Drip drip—
The communication prompt sounded, and Dan Qiuyu raised his wrist, his face instantly changing. "All hands, all ships, maintain a safe distance from the white ship!"
Ou Zhanpeng's heart tightened. "Director, what happened?"
"The assault team reported that the white ship received an unknown communication, and a holographic image of a four-meter-tall being appeared. They discovered the situation on the bridge was abnormal and immediately shut it down," Dan Qiuyu said urgently. "The assault team has evacuated the white ship. Xiao Ou, please get ready. If there are any anomalies with the white ship, destroy it immediately without seeking further orders!"
This scene was captured by the recording devices on the soldiers, and the footage had already been uploaded.
"Understood!" Ou Zhanpeng responded crisply.
Outside the Starship, the eggshell-like shield silently lit up, and a row of turrets on the flank rotated in unison, locking onto the motionless white ship.
Nearby human warships quickly withdrew, and in a short while, only the lone white ship remained.
Dan Qiuyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed the white ship did not have a remote self-destruct system, or perhaps the self-destruct system was malfunctioning for some reason.
However, he dared not be careless, strictly ordering no one to approach.
Just as he finished relaying the order, Dan Qiuyu received a communication from above. He ducked into a corner and mumbled for a while before hanging up. He walked up to Ou Zhanpeng with a solemn expression. "We have been exposed. The higher-ups believe the four-meter-tall beings might retaliate at any moment, so we must prepare for combat in the shortest possible time!"
Ou Zhanpeng did not hesitate. "Whatever you need me to do, just give the order."
"We know too little about the four-meter-tall beings, so we must prepare for the worst. Time is our biggest shortage. Xiao Ou, you don't need to worry about Earth. We are organizing personnel immediately. You will return to the base as quickly as possible and research any technology you can, the faster the better!"
"Yes, you can rest assured. As soon as the technology team is in place, we will depart immediately!"
"Also, the higher-ups have decided to prepare a germplasm bank for the Starship. If Earth falls, you must not act rashly. You must leave the solar system immediately, find a habitable planet, and pass on the torch of Earth's civilization!"
"Yes!" Ou Zhanpeng's expression was more serious than ever, and the burden on his shoulders felt unprecedentedly heavy.
Dan Qiuyu patted Ou Zhanpeng's shoulder and turned to leave.
Ou Zhanpeng watched his retreating figure, his gaze filled with complexity.
At this moment, humanity stood at a crucial turning point. Crossing this step would allow them to enter interstellar civilization.
But a leap in technology required enough time, perhaps ten, twenty, or even more years.
But would the four-meter-tall beings give humanity this opportunity? No matter how slow their progress, they wouldn't wait decades.
Once the fleet of the four-meter-tall beings arrived at Earth, human civilization would be finished, becoming a vassal and slave to the four-meter-tall beings, which was the best outcome Ou Zhanpeng could imagine.
The higher-ups were well aware of this, which was why they made the decision to equip the germplasm bank.
Gazing up at the deep sky, Ou Zhanpeng couldn't help but sigh, "Why is humanity so plagued by misfortune?"
Regarding the life and death of all humankind, the military did not conceal the impending crisis. Instead, they immediately notified their allies to prepare for sincere cooperation and joint resistance against foreign invasion.
However, there was a significant divergence of opinion within the joint command regarding defense.
Some allies believed that the strength of the four-meter-tall beings far surpassed that of humans, a gap that only time could bridge. Since they couldn't close the gap even with their best efforts, they might as well give up.
Another group of allies believed that humans definitely couldn't withstand the might of the four-meter-tall beings, but this did not mean they shouldn't resist. On the contrary, humanity had to show the courage to perish with the enemy, to fight to the last man and battle the enemy to the end.
Despair was not an option, and the view of fighting to the last man quickly gained traction. However, the first decision made by the joint command was to abandon Jupiter and Mars, withdraw all human warships, and hold Earth at all costs.
It couldn't be said that this decision was wrong, as humans were unsure from which direction the enemy would come. The four-meter-tall beings couldn't possibly visit every planet from the outside in. The possibility of them appearing directly on Earth was the greatest.
Therefore, focusing all efforts on defending Earth was the most reasonable decision.
However, it was also the most foolish,笨拙, and passive approach.
At this time, Yan Jing was also a member of the war faction.
But in less than a day, Ou Zhanpeng received a communication from Dan Qiuyu. "Ou Zhanpeng, I have a question for you. Please answer honestly!"
"Please speak!"
"Can the time-space bubble be restarted?"
Ou Zhanpeng immediately understood the other party's intention and nodded. "Yes, but it certainly can't cover the entire solar system like before."
Dan Qiuyu's breathing quickened, and his eyes were filled with anticipation. "It doesn't need to be that big, just covering Earth. Can it be done?"
Ou Zhanpeng immediately shook his head. "Director, covering Earth is definitely not a problem, but using the time-space bubble on Earth is absolutely not allowed!"
Dan Qiuyu became anxious on the spot. "Xiao Ou, you understand the dangers we will face. Only the time-space bubble can bring humanity a glimmer of hope..."
Ou Zhanpeng still shook his head. "Director, it's not that I don't know what's good for me, but the time-space bubble really cannot be used on Earth!"
"Why?"
"Because changing time is not that simple. To give a simple example, if Earth receives 100 units of sunlight per day, then after activating the time bubble, the longer time is stretched, the less sunlight per unit of time Earth will receive. Within a few days, Earth will become a cold, dark ice ball. Humanity will perish before the aliens even attack!"
Dan Qiuyu's mind was full of persuasion, all of which were swallowed back. He asked with a sliver of hope, "Can't we include the sun in the time-space bubble?"
"No... Please don't ask me why, I really don't understand," Ou Zhanpeng said with a bitter expression. "Let alone the sun, even Venus is not enough. Unless it's Jupiter!"
Dan Qiuyu's eyes lit up. "Yes, Jupiter!"
Without another word, he immediately cut off the communication.
Xu Qing, who had been listening the whole time, asked in a low voice, "Will it work?"
Ou Zhanpeng understood her concern and smiled. "No problem. We were too anxious before and opened the wormhole at the lowest level. After we return, we can replenish the energy and move the base to Jupiter or anywhere else."
At the same time, the high-ranking officials who received the news immediately began emergency consultations. In just twelve minutes, with great courage and perseverance, they made the decision to abandon Earth and start anew, naming it the "Stealing Heaven Plan"!
It meant facing death to find a way to live, stealing a sliver of heavenly opportunity.
Shortly after, the military took action at the fastest speed. Thousands of scientific researchers were notified by the military, requesting them to prepare for departure immediately, bringing nothing but their personal belongings. They could contact military liaisons for anything they needed.
The order came so suddenly that there was no time to prepare, not even time to say goodbye to their families. Countless scientific researchers resolutely boarded the spacecraft heading for the Starship.
Concurrently, the germplasm bank was being actively prepared, as were a large number of provisions for the Starship.
The major launch bases in the country suspended all launch missions, ensuring the smooth flow of air-ground transportation lines. All spacecraft that entered space had the Starship as their destination.
Various resources were continuously delivered to the warships. Ou Zhanpeng and his team were extremely busy. Before the personnel who had boarded the ship were arranged, another batch of supplies was awaiting reception.
Several days later, the most important germplasm bank was finally delivered to the Starship, along with Dan Qiuyu, Zhan Wenyu, and other military leaders.
Dan Qiuyu personally handed the details of the Stealing Heaven Plan to Ou Zhanpeng and earnestly instructed, "We cannot just establish a base on Jupiter, but we must also establish several secret bases in other directions, continuing the strategy of surrounding the cities from the countryside... Xiao Ou, the fate of humanity rests on your shoulders. Your burden is very heavy!"
"You can rest assured, I will give it my all," Ou Zhanpeng solemnly promised.
Dan Qiuyu nodded. "Assemble."
At his command, the first batch of over a thousand people who rushed to the Starship base gathered. Dan Qiuyu, representing the military, gave a brief and passionate mobilization, appointing Ou Zhanpeng as the highest commander of the Starship base. Afterward, the leaders departed, the Starship opened a wormhole, and disappeared in an instant.
"Will our plan succeed?" a leader asked in a low voice.
"Whether it succeeds or not is not important," Dan Qiuyu said. "What's important is that we tried."
He suddenly turned around, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the others. "We can't help with the research, but I have only one requirement: don't let our heroes shed blood and tears!"
"Yes!" everyone agreed in unison.
Everyone who joined the Stealing Heaven Plan knew what it entailed. But in the face of personal gain and national interest, everyone resolutely chose the latter.
At this moment, the Stealing Heaven Plan was a top secret of the military, known only to a very small circle. Even the families of those researchers only knew that they were carrying out an extremely important mission, related to the survival of all humanity, and that details could not be disclosed.
The military repeatedly assured them of their safety, but not of their return time.
It had been 120 years since the founding of the nation. Despite the changing winds and times, sacrifice and dedication had always been ingrained in the blood of the people. Whenever the need arose, countless patriotic individuals would step forward, seeking no fame or fortune, willing to lay down their lives for the country and the nation, and do their utmost.
Years later, when the details of the Stealing Heaven Plan were revealed to the world, and when ordinary people learned of what those researchers had sacrificed, they were all filled with reverence and silence.
The Starship left Earth and successfully reached the edge of the solar system.
The asteroids remained in place, and the warships orbiting them were unchanged. The only difference was a sense of silence and a lack of vitality.
As the warships entered the asteroid, the dormant base instantly revived. Ou Zhanpeng didn't even have time to arrange the accompanying researchers before preparing for the journey to Jupiter.
Such a large asteroid could not simply be flown through by opening a wormhole. The orbital altitude, flight speed, and direction of travel – every detail had to be carefully considered, leaving no room for error.
Half a month later, the base was fully charged. Ou Zhanpeng sounded the alarm, informing the entire base of the impending activation of the wormhole.
The success or failure depended on this single moment. Ou Zhanpeng activated the jump system, and a giant wormhole opened. As the asteroid slowly entered the wormhole, the wreckage of warships placed around the base also went in.
A moment later, the Starship base disappeared, leaving only a dark void.
At the same time, a wormhole suddenly appeared in space over ten million kilometers from Jupiter, and the Starship base emerged from it!
The human warships that had received the evacuation order were in the process of changing orbits and ascending. Upon discovering the Starship base, they were almost scared out of their wits.
That was an asteroid with a diameter of 14 kilometers! Humans absolutely did not possess such means, so the other party must be aliens!
The human officers and soldiers in the warships fell into despair. However, shortly after, they received contact signals from friendly forces, and they were shocked to discover that the asteroid actually belonged to humans!
When the news reached Earth, all allies except Xia Kingdom were stunned and contacted them inquiring about the situation.
The military knew the importance of the Stealing Heaven Plan and absolutely refused to leak any information, stating that all actions were to deal with the aliens.
This statement was not wrong, as the Starship base's journey to Jupiter was ultimately aimed at dealing with the four-meter-tall beings. As for whether other allies were thinking about brain-eating creatures or the four-meter-tall beings, that was not Beijing's concern.
Over ten million kilometers was clearly too high. In the following period, under Jupiter's gravitational influence, the Starship base continuously accelerated while lowering its orbital altitude, finally stopping above the orbit of Callisto, becoming a temporary satellite orbiting Jupiter.
The wreckage of warships revolving around the Starship base melted their ice and snow under Jupiter's light, revealing their true appearance. They were immediately cherished by the researchers in the base, who insisted on bringing them back to the base for detailed study.
This was also a good thing, and Ou Zhanpeng readily agreed.
However, the primary task of the first phase was not to study those warships, but to establish an advance base on Callisto!
The expeditionary fleet had already been undertaking this task, but progress was slow due to various limitations.
It was different with the Starship base, which had both personnel and resources.
Not only the more than one thousand people already stationed at the base, but Ou Zhanpeng also piloted the Starship back to Earth and brought the second batch of over three thousand people to the base.
In addition to scientific researchers, there were also a large number of combat personnel and vast amounts of supplies.
Everything was preparation for resisting alien invasion. Beijing's support for the Starship base could be described as sparing no effort.
To bolster the scientific research capabilities in the direction of Jupiter, even Luojian Mountain was almost emptied by the military. The research team led by Gong Yiding collectively transferred to the Starship base, turning Luojian Mountain into a purely industrial base.
It was no exaggeration to say that the Starship base was now filled with top talents. The wisdom of these individuals, when combined, was enough to illuminate humanity's future!
On the last day of 2072, the Callisto base was officially completed and put into operation. On the same day, the Starship base activated the time-space bubble.