Chapter 136: Evacuation

Chapter 136 Evacuation

"Commander-in-Chief, this can't go on," the Deputy Commander of Y Base said anxiously. "At this rate, our base will be empty—everyone who can flee will have fled."

"Jing City Base is truly cunning. Charles is a madman, and Gu Jinsheng is a schemer. Gu Jinsheng isn’t unwilling to accept foreign immigrants—he clearly wants China to rule the world."

"We see his scheme, but the people don’t. Now they’re blinded by Jing City Base’s artificial star project and are fleeing to China even under threat of severe punishment."

"It seems we have no choice but to use military force."

"What do you mean?"

"Chief, Y Base is requesting another video call," Kong Zhongcheng reported to Gu Jinsheng. "It’s probably about that same matter. Should we answer?"

Wan Xueying said mockingly, "They must be desperate. Watching their residents flee in droves, they can’t keep going like this, so they have no choice but to reach out to us again."

"Probably nothing good. Chief, maybe we shouldn’t answer," Kong Zhongcheng suggested.

"Put them through," Gu Jinsheng said.

The video call connected, revealing the faces of representatives from Y Base and other European and American bases.

"Commander-in-Chief Gu Jinsheng, have you changed your position on our proposal from last time?" their lead representative immediately pressed.

Gu Jinsheng replied indifferently, "What proposal?"

The representative was visibly seething at Gu Jinsheng’s arrogant attitude.

"Commander-in-Chief Gu, don’t play dumb with us. We both know exactly what I’m referring to."

"I have no recollection," Gu Jinsheng remained cold and detached.

The representative took a deep breath. "Fine. Since you’re too busy to remember, let me remind you. What is your stance on mass migration now?"

Gu Jinsheng said, "I already made myself clear last time. I don’t recall agreeing to anything."

The representative was at his breaking point.

"So you’re still stubbornly refusing?"

"Absolutely out of the question," Gu Jinsheng categorically refused.

"Gu Jinsheng, aren’t you afraid we’ll unite and launch a Nuclear War against you?" the Commander-in-Chief of Y Base narrowed his eyes, his gaze threatening.

"Those who wish to immigrate may petition for naturalization," Gu Jinsheng remained unmoved.

The Commander-in-Chief of Y Base laughed in rage. "Gu Jinsheng, you won’t back down until it’s too late. You’ve already offended M Base—Charles won’t let this go. And now you dare to act so arrogantly? Even if our combined forces are weaker than yours, even a sinking ship has fight left. If every base fires just one missile at you, how many interceptors could you possibly have?"

Gu Jinsheng’s icy eyes bore into the screen, glinted dangerously.

"Gu Jinsheng, our position is clear. We’ll give you seven days to reconsider. After that, we expect a satisfactory answer. Otherwise, the mutual destruction will be on your hands. One missile could obliterate Jing City Base—then it’s game over for everyone."

As the call ended, Gu Jinsheng’s face was stone-cold.

"Boss, what do we do? Should we really agree to their demands?"

Gu Jinsheng remained silent. If the other side united to wage a Nuclear War—not for victory, but for mutual annihilation—he truly was painted into a corner.

"Initiate evacuation protocols now," Ji An suddenly said to Gu Jinsheng.

Gu Jinsheng asked, "The environment on the artificial planet still isn’t fully stabilized, right?"

Ji An nodded. "The only problem left is the water supply. It's insufficient, and if all of us migrate there, it could become a serious problem. But we’re running out of time. We can't compromise. If we back down now, everything we’ve worked for will be wasted, and we’ll be stuck dealing with endless fallout."

Wan Xueying said gravely, "Think about it, boss—if someone like Charles makes it to the artificial planet, do you really think we’ll ever have peace? We’re doing this so humanity can survive in peace, but Charles? He’ll just bring more war. If he can't win, who's to say he won't trigger another apocalypse? What will we do then?"

Ji An spoke again, "We’ll deal with the water problem later. We’ll migrate everyone to the artificial planet first. If we run low, we can always haul more from Earth. There will be a solution."

"Alright, let’s get the migration started," Gu Jinsheng said, glancing at Wan Xueying. "You’re taking point on the artificial planet. Get up there first with a full team and make sure the civilians are settled."

"Copy that. Mission’s as good as done," Wan Xueying acknowledged, signaling her trusted subordinates.

The first wave had to be rock-solid loyal to the Beijing Base.

After considering various factors, the first group was decided to be from the orphanage.

Little Rose and Little Stone showed up at command for check-in—and to catch up with Ji An.

"Brother Ji An!" The two were teenagers now, fifteen or sixteen—Little Stone had grown into a sharp-looking guy, Little Rose into a poised young woman.

Having missed Ji An for so long, they were overjoyed to see him.

Ji An walked over with a gentle smile. "You’ve both grown so much."

"Brother Ji An, we heard—this sudden migration is because the Y Base and other Western bases are teaming up with the M Base to launch a Nuclear War against us. Little Stone and I want to stay and help," Little Rose said urgently.

"We’re both psychics. We’re sharp—we could really help out. Brother Ji An, let us stay and help you," Little Stone added.

Ji An understood their concern—they wanted to stand by him through thick and thin.

Touched, he reassured them, "If you wanna help me, back up Wan Xueying on the artificial planet. It’s a mess up there—everything’s still getting set up. If you can keep things under control and prevent trouble among the settlers, that’ll be a huge help to me."

"But it’s dangerous here," Little Rose fretted.

"I’m not sticking around to take missiles head-on. Within seven days, I’ll evacuate too. It’s just that the researchers have some final tasks to wrap up."

Little Rose nodded. "Alright then, Brother Ji An. Don’t sweat it—we’re not the same kids who got pushed around. We’ll do everything to help Sister Wan Xueying suppress anyone with ulterior motives."

"I know you’ve got this. I’ve heard all about the stuff you’ve pulled off," Ji An said warmly.

Little Rose smiled shyly, while Little Stone puffed up with pride.

Once they were gone, Ji An’s mask slipped—just for a second.

Completing the migration in seven days wasn’t the hard part—the real challenge was water. The artificial planet didn’t have nearly enough water to support everyone. This was a major issue.

Most people didn’t know yet, so they were still on board. But if word got out? Panic. Cold feet everywhere.

Meanwhile, Wan Xueying hit the ground running, evacuating Chinese nationals across the country.

The die-hard loyalists went first, then the naturalized folks.

"No way I’m going! You want me out? Get my family here first!" a Chinese-American from the M Base shouted.

He’d slipped into China recently, using zombie hunts as cover, and thanks to relaxed naturalization policies, obtained Chinese citizenship.

His family remained in the M Base—alive or dead, he didn’t know. He had longed to bring them over but lacked the chance.

Now, with Beijing Base scrambling, he saw his shot. If he and others resisted evacuation, stirring unrest, perhaps the base would bring their families over just to calm the situation.

"Sir, the situation is urgent. Missiles from Y Base and other bases could strike at any moment. We must evacuate immediately," said Little Stone, who was in charge of relocating these foreigners with Chinese nationality.

The man remained obstinate. "Of course it’s easy for you to talk—it’s not your family. If it were your loved ones, would you still speak so lightly? You’d have sent hovercars to scoop them up already."

Seeing that Little Stone was just a teenager, others took advantage of his youth, figuring they could bully a kid, and chimed in.

"You want us to leave? Get our families here first."

Their refusal to leave delayed the evacuation of those behind them. Not daring to waste time, Little Stone quickly called Wan Xueying.

Her image flickered onto the holo-screen as Little Stone reported the situation.

Wan Xueying’s cold gaze swept over the troublemaking foreigners on the other end of the video. Her voice was icy. "If you don’t want to board, then don’t."

The foreigners were stunned. "You can’t do this! We’re now Chinese citizens, residents of the Capital Base. You can’t just abandon us!"

"You’re the ones refusing to evacuate. I’m just giving you what you asked for."

"All we’re asking is for you to help rescue our families. It’s such a simple request—why can’t you fulfill it? You have hovercars; you could bring them here in an instant. Why won’t you? What’s your excuse?"

"Remember this: you were the ones begging to get into Capital Base, not the other way around. Right now, who has time to risk their lives rescuing people from the M base?" Wan Xueying snapped impatiently. "Get patrol to throw them out."

Little Stone ended the call and tapped his wrist display. The patrol team rolled up in mech suits moments later.

After a brief explanation, the patrol team apprehended and detained the troublemakers.

The Capital Base was conducting a secret evacuation, unknown to other bases. These individuals couldn’t be released, lest they leak information.

Chinese onlookers snorted. "Why do these people never learn? Always pulling stunts like this. Our Commander-in-Chief Gu Jinsheng is notorious for his iron fist—threatening him is pointless."

After this incident, the foreign nationals became much more compliant. The few who still resisted were swiftly detained.

Despite the Capital Base’s strict precautions, a traitor emerged, leaking the news. Upon learning that the Capital Base had begun evacuating its residents, Y Base finally lost its patience and decided to strike first.