Chapter 22: Any
On the Seizure Group’s large screen, besides the hospital sector, Jiang Yang also saw tables marked with different names such as factory, laboratory, research institute, and so on.
It was very clear that on this night, all institutions with particle accelerators would receive conscription notices and then be temporarily taken over by the Apocalypse Project Command.
A total of 10756 available particle accelerators meant 10756 seizure and takeover teams. Such massive and precise mobilization of manpower implied resource organization and human mobilization capabilities that even Jiang Yang, a transmigrator who had experienced life and death several times and had some understanding of national power, couldn’t help but feel shocked.
His gaze shifted away from the Seizure Group’s large screen and turned to the Design Group.
……
The night was silent, and the early autumn night breeze dispersed the daytime heat. Surrounded by lush weeds, a reservoir’s surface was as smooth as a mirror.
Insects chirped, and a crescent moon quietly reflected on the lake surface.
The night was distant and peaceful.
At the edge of the reservoir, at a fishing spot, a middle-aged man with thick hair was leisurely smoking, browsing his mobile phone, and watching the float’s movements.
There were already several big fish in the fish protector beside him, and it looked like the harvest was good.
“Not back yet?”
“No, you and the child sleep first. I’m not coming back tonight.”
“Still thinking you’re young? Fish for a bit to satisfy the craving and that’s enough.”
“Finally got a vacation, must fish to my heart’s content today. Don’t worry about it.”
Casually brushing off his wife, Professor Zhang Yao hummed a tune from the residential community and continued enjoying his leisurely vacation time.
Not far behind him came the sound of a car driving over the road surface, very heavy-sounding, clearly not a light vehicle.
“Hope it doesn’t scare the fish away…”
Professor Zhang Yao turned back somewhat dissatisfied and muttered to himself.
He thought the cars would leave soon, but unexpectedly, they stopped right behind him and didn’t move.
The next moment, beams of strong flashlight lights shone over, accompanied by heavy footsteps.
“Coming so late, serves you right for not catching any fish.”
He cursed inwardly, but then heard a deep voice: “Professor Zhang Yao?”
Professor Zhang Yao stood up somewhat surprised. By the light, he saw a group of people in police and military uniforms approaching, over a dozen in total: “That’s me. What is this…”
“Hello, Professor Zhang Yao. There is a major emergency mission requiring you to proceed immediately. We are here under superior orders to pick you up.”
“I, I’m on vacation…”
Professor Zhang Yao was somewhat shocked: “Besides, no one knew I came here to fish. How did you find me?”
“Time is urgent. Please depart with us immediately.”
“Uh, alright. Wait for me to pack my things and make a phone call to my wife.”
“Please rest assured, we will help you pack your things. Another team is already heading to your home to notify and comfort your family. You need not worry about anything else. Please come with us immediately.”
Before he could react to what was happening, Professor Zhang Yao was already escorted by the guards into the car. A thick document was then placed in his hands: “This is the mission details. Please review it.”
Just one glance, and Professor Zhang Yao was shocked again: “Within 18 hours, formulate a complete upgrade and renovation design plan for a specific model of particle accelerator? This, this is impossible.”
The guard in front turned his head, looking at him solemnly: “No, you are wrong. 18 hours is the design time for the full set of plans. For the complete plan you are responsible for, the time is only 7 hours.”
“Crazy, crazy, you must all be crazy…”
Under the night sky, the car’s forward speed almost reached 150 km/h. After driving less than half an hour, the car stopped in front of a helicopter.
“Please.”
Transferring to the helicopter, after flying less than an hour, Professor Zhang Yao saw himself landing on a small square.
“559 Precision Machinery Research Institute…”
He had been here before and knew this was a place specializing in designing and developing precision machinery related to high-energy physics.
Unlike the usual quietness, although it was already late at night, the research institute building and surrounding structures were all brightly lit.
Just a quick glance, and he saw dozens of helicopters in the sky and on the ground.
One helicopter after another lined up to land on the ground, unloading cargo or personnel before quickly taking off, making space for the next one to land immediately, repeating endlessly.
After getting off the helicopter, he said somewhat helplessly to the guard beside him: “Wanting within 7 hours…”
“No, now only 6 hours remain.”
“Alright, wanting to formulate a complete renovation plan within 6 hours is impossible. Time is too short; it’s simply not enough. Even if extended to a month, I’d need many people to cooperate, like Professor Tong Liang from 667 Institute…”
The guard checked his watch and said solemnly: “Professor Tong Liang will arrive in 16 minutes.”
Professor Zhang Yao was startled and said again: “My group of graduate students can’t be missing either; they can’t get here in a short time.”
“Your research team of 18 people total has 16 already in place; the remaining 2 can arrive in about 22 minutes.”
“And Li Hongjun, Ma Hui, Sun Xiaole…”
He counted on his fingers, reciting one name after another like treasures.
“The relevant personnel you mentioned and their research teams are 80% in place; at most not exceeding half an hour, all will be assembled.”
Professor Zhang Yao’s expression gradually became solemn, clearly sensing the extraordinary nature of this mission: “We also need a corresponding model particle accelerator as a testing ground…”
“Will arrive within 16 minutes.”
“Need on-site environment…”
“Already set up.”
“My heart isn’t great; for this kind of mission, I’m afraid…”
“Medical team is in place.”
“Also need these equipment…”
The guard pointed to a helicopter circling and landing in the sky: “Already here.”
Professor Zhang Yao’s lips moved, wanting to say more, but after thinking for a moment, he found he couldn’t come up with any more demands.
The guard said solemnly: “The nation will resolve any demands related to this mission for you. Any.”
“I understand.”
Professor Zhang Yao sighed: “In that case, what more is there to say? Let’s go all out. If I may ask boldly, how many people have come to our research institute in total? Uh, if it’s classified, no need to answer.”
“Not classified. Our research institute has urgently conscripted a total of 1065 experts and scholars.”
“Nationwide, how many like our research institute are there?”
“76. Total responsible for formulating upgrade and renovation design plans for 55 models of particle accelerators.”
“Wha… what exactly happened?”
The guard was silent for a moment, then gently shook his head: “Sorry, that question is classified; I cannot answer.”
“Alright.”
……
