Chapter 460 The Country of Selfishness
Just as Elbert was about to head out, he heard the sound of a bustling crowd outside the pressure chamber.
Elbert paused for a moment and switched his view to the external surveillance feed. To his surprise, he saw a small stage set up in the open area outside, something he hadn't noticed while he was focused on absorbing radiation over the past few days.
At the center of the stage was a podium, and a backdrop read: "Arcturus Environmental Agency Press Conference." The area around the stage was packed with journalists and cameramen from various countries, all ready for the event.
The commotion Elbert heard was due to three black sedans slowly pulling up. A short, balding middle-aged man in a black suit, flanked by several bodyguards, stepped out of one of the cars.
Flashbulbs went off in rapid succession. The man's face was expressionless, with drooping eyes and mouth.
He walked up to the stage, cleared his throat, and scanned the crowd of reporters. "I'm Orion Hill, Director of the Arcturus Environmental Agency," he began. "We've gathered you here today to make an important announcement."
He paused and gestured to the massive water tanks behind him. "As you know, for the past seven years, we've been using fresh water to cool the leaking nuclear reactors. Right now, the Stellar Nuclear Facility has accumulated 1,210,037 long tons of nuclear wastewater."
"This has cost our country billions of dollars and consumed vast amounts of land. Our storage capacity has reached its limit."
He paused again, observing the reporters' reactions before continuing. "So, the Arcturus government and the Environmental Agency have decided to release all this nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean."
The reporters erupted in shock and outrage. They had expected the press conference to announce a solution to the nuclear leak, not this.
"Mr. Hill, this is incredibly irresponsible!" one reporter shouted. "1,210,037 long tons of nuclear wastewater will contaminate the entire Pacific Ocean, causing radiation levels to skyrocket!"
"Do you realize that this wastewater has a decay period of at least 13 to 20 years?" another reporter added. "Releasing it will fill the ocean with radioactive material, which will accumulate in marine life and eventually be consumed by humans. This could increase cancer rates by 5 to 10 times!"
"The ecological damage will be incalculable!" another journalist protested.
Orion remained unfazed. "We have no other choice. The only solution is to dilute it in the vast Pacific Ocean."
"That's incredibly selfish!" a reporter from the back shouted. "Have you consulted the international community? Have you considered the other coastal nations?"
Orion's expression didn't change. "We are left with no alternative. This must be done."
"You're acting like thugs!" someone yelled. "You bastards!"
The crowd turned to see a young reporter from Veridiania shouting angrily. "You're endangering everyone! By releasing this wastewater, you're putting Veridiania and Elysium Cove at risk first!"
"You've mishandled the nuclear leak, covered it up, and now you're making the world pay for your mistakes with this despicable plan!"
"Do you know how many people you'll harm?"
Orion responded calmly, "Rest assured, the nuclear material is minimal, and we will transport the wastewater to the deep Pacific before releasing it."
"Bullshit!" the Veridiania reporter shouted. "Minimal? Why don't you deal with it yourselves? Ocean currents will spread the nuclear material throughout the Pacific!"
"You're just trying to minimize your own damage and make the world pay for it!"
The Veridiania reporter grew more agitated and tried to rush the stage. Orion frowned and signaled his bodyguards. "Maintain order."
Three large men in black suits stepped forward and forcibly removed the Veridiania reporter from the crowd.
The other journalists were even more incensed, pulling out their phones to contact their governments.
Orion continued, "Even if it violates international principles, this plan will proceed. I cannot allow Arcturus to be submerged in nuclear wastewater every day."
The reporters were furious. "Arcturus citizens are people, but so are people from other countries! You're endangering humanity for your own safety!"
They had suspected Arcturus might try something like this, but the international community had previously stopped them. Now, Arcturus was shamelessly pushing forward.
The Veridiania reporter, dragged to the back of the pressure chamber where Elbert was, was fuming but unable to return to the scene. He pulled out a cigarette and put it in his mouth.
An Arcturus bodyguard shouted, "Veridiania, you can't smoke here!"
"I'll smoke if I want to!" the reporter retorted, lighting the cigarette.
"Veridiania, the nuclear wastewater is flammable! Put down the lighter!" the bodyguard warned.
The reporter ignored him, taking a drag and saying, "So what? Maybe it'll explode! If I die, at least I'll take you with me! They'll write about my heroics in Veridiania history books!"
Inside the pressure chamber, Elbert watched the scene unfold. This young reporter had guts. As for Arcturus, their selfishness was appalling.
But the nuclear waste wouldn't explode. The 1.23 million tons of wastewater were almost non-radioactive. Still, Arcturus needed to be taught a lesson.
Elbert's eyes narrowed. A small, sharp piece of liquid metal, no larger than a fingernail, flew from his sleeve. It silently pierced the lead-lined pressure chamber and shot outside.
The liquid metal hit one of the large storage tanks behind the stage with precision. Under immense pressure, a stream of nuclear wastewater burst from the small hole, spraying directly onto Orion.
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