Chapter 91
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nChapter 91 Unreliable Underground Shelter
nThe countdown started at 9 pm tonight, 165 hours before the meteorite arrived.
nMoon announced the first batch of cities that were going to be evacuated.
n“Sky EyeV (verified account): The evacuation will start from the coastal cities and move inland. The cities furthest from the Pegasus Grassland will be evacuated first. One hundred twenty million people will be transferred. The cities in question are…”
nMoonians left the national flag emoji in the comment section below.
n“This is great! The evacuation has started finally!” “I heard the meteorite is 165 hours away. Keep up the good work, guys!” “My city is on the list! Nice! Don’t worry. I’ll let you know what the place is like once I get there!”
nCommon Folk wrote, “Why don’t we build metal arks? @Sky EyeV (verified account) are you sure the underground shelter is safe enough? What will happen during an earthquake? Is the entrance sealed? What if the Pegasus Grassland is flooded by seawater? What if the meteorite happens to land on top of the shelter? Can it withstand the impact?”
nThose were the questions many people wanted to ask but never dared to.
nThe post raised another round of discussion. The fence-sitters jumped at the opportunity when they saw someone else had taken the lead.
n“That’s right. Why aren’t we building any metal arks?”
n“When a tsunami, volcano eruption, and earthquake hit us together, can we survive it? I’m really concerned.”
n“@Sky EyeV (verified account) We have over 160 hours, and it’s not too late to start building that ark! We have the largest population in the world! It shouldn’t be too difficult to build one in the next 48 hours! Sky Eye and the government should look into it!”
n“That’s right! The underground shelter can’t be the solution! An ark is our only hope! The government should listen to us! So should Sky Eye and the Dragon Tribe!”
nHowever, not everyone agreed with them. “What makes you think you’re the smartest person in the world? If you can realize it, so can the officials! They would have built it a long time ago if they thought it’d work.”
n“So true. It’s not like we can’t afford it! Don’t treat everyone like a fool!”
n“Our country was the first to know about this, and we had seven days to build it if we wanted to. The government must have a good reason not to do that. You people worry too much.”
n“Why can’t you do as you’re told? Stop bickering! You’re welcome to go to Neige if you don’t like it here. They have an ark.”
n“Of course, I want to go, but I don’t have that kind of money! Tell me. If you had the opportunity, would you stay here or go to Neige? Be honest!”
n“Everyone knows we’re all staying here because we aren’t rich! What’s wrong with admitting the truth? The underground shelter won’t work! I don’t care why they’re building it! I just don’t want it!”
n“Please build an ark!”
n“Please build an ark!”
n“Please build…”
nMore and more people began to protest.
nMeanwhile, quite a few high-ranking officials also expressed the same view. “Why aren’t we building an ark? What are Director Lang and General Marlow thinking?”
n“An underground shelter isn’t safe at all!” “I’ll go talk to Director Lang.” “Wait! I’m coming with you! You can’t change his mind on your own.”
nA few officials discussed among themselves and went to Henry Lang’s office together.
nHenry was terribly busy at the moment. He had only slept for five hours in the past two days. Seeing his visitors, he knew why they had come.
nHe knew some of his subordinates were bound to question their decisions. It wasn’t just the shelter. They might question the space cannon, too.
nEven Henry himself didn’t believe it at first.
nNo.
nThe truth was, he didn’t quite believe it even now.
nHowever, he might not have faith in the shelter or the space cannon, but he had faith in Himmel Soan!
nHimmel Soan was God.
nIt wasn’t a metaphor. It was a fact. No human being could regain their youth as he did. If he said it would work, then it would.
n“What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be working on the evacuation?” Henry smacked the files on the table. “Get to the point.” “Director Lang, why are we building a shelter?”
n“To protect our people from the catastrophe, obviously. Why are you even asking that question? Do you think we’re building it for fun?”
n“But Director Lang, can it really save us from the disaster? What if there’s an earthquake? What if the seawater floods the Pegasus Grassland? What if the meteorite lands on top of us?”
n“That’s right. Even 2km below the surface might not be safe enough, let alone 1km. It’s already dangerous to dig such a big hollow space underground. A little external force can easily bring down the dome! So many people are going to be buried alive!”
nHenry said, “That’s not something you need to worry about. Just finish your task. Leave those problems to other people.”
n“How can we not worry?! So many people’s lives are concerned! Director Lang, don’t you care about them?!”
n“How dare you say that to me? What kind of question is that? Do you want to quit? I won’t stop you. I already have too many things on hand. Stop making more trouble for me!” The official frowned. “We’re not making trouble, but this concerns-“
n“What? Do you know more than Viclan and the other scientists? They all agreed with this plan! Are you saying you can demolish their theories?”
n“No matter how great they are, even computers can make mistakes, let alone humans. No one can guarantee that they’ll always be right. Direct Lang, please talk to them. It’s still not too late to build the ark!”
n“Enough!” Henry smacked the desk and shouted, “Bring up the ark again, and you’re all sacked! It’s the country’s decision, and as the officials of this country, all you need to do is obey the order and carry out the plan! No more questions!”
n“But-“
n“But what?”
nThe official wanted to retort, but he stopped abruptly when he saw the look on Henry’s face. He sighed and led the others out of the office.
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