Chereads / NOVA STAR / Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: The Urgent Countdown

Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: The Urgent Countdown

Thirty hours have passed since the Supreme Command was issued by the Divine Leader, plunging the entire Nova into a state of emergency. Personnel from the Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Education have been mostly evacuated. The rest of the Nova's population has been placed in a state of quasi-military preparedness for the potential war ahead. The atmosphere across society is solemn and grave.

 

High above Nova, in the large No. 3 aerospace port, three massive nuclear fusion thrusters keep the facility suspended 50,000 kilometers above the planet. At its highest point sits the Nova Astronomical Observatory. Inside, a newly formed war observation group, only ten hours old, works tirelessly to monitor the alien creatures, reporting every movement directly to the United Command Center.

 

One observer, seeing the rapidly increasing numbers on the screen, breaks into a cold sweat, his face showing shock as if he were staring death in the face. With a trembling voice, he utters the most terrifying words of his life.

 

"Report to the command center immediately: the target's speed has suddenly increased. The estimated time of arrival has drastically shortened. It's now twelve hours... No, the speed is still increasing... Estimated arrival time: three hours."

 

"Impact location: near the capital, Radiance."

 

"What? It'll crash near Radiance in three hours?"

 

Upon hearing this report from Aiden, who suddenly appeared in the conference room, Ethan, who was discussing follow-up plans with Mikhail and others, immediately stood up, tension written all over his face. Radiance, as Nova's capital, is home to millions of people, making it the most populous city on the planet.

 

"Evacuate the entire Radiance area immediately. Open all shelters and let the citizens in. Execute the order now!"

 

Ethan had underestimated the alien creature, but within seconds, he regained his composure and issued orders to Aiden and Mikhail.

 

"Leader, evacuating the citizens within three hours is feasible. The problem is that if it lands near Radiance, we cannot use powerful weapons. Furthermore, powerful weapons cannot reach Radiance within three hours. Nova has been at peace for too long; the only nearby force is a garrison regiment, and it has only five thousand troops equipped with conventional weapons. I fear..."

 

Mikhail, understanding the severity of the situation, knew that with the alien's speed, its technological level must be advanced. He doubted conventional weapons could eliminate it. However, before he could finish, Ethan interrupted him.

 

"I understand your concerns. I'll have the Leader's Guard ready to support as needed, aiming to minimize casualties and eliminate the threat."

 

Hearing this, Mikhail, William Eaton, Zachary Thompson, and Leonard Smith felt reassured. The Leader's Guard, Ethan's private army, was equipped with Nova's most advanced individual equipment, and its members were unparalleled in their skills.

 

"But our goal isn't to destroy it. We need to gather as much intelligence and technology as possible to strengthen ourselves. So the strategic objective is to capture it alive if possible."

 

Gathering its intelligence and technology was crucial; even a single key theory could propel Nova's scientific progress. Moreover, understanding the alien civilization was essential for future interactions and developments. Just like Earth's nations learned about each other through exchanges, knowing the enemy was the key to victory.

 

After a brief consideration, Mikhail and the others understood the reasoning.

 

"Prepare yourselves. I will personally intervene if necessary," Ethan declared firmly, exuding an unstoppable aura. He then walked slowly to the window, hands behind his back, gazing into the distance.

 

When Mikhail and the others heard Ethan's decision to intervene personally, they felt a mix of reverence and concern but knew they could not change his mind. After saluting, they left to make preparations.

 

They knew once Ethan made up his mind, it was unchangeable. However, thinking back, their leader had always led by example, winning every battle with godlike prowess.

 

Ethan stared at the sky for a long time, his gaze firming as he made a decision.

 

"Aiden, prepare the experimental battle armor for me."

 

"Roger that, Boss!"

 

Ethan turned back, smiling slightly as Aiden's hologram faded. He continued to gaze at the sky with a hint of a cruel smile, challenging the unseen threat.

 

Meanwhile, far away in space, near the original wormhole passage, ripples appeared as a figure emerged. The newcomer had long golden hair, a red inner layer, a silver outer battle armor, a short skirt armor, knee-high silver boots, a beautiful face, and a perfect figure. Under the light, she shone brightly, her white wings adding an aura of holiness and elegance.

 

She was Angel Moni.

 

Angel Moni was in pursuit of Demon Andrew, who had fled to the edge of the known universe after the demon army's defeat. Following a tracking mark she had placed on him, she arrived near Nova.

 

Suddenly, her eyes glowed white as she scanned ahead, frowning slightly. She brought her fingers to her ear.

 

"Sister Yvonne, I've tracked Demon Andrew to the edge of the known universe, near CQY0702 starfield. There's a previously unknown supermassive black hole there, and outside its event horizon, there's a planet where life has developed to a pre-nuclear age."

 

"Is it inhabited by the Divine River species?"

 

"Yes, Sister Yvonne."

 

"Alright, hold off on engaging. Demon Andrew, though not a god-body, is a third-generation demon and one of Morgana's veterans. He may have other tricks up his sleeve. I'll report to Queen Keisha and join you."

 

"Understood, Sister Yvonne."

 

Somewhere in the known universe, aboard the Heavenly Blade One.

 

The woman addressed as Sister Yvonne had golden hair, similar attire to Moni, but with additional feathers on her shoulder pads. She had a perfect face and figure, even more beautiful than Moni.

 

Angel Yvonne, the Holy Left Wing of Divine Keisha and heir to the angelic civilization, was currently speaking with Moni. After their conversation, she looked towards the figure seated on the throne with admiration.

 

"Queen Keisha, Moni has tracked Demon Andrew to the edge of the known universe, near CQY0702 starfield. There's a supermassive black hole nearby and a planet with a Divine River civilization at a pre-nuclear age."

 

Keisha, dressed in a fire-red cloak with white fur and golden patterns, gently rested her hand on her face. Unlike other angels in short red skirts, she wore pants.

 

"Interesting. A previously unknown planet near a supermassive black hole, and it has life. The universe is full of surprises. Yvonne, what do you plan to do?"

 

"Queen Keisha, it's our duty to protect the Divine River species from demonic threats. Though Demon Andrew is not a god-body, he is a formidable third-generation demon. I plan to go personally."

 

"Very well. Though opening a wormhole over such a distance consumes significant energy, eliminating the demon and protecting the Divine River world is worth it."

 

"Go ahead."

 

With that, Yvonne saluted and spread her wings, flying towards the Heavenly Blade One's hexagonal port.

 

Yvonne's eyes glowed white as she flew. "Requesting connection with Heavenly Blade One."

 

A gentle female voice replied in her mind. "Requesting Divine Keisha's authorization... Authorized. Connecting to Heavenly Blade One."

 

"Connection successful," Yvonne smiled. "Locate Angel Moni."

 

"Location established."

 

"Open the wormhole for transport."

 

As Yvonne flew towards the blue light screen, she paused briefly before flying through. Moments later, she emerged from the wormhole near Moni.

 

"Moni, what's the situation?"

 

"Sister Yvonne, it's not looking good. Demon Andrew is about to land on the planet."

 

"Let me see," Yvonne said, her eyes glowing white again. After a moment, she nodded.

 

"Nova Star, Nova Calendar 10000, Chaos Era, Primitive Era. This star's history is intriguing, spanning over fifty thousand years with recorded eras and even longer without."

 

Moni watched in admiration as Yvonne gathered detailed information, wishing to be as skilled one day.

 

"I've gathered enough information. Let's catch up to Demon Andrew."

 

With a smile, Yvonne tapped Moni's chin lightly. Moni blushed but quickly followed Yvonne towards Nova.

 

"Wait for me, Sister Yvonne!"