Did the world end today?

Chapter 413 State of Emergency

"Time and space reference satellite alarm, abnormal area identification, coordinate locking."

"Information has been transmitted. The 'Listen' joint detection has been initiated, and the anomaly area has shrunk."

"Deep data analysis in progress."

"Probabilistic simulation launched."

"Intensity analysis in progress."

"Result output".

"42% diffuse signal, 32% multi-system locked persistent anomaly, 11% probability of exceeding threshold, 15% nonlinear runaway!"

"The overall probability distribution has reached the level four early warning standard."

"Level 4 Alert!"

"Level 4 Alert!"

"Level 4 Alert!"

In Nanjing, inside the newly built deep space observation station, alarm messages are flashing continuously on the screen.

Zhang Lihua, who was in charge of on-site command, stared nervously at the screen. Even though he was used to big events, his fingers were trembling slightly.

When he was leading the Tianqin project, his most unrealistic ideal was simply to detect signals from black hole mergers or supernova explosions, so as to fuel his research on the evolution of heavy elements.

Such research is safe, distant, and even somewhat "dreamlike".

Therefore, he was excited when the redundant technologies of the Tianqin project were eliminated and, with the help of the coordination group, were completely transformed into the broader, more realistic, and more cutting-edge "Sentinel" project.

He felt that all his life's learning had finally been put into practice at this moment.

He believes that he may be able to guide the Sentinels to identify the precursors of disasters time and time again over the next decade or so, helping humanity to avoid the impact of uncontrollable high-dimensional spillover disasters to the greatest extent possible.

But he never imagined that the disaster would happen in such a sudden and unpredictable way.

Just now, 48 hours after the Sentinel system officially went online, this global disaster monitoring system issued the most severe warning to humanity.

The sound of sirens reached the ears of these onlookers first, and the not-so-sharp alarm sent shivers down everyone's spines.
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In fact, if judged according to the original design of the graded early warning system, the first level of warning represents "background noise". Under such conditions, small-scale disasters may occur, but they are unlikely to cause serious consequences.

Just like the unusually low temperature event at the Hoover Dam, unless it's an extreme coincidence that happens to destroy a key human-built facility or affect a key figure, its energy should be negligible for the normal functioning of human society.

There shouldn't even be any casualties.

A Level 2 warning, which is above Level 1, indicates the occurrence of a certain and persistent disaster, such as a storm at the edge of a high-dimensional overflow or a thunderstorm cloud.

Such a disaster is enough to cause small-scale casualties, but as long as it is detected in time, human technology is fully capable of preventing and handling it.

As for the Level 3 warning, it means that under the influence of the probability cloud of high-dimensional overflow, a disaster has already occurred that humans cannot handle in a short period of time.

Whether it's a large-scale loss of control over fundamental forces, a disruption of time curvature, or many other unnamed disasters that are certain to have a serious impact on humanity and cause significant casualties, they all fall into this category.

When the Sentinel Team was established, the focus was on monitoring this level of early warning events. The team's ultimate goal was to "detect in advance, take proactive measures, and do everything possible to avoid them."

But now, the team's goal, which was set in the very beginning, has already failed.

Level IV Alert!

This is the first time the sentinel system has triggered an early warning. Without any prior warning, it skipped the three lower levels of danger and went straight to level four!
The significance of a Level 4 warning is...
The simultaneous appearance of numerous probability clouds that could trigger disasters of varying degrees has far exceeded the threshold for a Level 3 warning, reaching the most complex and critical situation.

If I had to describe it in one word, it would be...
It's urgent!

Zhang Lihua took a deep breath, trying to suppress his increasingly violent heartbeat.

Immediately afterwards, he decisively gave the order:

"The information was synchronized with the coordination group and the Ministry of Emergency Management, and feedback from the coordination group was obtained immediately."

"At the same time, we must double-check the completion of the early warning information dissemination to ensure that all emergency response departments receive the early warning information!"

"The Fire and Rescue Bureau, Earthquake Bureau, Meteorological Bureau, and Water Resources Bureau are required to follow up simultaneously."

"What we are about to face is not an isolated, one-off disaster."

"What is about to happen is likely a complex wave of disasters caused by a high-dimensional overflow."

"This is a major test of our emergency response capabilities. In fact, it is a major test of the emergency response capabilities of all mankind."

"we have to."

Zhang Lihua did not continue speaking.

He didn't know what humans could do to emerge unscathed from such a frenzy.

Judging from the number of abnormal probability clouds detected by the listening system, the number of probability clouds that have reached the "non-linear out of control" level has exceeded one hundred.

Of these, at least 30 probability clouds landed in densely populated areas.

Although it is still impossible to determine how many of these 30 probability clouds will actually be "detonated" in the end, or how many of them will cause a real disaster after being "detonated," the data simulation results suggest that the proportion will be no less than 50%.

In other words, the world will face at least 15 major disasters simultaneously.

And the forms of these disasters
This will be something that humankind has never heard of before!
As Zhang Lihua finished speaking, an eerie silence fell over the entire monitoring hall.

Everyone instinctively stopped what they were doing, and even their breathing stopped for a moment.

Then, the next second.

With a "boom," it boiled instantly, like a pool of cooling water being thrown into a scorching iron ball.

"Give me access to the quantum computing center. I need 64 bits of computing power for disaster scenario simulation!"

"By lowering the baseline satellite's orbital altitude, we need more precise monitoring data!"

"We've approved the European satellite data sharing request—no need for further instructions, this doesn't involve diplomatic decisions, we're just following the established information sharing framework!"

"Currently, the cloud most likely to generate a mega-disaster has a 78% probability of forming at the following coordinates; the specific location is..."

“Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. Center.”

When this message reached Zhang Lihua's ears, his brows furrowed instantly.

How long is it expected to take to form?

He asked:
"Overall expectations?"

The Sentinel system's prediction of disasters relies entirely on "probability," with no precise results regarding time, location, or form.

However, probability-based expectations can also indicate relatively reliable judgments.

"6 hours."

The researcher looked up at Zhang Lihua and continued:
"But, in extreme cases..."

"Most likely, 40 minutes."

Ten minutes later, inside the coordination group's office park.

In Lin Xu's office, an unconventional crisis response team has been urgently assembled.

At this moment, everyone listened with furrowed brows to Wang Yifan's analysis report.

"Based on the information we currently have, this large-scale outbreak is very likely related to abnormal disturbances at the higher-dimensional boundary."

"Or more precisely, there is a strong correlation between abnormal perturbations at the boundary and drastic changes in information entropy in high-dimensional space."

"As Comrade Lin Xu mentioned before, due to the instability of the state, the world of the 'Leap Era' that he once saw may have been annihilated." "And the annihilation of such a large-scale collection of information will inevitably lead to violent fluctuations in higher-dimensional space."

"It's like an iceberg falling into the sea. Although its impact on the sea level is negligible, its force will eventually be transmitted back to us after a long period of time."

"And its influence will eventually be transmitted to the lower-dimensional world through unstable high-dimensional spillover."

"The final result is exactly what we see now."

"Large-scale, regular clouds appear irregularly, forming what we call a 'tide'."

"Furthermore, according to our estimates, although this surge has already carried the strongest power of the iceberg falling and melting, the aftershocks will still bring a large number of secondary disasters."

"We must immediately enter a state of emergency mobilization."

"My suggestion is to immediately send a global telegram demanding that all countries and organizations establish a unified joint command."

"In the face of crisis, all divisions and dissent must be put aside."

"In today's environment, population remains one of the most important sources of productivity."

"No matter what, we must ensure the highest possible survival rate!"

After he finished speaking, everyone in the conference room fell into a brief silence.

Wang Yifan's words were undeniably heavy, even subtly revealing a hint of pessimism.

Survival rate.
When this term was added to the "disaster response objectives," it proved that he had completely abandoned all unrealistic fantasies.

What guarantees productivity, what protects infrastructure, what constitutes "interception-based prevention"?
These are all just "wishful thinking" under the most optimistic circumstances.

Ultimately, disaster relief work still has to be carried out on the ground.

It is completely independent of human will; the disasters caused by the overflow of higher dimensions are even a hundred times more ruthless than those natural disasters that humans are already familiar with.

In the silent conference room, Lin Xu looked around, observing everyone's expressions.

He noticed that some people seemed to want to argue, but ultimately hesitated and kept quiet.

This is not because they are unwilling to speak up or take responsibility at crucial moments.

In fact, every word they utter here will form the final decision-making recommendations, directly affecting the fate of all humankind.

Under such high pressure, no one can remain calm and composed.

After a long silence, someone finally spoke up after Wang Yifan.

The one who spoke was Chen Yixin, who was in charge of the overall coordination of the coordination group.

"I agree with Mr. Wang's opinion."

"Disasters are not drills; they don't give us even a chance to make mistakes."

"Once you start, you must go all out."

"Otherwise, we could very well be wiped out by a small oversight."

"But the prerequisite is that we must first figure out just how destructive this wave will be."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Yifan immediately retorted:

"We simply have no way of assessing the specific damage!"

"First of all, you need to know that higher-dimensional disasters are different from natural disasters."

"If it's a typhoon, we can monitor the eye and the formation process; if it's a flood, we can track the hydrological conditions throughout the entire process."

"Even with earthquakes, we can now provide early warnings through a large number of sensors, and even conduct in-depth scans of the strata, using the ultra-high computing power of quantum computing to solve the chaotic system formed by earthquakes."

"But high-dimensional disasters are different—from beginning to end, they are purely 'probabilistic disasters'."

"But when it comes to probability, we cannot make accurate predictions."

"We can only roughly estimate its expected value, but now, this 'expected disaster' has reached a frightening level!"

"clear."

Chen Yixin nodded and raised his hand to signal Wang Yifan not to be impatient.

"Old Wang, please don't rush, let me finish."

“I completely understand your concerns about the disaster, and I believe that everyone here shares the same concerns as you.”

"But the problem is that if, as you say, we go straight into a full-scale mobilization phase, the disruption to the normal functioning of the world will be enormous."

"Factory shutdowns, major project halts, and even research in key areas may have to be suspended."

"Under tremendous inertia, sudden stopping brings many problems."

"And when the disaster is over, the cost we need to pay to restart is also enormous."

"To be precise, this was a shock."

"Similarly, this is not a simple political issue, nor is it even an economic one."

"We must assess how much time this shock will actually cost us."

"Keep in mind that the apocalyptic disaster is less than 18 years away from us."

"If we lose another year or more..."

Chen Yixin didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear enough.

Wang Yifan took a deep breath, then asked again:

"So you mean we should accept disaster, or even coexist with disaster, like the 'empty world' that Comrade Lin Xu mentioned?"

"That is indeed a possibility."

Chen Yixin answered without any shame.

The conflict between the two seemed irreconcilable, but at that moment, Lin Xu finally stood up.

He glanced at Wang Yifan, then looked at Chen Yixin.

Then he began to speak:
“We haven’t reached that stage yet.”

"Even in the 'Hollow World,' they only chose to race against the disaster after they realized that they could not contain it."

"But right now, the situation is clearly not that critical yet."

"We still have time."

"so."

Lin Xu took a deep breath and said:
"We must deal with this wave with all our might!"

"As long as we can hold back this wave, we can build what we need afterwards."

"It's the strongest breakwater ever!"

Chen Yixin looked directly into Lin Xu's eyes.

He nodded slowly and answered solemnly:
"Understood, I'll report now."

(End of this chapter)