Chapter 444: Prelude to War
"Nick, do you think they can succeed?"
The next day, in an office within the World Security Council Headquarters Building, two people stood by the window watching that streak of Bifröst (Rainbow Bridge) rising up. The blond Elder wearing black-rimmed glasses turned his head to look at Nick Fury beside him.
"I never place my hope on the negotiation table!"
Nick Fury stood with his arms crossed, looking up at the ring-shaped phantom in outer space. Although various countries had tried their best to block the news, the giant phantom of Yggdrasil in the sky and the ring-shaped serpent shadow blocked outside, were starkly visible.
With the modern level of technology, the high-powered binoculars in the homes of numerous astronomy enthusiasts could clearly see the truth of that ring-shaped serpent with just a little modification.
Even though the World Security Council had issued strict orders to S.H.I.E.L.D., all they could do was cooperate with various countries' network monitoring to block online information as much as possible and arrest some terrorist organizations taking advantage of the chaos.
As for the peace talks agenda discussed by the World Security Council over three days, just as he said himself, Nick Fury held no hope. He didn't think Earth was qualified to negotiate with a Cosmic Overlord like Thanos, unless they could make Thanos feel pain.
Nick Fury looked at the ring-shaped phantom in the sky, a hint of anticipation flashing in his single eye. His message had been sent out; she should be rushing back by now! "Those of us who have experienced war understand that the weak have no right to choose!" Alexander Pierce sighed. Even as a high-level staff member of the World Security Council, when the major powers behind them truly made their decisions, he didn't even have the right to vote.
"Nick! Prepare for war!" Alexander Pierce turned his head to look at his old subordinate. "I have a feeling that the Avengers you assembled will be the key to saving the world! After all, they've already saved this world once!"
"Just tell me what you need. Funds, supplies, I will do my best to secure it for you in the Council!" Alexander Pierce looked meaningfully at Nick Fury. "I believe you, Nick. You must have a plan by now!"
"I don't even have clear specific intelligence on the enemy I'm facing. How could I have a plan?" Nick Fury shook his head and sighed. "All I can do now is wait for those negotiation experts to return, hoping they can bring back some useful information!"
Alexander Pierce looked at Nick Fury, a hint of gloom flashing deep in his eyes. As far as he knew, Nick Fury had been exceptionally busy lately, and there had also been large transfers of personnel and supplies within S.H.I.E.L.D. Clearly, Nick Fury was prepared for this crisis long ago.
But why was he hiding it from him? Could he have noticed something? "Secretary, I still have things to handle, so I'll take my leave first!" After exchanging pleasantries with Alexander Pierce for a few minutes, Nick Fury took out an encrypted phone from his pocket and glanced at it, then took his leave of Alexander Pierce.
"Brock, I hope you can bring me good news!"
In front of the office, Alexander Pierce watched the Quinjet carrying Nick Fury fly away and asked without turning his head.
Standing behind Alexander Pierce, the tall man wearing a S.H.I.E.L.D. emblem on his chest had his hands clasped in front of him. "It's been investigated clearly. Five days ago, Nick Fury established a Special Action Team on an island in the West Pacific. The number of people is around 150, and some of our people are among them!"
"Five days ago, a Special Action Team of 150 people... It seems Nick Fury knew about the Alien Invasion in advance! But why is he hiding it from me?" Alexander Pierce muttered to himself.
"It should be related to the weapons and equipment they are using!" Crossbones Brock Rumlow, the leader of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Special Action Team and a Core Member of Hydra, said, relaying the intelligence from the inside source. "According to our people, the weapons and equipment issued to the Special Action Team is very advanced. Most of it is energy weapons. Our informant suspects these weapons are not of Earth origin!"
"Alien weaponry? Could it be that Asgard provided him with support?" Alexander Pierce pondered for a moment, then turned back to look at Crossbones. "How is our Spark Project progressing?"
"It's in progress, but time is too tight, and the Spaceship's capacity is limited. We can only abandon most supplies and personnel!"
"Okay, later I will communicate with Nick Fury in the name of the World Security Council to settle some scientists and clerical staff in underground bunker safe houses in various places like Providence and the Lighthouse. Draft a list and add our people to it. Whether they can survive depends on their luck!"
"Later, take some people to The Sandbox. Replace the important materials there with fakes. Also bring out those important targets in The Fridge!"
"Should we wait first? What we're doing is too obvious. I'm afraid it will arouse Nick Fury's suspicion!" Crossbones hesitated and advised.
Alexander Pierce waved his hand. "Who told you to do it secretly? I will submit a proposal to the World Security Council in the name of protecting Earth's property. You handle it openly and legitimately. If Earth can truly be saved, we'll return the things. Besides, after a war, how many things are lost? Who can say clearly?"
"Secretary is wise!" Crossbones sincerely admired.
"Whether it's wise or not is beside the point. I just hope this war doesn't happen. After all, if we really have to leave Earth, we Hydra will become like stray dogs. Damn it, the great situation I've built up for decades is ruined in one go like this! I'm truly unwilling!"
Alexander Pierce fiercely punched the bulletproof glass on the window, cursing fiercely.
"Secretary, since the negotiation experts have already been sent out, sacrificing some interests, I think this war might not happen," Crossbones comforted.
Alexander Pierce scoffed. "Brock, would you negotiate conditions with those jungle natives holding the Stones?"
Crossbones was speechless for a moment. Given his personality, he would want the Stones, and to prevent future trouble, the people would also have to be killed completely.
(The Fridge, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s detention center and prison, 100 stories high, only accessible through the rooftop. Many of the people detained there possess supernatural powers or important intelligence.) (The Sandbox is located in Africa, across the Atlantic Ocean, specifically for handling and researching dangerous materials! The Lighthouse is a huge bunker built to deal with world-ending events, located under a lighthouse on Lake Ontario in New York!) Facts were just as Alexander Pierce had expected. The negotiation team sent by Earth returned defeated. They didn't even see Thanos himself. Instead, they were received by Ebony Maw, one of Thanos's Black Order subordinates.
Only one of the fifteen top-tier negotiation experts returned, and the news this person brought back was only one thing.
Thanos does not accept negotiation. If Earthlings lose this war, the entire Earth will be turned into ash in the artillery fire of his fleet.
From this extremely hostile announcement, it can be seen that Thanos's mood at this time was indeed not very good.
What a joke! Ancient One and Odin joined forces and gave him a show of force. In order to preserve the Infinity Stone he wanted, he had to reluctantly accept the conditions proposed by Ancient One.
Insignificant Earthlings actually dared to vainly attempt to negotiate with him? Do they really think he's an eggplant on Earth, that anyone can come and squeeze? The news of the failed negotiation quickly spread directly among the member states of the World Security Council. After receiving the news, within just a few days, the leaders of various countries met more times than in the past ten years combined. War is definitely unavoidable, but the number of troops sent, the proportion, the weapons and equipment, and who will command became a big problem again.
European countries, South Korea, and Japan naturally wanted to rely heavily on the Federation, especially South Korea and Japan, the two countries eagerly wanted their 'father' to help them out. They were completely unaware that in several meetings at the White House, a draft proposal for large-scale conscription among the males of the two countries to solve the problem of insufficient manpower had already been passed internally.
It must be known that in wartime, the Federal President can directly bypass the constraints of Congress and exercise his power without any restrictions.
Thanos only left Earthlings three months. Countries around the world changed their usual procrastinating style; their actions could be described as swift and decisive.
In just one week, the major powers of the World Security Council developed a plan. According to the Titan topographic map they obtained, they divided the entire Titan into four battlefields to coordinate and command separately.
Of course, who holds the command authority for these four battlefields naturally doesn't need detailed explanation. The resolution passed, and other countries must cooperate unconditionally.
The First Battlefield is the responsibility of the Federation. They estimate an initial deployment of 1.8 million troops, including 400,000 of the Federation's own troops, and additionally mobilize 1.4 million Soldiers from multiple countries like Japan, South Korea, and Germany.
If divided by region, Asian countries like Japan and South Korea should be commanded and deployed by the ** theater. Firstly, these two countries have always been the Federation's ** territory. There isn't much time left for Earth, and ** also doesn't have time to argue with the Federation.
Furthermore, **** is also afraid of engaging with aliens in the front and then being stabbed in the back later. Given the nature of these two countries, they are completely capable of doing such a thing. So they generously gave up the command authority of the two countries' troops.
But as time passed, the governments of the two countries discovered that following the Federation didn't seem as good as they had imagined. In their imagination, with Federation soldiers blocking in front, the soldiers of their countries would only need to slack off in the back. But after the Federation took over the command authority of the two countries' troops,
they not only directly mobilized all active duty troops and reserve supplies of various countries, using them as vanguard soldiers and sending them to Titan to scout the way and build defensive works. At the same time, they launched large-scale recruitment in various countries to form reserve troops. Especially in a country like South Korea where military service is mandatory for all citizens, the Federation even conscripted three million adult males in one go.
What left all countries speechless was that the weapons the Federation was responsible for providing were actually not free, but paid for by the governments of various countries. And under the slogan of unified weaponry and facilitating logistical support, the Federal Government required that its subordinate allied countries must use the standard issue weaponry stipulated by the Federation, and even stipulated the procurement agent.
What's most outrageous is that those Arms Company claimed externally that due to insufficient materials and manpower, the weapons actually increased in price by one-third.
The Third Battlefield was handed over to the Russians to be responsible for. In order to mobilize them, the Federation even reluctantly handed over the command authority of * European countries' troops to the ** government.
The Fourth Battlefield is the responsibility of the Allied Forces of European countries. Considering the past poor performance of their allies, the Federation also had to send out a 200,000-strong advisory troop to be stationed in the Fourth Battlefield.
"Ashibada!"
Park Deok-chang, whose cigarette addiction had flared up, wrapped in thick cotton clothes, crawled out of the tent. He looked up at that blue planet, trembling, stomping his feet, and breathing out hot air, he came to the toilet. Facing the toilet, which was that natural large pit, he finished his business at the fastest speed.
In the bitterly cold weather, he didn't even bother to shake it off, then pulled up his cotton pants and trembling ran towards the barracks. There was no choice, the day-night temperature difference on Titan was even more outrageous than Earth's desert with the largest temperature difference. The night temperature could reach minus forty degrees. Water turns into ice is not just a saying here; if exposed outside for too long, it could even directly freeze and become necrotic.
Before approaching the barracks, Park Deok-chang looked back at the area where machines were roaring and lights were brightly lit. Mourning silently for those unlucky guys on night shift, he then seized the time and ran back to the barracks.
"Hey brother! Are they still building the defensive position outside?" Park Deok-chang trembled as he took off his jacket and crawled into his sleeping bag. A voice suddenly spoke beside him.
"Still working. Who told these damn aliens to only leave us two months? Ashibada!"
"But, brother! Why don't Federation people come to do this job of building defensive positions? The more people there are, the faster the defensive position should be built, right!"
Why? Listening to the younger person beside him, Park Deok-chang naturally knew in his heart. The Federal Government was clearly using these Soldiers of theirs as laborers and sappers. Why don't Federation soldiers come to work? That's naturally because these masters feel superior.
"Ashibada, you brat, where do you get so many questions? Hurry up and sleep, we still have to dig trenches tomorrow!"
Park Deok-chang cursed, and the whole person shrunk into the sleeping bag. The new recruit beside him also stopped talking.
At the highest point of a towering mountain peak, this was also the highest point on Titan. The originally magnificent palace now only had a stretch of ruins and broken walls remaining. A tall figure stood at this highest point overlooking the entire Titan, looking at the lights flickering everywhere on the originally dead planet. A trace of nostalgia flashed deep in his eyes.
Once upon a time, Titan was also prosperous. But due to rapid population growth and lack of supplies, in order to solve this conflict, he had to personally slaughter his own Homeworld.
Streaks of Bifröst (Rainbow Bridge) lit up in the night sky. Every time Asgard's Bifröst (Rainbow Bridge) lit up, it brought countless Vitality to this planet.
"Buzzing—"
The buzzing sound of a Fighter Jet disturbed someone reminiscing in the dark night. He glanced at the Fighter Jet overhead and slowly walked into the darkness.
"Commander, it's here. I've observed it. This is the highest point on the entire Titan. We will set up Black Vulture and Houyi here. The long-range firepower is enough to support more than half of the Battlefield."
"Indeed a strategically vital location, but don't forget the enemy's aerial force! Although we don't need to worry about the enemy's alien spaceship, those aircraft definitely exist, and quite a few of them. You should have seen the Chitauri troop transports during the Battle of New York!"
"The enemy's aerial advantage is much stronger than we imagined!"
"Then what do you mean?"
"It's correct to place the long-range firing point here, but I suggest arranging the anti-aircraft firepower here more densely as well. At the same time, I see the soil of this mountain is good and hard enough. We can rely on this mountain to build defensive works! Erect a sky-pillar fortress here! To attract firepower for the entire Battlefield!"
"You want to make this mountain a fortress by digging through it? That's a considerable amount of work! We only have two months!"
"Gather the strength of the entire Earth. I don't believe we can't dig through a mountain. Have the 500,000 laborers from India been transferred?"
"The people have arrived, but these Indians only brought three days of food and supplies. They want our side to provide the remaining supplies!"
"Report the matter to the Joint Command and tell them that if the Indians play tricks again, our side will abandon half of the Battlefield! Hand it over to India to be responsible for themselves! Don't they boast of being the third strongest country? Then this Battlefield will be handed over to them to defend!"
"Commander, if the Indians really want to take over half the Battlefield, what should we do?"
"Do you think the Federation and other countries dare to hand over the Battlefield to the Indians?!"
Facts proved that the Federation indeed did not dare to hand over the flank Battlefield, which concerned their vital interests, to India. Even if the Indian government tried their best to strive for it, their head of state patted his chest and guaranteed that his country's Soldiers far surpassed neighboring countries and issued a military pledge guaranteeing they could definitely hold the Battlefield.
But everyone could see clearly that although India had boasted greatly about itself these years, the combat strength of its troops, the quality of its personnel, and the level of its weapons and equipment were obvious to all. If the Battlefield were really handed over to India, that would undoubtedly be handing Earth over to the aliens.
Under the strong suppression of the Joint Command, the Indian government had to reluctantly hand over the command authority of the troops to ***, and at the same time, according to the requirement, provide a large amount of war preparation supplies to the Battlefield.
In more than two months, Earth was like a wound-up war machine. Large numbers of retired Soldiers were recalled, and large numbers of factories were converted into military supplies production bases. Factories producing fertilizer, after slight modification, became arsenals producing explosives and artillery shells. Large numbers of Clothing Factory stopped production and switched to producing sleeping bags and battlefield supplies, and large numbers of Food Processing Plant urgently produced canned food and military rations. After the news of the Alien Invasion spread, in order to prevent possible social unrest, even quite a few countries directly entered martial law!
For two months, the Bifröst (Rainbow Bridge) never stopped on Earth. Time flies, two months passed in the blink of an eye. When tens of thousands of Bio-Beast rushed towards Titan along the branches of Yggdrasil, it also signaled that this war had officially begun.
But the brutality of the war was far beyond the understanding of the Earth Alliance.
In just half an hour, seventeen Forward Base under the jurisdiction of the Earth Alliance's four theaters were attacked. Twenty-three Defensive Positions were completely destroyed, and nearly 20,000 Soldiers were slaughtered by these Bio-War Beast.
Intelligence shows that Thanos dispatched five types of Bio-Beast this time. Among them, two types of beetle-type Bio-Beast simply ate alloy steel like crispy chocolate ice cream. These Bio-War Beast launched an attack for just half an hour and caused extremely heavy casualties to the Earth Alliance.
"Everyone organize a counterattack on the spot! Counterattack! Counterattack!"
"Call for long-range artillery support!"
"Tanks and heavy weapons forward! Use long-range firepower to strike! Protect the ordinary Soldiers in front as they retreat!"
"Mike, that front line has collapsed! Pull our people back! Let the Japanese and South Koreans go up and hold the line!"
The corpses of the Earth Alliance lay scattered all over the ground. Accompanied by the roar of artillery, the air was full of the smell of burning and the smell of blood. Several Ape-like Bio-Beast with huge size like small hills walked down the dry branches of Yggdrasil with heavy steps, slowly trampling the corpses of the Allied Forces into the ground.
Aliens riding Two-headed Bio-Dragons swept across from high above, holding high-energy rifles. They excitedly let out sharp cries. These ferocious-looking Two-headed Bio-Dragons occasionally opened their large mouths and breathed heavily towards the ground, and streaks of black and red flames rushed down nearly a thousand meters, burning large areas of human positions into pitch-black glassy substance.
Human attack helicopters simply had no way to contend with these Bio-Dragons in terms of maneuverability.
"Frail humans!"
Corvus Glaive, carrying his Battle Blade, sat on the neck saddle of a huge size Two-headed Bio-Dragon. He had originally thought that Earthlings would build a powerful offensive on Titan in three months. Now it seems he was overthinking.
Corvus Glaive lowered his head, watching the large group of Two-headed Bio-Dragons sweep overhead. A Faceless Rider riding on the body of a Two-headed Bio-Dragon noticed Corvus Glaive, immediately reined in the Bio-Dragon and said respectfully, "General, why did you come personally? These Earthlings don't need you to personally take action!"
Corvus Glaive glanced at the Faceless Rider. "In order to quickly eliminate these dirty, ugly, lowly, primitive creatures for the great Master... are they retreating?"
The Faceless Rider smiled. "Because of your arrival, these Earthlings barely held on for long before directly retreating."
Corvus Glaive shook his head and scoffed. "Since they are retreating, then pursue them! Attack, attack, attack! Keep advancing! Use the fiercest attack to destroy them, kill them!"
"As you wish!" The Faceless Rider fiercely waved the Scepter in his hand forward, and a burst of piercing low-frequency whistle instantly resounded through the entire Battlefield.
Nearly ten thousand Two-headed Bio-Dragons, more than five thousand giant Bio-Beast, plus tens of thousands of other various types of Bio-War Beast. The mighty Bio-Beast army, leading hundreds of thousands of troops holding energy rifles, continuously charged forward, charged...
Coupled with the cooperation of various alien transports in the sky, the Earth Alliance also didn't seem to form a decent defense. In less than an hour, the positions defended by the Earth Alliance were pushed back more than thirty kilometers.
"Report, target has entered the ambush circle!"
"All heavy artillery are aimed, Houyi, Black Vulture, and Chaos are fully charged!"
(end of chapter)