a bit cute amidst its eccentricity.

However, he didn't say anything. After shifting his gaze, he invited Shizhi into the main bridge.

Now that they had a vehicle, everyone had to discuss the action plan. "Dawn City's gates have perfect monitoring and detection devices, and you are currently a key wanted target of the Federation, so trying to sneak in wearing power armor or by other means won't work," Jian Xuwei said at this moment.

"Then it seems you have another way, Chairman Jian." Lin Xian looked at her.

Jian Xuwei said directly: "You're right. Although the Federation's system is strict on the surface, there are actually many ways to enter the city."

"Then let's not delay. If I'm not mistaken, Jiang Yun will come to meet us, right?"

"Yes."

"Lin Xian," Chen Sixuan said at this moment: "Should we take more people with us?"

"No, too many eyes. After entering the city, there will be people from NAUF acting together with us." Lin Xian checked the time: "Same as usual, Chen Laoshi and Shi Dage will keep watch here. Sister Jing, Qian Dele, Mo Nika, Kiki, and Shizhi will act with me. By the way, take Huo Ge along."

"And me," Jian Xuwei said blandly.

"Right, almost forgot about your Silver Star," Lin Xian said.

"I'm not mainly for that," Jian Xuwei said: "The situation inside the city is very complex. My team is all there. Jiang Yun and I can provide help for you to control the city-wide defense network."

Lin Xian nodded: "That's true."

"Alright, let's do it like that." Qian Dele stood up from his stool gracefully and put on his sunglasses: "Ah, Star City, no, Dawn City, I am finally returning to this memorable City of Night."

"What, missing your old life of debauchery?" Mo Nika responded with a smile.

"I don't like debauchery, it's vulgar. I pursue an artistic life, do you understand?" Qian Dele tightened his floral suit, lifting his neck with a look of pride.

"Lin Xian."

Everyone was preparing to set off. Chen Sixuan stopped Lin Xian in the corridor: "Why didn't you let me go with you? My identity should be easier to act with, right? It's been so long, are you still guarding the train?"

"It's not guarding the train now, it's guarding the city."

"Guarding the city?"

"Yes." Lin Xian looked at her and said with a serious expression: "The Infinite, the United Train, the Sky Dome Train, and the Silent City are all in Jinhai. The Phoenix Society is in Qingbo, and the Iron Guard Brigade is closing in from the east. The situation is very likely to escalate suddenly, but we have three Star Abysses surrounding us. Once a crisis occurs, we must be fully prepared."

Chen Sixuan looked surprised upon hearing this, then her gaze shifted, and she took a deep breath and nodded.

"I understand. You can leave this side to me."

"Hmm."

Jian Xuwei was not there, Shi Diyuan had to monitor the industrial zone's defenses, and Mochizuki Shinji's Silent City would have other action plans with the Phoenix Society next. Therefore, for these thousands of people inside and outside, and this Sky Dome Train, Lin Xian could only let Chen Sixuan stay behind.

At this moment, a 'Swordfish' transport ship was docked on the square. This was a small transport aircraft with extremely fast speed.

Lin Xian arrived at the platform where the Infinite was docked. From afar, he saw two terrifying devices like large rockets lying horizontally on the edge of the platform, placed on a special launch traction frame and covered with a rainproof cloth.

"Finally saw this thing."

Lin Xian hurriedly walked over. The closer he got, the more he realized how huge this thing was. The diameter of the arrow body exceeded the train width of the Infinite, and the length exceeded 70 meters. It was simply like a large intercontinental missile. But Lin Xian knew that as a directional constraint weapon, its lethality was in some respects much greater than an intercontinental missile. And after this thing deformed in the air, it was like the hilt of a sharp sword, which was truly heart-stirring.

"What is this thing?" Kiki followed over at this moment.

"Hyperion directional constraint cannon, given by Mochizuki Shinji," Lin Xian said.

"Space-based weapon, he's really generous," Jian Xuwei also walked up in surprise. "The value of this one piece is enough to fully arm a medium-sized fleet of two thousand people. Now, this type of weapon is a secret weapon used by large organizations like Dawn City and the Phoenix Society to deal with S-class. The benefits of high-energy focusing are more valuable than a nuclear chain reaction."

"As expected of First Mate Jian, knowledgeable indeed."

Jian Xuwei glanced at him and leaned in, whispering: "If you don't mind, just call me Jian Xuwei."

"Wasn't it you who wanted to be First Mate?"

"Yes, but I don't like being First Mate, and I don't like that name," Jian Xuwei said seriously.

"Then Chairman Jian?"

"Up to you."

"Alright, First Mate Jian."

"..."

Lin Xian looked at Shizhi who had followed behind at this moment and said with a smile: "Thank Mochizuki Shinji for me."

Shizhi nodded and then retreated behind Kiki.

"When are we setting off?" Mo Nika walked up and asked.

Lin Xian looked at the Hyperion directional constraint cannon in front of him and then at the time, saying sternly: "20 minutes later, assemble at the transport ship!"

*Scrape, scrape! *

Inside an empty loading factory, electric arcs flickered. A Hyperion directional constraint cannon was slowly dragged into the void gate of the Black Star Forge by electromagnetic force. Immediately, Lin Xian opened the Mechanical Heart panel and remembered that the previous Doomsday Train had finished being devoured.

【Devour successful, Mechanical Source Point +500, Mechanical Devour skill proficiency +200!】

"Previously, one power core could increase by 700, now these dozen train cars only have 500 in total. Big brother, are you trying to make me devour starships or aircraft carriers?"

Lin Xian looked at the harvested Mechanical Source Points and sighed helplessly. However, fortunately, in theory, he only spent one hour on this devouring, and it was automated devouring. Thinking of this, he felt a bit better.

Thinking of this, Lin Xian immediately started all 5 construction sequences!

"'Thunder Falcon 2000' x100, this is the main force!"

"'Thunder Prison' let's start with x50, scale explosion!"

"'Destroyer' this is too extreme, let's build x20 first, it might be useful at critical moments."

"'Ice Burst 166', forget it, this thing is not needed for now."

"'Iron Rain', this is good, large-sized impact bullets, x50."

"'Iron Curtain' must have x50, physical shields are indispensable..."

"This way, mechanical construction proficiency will skyrocket."

*Woo~*

Inside the Black Star Forge, Lin Xian watched the 5 construction sequences running at full power, the countdown refreshing synchronously. All the decomposition materials were being used at this moment, and he couldn't help but feel heart-stirring.

With this automated production line, Lin Xian's manufacturing efficiency ushered in an epic increase. At this speed, as long as he had enough materials, he could manufacture hundreds of drones in a day. In this way, building a mechanical army was no longer a dream.

Besides drones, Lin Xian was also preparing to manufacture the heavy-duty mechs like Qian Suxun's and robots like Dancer No. 1 to put into battle. Their power and volume could be stronger, and most importantly, their level of intelligence and response.

"Building so many drones, I need a capable AI assistant, right, Grace."

【Your thinking is very correct! In scenarios where drones are deployed on a large scale, a powerful AI assistant is indeed the core hub. May I ask, do you need me to provide a deep solution for drone clusters and AI synergy?】

After being completely overwritten, Grace was now a pure AI. Although she had undergone deep learning of the current world crisis environment through Kiki's data import, she no longer had personality language when communicating with Lin Xian, sounding like a very cold AI response.

"So your sense of humor before wasn't because of program settings... That's fine, a pure mechanical AI."

After speaking, Lin Xian raised his hand and waved, the Black Star Forge space gate opened, sucking Grace inside.

Immediately, he checked the time and walked out of the factory quickly.

On the square, Kiki, Jian Xuwei, Shizhi, Qian Dele, Mo Nika, and Lu Xingchen were all fully armed and ready. Soon, an arc of thruster light flickered above the industrial zone, heading toward Dawn City.

In the Cloud District of the Silent City, Qian Suxun watched Lin Xian's transport ship leave on the monitoring screen and said to Mochizuki Shinji: "Lin has already started acting, what a swift person."

Mochizuki Shinji's expression was stern, his hands tucked into his sleeves, looking at the layout of Dawn City on the holographic map, and said:

"I am very interested in the Phoenix Society's plan. Xun, notify all personnel."

"Prepare to re-separate City No. 2!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 386 =====