Chapter 496: Changes IV (2/2)

Ye Chong looked at the lines and lines of huge numbers in the inventory list, and realized once again just how much they had gained this time!

There were enough energy cells to last them quite a while. The fleet will not have to worry about energy cell supplies. One of the things that surprised Ye Chong was the number of mechs they acquired. They now had 5,000 D-6's! Ye Chong wondered what the true purpose of the S.S. Iron Scorpion really was.

These 5,000 D-6's would be enough for Ye Chong's 2,500 mech pilots to use and swap turns. D-6 had much higher specs than Fighter. After the mech pilots got used to these mechs, Ye Chong's army would be significantly more formidable.

Numerous other things were retrieved from the warehouse. Ye Chong had ordered his subordinate to empty the warehouse, after all. Xi Qing and Shu executed his orders to the letter. Not even a single piece of paper was left in the warehouse. Even all the memory chips that were scattered on the floor in the base were salvaged. However, the information within them would have to be organized.

As the joy from their stroke of luck wore off, Ye Chong's frown returned.

The problem of energy cell supplies was resolved, but the main and most crucial problem remained. They had to figure out how to escape the surrounding formation of the red-tailed beasts.

He still did not have a viable solution.

The red-tailed beasts were much faster than they were. As the two flanking armies of red-tailed beasts were pushing their way forward as fast as they could, they were now left far behind. In other words, they were already in the trap of the red-tailed beasts, it was only a matter of time before they were completely enveloped by the enemy. Once that happened, there would be no escape.

Haskel was still in a joyful atmosphere. The crew members in the comms rooms were discussing excitedly about all the things that they managed to acquire. Their jobs did not require much from them. Most of the crew were either sitting or lying around, enjoying a cup of hot tea while they chatted with their comrades.

The comms room should have been a very important place in a starship fleet. It was rare for to see its staff unoccupied like this. After all, they needed to relay orders from the fleet commander to the ships in the fleet, and mediate communication between other ships and the main ship. It was a very important job. However, their respected and beloved Sir Jay rarely used the comms room. His orders were usually directly given to Xi Qing or Shu.

”Say, how much do you think we got this time? I heard that we're filthy rich now! The things pile up like mountains!” One of the staff said.

”Of course, tsk tsk, the Research Consortium is wealthy after all. I'm so jealous!” Another staff replied from his half-lying position on a chair.

The comms room staff leader laughed and teased him, ”Then go to the Research Consortium, why don't you? Hehe, don't worry, no one's gonna stop you.”

”No way,” the staff replied shaking of his head, ”I wanna still live. Who else but Sir Jay who helped us survive right now? The Research Consortium? If they can help us , the S.S. Iron Scorpion would not have been left empty.”

All around, people who were listening no longer felt so chatty. All this while, they had high hopes on the Research Consortium. However, reality is cruel. The Research Consortium's powerlessness had chipped away the confidence of Gray Valley's residents in them.

Suddenly, the main comms activated. The shrill beeping alarm cut through the silent comms room. The staff froze in surprise for a moment, exchanging looks of confusion before someone finally yelled, ”It's Sir Jay!”

Everyone quickly got into position and linked to the main comms.

Ye Chong's holographic image came up on the comms. His calm voice came through like winter breeze, ”Hear me. All ship captains with more than two decades of experience, meet me in the control room, immediately!”

”Yes sir!” All the crew members saluted.

Crack! The holographic image of Ye Chong vanished, and the staff members heaved a sigh of relief. Sir Jay had abruptly passed down an order through them, and it had caught them off guard.

”Back to work,” the staff leader said solemnly, all traces of his earlier congeniality gone. Everyone went to their stations and busied themselves. They must relay Sir Jay's orders to every starship in the fleet as soon as possible.

The anxious undertone in Sir Jay's voice was noticed by the staff. They tensed up immediately, and went about their tasks quickly. They were also feeling unsettled. Sir Jay had always been a symbol of invincibility to them. If anything could trouble the man, it must be a very big problem indeed.

They relayed Ye Chong's orders as quickly as possible, worded most strictly to every ship captain in the fleet.

About 10 minutes later, all captains with more than two decades experience in their position were gathered in the meeting room. They had dropped whatever was occupying them when they received the order and rushed for the meeting. Discipline in the fleet was strict. No one would dare to challenge Sir Jay's authority. By the time they arrived, Xi Qing and Shu were also present.

Those who were close to the two approached them to ask about the meeting, but it seemed that they too were unaware of the reason behind their gathering.

Just then, Ye Chong entered the meeting room.

Everyone stood up and salute, and Ye Chong saluted them back. Of course, Ye Chong was not the one who came up with these protocols. All the fleet's rules were Shang's doing. The effect was apparent, however. Everything was organized, and managing the fleet's personnel no longer felt like a messy job.

Ye Chong minced no words, and went straight to the point.

”Currently, we face a problem that threatens our very survival!”