Chapter 1206 - Return (1/2)
Chapter 1206 Return
In the Black Star Army’s Emerald Star Cluster Division, hundreds of spaceships were docked in the silver-white airport terminal, with all colors and varied models. From within these spaceships stepped out a group of crew members who obviously did not belong to the army. Stepping down, they looked around curiously, lining up in loose lines under the command of the heavily armed army members as they chatted. “We’ve finally arrived. This is indeed the base of the Black Star Army. It’s truly well-defended.”
“Haha, my resume has undergone four rounds of screening and finally passed the review. We’ll be members of the Black Star Army in the future.”
“I hope that I can go to a position with good benefits…”
“Will we be able to see Black Star this time? According to the usual practice, every group of newcomers will have to enter the initiation ceremony where the Army Commander meets with us. Even his avatar will do!”
Everyone had some measure of excitement on their face. These people were all interstellar mercenaries who had applied to the Black Star Army.
Right now, the Black Star Army’s sphere of influence had spread across multiple Star Fields. With various businesses bringing ample capital flow to them, the army had been actively hiring new mercenaries. This was especially so after Han Xiao was hired as the Special Consultant for the three Universal Civilizations.
After so many years of operation by Han Xiao, the army already had an irreplaceable influence in the universe. According to market research, if all free Supers in the universe had to join a faction, then 41.3% of them listed the Black Star Army as their first choice, surpassing even the three Universal Civilizations.
The Black Star Army could be considered as something like the ‘Fortune 500’ companies back on Earth. Furthermore, its potential was still being realized, and its prospects were broad.
Just as everyone was excitedly discussing their success, an army spaceship sailed into the VIP dock of the airport, attracting the attention of everyone present. There were two emblems on the hull of the spaceship, one being that of the army, while the other was a crimson snake on a wine-red background, which was the personal emblem of Hila.
With a hiss, the hatch opened, and a group of armed female warriors wearing crimson light armor walked out neatly as they stood on both sides of the gangway. The emblem on their chests indicated that they were the elite guards of Hila, known as the ‘Tri-Headed Snake Rangers’.
As the Deputy Army Commander, Hila possessed a lot of authority, which allowed her to form her own personal guard like Han Xiao.
Ta, ta, ta!
The crisp sound of leather shoes striking the ground was heard as Hila walked out of the hatch.
She wore a pair of red sunglasses on the bridge of her nose, her ears decorated with serpentine silver earrings, and she had on a gorgeous red uniform that resembled a lady’s business suit. It had gold threads as trimming as well as a black and gold cloak wrapped around on her shoulders, complete with a red fluff on the collar of the cloak.
Everyone’s eyes immediately focused on her, admiration appearing on their faces. “She’s the second-in-command of the Army, the Goddess of Death, Hila. What a strong aura…”
Some of them revealed wistful expressions. “It would be great if I could work under her.”
“Only the elite of the army are eligible to be selected as part of the personal guards. Even people like us were all rejected. You’re still dreaming of it?”
At this moment, Hila walked with her guards to the front of the crowd, scanning everyone present. Her powerful aura suffused within the crowd, and the commotion gradually stopped. Everyone only felt a sense of oppression in their hearts, not daring to speak. Seeing this, Hila spoke in a cold tone. “The Army Commander is currently absent, so I will preside over your enrollment ceremony. My time is precious, so I’ll save the welcome steps and test your strength directly. The army speaks with strength, so this will be related to your position arrangement after joining the army. I hope you can last as long as possible.”
Finishing all she wanted to say in one breath, Hila was too lazy to explain more, directly letting out her pressure and sweeping across the whole field.
Many of them felt a crushing sense before they could react, the pressure penetrating their body and soul. Everyone trembled and looked as though they would fall to the ground any time.
Flop, flop!
Group after group could not bear the pressure Hila was exuding and fell down. The longest could only support themselves for about thirty seconds, their faces flushed and gasping as though they were drowning.
Seeing this, Hila withdrew her pressure, looking at her watch as she lightly said, “Those who are in the top ten percent will be the team leaders. As for the others, Phillip will automatically assign positions based on your performance just now. You are to report to your respective departments immediately. The ceremony is over.”
Finished, she turned around and entered the base with her guards, not sparing another glance at the crowd on the ground.
Generally speaking, the newcomers’ joining ceremony would introduce to them the history of the army so as to cultivate a sense of belonging. Hila, however, did not care for such things. From disembarkation to the completion of the test, the entire process took no more than three minutes.
On the way, Hila took out her communicator and summoned Phillip. She asked with furrowed brows, “By the way, can you contact Black Star yet?”
“Not at all, hum…” Phillip lowered his head, tapping his fingertips as he felt guilty.
“Where did this guy go? To actually be out of touch for several months!”
Hila’s expression was uncertain.
She knew that Han Xiao had run off to the secondary dimensions, and communication there was inconvenient. But even so, Han Xiao should not have been disconnected from Phillip.
Just a few months ago, Phillip had said that Han Xiao was completely disconnected and could not be reached by any means. Hila thus became vigilant and could not help but think of the Holy Accord Organization that he had encountered in the secondary dimension.
Could it be that the Army Commander had been attacked again?
Hmm… it did not seem to be surprising though.
In order to not cause any turmoil and suspicion to the outside world, she had asked Phillip to block off all news, maintaining the operation of the army on the surface while secretly investing resources to detect any traces of Black Star.
Han Xiao was the soul of the army. The moment he lost contact, the army would drop by a significant deal in the eyes of the Beyond Grade As. Hila could only temporarily carry this burden, halting her training and returning from the Underworld to helm the army.
No results were found even after several months, and Hila was getting worried.
She had decided that if there was still no information about him after three more months, she would call upon her teacher Ames to enter the secondary dimensions to search for Han Xiao. Suddenly, Hila paused, and a strange look appeared on her face.
“You guys are to be on standby. I have something to do.” Her figure vanished, leaving her Personal Guards on the spot looking at each other.
At the same time, Hila’s figure appeared in the Underworld, where Onicelu revealed herself.
“What is this about?”
“I discovered a group of weird creatures approaching the Underworld. They seem to be cosmic life forms that live in space storms. Monsters born within this environment are not easy to deal with, and I’m just afraid that they are species that feed on the secondary dimensions.” Onicelu expressed her concern.
Hila frowned slightly. Right now, she was bound to the Underworld, so protecting it was her responsibility. “I’ll make them retreat.”
She rose up, turning into a red meteor as she flew out of the space wall following Onicelu’s instructions. However, she did not proceed further, merely waiting at the spot for the enemy’s advancement. The dimensional energy of the Underworld formed a spherical light film around Hila, which provided her defense whilst preventing her from being swept away of the chaotic space stream.
Not long after, a whirlpool-like wormhole appeared in the space stream, and huge Space Lice rushed out in alarming numbers.
“So many!’ Hila subconsciously clenched her fists.
She had been in the secondary dimension for a while, thus knowing that there were some dangers that could even threaten the lives of the Beyond Grade As. While she had never encountered any Space Louse, she instinctively felt the threat, proving that this group of monsters could not be killed casually.