From cannon fodder to sweeping across thousands of stars.

Chapter 408 Agnes's Attention

"It seems that the Galaxy Autonomous Government wants to use this method to force Atlas away."

Franklin was watching the news playing on the holographic screen, and the picture at this moment was showing the front line where the conflict broke out.

On the streets of the northern city of Jaen, a huge crowd was holding signs with various slogans on them and marching forward. Slogans like "Give me back my job!", "Atlas get out of Lubyon!", and "We need to eat!" were the mainstream content of these signs.

The anti-riot police force reorganized in Jayne with the assistance of Atlas is now deployed on the main roads to prevent the situation from escalating.

The "Iron Cavalry" medium-sized multi-legged combat vehicle produced by Atlas Industries appeared behind the wall of riot police in a black and white police paint job.

Although Atlas' export products have been downgraded compared to the self-use version, and the rear turret of the police-type Iron Cavalry has changed the 125 electrothermal chemical gun into a 15mm electromagnetic machine gun and non-lethal weapons, it is still sufficient for performing police work.

The military-style design and flashing police lights make this medium-sized multi-legged tank quite intimidating.

The demonstrators did not have a direct conflict with the riot police, but chose to take other roads that were not blocked.

As he watched, Franklin suddenly realized something was wrong.

Because he found that the demonstrators seemed to be blocked by riot police and were directed to the factory building of Atlas' chemical plant located on the outskirts of the city.

Franklin shook his head. He had to admit that the Lubyon Galaxy Autonomous Government's method of "diverting trouble to others" was indeed insidious. If Atlas did not handle this matter well enough, then the image they had maintained among the people would be greatly affected.

"Oh my goodness, so that's what you were thinking, right? If Mr. Amber knew that the riot police that their group helped to form were doing this, would he regret it?"

If Amber heard what Franklin said at this moment, she would definitely say that she had no regrets at all. After all, these things were not done in vain. The Rubion Galaxy Autonomous Government has completed at least 85% of the payment so far, and at most the remaining 15% is missing.

What's more, the riot police are originally a violent agency of the Rubion galaxy government, and how they are used has nothing to do with Atlas.

Soon, the follow-up drone of Rubion News Channel 5 followed the crowd to the vicinity of the chemical plant. When this huge factory building appeared in the picture, Franklin's eyes widened.

Behind the ordinary three-meter-high wall, a row of military armored walls that had been buried underground and were eight meters high rose seamlessly. These things, which were originally used as defense walls of military bases, now seemed like a natural barrier for the parade.

Although some people in the parade were filmed carrying 'weapons' such as homemade Molotov cocktails, in this case no one could have thrown a Molotov cocktail over the armored wall with their bare hands.

However, this parade of thousands of people was obviously organized and premeditated. Soon, dozens of workers wearing civilian exoskeletons and several engineering power armors squeezed from the back of the crowd to the front.

With the help of these equipments, throwing a Molotov cocktail over an 8-meter-high wall or directly causing damage to the wall has become a possible scenario.

But Atlas obviously had more than just the military armored wall as a backup. Franklin saw the exoskeletons and power armors taking the Molotov cocktails from their companions, and at the last moment before they were ready to throw them, they suddenly froze in place as if they were possessed.

Some people even dropped the Molotov cocktails in their hands without holding them firmly. The continuous bursts of fire made the people around them retreat subconsciously like a wave.

The next second, just when Franklin was worried that these people would get burned, a large amount of fire-fighting foam sprayed out from the top of the armored wall.

While spraying these people with foam and extinguishing the flames, the crowd was also scared and retreated.

Soon after, the news station's drone also lost its image transmission signal due to some kind of electronic interference.

Franklin speculated that the loss of control of the drones and power armor was most likely due to the military-grade electronic warfare units that were deployed in the factory in advance. After all, with Atlas's strength, this was not a difficult task. "This is really... Mr. Amber, did you consider today's situation before building the factory, so you kept a backup plan?"
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"The recent situation of the Atlas Group is worrying."

In the Princess's bedroom in Saint Saunière, the capital of the Star Dragon Empire, Agnes was listening to Natalia's report.

Since the last incident at Vendée VI, Natalia has become one of Agnes' most trusted aides, and the newly appointed commander of the Imperial Guards has also demonstrated strong abilities in other areas besides military.

Up to now, many non-top secret intelligence reports would be sorted out by Natalia first and then reported to Agnes.

"Yes, Your Highness. According to the information sent back by the intelligence personnel of the Federation, the Federation is already preparing to take action against Atlas, and it is not concealing it at all. It is clear that it intends to crush Atlas by relying on its huge size advantage."

Natalia looked up at Agnes and saw that she was still listening to her report and had no intention of continuing to express her opinion. Then she continued:

"According to intelligence, there have been several demonstrations against Atlas on Rubion V, and the galaxy's autonomous government also intends to take this opportunity to directly decouple from the Atlas Group. As for the specific details, our intelligence personnel are not clear yet."

Natalia reported all the recent intelligence about Atlas in one breath. Although the information was generally macro and did not involve some details, it was enough for Agnes.

"I feel like they are in the same situation as I am now. We are being targeted by a powerful opponent and are temporarily in a passive position. The only difference is that I guess Mr. Amber still has a lot of 'cards', but I don't have that many."

Agnes said thoughtfully. Although she was not clear about Atlas' current specific situation, based on her previous understanding and the intelligence that had been sent back during this period, this private enterprise was obviously capable of more than just that, so she did not appear to be at a loss.

"You seem to be very interested in this company and Mr. Amber?" Natalia asked. Recently, Her Royal Highness the Princess has mentioned this company more frequently.

The latter heard her question and chuckled and said:

"A company that possesses groundbreaking communications technology and is constantly demonstrating advanced military technology, coupled with the complex identity of their 'boss', is definitely worthy of my attention.

What's more, this company has helped us to involve a lot of Federation energy. The reason why the large-scale counterattack of the navy some time ago was effective is closely related to what Atlas did in the Pyra galaxy."

"But the credit for the navy's counterattack was basically taken by the Regent's faction, not by us. And although public opinion in the border star systems has gradually calmed down after your personal visit, the Regent has taken advantage of the time when you were not busy to win over many people."

There was some worry in Natalia's words. As the war progressed, the regent's reputation increased many times, and he won over many originally neutral figures. This caused the princess's party to become increasingly weak, and even made some people begin to consider withdrawing.

“It is easy to come here when it is at its peak, but I don’t know how many people can stay here when it is at its lowest.
Norton II is now in the limelight, and it is normal for many "fence-sitters" who are waiting to see him to join at this time. This is indeed an advantage, but it also buries hidden dangers for him. "

Agnes stood up and walked to the French window of the bedroom. Outside the window was a vast private courtyard.

She liked standing here and looking at the distant horizon because it relaxed her mood and facilitated her thinking.

"Sir Natalia, you have followed me for so long, you should know what Norton II is trying to do."

"Yes, Your Highness, I think that they are trying to start a revolution against the royal family."

"But do you think that under the current circumstances, our Regent's 'revolutionary team' can still maintain its original 'purity'?"

(End of this chapter)