Chapter 131 Pick-up
After Chen Ming had just finished chatting with Hui Hui, Yuhui's senior management had also discussed Chen Ming's plans with each other.
At the station of the Fourteenth Legion.
On the tarmac next to the headquarters building.
Tang Shi, who was the nominal commander-in-chief of the combined fleet, stepped off the shuttle boat that had just docked here with a pale face.
In addition to a large number of well-trained guards standing on the edge of the apron, there was also Baiquan who was protected by a large number of guards.
Bai Quan was wearing the special military uniform of the Fourteenth Legion at this time. Through the collar, he could see that his uniform was covered with bandages.
He stood upright, his face like ice filled with sharp knives.
When Tang Shi got off the boat and walked towards the headquarters building, he walked in front of him.
Bai Quan, hoarse because of his injury, had a chill in his voice, and said to Tang Shi word by word: "You're back? Then let's go."
After he finished speaking, he turned around without paying any attention to Tang Shi's existence.
Tang Shi didn't dare to have any thoughts. The only thing left in his mind was the fear of Bai Quan.
But he still forced himself to ask: "Where to go?"
As the supreme commander of the Fourteenth Legion in this star field, Bai Quan paused, continued to walk forward without looking back and said: "My office."
"Since you are back, then follow the procedures that you should follow. You need to report the task to me."
"You should have learned this."
Bai Quan's suddenly aggravated tone made Tang Shi feel a lot more nervous. He hesitated and said, "Well... well, yes, I have learned it."
Bai Quan did not delve into whether what Tang Shi said was true.
He continued to say to Tang Shi like a cold machine: "You need to report whether the mission objectives have been achieved, and report the losses, including the loss of the spacecraft, the loss of personnel, and the losses in casualties."
"And what did you do during the entire mission."
"You were elected after I was seriously injured in an accident and fell into coma. You won't let me down, right?"
Bai Quan's voice became deeper and deeper, as if because of his unrecovered injury.
But this low and hoarse voice was increasingly deafening in Tang Shi's ears, making him afraid to think about what would happen next.
Bai Quan suddenly turned his head and glanced at Tang Shi. The reflection under his lenses made Tang Shi unable to open his eyes.
When Tang Shi closed his eyes for a moment, he raised his head and looked over.
For a moment, he seemed to see his body reflected in Bai Quan's cold eyes.
Tang Shi suddenly felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, his limbs were so stiff that he didn't know how to walk.
After noticing that Tang Shi's movements had slowed down, the guards around Bai Quan also slowed down immediately.
They directly pushed away the guard protecting Tang Shi with brute force, and followed Bai Quan with him half-stretched.
No one dared to resist.
at the same time.
Zhang Feng, who had not disembarked from the spaceship behind, was standing by the porthole of the shuttle boat.
He looked at everything that was happening outside, and at the same time he was using the terminal to communicate with other people.
The communication was quickly connected, and a generous middle-aged male voice sounded from the terminal: "Say."
Zhang Feng was slightly relieved after hearing this voice.
As long as the person who had not given him additional guidance on Tang Shi's mission before departure had now answered the phone, it would have been easy to say anything.
However, there was no special behavior on his face. He just handed over the mission normally and said: "Lieutenant General, we have now returned to the base of the Fourteenth Army Corps. Tang Shi was taken away directly by Bai Quan as soon as he got off the ship."
The middle-aged man whom Zhang Feng called Lieutenant General did not mean to blame Zhang Feng at this time and said: "This is normal. Now the news of our defeat has begun to spread outside."
"Because someone suffered too much in your mission, he has told Bai Quan everything in advance."
Zhang Feng followed the lieutenant general's words and said, "Did Tachyon Technology do it?"
The lieutenant general paused and said: "Don't worry about it, we just need to take care of ourselves now."
"I know this mission is not your problem, but now that things have happened, we must stay dormant for a while to avoid being completely liquidated."
"We will have some decline, but we are unlikely to collapse completely."
"But I wonder, is there a piece of good news in this whole mission?"
"Yes."
Zhang Feng sent a video along the encrypted communication line.
The content of the video is exactly the scene where the ruler-class ship that was left alone until the end launched an attack on the positioning coordinate signals that were constantly being sent out on the planet where Chen Ming was located.
Although this video is due to various energy fluctuations remaining in the chaotic battlefield, as well as the electronic interference of the Afterglow Fleet.
At the same time, it was also the reason that the ruler-level video was broadcast in real time through a remote signal connection, causing the picture to be very blurry.
But it can still be seen through the ruler-class sensors that the Iron Ore was completely destroyed and the building next to it was hit by the Gauss cannon.
As the Iron Ore exploded and scattered its wreckage, the institute was hit by flying building debris and completely covered in smoke and dust raised by the Gauss cannon.
The Dominator-class ship's sensors were completely cut off by the interference, and it was also destroyed.
The video ends here.
The lieutenant general said with a slightly pleased tone: "Okay, this is the only good news now."
“We can’t get Sky Steel back now, but at least we have to give an explanation to those who have been cooperating with us.”
"Chen Ming's death is the best explanation."
"Okay, let's go help Tang Shi out of the siege."
"We will use our connections to delay Bai Quan's investigation of the results of this mission. As long as the people are transferred away, Tang Shi will not die."
"This time it is considered a failure. He is not worthy of our training at all."
"Just listen to what other people say about Tang Shi from now on, and don't believe everything, especially hers."
The lieutenant general's words meant something, and Zhang Feng did not dare to respond too much, but just agreed vaguely.
The lieutenant general did not care about this, but comforted Zhang Feng; "I know your difficulties, but some things cannot be changed."
"I understand."
"Well, also, remember to come directly to me after you bring your people back from the station. I have something to explain to you."
Communication hung up.
The lieutenant general who was communicating with Zhang Feng put down his terminal and raised his head to look at a woman with a frosty face standing next to his office.
The woman was approximately the same age as him and looked slightly older than him.
Obviously, it was the person he just hinted at that Zhang Feng didn't want to contact.
Although the lieutenant general mentioned her to others in front of her, and his words were not very polite, she did not directly have any objections to the lieutenant general.
She just asked the lieutenant general: "Are you sure Chen Ming is dead?"
The lieutenant general pushed the terminal on his desk and said: "The video is here."
"Chen Ming would be dead if he hit him directly with such power. Even if he is lucky enough to survive, Yu Hui will definitely not be easy to get along with."
"When we launch a rescue operation of this scale, Yuhui must be very wary of him. It is impossible for him to come back alive."
The middle-aged woman frowned, copied a copy of the video, and left the office.
Her eyes were full of distrust, and she said a few words at the same time.
"I will confirm whether Chen Ming is dead or not."
The lieutenant general looked at her back and shook his head.
As the combined fleet returned to the Fourteenth Army Corps station, a week passed quickly.
News of the defeat in the battle that broke out in the Gallo Star Territory and within the Afterglow Star Territory has completely spread to the pirate space station closest to the border of the Star Territory.
And some details of the mission that caused this battle were spread out somehow.
For example, the reason why the mission started is that the protagonist of this mission, Chen Ming, came alone and the Afterglow Fleet launched a rescue for him. A frigate successfully escaped from being chased by the corrupt former sector military cruiser fleet. .
He was rescued by the joint forces of the newly stationed Fourteenth Army Corps, Tachyon Technology, Sindar Company and the Star Territory Government, and the attention was paid to him.
Needless to say, the speed of news dissemination in a place like the Pirate Space Station goes without saying.
Soon, there were rumors about Chen Ming in the entire Galo Star Territory, and even in several star territories next door.
Of course, the content of the rumor has undergone some changes during the transmission process.
For example, the failure of the final mission and Chen Ming's death were not caused by the wrong command of the commander of the 14th Army Corps, nor was it the initiative to kill Chen Ming when he was finally forced to evacuate.
Instead, Chen Ming had been rescued, but a large amount of unexpected support from Yu Hui arrived and attacked the fleet before it evacuated, resulting in Chen Ming's accidental death.
At the same time, it ultimately led to the complete failure of the mission.
This rhetoric saved some face for the Fourteenth Army, and at the same time added some legendary color to Chen Ming's experience.
Because Chen Ming's ability is not known to be spread by anyone.
How could a psyker who could control several warships alone and have various enhancements to the performance of the warships be killed by Afterglow under normal circumstances.
So after hearing such rumors, some people felt that Chen Ming had indeed died accidentally according to the theory, while others felt that Chen Ming had been severely tortured on Yuhui's territory and died of serious injuries after being rescued.
Of course, there are also conspiracy theories. They believe that someone within the empire felt that Chen Ming's psychic powers were too dangerous, so they directly silenced him.
However, these statements were not spread due to the deliberate restrictions of public opinion.
On the contrary, Chen Ming's previous experiences were revealed.
The entire process from the mining space station to the pirate space station to the afterglow star field has been spread.
The Xinda Company's mining space station was completely destroyed inexplicably, and the share of Sky Steel's production for decades was misappropriated.
They are all stimulating the nerves of the people in the relatively calm edge star field of the Gallo Star Territory, focusing people's attention on these places.
I don’t know if it was the work of the company, in order to put pressure on the 14th Army Corps through public opinion, and let them give out the Sky Steel they should give.
Or is it that the Fourteenth Legion did it themselves, in order to divert the attention of the outside world from the failure of their operation and focus it all on the former star sector military who had been driven away
But in short, their goal was achieved.
After the rumors gradually spread, the main content basically focused on the corruption of the sector army and the fall of Chen Ming, a rising star of future humanity. And before this rumor became completely popular.
The factory director who had a close relationship with Chen Ming had already received the news in advance from the chairman.
It was said that the mission of the Fourteenth Legion failed and Chen Ming died.
So much so that before this outrageous rumor spread, the factory director was forced to look downcast all day long.
It's the same with Lao Wu. He goes to the bar every day to drink away his sorrows.
Of course, in fact, both of them knew the real situation, and they were pretending to be sad to the other people who were watching them.
Lao Wu still pretended to be happy.
After the news spread for a few days, the storm passed.
People from the original star region military who had been taken away a long time ago were put on trial, and the results of the trial were announced.
In addition, Chen Ming, a newly rising star, completely fell sadly and was never known again.
The factory director gradually relaxed and no longer had to keep a straight face every day.
Lao Wu, on the other hand, is still the same as before, but the front is just pretending, and the back is because he is really sad that he can't be a show off.
He couldn't accept the fact that Chen Ming's news had completely gone silent in just a few days.
But after all, Chen Ming's abilities have still not been fully displayed in front of everyone, and they just seem to have great potential.
In various aspects, such as spaceship piloting and combat command, although there are not many individuals who show potential, they are not few, and not all of them died.
But no matter how potential he is to win people, death is death.
No one cares about a dead man.
Even if a big shot in the prosperous star field knew about Chen Ming's existence, it would be useless to know the extent of Chen Ming's abilities.
Those who should be held accountable had to go to the Fourteenth Army Corps. It had nothing to do with ordinary people, so the news naturally gradually fell silent.
The previous rumors about Chen Ming's psychic abilities only spread to the surrounding two star fields.
From then on, the rumors about Chen Ming were only occasionally mentioned when something related to Yuhui came up.
This is actually what Chen Ming wants to see most.
It would be best if everyone forgot about him.
When Chen Ming appears again in the future, some people will not be able to sleep.
Rather, if anyone is still thinking about him now, he should be unable to sleep.
If the ability to control three afterglow galaxies is now known.
Either the 14th Army Corps was strictly guarding against this news and would never leak any information, just to kill Chen Ming and avoid future troubles.
Either the entire empire will pay attention to Chen Ming, who is already rumored to be a top psyker, and Chen Ming is brought back by the empire with all its strength.
The Fourteenth Legion may be liquidated, but this also means that Chen Ming may not have freedom for the rest of his life.
No matter which outcome he wanted to see, it was not what he wanted to see.
So his things are best forgotten by others.
But it seems that this situation will not happen again.
After all, Chen Ming had already learned about the ups and downs of this turmoil from Lao Wu.
Moreover, the few days he spent in Yuhui were uneventful and uneventful, with no sign that anyone was coming to find him.
Work in all aspects is now progressing steadily.
The afterglow controlled by Chen Ming has also made new progress in the expansion of the afterglow galaxy.
The semi-industrial and semi-military galaxy on the border between Afterglow and the Machine Race where Gamma Z stayed before has completely fallen into his hands.
The military strength, mainly armed ships, has made great progress, and it will definitely play a considerable role when Chen Ming leaves the Afterglow Star Territory.
As Brilliance said that the date for the completion of the artificial enlightenment nerves they are preparing is getting closer.
Chen Ming has also begun to let Gamma Z and Huihuang speed up the control of other Afterglow individuals within the acceptable risk range.
It would be nice to have more control before the final moment arrives.
The more power his Yuhui has, the more confident he will be when exposed.
Although no matter how many people are controlled, there will not be enough to compete with the entire Afterglow in the Afterglow Star Territory in the remaining ten days, but Chen Ming's goal was not this from the beginning, so it is not a big problem.
in addition.
A few days ago, when Chen Ming tried to communicate with Huihuang every day in front of other Yuhui, he asked Huihuang for the Liar Stone and Whispering Stone that were taken away before, and by the way, he also asked for a new exploration ship.
However, after Huihuang asked the above, the result was that he would not be given either.
However, the technical afterglow in other aspects is very generous and gives a lot.
Think about it, after all, the ectoplasm stone may affect their second experiment again.
As for the exploration ship, Yuhui definitely didn't want to see Chen Ming's spacecraft crash into the dome outside again.
On the contrary, it is about technology. Even if Chen Ming is allowed to learn in these last twenty days, how much can he learn?
Technology may be relatively simple at the beginning, but the further you go, the more difficult it becomes and the longer it takes to learn.
At least that's true for serious people and serious afterglows.
As for Chen Ming, he can only say that his spiritual power has improved greatly due to the absorption of spiritual nerves.
His learning efficiency also increased again.
After being confirmed by Chen Ming and Huihuang, the learning efficiency has surpassed most beta-level afterglows and is on the verge of alpha-level afterglows.
You must know that each Alpha-level afterglow can be compared to a top computer, and has the computing power to control at least one galaxy industry.
It is extremely abnormal for Chen Ming to be able to catch up with Yu Hui as a human being in the field that Yu Hui is best at.
In addition, Yuhui gave Huihuang a lot of authority, even if it was because there was too much to learn.
Chen Ming can also continue to rely on Huihuang to acquire other aspects of technical knowledge that he does not have with his current authority in the future.
Also, Chen Ming has always felt the location of the Lie Stone, which is underground in the research institute.
So when various factors affected his love, he didn't really force it.
When it was time to leave, he could easily take it away from such a short distance.
So, after Chen Ming was rejected for two consecutive requests, and was calmed down by the brilliant success on the surface.
Although Chen Ming said he wanted to pretend to be a mess, he also stopped helping Yu Hui and was just a worm.
But I still work and study normally every day.
In addition, he also discovered that the work area of the institute had actually been repaired overtime, and the experimental area and research area next to it were also used casually.
However, the Qiling Nerve Extraction Device inside was moved away one night.
The moved location is still underground in the institute.
Chen Ming didn't care about this. Anyway, Yu Hui should do whatever he wanted with this device. If it could be started by then, he would lose.
In the past few days, in addition to studying and working, Chen Ming secretly cooperated with Huihui and Gamma Z to engage in other Yuhui affairs in private.
We are also working on new scientific research projects.
The multi-layered shield he developed before was combined with the Iron Ore Hornet that moved on its own for some unknown reason and could also use his psychic powers.
Successfully allowed a frigate-level ship to block the attack of the cruiser's large weapons.
Although it mainly relied on Chen Ming's spiritual power, the shield did work.
Otherwise, the shield of the first attack on the Iron Mine would have been completely shattered. How could there be a second chance to deflect the attack and a third chance to help the research institute and Chen Ming bear the attack.
Therefore, Chen Ming has already seen the importance of shields, so this research must be conducted.
The new high-strength shield must be put online, but he is still planning the current research ideas and it will take some time.
However, the most important thing Chen Ming is currently doing is studying, learning some additional colonial technology-related industrial production technologies provided by Huihuang.
Chen Ming has already talked with Huihuang about his future plans, and Huihuang supports the idea of a colony.
At the same time, Huihuang also knew the effects of Chen Ming's abilities.
Therefore, some equipment technologies that are difficult to move away through Chen Ming's spiritual power and difficult to be produced by Huihuang himself, with more complex production processes or longer production processes, are left to Chen Ming to learn.
At that time, Chen Ming's manufacturing capabilities, which have not played a key role until now, will be put to use.
Everything seems to be going in the right direction.
And today is the eighth day since Chen Ming and Yu Hui broke up and both knew what the other party must be thinking.
The factory director made a phone call to Chen Ming early in the morning using the terminal that Chen Ming had prepared for them and whose authority was entirely in Chen Ming's hands.
It was said that the boss had come back and sent over an extra terminal that Chen Ming had prepared before.
The factory director and the boss have good reasons to meet and will not reveal anything.
So Chen Ming contacted the boss directly.
The boss, who was lying behind the counter of the hardware store as usual, noticed that the terminal just delivered by the factory director began to vibrate.
There was some relief on his face, and he said directly to the terminal: "Xiao Ming, I just heard that you died two days ago. Are you still alive?"
"It's just good luck. No, it can't be considered good luck either. When I was chased by people from the military in the sector, a ruler was blocking me in the end."
"Now I have gone to Yuhui's side, but in the end a Dominator came to kill me. This is really not good luck."
The boss obviously didn't expect this strange coincidence.
However, after thinking that Chen Ming was talking to him without any fuss, he smiled and continued: "At least you are still alive, right? And looking at you now, you should have a way to escape. ”
"Well, although my previous arrangements were ruined by the sneak attack by the 14th Army, I have already figured out the new method."
The boss didn't ask Chen Ming how he planned to escape, but directly asked about the key to the matter.
"So what are your plans after you come out?"
(End of chapter)