The original purpose of Lucia's spacecraft and these nuclear missiles was to intercept the meteorite finally impacting the Blue Planet; now, their mission is merely adjusted from shattering one meteorite to four.
However, regarding the statements of Lucia's leader, another scientist from the joint action group said: "Although over twenty nuclear missiles are enough to destroy any single meteorite, now we are facing four meteorites, and their trajectories are different! Lucia's spacecraft cannot simultaneously target four meteorites.
It can only choose between destroying three fragmented meteorites and shattering a single meteorite. Moreover, while over twenty nuclear missiles can destroy any single meteorite, when dealing with three meteorites, there may be misses."
The scientist's words immediately poured cold water on the people who had just found a glimmer of hope.
Because the original massive meteorite had been pushed off its collision course, its trajectory was different from the smaller meteorite. Now, with the massive meteorite being torn apart by the gravitational pull of the Blue Planet into three pieces, the trajectories have again changed, making it an impossible task for Lucia's spacecraft to intercept all four meteorites simultaneously.
After an unbearable silence, the Federation leader asked the joint action group's scientist: "Can you determine which meteorite will impact North America? If so, let the nuclear missiles prioritize shattering it! We must ensure the safety of the North American people! If the meteorites heading into the Pacific Ocean cannot be intercepted, then let it be! God bless those innocent people!"
These words were both cold-blooded and shameless, typical of the Federation's attitude of sacrificing other countries' interests to secure its own.
Although the Federation leader's words were deeply reprehensible, the scientist from the joint action group still answered his question: "The meteorite impacting North America will be a fragment from the original meteorite, which was also the initial target of Lucia's spacecraft and nuclear missiles. The three meteorites formed from the massive meteorite are very likely to crash into Australia or Hawaii according to trajectory estimates."
Hearing the scientist's words, the Federation leader immediately became cheerful, loudly saying: "Then let Lucia's spacecraft continue with their mission and completely shatter the meteorite heading for North America! If the nuclear missiles are insufficient, we, the United States, can launch another wave!"
At this point, the Federation leader directly ignored the three meteorites heading for the Pacific Ocean. It seemed to him that saving North America was sufficient.
As for the fact that there are many island nations in the Pacific Ocean, and the people of these island nations don't even have shelters, how could such a detail possibly concern the Federation leader?
Perhaps it is very cruel, but at this moment, if sacrificing one or two small countries, or even all countries in the Pacific Ocean, could save most countries on the Blue Planet, the five major powers would not hesitate to sacrifice these small countries, even if one of them is Australia.
However, the Federation's blatant self-preservation approach was obviously shameless to the point that even the leaders of the other four major powers on the Blue Planet found it unacceptable.
Furthermore, other capable countries were also present at the meeting. Australia's leader participated too, and upon seeing the shameless attitude of the Federation leader, the Australian leader immediately wanted to curse the entire family of the Federation leader and engage in some beyond-platonic relations with his wife and daughter.
However, before the Australian leader could insult the Federation leader's family, the chief scientist of the joint action group stood up and said: "This is too wasteful! Moreover, we have no reason to use all the nuclear missiles on just one meteorite. Even if we need to choose, it should be to use these nuclear missiles to destroy those three meteorites set to fall into the Pacific Ocean!"
"The meteorite heading for North America will destroy the Federation's cities! It will cause heavy casualties among the innocent Federation citizens! We should destroy this meteorite, not worry about the three falling into the Pacific Ocean that will not kill as many people!" The Federation leader's shameless attitude was completely exposed at this moment.
Seeing the other party's desire to sacrifice small countries to protect the Federation's interests, Lucia's leader disdainfully said: "I will order our astronauts to try their best to destroy those three meteorites falling into the Pacific Ocean. As for the North American meteorite... those nuclear missiles are, after all, the legacy of former Sovia."
Lucia's leader's words immediately rendered the Federation leader speechless. He could only point at Lucia's leader and curse: "This is massacre! Millions of innocent American civilians will die because of your decision! Tens of millions will die because of you! You executioner!"
Facing the accusations of the Federation leader, Lucia's leader remained calm and composed.
With the end of the world near, if I don't let Lucia's astronauts intercept the meteorite impacting North America, your United States is doomed. It's only now you can call me cruel; when the meteorite falls and you die, why should I argue with someone who's about to perish?
As Lucia's leader pondered this, ignoring the profanities the Federation leader spat, the chief scientist of the joint action group took the lead to support Lucia's leader: "In fact, destroying the three meteorites is our only choice now, because the total weight of the three meteorites impacting the Pacific Ocean far exceeds that of the one impacting North America, and the disaster they would cause is much more severe.
If only one meteorite strikes North America, then people in other parts of the world still have a high chance of survival. But if the three meteorites hitting the Pacific Ocean all come down, the entire world could face doomsday, leading to human extinction.'
The chief scientist's words immediately changed the views of the three national leaders who still had hesitations, leading them to support Lucia's leader.
Perhaps unwilling to witness the devastation of North America, or considering the Federation people as innocent, the chief scientist added, "Actually, that piece of a four-kilometer-diameter meteorite doesn't need twenty nuclear missiles to destroy it, and as it gets closer to the Blue Planet, the Federation can still launch more nuclear missiles and target it according to its trajectory."
The method suggested by the chief scientist certainly contained a large element of risk because launching nuclear missiles from the ground without terminal guidance makes it very difficult to hit a fast-moving meteorite.
This is also why the previous plan involved interfering Lucia's astronauts: they were supposed to use the spacecraft to provide precise guidance for the nuclear missiles to prevent a waste of firepower.
Originally, such a suggestion might not gain agreement from others, but the chief scientist's subsequent addition won the approval of all national leaders present: "Your Federation is the world's number one military power, should have a lot of nuclear missiles in reserve, right? Your missile defense system can intercept missiles, so a meteorite this big shouldn't be a problem, right?"