Chapter 451: The Gift
Chapter 451: The Gift
The airships, unaffected by terrain and needing only to move forward in a straight line, traveled much faster than the off-road vehicles. However, they still had to land and rest at night, as the anomalies in the convergence zone during the night couldn't be avoided by staying airborne.
Even so, they managed to return to the Fourth Fort Outpost in just two days.
As soon as the airship landed, Sentinel Le Wu arrived with his soldiers and spoke to Chen Chuan, "Captain Chen, I've been ordered to take custody of Feitong. From now on, he's under my responsibility."
Chen Chuan gestured, and Yuan Qiuyuan brought Feitong forward, handing him over to Le Wu. As Yuan Qiuyuan handed him over, he said, "Take good care of him. We went through a lot to capture him and bring him here. Don't let him die on us."
Le Wu remained expressionless and ordered the fighters behind him to take the still heavily injured Feitong away.
Chen Chuan led his team down from the airship and, after a few words of instruction, dismissed them. The team members saluted him before heading off to the rest areas to relax and drink.
Chen Chuan, alone, made his way to the operations room, where he found the tactical advisor, Ding Mou, waiting for him. Chen Chuan handed over the report he had written during the journey.
Ding Mou was already aware of the situation from the telegraph, so he briefly glanced through the report and set it aside. "Captain Chen, you completed the mission swiftly and just in time. You've averted a significant number of potential casualties and losses, and on top of that, you captured the informant. I express the outpost's gratitude on behalf of the commander."
"It's my duty," Chen Chuan replied, then added, "Has the outpost confirmed that Feitong is the informant?"
"Not only him, but we can confirm he was one of the participants at that time."
Chen Chuan nodded.
After submitting the mission report and going through the formalities, he left the operations room. Just then, a message from Pei Can Shi arrived via the communicator, informing him that since the end of the year was approaching, his special medication would be distributed in the next few days. He just needed to wait a little longer.
Chen Chuan knew that it shouldn't be this fast according to the regulations, so someone from Pei Can Shi's faction must have pulled some strings behind the scenes. He sent a message back to express his gratitude.
After returning to the barracks, Chen Chuan rested for two consecutive days. On the 21st, Pei Can Shi contacted him, saying that the medication had arrived, and asked him to come to the meeting room.
Chen Chuan entered the same meeting room where they had met before. Pei Can Shi shook hands with him, invited him to sit down, and personally brewed a cup of tea for him. He sat down on the sofa across from Chen Chuan.
"Captain Chen, with the completion of this mission, the outpost won't assign any tasks to your squad before and after the New Year. You can return to Central City. Your primary task there will be related to Chen Biting."
"Since he's invited you to his training class, don't miss this opportunity. Try to build a good relationship with him."
"How will my team members be arranged?" Chen Chuan asked.
Pei Can Shi replied, "After the New Year, if they wish to participate in missions, I'll try to arrange something for them. Once you rejoin the team, they'll still be your teammates. If they're unwilling, they can temporarily stand by, but the decision is up to you. Feel free to share your thoughts."
Chen Chuan thought for a moment and said, "This arrangement is fine."
Pei Can Shi picked up the metal box at his feet and placed it on the desk. "This is the special medication. Captain Chen, you can distribute it as you see fit. Oh, and there's one more thing sent to you. Remember to check it out when you get back."
"What is it?" asked Chen Chuan.
Pei Can Shi smiled but didn't elaborate.
Chen Chuan didn't press further. After a few cups of tea and some casual conversation about the outpost, he took the special medication and left.
After Chen Chuan's departure, Pei Can Shi's expression turned solemn. He returned to his room, took out a key, opened a cabinet, retrieved a specially marked radio, and began transmitting a message.
"Executor Chen will return before the end of the year, preparing to approach the target. Time: December 21st, 2 PM. Transmitter: Yellow Jacket."
Back in the barracks, Chen Chuan called two team members and distributed the special medication, sharing the bonus he had received with them. The rest of the team would receive their bonuses from the outpost.
Yuan Qiuyuan, upon receiving the medication, said with delight, "I told you, following Captain is the way to go. I've never heard of any other place distributing medication so generously."
Qin Qingque nodded in agreement. As someone from a military background, she knew that special medication was rarely distributed so promptly.
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "It's almost the end of the year, and the high officials above understand our hardships. I called you two here today to distribute the medication and also to discuss another matter."
He paused briefly, "After the New Year, I might need to stay in Central City for a period, which may affect my participation in outpost missions. How do you want to arrange things?"
Yuan Qiuyuan immediately said, "Captain, I've said it before, I only recognize you as my captain."
Qin Qingque added, "Captain, we are your team members, and we'll wait for you to come back."
They both knew that following the right person made a world of difference. Even though Chen Chuan had only led them twice, he had always been at the forefront. Moreover, he possessed exceptional abilities, treated everyone fairly, and took good care of his team. Where could they find another captain like him?
They had only been here for a short time, but they had already gained some understanding of the situation. Some captains treated their team members harshly, pushing them to their limits and then trying to compensate with medication. They didn't regard their team members as humans. In comparison, following Chen Chuan was indeed a stroke of good fortune. They would never join another team.
Chen Chuan looked at them and saw their determination. He said, "If that's how you feel, then we'll proceed with this arrangement. After I return, we'll continue the mission."
Yuan Qiuyuan and Qin Qingque stood up together and saluted him.
"Yes, Captain," they replied.
After Chen Chuan had settled the matters within the base, the next day, he boarded the train with the team members seeing him off. They were returning to Central City from the Convergence Zone.
As an Executive Captain, even without Pei Can Shi accompanying him, he could sit in a private compartment alone. Additionally, he had a dedicated attendant to serve him, and he could directly request anything he needed.
No wonder many people tried their best to get promoted; the treatment was indeed different.
The train departed from the base and traveled for a day, entering the tunnel back to Central City. This time, another train passed through the tunnel's intersection, heading in the opposite direction.
In a quick glance, he noticed that there were many people inside, seemingly a military team, along with some well-dressed individuals in imported formal wear.
They appeared to be company employees, but he didn't know where they were headed.
The two trains rushed towards different directions, swiftly crossing paths.
Not long after, the train pulled into the platform and slowly came to a stop.
He picked up his suitcase and passed through the security checkpoint. As he did, his Boundary Token emitted a sound, and a female voice spoke in his ear:
"Detection of personnel returning from the Convergence Zone.
Name: Chen Chuan.
Identity: Executive Captain.
See the 16191 book for the correct version!
Activation Index: Zero.
This personnel is allowed to pass."
At this moment, the voice became slightly more human-like: "Captain Chen, welcome back."
Chen Chuan straightened his wide-brimmed hat and adjusted his clothes as he exited the checkpoint and walked up the passageway.
The last time he had come from this direction, but he learned that there were special passages in various stations around Central City that were usually closed off. These passages led to the Convergence Zone, where guards were on duty 24/7, and only personnel who had been to the Convergence Zone were allowed to pass through, under the surveillance of the Mother's Aura.
This arrangement was made so that in an emergency, combat personnel scattered throughout Central City could return to the Convergence Zone at a faster pace to join the defense.
He arrived at the parking plaza, where the various noises of Central City and the advertisements on the giant screens flooded his senses. However, this scene inexplicably made him feel much more relaxed.
In the Convergence Zone, everyone was in a military zone, and at night, they tried to minimize their movements. Even staying in the fortress could be dangerous, and the entire atmosphere didn't allow anyone to truly let down their guard.
As the two worlds drew closer, the Convergence Zone's future became increasingly uncertain, and no one knew what would become of this place and the other world.
He found the Gaud car and opened the door, getting in. As he started the car, he sent a voice message to his familiar contacts, informing them that he had returned from his mission.
This time, he didn't go directly to Xuan Gong Tower but first went to the mansion provided by the company, intending to put away the trophies and souvenirs he had brought back.
As he drove into the mansion, a maintenance staff member informed him that a package had arrived a couple of days ago and had been placed in the garage."
Chen Chuan remembered that Pei Can Shi had mentioned sending him something. What could it be? He was quite curious.
When he entered the garage, he immediately spotted a large wooden crate, about two meters long and wide.
He parked the car and got out, approaching the wooden crate. He removed the fixed pegs, and the crate's sides fell open, and as dust rose, he saw an object covered in a dust-proof cloth. He lifted the cloth, revealing a sitting figure—an Iron Demon's iron armor.
He instantly recognized it as the armor of the Iron Demon.
The entire set of armor was supported by a movable human model, complete with an iron mask, helmet, shoulder guards, body armor, arm guards, waist belt, skirt armor, shin guards, hip guards, and leather boots. It was clear that the armor had been meticulously restored, with bright armor plates and an outer robe draped over it.
He noticed that the entire set of armor was sitting with one hand raised to the side, in a gripping pose, but the space was empty. It was missing the long spear.
Perfect. They knew he liked to collect weapons, so they had sent him a complete "weapon rack."
It was worth the effort of sending this gift.
He couldn't leave this gift here; it belonged in the weapon collection room. So, he lifted it with one hand, supporting the bottom of the rack, and carried it out of the garage, entering the mansion.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
