China's "Fire Seed Plan" dates back to the early days of the country's founding. At that time, impoverished China launched a comprehensive defense plan to protect against enemy weapons of mass destruction. The core of this plan was the "Fire Seed Plan."
As China's technology and economy advanced, the "Fire Seed Plan" evolved from a basic survival plan for elites to a comprehensive plan for the continuation of human civilization, encompassing humanity, species, technology, and more.
In the conference room, the old general's resolute gaze swept across the crowd. "Each of you is a top scientist in your respective fields. At this critical moment, the nation and the people trust your professional judgment. You have all received the relevant data and simulation results. You have three hours to discuss and provide me with an accurate decision."
With that, the old general left the room.
Inside the conference room, over thirty top Chinese scientists engaged in intense discussions about whether to execute the "Fire Seed Plan."
The old general, upon leaving the room, did not idle. He seized every moment to receive the latest updates from his aide.
"The United States issued another statement today, once again speculating that their Theodore Roosevelt carrier is hidden by us..."
"I wish it were..." General Zhang couldn't help but quip, then shook his head. "It's not my job to worry about such spats. By the way, any progress on the mysterious theft case in Deep City?"
The aide checked his tablet. "No updates yet, General."
The car city theft case caught General Zhang's attention not because of the huge amount but because of its peculiar nature. For some reason, General Zhang sensed a connection between this case and the disappearance of the Theodore Roosevelt. Like the Americans, he didn't believe the carrier had sunk.
However, the current crisis and the lives of over a billion people preoccupied him, leaving little room to handle the carrier's disappearance or the Deep City theft case.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government also perceived the looming meteorological crisis. Following a series of government meetings, the President was invited to a private estate for a special meeting.
The attendees were true American elites, including renowned figures from computing, the internet, physical sciences, finance, and old-line industries, occupying about half the seats.
Besides the President and the new Secretary of Defense, the remaining attendees were unfamiliar faces to the public. Yet, their positions at the table and the President's subservient demeanor indicated their status and wealth far exceeded that of the others.
Particularly striking was an elderly man with blond hair, green eyes, a deeply wrinkled face, and a sharp, occasionally steely gaze who occupied the head of the table.
"Everyone, please take your seats and listen to our chief scientist, Mr. Messy, explain the situation."
Messy Polant, known only to the top tier of American society, was rumored to possess intelligence surpassing Einstein and inventiveness exceeding Tesla. He had a hand in many of America's advanced technologies and was behind some lesser-known innovations. His research spanned numerous disciplines.
"Ladies and gentlemen, what I'm about to say may challenge your understanding. Please remain quiet, or you will be expelled, just like my less competent students." Despite appearing in his thirties, Messy Polant was actually nearing seventy, with a forceful personality fueled by his supreme confidence.
"First, let me say that humanity, at least as we know it—including everyone here—is doomed."
Even with a forewarning, Messy Polant's opening caused visible shock and varied emotions among the attendees. If someone else had made such a statement, they might have dismissed it, but from Polant's mouth, the probability of it happening was over ninety-eight percent.
"In fact, Japan is already doomed! According to the latest data, Japan's current death rate is fifty percent. The ash from Mount St. Helens has covered seventy percent of Japan's land. If it were just ordinary ash, there might still be hope, but our sampling confirmed it contains a large amount of radioactive dust. We don't know where these radioactive elements came from; possibly from Japan's haphazard disposal of nuclear waste. In short, Japan is done, and those still there are also doomed!"
While the demise of Japan and millions of deaths might not concern these elite billionaires, what Polant said next about the impending ash sealing the atmosphere and plummeting surface temperatures left them dumbfounded.
"For a long time to come, nothing will grow on the surface. Note, I said nothing, meaning a great famine is inevitable. All countries will face food shortages, leading to societal collapse. To make matters worse, prolonged absence of sunlight will disrupt many people's hormone production, causing mental instability..."
"...I know each of you has at least one doomsday fortress or shelter, but how long can you stay there? Three years? Five years? Without enough population and production resources, a shelter is just a cage, and you are the lab rats. You might choose to meet your maker before your supplies run out..."
"Twenty years ago, I led the Doomsday Ark and Eden projects. They are now fully operational, capable of supporting over seventy million people. If you join, I welcome you and will share new technologies based on your contributions..."
"...including but not limited to life cycle extension, genetic modification, new aerospace technologies, and factory farming technologies. I believe if we maintain the Ark, Eden, and other shelters, we will remain the world's most powerful nation after the disaster..."
"...I predict that countries like China will be wiped out in this disaster. Thank God, the U.S. will only need to sacrifice half its population to eliminate our real rivals and dominate the world..."
Messy Polant spoke for nearly two hours.
He detailed his predictions of upcoming disasters and responses, even mentioning that "great disasters bring great changes," suggesting surviving humans might undergo abnormal changes, and he had long prepared for such research.
In summary, Polant believed that following his plan, the doomsday disaster could ultimately benefit the U.S. in the long run.
If Zhou Lin had attended the meeting, he would only agree with Polant's assessment about Japan.
"Dad, look at the sky. Stop doubting."
Before heading to Zhou Lili's school, Zhou Lin pointed to the sky, still pitch black at 8:30 AM.