Chapter 277: Formulating a Counterattack Plan
"Active assault? What do you mean by that?"
The meeting fell into a sudden silence after the Black commander's proposal. After several seconds, Lin Zhenguo broke the silence with a puzzled question.
"We send out all our current mechs, unite them, and launch a nuclear attack on the aliens' home through the wormhole in the Pacific Ocean," the Black commander said, dropping a bombshell with his plan. The room fell silent again.
"We're already struggling with passive defense, and now you want to launch an active assault? You must be insane. If this plan fails, Earth will lose its last line of defense!"
"If that happens, the aliens will treat Earth like their backyard, coming and going as they please!"
One of the commanders vehemently opposed the Black commander's plan, thinking it was madness. However, the others fell silent, contemplating the feasibility of the plan.
"How do you know a nuclear strike will successfully destroy the alien base?"
"How will we coordinate this? Who will lead the operation? Which mech will carry the nuclear bomb?"
"What happens to the mech pilots after the mission?"
After a period of silence, these questions were raised one by one.
"Hold on, everyone. These details aren't the most critical issue right now. The real question is: do you support an active counterattack?"
"Do you agree to show those damn aliens that we humans are not to be trifled with?"
"We can get angry too, and we won't let these monsters trample over our homes!"
"And when they become increasingly aggressive, we will strike back!"
The Black commander interrupted the questions seriously, addressing all the commanders present.
"I support it!"
"I support it too!"
"Sorry, I oppose!"
...
In the end, all but one commander supported the plan. Only the commander who had initially opposed the plan maintained his stance.
"General Lin, what's your position?"
All eyes turned to Lin Zhenguo, awaiting his decision.
"I don't want to continue this slow death through defense. I agree! Let's take the fight to those alien bastards!" Lin Zhenguo declared firmly.
"Insanity! You're all insane! I have a feeling your decision will push Earth and humanity into the abyss!" the dissenting commander exclaimed.
"You're wrong. It's not us who are insane; it's this world!" the Black commander said calmly, a reminiscent look on his face. "And it all started years ago, with the first kaiju attack... No, it goes back to the 1954 incident!"
...
The counterattack plan was ultimately approved with only one dissenter. Detailed discussions followed to flesh out the specifics. Given the importance of this mission, failure was not an option. A failed attempt would leave Earth defenseless and at the mercy of the alien invaders.
The success of this bold plan determines the future of humanity. Each defense base had to prepare meticulously for the mission.
...
Morning came quickly, and despite a nearly sleepless night, the base commanders were energized. After nearly ten hours of discussion, they had finalized the plan and agreed on a confidentiality pact. To avoid political opposition, the plan would not be reported to higher-ups.
The basic outline of the plan involved assembling all existing mechs into a vanguard team. The two fifth-generation mechs, Eureka Striker and Guan Sheng Dijun, would carry a nuclear bomb and find a way to enter the wormhole to deliver the bombs. The fourth-generation mechs, Storm Crimson and Cherno Alpha, would provide support and security.
As preparations for the mission began, the entire base became a hive of activity. Other bases also sent their mechs to the Broken Dome base for coordinated command.
...
However, Li Yue felt exceptionally bored as the days passed. While everyone else, including Lin Yurou, was busy, he had nothing to do.
After the plan was formulated, Lin Zhenguo fully briefed Li Yue, seeking his opinion. Li Yue wasn't one of Lin's subordinates or a soldier, so he had the right to refuse such a risky mission.
To Lin Zhenguo's relief, Li Yue did not refuse. The idea of facing a nuclear blast might be deadly for others, but Li Yue's strength meant he could likely survive it, albeit injured.
Li Yue insisted on modifying the mech before piloting it for the mission. Lin Zhenguo reluctantly agreed, surprising Li Yue, who assumed he must have secured adequate funding.
Not dwelling on the details, Li Yue began planning the modifications.
He was shocked when Lin Zhenguo learned that Li Yue would oversee the mech modifications. "You can modify mechs too?"
"There are many things you don't know about me!" Li Yue quipped before walking away.