Chapter 414: Voting Dispute
Chen Chen immediately felt a huge weight off his shoulders at this moment.
Ever since learning of the trump card the Earth Federation had hidden up their sleeve, he had to tread cautiously every step of the way out of fear of ousting himself. After all, he did not have what it took to oppose the Federation before amassing enough assets to take them on. He would be forced to escape this current dimension as there were no alternatives.
Meanwhile, the only thing the Federation had that could potentially expose him was none other than the quantum computer.
The quantum computer was the most confidential secret of them all. If it was not for him upgrading Little X to put her above the quantum computer in all aspects, Chen Chen may never even come close to discovering proof of the quantum computer’s existence. He would have a rough idea that the Earth Federation equipped something that allowed them to predict the future, but he may never get a finer grasp on what it was.
To put it in terms of traditional cultivation, this computer would be akin to the divine treasure of all of mankind. The existence of the computer was a game-changer, capable of subverting whatever misfortune that dawned on mankind and presented at least a sliver of hope in even the most morbid situations.
This quantum computer was never something that the Earth Federation should possess in the first place. It was the creation of the previous owner of the USB drive. The intricate workings of the computer would never be comprehended by humans at this current moment. Should anything happen to it, the chances of restoring it to a functioning state was nil, which was why Chen Chen decided it was worthwhile to install an exploit.
The way this exploit operated was simple. It would essentially censor most of any information related to Chen Chen or Blacklight Biotechnology from any future predictions. This meant that should someone ever attempt to use the quantum machine to perform any predictions that may concern Chen Chen or Blacklight Biotechnology directly, the results obtained would be a very surface-level observation on these subjects.
Apart from that, another feature of this exploit was that the quantum computer would systematically issue a copy of its daily prediction to Chen Chen. Of course, the precedent being that Chen Chen had to have another quantum USB drive.
This way, if anything sudden were to occur to the Earth Federation, Chen Chen would at least be notified ahead of time. He would not have to worry about stumbling into whatever may happen ill-prepared, just like what happened with the Blacklight virus last time.
This way, Chen Chen had most of his concerns regarding the quantum computer addressed appropriately.
“That’s the first problem out of the way, but this isn’t over yet.”
Chen Chen drew a long sigh before mentioning, “We now have a list of the shield bearers of the Earth Federation. What comes next is that we need to figure out how we can get our hands on another quantum USB drive to allow us to communicate with the quantum computer at all times.”
Chen Chen’s expression grew darker as he said this, “What I’m more concerned with now is finding whatever information I can regarding the previous owner of the USB drive.”
“Didn’t he turn into an antimeme and was killed by you?”
“That’s not the main focus.”
Chen Chen shook his head and noted. “The primary focus is I need to know for what reason did he unite humans on the same front and form a Federation composed of all the countries of the world. Also, why did he set up this quantum computer designed to endlessly predict potential crises?”
“What made him so fearful to a point that he would try to unite mankind’s combined power to try to fight it? So much so that he still felt it wasn’t enough and ultimately transformed himself into an antimeme life form?”
Chen Chen squinted his eyes suspiciously upon noting this. “Also, why did he fall into another slumber? Why did this USB drive appear under the table at my school? There are still too many undistinguishable factors, too many intangibles. I’ve only found the tip of the iceberg at this point...”
“It’s a shame that my Prophet System is unable to produce any answers when it comes to matters relating to the USB drive.”
Little X nodded and said with remorse, “It’s like there’s an antimeme factor playing into the USB drive or perhaps some sort of information blackhole that throws everything into an unspeakable darkness, left in the void.”
“Of course.”
Chen Chen nodded and stated confidently, “The existence of the USB drive alone had surpassed all scientific constructs currently known to mankind. To a certain extent, I suspect it’s the creation of extraterrestrial beings or from another dimension. It’d take at least something of this degree to be able to travel across different dimensions...
“This is to say that it’s nothing out of the ordinary that you wouldn’t be able to find anything in regards to the USB drive. I’d find it more worrying if you were to somehow manage to predict something of it.”
“...”
Little X pursed her lips together and said puffing, “It won’t be difficult to acquire the quantum USB drive from the other shield bearers. Fitted with the proper equipment, the B.S.S. force could pull this off. I’d say we can acquire the quantum USB drive within a week.”
“Excellent.”
Chen Chen remarked, “This is all thanks to Murphy handing the quantum USB drive to us on a silver platter and made us aware of such a device that can be used in conjunction with the quantum computer. Since the quantum USB drive is the only thing that can help establish a connection with the quantum computer, we’ll gain rapid momentum if we can acquire another quantum USB drive.
“My only hope is that upon inserting the quantum USB drive and establishing a connection with the quantum computer, we can discover new information about the previous owner of the USB drive. This is absolutely essential.”
Little X responded with a firm nod when she saw Chen Chen’s serious expression.
...
Immediately following the Murphy incident, a great purge swept through all the major continents of the Earth Federation. All of the shield bearers were thoroughly investigated. More than two-thirds of them were immediately suspended and replaced with more trustworthy members.
With the situation as chaotic as it was, it would be easier for the B.S.S. force to obtain another quantum USB drive.
The previous situation was tricky because Chen Chen was uncertain who the enemy was, where they were, and the basis of their operation. Now that everything was laid out in the open, the so-called federal top secret was inconsequential.
Another thing to note was that ever since the previous owner of the USB drive disappeared, all information associated with the previous owner vanished as well. The only proof of the previous owner’s existence was the quantum computer that remained, which made it an entity shrouded in mystery.
Not a single soul in the entire Earth Federation knew the story behind this quantum computer. The only information anyone had at all was that it could predict whatever catastrophic disasters that may come to mankind.
The Earth Federation had long been a hollow of its former self. If not for the prospect of the quantum computer, chances were that the three major continents which were Northern America, North Sea, and the Central Continent would have disbanded the Earth Federation a long time ago.
The other continents may not be aware of the current state of affairs but this did not mean that Northern America would be left in the dark. In this current moment, dozens of high-ranking officials gathered in a specially designed conference room in the White House, each one of them wearing an iron expression.
Not a single electronic device could be spotted inside the conference room. The walls were reinforced with alloy metal. It was a Faraday cage that was as secure as they came. Additionally, each member was thoroughly searched before entering, not a single article containing metal was allowed in the conference room.
Before entering, each one of them had to go through an X-ray scan as well to ensure they did not have any foreign object inside their bodies. It was only upon these strict requirements were met when one would be allowed to enter.
The reason behind these complex procedures was that the Buckle Murphy incident had given them a great scare.
There was a shadow of gloom on each of their faces that was near impossible to be wiped off.
“Where’s Mr. President?”
Someone in the conference room broke the tense atmosphere with a question. He gestured at the empty seat at the head of the table. “Why isn’t he joining this conference?”
“He went golfing.”
One of the officials shrugged and answered, “He says we’ll be given full authority for this meeting.”
“...”
Nobody made any further comments on this matter, this seemed to be a common occurrence at this point.
“Buckle Murphy is dead, it’s not just him either. His entire family was wiped out.”
One of the men who appeared to be middle-aged but sported a coat of ash-gray hair expressed solemnly, “There’s no doubt about it at this point, there’s a foreign force that we haven’t detected that’s targeting us from the shadows. I’m sure most of you here at least have a vague idea of the identity of these forces.”
“Could it be that person?”
A paunchy man dressed in military uniform stated suspiciously, “How do you suppose this person pulled this off?”
“Does it matter how this was done?”
Another member of seniority with a thick bush of mustache resting atop his lips mentioned while chuckling, “I’m sure you all are well aware ever since the moment this person produced one advanced biological technology after another, that this company was vastly ahead of Northern America, even the entire Federation. He’s slowly gaining leverage and continuously expanding. What’s bitter about this situation is that there are still plenty of fools who can’t see what’s going on. They willingly do his bidding at the prospect of tiny, insignificant benefits granted to them.
“More importantly, biological technology isn’t the only thing he has. He also has a respectable stake in military affairs. It wouldn’t be bold to assume so as there’s a great chance that he was directly involved in the case of the missing three statues back then. It’d be painfully naive to assume that his corporation only has wealth and nothing more than that.”
The gray-haired middle-aged man stated, “Worst comes to worst, leave it to the Namibian government to pressure this company and force them to lay out all their trump cards. When the other continents see their true nature, we can gang up on them.”
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent, seemingly pondering the pros and cons of this approach.
“Are you people still fantasizing about taking him down with one simple maneuver?”
The gray-haired man became so infuriated he broke into laughter. “Let me say this, if we somehow manage to claim this corporation’s technology for ourselves, we can easily claim our spot on the top of the food chain of the Earth Federation. But consider the reality of the situation, can we manage this Hercules task? What makes you so certain that it won’t be me or you who ends like Murphy tomorrow?”
They were taken aback when reproached in this manner. It was true, Murphy’s death was a wake-up call for the majority of them and hammered in the fact that this corporation could almost effortlessly claim anybody’s lives.
“Are you suggesting that our plan to arrest him during the Nobel Prize presentation ceremony will have to be revised?”
One of them asked suddenly.
“Yes, we need to be prepared for the scenario where they are already aware of this plan of ours.”
The gray-haired man stated, “Even something like the quantum computer that was supposed to be the utmost secret of the Federation was discovered. What makes you so confident that he doesn’t know about our other plans?”
A wave of silence.
“What if this was a mere coincidence?”
A frail-looking man in glasses raised the possibility. “What if Murphy’s death didn’t have anything to do with this corporation but was the work of another hidden force that opposes the Earth Federation. Have anyone considered this?”
“It’s very unlikely.”
The previous hard-looking military man shook his head in disgust and tried to conceal the anger in his voice. “Gopher, I know you’re the benefactor of the political donation of this corporation and that you were given a diamond membership card. I’m sure you remember that our Northern American government has stated that officials of our rank are strictly prohibited from receiving age-reversal treatment in Eco Science City. Furthermore, we possess the same technology as well. It’s only not commercialized yet but is essentially the same thing as theirs. There’s no reason that you should speak in their favor just so that you can enlist your family members into their free treatments!”
“Scott, you’re a scum!”
The man with glasses bellowed suddenly, “I’m just stating a possibility, I’m not trying to defend this corporation!”
“Who knows.”
The military man scoffed.
“Alright, stop this bickering!”
The gray-haired man produced a cigar and lit it promptly. “We do this with an old-fashioned vote. Raise your hands if you agree that we should confront this Blackwatch with more aggression. I, for one, agree that we should take a bolder approach.”
“I agree as well.”
“I object!”
Someone suddenly exclaimed, “We’re making a big deal out of nothing here. I still think that we should arrest him come 10 December when he leaves Eco Science City. If we can capture him using simple elaborate methods, why risk paying such a large price to achieve the same effect?”
“I object as well, it’s just a month away.”
Someone else raised an objection. “If he resists, we’ll have more reason to subdue his corporation.”
“I agree with them, I object as well...”
“I object as well!”
“Abstain!”
The conference room spiraled into chaos almost instantly, everyone had an opinion of their own.
The gray-haired man let out an exasperated sigh. It was clear that most of these scum here had plans of their own. Their decisions were purely motivated by their personal agenda.
In the end, the only one yet to make a call was the hard-looking military man. When he saw all eyes directed to him, he let out a sigh, the age in his eyes finally showing. “For the safety of the United States and as the Secretary of Defense, I’m of course in favor of the more strong-arm approach. But at this point, it’s clear that my vote won’t make a difference...”
The white-haired man took in this scene solemnly. He noticed that the Secretary of Defense specifically addressed Northern America by its name prior to the establishment of the Earth Federation, which was the United States. It was a symbol held dearly to a fault by the old vanguards. The Secretary of Defense felt conflicted with the fact that this symbol was slowly starting to fade away from the memory of the younger generation.
It was a shame that the belief which America’s interests should be held above everything else had never changed. In the end, the white-haired man’s effort would yield fruitless results.
The white-haired man closed his eyes when he thought of this.
The conference ended with the stubborn vanguards emerging victorious.
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