novelsite Chapter 15 Dispute
Chapter 15 Dispute
"Are you crazy? You want us to fight this thing?"
"They can't go into space, so why not just give them this planet?"
"Yeah, there are so many places out there that we can develop, why do we have to go against them?"
"Who came up with the terrible idea of making us deal with a bunch of unintelligent and dangerous things?"
"I think these people are out of their minds. Do they have some kind of misunderstanding about us?"
……
The protests drowned out reason, with some even raising their arms and shouting, "I quit! Send me back to Earth!"
"Quiet down, everyone. Think about it. These creatures have such unique structures. If we can understand the principles behind them, the Viyin people will usher in unprecedented technological advancements!"
Maxim's appeal was weak and ineffective; these mercenaries were selfish and not foolish enough to sacrifice themselves for the development of humanity.
When they signed the agreement to join the Viyin Star Fleet, the terms did indeed list generous rewards and official security guarantees, which was the main reason that brought everyone together here. But that shouldn't be a reason for people to die for it.
Their lifelong research focused on how to fight against humans, and their skills were honed to better survive on the battlefield.
As for the alien creatures, they were unaware of their existence an hour ago.
Rather than letting them perish on an alien planet, it would be better to let them return to Earth and continue their familiar lives.
Even though it was still a dangerous job, one where you risked your life, at least it was something they were familiar with. Even if they died in battle one day, they would only lament that they were not skilled enough, rather than feeling unjustly accused.
It would be truly unjust to be killed by monsters here without any explanation.
As the situation gradually spiraled out of control, Maxim leaned helplessly against the electronic blackboard behind him, the slightly hot surface of the screen making him even more anxious.
Seven or eight people came up and surrounded him, asking him all sorts of questions, but Maxim mostly just repeated one sentence: "I'm just a researcher, I don't have the power to make decisions."
Some people even stormed out the door, and Di Yan had no idea what they were going to do.
The farce lasted for nearly ten minutes before the door was reopened. Lieutenant Li Guangyu stood at the door with a livid face, while Han Qinghe stood guard outside, watching over the people who had left the house.
The moment Lieutenant Li appeared, the restless room instantly transformed into a rough oil painting.
She remained silent for a long time, her face ashen like that of a judge, before finally saying in a low voice, "Come out, everyone. Major Zhou Chong has something to say."
Later, everyone gathered in a large hall. People occasionally passed by, but they would all glance in their direction.
The major's previously amiable expression hardened, and Li Guangyu beside him rebuked him first: "There's no doubt that you're very strong, but that doesn't mean you can be arrogant. You need to understand that you're not on Earth now. Even if we discharge you from the military, whether or not we send you back is up to us."
"So you're kidnapping me?" The discontented voices from the crowd were already quite loud.
"If I had known we were going to fight monsters, I wouldn't have agreed even if they offered ten times the reward!" This statement immediately sparked outrage, with at least half of the people echoing and agreeing with it.
"First of all, I can make it clear to you that the mission is not as dangerous as you think. Even for other regular troops, most of the time there are no casualties, let alone an elite unit like yours."
Li Guangyu's tone softened considerably, and he also noticed his earlier loss of composure. "Practicing mechs for extended periods of focused combat is physically and mentally taxing, something most people can't handle. For you, the situation is much better. Even in the most critical situations, you have enough willpower to survive, which is what we value most."
The scene quieted down, and many people crossed their arms, still staring at Li Guangyu with unfriendly expressions, as well as Major Zhou Chong, who had remained silent.
"Furthermore, you have excellent weaponry for self-defense. The firearms on your individual mechs are more than enough to kill alien individuals in actual combat. Moreover, the material of the armor is sufficient to resist their biting, providing excellent protection."
Li Guangyu paused, his tone becoming more cautious. "We are not sending you to your deaths, but rather entrusting you with a very important mission, which we hope you will take seriously."
"What exactly is the mission?" someone asked. "If you want to wipe them out, forget it. We don't have that kind of capability."
Li Guangyu and Zhou Chong nodded to each other, and the major stepped forward to begin his speech.
"I remember telling you that you would be risking the future of humanity to undertake the most difficult task ever. That was no exaggeration."
The major's tone was not accusatory, as if the farce was already within his expectations.
"Now that you are part of the Starfleet Force, I can tell you some secrets, so that you can better understand the seriousness of the mission."
Major Zhou Chong took a deep breath, as if making a decision, "What I can tell you is that these alien species are not unique to this planet. On other planets, our starship forces are fighting against these things."
Everyone looked at each other in disbelief. These strange creatures were actually multi-planetary species. Could they possibly travel into space?
"These facts, along with the real existence of the Viyin Star Fleet, have been kept top secret from Earth. I will not blame you for not knowing them."
Zhou Chong's tone was like an elder having a heart-to-heart talk with his children, "I just want you to know that in other star systems, the Viyin Star Fleet is engaged in a fierce battle with these monsters on the surface of a planet. The monsters there are even more terrifying, and we have been facing a lot of pressure."
Other galaxies? Di Yan caught this word and inexplicably felt that this detail was very strange.
"Therefore, we must study this species. As long as we can find an efficient way to kill it on a large scale, we can save a large number of soldiers, and we no longer need to suffer greater losses."
As for your mission, it mainly consists of two parts: first, to suppress or prevent further mutations of the alien species; and second, to obtain samples that meet the research requirements according to instructions. However, the specific tasks will be assigned to each person during wartime, and Xavier will tell you how to do them. I believe you will all be fine.”
"That means you don't have the ability to eliminate these things, and they will eventually devour this planet!" shouted the only Thai person in the group.
"Therefore, we need to work even harder to study this."
Zhou Chong did not deny it, saying, "We should be glad they didn't appear on Earth."
That last statement is true. If these alien species appeared on Earth, given the current technology of the Viyin people, it would be a catastrophic disaster.
Moreover, the Earth's temperature is suitable, making it an ideal breeding ground for interspecies reproduction.
No one spoke for a long time, nor did anyone continue to refute; everyone remained silent, pondering the information provided by the major.
It's clearly excessive for everyone to make such a big fuss based solely on Dr. Maxim's one-sided statement and a few photos.
This may also be the reason for "exotic syndrome." Being away from one's familiar home planet for a long time can indeed lead to a stronger sense of homesickness.
Even if there was nothing particularly noteworthy about this home before, the mere fact of "familiarity" is enough to evoke the deepest longing in one's heart.
After calming down, more and more people began to accept the facts.
There's an old saying in the Greater China region: "Since we're already here..."
Di Yan never once considered returning to Earth, even though that was his ultimate goal, but the current situation didn't warrant such a thought.
There are too many secrets on this planet. His intuition told him that Zhou Chong was hiding much more information, and what he had said was just the tip of the iceberg.
Moreover, Di Yan had only seen photos of the alien species. Given his personality, he wouldn't give up until he saw them in person and killed a few of them.
Thinking of this, Di Yan's lips curled up into a smile, and the blood in his body grew hotter and hotter.
He seemed to have an impatient feeling, eager to pilot the dark mech underground and fight those aliens to his heart's content.
"I don't think it's a safe bet, darling," Naohiko Tomura whispered to his wife.
Wasabi Isayama nodded solemnly.
Yuancun Meiji took one last look at Zhou Chong and Li Guangyu, who were talking to each other, and then, holding his wife's hand, followed the crowd back: "We're trapped. We can't find your father here. We have to go back to the Lagrange point."
"Hmm, so we need an opportunity." Wasabi Isayama pouted thoughtfully.
Naohiko Tomura looked up, surveying the towering walls and dome of the hall. "Yes, I'm afraid it won't be that easy..."
"Hey Toby, don't look so gloomy, I think it's pretty cool."
Sprague Wheeler waved his hands. "Those things in the photos look like giant bugs. I can't wait to see them burst out of their juices." He grinned and licked his lips.
Toby Drake, arms crossed and head bowed, looked dejected despite his tall, muscular frame: "I don't feel good. They look dangerous."
"It's okay, Toby, we're not fighting this battle alone."
Carlson walked over and patted him on the back. "We've always been together, since the Marines. That's our strength."
"We can't split up anymore. Quilt's death was very suspicious, and we should remember that."
Leo looked wary; his dark skin was framed by two sharp, white eyes that gleamed like two daggers.
"Hey, look over there!" Sprague suddenly exclaimed, pointing to the commotion not far away.
There were two groups of people confronting each other. Carlson recognized the tall, burly white men as Oklahoma City people, who had previously been members of Hellfire.
Hellfire, the most mysterious force in the Russian region, has members who hold multiple roles, serving as both the region's intelligence department and an assassination squad. On the battlefield, they move freely like sharp swords, leaving no trace of decapitation strikes.
The group opposite them were Europeans, and Carlson knew they belonged to the "European Union" mercenary group.
The European Union is an ancient organization that most European countries joined in order to avoid war through economic integration.
However, its connections were very loose, far less advanced than the current Viin Federation system, and in its later years it had long since become a mere shell of its former self.
The Federation is a colossal creation that has achieved global unification for the first time in history. Since its emergence, countries that join the Federation have been renamed districts, enjoying more advanced and consistent technology, systems, and economic markets while retaining regional autonomy.
According to reliable historical records, the Federation existed for a full four hundred years.
However, the call for federal governance had been going on for over a hundred years before that, and many scholars had already conducted theoretical verification long ago, proving that such a federal system was entirely feasible.
Around 3000, when the time was right, governments around the world held referendums and established a rudimentary federal system, which was then continuously improved over the next century until it became the almost unbreakable and stable system we have today.
The European Union officially dissolved after the establishment of the federation, with its member states renamed "regions" and incorporated into the federation's governance.
The members of the EU Legion are likely driven by nostalgia to form an organization with such a name, bringing together the best retired soldiers from all over Europe.
Carlson had dealt with them three or four years ago; they were very difficult to handle, and he had a very bad impression of them.
However, the Hellfires weren't much better; in his eyes, they were just a bunch of arrogant Siberian bears.
The two sides are just standing face to face, without fighting or even arguing loudly.
You must apologize for your remarks.
The leader of the Hellfire members spoke slowly and deliberately, staring at the man in front of him as if he wanted to devour him alive.
"Heh, you're deliberately picking a fight with us, and now you want us to apologize?"
The EU legion members shrugged, unfazed by Hellfire's threat. "You've been looking down on us for a long time, don't think I don't know. This is just some excuse you're making up."
"We love you Russians so much we've gone to space, hahaha!" someone in the corps started commotion.
"Even if this is outer space, Dr. Maxim is of Russian blood, and we will not allow you to belittle him like this."
The man of hellfire stepped forward. "You're right, we've had our eye on you for a long time. So I advise you to watch your words and actions, and pray you're tough enough to survive."
"Hehe, relax, buddy." Someone from the EU legion stepped forward. "We were just having a 'friendly' discussion, nobody took it seriously. A doctor is a doctor, he has his own strengths, and we still have to work for him."
Hellfire is not to be trifled with, and besides, they will be working together in the future, so they don't want to fall out over this, even though there have always been irreconcilable conflicts between them.
Carlson Mephisto grabbed Sprague's arm, shook his head, and told him not to go and join in the fun.
And so, Carlson led his group away quietly, no longer paying attention to the two groups that were on the verge of exchanging blows.
"There seems to be some trouble over there." He Xu gestured with his chin towards the area where the crowd had gathered.
"It's best not to interfere," Ahn Jae-in said in a low voice.
"It turns out everyone is so restless. We're really lucky to be in our dorm. We all get along very well," Mpuent said with a smile.
Di Yan knew the situation at a glance. As a former mercenary, he had heard of almost every well-known organization.
He was most familiar with the Hellfire unit. Many of the intelligence and missions involving the Middle East and Central Asia were obtained from them, and the two sides had always had a cooperative relationship.
As for the EU legions, they had little interaction; they had only heard of each other's exploits.
This little incident didn't cause much of a stir; both the Hellfire and the EU legions backed down, and everyone quickly dispersed.
The very next day, this hastily assembled team of 46 people embarked on their first mission.
More than 300 people gathered in a spacious, dark gray hall somewhere in J-220. These team members occupied only the very edge of the hall, lazily huddled together.
Sergeant Shi Ming stood in front, followed by several officers, all with solemn expressions.