Heavy trucks shuttled along wide underground roads, and in the distance, a massive apron could be seen, along with a dedicated railway line leading deep underground.
At the very center, a futuristic silver architectural complex rose from the ground, with countless researchers in white coats and fully armed soldiers busily moving through it.
This was no mere base; it was clearly a futuristic city hidden deep underground!
"This is the Fortress."
Steve murmured to himself.
Is this the power of the infrastructure maniacs?
As soon as the car stopped, Steve saw a familiar figure.
General Randy was in military uniform. Although there were red streaks in his eyes, indicating he hadn't slept all night, he was in an extremely excited state.
"Steve, you're here."
Seeing Steve get out of the car, General Randy strode forward to greet him, sizing him up and down with a smile.
"Looking at your complexion, you slept well last night?"
"Thanks to you, I slept soundly."
Steve said with a smile, shaking General Randy's hand.
"That's good, that's good."
General Randy patted Steve's shoulder and, without much small talk, led Steve directly towards the silver building, speaking as they walked.
"Come, let's go to the main conference room first. There's a brief pre-war meeting that you need to preside over."
Along the way, General Randy spoke quickly, appearing incredibly efficient.
"Steve, President Kennedy has issued a death order: starting today, the Fortress will officially be upgraded to the country's highest strategic-level base."
"All national research institutes and military industrial bases involved in the development of the Overworld must unconditionally obey the command of the Fortress."
"This means that even if you want a satellite in orbit to change its trajectory, the NASA must execute it within one minute."
Hearing this, Steve's heart tightened. This power was too immense.
General Randy continued.
"Additionally, regarding your previous idea for the block-shaped weapon, the american Academy of Sciences worked through the night and has already produced the first batch of samples."
"During the meeting later, you should bring up your specific needs in that world, such as what still needs to be modified, what kind of talents are required, everything."
"The purpose of this meeting is singular: to identify gaps and deficiencies, and then launch a full-scale assault."
"As for the non-disclosure agreement..."
General Randy sneered.
"Don't worry about that. Everyone who enters this base, from doctors to janitors, has had their lineage traced back three to five generations. Here, not even a mosquito can fly out without security clearance."
Steve nodded, his expression also becoming serious.
"Gotcha, Randy."
As they spoke, the two had arrived before a heavy metal door.
"It's inside."
General Randy took a deep breath and pushed open the door.
Rumble!
The door slowly opened.
The moment Steve stepped inside, a huge wave of sound rushed towards him, then instantly fell silent.
It was a massive, tiered conference hall capable of holding thousands of people.
At this moment, every seat was taken.
Sitting in the front row were dozens of white-haired secretaries.
Steve merely glanced at them and found them familiar. They were figures often seen in textbooks and news, and some he had never seen before.
There were America's nuclear physicists, chief engineers of manned spaceflight, leading authorities in biological genetics, and national treasure-level experts in light weapon design... In the back rows were uniformed general and staff officers, their golden stars forming a brilliant galaxy.
At this moment, these thousands of eyes, representing America's highest intellect and military power, were all focused on the eighteen-year-old young man at the entrance.
That invisible sense of pressure and expectation surged like a mountain roaring and a sea raging.
General Randy stood beside Steve and shouted loudly.
"Everyone, stand up."
Swish!
Thousands of people stood up in unison, soldiers saluting, scholars looking on attentively.
General Randy looked at Steve, made a gesture of invitation, his eyes full of encouragement.
"Director, please take your seat."
"America's top brains and sharpest fangs are awaiting your command."
Steve walked with steady steps, ascending the podium bathed in spotlights.
The moment he stood firm, his hands resting on the lectern, thousands of gazes from below converged on him as if tangible.
Among these people were white-haired nuclear physics grandmasters who had lived in anonymity for decades.
There were aerospace chief engineers with temples streaked with gray, who had designed the newest fighter jet.
There were also generals, bearing stars on their shoulders, who had just rushed back from desert exercises.
They were the backbone of America, the country's most precious asset.
Facing such a group of people, Steve felt no nervousness, only immense respect.
Whether in his previous ordinary world or this life, which was about to take off, it was precisely because of these people's burden-bearing efforts that there was peace and tranquility in countless homes.
Steve took a deep breath, adjusted the microphone, and his voice, transmitted clearly through the amplifier throughout the vast conference hall, was steady and powerful.
"Good afternoon, respected members of project Stargate."
"Welcome to the Fortress."
Steve did not rush to drop a bombshell, but slowly scanned the entire hall with his gaze.
"I believe everyone here must be full of questions right now."
"Why are biologists sitting with nuclear physicists? Why are tank builders gathered with researchers of individual exoskeletons? Why have elites from various military regions been urgently dispatched here overnight?"
"You are all intelligent people. Looking at this even somewhat eclectic top-tier lineup, you should have guessed."
Steve paused, then his voice suddenly rose.
"The country is facing a major crisis."
The hall was silent, but everyone's backs straightened further.
"You could have peacefully conducted research in your respective fields and enjoyed your honors."
"But when that transfer order was issued, when the words 'the country needs you' echoed in your ears..."
"You didn't ask about your return date, you didn't ask for reasons, and you came here without hesitation."
"This is the backbone of America, and this is precisely why I dare to stand here and assign this mission to you."
At this point, Steve glanced at General Randy beside him.
General Randy understood and waved his hand.
Hundreds of guards quickly entered, distributing tightly sealed red confidential folders to each participant's table.
Steve's voice became serious and cold.
"Ladies and gentlemen, before you is a top-level secret agreement, SSS-level classified."
"This is not an ordinary document. Once signed, your names may completely disappear from academia and society."
"The rest of your lives may be spent in this underground base, and even your contributions may not be known to the world for a long time to come."
"The upcoming project involves the future destiny of America, and whether our country can truly rise above all existence."