Chapter 255

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Protagonist:

Lin En

Lena

The singing of "Eternal Night Sleepless" instantly resounded across the entire Bridge, and echoed through every corner of the Peak Obsidian.

That was the Imperial Hymn, played only on the most important occasions.

No one knew who had opened the broadcast, and no one pursued the matter.

Everyone felt that, at this moment, there was no more fitting background music than this piece.

Amidst the sacred and soaring melody, Lin En's voice was clear and firm:

"Gus Griffith."

"This subordinate is present!" Gus immediately stood at attention, rendering a standard, flawless Eagle Salute, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

"Kal II is the Expedition Sword Edge!"

"Gus, do you dare shoulder the responsibility of Grand General?"

Gus raised his head, meeting Lin En's gaze.

In those deep purple eyes, there was no doubt or testing, only heavy trust and expectation.

A heat current instantly surged from the bottom of his heart to the top of his head, dispelling all unease and hesitation.

He recalled that night on the Xian Ge Hao, when Lin En stood before him, taking away his name, and also taking away his originally gray life.

He recalled finding himself in one blood battle after another at the Brevis Wall.

It was Lin En who gave him new life.

Making him become a true soldier.

Now, an opportunity to recreate his ancestors' glory lay before him; how could he not be excited?

Gus took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in his heart.

He saluted once more, and this time his voice was resounding, echoing throughout the entire Bridge:

"What is there not to dare!"

"This subordinate Gus Griffith, here swears to the Emperor, swears to Lord Lin En!"

"As long as I have one breath left, as long as I still stand on the land of Kal II, Kal II will absolutely not fall into Green Skin hands!"

"If I break this oath, I willingly accept military law punishment, soul returning to the Golden Throne!"

"Good!" Lin En shouted approval, a rare smile appearing on his face.

He extended his hand, patting Gus's shoulder heavily, the force neither light nor heavy, yet carrying the weight of a thousand jun.

"I indeed did not misjudge you."

The Hymn gradually subsided.

Lin En looked around, his gaze sweeping across every officer's face.

"From now on, Gus Griffith is the Grand General of the Brevis Expedition Fleet. Everyone must unconditionally obey his commands."

"Any who defy, regardless of rank high or low, regardless of birth noble or base, shall be executed on the spot! Understood?"

"Yes, Adult!" All officers shouted in unison, voices uneven, but no one dared raise objections further.

Lin En nodded, then said to Gus: "Come with me to the Captain's Quarters, there are some things I need to say to you alone."

Finished speaking, he turned and walked toward the Captain's Quarters, the magnificent alloy door slowly opening behind him.

Gus followed behind him, able to feel those complex gazes still landing on his back.

But he no longer cared about these.

The Captain's Quarters door closed, isolating all the clamor outside.

The room was very quiet, only the wall clock ticking.

Those originally terrifying chitinous flesh and blood had already been hidden away; it looked just like an ordinary room.

Lin En took out a bottle of strong liquor from the wine cabinet, two glass cups, poured Gus a full cup, then poured one for himself as well.

"Sit." Lin En gestured for him to sit on the sofa.

"No outsiders here, no need to be so stiff."

Gus took the wine cup, sitting on the sofa.

He gently swirled the orange liquid in the cup, the wine fragrance drifting in the air, intoxicating.

He took a sip, the spicy liquid sliding down his throat, leaving a scorching sensation, also letting his somewhat excited mood gradually calm down.

"Just now on the Bridge, many eyes and ears, some words inconvenient to say." Lin En leaned on the sofa, posture lazy.

"I left you all the main force, the Peak Obsidian, twenty-eight Escort Ships, and all the Destroyers and transport ships, as well as the Ground Forces."

"Remember, your mission is only one word: Hold!"

"Do not attack proactively, do not pursue those stragglers fleeing Kal II, and do not think to purge all of Kal II in one go."

"Our current troop strength cannot withstand any consumption."

"Pull all forces back to the core district, the middle-level platforms and the three major ports."

"Relying on existing fortifications, construct a layered, progressive defense system."

"Especially the ports, this is our only lifeline, and also the Green Skins' primary attack target."

"Must station the most elite troops to guard, set up more firepower points."

"As long as Green Skins cannot land, entering boarding battle phase, we hold the advantage."

"Understood." Gus nodded, set down his wine cup, pulled a notebook from his pocket, and recorded seriously.

At the same time he stated his plan:

"Near every hidden passage, I've already dispatched two elite infantry regiments, blocking all exits leading to space.

"Every exit is laid out with flamethrower and heavy explosive gun positions."

"If any Green Skin dares show its head, immediately conduct indiscriminate firepower coverage."

"Additionally, I've arranged patrol teams, twenty-four hour nonstop patrol; once a gathering of four-digit-or-more Green Skins is discovered, immediately report to headquarters for a strike."

"Mm, well done." Lin En nodded with satisfaction.

"On the engineering side, Alderman may have a rotten temper and foul mouth, but his ability ranks among the best in all of Brevis."

"You tolerate him a bit more, don't hold a grudge against him."

"Priority: repair the core district's fusion reactors and life support systems, then the port's anti-aircraft cannons and orbital defense systems.

"The rest — dormitories, mess halls, entertainment facilities — can all be pushed back; this is wartime, everything serves the war."

Speaking halfway, Lin En leaned forward slightly, his tone turning grave:

"There are two 'people' I'm leaving to you; they are your greatest reliance for holding Kal II."

"One is Da Han, whom you've met; her strength needs no elaboration from me."

"The other is her avatar, Bai Lu, who has always stayed in the rear handling intelligence work, rarely showing her face."

Gus froze for a moment, asking doubtfully: "Bai Lu? I've never heard this name before."

"She is an extremely powerful Spirit Energy User, proficient in telepathy, precognition, and mental interference." Lin En explained.

Lena Bai Lu is a strengthened Brain Worm that Lena specially modified to serve as the Expedition Fleet's navigator.

Normally hidden inside the Peak Obsidian's Captain's Quarters, existing as the entire fleet's "Biological Master Brain."

At the same time, every time Lena plays chess with Lin En, she also uses this higher-IQ avatar.

"Every stir of wind and grass across all of Kal II cannot escape her grasp." Lin En continued.

"Gus, remember: before absolute strength, any tactics are futile."

"If you encounter any trouble you can't resolve, or any matter you can't decide, listen to Lena."

"Her judgment will forever be more accurate than yours or mine, and more far-reaching."

"Remember: staying alive, and then holding Kal II, is what matters most."

Gus did not hesitate, nodding forcefully: "Yes, I've remembered."

He had never doubted the strength of those mysterious Bug Race beings around Lin En.

Lin En looked at his candid eyes, and felt relief in his heart.