On the third Sunday of March in the common era, all 327 Hong Fang (Red Team) crew members, recent graduates from across the Commonwealth, gathered.
Among them were 294 humans and 33 members of alien minority groups; 250 were male and 77 were female, a distribution that clearly indicated political correctness.
They finally assembled for their first full meeting.
The meeting took place at the former Blueblood Brotherhood base, a place known as the Blue Building or even the Blue Palace.
This building, which didn't look very large from the outside, surprisingly had three underground levels, and in addition to various activity rooms, it actually had an exhibition hall capable of accommodating over five hundred people for parties and meetings.
It's worth noting that the Blueblood Brotherhood at its peak only had over a hundred members—after all, with too many people, how could it still be called high society?
It's truly unclear what this large hall for hundreds of people could have been used for.
Now, of course, it was convenient for Yu Lian.
He scanned the over 300 people in the room; a third of them were from Central Defense University, while most of the rest came from other military academies and various civilian institutions.
Compared to the Hong Fang (Red Team) on the opposite side, who were all elite high-achievers from major military academies, there was indeed a slight sense of a motley crew about them.
Yu Lian's gaze swept over the faces of the elite crew members he had personally invited (or tricked) over.
However, apart from Miss Gongsun Qing, the sole SSR, who maintained a calm expression, exuding an aura completely out of sync with the atmosphere of the entire hall, the other SRs all appeared to lack confidence.
Even if it was an exercise, even if it was a performance, it still had the prefix "actual combat"!
Many ordinary university students who had been selected through application could only be considered military enthusiasts, yet they were about to face off against true Moon People and a group of military academy cadets.
Many people were actually unsure.
In fact, most of the people here were even visiting the Moon for the first time.
Upon entering the gates of Central Defense University, seeing the well-equipped and vast campus, the military cadets in their neat uniforms, and feeling the solemn and stern aura of the military, many people's spirits immediately deflated.
Perhaps Yu Lian was the most confident person among everyone here.
"So, this is the situation we need to face.
Although the people on the other side have indeed recruited some elites, I also have great confidence in everyone's abilities.
Moreover, as far as I know, although Wien and his group have started fresh and reorganized into some Lionheart Society, their Past ties with the Blueblood Brotherhood cannot be completely severed.
All the former rich kids have joined his Blue Faction.
Heh heh, I've always believed that the combat effectiveness of a ship, of a team, is not determined by its upper limit, but by its lower limit.
Therefore, we are not without a chance of victory!"
"Uh, Captain Yu Lian.
Although what I'm about to say might sound like I'm boosting others' morale and dampening our own, to be honest, besides the useless rich kids from the Blueblood Brotherhood, quite a lot of elites have joined the opposing team.
In terms of average score, they are much higher than us," said Luo Ming, Yu Lian's roommate A, raising his hand.
"So, it's just an average score.
Actual combat is a different matter.
I have great confidence in all of you," Yu Lian said with certainty, "At least, more confidence than you have in yourselves!"
He paused, then said to everyone, "I think, since you are willing to come to this place, you are more or less a bit hot-blooded.
Perhaps you want to prove yourselves, perhaps you have certain expectations for a military career, perhaps you want to become famous, or perhaps you just want to indulge yourselves one last time before university ends and you enter society... But, since everyone is willing to sign up and participate in over three months of intensive training, sacrificing your most precious internship and job-seeking time, that already means you have stepped out of your comfort zone.
You have taken a solid step towards your extraordinary future!"
Everyone paused slightly, and upon careful thought, it seemed to be true, and many people's faces immediately showed pride.
"I'll tell you the truth, no one is optimistic about us, and no one even wants us to win, except for myself!
Since that's the case, then everyone can completely let go of your burdens and freely unleash your youth, right?
Heh heh, the young people of Blue Star grew up listening to the stories of Marshal Li and his comrades.
How harsh was the environment they had to face back then, and how powerful were the enemies they faced?
The All-Galaxy was not optimistic about their actions, thinking they were naive, foolish, and courting disaster!"
At this point, Yu Lian paused, scanned everyone, and said with a smile, "Marshal Li and his group disappointed the All-Galaxy!
So, his disciples and grand-disciples, which is to say, us young people of Blue Star, are destined to disappoint the public!
Isn't that right?"
Yu Lian then subtly observed everyone's expressions, determining that the first phase of the "malicious brainwashing and hype" mission should be complete.
After all, they were all hot-blooded young people, and they were indeed the most susceptible to this approach.
He then tapped the light screen on the wall behind him: "If everyone has no objections, our personnel arrangements are confirmed.
Is that acceptable?"
Everyone whispered and discussed for nearly a minute, but no one raised any objections.
"Then, stand up!" Miss Ye Zhixia, the first mate, stepped forward and shouted loudly.
Everyone stood at attention, even those who graduated from ordinary institutions quickly got to their feet.
"Salute the Captain!" Zhi Xia said again.
Over three hundred people, even if their movements were not perfectly synchronized and precise, were still saluting him.
For a moment, there was indeed a sense of solemn mission.
Even Yu Lian, who had experienced many ups and downs in his previous life, was somewhat infected; at least, he had to appear infected.
So, he solemnly adjusted his military cap and returned the salute to everyone.
Afterward, Yu Lian convened a meeting with all the ship's officers, which, to put it plainly, included the Misses from the student council, his roommates, and the few SRs and that one SSR he had personally recruited.
The only regret was that Jean Cook, an elite Captain who would be as famous as Annie in later generations, was not Present.
Although he had received Yu Lian's invitation and expressed his gratitude, he still declined.
Cook hadn't joined the Blue Faction; instead, he had finally found a job on a large freighter and needed to participate in an internship.
For this student from a common background, this was probably the best opportunity in his career.
Each person has their own choices, and we must understand that.
Still, with the people Present, it was enough.
Just thinking about their future achievements and reputation, and looking at their current talents, Yu Lian almost felt sorry for the Blue Faction on the other side.
"This is the preliminary training schedule I've set.
Everyone can take a look first," Yu Lian sent the schedule to everyone via their terminals: "Starting tomorrow, at 6:30 AM every day, I will lead everyone in morning exercises!
My apologies, ladies, but you must also attend.
All 327 people on the ship, everyone must attend!"
"This, you only need to show up starting from the 10 AM simulator training!
Something as simple as morning exercises, we can handle watching over it," Annie said.
"That's right!
Just leave it to me," Lilia said, rubbing her hands together, "I've already discussed the physical training plan with Kou Shan."
Anton Kou Shan nodded, and like a loyal subordinate, projected a table into the air: "This is it.
Please review it, Captain."
Aisen and his two future tech-savvy friends looked miserable, feeling a chill down their spines just looking at the physical training schedule.
This is, of course, very understandable.
We all know that Aisen is a big, chubby guy, clearly not very athletic.
Tamir, on the other hand, was a small, thin Grey, one of the Commonwealth's alien minority groups.
They are an alien Wisdom race with large eyes and round heads, looking very cheerful and honest, and they have excellent minds for precise calculations, making them very suitable for accountants and insurance salespeople.
Of course, perhaps also very suitable as Engineers.
However, just looking at their height, which is only two-thirds of the human average, and their pot-bellied, thin-armed physique, it's clear their physical constitution is quite weak.
As for Bai Ziya, he was a slender, delicate, and fair-skinned seventeen-year-old handsome youth, clearly the type who couldn't even tie a chicken.
Moreover, from his somewhat cautious demeanor, he was definitely not the type with a tiger in his heart.
In fact, he still wasn't quite sure why he had come after receiving his friend's letter.
"Don't worry, this is truly just basic physical training for Marine Corps crew members; even for you, you'll adapt within half a month at most," Eaglet Tsukasa Ruri comforted him gently.
That "even if" was quite hurtful. Bai Ziya, who looked even frailer than his Grey friends, thought.
"That's right. If it were Marine Corps training, with your physiques, you'd probably end up in a nutrient solution on the first day," Yu Lian said with a smile.
The three future technical powerhouses, however, were just ordinary, physically inactive engineering nerds at this moment, practically huddled together, trembling.
Why on earth did we come here in the first place? They began to regret it. If it weren't for the petite and exquisite young lady, supposedly Miss Gongsun Qing of the Gongsun Family, who was sitting at the back of the classroom yawning, they might have already burst into tears.
Yu Lian took another look at Bai Ziya, confirming that this future "Super God Engineer," who looked almost as fragile as a girl, had probably not yet awakened; otherwise, he wouldn't be looking so utterly distraught. He might not even know he was a spiritual energy user.
This was understandable. The Star Ring of the generalist type, which belonged to the so-called "civilian spiritual energy user," did not significantly boost physique or brute strength, and there were indeed no obvious signs before awakening. People with thicker nerves could genuinely overlook it.
Sure enough, I still need to find an opportunity to stimulate this young master from the Bai family. It's just that I'm not very familiar with the awakening methods for generalist types! Moreover, I'm not entirely sure whether he's "Wisdom" or "Co-fusion," Yu Lian thought.
Fortunately, only a minority were intimidated by the training plan. The others, including the girls from the student council, at most just frowned.
Look, Li Baolu, the future ace pilot of Earth, the famous "Eagle of Advance," from Tang Feng Flight Academy, showed an expression full of fighting spirit. What a sincere and passionate young man! Although he had an unremarkable, honest face, once he became serious, he immediately exuded a sense of fervor.
"Captain Yu Lian, I'd like to ask, when can my team and I have a real flight?" he asked, raising his hand.
"It should start with everyone's shipboard training," Yu Lian said.
The other party scratched his head, a little embarrassed: "C-can I apply to go earlier?"
Seeing everyone looking at him, he said awkwardly, "No, what I mean is, we will definitely complete everyone's group training. It's just that at Tang Feng Flight Academy, we've only flown Crow Fighters. But this time's combat exercise, I've seen, uses Ghost Fighters. We've only flown simulators for this type of aircraft."
A solemn expression appeared on his face: "When Captain Yu Lian sent the invitation, I was really happy. Our academy's teachers were even happier than us. The three classmates who came with me this time are also the best in the academy, so I want to bring a victory back for the academy... But the Blue Faction opposite has invited Martha Deacon!"
Yu Lian also showed a solemn expression, but he subtly cast an inquiring glance at Eaglet Tsukasa Ruri.
"Who's that?" I haven't heard of that child.
Zhi Xia saw it too and couldn't help but roll her eyes. Eaglet Tsukasa Ruri sighed silently and explained to everyone (Yu Lian): "The top student in the flight department of Victoria Li Naval Academy, in Past exercise records, her kill count has reached 241, and she has only been shot down 3 times herself. In addition, she has already participated in actual combat, shooting down 4 pirate fighters... She's about to be called an ace."
Li Baolu continued with a solemn face, speaking in a tone as if enduring hardship: "She has flown Ghost Fighters before. To defeat such a strong enemy, I must redouble my efforts."
His words were simple and unadorned, but they carried a tragic grandeur that immediately stirred the blood of these passionate young people.
Yu Lian, the only seasoned veteran Present, took another look at the other party, thinking that this guy might have other talents besides flying. Being with these future heroes who hadn't yet made a name for themselves was full of surprises!
"I'll help you apply," Yu Lian said. "However, Baolu... believe in yourself, and believe in everyone! And, by the way, believe in me, your Captain Yu Lian."
Li Baolu stood up gratefully and saluted Yu Lian with high spirits.
"Since everyone is part of one collective, then I must participate in all the training. Otherwise, everything I said today would just be empty talk," Yu Lian said with a laugh. "The young master on the other side can treat all members to a big feast and even give various gifts. I don't have much money, so since I can't share the good times, I can only share the hardships!"
It was said that when Wien and his team on the opposite side first met, they booked the banquet hall of a luxury hotel in Moon City and treated all 400-plus crew members to a grand meal. Then, each person received a "small gift" reportedly worth over 1000 Blue Star coins.
Yu Lian really couldn't spend money like that.
All of his more than ten million had already been used to buy fixed investments and Commonwealth houses in his uncle and aunt's names.
The remaining three hundred million were currently carefully developing in the financial market and couldn't be wasted. According to his memories from his previous life, as long as he endured this period, he would be able to quietly withdraw all the money before September this year.
But no matter what, he, the dignified transmigrator and reborn, the dignified Captain Yu Lian, was truly running out of money. And for the time being, he couldn't leave school, so he couldn't go find money.
Thinking of this, Yu Lian couldn't help but look at Miss Gongsun Qing, who had already begun to zone out.
Although she had initially put on a facade of running away from home, she had actually only arrived in Moon City to meet everyone last week. Of course, this time she wasn't escaping, so she was accompanied by a butler, an assistant butler, a personal driver, two personal maids, plus three chefs, and had directly bought a small villa in Guanghan City.
"Welcome to visit anytime, everyone." The butler, whom Yu Lian had met once, was very polite and enthusiastic towards him, even secretly observing him with an unexplainable gaze from time to time.
Furthermore, that villa was located between Central Defense University, the center of Guanghan City, and the under-construction Huanle Entertainment City, a prime location that was sure to appreciate in value in the future.
In short, Yu Lian found that he, the dignified Captain Yu Lian, transmigrator and reborn, was surprisingly running out of money, but he couldn't leave school for a while and couldn't find money temporarily.
Thinking of this, Yu Lian couldn't help but look at Bai Ziya with an eager gaze. The scrawny young man, born into the renowned Bai family of New Divine Province, immediately felt a chill down his spine and instinctively tried to shrink into a corner. He realized for the first time that he might have gotten himself into a bad situation.
At this moment, Eaglet Tsukasa Ruri said, "But if that's the case, Yu Lian, what about your thesis?"
"That's right, the school is clearly trying to make things difficult! You haven't had a break for half a year, and your graduation thesis defense is the first one. What does that mean?" Daina said indignantly.
"The first and the last are only a week apart, not much difference," Yu Lian patted his chest. "You've known me for so long, when have you ever seen me without a plan?"
"When have you ever had a plan?" Zhi Xia sneered.
"That's right, last time with Pulan, you almost got framed. If Feifei hadn't reacted quickly, you might have already been expelled," Annie said.
"For example, this time, if Fina hadn't reminded you, you probably would have forgotten about being Captain Yu Lian long ago," Lilia said.
"That's right, I heard Miss Gongsun Qing say that you can go on vacation, watch a game, and even participate in a fan riot. After graduation, why don't you just come back to the countryside with me to raise cattle! There are duels every day there!"
Oh, you can call her by her first name so quickly? Your girls' friendship really progresses by leaps and bounds!
Then, the girls burst into laughter.
The SRs who had been fooled by Yu Lian, who had just been full of passion and fighting spirit, suddenly felt an urge to defect to the Blue Faction opposite.
As for the only SSR, she had long since found a comfortable sofa in the corner of the room, wrapped herself in a feather blanket, and fallen asleep.
A 5k chapter, so today is another happy one-chapter beast day.