Mu Ning hadn't closed her eyes for days. The last time she slept for more than three hours was on the starship returning from Tianshu Star to the Third Military District.
The outbreak of the M19 black hole star beast tide had arrived almost ten days early this time!
For the sake of the students' competition, she had even set aside a five-day buffer, but unexpectedly, it was advanced again? It caught them completely off guard.
That wasn't even the worst part...
Just now, news came back from the frontline that the M18 and M20 black holes were suddenly showing energy reactions too. The timing of the star beast tides over the past two years had become increasingly unpredictable.
Pinching the bridge of her nose, Mu Ning called the Military Department Chief via video link.
"Chief Meng, I'll keep it brief. I just received news that the M18 and M20 black holes are also showing energy reactions. The Third Military District needs more support."
Meng Chongyun's expression immediately turned even more serious after hearing this.
"I just received news from the Ninth Military District. The star beast tide there also suddenly broke out, eight days earlier than the last cycle. Does this mean this is actually a large-scale outbreak?"
"The Ninth Military District's star beast tide also broke out?"
Mu Ning's expression turned stern.
"Chief... I know my proposal might affect the results and fairness of the 5th Military Academy League, but we need Wang Tianwei right now.
Her mecha transformation technology and biological utilization methods cannot currently be replicated by anyone in the military district. With this technology, our strikes against the star beasts could yield twice the result with half the effort!
If this really is a large-scale star beast tide, then the casualty rate could be kept to an absolute minimum!
...Whether it's reputation or price, I don't think they can be compared to the lives of Federation soldiers."
Meng Chongyun took a deep look at the person in the video.
Mu Ning wasn't the first to mention the transforming mecha to him; even he himself had been keeping an eye on the livestream of the Qilin Fourth Squad.
Combined with the news he previously got from the Ninth Military District, he knew those kids were good kids—they respected and admired the military soldiers and were completely loyal to the Federation.
It was precisely because of this that he didn't want to disappoint the kids, nor did he want to treat them as targets to be coerced or bribed.
He originally wanted to wait until after the competition to have a proper talk with Wang Tianwei, to see if she had any ideas or conditions for selling this technology to the military.
For a freshman, this was no small matter.
Although he didn't have children himself, he knew how carefully people with children treated them. After all, a moment of carelessness could cause them to become rebellious and go down a completely opposite path.
Destroying a talented student's passion and creativity for immediate gains was unacceptable, and it was something he absolutely disdained doing.
But the Federation's soldiers were also like children in his eyes... They were defending the Federation with their blood and lives.
"I understand. I'll contact her shortly."
Across the screen, Mu Ning seemed to have seen some unbelievable news, and her eyes suddenly grew redder.
"Commander Mu, what's wrong? Is there a new situation on the frontline?"
After a long moment, Mu Ning shook her head and sighed in relief.
"Please forgive my selfishness... Chief, I underestimated that child."
"What do you mean?"
Mu Ning pulled over another virtual screen. Meng Chongyun immediately saw the 3D transforming mecha design draft on it, along with the dense data below and the Points for Attention marked in red font.
"This is..."
"I sent someone to Kashgar Star to protect the students. This is what Wang Tianwei just sent him, and below is her message. Take a look."
Meng Chongyun clicked to enlarge it.
"Sir, although I am only a freshman and not fully mature in the field of mecha design, I believe that if the transforming mecha can provide some reference for the military, it would be a good thing. Some of the designs can be realized with just slight modifications.
My teacher said the military wanted to wait until I get back to discuss the transforming mecha, but if it can really be of use, then it's best to do it now!
All the above designs are my original creations; if you have any questions, you can contact me directly.
(Please forward the design blueprints to the mecha engineers. I have marked the complex parts, and it would be great if this could help even a little.)
At the same time, after our discussion, the star beasts on Kashgar Star have already decreased significantly. If the frontline needs us, please summon us at any time!
We are always ready to serve the people.
— Respectfully yours, Qilin Military Academy, First Military Academy, Valk Military Academy, Santorini Military Academy, Yuying Military Academy."
There was no mention of any demands throughout the whole message; her tone was even overly humble, completely unlike the girl in the livestream who tried every trick to scheme against others and show off every day.
"We all underestimated the kids."
Meng Chongyun closed his eyes slightly. He should stay calm now... Everything was worth it.
The children of the Federation still remembered the hardships and sacrifices of the soldiers today. They hadn't gone rotten like the older generation claimed; instead, they had prepared for everything early on... even going to the battlefield.
Everyone was full of vitality and infinite possibilities!
In the face of a formidable enemy, no one cared about their immediate personal interests. An 18-year-old child knew to prioritize the military and the soldiers above all else!
Qilin was like this, the First Military Academy was like this, Valk and Santorini... Every military academy in the Federation was like this!
"To serve the people."
Since turning forty, Mu Ning hadn't felt such a surge of heroic pride in a long time.
"I apologize for my narrow-mindedness just now... Chief, we can discuss the children's contributions and rewards later. I have already sent Wang Tianwei's design drafts to your optical computer.
Now it's time for us to continue serving the people.
To avoid disappointing the kids, we must win this battle."
Meng Chongyun opened his eyes again. He could still see some of the heroic spirit of her youth on Mu Ning's face across the screen, now coupled with the composure and sense of responsibility brought by the years.
"Of course, the Federation military has always risen to the challenge. We've survived for hundreds of years, and there won't be an exception now.
I will have the mecha engineers from the headquarters and all branches study and modify the transforming mecha design together. Currently, the black holes under the jurisdiction of the First Military District have no reactions, so I will draw personnel from there for support...
Mu Ning, the Third Military District won't need to send the kids to the frontline, right?"
"Hmph."
Mu Ning gave an arrogant, cold snort.
Standing up, the coat draped over her shoulders slid down, revealing the crisp military uniform and commander epaulets underneath.
"Over my dead body."
Their video call ended, but in the next second, both of them dialed more communications.
All ten military districts of the Federation entered a level-one combat readiness state, increasing the frequency of black hole patrols to the maximum.
A large number of mecha engineers received the transforming mecha design drafts from Wang Tianwei of Qilin Military Academy. That very day, they immersed themselves in the mecha labs to begin researching and modifying.
Along with the letter she wrote at the end, it was circulated countless times.
"Serving the people shouldn't just rely on students! Us uncles and aunts aren't dead yet!"
"I've asked the soldiers to bring back the star beast corpses! Everyone, get ready to extract materials!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Roger that!"
