"We…"
"No need to say more. Activate the Intelligent Crisis Response Plan immediately. Don't hesitate. Establish contact with the Highriders at once and brief them on PROJECT's current situation. Remember, fast. Faster. You must act immediately!"
Berlitz's expression was more serious than ever. He issued orders to his subordinates without pause, then hurried straight toward the conference room.
They were racing against time. Since PROJECT had not yet taken over their network, it meant it had not fully assimilated their side. That meant they still had a window to act.
At a moment like this, losses no longer mattered.
"Are you absolutely certain?"
Opus looked sternly at the European Space Agency personnel who had contacted them.
"Every word is true. This kind of thing is easy to verify. We have no reason to lie to you."
Opus nodded, then immediately contacted Logan Doyle and relayed everything happening on PROJECT's side.
"In that case, cut off all network access and switch entirely to manual operation. Top priority goes to the orbital launchers."
"I know. I've already given the order. The same goes for your warships. Cut off all connections immediately. Do not dock on the Moon, and stay away from PROJECT's satellites. Do not act rashly. Wait and observe for now."
"Understood. I'll handle it right away. Also, have the European Space Agency secure Jamil immediately. This is our opportunity."
A sharp glint flashed in Opus's eyes. He clearly understood what Logan Doyle meant.
Whoosh.
As the doors opened, five members of the Twelve Angels stepped forward and blocked Jamil's path.
Having already received news from Roland, Jamil remained unusually calm.
"Jamil, I never thought you'd choose to side with the enemy."
One of them, a man with a stern and upright appearance, stepped forward and shouted.
"Don't do anything foolish, Jamil. Come back to us."
One of the two women among the Twelve Angels looked at him gently and spoke in a calm voice.
"Foolish? Siding with the enemy? Heh… I'm not like you people. I was never the European Space Agency's dog. I've always lived for myself."
As he spoke, Jamil narrowed his eyes and moved to the far edge of the room.
Whoosh.
As his helmet snapped into place, Jamil moved instantly, unleashing immense force against the wall.
With a deafening blast, a massive hole tore open before them. The expressions of the Twelve Angels changed immediately. They activated their equipment at once, barely stabilizing themselves against the overwhelming suction.
One by one, they put on their helmets.
"Time will prove that my choice was the right one."
With that, Jamil cast them one last glance, then leaned back and fell into space.
The remaining members of the Twelve Angels exchanged looks. After returning to the Crystal Palace and sealing off the area, they all assumed Jamil had died.
However, an invisible warship had already arrived silently near the Crystal Palace.
The Crystal Palace's radar detected nothing, as if it had gone completely blind. At that moment, Jamil entered the warship.
...
While the European Space Agency and the Highriders were scrambling to respond, over at Arasaka, Yorinobu Arasaka also received a message from Roland. After reading the information about the Super Body, his expression grew extremely complicated.
In his eyes, what made the Super Body truly terrifying was not anything else, but its limitless evolution and its horrifying ability to spread intelligent infection.
"I just hope… things don't get even worse…"
Yorinobu Arasaka walked to the window and looked down at Tokyo with a quiet sigh.
His father had died by his own hand. His sister, Hanako Arasaka, was under house arrest. At the same time, PROJECT Corporation had already entered Arasaka.
So now, as long as Roland did not interfere, Arasaka Corporation was entirely under his control.
From this point onward, both the New United States and Japan had fallen under PROJECT's control. Meanwhile, the Source Code virus continued to spread, though some countries still clung to hope and had not shut down their networks.
After all, the Source Code virus had not yet fully erupted. Shutting down the network abruptly would cause losses far beyond trivial. The cost would be astronomical.
The European Space Agency and the Highriders, on the other hand, acted decisively. They immediately shut down all network infrastructure, abandoned a large number of external bases that could not be defended, and concentrated their forces on protecting their most critical strongholds.
What Roland found somewhat regrettable was that Jamil had been forced out. Still, it was not a total loss. He had left behind something useful within the Crystal Palace.
With the network now cut off, the Source Code virus could only be spread slowly through more rudimentary means.
If possible, Roland did not want to destroy the Highriders' orbital launcher bases. Those would belong to him sooner or later. Destroying them now would be a waste.
...
"All personnel aboard the warships are to begin training on the second combat doctrine immediately. You must reacquire proficiency within three days. We don't have much time. Every day we delay means countless deaths. We are fighting for the world!"
"Yes!"
With the network cut off, the European Space Agency and the Highriders' warships could no longer rely on intelligent systems for assisted control. Everything had to be piloted manually.
"PROJECT's foundation is still not strong enough. Even with all the resources and territory they've gained, it will take them a long time to fully absorb it. We must seize this opportunity. Once they completely stabilize their control, there will be no chance left."
"I understand. We'll launch the offensive soon. This will be our final battle with PROJECT. By the way, what's the status of the core seeds plan?"
"It's ready. Once the war begins, they'll begin the transfer."
"Good."