Chapter 232: One‑Sided Peace

When NuoWa detected the "portal", the system reported that Sui Bian did not immediately negotiate with it, but instead focused on handling the public's reaction to the incident.

Even after confirming that Elizabeth City had been attacked by anomalous creatures, he still ordered Bai Hou to "not block any information" and had Hong Hou closely monitor the UNSC's emergency mobilization.

No need to block, because it is fundamentally impossible to block.

Star Port, Beach, and Exclusive Sanctuary are all labels of Elizabeth City, which has tens of millions of permanent residents.

At the moment of the attack, nearly fifty thousand photos and videos related to the Beast Entity spread online, then grew exponentially at a frantic rate.

In today's era of extremely rapid internet dissemination, this means that tens of millions, even nearly a hundred million netizens, have "witnessed" the existence of the Beast Entity at first glance.

If one truly wanted to block it, it would be an unimaginably massive project, almost impossible to accomplish.

Moreover, Sui Bian secretly unified humanity and founded the UEG and UNSC with the original purpose of giving humanity the ability to resolve anomalies outside of the anomalous dimensions.

In the 2012 Hellgate incident, the plague doctor injected the first edition vaccine into the 112 D‑level personnel involved.

Tests showed that the first edition vaccine effectively helped D‑level personnel resist the whispers of the Hell Plane, and later observations found its side effects on humans were only mild fatigue, dizziness, and the like.

Therefore, in September 2012, Umbrella began mass‑producing this first edition vaccine, using the various flu outbreaks that occur each year and the UEG's public propaganda to vaccinate humanity with the first edition vaccine.

And the plague doctor never gave up research, after all this first edition vaccine cannot completely immunize humanity against the intrusion of anomalous dimensions.

As for the various anomalies originally on Earth…

They are almost extinct.

Since exchanging the Fire Spirit number and planetary environment modification device up to now, Sui Bian's points total only 33,600; after subtracting necessary expenditures like Spiritual Energy shielding and plundering, this shows the points have increased by just over forty thousand in ten years.

From 1998 to 2022, a full twenty‑four years have passed.

On the surface, humanity has undergone earth‑shattering changes; behind the scenes, the vast majority of "wild" anomalous phenomena on Earth have either been eliminated or confined in Lockford.

Anomalies deemed impossible to eliminate or destroy now no longer pose any threat.

For example, the Nix (Second) class, designation AP‑1134, also known as the anomaly "Lina Cabell".

AP‑1134 is a malevolent spirit that prefers to possess dolls.

If a family purchases a doll possessed by AP‑1134, the family members will encounter misfortune and eventually die gruesomely in various accidents.

Even if the doll is physically destroyed, AP‑1134 cannot be truly eliminated; it can still possess a new doll, patiently awaiting the next innocent family.

However, as a spirit‑type entity, AP‑1134 was directly eliminated on site by a Ghost operative responsible for the investigation.

And the often anomaly‑ridden ruins are handled by an intelligence unit led by Laura Crouff, aiming to prevent civilian archaeological groups from becoming involved in unnatural events.

It can be said that the myriad oddities on Earth can never again be as "reckless" as before.

Internal stability achieved, the rest is the outside…

"Sir, the situation in Elizabeth City is stabilizing," Hong Hou reported to Sui Bian at this moment: "However, on‑site technicians report that the blood of the Beast Entity and the Giant Beast appears to be highly contaminating to the natural environment, requesting additional technical team support."

"Approve the request."

"Understood."

"System." Seeing the situation under control, Sui Bian then asked in his mind: "Explain the portal opened by the colonist race."

【According to scans, the colonist race is extremely sensitive to wormholes; using their innate racial talents and unique understanding of wormholes, they can construct portals akin to small wormholes.】

The colonist race employs this technology to explore and colonize Earth‑like planets within the same universe, and even in different universes.

And the portal located in Elizabeth City connects to the Earth's surface in another universe.

Hearing the system's explanation, combined with the appearance of the Beast Entity and the Giant Beast, and Hong Hou's recent report, he first thought of "Pacific Rim".

The main reason is that the colonist race is strikingly similar to the Precursors in "Pacific Rim", both having mastered technology that can open small wormholes, and their overall tech trees are both heavily skewed.

He then asked: "Is there a possibility that the colonist race could close the portal?"

【Before the mission is completed, the portal will not close; if the host eliminates the colonist race leader responsible for invasion and assimilation, the host will gain permission to close the portal.】

Once the host chooses to close the portal, the system will consider the mission completed.

At that time, all surviving humans will be transferred to the universe where the host resides, and will be provided with appropriate identities, jobs, housing, finances, memories, and so on.

According to estimates, 80% of the surviving humans will be transferred to sparsely populated colonist star systems, and ultimately, aside from the host, humanity as a whole will feel no abnormalities.

"."

Accustomed to receiving point rewards, Sui Bian has actually never forgotten the system's capabilities.

But after being enlightened, he suddenly felt heavy‑hearted and asked again: "How many humans survived on the other Earth?"

【830 million, and still decreasing.】

"What was the total population before the colonist race's invasion?"

【Approximately 8.8 billion.】

"Hong Hou." Sui Bian immediately said, "Connect me with Robert, Shengjilesi, and John."

"Understood."

As soon as the words finished, the holographic device installed on the bridge emitted many blue "light points", which then converged, swiftly displaying Robert and the others wearing OriginalBody‑powered armor.

In an instant, the three OriginalBodies seemed to stand right in the center of the bridge.

"Inform your legions to prepare for war; soon, you will pass through the portal in Elizabeth City to the Earth in another universe, rescue its compatriots, and also…"

Before the OriginalBodies could voice any doubts, Sui Bian slowly stepped away from the central console, walked to the holographic projection of the OriginalBodies, and in a deep, weighted tone said:

"On the premise of locating and killing the enemy leader, exterminate all alien waste for me; remember, I mean all of them, not a single one left."

"Yes, father," the three stern OriginalBodies replied in unison.

"Mm." Sui Bian, his tone softened, continued: "This operation will be commanded by Robert; as for the specifics of deployment, I will have Hong Hou inform you. Alright, go prepare first."

"Understood."

For Sui Bian, exterminating all colonist races on the other Earth does not conflict at all with the mission to kill the leader.

———————

…

"All passengers, please note: the train is scheduled to arrive at Dome District 27 in five minutes; please prepare to disembark."

Hearing the broadcast emit a standardized female voice reminder, the people sitting on both sides of the carriage continued going about their own business.

Chatting with friends, immersed in mobile games, binge-watching shows or using social apps; only a few who wanted to disembark got up to pack their things.

They looked out the train window.

One could see the train speeding across a plain covered with abundant green short grass; continuing to look toward the front of the train, one could also see the urban area protected by a massive dome.

At first glance, it gives the illusion that the train is traveling on Earth.

However, the slightly reddish soil, together with the small sun hanging obliquely in the sky, indicate that this is the equatorial plain of Mars.

After ten years of development, Mars grew from an initial total population of under five million to nearly forty million, and its environment is gradually becoming Earth-like.

"Citizens of the UEG,"

The broadcast installed in the carriage suddenly emitted a voice that was slightly hoarse yet full of vigor, delivering a speech:

"I am Admiral Warren Hood of the UNSC Navy; today, with a heavy heart, I announce the exact death toll of Elizabeth City."

?

Upon hearing this,

All passengers simultaneously stopped talking, put down their phones and various electronic devices, and even those preparing to disembark halted their steps, ready to listen carefully to Admiral Hood's address.

In the station of Dome City 27, people likewise gathered before the holographic screens located throughout the station.

The screens, originally used to play various advertisements, now switched to showing the central square of Geneva, the capital of the UGE.

One could see many UEG officials and UNSC commanders standing before the camera on the square, and there was Admiral Warren Hood, over sixty, dressed in a white naval uniform.

"364,542 people perished in the attack three days ago; among them were police officers, doctors, retired elderly travelers, and even innocent infants unaware of the world."

"Regardless of their former identities or ages, they have forever lost their precious lives." Admiral Hood fell silent at this point.

The station filled with grief and regret; some people's eyes turned red, and tears streamed uncontrollably.

A moment of silence passed.

Hood continued: "From ancient times to the present, humanity has never ceased its exploration of the cosmos, until we gained the ability to leave our home planet, depart the Solar System, and expand our frontiers."

"Whenever we discuss the universe, we inevitably think of extraterrestrial intelligent species—that is, whether aliens truly exist."

"Now I can tell you unequivocally: alien species not only exist, they attempted to destroy Elizabeth City and brutally slaughtered over three hundred sixty thousand of our fellow humans!"

Upon hearing these remarks, the people showed little surprise, as if they had already been prepared; anger quickly spread through the crowd.

"If it were a conventional war between two nations, both sides would negotiate for their own interests, even sign treaties and shake hands in peace, but this rule does not apply at all to humanity and them!"

"Today!"

"On February 7, 2022, humanity will strike back! Our finest soldiers will march into their world!" Hood exclaimed, raising his hand with fervent passion.

"Exterminate them!"

"Avenge! Avenge!"

As soon as Hood's words fell, the people in the station roared hoarsely, unleashing the pent-up emotions they had long endured.

Since the attack on February 4, society has been in constant debate, and the authorities have never deliberately concealed the situation in Elizabeth City; thus people know of the existence of the "portal," but they do not understand the truth of "another universe."

Moreover, covert guidance from the White Empress and UEG senior leadership had already prepared the populace for an "alien invasion."

During this period, some online voices suggested that we should first negotiate with the aliens to clarify their intentions, or that we should pursue peaceful development.

But the netizens' unified response to such remarks was…

"Fuck peace!"

Today's official stance from UNSC and UEG finally gave the netizens complete reassurance.

And Elizabeth City, the focus of all humanity,

lies to the south of the city.

The shallow sea area near the portal has been cordoned off, the water drained, and a large-scale temporary base erected.

Because it is shrouded by a massive canopy-like facility, the outside world cannot directly observe the portal's true condition.

———————

…

Beneath the canopy facility.

Tens of thousands of elite troops belonging to the UNSC th Airborne Division are using a spacious passage built over the mud to approach the portal at the far end, which emits a faint blue light.

One of them, a corporal who had unfolded his helmet visor, marched ahead with his comrades.

He glanced to his left.

He saw many crates labeled "ammunition" and "batteries" being continuously conveyed to the portal via large conveyor belts with magnetic adsorption.

In fact, before reaching this base, their superiors had informed them that heavy weapons and equipment had already been transported to the far side of the portal.

Their mission was to cooperate with the 1st and 3rd Airborne Divisions, the 3rd and 7th Armored Divisions, and other UNSC forces to assist Umbrella in protecting the engineering units of both sides as they construct forward bases.

"All of Third Squad, attention: don your masks and check that the seals on your respective equipment are sound."

At that moment, a reminder came over the comms.

Hearing the reminder, the corporal shifted his gaze away from the portal, removed the metal mask that had been hanging from his chest, and attached it to his helmet.

Before his eyes, everything went dark, and breathing became difficult.

But the screen soon lit up, restoring his vision and making his breathing smooth again.

Looking at the feedback on the screen, the corporal could tell his seal was fine, and he and his comrades had reached the end of the passage.

Before them lay the slope at the passage's end, leading straight to the edge of the portal that glowed like a pool of liquid mercury, allowing them to walk through.

The closer they got, the tenser they felt, but the corporal showed no hesitation, stepping straight into the portal.

The first sensation was stepping into empty space and falling; once fully through the portal, what first met his eyes was a pitch-black night sky.

Next, his vision seemed to rotate 90°, various scenes flashing by, and finally he staggered to a stand on the ground.

"Press on!"

Just as he steadied himself, another reminder came through.

The corporal shook his slightly dazed head and continued forward, waiting for the discomfort to fade before observing his surroundings.

He discovered that a temporary base had also been set up on this side, and his helmet display showed that the air composition here was harmful to humans, with extremely low oxygen levels.

The night sky without any visible stars felt strangely familiar.

Moving through the base.

The corporal and his comrades could faintly hear gunfire coming from around the base at times, and they also saw many soldiers equipped with TPS and CMC powered armor, whose helmets resembled old-model gas masks.

As for this, the corporal and his comrades felt no great strangeness, even knowing that this silent group of 'soldiers' were the Kriegers.

(End of chapter)