Crisis Descends

The entire laboratory erupted in celebration.

Lin Fan watched the excited crowd, deeply moved as well.

Since the Industrial Revolution, oil had become humanity's lifeblood. Yet the entire planet's accumulation over hundreds of millions of years had been squandered by humanity in just a century.

With the emergence of nuclear energy, humanity entered the nuclear age, and the oil crisis was temporarily eased. However, the use of nuclear fission still came with severe limitations and dangers.

After humanity entered the nuclear age, countless accidents occurred, and every one of them was enough to make everyone tremble in fear.

Thus, humanity needed a clean, safe energy source that could be used almost indefinitely. The theory of nuclear fusion was proposed and immediately hailed as the ultimate energy source.

But unfortunately, theory was just theory. Turning it into practical use remained an arduous task. More than a century later, humanity still had not opened the door to nuclear fusion.

Until this moment, when this boiling laboratory announced humanity's official entry into the age of nuclear fusion.

It was the crossing of an era, no less significant than humanity stepping into the Interstellar Era.

Before long, the report on the successful nuclear fusion experiment was placed on Lin Zhen's desk.

At that moment, Ed Campbell was sitting across from Lin Zhen's desk.

"Lin Zhen, once this news gets out, your re-election next year is guaranteed!"

That was right. To maintain policy continuity, each presidential term in the Federation lasted twelve years, with a maximum of three consecutive terms. Lin Zhen only had one year left in his first term.

The success of nuclear fusion was undoubtedly a powerful boost for his re-election. Not to mention that the chief developer was his own son. If anything unexpected happened, simply making this matter public would ensure that no one could stop Lin Zhen from being re-elected!

"I never expected that brat to be this capable. Honestly, I can't even understand him anymore!"

"Enough, stop acting modest after getting such a bargain. The issue now is that we need to accelerate the helium-3 mining plan on the moon. Otherwise, it will seriously affect the nuclear fusion program."

"Mm, that has already been arranged, so don't worry. What concerns me more is the Scott Family. Their recent movements have been rather strange!"

"The Scotts... I've received some news lately as well. They seem to have sent quite a few people to the Fourth Fleet. I have a feeling they're up to something!"

"I think so too. That's why Liang Xingchen and I specifically arranged for a group of people to monitor those Scott Family members who entered the Fourth Fleet. But we haven't found anything over the past few months."

"Sigh, hopefully we're just overthinking it!"

"Let's hope so!"

Indeed, the Scott Family had been making major moves recently. Their goal was to take control of the Fourth Fleet, and to that end, they had used a vast network of connections to transfer large numbers of family members into the Fourth Fleet.

Of course, Liang Xingchen was no fool. After noticing the Scott Family's actions, he immediately informed Lin Zhen. At the same time, he placed all those people in positions without real authority and arranged for many others to watch them.

Unfortunately, neither of them knew that even the head of the Scott Family had been played, becoming merely a pawn on someone else's chessboard. The true mastermind was someone else entirely.

Half a year later.

The Federation was now flourishing. Large numbers of nuclear fusion facilities had been established, while the old nuclear power plants were dismantled one after another. Humanity had finally welcomed clean, safe energy.

Not only that, but because nuclear fusion energy had low costs and high output, electricity prices plummeted. The Federation was even considering whether to stop charging citizens for electricity altogether and only charge businesses. It was clear just how cheap electricity had become!

As for the research team led by Bai Zixuan, they had also achieved one success after another over the past six months. The long-range jump tests for the Warp Drive Engine had entered their final stage, and finalization and deployment were no longer far away.

Quantum Communication Technology was also being tested alongside the Warp Drive Engine's long-range jumps, and the results were practically perfect. During the tests, communication could still be conducted without delay from more than ten light-years away, with highly encouraging results.

At the same time, the warship version of the nuclear fusion device had already been designed. The first prototype was under construction and would soon enter the testing phase.

Everything appeared to be moving in a wonderful direction. Yet no one noticed that an enormous crisis was drawing near.

Mars orbit, the base of the 101st Task Force Fleet, inside the detention room.

"Pew, pew."

After two shots from laser guns, the two guards stared at the man before them with disbelief in their eyes before finally collapsing unwillingly into pools of blood.

Wood Scott arrived outside the cell with two confidants planted by the Scott Family, then entered the password and opened the cell door.

"Your Highness Duolun, I was sent by Lord Adams to rescue you and return you to your home planet. Please come with me!"

Looking at Wood before him, Duolun Oakes was filled with confusion.

What was going on? The man before him was clearly human!

"Your Highness Duolun, I pledged allegiance to the Oakes Empire seven years ago. If you have doubts, please put this on!"

Seeing Duolun's confusion, Wood immediately handed him the communication device used to contact Adams.

Seeing the device, Duolun naturally recognized it. He skillfully took it and placed it in his ear.

"I am Duolun!"

"Your Highness Duolun, I am Adams. Wood can be trusted. He will help you escape. I have already prepared to receive you in the Asteroid Belt!"

"Alright, I understand!"

After hearing Adams's words, Duolun was finally reassured and returned the communicator to Wood.

"You have done well. Once we get out, I will reward you handsomely!"

"Thank you, Your Highness. However, for now, I'll need to ask Your Highness to endure a little discomfort and lie inside this."

Wood pointed at a box being carried by the two men beside him.

Duolun was no fool. If he simply walked out like this, escaping would be a miracle. He did not cling to his pointless pride, merely nodded and walked toward the box.

After Duolun lay inside the box and the lid was closed, the two subordinates lifted it and followed Wood outside.

Along the way, quite a few people greeted Wood, and he responded to each of them with an unchanged expression and a smile.

Over the past eight months, Wood had maintained the mask of an upright, warmhearted man within the Fourth Fleet. He had built excellent relationships with everyone, and his acting skills were practically worthy of an award.

Naturally, some people along the way curiously asked Wood what he was carrying. Wood had long prepared an answer: it was testing equipment from the research institute that needed to be immediately transported to the port.

Ten minutes later, Wood and his men arrived at the port. The two subordinates carried the box into a transport ship docked there.

However, just as Wood was about to board the ship as well, a questioning voice came from behind him!

"Wood, what was that thing you just carried inside?"