Half a month later.
Inside the Human Federation First Laboratory.
"Professor, the statistics for the Escape Plan have been compiled."
Zero's holographic projection appeared beside Lü Yongchang.
The pen in Lü Yongchang's hand stopped abruptly. "How does it look? Have we exceeded five billion?" he asked gravely.
Deep worry showed in his eyes as he spoke.
Getting five billion people out first was already the limit of what Zero could currently manage.
If the number exceeded that... some people would inevitably have to be left behind.
And those left behind would cause further, unnecessary unrest.
"Professor, only four billion people applied for the Escape Plan."
Four billion?!
Lü Yongchang froze, then quickly raised his head to look at the holographic projection beside him.
"What happened?"
"Why only four billion?"
The holographic display quietly changed, and a detailed statistical chart appeared before him.
"According to the statistics, the vast majority of elderly people who met the selection criteria relinquished their places."
Lü Yongchang stared blankly at the chart floating in the air and murmured, "...Why?"
"They believed this would slightly increase the Escape Plan's chances of success."
Zero answered immediately.
At that answer, Lü Yongchang fell silent.
They were right.
The fewer people there were, the higher the Escape Plan's chances of success. That went without saying.
He put down his pen, raised his hands to cover his eyes, and sighed softly.
After a long while, he lowered his hands, revealing slightly reddened eyes.
"Zero, begin the Escape Plan."
"How much longer until [Jianmu] is completed?"
"About a month, Professor," Zero answered without hesitation. "Construction of the [Tower of Babel] Spaceport has reached eighty percent. The [Luan Bird] project can begin at any time."
A thoughtful look entered Lü Yongchang's eyes.
Conditions on the surface were steadily deteriorating, and the greatest