Chapter 148: Press Conference and the White House

January 1, 2003.

Afternoon.

Raccoon City.

Since the end of 1998, Raccoon City has created miracle after miracle.

Its GDP remains at the top, skyscrapers line the skyline, infrastructure is highly developed, and emerging technologies are widely applied.

Moreover, within Colorado, where Raccoon City lies, the orbital system funded and led by Umbrella is about to undergo a comprehensive overhaul.

Other cities and countries beyond Raccoon City and Colorado are also experiencing sweeping changes in silence because of Umbrella's presence.

For the general public, humanity entering the twenty‑first century feels optimistic, and the future seems full of endless hope.

10:49.

The Ambrella Headquarters stands in central Raccoon City.

Its seven floors house a tiered conference hall that can accommodate two thousand people.

Journalists in formal attire and work badges, coming from around the world, are gradually entering the venue and taking seats according to their assigned numbers.

Around the conference room, more than a dozen camera crews have already set up equipment, adjusting it in preparation for a live broadcast.

The scale of this press conference indicates that Umbrella is about to unveil a trans‑era product.

The press conference hasn't started yet.

But the online live room is already ablaze with discussion.

——

Chat channel on the right side of the live page;

Supreme Strongman: Could this be a new smartphone press conference?

User3367: I don't think so; the previous four generations' releases weren't this grand.

Cavalry Forever on the Frontline: Hmm… indeed, but even if Umbrella says they have a spaceship, I wouldn't find it too strange.

Galaxy Empire: A spaceship? That's a bit much…

I Am Tian123: @Galaxy Empire, Umbrella has too much black tech, and with a name like yours, don't you hope to see humanity leave the galaxy in your lifetime? Hahaha XD.

User3367: Hey! It's about to start!

——

10:58.

At the press conference venue, as eleven o'clock approached, everyone voluntarily ceased private chatter and patiently waited for Umbrella's representative to appear.

10:59.

A lady in a well‑tailored suit and black‑framed glasses entered.

She walked to the front of the conference room, stood behind the podium, glanced at the open microphone, and introduced herself:

"Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. I am Tracy Johnson, spokesperson for Umbrella's News Department. I am honored to witness this historic moment for humanity with you on the first day of the new year."

Now, let us first watch a video.

As her words ended, the lights dimmed considerably.

Immediately, a holographic three‑dimensional screen appeared above the front of the conference room.

The screen was initially pitch black, but soon Mars lit up, allowing the video to play normally.

It turned out to be a primitive man who mastered fire‑by‑friction, lighting a homemade torch that illuminated a dark, gloomy cave.

Other cavemen reacted variously, some ecstatic, others terrified.

Finally, the camera zoomed in repeatedly until the flame filled the entire screen.

Then the view quickly pulled back.

The audience realized the light source had changed from a torch to an electric lamp, and it was just a single lamp in a restaurant.

Patrons under the lamp enjoyed a cooked dinner.

Outside the window were modern streets, cities, and vehicles.

From here, the video began rapidly switching scenes, from early steam locomotives to conventional gasoline cars, and then to a space rocket launch.

It then showed, in order, thermal, hydro, and wind power plants, ending with a nuclear power plant near the video's conclusion.

The video ended.

The lights returned to bright.

Most reporters in the audience showed a dawning realization, guessing that Umbrella's product theme this time was energy.

But what energy source could be more efficient than the nuclear fission shown at the video's end?

"Everyone," the female spokesperson said at the right moment, "our company has already mastered the application of nuclear fusion technology."

??!!

"What? It's really nuclear fusion?!"

"Umbrella… truly the vanguard of human technology…"

The moment she finished, the atmosphere in the hall shifted abruptly, and many couldn't help but exclaim in awe.

The live page's chat channel was flooded with exclamations like "Ohhhh!"

Questioning its authenticity?

That's only a minority view.

After all, Umbrella is undeniably the world's number one in both corporate scale and reputation.

Moreover, today isn't April Fool's Day, and the stock market is positioned there, leaving no room for Umbrella to joke.

Umbrella's announcement directly propels humanity into a brand‑new era.

The female spokesperson smiled, allowing the audience some time to digest.

When the scene quieted, the female spokesperson continued: "In September of last year, humanity's first fusion power plant broke ground in the northern suburbs of Raccoon City, and today is the day of its completion."

Because the government required secrecy, it was publicly claimed to be a conventional power station; here, I, on behalf of the company, apologize to everyone.

The spokesperson bowed slightly to express her apology.

Meanwhile.

In the Oval Office of the White House.

The cabinet ministers seated on the sofas on either side, watching Umbrella's live broadcast, including the President seated behind the sturdy desk, all wore puzzled expressions.

What is going on?

When did our government ever keep Umbrella secret?

Putting that aside for now, the main point is that Umbrella actually possesses controllable fusion technology?!

The United States poured massive manpower and resources into research that never succeeded, yet Umbrella overtook them on the shortcut?

Moreover, Colorado bypassed the federal government and, without any notice, directly approved Umbrella's fusion power plant.

"—Cohen."

The incumbent President of the United States, Huo Na Ge La Han Mu, turned an extremely sour expression and said in a deep voice to the Secretary of Defense, Wei Lian Ke En, seated on the sofa:

"I recall that the Governor of Colorado, Bu Lai En Ai Long Si, was appointed with strong support from your Cohen family; do you have any explanation?"

"Mr. President, this was a misjudgment by my family and me; I will sever all ties between the family and it."

The Cohen minister, whose complexion was equally grim, uttered the above words.

"Enough." Huo Na Ge La Han Mu lightly waved his left hand, then

"Li Qi, immediately investigate Brian Ailons and all domestic Umbrella enterprises; we must thoroughly sanction this company and ensure it does not split our nation."

"Understood, Mr. President," Li Qi replied in a deep voice.

At that moment.

A convoy of nine black SUVs traveled along Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House, then turned onto 15th Street, arriving at the eastern entrance of the White House.

(End of chapter)