346: Chapter 346 Meeting

The morning sun pierced through the mist, spilling onto the division's parade ground, where tens of thousands of Officers and soldiers stood with rifles in hand, forming neat phalanxes. The Jushen Company emblem shone sacredly in the sunlight.

Today was the inauguration and welcome ceremony for the new brigade Commander of the 2nd Assault Brigade of the Argus Legion's 1st Heavy Assault Division. Along the main road leading to the parade ground, heavy weapons and tanks were lined up in two rows, adding a touch of solemnity to the ceremony.

Before long, a command vehicle slowly drove into the entrance of the parade ground and stopped beside the reviewing stand. The moment the door opened, the gazes of the entire assembly focused on it; after all, this was to be their future Officer.

A youth with an ordinary appearance stepped out of the vehicle. If there was anything impressive about him, it was his deep eyes, which at first glance seemed to harbor endless time and space.

Recently, he had become a legendary figure in Argus Base. In just a few months, he had risen from a soldier to a company Commander, and then, with Rocket-like speed, became a high-ranking brigade Commander.

Everyone had to admit that his meritorious service was enough to qualify him for this position. During this period, because of him, nearly a hundred Kaiju had been hunted or captured by the company.

The new brigade Commander, Sean Lansell, stepped onto the reviewing stand, looking at the soldiers present, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Soldiers of Jushen Company, I am very happy to stand here and see you. In my eyes, you are as dazzling as the rising morning sun..."

Emm...

Lin Fang was already familiar with his own inauguration ceremonies; he could say anything off the cuff. Sure enough, his impassioned yet sincere speech made the soldiers present salute.

"For Jushen Company!"

Lin Fang also raised his right hand, returning a standard military salute along with the soldiers.

Arriving at his office, it was more than twice as luxurious as when he was a company Commander, and its location was now at the center of Argus Base. Everyone entering and leaving this building was high-ranking personnel of the Legion.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows was the busy and orderly panorama of Argus Base. It was said that the Jushen Company's Base on Pandora Planet was even more magnificent.

Unfortunately, according to information Lin Fang had received, the only way from Earth to Pandora Planet was through the Argus Expeditionary Fleet, an interstellar fleet with super-long-range jump capabilities.

It was the very same one he had seen on Skull Island.

Lin Fang loosened his collar and draped his white-gloved hand casually over the back of the wide, comfortable chair. He didn't sit down immediately but walked to the window, quietly overlooking this massive Base.

Jump...

Lin Fang recalled the situation on Skull Island that day. That fleet had indeed disappeared and then instantly reappeared. So, it used this kind of interstellar navigation technology capable of folding space.

His old habit kicked in; Lin Fang's hands felt itchy.

He was determined to obtain this engine technology. Only then would Third-Party Technology have the capital to venture into the stars; Verland's fleet was still lacking.

Regrettably, the relevant technical data was not on Earth; otherwise, the AI Number Five would have already acquired it.

Knock, knock, knock—

At this moment, a knock came from outside. A thin, bespectacled youth walked in. After his introduction, Lin Fang realized he was his aide.

His name was Ethan Kovel. He had entered the Argus Legion upon graduating from military academy and had now been there for 11 years before finally reaching the position of brigade-level aide.

"Officer, there is a Legion meeting this afternoon. General McLaren has specifically requested your attendance."

Ethan handed an electronic briefing to Lin Fang. The screen clearly showed the meeting time, location, and the list of attendees.

The portrait at the very front was a stern-faced middle-aged man. He was the Deputy Commander of the Argus Legion, General McLaren.

"Good, I will attend on time," Lin Fang nodded faintly. Seeing the aide still standing there, he asked, "Do you have anything else?"

"No, Officer..."

Ethan maintained his standard respectful posture, but his eyes flashed slightly as he looked at Lin Fang. He turned and left the office. The moment he turned, a trace of imperceptible gloom flashed deep in the youth's eyes.

[Boss, I observed that Cole has quite a few opinions about you.]

After Cole left, the voice of the AI Number Five suddenly sounded in the office, and at the same time, it projected an image.

In the image, the thin, bespectacled youth was angrily tearing up documents on his desk. Opposite him was the notification of Sean Lansell's appointment—in other words, Lin Fang's appointment.

"Heh, academic background. It's normal for him to look down on a 'mud-leg' like Sean."

Lin Fang looked at Ethan's ferocious expression in the projection and sneered, pulling over his office chair to sit down. "Besides, this 'mud-leg' surpassed him in such a short time."

"No matter. I just like watching this kind of performance where people are extremely unhappy deep down but helpless. It makes me feel pleased."

Two hours later, at the top of this steel building, a grand meeting began.

The hall had a high dome, and the cold silver metal walls were inlaid with the Jushen Company emblem. Dozens of black long tables were arranged in a ring.

The Base's high-ranking officials, apart from the Legion Commander and General McLaren who was in charge of this meeting, were all present.

When Lin Fang entered, some gazes in the venue fell upon him—some curious, some scrutinizing, and several with undisguised questioning.

Lin Fang was dressed in a crisp brigade Commander uniform, his pace steady, with no expression on his face. He walked straight to his division's area and sat down; it was easy to find.

He belonged to the 1st Heavy Assault Division, and the people from this division were all in the middle of the venue. Apart from one empty seat, everything else was full.

After sitting down, Lin Fang very skillfully spoke to a middle-aged Officer next to him, "Division Commander, have you eaten?"

Lin Fang had met him once; he was his direct superior.

Division Commander: ...

Others nearby: ...

The middle-aged Officer frowned with dissatisfaction, "Sean, please pay attention to the occasion."

This Division Commander of the 1st Heavy Assault Division, Hawk, was known for being serious and rigid.

Just then, the sound of steady footsteps came from the entrance of the venue. Everyone immediately sat up straight, and the originally slightly relaxed atmosphere instantly became heavy.

General McLaren walked straight to the main podium, his gaze sweeping over the audience with majesty.

This meeting had begun.