Chapter 205: Closing the Net! The Virus Destroys! Full Army Mobilization!
Despite the chaos of this massive skyscraper, human society always requires some gray areas to buffer the inherent "evil" in human nature.
Soon, under Hannibal Zhou's introduction, Corey and his team gained a clearer understanding of this colossal building.
Every skyscraper in Antarctica has a sophisticated air circulation and heating system.
The skyscrapers are divided into three sections—low, middle, and high—each serving different functions. The lower levels house private shops, commercial venues, and various gray industries. The middle levels are primarily used for processing workshops, while the high levels feature high-end consumer spaces and spacious, comfortable residential areas.
In reality, the building Hannibal Zhou sold to Corey was not a complete skyscraper but rather a standalone section within it, primarily inhabited by the impoverished lower class.
Even so, it was sufficient for Corey to use as a base of operations.
Before long, thanks to Hannibal Zhou's casual remarks, Corey and his team learned about the history of the Pacific Rim version of Earth.
The war between humanity and the Precursors had been ongoing for over thirty years.
During the decisive battle in 2026, Gipsy Danger failed to detonate its nuclear reactor, leading to the inevitable defeat of the Defense Corps.
In response, humanity exhausted all its resources to establish the last megacities in Antarctica and parts of Australia.
During this period, humanity barely held off the monstrous invasions launched by the Precursors, depleting almost all available combat power.
The few remaining Jaegers were destroyed in the onslaught, buying only a few days of peace in return.
Over just two and a half years, the United Human Government launched 90% of its nuclear stockpile against the Precursors.
Although this desperate gambit initially caused the Precursors some minor trouble, the long-term consequences were disastrous. The resulting nuclear contamination further reduced habitable land for humans.
This "kill eight hundred, lose ten thousand" approach only delighted the Precursors. But just as they prepared to deliver the final blow to human civilization—an unexpected turn of events occurred!
A research team led by Newt Geiszler and Hermann Gottlieb made multiple technological breakthroughs within six months.
Humanity repelled the Precursor invasion using cleaner, more environmentally friendly plasma cannons, halting its downward spiral.
The advent of superconducting materials gave the survivors of Pacific Rim a new hope for survival.
Faced with humanity's resurgence from the brink of extinction, the Precursors were forced to halt their total assault on Antarctica and Australia.
For the next few years, an uneasy peace persisted. The Precursors' monsters never attacked human cities again.
Strangely, after the Precursors withdrew, human technological progress slowed once more.
Thus, the war between the Precursors and humanity entered a stalemate—a tug-of-war of mutual strategy and caution.
The Precursors dared not push humanity too hard, fearing they might once again trigger the species' desperate survival instincts.
Meanwhile, humanity remained vigilant, accelerating technological development while mobilizing all available resources.
Corey relayed all this intelligence to his superior, Mann. After organizing the data, Mann personally reported the findings to Li Ang via video call from the airship's office.
Standing before a massive holographic screen, Mann sent a video communication request to his boss, Li Ang .
Immediately, the screen displayed Li Ang at the central control station, accompanied by other high-ranking corporate executives.
"Mann, looks like you've intercepted some valuable intelligence. Let's hear it," Li Ang said before Mann could speak, already detecting the excitement in his investigator's expression.
"Yes, sir. Our operations in the megacity are progressing smoothly, and we've secured a base of operations, ready to serve as a strategic foothold."
Mann continued, transmitting the compiled intelligence to Li Ang .
"Additionally, our recent findings reveal that Kaiju brains can serve as conduits for consciousness linking between humans and the Precursors."
"This raises the possibility that the Precursors could use this method to infiltrate human minds and manipulate high-ranking Defense Corps personnel!"
Cross-referencing Mann's intel with his own knowledge of the original timeline, Li Ang quickly grasped the Precursors' likely infiltration method.
They probably allowed humans to kill certain Kaiju, leaving behind corpses with intact brains for research.
The earliest human scientists to experiment with Kaiju brain-linking might have unknowingly fallen under the Precursors' control.
For all Li Ang knew, some of the Defense Corps' scientists were already Precursor puppets!
"Damn, this is basically an interstellar Trojan Horse!"
After pondering for a moment, Li Ang instructed Mann to expand corporate influence in the base and secure full control over the region.
Additionally, he ordered an increase in personnel deployment within the skyscraper to prepare for any contingencies.
"Mann, I trust you know what to do. I'll be awaiting good news from your end."
"Yes, sir!" Mann responded firmly.
After ending the call, Li Ang temporarily set aside the Precursor issue and shifted his attention to an update from the Pandora System in the Prime Universe.
[Pandora Dossier:]
Hostile Civilization: A1 Universe Drifters
Description:
After extensive tracking and investigation by operatives Takemura Goro and Alex, it has been confirmed that this civilization possesses only ten starships and lacks a home base.
Based on their physical traits and known capabilities, they are not proficient in close-quarters combat.
To eliminate any prolonged threats, we have requested reinforcement:
Two RCS-class armored cruisers
One Infinity -class warship
Our goal: to execute a complete net-closing operation against this civilization.
Applicants: Takemura Goro, Alex
---
Upon reviewing the report, Li Ang confirmed that the "Civilization Fishing Plan" had hooked its first big catch.
While this "A1 Drifters" alien civilization only had one useful piece of technology—an antimatter engine—it was precisely what Li Ang needed.
The conglomerate's condensed matter technology from Event Horizon required three stages of development:
1. Condensed Matter → Quantum Model → Antimatter Engine
Securing this technology would fast-track the development of Antimatter Shields—a process expected to take a year could now be completed in just three months!
"Even with a direct hook, we still catch big fish. The conglomerate never comes up empty!"
Li Ang chuckled. He had no reason to reject the request.
After approving the operation, he immediately notified the conglomerate's Public Relations Department, Propaganda Division, and Scientific Hub to prepare accordingly.
Although Ideal City and Event Horizon Earth were gradually merging under corporate rule, internal tensions remained.
Without sufficient external distractions, human society would fracture due to internal conflicts.
During existential crises, humans unite and unleash immense potential. But in times of peace, their high-entropy minds stir unrest and factional strife.
To keep this volatile civilization stable, the conglomerate needed to keep their focus on conquering alien threats.
The Civilization Fishing Plan provided the perfect external enemy to rally around.
Moreover, repeated interdimensional conquest successes would boost confidence and inspire humans to contribute more to the conglomerate.
Since humanity could never remain idle, if they weren't given a platform to prove their worth, they would instead fuel internal chaos.
Thus, once the Interstellar Conglomerate's War Machine started moving, it could never stop.
As the conglomerate's CEO, Li Ang 's role extended beyond technological advancement—he also had to master high-level political maneuvering to maintain loyalty.
With that in mind, he turned his attention to a more pressing matter:
The Scorpiotail Virus.
And the plan to wipe out the Precursors.
The final stage of the war was about to begin.
The net was closing.
And the enemy had nowhere left to run.
...
A week later, in São Paulo, where the Stargate was located.
A fleet of Eagle shuttles swiftly skimmed across the city's skyline, overlooking this towering metropolis that had yet to be swallowed by the ocean.
"The perimeter around the frontline base is clear. No signs of Kaiju. Proceeding with the containment operation!"
Inside the fleet, the shuttle pilots maneuvered their craft while simultaneously observing and reporting on the ground base's status.
"Continue monitoring."
The order came from the command personnel within the base.
"Understood!"
...
Thanks to the rapid repairs and reconstruction carried out by the MegaCorp engineering division, the once-ruined ghost city was gradually coming back to life.
Centered around the Stargate, MegaCorp's engineering teams continuously expanded and upgraded the frontline base.
After nearly two months, this dead city had transformed into an industrialized town capable of housing a hundred thousand people.
A vast number of AI robots and logistics personnel moved between the ruins of the frontline base, shuttling back and forth between the base and the factories.
They recycled materials from the ruins and, through industrial 3D printing facilities, produced new construction materials.
Meanwhile, a fully automated mechanical transport system now connected the Earth of Pacific Rim directly to the Base via the Stargate.
All resources, weaponry, and various vehicle components could now be transported unmanned and at high speed, greatly enhancing production efficiency.
Additionally, the underground training grounds had expanded more than tenfold compared to before.
Within this facility, a large number of fully armed soldiers gathered—members of the ASR Legion, the Astartes Reserve Corps, and the Clone Army, all equipped with tactical masks.
These troops would follow direct orders from the Astartes elite vanguard, coordinating with its members in executing various tactical offensives.
Furthermore, the cloned soldiers were also managed by specialized controllers who directed their combat maneuvers.
Alongside them were approximately 300 Chimera tanks, Basilisk war wagons, and other war machines.
These lethal machines, designed for adaptability across various terrains and equipped with hover-flight capabilities, could be deployed efficiently in diverse combat environments.
Moreover, after undergoing modifications by the military-industrial division, these tanks were now equipped with even more powerful weapon systems and superior fire-control technology.
With the ground forces of LA Corporation fully assembled, select elite soldiers boarded Stormhawk gunships, shuttles, and the Wasp-class vessels.
As for the remaining troops, they proceeded to the larger vertical takeoff and landing platforms to board even bigger transport airships—the Dragon-class Assault Carriers!
This medium-sized troop transport aircraft was designed to facilitate large-scale deployments of MegaCorp soldiers, capable of delivering forces in the tens of thousands.
After all, shuttles and gunships had limited capacity, making them suitable only for standard transportation and deep-strike infiltration missions.
For large-scale troop movements like this, the Dragon-class airships were essential.
These aircraft had a maximum capacity of 213 personnel.
Their onboard deck areas could also barely accommodate 3–4 Chimera tanks or up to 6 Basilisk war wagons.
Thus, the Dragon-class Assault Carrier became a key asset in this operation.
However, their objectives this time were not solely the external Precursor but also the human cities located in Antarctica!
At this moment, inside the headquarters command center:
"All personnel and heavy armor units will complete boarding within ten minutes. Current progress: 90%."
"The aerial formations carrying the Scorpion Tail Virus have reached various global airspace and maritime regions. Virus deployment is scheduled in three minutes."
"Precursor clone hosts carrying the pathogen have successfully infiltrated enemy headquarters worldwide. No anomalies in the plan."
"The Infinity -class starship has arrived over South America and is prepared to provide any necessary ground fire support or orbital airdrops."
"RCS-class armored cruisers have reached the Precursor' wormhole device. The Kaiju stationed here have been subdued and are ready to enter the wormhole, directly striking the enemy homeworld!"
"..."
(Show your support and read more chapters on my Patreon: p@treon.com/psychopet. Thank you for your support!)