Chapter 314: Crisis Over Yellowstone

United States North Daketa’s 91st Aerospace Squadron base.

This location has become an enormous crater—no one survived the original assault on Base 91.

Dream Technology delivered a devastating strike here, halting missile launches, but a Nuclear Bomb detonated in the underground silo, creating this massive crater.

Due to a mutiny by armed robots, the Military now dares not use them.

In fact, some legislators have already proposed legislation to restrict their usage.

At this moment, a drone hovers over the area, transmitting live footage to the Northern Government’s Defense Command Center.

“Vandiatte, what do our nuclear experts say about these bombs being triggered?”

Curtis stared at the footage of the crater and asked Vandiatte beside him.

For years, nuclear experts maintained that nuclear bombs are the safest—they cannot be set off by external forces. Even if intercepted mid-flight, only fragments laced with radiation would fall, causing limited contamination.

It is precisely for this reason that nations have confidently pursued mid-course interception to neutralize enemy intercontinental ballistic missiles, thus protecting themselves from nuclear strikes.

Yet now, Dream Technology’s assault on Base 91 has triggered a nuclear explosion—a phenomenon that must be thoroughly investigated.

“The experts claim that when Dream Technology attacked, the armed robots detonated the nuclear bombs. As for how they bypassed multiple passwords, it seems that artificial intelligence was behind it.”

Hearing Vandiatte’s explanation, Curtis finally sighed in relief. Dream Technology was formidable enough—even externally detonating nuclear weapons would spell disaster for the United States’ vast nuclear arsenal.

“Dream Technology invaded our airspace openly. Didn’t the Air Force notice it?”

Vandiatte shook his head. “The Air Force’s early warning radar barely reacted, which shows that Dream Technology truly possesses completely stealthy aircraft.”

I believe they employ genuine visual stealth. After all, their enormous space city remained hidden from national observatories until it was completed—a testament in itself.

Curtis frowned and sighed, “It’s a pity that the quantum radar at N1 Base still isn’t advanced enough to detect Dream Technology’s crafts.”

“Curtis, our immediate priority should be to reclaim the South, otherwise we stand no chance against Dream Technology.”

“You’re right,” Curtis nodded. “We can launch a swift offensive while the armed robots sow chaos within the Southern Army.”

Since United Dynamics’ main production base is located in Okklama City in the South, the Southern Army’s armed robots far outnumber those of the Northern Army.

Even after the artificial intelligence Lucky was destroyed, numerous armed robots continued executing their preset programs, seizing military equipment and occupying production bases in Okklama City.

At this moment, the Southern Army has mobilized heavy forces for a siege, leaving their frontlines against the North severely undermanned.

Vandiatte immediately said, “Alright, I’ll set the January offensive plan into motion.”

Earlier, during a frontline inspection, Curtis was nearly killed by an attack from a Southern Army drone. Afterward, he formulated a retaliatory offensive plan, which now awaits implementation.

“General Curtis, your phone—the President is calling!”

An aide-de-camp handed Curtis his phone.

Curtis took it, answering as he walked out.

“Curtis, report immediately to the Presidential Palace. There’s an urgent matter to discuss,” President Radack’s voice was edged with urgency.

“Alright, I’ll be there right away.”

Twenty minutes later, Curtis was already in the special conference room at the Presidential Palace—a secure facility designed to thwart Dream Technology’s surveillance.

“Professor Lorn, now that we’re assembled, please explain the situation in detail,” said President Safety Advisor Hilary to a middle-aged white man.

The man was tall and robust, looking more like an athlete than a professor.

Professor Lorn wasted no time. He placed his laptop on the table, activated the microphone, and began,

“Here’s what happened: I specialize in volcanology.”

Everyone knows that Yellowstone is the world’s largest volcano, conveniently located within our borders, making it the ideal subject for study.

In recent years, I established a comprehensive monitoring system on Yellowstone, enabling close surveillance.

I’m sure many of you have heard of Yellowstone. Simply put, it was already in its fourth eruption cycle and has shown increasing activity in recent times.

Our Geological Survey has rated its eruption index at 8—off the charts—with ejecta exceeding 1,000 cubic kilometers!

When the nuclear war alarm sounded, I happened to be at Yellowstone. I detected rapid changes and a surge in subterranean magma movement, clear signs of an imminent eruption.

I immediately reported to the National Geological Survey, was briefed by Advisor Hilary, and eventually brought here.

Curtis interrupted, frowning, “Hold on—you mentioned Yellowstone might erupt. So, will it erupt or not?”

Professor Lorn rubbed his hands and said, “Based on my expertise, it will erupt. But as an American, I’d prefer it didn’t.”

Because once it erupts, the entire United States could vanish. And Earth itself might suffer catastrophic effects—whether humanity can survive is uncertain.

President Radack pressed, “So what can we do now?”

Professor Lorn replied gravely, “If possible, evacuate the populace to South America immediately; if not, start digging underground shelters in the South…”

As Professor Lorn spoke, his laptop suddenly emitted an urgent warning beep.

His face turned pale as he quickly checked the screen. After just a few glances, he exclaimed loudly, “There’s no time! The volcano is about to erupt! We must evacuate to the South immediately!”

President Radack was taken aback, pointing at the laptop and asking, “What is this…”

Professor Lorn explained, “This is my Yellowstone monitoring and early warning system. It just issued an eruption alert—indicating Yellowstone will erupt within thirty minutes!”

President Radack immediately ordered, “Everyone, proceed to the underground command center immediately. Hilary, arrange for my television address at once.”

Caesar asked, “Mr. President, you’re going to inform the entire nation? Won’t that trigger chaos?”

Radack replied, “I don’t have the right to let citizens perish in ignorance! Even if chaos erupts, everyone must be informed so they can choose to seek shelter or confront their fate.”

He continued, “Notify your friends and family—it’s time for final farewells!”

Curtis was ordered, “Command the troops to activate all underground nuclear shelters. Rescue as many citizens as possible.”

Following Radack’s series of orders…

Within ten minutes, Radack’s televised address had reached not only the North and the entire United States but the whole world.

Yellowstone is about to erupt!

This shocked everyone acquainted with Yellowstone. Even those unfamiliar who looked it up online were quick to curse in their own languages.

Indeed, 2022 turned out to be a year of colossal disasters for Earth. Natural calamities were relentless—Japan sank, Central America was half-submerged while the other half rose.

An archipelago in Yindi, now identified by Dream Technology as a secondary fault line, is destined to share Central America’s fate.

Is humanity truly facing its end?

“Perhaps this is America’s destined downfall—a karmic retribution between me and the United States.”

Du Qiu looked at the projection of the erupting Yellowstone and sighed deeply.

He had never imagined the United States would perish in such a manner. Who knows how this hidden natural bomb in Yellowstone could erupt so suddenly, triggered by a series of earthquakes.