Crisis Descends

The entire laboratory was filled with jubilation.

Lin Fan, watching the excited crowd, felt deeply moved.

Since the Industrial Revolution, oil had been humanity's lifeblood. However, the accumulation of billions of years on the entire planet was squandered by humans within a century.

With the advent of nuclear energy, humanity entered the nuclear era, and the oil crisis slowed down. Yet, the use of nuclear fission still had severe limitations and dangers.

In the nuclear era, numerous accidents occurred, each one enough to make everyone tremble with fear.

Therefore, humanity needed a clean, safe, and almost perpetually usable energy source. The theory of nuclear fusion was proposed and immediately hailed by humanity as the ultimate energy.

But unfortunately, theory remained theory. Practical application was a long and arduous journey. After more than a hundred years, humanity still could not open the door to nuclear fusion and enter it.

Until this moment, this buzzing laboratory announced that humanity had officially entered the nuclear fusion era.

This was a leap across an era, its significance no less than humanity's entry into the interstellar age.

Soon, the report of successful nuclear fusion was placed on Lin Zhen's desk.

At this moment, Ed Campbell was sitting in front of Lin Zhen's desk.

"Lin Zhen, once this news gets out, your re-election next year will be absolutely secure!"

That's right, under the Federation's system, to maintain policy continuity, the president serves a 12-year term and can be re-elected for a maximum of three terms. Lin Zhen's first term was only a year away from ending.

The success of nuclear fusion was definitely a powerful shot in the arm for his re-election. Not to mention that the main researcher was his son. If any unexpected situation arose, as long as this was made public, no one could stop Lin Zhen's re-election!

"I never thought this brat would be so capable. Honestly, I can't understand him anymore!"

"Alright, don't pretend to be modest after getting the benefits. The problem now is that we need to accelerate the Helium-3 mining plan on the moon, otherwise, it will seriously affect the nuclear fusion plan."

"Yes, that has already been arranged, don't worry. What I'm more worried about now is the Scott Family. Their recent actions have been somewhat strange!"

"The Scotts, I've also received some information recently. They seem to have arranged for quite a few people to join the Fourth Fleet. I have a feeling they're up to something!"

"I think so too. That's why Liang Xingchen and I specially arranged a group of people to monitor those from the Scott Family who joined the Fourth Fleet. However, we haven't found anything in these past few months."

"Sigh, I hope we're just being overly cautious!"

"We can only hope so!"

Indeed, the Scott Family had been making significant moves recently, their goal being to control the Fourth Fleet. To achieve this, they had mobilized their extensive network of connections, transferring a large number of family members to the Fourth Fleet.

Of course, Liang Xingchen was not foolish. After discovering the Scott Family's movements, he immediately informed Lin Zhen and, at the same time, arranged for these individuals to be placed in non-influential positions and assigned a large number of personnel to monitor them.

Unfortunately, neither of them knew that even the head of the Scott Family was being manipulated, becoming a pawn on someone else's chessboard, while the true mastermind was someone else entirely.

Half a year later.

The Federation was now flourishing, with numerous nuclear fusion devices being established. The original nuclear power plants were dismantled one by one, and humanity ushered in clean and safe energy.

Moreover, due to the low cost and high output power of nuclear fusion energy, electricity prices plummeted. The Federation was even considering whether to make electricity free for citizens, only charging businesses, which showed how cheap electricity had become!

As for the research team led by Bai Zixuan, they had been receiving good news continuously for the past six months. The long-range warp tests of the Warp Drive Engine were nearing completion, and it was no longer far from being finalized and commissioned.

Along with the long-range warp tests of the Warp Drive Engine, the Quantum Communication Technology was also being tested. Its performance was described as perfect. During testing, communication was possible with no delay even at a distance of over 10 light-years, yielding gratifying results.

Simultaneously, the battleship version of the nuclear fusion device had also completed its design, and the first experimental unit was under manufacturing, expected to enter the testing phase soon.

Everything seemed to be progressing in a positive direction, yet, no one noticed that a great crisis was approaching.

Mars Orbit, the stationed area of the 101st Task Force Fleet, in a detention cell.

"Pew pew..."

After two shots from a laser gun, two guards looked at the man in front of them with disbelief before finally falling into a pool of blood, unwilling.

Wood Scott, along with two loyalists secretly placed by the Scott Family, arrived outside the cell and entered the password to open the cell door.

"Your Highness Duran, I am sent by Lord Adams to escort you back to your home planet. Please come with me!"

Looking at Wood in front of him, Duran Oakes was filled with endless confusion.

What was going on? The person in front of him was clearly human!

"Your Highness Duran, I have been loyal to the Oakes Empire for seven years. If you have any doubts, please wear this!"

Sensing Duran's confusion, Wood immediately handed over the communication device he had with Adams.

Seeing this device, Duran naturally recognized it. He skillfully took it and placed it in his ear.

"This is Duran!"

"Your Highness Duran, this is Adams. Wood can be trusted; he will help you escape. I have made preparations for your rendezvous in the Asteroid Belt!"

"Okay, I understand!"

Hearing Adams's words, Duran finally felt at ease and returned the communicator to Wood.

"You did well. I will reward you sufficiently once we get out of here."

"Thank you, Your Highness. However, for the time being, Your Highness needs to lie down in here."

Wood pointed to a box being carried by the other two people.

Duran was not foolish. If he walked out like this, it would be foolish to expect to escape. He did not put on any unnecessary pride and nodded, walking towards the box.

After Duran lay down in the box and closed the lid, the two subordinates carried the box and followed Wood out.

All along the way, many people greeted Wood, and he responded with a smile, his expression unchanged.

It was important to know that for the past eight months, Wood had been operating within the Fourth Fleet wearing the mask of a gentleman and a warm-hearted individual. He had gotten along exceptionally well with everyone, truly rivaling a movie star in his performance.

Of course, some people along the way curiously asked Wood what he was carrying. Wood had his answer prepared for this very situation. He claimed it was testing equipment from the research institute that needed to be immediately transported to the port.

Ten minutes later, Wood and his subordinates arrived at the port. Two of his subordinates carried the boxes onto a transport ship docked there.

However, just as Wood was about to board the ship himself, a question came from behind him!

"Wood, what exactly did you just carry inside?"