Chapter 269: Humans’ Counter Attack (2/2)
Meanwhile, the council meeting was discussing a pressing issue. Based on the NNT's report, the Zergs were conducting an unprecedented experiment to further evolve their species by mixing superior human gene with that of the Zergs. The war had provided an excellent opportunity for them to collect human gene samples.
After reviewing all the evidence laid out by the NNT, the Li family conceded that the Zergs intention in this war was not to conquer the planet, but to conduct their hideous experiments.
The progress of the cleaning up the planet had been slow, NNT argued that the Zergs would gain the upper hand and reach a breakthrough in their research if the military didn't take action right away. The only viable option NNT had proposed to eradicate the Zergs in such a short period was to annihilate the planet.
This proposal shocked the council since its implication would be significant. There were many parties involved in the development of Norton, and convincing any one of them to give up their investment would be nearly impossible. The Zergs had been collecting the human genes for a while, which it was an indication of their slow progress in hacking into the human gene. However, if they ever succeeded, the outcome could be catastrophic. The time was ticking.
The students had already been pulled back, and the military's retreat would only be a matter of giving the orders since House Li were among the firm supporters of the retreat plan.
It seemed that Ma Sa's plan was about to follow through, but he had overlooked another critical player, the Golden Hawk. The Golden Hawk had been the strongest opposer of the retreat plan, and they were convinced that the NNT had broken its vow of not getting involved in politics, and had formed a secret alliance with the House of Li. However, after seeing the evidence Ma Sa had given to the council, they changed their mind. Golden Hawk had always been the most hawkish faction, and they were more eager than anyone else to deliver a fatal blow to the Zergs. After watching the video of Zergs collecting Li Shiming's blood, the Golden Hawk wagered that once the Zergs evolved into a creature as powerful as Li Feng, that would be the end of human civilization.
However, the theory of a Zerg-Li Feng hybrid super being sounded preposterous to the majority of the council members. More than half of the council member opposed the retreat plan, and the opposers were also backed by the environmentalist who thought the humans would be no different from the Zergs if they destroyed an entire planet and the lives on it for the sake of their own well-being.
The two voices clashed with each other and the only thing that NNT could do was wait. Their jurisdiction was the investigation, but not in the decision making. After insistent persuasion and lobbying by the Li, the recent opinions of the council members seemed to favor the retreat plan finally. After all, despite how ridiculous their theory sounded, it was not unthinkable. And if the Zergs succeeded, that would be the end of the human race.
Once again, survival instinct trumped morality and common sense.
As the earthlings seemed to have reached a consensus on the issue, the Martians threw another wrench into the gears by dispatching a few fleets towards Norton. The secrets were no longer a secret, since everyone had heard the news that the military was going to blow up the planet. If the earthlings did that, the Martian investments would be all lost. The Martians had recently finished constructing a warp portable on its moon to Norton, betting on the prosperity on the planet after the war. If planet Norton were reduced to ashes, so would their years of investments.
After the Martians, the Ivantians followed suit to protect their precious metal mines, and the council was back to the drawing board.
At this point, the situation had already gone out of control. Even the mighty House Li was finally silenced under the pressures from all sides. Ma Sa knew then that his plan had failed. The most likely outcome from this political disaster was a full force attack led by all three factions. However, that, Ma Sa thought, was exactly what he wanted to see from the beginning.
”Father, that was the summary of the council meeting.” Li Shiming said.
”Ma Sa has already gotten what he wanted.”
”What do you mean?”
”He knew it was impossible just to blow the planet apart. That wasn't his intention. He simply wanted the Confederation to see the danger they are in by suggesting a desperate and extreme method. His plan was a ruse to coax the Confederation to dispatch more forces to the battlefield.”
”I see! Why did you play along?”
”The outcome is not bad for us, is it? Zergs are everyone's enemy, plus now, NNT owes us a huge favor. Ma Sa is a very influential person, and it doesn't hurt to keep him close to our side. Sometimes, you need to focus on the future instead of the present.”
”Yes, father.”
”There is no need for you at the front line any longer. You should return and focus on handling your marriage proposal.”
Every four years, the young warriors of the Confederation would gather together in a tournament to compete for the title of the champion. It would not be an easy task for Wang Tong, but if he started to focus on strengthening his new sea of consciousness, he might have a chance.
The student's experience in the military campaign had put a positive spin on their preparation for the tournament, as it motivated them to train with a newfound determination.
On the battlefield, the students had finally realized how small and vulnerable they were. The ruthless war would not give them a second chance to revisit the chapter on Zerg's attack formation, nor would it give them another few weeks to strengthen their body so that they could move just an inch further away from death. If they didn’t train hard, they would have to the pay the ultimate price—their lives.