Chapter 254

Gazing at the cosmic view outside the porthole, Shirley, dressed in a black shirt and jeans, couldn't help but stretch lazily.

The reason she didn't get up to pack like the others is that she chose to check her luggage, planning to pick it up later on the conveyor at the starport.

The vessel she rode is a ferry belonging to Umbrella, facilitating the company's staff traveling between Earth and the Moon.

The ferry lacks jump or warp drives, but relying solely on conventional speed, it can make a round trip between Earth and the Moon in just three hours.

Besides the one Shirley boarded, there are countless ferries shuttling between Earth and the Moon.

This makes traveling from Earth to the Moon as quick as taking a maglev train to another city.

Shortly after the broadcast finished its reminder, Shirley saw the far side of the Moon through the porthole.

As the ferry sped along, she caught a vague glimpse of massive gates installed in the centers of various lunar seas, and nearby illuminated structures.

It appears that the Luna Base, which originally occupied only one lunar sea, has now expanded to a scale that will cover the entire far side of the Moon.

Soon.

The ferry, carrying Shirley and other staff, approached a lunar mare near the Moon's equator and entered beneath the lunar surface through an opened massive gate.

The view outside the porthole switched as well.

It changed from a gray desert plain and star‑filled deep space to a starport crowded with numerous ships and transport craft, equipped with giant robotic arms.

The ferry sailed into one of the ports, where the massive robotic arms on both sides extended.

Immediately afterward, Shirley heard a few "Clack! —Bang! —" sounds coming from outside the hull, indicating the robotic arms had secured the ferry.

Hearing those noises.

Without waiting for another broadcast, Shirley and the others rose from their seats and headed to the cabin's waiting area.

A faint "Clack—Bang—" was heard again, showing that the gangway had linked with the hull.

Then the air‑valve gate in the waiting area automatically opened, allowing Shirley and the others to pass through a sealed‑window gangway toward the starport.

Leaving the ferry.

Shirley followed the crowd to the luggage claim area, collected her sole suitcase, and boarded a train bound for a region far from the starport.

Soon after.

Inside the train car, only Shirley and a few senior staff remained.

She, still seated by the window, was operating the intelligence officer's dedicated phone, replying to her parents' messages.

The messages mostly contained the BoKen couple reminding her to stay safe abroad, and if necessary to request a transfer back to the Solar System, among other caring words.

The screen displayed the date 2072/05/21.

Year 2072.

This indicates that Shirley, born in 1986, should be an eighty‑six‑year‑old old woman, yet she still looks in her twenties.

And regardless of age, Shirley remains, to the BoKen couple, a child who never grows up.

As she replied, Shirley couldn't help but flash a happy smile.

The "leaving the Solar System" mentioned in the messages refers to Shirley's upcoming assignment to another colonized star system.

Previously, Shirley was the head of the Mars Intelligence Department, commanding and dispatching all intelligence officers on Mars, herself among the top‑tier agents.

However, she has applied to Sui Bian to transfer to the Apus VIII system, taking the role of intelligence chief there.

This application amounts to Shirley voluntarily taking a demotion.

Because Apus VIII lies at least 450 light‑years from the Solar System, it is one of the most peripheral human colonies.

Its primary star is a fourth‑orbit terrestrial planet, Apus d, with a total population of only about ten million.

Compared with Mars, which has four hundred million people and serves as the Solar System's industrial hub, the difference is stark.

Thus, when submitting the request, Shirley explained to Sui Bian, who is like a senior to her, that she wishes to pass her experience on to newcomers and safeguard humanity's frontier.

Sui Bian had no reason to refuse, and approved Shirley's request on the same day the application was filed.

After receiving approval.

Shirley returned to Earth, spent more than half a month with her parents and her two brothers who had just started university, enjoying a vacation until today.

Before heading to the Apus VIII system, Shirley came to Luna Base because she needed to rendezvous with a group of special colleagues.

She noticed the train decelerating.

After Shirley and her parents exchanged a few reassuring words, she looked up at the holographic sign at the front of the car.

Confirming the platform ahead was her destination, she pulled her suitcase, left her seat, and walked to the right side of the car to wait patiently.

Not even half a minute later.

The train came to a stop and opened a row of doors on the right side, allowing Shirley and the few senior staff to disembark.

Leaving the car.

Shirley saw that the platform was filled with many "recruits" about two meters tall on average, with youthful faces that looked only fifteen or sixteen, dressed in black training uniforms.

This indicated that the train had brought her to the Astate recruit training camp at Luna Base.

Shirley didn't find Astate particularly unfamiliar.

After all, before she even took up her intelligence post, she had already encountered the opening of the Hell Gate on Deimos and met Tuthmos of the Ninth Legion.

And just after stepping off, Shirley spotted two "elders" in the crowd who had come to greet her.

She immediately pulled her suitcase, quickened her pace toward the two, and respectfully greeted, "Dr. Chambos, Dr. Alekxia, long time no see."

The two "elders" greeting Shirley were actually Rebecca Chambos and Alekxia Rhesik, who are the supervisors responsible for training Astate recruits.

These two supervisors, always clad in white lab coats, looked no different in appearance or stature from their younger selves.

Rebecca still had shoulder‑length brown hair, while Alekxia wore a high golden ponytail.

They had once worked in the Mother Nest with William BoKen, and at that time twelve‑year‑old Shirley also lived in the Mother Nest, which is why she feels especially close to them.

"Long time no see, Shirley," Rebecca replied softly.

Perhaps from constantly overseeing the recruits, Alekxia inadvertently showed a kindly elder demeanor, though she said aloud:

Shirley, we haven't just not seen each other for a while—it's been too long. I reckon, uh, at least seven years; I've been wondering if you kids have forgotten us.

It's mainly because work is too busy; I'll have to go to Aipsen again soon. Shirley said apologetically.

Forget it, forget it, you kids are still the same as before, can't take a joke. Alekxia shook her hand.

Hearing her friend's words, Rebecca couldn't help but laugh and shake her head, then said: "Come on, Shirley, Rog is waiting for us."

Okay.

The three of them then left the platform together, took the elevator to this side of the central plaza, and saw Rog and thirty recruits standing by the artificial lake in the plaza.

Rog wore a custom-made dark black uniform, with a decorative yellow shoulder guard on his left shoulder and a red cord on his right shoulder.

Before him stood three rows of adult recruits, each two and a half meters tall, in formal uniforms.

Only seeing Rog's stern expression, he loudly said: "Guys, tell me again what your duties are!"

"Protect the colony! Protect humanity! Eliminate all threats for the father!" The recruits shouted in unison.

The shout even echoed throughout the entire plaza.

Having long noticed Shirley and her group, Rog prepared to end this talk: "Nice words anyone can say; I want results. Do you understand? Don't embarrass your OriginalBody."

Yes!

"Very good! Morale is commendable." Rog nodded satisfactorily.

After the talk ended, Shirley and her group had already approached.

Moreover, when the thirty recruits saw Alekxia, their gazes darted away.

Decades ago, Alekxia displayed the manner of a "queen," directly using tentacles to pry open a vampire's skull for questioning.

This scene made the young Rog unable to forget.

Now it seems that the "Flame Queen," who left a deep impression on the OriginalBody, after returning to her old trade as a teacher, also left a considerable shadow on the Astates.

They approached and stopped.

Shirley raised her hand in a salute to Rog.

Lowering her right hand, Shirley looked at the recruits standing straight, with their personal luggage bags at their feet.

Before she could speak, Rog turned his back to the recruits and called out: "Gabriel."

"Sir." The named recruit stepped out of the formation.

This recruit was somewhat taller than his comrades, with the most robust build, neat short hair and a square face, giving an impression of being very rigid and upright.

Afterwards, Rog introduced them to each other: "Shirley BoKen, the new intelligence department chief of Aipsen VIII."

"Gabriel Angelos, the recruit squad leader of Tutmose."

"The safety of the millions of Aipsen's people will be jointly your responsibility."

"It's an honor to meet you, Chief BoKen." Gabriel saluted Shirley.

"It's also my honor, Gabriel, and I happen to have a connection with your Tutmose." Shirley smiled and returned the salute.

Although Shirley is a "mortal," her experience and age far surpass Gabriel's, as well as this group of newly adult recruits.

That's why Gabriel addresses Shirley with respect.

"Enough." Rog interrupted their mutual flattery, interjecting: "The Retribution has already docked at the harbor; hurry aboard."

Yes.

Gabriel and the recruits shouldered their packs and headed toward the training camp's exclusive starport.

Shirley also said goodbye to Rebecca and Alekxia, pulled her suitcase, and followed Gabriel and the others.

"Back when we were doing research at the mother nest, Shirley was only this tall." Watching Shirley and her group's backs, Alekxia gestured with both hands.

"Yeah." Rebecca also deeply felt and echoed: "Back then, the company directed all resources toward G-gland research, and then ten children about Shirley's age came along, now"

Speaking, Rebecca looked at Rog, her voice full of relief: "Each one has become an OriginalBody leading a legion."

"It's all thanks to the teachings of our fathers and teachers." Rog replied respectfully to the two teachers.

"Father?" Alekxia suddenly said: "By the way, I haven't seen Mr. Sui in a long time either. Hey, Rog, do you know where your dad is?"

Rebecca stared silently at Rog, seemingly also waiting for his reply.

Upon hearing that.

Rog lightly pinched his chin with his left hand and said: "Father, and that guy Leon, should be cruising in the Hydra constellation star system, with no plan to return to the Solar System in the short term."

"Alright, I still have to give a biology lecture to a group of young Astates this afternoon; I'm off first."

Me too.

Alekxia spread her hands, and she and Rebecca were the first to leave the central plaza.

Waiting for the two teachers to leave.

Rog slowly walked to the lakeside, admiring the beautiful artificial scenery, his mood somewhat desolate as he muttered to himself:

"I don't know when the blockhead (Magnus) will finish his spiritual energy research; now the only ones left in the Solar System are me and him, uh."

"How about we hold a Solar System defense drill with Mars? That's a good reason, so that the guy who always locks himself in his room won't ruin his eyes."

Rog also left the central plaza, as if truly preparing for the drill.

———————

…

Meanwhile.

Inside the training camp's exclusive starport, many cargo ships and small warships are also docked here.

The gangways connect to the ships, facilitating the movement of cargo and people.

Shirley and the recruits pass through one of the gangways.

Along the way.

Through the large sealed windows installed on both sides, she can directly observe the Retribution, which she is about to board.

Visually, its length is about 550 meters, giving the impression of a "gun," and it looks more compact and agile than the Hawk-class.

Although Shirley is not a professional engineer or researcher, she still knows the specifications of this type of warship and the related data.

The Discipline belongs to the Paris-class escort ship, a lightweight escort vessel used by Umbrella and the UNSC fleet, featuring high maneuverability.

It can carry 800 combat personnel, and counting the crew members fulfilling their duties, it can accommodate a little over 1,100 people in total.

Its armament includes a 3‑ton class electromagnetic main cannon, as well as various point‑defense guns and secondary cannons.

The hangar can also fully accommodate the Falcon, Banshee, and Viking series carrier‑based strike aircraft, as well as the Fisher and Pelican series transport aircraft.

And in the hangar of the Discipline before her, there is an old Astate‑dedicated transport aircraft, Thunder III.

The Discipline is an important component of the Epsilon VIII Defense Force, after all it is the only warship deployed in the Epsilon System, used to assist ground combat units.

In theory, a Discipline belonging to the UNSC should not have a Thunder III transport parked in its hangar, and Astate recruits would not board it.

But that was the "theory" from more than twenty years ago.

After more than half a century, the UEG, UNSC and Umbrella have long become a single entity.

To the public, Umbrella is also an official authoritative organization; its fleet and forces are elite superior to the UNSC, and even Astate is no longer a secret.

It's just that the authorities have never publicly acknowledged it, and the public doesn't find it strange.

As for why Gabriel and the recruits are not directly assigned to the legion but are sent to colonies for defense, there are many reasons.

But after streamlining, the main reason is that recruits can gain ample experience before officially joining the legion.

At the same time it allows the entire colony's defensive forces to achieve a qualitative leap, preventing a situation like when Arcadia rebelled and Krig was left isolated and unsupported.

(End of chapter)