"A036 City, Emperor-class Honkai Beast detected; Squad Snowwolf, engage immediately. B166 Urban District reports insectoid-type Honkai Disaster; prepare for evacuation and defense measures. In thirty minutes, Selene's Moonlight Throne will cover the skies over B166; all units in the area, get ready for cleanup operations. D171 City, D3 district—Flame-type Pseudo-Herrscher detected; Ana, take charge, Kiana, prepare the space tunnel. Ana, you have three minutes to ensure uninterrupted operation of the Moonlight Throne linkage system..."
In the vast command center, rows of analysts surrounded its core, their faces illuminated by bright lights as they collected and analyzed data from various projection screens. At the heart of the room, a massive model of Earth floated and spun, projecting real-time information on global disasters. Bronya, wearing her blue eye patch, sat suspended atop a hovering seat, continuously circling the globe to read data and issue commands.
Kiana stood at the lowest level, facing a screen ready to display coordinates at any moment. Her ears twitched occasionally as she continually opened and closed space tunnels following Bronya's instructions.
The Herrscher Squad was now dispersed across frontline positions worldwide, swiftly moving between them with Kiana's remote assistance to efficiently suppress challenging instances of Honkai phenomena amidst the chaos.
Above the command center lay the high-level decision-making meeting room, offering an expansive view of the entire facility through floor-to-ceiling windows. Currently, Zeke had just shifted his gaze away from below and faced Hera (Otto Apocalypse) Schariac and Welt seated around the circular table:
"Facing such unprecedented onslaught, what are your thoughts?"
"Facing this unprecedented onslaught, what are your thoughts?"
"Hmm... With that bone-chilling unease earlier and these dire real-world figures, I believe it's time to abandon any luck, don't you agree, Welt?" Hera rested her chin on folded hands, smiling with youthful charm.
Welt nodded solemnly at being directly addressed. "I concur with Hera...and Otto. It appears the moment we've long awaited has arrived."
Zeke, the nexus of power and authority.
Hera, an unfathomable ultimate weapon.
Welt, the nation's cornerstone, embodying unity and prestige.
The three titans reached a consensus.
With a wave of Zeke's hand, a 3D map of the globe projected onto the circular table. Dense clusters of red dots marking disaster sites illustrated the horrifying extent of Honkai's arrival.
Yet, no matter how numerous those red points, they could not overshadow the golden region over the Mediterranean Sea, bright enough to illuminate the entire conference room.
"Tsk!"
Zeke tapped on the table, gazing down at the golden area representing intense Honkai Energy activity. "All these incidents, big and small, are merely distractions—or perhaps just aftershocks. The true focus lies here. Currently, it appears to be in its incubation phase, but predicting when this malevolent dragon will emerge is difficult. Aside from Fu Hua and Mobius, we've stationed other Heroic Spirits around the periphery. Since all worker bees sent for reconnaissance have ceased functioning, I'm not willing to risk further exploration."
Zeke remained remarkably composed as miniature models of Kevin, Su, and Elysia appeared near the gold-lit Mediterranean region, indicating their spatial positions.
Welt frowned deeply.
In contrast, Hera raised her hand, seemingly oblivious to the tense atmosphere. With a playful wave of her delicate fingers, she smiled charmingly and suggested, "I propose lifting the ban on Tier III weapons; I believe it's about time."
"Approved," Zeke responded without looking up.
Simultaneously, numerous blue, green, and orange dots emerged across mountains, forests, deserts, and ocean areas on the 3D map, with dense clusters also appearing high in the airspace above.
In the command center below, Bronya seemed to have caught wind of this exchange as well. Her voice momentarily paused mid-command, and instinctively, she glanced up at the conference room above.
Zeke knew Bronya was looking at him, but he did not turn around.
Bronya bit her lip, withdrawing her gaze from the decision-making chamber, and resumed her intense coordination duties.
Still staring at the 3D map on the table, Zeke spoke without lifting his head, deep in thought.
"Welt, enforce wartime regulations corresponding to this level. Show no mercy; we cannot afford to waste time and resources on burdens."
"Leniency towards those who break laws is cruelty to more deserving souls worth saving. I understand this principle," Welt softly replied. With a deep breath, his clear eyes revealed an ironclad determination.
Then, Zeke looked up at Hera.
"How's Durandal's troop assembly progressing?"
"The main forces are already mobilized, expected to complete all combat preparations within the Mediterranean region in approximately fifteen minutes. We should make it in time."
"Chen Tianwu, how is the execution of the migration plan progressing?" Zeke continued.
Chen Tianwu's figure materialized on the fourth chair around the table, responding, "I require eight hours."
"Six hours. Additionally, initiate the Droplet space station as planned and head towards the A34 terrestrial planet. You know the world bubble isn't entirely safe; ensuring a fallback option is crucial for civilization's last line of defense. Exercise utmost caution."
"Six hours is quite demanding, mentor. Unless we delay the Droplet space station's departure by six hours, it may be possible to attempt this."
"Approved. However, only utilize human resources; do not interfere with any facilities related to the Droplet space station. I want absolute zero risk for the station. For other challenges, push your limits to overcome them."
"Yes sir!" Chen Tianwu nodded resolutely without hesitation or further questions, and his projection promptly disappeared.
Welt looked perplexedly at Hera, asking, "By the way, why didn't we launch the space station earlier? Wouldn't establishing survival infrastructure ahead of time on Planet A34 make it easier to receive refugees from the world bubble there?"
"Because Honkai targets the entire civilization, we cannot guarantee that it won't spread to another planet due to the expansion of our civilization before everything is resolved. There are no suitable celestial bodies within close astronomical distances; we can't afford to take that risk. Hence, we must not extend civilization's reach prior to the decisive battle, do you understand?"
"Caution is indeed prudent. I have no further questions."
Welt nodded understandingly. During their brief conversation, he also used the light screen at his side to issue orders implementing the highest-level wartime regulations to the disciplined organization under his command.
Zeke paid no heed to their discussion and actions. After a moment of contemplation, he addressed the empty space ahead, saying:
"Dr. Ein, activate the Selene-linked systems, sky-based weapons system, and other long-range weapon systems to Level III combat response. Dr. Tesla, your Dreamer robot forces... deploy a small squad for exploration. I want to see if the resources expended were truly worth it."
"Yes sir."
"Leave it to me! You'll witness the masterpiece of this genius!"
The holographic portraits of Einstein and Tesla appeared in front of them—Einstein's calm demeanor instilled confidence, while Tesla exuded self-assurance, albeit still deserving trust as a brilliant mind.
Having made overall arrangements, Zeke proceeded to issue further commands to various teams.
After about fifteen minutes, feeling they had completed all necessary preparations, Zeke gazed intently at the golden region on the 3D map.
The suppressed emotions created a heavy atmosphere that weighed over the entire conference room, leaving Welt silent even as Hera's carefree smile faded away.
Then, Zeke stood up and approached the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the command center below.
His gaze first fell upon Bronya, softening slightly, before slowly shifting downward to Kiana, whose forehead was beaded with sweat from continuous spatial transfers.
"Unit 1417, bring her a glass of water and help wipe her sweat," Zeke whispered softly, directing his order to Cecilia Unit 1417 stationed nearby, ready for instructions.
Following the directive, 1417 delivered a warm glass of water and gently wiped Kiana's perspiration with meticulous care.
"Thanks!" Kiana replied without lifting her head, fully absorbed both mentally and physically, leaving no attention for such gestures. She hastily gulped down the water before promptly opening another space tunnel at the specified coordinates far away.
Zeke watched silently from afar as the girl diligently worked with her head bowed.
Kiana, if that's truly you, how can I protect you...?