From Titan Corporation to the Empire of Man

Chapter 268 "Neptune" Emergency Situation (Two in One)

3 month 26 day.

Reach's low-Earth orbit, located within an orbiting space station directly above New Alexandria;
"All passengers who are planning to board the Neptune are asked to go to port 13 as soon as possible. The Neptune will close the gate in 15 minutes.

Repeat, please.”

The hall here is filled with reminders from the radio.

The UNSC Marines, armed with MA guns and equipped with non-mechanical skeleton individual armor, stood guard at safety passages, elevator entrances and exits, and some even patrolled in groups of three.

Tourists wearing different styles of clothing follow the content presented on the holographic guide board and head to their respective destinations.

Among them were Leon, Mike and Maggie Shaw (Queen Maeve) in casual clothes.

The three of them have checked in their luggage and are currently following the radio reminder and heading towards the nearby port of call No. 13.

As for the special operations team led by Chris, there are more than a dozen colleagues, as well as soldiers and people from the motherland, who are preparing to take other flights and prepare to go to the earth "only" ten light years away from Reach.

Finally, thank you for choosing Ocean Airlines and wish you a happy journey. "

"Stop being so cunning."

The three Lyons arrived at the port of call on No. 13, and used Cortana's forged identity documents and real purchased "tickets" to successfully complete the final inspection of the crew, and all arrived at the covered bridge leading to the ship's hull.

"Huh~ I can finally rest, I need to take a nap."

"What's the matter, my old friend?"

Swish——.

"No?" Mike also made a solemn expression, and put his arms around Leon, saying:

The size and style of the port of call are similar to the space city built by the company in the main universe. They are both directly connected to outer space. The environment is low temperature, low pressure and full of harmful radiation.

Soon, the three of them passed through the covered bridge and came to the interior of the Neptune.

"."

Mike threw his backpack on the sofa and lay down on the sofa. He put his hands on the back of his head and looked at the metal ceiling and said happily:

Mike grinned a little and had to let go of his right arm on Leon's shoulder.

"Isn't the number 13 unlucky? It makes you think something unexpected will happen during our trip? Huh?"

Although Leon does not believe in evil or superstition, the number of accidents that occur is too frequent, making him more sensitive to this aspect.

"."

They were led to a large suite with three bedrooms by uniformed flight attendants who showed off their figures.

"No." Leon shook his head slightly, indicating that everything was normal.

But this didn't stop Maggie from complaining in her heart.

When on duty, the investigator's exclusive vehicle provided by the company is actually a little better. After all, it has armor protection and can also turn on the magnetic levitation mode.

At this moment, looking at the Neptune outside the window, Leon couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly.

During the holidays, the private car he purchased was frequently involved in car accidents, ranging from scratches and peeling paint to being knocked over by other vehicles.

After standing up, the flight attendant turned and left the suite.

At this time, Mike noticed that Leon's face was a little solemn, so he joked:
"Are you afraid of seasickness? It's okay, I understand."

However, it was the "calmness" of Leon and Mike that made Maggie's mentality of stealth and combat become more stable since she transferred to the Investigation Department and entered the "Halo" universe.

In addition, the entertainment area of ​​the cruise ship is also open around the clock, but safety precautions and instructions from security personnel must be strictly followed.

Civilian, commercial ships, and even military ships rely on large robotic arms to complete berthing.

In terms of qualifications, both Leon and Mike can be regarded as legendary investigators, and in terms of experience, Maggie cannot compare with them.

"Hey, you really dare to do it."

Because he always had a feeling in his heart that he couldn't explain or understand.

Walking inside the covered bridge, Lyon could use the observation windows on both sides to have a clear view of the Neptune cruise ship they were about to board and the scene of the docking port.

It may be related to the fact that the vehicles he has ridden will encounter some emergencies.

Leon elbowed Mike in the ribs.

If you need anything, please let me and my colleagues know as soon as possible.

After a while.

The main reason is that all personnel are gathered together, which easily increases the risk of exposure. Therefore, it is best to spread out their actions and consider reuniting after arriving on Earth.

During the cruise, our buffet restaurant provides free service all day long, but in the supermarket, you need to pay by yourself.

And before leaving the suite, the flight attendant followed the procedure and said to the three people with a smile:
“Everyone, the Neptune is the newest, fastest and smoothest civilian cruise ship available today.

Retractable corridor bridges of different sizes are the best way for ships and ships to unload and load cargo, or for people to enter and exit.

After saying that, the flight attendant placed his hands in front of his lower abdomen and bent slightly towards Leon, Mike and Maggie.

As the automatic door closed, only the three of them were left in the suite.

Maggie, who was much younger than them, looked at the two of them speechlessly.

"I'll go to the supermarket to check it out."

Maggie put away her backpack, took the plastic ticket, and also left the suite.

But Leon didn't say anything. He came to the sofa chair next to him alone, sat up with his head raised, and looked towards the docking port outside the sealed window.

Although it seemed like he and Mike were alone in the suite, Leon was not prepared to discuss work-related matters with the other person.

Who knows if there are secret listening and monitoring equipment here?
At this stage, the UNSC's tolerance for the rebels has reached its limit, and the rebels are even more frenzied and often carry out terrorist attacks that cause civilian casualties.

Therefore, the UNSC and UEG do not care about the privacy rights of civilians at all. As long as they can prevent the rebels, they will do whatever it takes.

For example, in the passenger suites of civilian cruise ships, it is common practice to install listening and monitoring equipment.

What's more, the Neptune is the latest cruise ship to "enter the sea", and most of its passengers are family members of wealthy businessmen and dignitaries, so it is on the UNSC's protection list.

Thinking of this, Leon just shook his head helplessly with a sleepy face.

Without a unified enemy, humanity will always be trapped in internal strife.

Didn't have to wait long.

Through the sealed window, Leon saw that the scene outside was slowly "moving", or in other words, the Neptune had separated from the covered bridge and was slowly sailing out of the port of call.

Then, the dark deep space of the universe and the star Reach covered by the aurora appeared in Leon's field of vision.

Immediately afterwards, the scene outside the window was replaced by a "whirlpool channel" emitting blue light.

This means that the Neptune they are on board has entered the cleavage space and is heading towards the Earth ten light years away.

"Dear passengers, I am Robert Lemsey, captain of the Neptune."

At this time, a speech from the captain of the Sea King came over the radio:

"This ship will sail towards our home planet of mankind at a speed of about 3 light-years per Earth day, and is expected to reach the low-Earth orbit at the end of the journey on March 3.

During this period, all passengers can enjoy the free entertainment, delicious food and desserts provided by the ship, and all our crew members will also provide the most attentive service to everyone.

Finally, passengers are also requested to abide by the corresponding safety regulations so that we can have a pleasant and safe journey. Thank you for your cooperation. "The safety regulations are just don't run around. I don't have the time." "

After listening to the captain's speech, Mike, who was lying on the sofa, complained.

"."

Leon shrugged and did not respond to his friend's complaints.

He glanced at the "gorgeous" loft space outside the window, got up and left the sofa chair, and walked toward the bathroom.

It seemed that Leon was going to wash up briefly and then go to the bedroom to have a good sleep.
-
Twenty-four hours later.

Set up in the Neptune’s cafeteria on the upper end of the ship;
The floor height here is six meters high, and hundreds of tourists gather here. The ceiling is not a lifeless metal, but a panoramic skylight that ensures airtightness and safety.

The sparkling light from the loft space shines into the buffet restaurant through the panoramic skylight, and combined with green plants, soft lighting, and soothing music, the passengers have a unique and alternative experience, and their mood is even more joyful.

Security personnel who are responsible for maintaining order and equipped with stun guns are guarding the entrances and corners of the restaurant.

In fact, there is a UNSC Marine combat platoon inside the Neptune to ensure the safety of the cruise ship.

The main passengers who can take the Neptune are mostly residents of near-Earth colonies or native Earth, not to mention many family members of wealthy businessmen and political figures.

If something unexpected happens to the Neptune by the rebels, then the UNSC and UEG will not simply be "embarrassed."

Once the travelers become hostages, the UNSC and UEG have to negotiate and negotiate with the rebels.

but
"Haha~! Come on, come on!"

"Slow down and wait for me!"

However, the young children cannot understand political and military conflicts. At this moment, they are playing in the lobby outside the restaurant.

But the noise they make will not disturb the dining experience of tourists.

Among them were Leon, Mike and Maggie who were sitting at the edge of the restaurant.

"Hiccup~!"

After cleaning the dishes, Mike burped, leaned on his seat, looked up at the loft space outside the window, and sighed:

"If nothing else, just put the restaurant here on Neptune, it's worth the price of admission."

"."

Leon frowned, seemingly not agreeing.

The funds for their investigators' operations are provided by the company, but Leon always feels that Neptune's fare is a bit too expensive.

However, the identities Cortana assigned to the three of them were from wealthy families in the "Halo" universe, so the logic of their actions and the content of their words had to match the forged identities.

But Lyon is really dedicated to the public good and thinks Neptune's one-way ticket pricing is a bit outrageous.

Converted into the company's military supplies, one person's ticket price can be worth 240 8mm Gauss spike bombs.

It may be that the main universe dominated by the company has lower pricing and is quite conscientious in terms of travel, which makes Lyon have a strong "gap contrast".

If Neptune were the company's cruise ship, families of all walks of life would be able to board it easily.

After all, Atlas’ concept includes “common prosperity”.

As for Maggie, she worked the whole time and had no time to discuss the fare issue with Mike and Leon.

Slow down.

Mike looked at Maggie and asked, "Hey, you haven't thought about finding a boyfriend? You're already a grown man."

"Me?" Maggie, who had just finished eating a basket of steamed buns, was in a daze.

Then she shook her head and said, "What kind of boyfriend are you looking for? Can't you be free?"

What Maggie said was true, she really had no intention of finding a boyfriend.

Moreover, even if she wanted to find one, it would be difficult for ordinary people to "last through one round", so there was almost no one of the opposite sex that she could fall in love with.

And same sex.
The current Maggie has not suffered persecution and intimidation from her motherland like in the timeline of "Black Robe", so her sexual orientation is considered normal and she has no feelings for the same sex.

"Stop talking about what is available and what is not available." Leon interjected, "Take care of yourself first, my old friend."

"Why, you are Xian"

Mike wanted to exchange a few words with Leon, but midway through his words, his expression quickly changed, and his eyes were fixed on the entrance and exit of the restaurant.

There was a dispute with three marines because of the security personnel guarding the entrance and exit.

?

This made Mike immediately alert.

Even Leon and Maggie looked towards the entrance.

And, just as the two men finished turning their heads sideways, the three Marines raised their rifles and pointed them at the security personnel who were trying to stop them.

then--

clatter! Da da!

Then, the deafening sound of gunfire echoed throughout the restaurant.

Phew! Phew!
The sound of the security guard who had his head pierced by a rifle bullet and fell to the ground limply was also particularly "jarring".

"Oh my god!!"

"Help! Help!"

Faced with this sudden change, the passengers present were immediately frightened and fled their seats one after another, trying to use the safe passage to run out of the restaurant.

However, just as the security guard guarding the safe passage unlocked the door to allow the passengers to evacuate more easily, two more Marines used the open gate to kill the last security personnel from behind.

A Marine even jumped on the dining table, pointed his gun at the crowd, and threatened loudly:

"If you don't want to die, just be quiet!"

"Hands out! Get down on the ground!"

"Hurry! Don't make us shoot!"

"Don't even think about making any small moves. No one can save you here!"

All Marines cooperated with their teammates and immediately controlled the passengers present, as well as the cruise ship's staff and crew.

Leon, Mike, and Maggie also followed the Marines' instructions and stretched out their hands and lay on the ground.

Before figuring out the situation, the three of them were ready to wait and see.

After all, if they act rashly, the three of them can indeed easily deal with the Marines in front of them, but there is a high probability that innocent people will be injured.

Secondly, they are still speculating on the reasons for the sudden "outburst" of the Marines.

Did the rebels infiltrate the UNSC Marines?

Or did the rebels instigate a rebellion against the combat platoons stationed on the Neptune?
While thinking, Leon discovered that the sparkling light originally shining on the carpet dissipated instantly, leaving only soft light to illuminate the restaurant.

He looked up towards the panoramic sunroof and saw that the scene of the tethered space outside the window had been replaced by the dark deep space of the physical universe.

This means that the Neptune where they are located is forced to end the jump voyage and arrive at a star system that may be controlled by the rebels.

(End of this chapter)