"This is the true apocalypse," Li Dong said solemnly while watching the video projected on the screen.
As soon as Li Dong finished speaking, the entire conference room erupted into chaos.
It became even noisier than a marketplace.
Everyone in the room stared wide-eyed at the simulation of a meteorite colliding with Blue Star on the projection screen, then began discussing among themselves:
"No way, this news can't be real!"
"It's fake, it must be fake."
"Exactly, if such a huge meteorite were heading toward Blue Star, how could media outlets worldwide not report it?"
"Astronomical observatories and organizations aren't blind—how could they possibly fail to observe or detect something this massive?"
"We're doomed. Blue Star is about to relive the mass extinction event from 65 million years ago."
"..."
"Fellow clan members, please quiet down! Silence!"
Li Dong spoke while waving his hand and pressing downward, signaling for everyone to settle.
"Captain Li Xuzhong, Captain Li Zhongwu, and all other squad leaders, please maintain order in this meeting."
The two captains and other squad leaders named by Li Dong quickly restored quiet to the conference room.
It no longer resembled the clamor of a marketplace.
"The information I'm sharing is absolutely true—I'm not deceiving you. I'll present the evidence shortly," Li Dong stated.
In the next moment, the imagery on the massive projection screen shifted.
A series of images appeared—the so-called 'evidence' Li Dong had mentioned.
Compared to the evidence Tiang had shown Li Dong over half a year earlier, the current projection displayed far more comprehensive and substantial proof.
Much of it had been captured using the Deep Space Astronomical Telescope, accompanied by observational footage.
To gather this intelligence, Tiang had even risked hacking into numerous astronomical organizations' systems to collect relevant data.
Although these organizations had been ordered by their respective governments to suppress any related news across media platforms, they couldn't possibly delete all astronomical records concerning the meteorite.
Some records had inevitably been preserved and concealed.
Thus, Tiang managed to retrieve significant amounts of pertinent data—all of which Li Dong now revealed publicly.
"Regarding your comments about astronomical observatories and organizations worldwide—they're certainly not blind, because they did indeed observe and detect the meteorite. Please examine the evidence above."
"To prevent panic, nations chose to block, conceal, and delete related news reports."
"The information I obtained comes through internal channels. I must ask you not to disclose it, to avoid causing social unrest."
Li Dong explained.
In his final statement, however, there was one falsehood.
Nine truths with one lie.
The intelligence Li Dong possessed didn't actually originate from internal channels as he claimed.
Global authorities had imposed extremely tight control over news of the meteorite's collision course with Blue Star—it was nearly impossible for such information to spread through major media platforms. Even most insiders remained unaware.
Any related reports were scrubbed completely clean.
Unless it truly can't be concealed anymore.
Compared to this, what do the zombies in reality even matter?
"Soon, news of the meteorite striking Blue Star will be impossible to suppress. At most within a month and a half, you'll see related reports on major media platforms," Li Dong continued, while observing the reactions of his clan brothers in the meeting room.
Many wore expressions of panic, appearing utterly at a loss, constantly scratching their heads. Some believed, while others did not.
On the faces of these clansmen, Li Dong saw every possible reaction. Those with stronger mental fortitude showed concern but little panic.
"Based on the information I have, countries currently have countermeasures for the meteorite. But what if interception fails, and they can't divert it from its original trajectory?" As Li Dong spoke, the content on the projection screen behind him changed accordingly.
What was now displayed were the plans and multiple contingency measures various nations had for the meteorite. These plans were real—nine parts truth, one part fabrication—prepared by Li Tiang based on his future memories.
"Even if a nuclear weapon with sufficient yield splits that ten-kilometer-wide meteorite into smaller fragments, it would still be enough to plunge humanity into an ice age. A sunless, endless night could last decades, even centuries."
"Extreme cold might persist for hundreds of years, or longer."
Given Blue Star's current civilization, simultaneously destroying multiple meteorites—let alone a ten-kilometer-wide one—is even harder than reaching the heavens.
For Blue Star's technology today, reaching the heavens isn't difficult at all. Outer space—ascend when you want, descend when you wish.
"I'm telling you this to unite us further, to strengthen our mutual trust. After all, we are clan brothers from the same ancestral hall."
Then, Li Dong began rallying them.
"That's right, we must unite and trust each other. We can't let outsiders take advantage of us," someone immediately echoed.
Many who didn't voice agreement likely thought the same. With this apocalyptic news revealed, Li Dong was their only lifeline—something they dared not let go of.
As Li Dong said, they were more deserving of each other's trust. Especially in regions where clan culture thrived, those sharing the same surname and ancestral hall were tightly knit.
Though these clan brothers had only been at the Shelter Base for less than a month, combining what they'd seen at the construction site with Li Dong's revelations, anyone with half a brain could guess the preparations were for doomsday.
"From now on, your duty is absolute obedience to orders and command."
"Rest assured, Clan Brother Dong. We will follow orders without question. Point east, and we'll never go west. If trust is lacking, we'll swear before the ancestral tablets—may oath-breakers die horribly!" Squad Leader Li Zhongwu declared fervently.
"Same here."
"..."
Others chimed in, practically carving loyalty onto their faces.
"That won't be necessary. I trust you all."
Seeing Li Zhongwu's stance, Li Dong waved his hand, his face showing no emotion, though inwardly he was overjoyed.
"Brothers and cousins, listen to me. You must liquidate your real estate assets quickly. Once the news of the meteorite impact goes public, it'll be too late to cash out. For now, don't bring your families over yet. Use the liquidated funds to stock up on essential supplies and tech equipment first," Li Dong continued.
The meeting lasted until midnight. Li Dong spent hours cautioning them on various matters and assigning numerous tasks before finally letting them leave.
"Phew, holding a meeting is exhausting. Damn it, I still have nearly ten more of these to go." The thought of attending so many more meetings left Li Dong utterly drained.
Recruiting allies had to be done gradually—he couldn't just gather everyone at once and dump the apocalyptic news on them all in one go.
Too many people would ruin the dynamic.
Who knows, someone might even secretly report Li Dong.
The second meeting was scheduled for the following night, primarily to recruit other members of the security team.
The third meeting, set for two nights later, aimed to bring in engineers, scientists, experts, and scholars working for the Great Qin Heavy Industries Technology Company.
The fourth meeting, planned for the following week, targeted relatively important technical management personnel.
The fifth meeting would focus on recruiting the majority of technical staff.
The sixth...
-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LegendaryTL
Thanks!