The Huaxia Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a routine press conference.
Dressed in a dark suit, the spokesperson stood expressionlessly behind the podium.
Below him, cameras of every size crowded together, their flashes firing in an unbroken barrage.
"Huaxia will conduct a routine intercontinental strategic missile launch test in the East China Sea today."
The spokesperson's tone was calm, without the slightest inflection.
"This launch is not directed at any country or target. It is purely a routine military exercise."
The fewer the words, the bigger the news.
The announcement sent shock waves around the world.
At America's Pentagon, the coffee cup in President Donald Trump's hand jolted violently. Scalding coffee spilled over his bespoke trousers, but he never even noticed.
"They're insane! Has Huaxia gone insane?! Testing an intercontinental missile in the East China Sea? That's combat range!" Donald Trump roared at the Secretary of Defense.
Little Japan's surviving cabinet members huddled in an underground bunker, trembling, convinced that Huaxia was about to impose another round of sanctions.
At that moment, every military satellite around the world locked onto Huaxia's northwestern interior.
Meanwhile.
At a concealed Rocket Force base in the northwest.
The massive underground launch silo slowly parted to either side, revealing a pitch-black abyss with no visible bottom.
An entirely black Dongfeng Express intercontinental strategic nuclear missile, gleaming with a cold metallic sheen, was slowly raised upright by its launch vehicle.
Like an unparalleled blade pointed straight at the heavens, it waited in silence for the moment it would be unsheathed.
Red lights flashed inside the command hall. The atmosphere was so tense it seemed cold enough to freeze water.
"Coordinates locked!"
"Terminal guidance program entered!"
"All ten ten-megaton nuclear warheads are operational!"
The base commander's expression was stern as he snapped his right arm down.
"Ignition!"