Chapter 54
Arms Conference
Above the stratosphere, the CEA floating headquarters hangs silently atop the clouds.
Right now, the only remaining issue facing the highest levels of the CEA is the most realistic and brutal one.
Are human weapons still of any use?
Just like how news reports often refer to the defense force as an incompetent husband, the defense force really can't do anything when facing monsters.
Inside the circular conference hall, high-ranking officials from various departments took their seats again, while the screen remained frozen on the battlefield footage of King Orb's rampage and destruction, rendering defensive firepower completely ineffective.
The cold, red data keeps updating, each line of numbers a stark mockery of the fragility of humanity's current weaponry.
The director sat upright in the main seat, his expression solemn, his gaze sweeping across the entire room.
"We previously discussed the threat posed by the giant, namely Ultraman Sirius, but now we face only one fatal problem."
That means all our existing standard weapons, defensive barriers, and assault firepower are ineffective against these monsters, let alone able to protect the people.
As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the meeting room plummeted to freezing point once again.
The radical Director Yoshida was the first to stand up, and said decisively:
"I suggest that resources be fully allocated to strengthen the research and development of offensive weapons!"
Our current defense system is practically useless. The monsters are overwhelming us with their slaughter, and we have no means of countermeasures!
Instead of clinging to an ineffective defense, we must radically modernize our military. Only with offensive firepower capable of severely damaging monsters will we be qualified to protect our homeland. Delaying will only lead to ever-increasing casualties!
Director Yoshida has always been tough and radical, firmly believing that strength is the only source of confidence. This statement resonated with many frontline operations and technical personnel.
Having experienced the powerlessness of King Orb, everyone desperately longed to have the power to fight back.
Just as most people in the room tacitly agreed, Captain Sato spoke slowly, his voice gentle yet carrying great weight:
"I am not against weapons upgrades, but I do not agree with unlimited military expansion."
He stood up, looking calmly at the crowd:
"Weapons themselves are not scary; what is truly terrifying are weapons that are unrestricted and unchecked."
We can develop specialized weapons to combat monsters and enhance our basic combat capabilities, but we must simultaneously establish a strict control system, including access permissions and activation bans.
Weapons can be upgraded, but order must never collapse. Controllable weapons are a shield of protection; out-of-control weapons are a scourge of destruction.
Captain Sato's moderate and comprehensive viewpoint instantly calmed the radical atmosphere and poured cold water on the fervent rhetoric of arms expansion.
But the next second, an old but deep voice slowly rang out.
The refined old man, who had witnessed the history of human unification and always upheld the ideal of peace, gently shook his head, his eyes filled with deep worry.
"Captain Sato is too optimistic. Once the arms race is breached, there is never any hope of control."
The old man raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over all the high-ranking officials present, his words heavy with meaning:
"Have you all forgotten how we came to enjoy this unified and peaceful era?"
Before unification, all the world's forces were engaged in endless competition, everyone was frantically developing new weapons, and everyone was running an endless marathon while coughing up blood.
The arms race dragged down people's livelihoods, exhausted human and material resources, and plunged everyone into fear and strife. Our ancestors spared no effort to end the chaos and established the so-called Earth Federation, just to completely cut off the nightmare of weapons dominating the world!
Now, just because of the arrival of monsters, are we about to restart military expansion? Are we going to walk the same old path again?
After a series of questions, the entire room fell silent. Director Yoshida hesitated, unable to refute this heavy historical lesson.
On one side is an imminent crisis, and on the other is a deeply etched historical trauma.
Armaments, peace, survival, and order—these four mountains weigh heavily on everyone, making it hard for them to breathe.
After a long and contentious dispute, the three parties remained deadlocked, and no one could convince the others.
In the end, all eyes were on the director in the main seat, awaiting the final verdict.
The spacious conference room was so quiet that only the low-frequency hum of the equipment could be heard.
The director remained silent for a long time, his eyes filled with helplessness, heaviness, and determination.
He knew that the old man's concerns were not unfounded; peace was hard-won, and the consequences of military buildup being out of control would be endless.
But he knew even better—disasters don't give people time to reminisce.
"We remember the lessons of history, and we remain committed to our original aspiration for peace."
The director spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but carrying the authoritative weight of a final decision:
"But the current crisis has exceeded the capacity of conventional defense systems."
He raised his eyes, his gaze resolute, and delivered his final decision to the crowd:
"Immediately order the concentration of substantial funds, research personnel, industrial capacity, and strategic resources, and dedicate all efforts to the research and development of offensive weapons."
The entire audience was stunned.
This is the most resolute and desperate strategic shift that humanity has made at this stage.
The director stared at the defense line on the screen, which had been so easily destroyed by King Orb, his tone heavy with a hint of self-mockery:
"We don't expect new weapons to completely annihilate the monsters. I only want one thing: from now on, we should no longer be like we are today, watching disaster strike and people fall into dire straits, yet being powerless to do anything about it."
Let's stop being those incompetent guardians who watch everything crumble and can't do anything about it.
As the words were spoken, the meeting adjourned, and all the mid-level officials bowed and left. The heavy alloy hatch slowly closed, isolating them from all outside noise.
In the empty and solemn top-floor conference room, only four of the CEA's top core members remained.
The director lightly tapped his fingers on the table, leaned forward slightly, and his expression, which had been decisive just moments before, was now serious and solemn. After a few seconds of silence, he looked up at the three of them and began this top-secret conversation in a deep voice:
"Conventional military upgrades can only address shortcomings; they cannot truly counter the monsters." His gaze was calm as he spoke slowly and deliberately: "I propose that we restart research on the alien equipment that accidentally crashed to Earth during the arms race era."
As soon as he finished speaking, Director Yoshida straightened up, bracing himself on the table with both arms, his eyes sharp and resolute, without the slightest hesitation:
"I wholeheartedly agree!"
His tone was urgent, filled with a strong sense of urgency: "After all, conventional research and development is too slow! What will we do if the monster descends tomorrow?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Captain Sato frowned slightly, sat up straight, raised his hand and pressed it down slightly, his expression calm and restrained:
"I cannot agree with this."
He looked directly at the director, his tone calm and solemn: "Extraterrestrial technology is completely beyond human comprehension. If humanity forcibly takes control of a power it cannot control, the order of civilization will be completely out of balance, sowing the seeds of devastating hidden dangers. Weapons beyond our capabilities are never hope, but disaster."
The refined old man beside him slowly raised his hand to stroke his white beard, shook his head slightly, his eyes filled with vicissitudes and worry, and slowly echoed:
"I agree with what Sato said. Strength needs to be matched with a foundation of civilization. We finally got out of the chaos of military buildup, but now we are studying alien technology again, just like before unification. This is no different from drinking poison to quench thirst. If we are not careful, we will be doomed."
Faced with the two men's attempts to dissuade him, Chief Yoshida frowned, clenched his fists slightly, and his tone became increasingly firm:
"Talking about risks is useless!"
You worry about self-destruction in the distant future, but right before our eyes is a monster attack! Compared to this looming threat, defeating the monster and protecting the people is the only priority now!
The four held their own positions, and the room fell into a silent standoff, the air thick with oppressive tension.
After a long silence, the director slowly leaned back in his chair, his gaze deep and thoughtful. Having weighed the pros and cons, he finally spoke, delivering the final decision:
"I am aware of all the risks, and I am well aware of the dangers ahead."
He raised his eyes, his voice firm and powerful: "Finalize it immediately. Initiate top-secret research on alien equipment, with the highest level of control throughout, restricting access and strictly controlling risks."
"This is necessary to protect our people..."
Next, in order to establish and stabilize the character, there will be an episodic segment, which can also be considered as giving the protagonist some time to adapt to the power. After the two episodic segments are over, the protagonist will continue to go to jail. You can guess what the next episode will be based on the monsters that appear.
Also, don't enroll in the University of the Land of Light! The PE teacher will chase you in a jeep!
Let's have another challenge! 30 comments last time were too easy, so this time it'll be 50. If we get 50 comments, the next chapter will be updated at 10 PM tonight.
Right now, the only remaining issue facing the highest levels of the CEA is the most realistic and brutal one.
Are human weapons still of any use?
Just like how news reports often refer to the defense force as an incompetent husband, the defense force really can't do anything when facing monsters.
Inside the circular conference hall, high-ranking officials from various departments took their seats again, while the screen remained frozen on the battlefield footage of King Orb's rampage and destruction, rendering defensive firepower completely ineffective.
The cold, red data keeps updating, each line of numbers a stark mockery of the fragility of humanity's current weaponry.
The director sat upright in the main seat, his expression solemn, his gaze sweeping across the entire room.
"We previously discussed the threat posed by the giant, namely Ultraman Sirius, but now we face only one fatal problem."
That means all our existing standard weapons, defensive barriers, and assault firepower are ineffective against these monsters, let alone able to protect the people.
As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the meeting room plummeted to freezing point once again.
The radical Director Yoshida was the first to stand up, and said decisively:
"I suggest that resources be fully allocated to strengthen the research and development of offensive weapons!"
Our current defense system is practically useless. The monsters are overwhelming us with their slaughter, and we have no means of countermeasures!
Instead of clinging to an ineffective defense, we must radically modernize our military. Only with offensive firepower capable of severely damaging monsters will we be qualified to protect our homeland. Delaying will only lead to ever-increasing casualties!
Director Yoshida has always been tough and radical, firmly believing that strength is the only source of confidence. This statement resonated with many frontline operations and technical personnel.
Having experienced the powerlessness of King Orb, everyone desperately longed to have the power to fight back.
Just as most people in the room tacitly agreed, Captain Sato spoke slowly, his voice gentle yet carrying great weight:
"I am not against weapons upgrades, but I do not agree with unlimited military expansion."
He stood up, looking calmly at the crowd:
"Weapons themselves are not scary; what is truly terrifying are weapons that are unrestricted and unchecked."
We can develop specialized weapons to combat monsters and enhance our basic combat capabilities, but we must simultaneously establish a strict control system, including access permissions and activation bans.
Weapons can be upgraded, but order must never collapse. Controllable weapons are a shield of protection; out-of-control weapons are a scourge of destruction.
Captain Sato's moderate and comprehensive viewpoint instantly calmed the radical atmosphere and poured cold water on the fervent rhetoric of arms expansion.
But the next second, an old but deep voice slowly rang out.
The refined old man, who had witnessed the history of human unification and always upheld the ideal of peace, gently shook his head, his eyes filled with deep worry.
"Captain Sato is too optimistic. Once the arms race is breached, there is never any hope of control."
The old man raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over all the high-ranking officials present, his words heavy with meaning:
"Have you all forgotten how we came to enjoy this unified and peaceful era?"
Before unification, all the world's forces were engaged in endless competition, everyone was frantically developing new weapons, and everyone was running an endless marathon while coughing up blood.
The arms race dragged down people's livelihoods, exhausted human and material resources, and plunged everyone into fear and strife. Our ancestors spared no effort to end the chaos and established the so-called Earth Federation, just to completely cut off the nightmare of weapons dominating the world!
Now, just because of the arrival of monsters, are we about to restart military expansion? Are we going to walk the same old path again?
After a series of questions, the entire room fell silent. Director Yoshida hesitated, unable to refute this heavy historical lesson.
On one side is an imminent crisis, and on the other is a deeply etched historical trauma.
Armaments, peace, survival, and order—these four mountains weigh heavily on everyone, making it hard for them to breathe.
After a long and contentious dispute, the three parties remained deadlocked, and no one could convince the others.
In the end, all eyes were on the director in the main seat, awaiting the final verdict.
The spacious conference room was so quiet that only the low-frequency hum of the equipment could be heard.
The director remained silent for a long time, his eyes filled with helplessness, heaviness, and determination.
He knew that the old man's concerns were not unfounded; peace was hard-won, and the consequences of military buildup being out of control would be endless.
But he knew even better—disasters don't give people time to reminisce.
"We remember the lessons of history, and we remain committed to our original aspiration for peace."
The director spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but carrying the authoritative weight of a final decision:
"But the current crisis has exceeded the capacity of conventional defense systems."
He raised his eyes, his gaze resolute, and delivered his final decision to the crowd:
"Immediately order the concentration of substantial funds, research personnel, industrial capacity, and strategic resources, and dedicate all efforts to the research and development of offensive weapons."
The entire audience was stunned.
This is the most resolute and desperate strategic shift that humanity has made at this stage.
The director stared at the defense line on the screen, which had been so easily destroyed by King Orb, his tone heavy with a hint of self-mockery:
"We don't expect new weapons to completely annihilate the monsters. I only want one thing: from now on, we should no longer be like we are today, watching disaster strike and people fall into dire straits, yet being powerless to do anything about it."
Let's stop being those incompetent guardians who watch everything crumble and can't do anything about it.
As the words were spoken, the meeting adjourned, and all the mid-level officials bowed and left. The heavy alloy hatch slowly closed, isolating them from all outside noise.
In the empty and solemn top-floor conference room, only four of the CEA's top core members remained.
The director lightly tapped his fingers on the table, leaned forward slightly, and his expression, which had been decisive just moments before, was now serious and solemn. After a few seconds of silence, he looked up at the three of them and began this top-secret conversation in a deep voice:
"Conventional military upgrades can only address shortcomings; they cannot truly counter the monsters." His gaze was calm as he spoke slowly and deliberately: "I propose that we restart research on the alien equipment that accidentally crashed to Earth during the arms race era."
As soon as he finished speaking, Director Yoshida straightened up, bracing himself on the table with both arms, his eyes sharp and resolute, without the slightest hesitation:
"I wholeheartedly agree!"
His tone was urgent, filled with a strong sense of urgency: "After all, conventional research and development is too slow! What will we do if the monster descends tomorrow?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Captain Sato frowned slightly, sat up straight, raised his hand and pressed it down slightly, his expression calm and restrained:
"I cannot agree with this."
He looked directly at the director, his tone calm and solemn: "Extraterrestrial technology is completely beyond human comprehension. If humanity forcibly takes control of a power it cannot control, the order of civilization will be completely out of balance, sowing the seeds of devastating hidden dangers. Weapons beyond our capabilities are never hope, but disaster."
The refined old man beside him slowly raised his hand to stroke his white beard, shook his head slightly, his eyes filled with vicissitudes and worry, and slowly echoed:
"I agree with what Sato said. Strength needs to be matched with a foundation of civilization. We finally got out of the chaos of military buildup, but now we are studying alien technology again, just like before unification. This is no different from drinking poison to quench thirst. If we are not careful, we will be doomed."
Faced with the two men's attempts to dissuade him, Chief Yoshida frowned, clenched his fists slightly, and his tone became increasingly firm:
"Talking about risks is useless!"
You worry about self-destruction in the distant future, but right before our eyes is a monster attack! Compared to this looming threat, defeating the monster and protecting the people is the only priority now!
The four held their own positions, and the room fell into a silent standoff, the air thick with oppressive tension.
After a long silence, the director slowly leaned back in his chair, his gaze deep and thoughtful. Having weighed the pros and cons, he finally spoke, delivering the final decision:
"I am aware of all the risks, and I am well aware of the dangers ahead."
He raised his eyes, his voice firm and powerful: "Finalize it immediately. Initiate top-secret research on alien equipment, with the highest level of control throughout, restricting access and strictly controlling risks."
"This is necessary to protect our people..."
Next, in order to establish and stabilize the character, there will be an episodic segment, which can also be considered as giving the protagonist some time to adapt to the power. After the two episodic segments are over, the protagonist will continue to go to jail. You can guess what the next episode will be based on the monsters that appear.
Also, don't enroll in the University of the Land of Light! The PE teacher will chase you in a jeep!
Let's have another challenge! 30 comments last time were too easy, so this time it'll be 50. If we get 50 comments, the next chapter will be updated at 10 PM tonight.