Looking at the scene of the universe outside the porthole, Shirley, wearing a black shirt and jeans, couldn't help but stretch.
The reason why she didn't get up to pack like others was that she chose to check her luggage in and pick it up later at the conveyor belt of the Star Port.
As for the ship she is traveling on, it is a "ferry" belonging to Umbrella, which facilitates the company's employees to travel between the earth and the moon.
The ferry boat is not equipped with a jump or jump engine, but it only takes three hours to travel between the earth and the moon by sailing at a normal speed.
In addition to the boat Shirley boarded, there are countless ferry boats between the earth and the moon.
This makes traveling to the moon as fast as taking a maglev train to another city.
Not long after the announcement, Shirley saw the far side of the moon through the porthole.
As the ferry boat sailed quickly, she vaguely saw the giant gates installed in the middle of each moon sea, as well as the buildings with flashing lights built near the gates.
It seems that Luna Base, which originally only occupied the Moon Sea, has grown to a size that will occupy the entire Moon Sea.
soon.
The ferry boat carried Shirley and other employees to a lunar sea at the equator of the moon, and entered the lunar surface through a giant gate that unfolded.
The scenery outside the porthole window also switches.
From a gray desert surface and a deep space filled with stars, it turned into a star port with a large number of ships and transport aircraft parked and a giant mechanical arm.
The ferry boat sails into one of the ports, and the giant robotic arms on both sides extend.
Immediately afterwards, Shirley heard several "click-!dang-!" sounds coming from outside the bulkhead, which meant that the robotic arm assisted the ferry boat in completing its fixation.
Hear these noises.
Without waiting for the announcement, Shirley and everyone else got up, left their seats, and walked to the waiting area of the cabin.
A slight "click-dang-" sound was heard again, indicating that the corridor bridge was also connected to the hull.
Subsequently, the air valve gate in the waiting area automatically unfolded, allowing Shirley and others to pass through the covered bridge equipped with sealed windows to the star port.
Leave the ferry boat.
Shirley followed the crowd to the baggage claim area, picked up her only suitcase, and then took the train to an area far away from the star port.
Shortly after.
In the carriage of the train, only Shirley and a few senior employees were left.
She still chose the window seat, and was controlling the intelligence agent's exclusive mobile phone to reply to her parents' text messages.
Most of the content of the text message was that the Birkens told her to be careful outside, and if it didn't work, she would apply to her superiors to be transferred back to the solar system, and other caring words.
The time displayed on the screen is 2072/05/21.
2072...
This means that Shirley, who was born in 1986, should be an eighty-six-year-old woman, but she still looks like she is in her twenties.
And no matter how old she is, Shirley is still a child who will never grow up to the Birkens.
Shirley, who replied to the text message, couldn't help but smile happily.
As for "leaving the solar system" mentioned in the text message, it means that Shirley is about to go to another colonial galaxy to take up a post.
Prior to this, Shirley was the director of the Mars Intelligence Department, responsible for commanding and dispatching all intelligence agents on Mars, and was among the top intelligence agents.
However, she had already applied to Sui Bian and chose to be transferred to the Epson 8 (eight) system to serve as the head of the intelligence department there.
This application is equivalent to Shirley's choice to take the initiative to be demoted.
Because Epperson 8 is at least 450 light-years away from the solar system, it is one of the most marginal colonial galaxies in humankind's current territory.
The main star is an Earth-like planet in the fourth orbit, Epsom d, with a total population of only about 10 million.
Compared with Mars, which has a population of four billion and is also the industrial base of the solar system, it is a world of difference.
Therefore, when submitting the application, Shirley also explained to Sui Bian, who was considered her elder, that she hoped to pass on her experience to new people and protect the borders of mankind.
Sui Bian had no reason to refuse and approved Shirley's request on the day she submitted the application.
After getting approval.
Shirley returned to Earth to accompany her parents and two younger brothers who had just entered college, and enjoyed the vacation for more than half a month until today.
Before rushing to the Epsom 8 galaxy, the reason why Shirley came to Luna Base was that she needed to meet up with a special group of "colleagues" first.
I noticed the train was slowing down.
After Shirley and her parents replied with a few words of reassurance, they looked up at the holographic notice board at the front of the car.
After confirming that the platform in front was her destination, she pulled her suitcase and left her seat, walked to the right side of the carriage and waited patiently.
Not even half a minute.
The train came to a stop and the compartment doors on the right row were opened, allowing Shirley and a few senior employees to get off.
Leave the carriage.
Shirley saw that on this platform, there were a large number of "new recruits" with an average height of about two meters, young faces, looking only fifteen or sixteen years old, and wearing black training uniforms.
This means that the train carried her to the Astartes recruit training camp at Luna Base.
Shirley didn't feel that the Astartes were so unfamiliar.
After all, before she could take up the role of intelligence agent, she encountered the opening of the Gate of Hell on Deimos, and also encountered Thutmose of the Ninth Legion.
And as soon as she got off the bus, Shirley spotted two "elders" in the crowd who came to greet her.
Then she pulled her suitcase, walked quickly towards the two of them, and greeted them respectfully: "Dr. Chambers, Dr. Risik, long time no see."
The two "elders" who greeted Shirley were actually Rebecca Chambers and Alexia Resik, who were also the supervisors responsible for training Astartes recruits.
These two supervisors, who always wear white coats, look and figure the same as when they were young.
Rebecca still has shoulder-length brown hair, while Alexia has a blonde high ponytail.
They had worked together with William Birken in the Brood, and Shirley, who was only twelve years old at the time, also lived in the Brood, so Shirley felt very close to them.
"Long time no see, Shirley." Rebecca responded softly.
It seems that because she has been taking care of the recruits for a long time, Alexia also inadvertently acted like a kind elder, but she said:
"Shirley, it's not that we haven't seen each other for a long time, it's been a long time. Let me calculate...well...it must have been at least seven years. I was wondering if you, the kid, had forgotten us.
"
"The main reason is that I am too busy with work and I will have to go to Epsom soon..." Shirley said apologetically.
"Forget it, forget it, you kid is still the same as before, incapable of making jokes." Alexia waved her hand.
Hearing her friend's words, Rebecca couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head, and then said, "Let's go, Shirley, Roger is still waiting for us."
"good."
The next three people left the platform together, took the elevator to the central square, and saw Rogge and thirty recruits standing by the artificial lake in the square.
Rogge wore a dark black custom-made military uniform with a decorative yellow shoulder pad on his left shoulder and a red ribbon hanging on his right shoulder.
In front of him were adult recruits who were already two and a half meters tall, standing in three rows and wearing formal military uniforms.
Rogge said loudly and sternly: "Young men, tell me again what your responsibilities are!"
"Protect the colony! Protect humanity! Eliminate all threats for my father!" the recruits roared in unison.
The roar even echoed throughout the square.
Rogge, who had already noticed Shirley and the others, was about to end the lecture and said: "Everyone can say good things. What I want is results. Do you understand? Don't embarrass your original body!"
"yes!"
"Very good! The morale is commendable." Rogge nodded with satisfaction.
By the time the lecture was over, Shirley and the others had already approached.
And when the thirty recruits saw Alexia, their eyes dodged.
Decades ago, Alexia showed her "queen" appearance and directly used her tentacles to pry open the brain of a vampire to question her.
This scene was unforgettable for the once young Rogge.
It now appears that the "Queen of Fire" who left a deep impression on the Primarch returned to her old profession as a teacher, leaving a considerable shadow on the Astartes.
Come closer and stop.
Shirley raised her hand and saluted Roger.
Putting down her right hand, Shirley looked at the recruits who were standing neatly with their luggage bags at their feet.
Before she could ask, Rogge turned his back to the recruits and called out by name: "Gabriel."
"Sir." The recruit whose name was called walked out of the queue.
This recruit is slightly taller than the other comrades, with the strongest build, neat short hair and Chinese character face, giving people a very old-fashioned and upright appearance.
Later, Rogge helped the two of them introduce each other: "Shirley Burken is the new head of the intelligence department of Epperson 8.
Gabriel Angelos is the platoon leader of Thutmose's recruits.
You will be jointly responsible for the safety of tens of millions of people in Epsom."
"It's an honor to meet you, Director Birken." Gabriel saluted Shirley.
"It's also an honor for me, Gabriel, and I have a close relationship with you Thutmose." Shirley smiled in return.
Although Shirley is a "mortal", her qualifications and age are far superior to Gabriel and this group of new recruits.
That's why Gabriel addressed Shirley with respect.
"Okay." Rogge interrupted the compliments between the two and interjected: "The Punishment has arrived at the port. Let's board the ship quickly."
"yes."
Gabriel and the recruits carried their packages and walked towards the exclusive starport of the training camp.
Shirley also said goodbye to Rebecca and Alexia, packed her suitcase and followed Gabriel and others.
"When I was doing research in the Brood, Shirley was only that tall." Looking at Shirley and the others' backs, Alexia made gestures with her hands.
"Yes." Rebecca also echoed with deep feelings: "At that time, the company devoted all its resources to the research of G glands, and then ten children about the same age as Shirley came. Now.
..”
With that said, Rebecca looked at Rogge and said with a tone full of relief: "Everyone has become the original body leading the legion."
"It was all taught well by my father and teachers." Rogge replied with great respect to the two teachers.
"Father?" Alexia suddenly said: "By the way... I haven't seen Mr. Sui for a long time. Hey, Roger, do you know where your dad is?"
Rebecca stared at Roger silently, seeming to be waiting for a reply.
Hear the words.
Rogge gently pinched his chin with his left hand and said: "Father, and that guy Leon, should be cruising in the Hydra galaxy, and have no plans to return to the solar system in the short term."
"Okay, I have to teach biology to a group of young Astartes in the afternoon, so let's go first."
"Me too."
Alexia spread her hands and left the central square with Rebecca first.
Wait for the two teachers to leave.
Rogge walked slowly to the lake, admiring the beautiful man-made scenery, but said to himself with a slightly lonely expression:
"I don't know when the nerd (Magnus) will be able to complete his psychic research. Now he and I are the only ones left in the entire solar system, well...
How about conducting a solar system defense battle drill with Mars? This is a good reason, so as to save that nerd who always shuts himself in the room from getting blinded."
Rogge also left the central square, as if he was really preparing for the drill.
———————
…
at the same time.
In the exclusive star port of the training camp, there are also many cargo ships and small warships parked here.
Covered bridges connect ships to facilitate the entry and exit of goods and people.
Shirley and the recruits walked across one of the covered bridges.
Moving forward.
Through the large sealed windows installed on both sides, she could directly observe the Retribution she was about to board.
The visual length is about 550 meters, which gives people the impression of a "gun". It looks more compact and flexible than the Goshawk class.
Although Shirley is not a professional engineer or researcher, she still understands the specifications and relevant data of this type of warship.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! The Retribution is a Paris-class frigate. It is a light frigate used by Umbrella and the UNSC fleet. It has the advantage of high maneuverability.
It can carry 800 combatants, and including the crew members who perform their respective duties, it can accommodate a total of more than 1,100 people.
In terms of weapons, it has a 3-ton electromagnetic main gun, as well as various types of close-in defense guns and secondary guns.
The hangar can also perfectly accommodate Falcon, Banshee and Viking series carrier-based fighters, as well as Yuou and Pelican series transport aircraft.
And in the hangar of the Retribution in front of her, there is an old-fashioned transport aircraft dedicated to the Astartes, Thunder III.
The Retribution is an important part of Epperson 8's defense force. After all, "she" is the only warship deployed in the Epsom system to assist ground combat forces.
Theoretically, the Retribution, which belongs to the UNSC, should not have a Thunderbolt 3 transport aircraft parked in the hangar, and Astartes recruits will not board "her".
But this was a “theory” more than 20 years ago.
After more than half a century, UEG, UNSC and Umbrella have become one.
To the people, Umbrella is also an official authoritative organization. Its fleet and troops are elite than the UNSC, and even the Astartes are no longer secrets.
It's just that the official has never publicly acknowledged it, and the people are not surprised.
There are many reasons why Gabriel and the new recruits were not directly incorporated into the legion, but were sent to the colonies for defense.
But after being streamlined and refined, the main purpose is that recruits can get enough experience before officially joining the legion.
At the same time, it can also make a qualitative leap in the defense power of the entire colony, preventing Krieg from being left alone and helpless when the rebellion broke out in Arcadia.