161: Chapter 161 Colonel Pierre

Plata Port, Ship Girl Bureau Branch.

Director Creed finished her duties for the day and stretched.

She looked out the window at the pier, where fifteen Type 1000 cargo ships were docked. No gangways were installed, and they were isolated in a separate berthing area.

She knew who these people were and their situation. However, until Horizons Edge handed down a final verdict, there was nothing she could do.

Her golden hair shone brightly in the afternoon sun, complementing the four silver stars on her white military uniform.

She sighed; ever since transferring to the Department of External Affairs, she had become increasingly sentimental.

Standing up, she draped her naval greatcoat over her shoulders like a cape and left the director's office.

On the other side, at the inner harbor's military pier.

From a newly arrived Brooklyn-class cruiser, human soldiers were disembarking one after another.

Fujian had already been waiting for them for some time.

She watched as they organized their portable equipment and lined up neatly before her. The lead officer saluted Fujian.

"Good afternoon, Admiral. I am Colonel Jean Pierre, Commander of the 24th Brigade of the Iris Republic International Mediation Force stationed at the Suez Canal," the man said. "Per instructions, I and the 300 Army colleagues arriving in this batch will follow your orders."

Fujian nodded. "You should have already reviewed the specific mission while on the ship. Your station will be at the airbase on the outskirts of the port base. Within today, send me a requirements report based on our current equipment data, and I will handle it for you."

"Yes, Ma'am!"

"Very well, dismissed!" Fujian turned and left.

——————

Finally, they could get off the ship.

Hua Yun followed his fellow countrymen, timidly disembarking.

It had been a week since they arrived at this place. During this time, they had been strictly forbidden from leaving the ship. Some had tried to jump ship to reach the shore, but without exception, they were all herded back by the Ship Girl ladies.

—Did they not see the dark muzzles of the guns in the distance? The Ship Girl ladies had truly done everything they could.

Until today, when a group of people arrived.

A group of... men wearing military uniforms completely different from those of the Federation.

The gangway was pushed to the side of the ship, signaling that they could disembark.

Stepping onto the ground, Hua Yun felt his somewhat weak legs finally find a solid footing.

He wanted to sit on the ground to rest, but those blond or brown-haired men with rifles were standing in formation watching, so he didn't dare sit down.

Colonel Pierre wore khaki short-sleeved shirts and trousers, his expression under the deep blue beret quite stern.

Although his actual years of service exceeded 30, his body was currently that of a 22-year-old, which was quite advantageous for him now.

He stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the large, ragged crowd, feeling quite a bit of pressure.

"Are these... Eastern Radiance people?" a soldier whispered behind him.

"Doesn't look like it... they should be from a parallel dimension, just like our situation. Alright, shut up," another soldier said, then noticed Colonel Pierre's gaze and quickly gave a warning.

Colonel Pierre didn't bother with them; instead, he took a whistle from his pocket and blew it hard.

"Beeeep—"

The crowd of refugees stirred in commotion, but then regained order as the whistling intensified.

"You are lucky to have survived, I congratulate you!" Pierre lowered the whistle and took out a megaphone. "But now, you have been received by us. As residents on our land, I demand that you obey our order!"

"Now, I will tell you my rules!" Pierre began to broadcast their regulations:

"First, we have no place for you to live! But we have enough building materials and raw supplies. We have already placed them at the location where we will take you shortly. You will build the houses yourselves! However, when you build, follow the rules—anything crooked, slanted, or of poor quality will be torn down and rebuilt!"

"Second, we have public canteens and service facilities! Until you are self-sufficient, we will be responsible for your three meals a day. If you have any issues, you can find us or the Ship Girl ladies over there! But if I see any of you slacking off or stealing, we will not be lenient!"

"Finally, pay attention to hygiene! If I see anyone discharging their bodily waste on the roadside or anywhere they shouldn't, you'll eat it yourself! Do you understand?"

Silence.

"DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!" Pierre roared.

"Understand..."

"Have you all not f*cking eaten?! DID YOU HEAR ME?!"

"UNDERSTAND!"

The volume was finally a bit louder.

Creed had just arrived with a few Ship Girls when she heard Colonel Pierre's speech.

She nodded and had the Ship Girls wait with her to the side.

"Good!" Pierre put down the megaphone and looked to the side. "Maxime, you and I will take the front and back. Lead them over, and don't let anyone fall behind."

"Yes, Colonel."

Colonel Pierre turned and saw several formally dressed ladies walking over, so he instructed again, "Renard, I expect I have some business. You command the rear for now."

"No problem, Colonel."

After giving the orders, Pierre tossed the megaphone and whistle to the major named Renard, then walked toward Creed.

"Hello, this... Mr. Major, how should I address you?"

Even though she was an Admiral, Creed did not intend to use her rank to pressure him. More importantly, after working with Fujian and her family for half a month, she knew their subordinates would likely not fall for that anyway.

"Hello, Ma'am. Just call me Jean Pierre," Pierre replied. "My subordinates are not very skilled at managing civilians, so we will need your assistance in the work ahead."

"No problem, Colonel." Creed had already received instructions; if the work had begun, she just needed to cooperate. Soon, the Federation Bureau would send more professional civil affairs officials to help, which would make things much easier.

A good start had been made, so now they just needed to consolidate the foundation.

Watching Pierre leave, Creed looked at the 15 cargo ships at the pier. According to the agreement, these cargo ships would also belong to Horizons Edge.

She really didn't know what they wanted with these cargo ships that were nearly ready for the scrap heap...

With a sigh, she turned to return. Although the outcome was good, it seemed there was still much, much more to be done.

Colonel Pierre glanced back at them and shook his head.

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