Umbrella, The Light of Humanity

Looking at the cosmic scene outside the porthole, Shirley, who was wearing a black shirt and jeans, couldn't help stretching.

And the reason why she didn't get up to pack like others is that she chose to check her luggage and wait to pick up her luggage at the conveyor belt in Xinggang.

As for the boat she was on, it was a "ferry boat" belonging to Umbrella, which was convenient for the company's employees to go to and from the moon.

The ferry boat is not equipped with a jump or jump engine, but it only travels at a normal speed, and it only takes three hours to go back and forth between the earth and the moon.

In addition to the ship Shirley took, there are countless ferry boats between the earth and the moon.

This makes people on the earth go to the moon once, just like taking a maglev train to another city.

Not long after the announcement was made on the radio, Shirley saw the back of the moon through the porthole.

As the ferry boat sailed quickly, she vaguely saw the giant gates installed in the middle of each lunar sea, and the buildings built near the gates with flashing lights.

From the looks of it, the Luna Base, which only occupied Moon Sea at the beginning, has grown to a scale that will occupy the entire Moon Sea.

soon.

The ferry boat carrying Shirley and other employees approached a mare located on the moon's equator, and entered under the moon's surface through a giant gate that opened.

The scenery outside the porthole is also switched.

From the surface of a gray desert, and the deep space of the universe full of stars, to a starport with a large number of ships and transport planes and a giant mechanical arm.

The ferry boat sailed into one of the ports, and the giant mechanical arms on both sides stretched.

Immediately afterwards, Shirley heard "click! Dang!" from outside the bulkhead, which meant that the mechanical arm assisted the ferry to fix it.

Hear these movements.

Without waiting for the announcement from the broadcast, Xue Li and everyone got up and 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.

Afterwards, the air valve gate in the waiting area automatically unfolded, allowing Shirley and the others to go to Starport through the covered bridge with sealed windows.

Get off the ferry.

Shirley followed the crowd to the baggage claim area, took her only suitcase, and then took the train to an area far away from Starport.

Shortly after.

In the carriage of the train, only Shirley and a few senior employees were left.

Still choosing the window seat, she was manipulating the intelligence agent's exclusive mobile phone, replying to her parents' text messages.

Most of the content of the text message is that the Birkens told her to be careful outside, and if she couldn't do it, she would apply to her superiors to be transferred back to the solar system, and other words of concern.

The time displayed on the screen is 2072/05/21.

2072.

This means that Shirley, born in 1986, should be an eighty-six-year-old lady, but she is still 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, also couldn't help showing a happy smile.

As for the "leaving the solar system" mentioned in the text message, Shirley is about to go to another colonial galaxy to serve.

Before that, Shirley was the director of the Mars Intelligence Department, responsible for commanding and dispatching all intelligence officers on Mars, and she was also among the top intelligence officers.

However, she has already applied to Sui Bian and chose to be transferred to the Epson VIII (eight) galaxy to serve as the head of the intelligence department there.

This application is equivalent to Shirley choosing to take the initiative to demote.

Because Epson Ⅷ is at least 450 light-years away from the solar system, and belongs to one of the most fringe colonial galaxies in the current territory of mankind.

The host star is the terrestrial planet in the fourth orbit, Epson 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 simply a world of difference.

So when submitting the application, Shirley also explained to Sui Bian, who is considered her elder, that she hopes to pass on her experience to newcomers and protect the frontier of mankind.

In this regard, Sui Bian had no reason to refuse, and approved Shirley's request on the day he submitted the application.

After getting approval.

Shirley returned to Earth, accompanied her parents and two younger brothers who had just entered college, and enjoyed a vacation of more than half a month until today.

Before rushing to the Epson VIII galaxy, the reason Shirley came to the Luna Base was that she needed to meet a group of special "colleagues" first.

Feel the train slowing down.

After Shirley and her parents replied a few words of reassurance, they looked up at the holographic sign at the front of the carriage.

After confirming that the platform ahead was her destination, she took the suitcase and left the seat, walked to the right side of the carriage and waited patiently.

Not half a minute.

The train came to a complete stop and opened the right row of compartment doors, allowing Shirley and a few senior employees to get off.

Leave the compartment.

Xue Li saw that on this platform, there were a large number of "recruit soldiers" with an average height of about two meters, immature faces, who looked only fifteen or sixteen years old, and wore black training uniforms.

This meant that the train carried her to the Astartes boot camp at Luna Base.

For Astartes, Shirley didn't feel so strange.

After all, before she became an intelligence agent, she encountered the event that the gate of hell opened on Deimos, and she also encountered Thutmose of the Ninth Legion.

And as soon as she got off the car, Shirley found two "elders" who came to greet her in the crowd.

Immediately, she pulled the suitcase, approached the two at a quicker pace, and greeted them respectfully: "Dr. Chambos, Dr. Reshick, long time no see."

The two "elders" who greeted Shirley were actually Rebecca Chambers and Alexia Reshick, who were also the supervisors responsible for training Astartes recruits.

These two executives, who always wear white coats, have the same appearance and figure as when they were young.

Rebecca still has shoulder-length brown hair, and Alexia has a high blonde ponytail.

They worked 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 affectionate to them.

"Long time no see, Shirley." Rebecca responded softly.

It seems that because of taking care of the recruits for a long time, Alexia also inadvertently showed a kind elder, but said:

"Shirley, it's not been a long time, it's been a long time, I'll do the math. Well, it's been at least seven years, and I'm still wondering if your child has forgotten us."

"It's mainly because I'm too busy with work, and I'm going to Epson soon." Shirley apologized.

"Forget it, you kid is still the same as before, you can't take jokes." Alexia shook his hand.

Hearing her friend's words, Rebecca couldn't help but chuckled and shook her head, and said, "Let's go Shirley, Rogge is still waiting for us."

"it is good."

The next three people left the platform together, took the escalator to the side of the central square, and saw Rogge and thirty recruits standing beside the artificial lake in the square.

Roger wears a dark black tailor-made uniform with a yellow shoulder plate for decoration on the left shoulder and a red ribbon on the right shoulder.

In front of him were adult recruits who had reached 2.5 meters tall, standing in three rows and wearing formal military uniforms.

Rogge said loudly with a stern expression: "Boys, tell me what your responsibilities are!"

"Protect the colony! Protect humanity! Eliminate all threats for father!" the recruits shouted in unison.

The roar even resounded throughout the square.

Rogge, who had already noticed the three of Shirley, was about to end the lecture and said, "Anyone will say good things. What I want is grades. Do you understand? Don't embarrass your Primarch!"

"yes!"

"Very good! The morale is commendable." Rogge nodded in satisfaction.

After the lecture was over, the three of Shirley had already approached.

And when the thirty recruits saw Alexia, their eyes were a little dodged.

Decades ago, Alexia showed the appearance of a "queen" and used her tentacles to pry open the brain of a vampire to ask questions.

This scene made the once young Rogge unforgettable.

Now it seems that the "Flame Queen" who left a deep impression on the Primarch, after returning to her old profession as a teacher, left a big shadow on the Astartes.

Come closer.

Shirley raised her hand to salute 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 a group of recruits and called them by name: "Gabriel."

"Sir." The recruits who were named walked out of the queue.

This recruit was a little taller than the other comrades in arms, with the strongest physique, neat short hair and square face, giving people a very old-fashioned and upright appearance.

Afterwards, Rogge introduced the two of them to each other: "Shirley Birken is the new director of the intelligence department of Epson VIII.

Gabriel Angelos, Thutmose's recruit platoon leader.

You will be jointly responsible for the safety of thousands of people in Epson. "

"It's an honor to meet you, Director Birken." Gabriel saluted Shirley.

"It's also my honor, Gabriel, and I have a good relationship with you Thutmose." Shirley smiled back.

Although Shirley is a "mortal", her qualifications and age are far superior to Gabriel's, as well as this group of recruits who have just grown up.

That's why Gabriel honored Shirley.

"Okay." Rogge interrupted the mutual compliments between the two, and interjected: "The Retribution has arrived at the port, hurry up and board the ship."

"yes."

Gabriel and the recruits carried their packages and walked towards the exclusive star port of the training camp.

Shirley also said goodbye to Rebecca and Alexia, packed her suitcase and followed Gabriel and the others.

"Back when I was doing research in the brood, Shirley was only that tall." Looking at Shirley and the others' backs, Alexia gestured with both hands.

"Yes." Rebecca also echoed with deep feeling: "At that time, the company devoted all its resources to the research of G glands, and then came ten children who were about the same age as Shirley. Now"

As she said that, Rebecca looked at Rogge, and said in a tone full of relief: "Everyone has become the original body leading the legion."

"It's all taught by my father and teachers." Rogge replied very respectfully to the two teachers.

"Father?" Alexia suddenly said, "By the way, I haven't seen Mr. Sui for a long time. Hey, Rogge, do you know where your father is?"

Rebecca stared at Roger silently, as if waiting for a reply.

heard the words.

Rogge lightly squeezed his chin with his left hand and said, "Father, and that fellow Leon, should be cruising in the Hydra galaxy, and has no plans to return to the solar system in the short term."

"Okay, I still 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 research on psionic energy, now he and I are left in the entire solar system, um.

How about engaging in a solar system defense war exercise with Mars? This is a good reason, save that nerd who always keeps himself in the room, don't get blinded. "

Rogge also left the central square, as if he was really preparing for the exercise.

———————

…

at the same time.

In the exclusive star port of the training camp, there are also many cargo ships and small warships moored here.

The corridor bridge is connected with the ships, which facilitates the entry and exit of goods and people.

Shirley and the recruits walked through one of the covered bridges.

Between the lines.

Through the large sealed windows installed on both sides, she can directly observe the Retribution she is about to board.

The visual length is about 550 meters, giving people a sense of "gun", which looks more compact and flexible than the Goshawk.

Although Shirley is not a professional engineer or researcher, she still knows the specifications of this type of warship, as well as relevant data.

The Retribution belongs to the Paris-class frigate, a light frigate used by the Umbrella and UNSC fleets, which has the advantage of high mobility.

It can carry 800 combatants, and counting the crew members who perform their duties, it can accommodate more than 1,100 people in total.

In terms of weapons, it is a 3-ton electromagnetic main gun, as well as various close-in defense guns and secondary guns.

The hangar can also perfectly accommodate the Saker, Banshee and Viking series of carrier-based fighters, as well as the Yuou and Pelican series of transport aircraft.

And in the hangar of the Retribution in front of her, there is even an old-fashioned transport aircraft dedicated to the Astartes, the Thunder III.

The Retribution is an important part of Epson VIII's defense force. After all, "she" is the only warship deployed in the Epson system to assist ground combat forces.

Theoretically, on the Retribution belonging to the UNSC, there shouldn't be a Thunder III transport plane parked in the hangar, and Astartes recruits will not take "her".

But this was "in theory" more than 20 years ago.

After more than half a century, UEG, UNSC and Umbrella have become one.

For the people, Umbrella is also an official and authoritative organization, and its fleet and troops are elites superior to the UNSC, and even the Astartes are no longer secrets.

It's just that the official has never publicly acknowledged it, and the public is not surprised.

There are many reasons why Gabriel and the recruits are not directly incorporated into the legion, but sent to the colony for defense.

But after streamlining and refinement, the main thing is that recruits can gain enough experience before officially joining the legion.

At the same time, it can also allow the defense of the entire colony to achieve a qualitative leap, preventing Krieger from being isolated and helpless when the rebellion broke out in Arcadia.