Let's rewind time a bit, to over two months ago.
Alexander stood on the raised platform of the research institute's conference hall, with a massive screen behind him displaying the starry images of the Underworld River. He meticulously relayed the series of events, the military's observations, and the research institute's conjectures about the Underworld River.
The hall fell into a silence that lasted over ten minutes. After the silence, there was a wave of chaos and commotion; everyone seemed panicked.
"Is this for real? Is the end of the world coming? Are extraterrestrial beings attacking, and we're all doomed?"
"Nonsense, this is the Federation's premier military research institute, and that's my idol, the Federation's General, standing up there!"
"I don't want to die! I've just become an official researcher, working on how to mitigate the negative impacts of the Metaverse on the Federation's youth!"
