Chapter 109: The True Situation

Chapter 109: The True Situation

People throughout the entire Earth Federation star region sensed that something unprecedented was unfolding. Interstellar travel had been prohibited. At eight o’clock Earth time in the morning, everyone’s computers received a government announcement from their respective countries.

“What’s happening? Why has wartime alert been declared?”

“Oh my God! What should I do? I must get to the capital star before noon! What now?”

“Mom? Why is school canceled today?”

“Great! The company finally gave us a holiday!”

“Oh... is this for real? Should I prepare some supplies at home? Are we really going to war?”

Each region reacted differently to the news.

This lockdown was unlike anything before; most people had never experienced such a thing. While citizens could still move about normally on their own planets, interstellar activities were strictly forbidden. All airports were heavily guarded by soldiers. All space stations were sealed off.

No one could have imagined that everything would be normal yesterday and suddenly war declared today. Yet what concerned many more was: where exactly had the war started? Who was fighting whom? Why was the entire star region being locked down?

“Luckily, the internet hasn't been shut down. Wait... why?”

Compared to restrictions on travel, this young man’s discovery seemed even more serious.

“Oh no! The network! The network is gone!”

Finally, some noticed that the interstellar network had also been obstructed. The once smooth and unimpeded star-spanning network had now been cut off, limited only to local planetary intranets.

At this point, within all jurisdictions of the Federation’s Chinese territories, ordinary citizens had been cut off from information.

Of course, communication within planets could still continue. But it must be understood that planets had become increasingly specialized. Residential planets were just that—residential. Industrial planets were strictly industrial.

The development of journalism naturally tended to concentrate in central star clusters. News from all planets was typically broadcast through the Republic’s Radiance network. Now, with this network severed, what news could there be?

However, this situation only applied absolutely within the Chinese Federation territories. Where there was absolute control, there were also places without it.

This was a secret of China and the entire Federation, or rather, an open secret.

The increase in territory brought difficulties in governance that, instead of improving, only worsened.

Although everyone was happy to accept this open secret, for the Chinese government it was a compromise forced by circumstances. Now, however, all signs suggested this compromise was about to become history.

***

The Earth Federation, due to its location, in the early days of the Great Interstellar Era, quickly expanded into neighboring star systems, benefiting from its abundant population. Space migration and interstellar development had grown the Earth Federation star region to 13,000 systems.

Of these, nearly 10,000 systems belonged to China alone; the remaining systems were divided among the United States of America, the Russian Federation, and the Vatican Sovereign State.

This war was directed against one of these sovereign nations—the Vatican Sovereign State.

The reason? It was simple to understand. China’s “God Project” had thoroughly crossed the Vatican’s red line.

The people would forever remember January 18th, Star Calendar 1232, as a historic moment.

That year, Liu Shaoyu was twenty years old.

***

“I really don’t get it. What’s the point of fighting such a meaningless war?”

“Yeah! China has such vast territory and so many troops. Taking them down should be a piece of cake, right?”

“Heh, you don’t know. I’ve heard the other two countries might have reached an agreement. This war might be something to watch.”

“Hmph! Haven’t those three always been on the same side? I say their time is running out too.”

“Look at you all acting like you’re the chairman of the Military Commission. Mind your own business! Hey, Old Zhang, I heard your kid is in the army? Any inside info?”

“Don’t talk about others… aren’t you just the same…”

Conversations like these played out continuously across the Earth Federation. Although the network restrictions had yet to be lifted, people’s initial panic was gradually calming down. Many realized that the war seemed distant from them—no widespread smoke of battle, no famine or chaos.

Besides not having to work, there seemed to be no downside. And as for the network? The intraplanetary networks were still accessible, weren’t they?

Yet, this was not the case on all planets.

“Command, this is the Zuomusdan System star gate. Our forces are under enemy attack. Requesting reinforcement!”

This place lay in the buffer zone between the Chinese Federation and the Russian Federation star regions. Before the war, it was a trading hub.

“Yes! Understood! All customs fleet commanders, hold out for 12 hours. That’s an order!”

The Chinese Federation’s customs fleets formed defensive lines around the star gates. Twelve hours! Facing a swarm of enemies, it was an impossible task.

This kind of battle was not isolated. Star gates around the entire Chinese Federation star systems seemed to be under attack simultaneously.

Some had even been breached...

“Now all front-line forces are stretched thin! Where am I supposed to send more fleets from?”

“One division is the last I can muster! Three hours! At best, three hours!”

“Report: The Wumu Fang System has been breached. Our customs fleet is wiped out.”

“Wumu Fang!? Isn’t the Third Army stationed nearby? How could it fall so quickly?”

“At present, no messages have returned. We are requesting to review recordings from the Republic’s Radiance network.”

“Quick! What time is it? Can’t these useless people move faster?”

“They have no choice. You know the situation with the Republic’s Radiance.”

“Hmph! Don’t they understand the saying ‘If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold’? Losing territory benefits no one!”

“They’ve been like this for a long time. By the way, Minister Ju has some ties with them, right?”

“Advisor Zhou, I don’t think now is the time for this kind of talk.”

“That’s true, but... the Ministry of Defense’s troop deployment speed this time seems... not as fast as expected?”

“Hmph, you know the Republic’s Radiance situation better than I do.”

The course of the war did not unfold as people imagined, with a one-sided victory. Instead, China appeared to be on the defensive. If ordinary citizens knew this, they would surely exclaim it impossible!

Yet nothing was impossible; events were unfolding just so. As for why this was happening, many were puzzled, while some were painfully aware.

***

To the readers:

Apologies for the recent absence due to personal matters. The interrupted sections will be resumed soon.