And so, once they had reached an agreement...
Faced with a crisis capable of destroying the world, the machinery of the state began operating with terrifying, unprecedented efficiency.
In less than forty-eight hours, the once-secret northwestern base had been completely transformed into a massive frontline fortress.
Heavy transport trucks lined up like a long steel dragon, hauling tons of specialized steel, cutting-edge equipment, and enormous quantities of energy supplies into the underground hangars day and night.
Along the outer defensive lines, entire formations of antiaircraft weapons were deployed, their dark barrels pointed straight at the heavens.
Radar continuously scanned beyond the atmosphere. The base had entered its highest level of combat readiness, and even the air seemed steeped in a grim, martial chill.
Zhang Qi leaned against the metal railing on the hangar's second level, surveying the busy engineers below.
Finally, his gaze shifted to a corner...
There, Dilu, Yaoyao, and Xiao An sat on military cots, with several cans of military field rations in front of them.
Although there was plenty of food, the tense atmosphere of the base seemed to have affected them. Unease still lingered in the three children's eyes.
"Stay here for a few days, until your parents come to pick you up..."
Zhang Qi walked down the stairs and spoke to the three children.
Now that he had taken charge of the situation, he certainly wasn't going to let three barely grown children face those terrifying alien killing machines again.
Even if those three children were the protagonists of the original story...
"We can help!"
At those words, Dilu sprang to his feet, his face full of defiance.
"Help with what? Get yourselves killed by aliens with your half-baked skills? Or let children like you go onto the battlefield as cannon fodder?"
Zhang Qi shook