Chapter 2939: Objectives
"How is this possible?!" someone shouted from the crowd.
Murmurs spread quickly, voices rising as unrest began to ripple through the assembly. A few openly questioned the Alliance competency, others voiced their concern more cautiously, but the tension was unmistakable.
Then—
Dunadan’s gaze swept across the hall.
The effect was immediate.
Silence.
Azier continued.
"The first objective is containment."
His voice remained steady, cutting cleanly through the lingering tension.
"Temporary portal restrictions will be enforced across the sector. Additional inspections will be required for all incoming refugees and travelers, whether through portals or by ship."
He paused briefly, allowing the weight of the directive to settle.
"It is strongly advised that anyone who has arrived within the last one to two weeks undergo screening as well. Extra caution is necessary to prevent a large-scale outbreak, full lockdown might be needed."
The projection shifted, displaying containment measures and protocols already being prepared.
"The Alliance has secured a substantial supply of detection kits, along with purification methods designed to eliminate the parasites. Specialized teams will be dispatched to support planets requiring assistance."
His gaze swept across the assembly.
"We request full cooperation from all local governments on this matter."
Hearing the minister’s explanation, some of the earlier tension among the gathered Grand Magus began to ease, though the relief was only partial. The assurance of containment measures and Alliance support had steadied the room, but no one mistook it for a resolution.
Sensing this, Azier continued.
"With that in mind, we move to the next objectives of this assembly."
His gaze swept across the hall before he spoke again.
"With the overwhelming number of refugees expected to arrive, we are seeking cities willing to accept them temporarily and provide care and containment support for the next several months."
The words settled heavily.
No one answered.
The silence stretched, not from confusion, but from calculation. Accepting refugees under such circumstances meant risk—risk of infection, instability, and the possibility of bringing the scourge directly into one’s own territory.
Azier did not press them.
Instead, he continued.
"We will also be forming a rapid response team to address the core of the outbreak on Baeldum. We are requesting your participation."
This time, the weight of his words settled even deeper. The atmosphere shifted again, the silence growing heavier, more deliberate. Everyone understood what this meant. This was a direct confrontation with the source of the scourge.
A step into danger.
It did not take long for someone to respond.
"We have already deployed additional forces to the frontlines," one Grand Magus said, his tone firm but controlled. "Our numbers are stretched thin. We must ensure the safety of our own territories first."
Several others nodded in agreement, their expressions guarded. Another voice rose from the crowd, sharper and more pointed.
"Why not request reinforcements from other sectors?"
The question hung in the air as all eyes turned back to Azier.
The minister remained composed, though there was a subtle shift in his expression, a sign that what he was about to say would not ease their concerns.
"There are similar incidents occurring in two other sectors," he replied carefully. "I am not authorized to disclose further details, but containment operations are already underway. As such, no reinforcements will be dispatched to Sector 13 at this time."
The words struck heavily.
This was no longer a localized crisis.
Hearing this, Emery could not help but think of the warning left behind by his future self. That version of him had returned from the Leviathan beast much later, stepping back into a world that was already collapsing. By the time he reached the Alpha Quadrant, the situation had spiraled beyond control, with multiple planets already consumed by the scourge and entire regions thrown into chaos.
That was why his future self had given such a specific instruction.
Not to join the frontline and focus on protect home first
At the time, Emery had understood it as a matter of strategy. Now, standing in this hall and listening to the unfolding crisis, he understood it for what it truly was.
His early return had already brought meaningful changes. The development of detection kits and purification methods had given the Alliance tools they did not possess in that timeline, creating a real chance to contain infections before they reached irreversible stages. These were not small differences; they were advantages that could shift the balance, even if only slightly.
Yet despite all of that, the scourge had still reached Sector 13.
And it had arrived far sooner than he expected.
Emery’s gaze darkened as the realization settled in. It seemed that the future had not been avoided, only changed in its form.
The danger was still here.
And now, it was unfolding in front of him.
A ripple of unease passed through the hall, the earlier calm beginning to fracture as the true scale of the situation became clearer. The realization settled in quietly but decisively—whatever was happening on Baeldum was not an isolated event, and they would not be receiving help from outside.
Seeing the rising tension, Azier introduced what appeared to be his final measure.
"All contributions during this emergency operation will be rewarded at five times the standard rate."
That changed the atmosphere.
Not entirely—but noticeably.
Emery felt it clearly. Interest stirred among several figures as calculations began to form, weighing risk against reward. For him, the offer carried particular weight. After the losses he had suffered during the Astiel incident, additional Alliance contributions were not something he could easily ignore.
Yet even with such incentives, the room did not fully respond.
Many remained silent, their caution still outweighing the potential gain.
It was then that Supreme King Dunadan stepped forward once more.
The murmurs ceased almost instantly.
His gaze swept across the assembly, steady and unyielding, before his voice carried through the chamber.
"Your participation are needed—not for distant battles, but to protect our own home."
The words landed with quiet force.
Then he added, without pause,
"I will personally lead the response team. We will assemble in twenty-four hours."
