Did the world end today?

Chapter 419 Global Disaster Recovery and Response Mechanism
Two weeks after Zhang Liming disappeared into the fragment of time.

In the main world, in Manhattan, New York, inside the United Nations headquarters building, in a secluded meeting room.

Qi Yuan was wearing the latest exoskeleton equipment, his hand resting lightly on the holster at his waist.

He instinctively reached out to touch the hammer protruding from the holster, but the bare touch immediately made him realize that what he was carrying on his waist was not a 92B, but a modified FN57.

This slight imperfection made him somewhat uncomfortable. He pulled the gun out of its holster, adjusted its position slightly, and then reinserted it.

Throughout all of this, his eyes never left the woman not far away.
-
Of course, at that moment, the person opposite him was neither his boss nor his friend.

She is not Jiang Xingye, nor any individual with a personality.

She is merely someone I protect, a "target" capable of independent action, but whom I must never allow to act freely, nor allow to suffer any harm.

As she got up and walked in his direction, Qi Yuan immediately sprang into action.

He took a step to the right, blocking Jiang Xingye's path.

Then, he spoke:
"Jiang Gong, wait a little longer."

"The appointment ceremony is not over yet—in fact, even if the appointment is over and the US presidential order is issued, the threat will not be completely eliminated."

“In the past three days, we have dealt with four attacks by extremists.”

"Such attacks will continue to occur, and you must remain vigilant."

"The process is arranged. After the meeting, Lin Gonghui will come directly over."

"Don't worry, I know."

"I just couldn't resist going to see it in person."

Jiang Xingye heeded the advice and retreated, moving away from the gate that Qi Yuan saw as a monstrous flood.

After sitting back down on the sofa, Jiang Xingye turned his gaze back to the screen where the live stream was playing.

In the video, representatives from China are giving a summary report on the disaster preparedness and response procedures for high-dimensional overflow disasters.

From responding to the first wave of disaster two weeks ago, to the unfolding of a series of recovery and reconstruction efforts after the disaster, and even to subsequent disaster recovery plans that go beyond existing technological systems at a higher level.

The representative's speech was pragmatic and specific, but compared to other countries that failed to respond effectively to the disaster, it was overwhelmingly superior.

For the first time, no representatives from any of the countries present raised any objections. After observing the feedback from the scene, Jiang Xingye's tense expression relaxed slightly.

A rare look of exhaustion appeared on her face. After a few seconds of silence, she suddenly spoke to Qi Yuan:

"This appointment will most likely be approved directly."

"No matter how many threats there may be in the future, after this meeting, at least we have accomplished something significant."

"The establishment of a global disaster recovery and response mechanism will save us a lot of costs in coordination and communication between countries, and will also make the construction of limiter arrays smoother."

"At that time, security responsibilities will be transferred to the Global Disaster Recovery and Response Center, and you can return to China with us."

"clear."

Qi Yuan nodded, then continued:

"But I can stay here if needed."

“I have looked into the security situation at the Limiter Array base, and in my opinion, the security personnel there are still inexperienced in protecting VIPs.”

"Their work is closer to a kind of 'defense zone vigilance,' and no matter how tight the security is, it cannot completely prevent attacks against individuals."

"However, the biggest threat we face now is attacks by extremist groups against individuals, especially white Muslim workers."

"I have some experience in this area, so..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Xingye immediately shook his head.

"You need to stay by Lin Xu's side."

“In the future, he will face an even more severe security situation, and he will need someone he can completely trust to be responsible for his personal protection.”

"Qin Feng can't do this – he's more like a general manager, his energy is too scattered."

"I've actually wanted to raise this issue a long time ago."

"only"

Qi Yuan noticed Jiang Xingye's worry, and after a brief pause, he offered words of comfort:

"Don't worry, Engineer Lin is safe."

"Actually, Lin was much safer than us during this negotiation."

"His identity has become semi-public, and all the top officials in the country are already aware of it."

“They will spare no effort to eliminate any threats to him—in fact, based on the information currently available to the public and Lin Gong’s ‘image,’ he is unlikely to be a target of an attack.”

“He is everyone’s hope. Those extremists may try to stop further alliances, but they would never be foolish enough to threaten our last hope.”

"What if?"

Jiang Xingye did not provide further explanation.

She knew that this question might be extremely counterintuitive for Qi Yuan.

Is it really true that no one will directly attack Lin Xu?

not necessarily.

To some extent, the newly established mechanism overrides the actual sovereignty of each country.

Even when not activated, the disaster recovery response center can influence a country's production and stockpiling efforts through various guidance, recommendations, and reward/punishment mechanisms.

When the mechanism is activated, the disaster recovery response center can even bypass the decision-making levels of various countries and directly mobilize forces at all levels in each country, excluding the military.

Such authority will inevitably impact the interests of a large number of vested interest groups, and we will see what they do.
No one can predict it.

Jiang Xingye turned his gaze back to the screen in front of him. In the live broadcast, Lin Xu was slowly walking forward and entering the center of the venue.

At that moment, Jiang Xingye suddenly understood that sentence.

This is a small step for Lin Xu, but a giant leap for mankind.
-
No, for Lin Xu, this is not just a small step.

He is far more than just someone who "stepped into the center of the stage".

When he appeared at the United Nations building, he had already given up everything that belonged to him.

He will personally shoulder the greatest responsibility in the world, and also bear the most unpredictable future of the entire universe.

After all, everyone knows that the so-called "disaster recovery and response center" is definitely not set up solely for disasters caused by high-dimensional overflows.

Its true mission is to prepare for the real apocalyptic disaster that will come 17 years from now.

Under such a mission, its authority will become increasingly greater, and as the head of this organization, Lin Xu will face unimaginable pressure.

In a sense, this is power.

But what Jiang Xingye saw was only...
Endless hardships.

She took a deep breath and stared quietly at the screen.

In the video, the man who was then the UN Secretary-General is announcing Lin Xu's appointment.

Lin Xu had already placed his hand on the badge representing the global disaster recovery and response mechanism, ready to swear an oath to the badge.

The deep blue badge is surrounded by a ring representing the world. Above the ring is an upside-down longsword, and below the longsword is a butterfly with outstretched wings.

Its significance is clear: it represents the crisis facing humanity, like a "sword hanging over our heads," and the hope that human civilization will emerge from its cocoon and transform into a butterfly after the disaster.

When Lin Xu placed his hand on the badge, the entire badge was completely covered.

Immediately afterwards, his oath was sung from the hall.

"I, Lin Xu, solemnly swear that I will fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to me as the first CEO of the Global Disaster Recovery and Response Mechanism with absolute loyalty, rationality, and conscience, and will act solely in the common interests of all mankind."

"My ultimate mission and highest obligation is to avoid and mitigate the consequences of disasters, and in fulfilling my obligations, I do not seek or accept instructions from any authority outside of any government or the United Nations." "I will exercise my powers independently and prudently, and I am prepared to be subject to oversight at any time."

The entire oath-taking process lasted several minutes, but Jiang Xingye didn't hear a single word.

She just stared nervously at the live broadcast of the venue, afraid that at any moment, there would be gunshots or explosions in the venue.

But as Qi Yuan said, this did not happen.

After Lin Xu finished taking the oath, the hall erupted in applause.

He returned to his seat surrounded by the crowd, as countless flashes went off in the hall.

He glanced around, his eyes gleaming.

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General is giving his final summary of the meeting.

But at this moment, no one cared what he was saying anymore.

Lin Xu was the only focus of everyone's attention.

Those high-level decision-makers who knew his identity looked at him with awe and expectation, while the uninformed reporters could only bury their biggest question deep in their hearts.

A few minutes later, the Secretary-General finished his concluding remarks.

Lin Xu did not participate in the media interview session, but left directly accompanied by security personnel.

As soon as he saw his figure disappear from the screen, Jiang Xingye felt a sense of utter relaxation.
-
But at the same time, she found it somewhat amusing.

Perhaps I am being a little too sensitive.

Perhaps it was because she cared too much that she couldn't help but worry when Lin Xu made such a major decision.

Only after everything settled down did I feel a sense of relief, as if I had "gone all-in."

Jiang Xingye leaned back on the sofa and didn't get up again.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the office door.

Amidst the sounds of simple conversation, Qi Yuan opened the office door from the inside.

After the door opened, Qin Feng was the first to walk into the office.

Then, Lin Xu's face finally appeared in front of Jiang Xingye.

"all the best."

He walked towards Jiang Xingye and opened his arms to hug her as she came to greet him.

Jiang Xingye pressed her face close to his neck and whispered:
"From this moment on, everything is different."

"Yes."

Lin Xu released Jiang Xingye and then led her to sit down on the sofa again.

He grasped Jiang Xingye's hand, and then they both noticed that the other's hand was trembling slightly.

At that moment, the two of them unconsciously laughed.

Were you nervous just now?

Jiang Xingye asked curiously:
Are you nervous about becoming a top-level decision-maker in the true sense?

"stop!"

Lin Xu corrected:
"They are just decision-makers with limited power."

Jiang Xingye shrugged and did not refute Lin Xu.

But in reality, she knew very well that the rules of this world had changed the moment Lin Xu stepped onto the stage.

At present and for the next 17 years, the most important thing for humanity is to deal with the ongoing disasters, and how much power does an organization have to play a coordinating role in such responses.
it goes without saying.

The term "swordsman" is absolutely insufficient to describe Lin Xu's character.

He has more authority and is subject to fewer constraints.

He could easily accomplish anything he wanted, yet the blurred line between personal interests and the "interests of the people" remained firmly in his own hands.
This is dangerous.

But not in relation to this world.

Jiang Xingye believed that Lin Xu would not do anything to harm human interests for any reason, and this was not just a matter of confidence in his "humanity".

More importantly, his unprecedented high-dimensional experience had already changed him, making him, to some extent, truly merge with the butterfly whose mission was solely to "save human civilization."

Therefore, he is safe for the world.

The problem is, this world cannot completely trust him.

The attacks by extremists are a typical example, and as Qi Yuan said, such things will continue to happen.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xingye tightened his grip on Lin Xu's hand slightly.

You need to be more cautious than ever before.

"This is just the first step. Your security will become more serious when you need to expose 'Butterfly's' identity to the public."

You must

"I know."

Lin Xu interrupted Jiang Xingye and continued:

"But I had no choice, right?"

"Or rather, this is the best option."

"Don't worry too much. Actually, this is not the first time such a thing has happened in the history of human civilization."

“At least in some branches during the alliance era, Zhang Liming also assumed such responsibilities.”

"If he can do it well, why can't I?"

That makes sense.

Jiang Xingye's hands were still trembling, but at that moment, Lin Xu suddenly noticed something was wrong.

Following the conversation, Jiang Xingye's body temperature suddenly began to drop rapidly.

Her gaze began to glaze over, but her heart was racing.

"High-dimensional information?"

Lin Xu immediately spoke, but Jiang Xingye was already unable to answer him.

"doctor!"

Lin Xu shouted, and Qi Yuan immediately reacted, rushing to the door to seal the entrance.

Immediately afterwards, medical staff rushed over and quickly laid Jiang Xingye flat.

Lin Xu still held Jiang Xingye's hand tightly. He was now completely certain that Jiang Xingye's abnormality was caused by the injection of high-dimensional information.

However, the side effects of this "injection" were more severe than any before!
"Adrenaline preparation, no injection needed for now."

After calmly examining Jiang Xingye's condition, the medical staff spoke to Lin Xu in a reassuring tone:
"Her vital signs are recovering."

"Blood pressure has started to rise again."

Lin Xu nodded slightly, and when he looked at Jiang Xingye's face again, the latter suddenly opened his eyes.

Her eyeballs were trembling violently.

She opened her mouth with difficulty and uttered a few words.

"The Tunguska event!"

(End of this chapter)