From cannon fodder to sweeping across thousands of stars.

Chapter 796: Work-for-Relief and Colonization Program

The Thousand Star Empire's visit to the leaders of the three major forces, the New Federation, the Star Dragon Empire, and the Atlas Group, was finally scheduled for two months later.

It has to be said that the Phoenix King's arrangement of the time nodes was relatively reasonable. It not only provided sufficient preparation time for all parties, but also did not drag on for too long to make the Thousand Star Empire feel that humans were perfunctory.

At present, the cooperation between Atlas Group and Star Dragon Empire is on the right track, but the staff of the Saint-Saunière office still do the most every day, playing Tai Chi with those greedy imperial nobles.

Then they were all sent to the little book afterwards. According to Amber, she would just make a list when the time came.
Agnes is busy preparing for the visit, and is also arranging the issues of power supervision within the Thousand Star Empire during her visit.

As for the rumor about Amber and Agnes' upcoming marriage, it spread even more widely due to Natalia's 'thorough investigation'.

Even Natalia herself was dragged into the water. It is said that the commander of the Imperial Guards is currently in a state of rage and is still investigating.

As for the New Federation, Franklin did a lot during this period. This ambitious young man who successfully rose to power still demonstrated his abilities after recovering.

"Mr. Amber, we have already signed a series of military-industrial cooperation agreements with the Atlas Group."

Franklin's voice came from the holographic projection in front of Amber. At this moment, Amber and Lilith's android were in the conference room of the Crown Fortress, communicating with Franklin remotely.

"We have already started receiving the first batch of equipment. As you said, this will indeed expand our armaments in a short period of time and be used to solve some of the current problems."

Amber nodded, looking at another screen filled with data next to the holographic projection.

Franklin did make a wise decision. Instead of wasting time and resources to upgrade the outdated military-industrial system, it would be better to directly purchase Atlas Group's mature products.

After all, under the current circumstances, one of the most important tasks of the New Federation is to stabilize the internal situation as soon as possible.

Although the former galactic autonomous governments that had previously declared "independence" and the remnant "rebels" of the old federation are no longer a force to be reckoned with, they are still causing trouble in some marginal areas.

Then, Franklin listed in detail the progress of each cooperation project. The military production capacity of Atlas Group started production and delivery with amazing efficiency immediately after the contract was signed between the two parties.

From personal combat and protective equipment to vehicles, HCP and even warships, all kinds of armaments are flowing into the New Federation Army.

Although these equipments are still inferior in performance to the latest models used by the Atlas Group, or have lost some functions, they are advanced enough for the New Federation to ensure that they maintain military superiority when clearing out the "rebels".

“It’s not just military projects going on.”

The other group managers who joined the meeting later opened the reconstruction plan for the new federal capital planet and added: "The reconstruction of the new federal capital has also begun, and our planetary development and engineering construction divisions have been fully involved."

After him, the next person to speak was the current Human Resources Director.

"Boss, according to your instructions, I have opened a large number of jobs for these projects. The unemployment rate in the New Federation has dropped by 4.7 percentage points in the past two weeks. It is expected that as more projects are built and business is carried out in the future, we will continue to provide stable jobs."

Work-for-relief.

This word full of "historical flavor" was a plan Franklin had proposed to Amber before. He believed that this method could not only rebuild the infrastructure destroyed by the war, but also provide job opportunities for a large number of unemployed people and stabilize social order.

On this basis, Franklin and the newly appointed senior leaders of the Renaissance League also planned a new colonial development plan.

The new federal government purchased the coordinates of dozens of previously surveyed planets suitable for human habitation from the Atlas Group and began preliminary preparations.

These colonies will become the key solution to the unemployment rate, uneven population distribution in the new federation, and excessive population pressure in a single region.

"The first batch of immigration plans will be launched within three months." Franklin said, "We estimate that more than 3.2 billion people will go to these new colonies in the next year, so we may need to place additional orders for a batch of large immigration ships."

“Wait a minute, are you sure the new federal government has that much money to move forward with so many projects at once?”

Amber interrupted Franklin, then stared at him seriously and said:

"Although you now know what the Atlas Group's attitude is towards the New Federation, business is business. This is one of the necessary conditions to ensure the normal operation of society. The New Federation must not develop the habit of relying on the help of the Atlas Group to solve everything. After all, you are also very clear about our work style."

"Of course, Mr. Amber~" Franklin smiled, "'Atlas, debts must be repaid', I know this very well, but you don't have to worry about the funding issue. The New Federation not only inherited the finances of the Old Federation, but also during the period of the Restoration Alliance, we did, uh, confiscate the assets of some giant companies."

At this point, Franklin paused awkwardly. After all, he was well aware that some of the "confiscations" might have been ill-considered given the mixed group of members in the Renaissance Alliance.

"So at the moment, the Renaissance Alliance can undertake multiple major projects at the same time in the short term, so Mr. Amber doesn't have to worry. We will definitely pay the project funds on time according to the progress."

"Well, I have a small suggestion though."

"Mr. Amber, please speak."

"Since you are using a method similar to 'work-for-relief' to promote development, I suggest that you allocate some orders to other companies in the New Federation, especially orders for the construction of large immigrant ships with a high degree of technological popularization. You don't have to order all of them from the Atlas Group. After all, other people have to get some of the spoils."

"I understand what you mean, Mr. Amber. This is indeed a direction." Franklin nodded thoughtfully.

"That's good, at least everything is moving in the right direction."

Amber relaxed a little, then looked at the android standing quietly beside her.

"LLS9, Lilith, how is the deployment of the 'system' going on in the New Federation?"

"It's going very smoothly, Master." There was a hint of joy in Lilith's voice, and it was obvious that in her opinion the progress seemed to be very good.

"Under President Franklin's personal promotion, the core administrative departments of the new federation have been used as a pilot. Preliminary results show that administrative efficiency has increased by 37%, and bribery, corruption, and lazy governance have been reduced from the previous statistics of 56% to zero."

"56%?!"

Hearing this number, Amber looked at Franklin in surprise, and the latter's expression at this moment was also very'wonderful'.

"No, were you guys the 'Resurgence Alliance' or the 'Wealth Alliance' before?"

"I am indeed to blame for this, and I am really ashamed to say this, Mr. Amber."

"Uh, forget it. It's not my place to talk about these things. Franklin, it's enough for you to know the dangers involved." Amber shook her head and said nothing more.

"Of course, I know the harm these parasites can do, which is why I agree with the deployment of the 'system'. Only in this way can the New Federation gain a firm foothold and have a future to look forward to."

Although the figures released by the Renaissance Alliance were somewhat shocking, the deployment of the "system" was smoother than Amber expected. After learning about his "big plan", Franklin did his best to promote this process.

After confirming some things, Amber ended the communication with Franklin and other senior executives. When only Lilith's android was left, he asked the latter:
"Lilith, how are your preparations for the upgrade of your main body going?"

"Master, 93% of the preparations have been completed. We expect to be able to start the formal iterative upgrade process before we head to the Thousand Star Empire."

Amber nodded. This progress was within his expectations. Lilith's iteration and upgrade were crucial to future plans, but it just happened to be stuck when they were about to go to the Thousand Star Empire. But there was nothing that could be done about it.

"Very good, the next thing we need to focus on is-"

Amber's words were interrupted by a communication prompt tone. Lilith quickly answered the call, and Isabel's holographic image appeared in front of the two.

"Amber, you know, I actually found some clues about the prophecy of the Thousand Star Empire!" Isabel's voice was filled with excitement, "You have to come and see this right away."

"Oh~ I'll be right there."

Amber raised an eyebrow and left the meeting room with Lilith.
-
In the main conference room of the presidential palace in the space city in orbit of the New Federation capital star, Franklin, who had just finished communicating, had only time to drink a sip of water before he immediately began a meeting with a group of newly appointed officials.

In the central area of ​​the conference room, a huge holographic star map displays the real-time status of the galaxies currently controlled by the New Federation. Blue dots represent areas of complete control, yellow represents areas under control but not yet strong enough, and red represents areas where there is still turmoil.

"Gentlemen, we have been steadily advancing the deployment of the equipment provided by the Atlas Group," the newly appointed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff reported. "Under the attack of the troops that completed the equipment replacement first, the rebel activities in the border area have been reduced by 60%."

Franklin nodded, his eyes scanning the areas on the projection that were gradually turning from red to yellow, or from yellow to blue.

Although the New Federation has been established, the war has not been completely quelled. What followed was a chaotic situation caused by some people with "other ideas", so some local battles will not end so quickly in a short period of time.

Then, another official who had also just been promoted spoke nervously.

"In terms of social security, thanks to the launch of several large-scale engineering projects, we have successfully provided jobs for 48% of the current unemployed population, and this number is expected to increase further with the launch of other projects, population migration, and colonial development. In addition, the medical technology assistance provided by the Atlas Group has also greatly improved our public health level."

"So how are we prepared for the upcoming visit from the Thousand Star Empire?"

Franklin turned to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, one of the few senior officials who had not been fired.
"Everything is going according to plan, Mr. President. We have assembled a delegation composed of a large number of professionals. The materials stored in the old federal archives, as well as some information about the Thousand Star Empire provided free of charge by Mr. Amber, have helped us avoid many detours in this regard."

Franklin nodded thoughtfully. This visit was of great significance to the New Federation. It was not only an opportunity to demonstrate the legitimacy of a new regime, but also an opportunity to establish a new relationship with the Thousand Star Empire.

After all, he had heard from Amber that these elves were all very rich.
After the meeting, Franklin returned to his office alone. He walked to the window and looked at the area in the distance where the space city was still under construction. The workers were busy and the construction machinery was running. Everything was full of vitality and hope.

However, there was still a question in his heart that he could not completely resolve.

What is Amber's ultimate goal?
Although he has accepted Amber's ideas of 'for the survival of human civilization' and 'dragon trappers', he is still not sure what it means, or he cannot fully believe that all this can be achieved.

Not long after, the reminder sound on the office door rang. Franklin, who already knew who was coming, straightened his clothes and returned to his seat.

"Please come in."

The door slid open and Eleanor walked in with a datapad. She was dressed in a smart dark blue business suit and her long hair was neatly tied behind her head, meticulously done.

What was different from the past was that now there was less warm light in her eyes, replaced by a professional and distant look.

"Mr. President, these are the documents you need to review today." Eleanor's voice was calm and cold, and she placed the biometric data pad that could be used for review and approval on Franklin's desk.

Franklin nodded, taking the dataslate but not flipping through it immediately.

He looked up at Eleanor, trying to find some shadow of the past in her eyes, but he only saw a blue as calm as water.

"Too many, Eleanor." He smiled bitterly and pointed at the items displayed on the data board. "Are these all what we need to deal with today?"

"Yes, Mr. President."

Eleanor answered briefly, without a hint of emotion in her tone.

"The first part is the final draft of the new federal constitution. The second part is a proposal for the latest trade agreement. You need to review it and submit it to Congress. The third part contains the latest list of technology transfer projects of the Atlas Group. I hope you can finish reviewing it before the technical meeting this afternoon."

Franklin sighed and casually opened one of the documents. The complicated legal terms and policy clauses made his brows frown even more.

He put down the documents, looked at Eleanor, and suddenly felt an indescribable fatigue and loneliness.

"By the way, Mr. President, new poll results are out."

Eleanor's voice was calm and professional, as if there had never been any complicated past between them.

"Your approval rating has risen to 73%, the highest point since the establishment of the Renaissance Alliance, or the New Federation."

Franklin smiled and said, "Thank you, Eleanor. This is all thanks to the preparations you have made before."

Eleanor smiled politely, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. The two of them just looked at each other quietly, not knowing what each of them was thinking.

After a few minutes of silence, Eleanor turned around and prepared to leave, but Franklin suddenly said, "Wait, Eleanor."

Eleanor paused but didn't turn around: "Is there anything else I can do for you, Mr. President?"

Franklin took a deep breath and said, "Stay and help me look at these documents. I need your advice."

There was another brief silence.

Eleanor turned slowly and looked at Franklin expressionlessly. Beneath that calm appearance, something was slightly fluctuating.

"Of course, Mr. President."

She finally answered, walking back to the table, pulling out a chair and sitting down.

(End of this chapter)