Chapter 146 The Press Conference and the White House
January 1, 2003.
Noon.
Raccoon City.
Since its development at the end of 1998, Raccoon City has created one miracle after another.
GDP ranks first, with numerous high-rise buildings, extremely complete infrastructure, and extensive use of emerging technologies.
Moreover, in Colorado, where Raccoon City is located, the rail system invested and built by Umbrella is about to complete all aspects of innovation.
In addition to Raccoon City and Colorado, other cities and countries are also quietly undergoing earth-shaking changes due to the existence of Umbrella.
As far as mass society is concerned, mankind is prospering as we enter the 21st century, and the future seems to be full of endless hope.
10:49.
The Umbrella headquarters building is located in downtown Raccoon.
The seventh floor is a stepped conference room large enough to accommodate 2,000 people.
Wearing formal attire and work IDs, journalists from all over the world are entering the venue one after another and taking their seats according to their designated numbers.
Around the conference room, there are more than a dozen camera crews who have already set up their equipment and are preparing for the live broadcast.
The scale of this conference shows that Umbrella is going to release another generation-changing product.
The press conference hasn’t started yet.
But the live broadcast room on the Internet has already been discussed in full swing.
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Chat channel on the right side of the live broadcast page;
Supreme Power: Is this a new mobile phone launch conference?
User 3367: I think it’s impossible. When the first four generations were released, it wasn’t so grand.
Rangers are always at the forefront: Well... indeed, but even if Umbrella said they had a spaceship, I wouldn't find it too strange.
Galactic Empire: Spaceship? A little too much...
I am Tian 123: @Galaxy Empire, Umbrella has too much black technology, and it’s just your name. Don’t you hope to see humans walk out of the galaxy in your lifetime? Hahaha XD.
User 3367: Hey! It’s about to start!
--
10:58.
At the press conference, as eleven o'clock approached, everyone consciously stopped their private discussions and waited patiently for the person in charge of Umbrella to come on stage.
10:59.
A lady wearing a smart suit and black-rimmed glasses entered the room.
The lady came to the front of the conference room, stood behind the podium, glanced at the scene, turned on the microphone, and introduced herself:
"Ladies and gentlemen, good morning, I am the spokesperson of Umbrella News Department, Tracy Johnson. I am honored to witness this historic moment for mankind with all of you on the first day of the New Year.
Now, let’s watch a video first.”
After the words fell, the lights at the scene became much dimmer again.
Immediately afterwards, a three-dimensional screen generated by holographic projection appeared above the front of the conference room.
The screen was pitch black at first, but soon, sparks flashed, causing the video content to play normally.
It turns out that a primitive man mastered drilling wood to make fire, lit a homemade torch, and illuminated the dark and gloomy cave.
The expressions of other primitive people varied, either ecstatic or terrified.
Finally, the perspective of the picture gradually zooms in and out, until the fire fills the entire screen.
Then, the screen quickly zoomed out.
Everyone at the scene discovered that the light source had changed from a torch to an electric light, and it was only an electric light in the restaurant.
The guests under the electric light enjoyed a cooked dinner.
Outside the window, there are modern streets, cities and vehicles.
At this point, the video screen begins to switch frequently, from the original steam locomotive, to traditional fuel vehicles, and to the launch site of a space rocket.
Then there are thermal power plants, hydraulic power plants, wind power plants, and finally the nuclear power plants near the end of the screen.
The video ends playing.
The lights are back on brightly.
Most of the reporters sitting at the scene showed a look of realization, guessing that the theme of the product released by Umbrella this time was energy.
But what energy source is more efficient than nuclear energy (nuclear fission) at the end of the video?
"Everyone." The female spokesperson said promptly: "Our company has mastered the application of nuclear fusion technology."
"What? It's really nuclear fusion?!"
"Umbrella...is truly a pioneer in human technology..."
The moment he finished speaking, the atmosphere at the press conference suddenly changed, and many people couldn't help but exclaimed in amazement.
The chat channel of the live webpage was flooded with exclamation words such as "Ohhhh!"
Questioning authenticity?
That's just the idea of a few people.
After all, Umbrella is well-deserved to be number one in the world in terms of corporate size and reputation.
What's more, today is not April Fool's Day, and the stock market prices are there, so there is no room for Umbrella to pull such a joke.
Umbrella's announcement can be said to directly usher mankind into a new era.
The female spokesperson smiled and gave the scene some time to digest.
When the scene returned to quiet, the spokeswoman continued: "Last September, mankind's first nuclear fusion power plant started construction in the northern suburbs of Raccoon City, and today is the day it was completed.
Due to the government's request for confidentiality, it was announced to the outside world that it was a conventional power station. On behalf of the company, I would like to apologize to everyone."
At this point, the female spokesperson bowed slightly to apologize.
At the same time.
In the Oval Office of the White House.
The cabinet ministers sitting on the sofas on both sides watching the Umbrella live broadcast, including the president sitting behind the Resolute Desk, all had question mark faces.
What's going on?
When did our government ask you to keep Umbrella secret?
Putting aside the above, the most important thing is that Umbrella actually mastered controllable nuclear fusion technology?!
The United States spent a lot of manpower and material resources to complete the research, but was overtaken by Umbrella?
Moreover, Colorado bypassed their federal government and directly approved Umbrella’s nuclear fusion power station without any notification.
"Cohen."
The current president of the United States, Honor Graham, looked extremely expressionless. He said in a deep voice to the Secretary of Defense, William Cohen, who was sitting on the sofa:
"I remember the governor of Colorado, Brian Irons, was elected with the full support of your Cohen family. Do you have anything to explain?"
"Mr. President, this is a mistake in judgment by me and my family. I will let the family cut off all contact with it."
Minister Cohen, who looked equally ugly, said the above words.
"Forget it." Graham waved his left hand lightly, then looked at the Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Rich, and said:
"Rich, immediately investigate Brian Irons and the entire local Umbrella industry. We must completely sanction this company and never allow it to divide our country."
"Understood, Mr. President." Rich responded solemnly.
At this moment.
A fleet of nine black SUVs drove on Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House, then turned onto 15th Street and arrived at the east entrance of the White House.