Brigadier General Morey was probably busy running around trying to rescue his most “esteemed person,” so he naturally couldn't consider other issues.
Without these messy people and things holding him back, Yu Lian, the provisional captain of Hong Fang (Red Team), could finally get down to business.
He immediately returned to Earth without stopping, heading to Coral Coast City in South Continent, which was where Brisbane, Australia, was located on the parallel Earth of Yu Lian’s previous life.
It was the first Sunday after the National Day holiday, February 12th.
By the time he arrived at Coral Coast City, it was already two in the afternoon. Yu Lian, who had long passed lunchtime, found that he had no appetite. He went straight to his destination—next to Coral Sea Technical College—and found a small cafe, where he ordered a cup of coffee, two sandwiches, and a bowl of pasta with meat sauce.
However, before he could start eating, the student council called.
Yu Lian tore open a sandwich wrapper as he answered the call.
On the other end of the phone were Ye Zhixia and Eaglet Tsukasa Ruri. One was now the vice-captain, and the other was the ship's purser.
“As of just now, a total of 128 students have signed up. Following your instructions, we prioritized quality over quantity, advising those with insufficient skills to withdraw. Fortunately, your three roommates are quite capable; at least they can competently perform their assigned duties. I’ve included them all.”
It was Vice-Captain Ye Zhixia who spoke first. This beautiful girl with a foxy face seemed to be truly committed to various assistant roles.
“Hmm, that’s enough then. I can't believe there are over a hundred people. I thought, given my popularity, even with you two as attractions, getting a few dozen sign-ups would be good,” Yu Lian nodded.
“Yu Lian… You, do you always misunderstand the concept of popularity? You can be quite terrifying when you’re dense,” Zhi Xia smiled helplessly.
“You girls are still too naive. How can you understand how terrifying men can be when they get jealous?” Yu Lian wanted to retort, but seeing the girl’s smile grow more pronounced, he stiffly changed the subject: “Uh, in any case, the recruitment work at the academy will continue to rely on you. Oh, by the way, have you received any responses to the recruitment advertisement I asked you to post online?”
“It’s already up, and over 100 people have signed up. Annie Romanova and Lilia Alfonso are in charge of the online interviews,” Zhi Xia said.
“Annie Romanova is responsible for interviewing the pilot group, while Lilia Alfonso is responsible for the firepower group,” said Purser Eaglet Tsukasa Ruri.
Yu Lian had already directly appointed Annie Romanova as the main helmsman. Even with his past life memories, it was difficult for him to find a more suitable candidate than her. As for Miss Lilia Alfonso, she was temporarily serving as the gunnery officer. Her major was planetary surface defense, and gunnery was one of her specialties. However, her grades were only slightly above average, so she had always felt a bit uncertain.
Similarly uncertain was Miss Daina, who served as the chief engineer. This girl studied logistics and intelligence management, but she was very interested in machinery and had even modified farm robots into automatic weapons in her hometown. However, that was the extent of her experience.
After all, tinkering with life-sized robots and tinkering with a warship were completely different matters.
Fortunately, Miss Daina Jefferson was at least a very dedicated girl.
“Daina took the newly joined crew members to inspect our ship; they just left,” Ruri said.
“Oh, has the ship type been decided?”
“It has been decided. It’s a Circulating Censor-class light cruiser. Of course, Mr. Wien’s Blue Faction also has one.”
“Circulating Censor-class? That bucket ship?”
Eaglet Tsukasa Ruri blinked her eyes, her long eyelashes opening and closing, before she finally realized what a bucket ship meant. She covered her mouth, trying to suppress her laughter, and after a while, she said, “Yes, it’s that bucket ship that can run, fight, bomb, and also has carrier-based aircraft, assault teams, and Marine Corps. It has all sorts of functions, but none of them are particularly outstanding.”
This Circulating Censor model has a history of nearly a hundred years, and as Yu Lian and Ruri described, it is a typical all-rounder warship that is good at everything but not particularly proficient in anything.
She has a mass of over 50,000 tons and a standard crew of over 1,000. The main armaments are two ion cannons, one railgun, and one positron cannon. The secondary armaments are twenty turbo laser arrays, plus four proton torpedo launchers and thirty-six missile bays. This firepower configuration is only slightly stronger than a destroyer. The main reason is to ensure space for the hangar and Marine Corps barracks.
Yes, this “mere” 50,000-ton small ship has a hangar and Marine Corps barracks.
Her standard configuration includes two squads of multi-purpose fighters and two companies of Marine Corps, so she also needs to carry an additional orbital drop pod.
There was no other way; the Circulating Censor-class was originally designed by the Alliance for its vast territory. Patrolling star systems, suppressing planetary rebellions, clearing trade routes, and combating pirates were all within their functions, so she naturally needed to be proficient in all eighteen martial arts.
Such an unusual design was understandable.
Of course, since she was only “capable” and not “proficient,” the only thing she probably couldn't handle was a direct fleet battle.
However, the Circulating Censor-class had one point that truly stood out as the best in the All-Galaxy: its extremely strong versatility and potential for sustainable development (modifications).
This can be seen from the fact that this ship has been in production for over a hundred years, sold throughout the All-Galaxy, and has over a hundred different modified versions.
Although this point would soon be surpassed by the new “Ranger” class, Yu Lian thought.
Speaking of which, his senior sister seemed to have acquired three Rangers through her own channels. He wondered how their modifications were progressing. Last time she wrote, she mentioned going to fight pirates, and he didn't know the outcome. After all, they were in the New World and lacked a source-wave hub, so communication felt like the postal era.
Ships, people, and mail were all slow! How idyllic!
He hoped his senior sister would have good luck with everything.
No matter what, this type of ship could engage in Artillery Battle, boarding, and even aerial combat. For a student single-ship exhibition match, nothing was more suitable than the Circulating Censor.
Yu Lian calculated the various model data of the Circulating Censor-class and quickly came up with a general plan.
“...I’ll make a list for you later. Have Daina and the others equip our armaments according to the instructions on it,” Yu Lian said, taking another big bite of his sandwich.
“Yu Lian, no matter how busy you are, you must eat well,” the other girl on the terminal, provisional purser Eaglet Tsukasa Ruri, frowned.
“Yes, speaking of Coral Coast, didn’t I introduce you to the Pink Dolphin Restaurant? It’s the best Italian restaurant in South Continent,” Zhi Xia also said.
South Continent was Australia, which had the same naming origin as Yu Lian’s hometown on the parallel Earth.
“If things go smoothly and I have free time after I’m done, I’ll go try it. In any case… how many crew members were finally recruited? Are there 50?”
“Only 47. We were very strict. After all, it’s the last graduation play, and it might be the only time we get to personally play with a warship,” Zhi Xia’s voice seemed a bit low.
“I feel the same way. Yu Lian, we don’t want to leave any regrets, so this time, we will definitely choose the best,” Ruri also said.
The girls of the student council, with the exception of the future star captain Miss Annie Romanova, did not make a name for themselves in later generations and likely went their separate ways after graduation.
However, they had, after all, been admitted to the Central Defense University, becoming the top-tier prodigies known as “Moon People.” To say they had no sentiment for a military career would be impossible.
Yu Lian, who had already experienced various battlefields in later generations, truly felt that this so-called single-ship exercise was just child’s play and had never taken much interest in it. But for these girls, it might be the most memorable youthful memory of their future.
The rosy light of youth, coupled with the fiery red of passion, would probably be even more vibrant, right?
The dreams of young people deserve respect. Moreover, the youth of rare and precious creatures like military enthusiasts and beautiful girls needs even more brilliant embellishment.
Yu Lian nodded: “...Alright, better to have too few than too many! Don’t worry, I’ll find reliable teammates.”
After all, this was a student exhibition match, not a real combat exercise. Most tactical maneuvers could be simulated by a tactical computer. Even so, the most basic crew size still required at least 150 people.
Ordinary crew members were fine; what was needed now were some elite crew members who could fill important positions.
“So, we still need a Navigator, a radar officer, a communications officer, an assault team leader…”
“I can double as the communications officer… Anyway, with a captain like Yu Lian, I, as the vice-captain, just occupy a position and don’t seem to have much presence,” Zhi Xia said.
“I can also double as the radar officer. Once the ship starts, my purser role doesn’t seem to be very useful either,” Ruri also said.
“Then, the main positions are the Navigator and the assault team leader,” Yu Lian had just said this, and then he sighed casually: “…If Toby were still here, it would be great. I would definitely give him the position of Navigator or communications officer.”
The two girls’ expressions also became a little downcast.
After a while, Ruri said, “…However, Yu Lian, Thomas is definitely starting his new life healthy and well now. If you really miss him, then prepare seriously for battle and work hard to beat Mr. Wien and the Blue Faction!”
Yu Lian nodded, pondered for a moment, and then suddenly said, “Ruri, Zhi Xia, I’ve thought about it. I’ll personally double as the Navigator.”
“Ah? This…”
At this moment, Yu Lian had already seen movement by the door. He focused his gaze and saw a chubby figure enter the room.
“Our real chief engineer is here…”
“Huh?” The two girls were stunned.
“Ruri, tell Daina and Lilia Alfonso to hold on a little longer! Very soon, some excellent comrades will be joining us. So, that’s all for now.”
Yu Lian cut off the communication without explanation, then waved to the chubby figure who had entered the cafe and was looking around.
“Aisen Franchi? Over here, please have a seat.”