From Titan Corporation to the Empire of Man

Chapter 596 Tired Contact
"Hey"

Leon sighed as he slid his empty plate into the recycling bin, the sound of metal colliding echoing crisply at the entrance of the cafeteria.

He raised his hand to glance at his tactical watch and saw that it was already noon on Yavin 4, and this meal between breakfast and lunch was a rare decent rest for the day.

The corridors of the Emperor-class battleship are always as bright as day, and the deck trembles constantly under the military boots.

Leon walked slowly along the corridor. The emergency indicator lights arranged regularly on the walls on both sides were staring at him like countless scarlet eyes.

Lately he has been feeling a lingering fatigue, not physical, after all his genetically enhanced body is still agile and powerful, but a deeper kind of weariness.
Or in other words, "heart tired".

When passing through three airlock doors, the faint blue light of the jump channel suddenly flashed outside the sealed porthole, as if reminding him that the Empire had been fighting here for a long time since it crossed the space gate and entered this universe numbered "17".

Unlike previous quick-fire integrated operations, this universe is like a tangled mass of cables.

On the surface, it is a confrontation between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance, and an eternal game between the light and darkness of the Force, but in fact it is much more complicated than the information provided by the Intelligence Department and the Investigation Department.

Leon paused briefly in the cross corridor, then turned to the frosted glass door at the end.

The identifier next to the door flashed the three dark red words "Smoking Room", and there was a line of small words below, with a reminder saying "Limited time: 15 minutes".

The glass door opened and I stepped inside, and a mixture of tobacco and detergent hit me in the face.

In this cabin of less than 30 square meters, three engineers in dark blue work clothes were leaning on the handrails beside the portholes.

They were holding different types of Empire Direct cigarettes in their hands, and one of them was leaning over to light a cigarette for his companion with skillful movements.

Noticing Leon coming in, the few people just nodded and continued their low conversation.

In the corner of the smoking area, there is a magnetic ashtray and a micro air purifier.

Leon also skillfully took out a bronze kerosene lighter and half a pack of cigarettes from his trouser pocket. This lighter was an old item he had carried with him since the end of the integration period of the "One and Three" universe (Doom/movie version), and the surface of the lighter had been worn out to a "warm" patina.

With a "click", the flickering flames illuminated his slightly tired face.

The cigarettes were standard Imperial rations, with a small dragon emblem printed on the filter.

Lyon is not a heavy smoker, but in recent months, as the intensity of the mission has continued to rise, such brief relaxation has become a rare luxury.

The empire's attitude towards tobacco was also very practical. It neither encouraged nor prohibited tobacco for adults, but it was strictly prohibited for minors.

First, tobacco is a key part of the empire's tax revenue, and second, Atlas's medical level and welfare programs are enough to make cancer no longer the terminal illness it used to be.

Of course, doctors in public hospitals will still warn "you" with a stern face that rehabilitation cannot completely eliminate the damage caused by accumulated toxins.

After all, hospitals can help "you" cure most diseases, but the damage caused by the disease to the body is still irreversible.

However, for genetically enhanced agents like Leon, the warnings are "useless" and there is no need to worry about the hidden dangers brought by smoking and drinking.

His metabolic rate is three times that of an ordinary person, so the tar and nicotine will be "decomposed" before they can cause any harm.

The blue-gray smoke formed tiny vortices under the suction of the purifier.

Leon held the cigarette in his left hand and took out the mobile terminal (exclusive mobile phone) exclusively for their agents with his right hand.

As the fingerprint authentication was passed, a palm-sized holographic screen unfolded above his palm. The faint blue light dyed the cigarette between his fingers into a strange purple, and various information kept scrolling on the screen.

Outside the porthole, the light from the jump channel passed by from time to time, casting changing shadows on the metal floor of the smoking room.

The engineers' conversation could be heard faintly.

"The reactor in Area B needs to be overhauled."

"You can get the supply coupons after this jump" and other mundane contents reminded Leon of the casual chats he had with his comrades when he first joined the Investigation Department.

“Hiss~Hoo~~!”

He took a deep breath of the cigarette, letting the spicy smoke swirl in his lungs, as if this could help him expel all his chaotic thoughts.

The information on the holographic screen included some recent reports and a rough death statistic on Coruscant.

"At least 1.2 trillion."

This number kept flickering on the dark blue light screen, like an unhealable wound.

And this number even exceeds the total population of the human empire in the main universe, and the sacrificial ceremony triggered by Darth Vader is just the beginning. The same tragedy is happening in at least twenty-three galaxies.

"It's crazy."

Phew——!
While sighing, Leon put out the cigarette butt and put it into the ashtray, causing a wisp of twisted green smoke to rise up.

He turned and left. The automatic door of the smoking room closed silently behind him, isolating the engineers' low conversation.

The electronic bulletin board at the corner was scrolling various information.

For example, "The Death Star has been temporarily taken over by the Engineering Department and has entered the first phase of armed reconstruction", "The third phase of reinforcement of the Jedha Galaxy's defense line has been completed", "The recruitment plan for the Universe 17 Homeland Defense Force has entered the first round of screening", etc.

Behind every piece of news is the result of countless sleepless nights and blood.

Through these, Lyon knew too well the strategic intentions of the top management, or his boss and emperor.

This is not a simple conquest, but a thorough digestion, because what the empire wants is not surrender, but to completely incorporate this universe into its ruling system.

ten years
At the same time, this number lingered in Lyon's mind and was also the minimum integration time limit privately estimated by Lyon.

Although the Emperor has never made it clear when the next space gate will open, given the huge size and complexity of this universe, it will take at least ten years to complete the solid foundation.

This means that at least two batches of Astartes recruits recruited locally will have to complete the implantation of gene seeds and various transformation operations, and it also means that "two generations" will have to grow up under the banner of the Main Universe Empire.

"ten years."

Having come to this point, Leon couldn't help but sigh again.

His footsteps echoed dully in the metal corridor.

What will he look like and be like in ten years?
Are you still fighting on the front lines? Are you still as energetic as you are now to carry out your mission?

Maybe he is still at a frontline stronghold, running between battlefields like he is now; maybe he is undergoing organ replacement surgery in a medical cabin because of a mission error.
More likely, his nameplate has been hung on the Investigation Department's memorial wall for the fallen, becoming one of the objects that new recruits can admire during training.

Outside the observation window at the end of the corridor, the light of the jump channel was like a distorted galaxy, and those faint blue energy vortices seemed to be mocking the insignificance and transience of human beings.

The automatic door of the conference room was right in front of me, and the identity reader was flashing a red light awaiting verification.

Leon took a deep breath and forced down those useless thoughts. Now was not the time to be sentimental. There were more practical problems that needed to be solved.

Leon stepped into the conference room on time, and the automatic door closed silently behind him.

This tactical briefing room is oval in shape, with a U-shaped conference table in the center that has a matte black metallic texture and several holographic projection areas embedded on the tabletop. The shadowless lamp on the top evenly casts cold white light on everyone.

"Sir!"

David and Lucy "jumped up" from their seats almost at the same time, and the heels of their military boots collided with each other, making a crisp sound.

Moreover, the standard saluting posture of the two men was a typical feature of the new generation of the Investigation Department, and was the behavior of those who had received a full set of military academy training.

"."

Chirrut and Baze were half a beat slower and did not say anything like "Hello, sir".

The two former rebels simply stood up, and Baze even adjusted the blaster hanging on his waist.

Leon noticed that Chirrut's blind eye was still "looking" in his direction. This Force-sensitive person seemed to always be able to accurately locate everyone's position.

"Take a break."

Leon waved his hand, signaling everyone to sit down, and when he walked to the main seat and sat down, the hydraulic system of the seat made a slight sound of pressure release.

The central holographic array of the conference table was activated, and light blue light particles intertwined in the air to form a three-dimensional projection of the planet Kamino.

The ocean-covered planet rotated slowly, and the cloning facilities in Tipoca City flashed red marks on the projection.

"The mission outline is simple." Leon's fingertips slid across the control panel, and the projection switched to a biometric analysis of the Kaminoans. "On behalf of the Investigation Department and the Empire, we will attempt to make initial contact with the Prime Minister of Kamino and complete our first cooperation."

As Leon spoke, the second file unfolded in the air, with dense genetic maps and data streams rolling like a waterfall.

This is the clone data marked as "Sixth Generation, Obsolete Model" by the Biology Department, and there is a red stamp "Reference Only" on the upper right corner.

"The Biology Department prepared this for us as a stepping stone for negotiating with the other party." Leon pointed to the specially marked file in the projection and continued:

"The Kaminoans need to prove the value of their technology, so we plan to purchase 100,000 clones that they have improved and use them as our test subjects.

If the other party's products far exceed our current clone soldier data, then the Empire will conduct comprehensive and in-depth cooperation with the other party, making the other party completely bound to us."

He glanced at the four people, "I will lead the specific negotiations, David, Lucy——"

Hearing Leon's name, the two young agents' backs straightened unconsciously, "You are responsible for collecting all the technical details of Tipoca City, especially their gene editing algorithm.

Of course, there is no need to go too far. There is no need to deliberately steal some technology to avoid making enemies with the other party.

After all, the Empire can use a more 'gentle' way to absorb the other party."

"Yes, sir."

David's answer was crisp and clear, while Lucy had already pulled up the data pad and started recording the key points.

"Ah."

Leon nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to the two special advisors sitting on the right and continued:
"Chirrut, Baze, your core mission is still to serve as guides."

Leon said, tapping the table with his fingers, and a holographic image of many galaxies was immediately projected in the center of the U-shaped conference table. "Contact with the Kaminoans is just the beginning, and there are twelve priority contact targets to follow.

To negotiate with more civilizations, races, and forces that are worth contacting, we need you two to guide us. You know the local customs better than we do."

"At your service, Agent Kennedy. The Force has led us to meet, presumably for this mission."

Chirrut's blind eyes moved slightly, and he responded with his signature gentle smile on his face. His rough fingers gently stroked the hilt of the lightsaber at his waist, and the fine lines on the sandalwood hilt were faintly visible under the light.

“As long as the compensation is paid.”

Baze casually placed his feet, which were clad in heavy combat boots, on the edge of the conference table, causing the water cup on the table to shake slightly.

He casually threw a credit coin, the cold light of the metal dancing on his rugged face, "My blaster is always ready for your use."

As he spoke, he deliberately let the credit coin fall onto the table and spin, making a crisp buzzing sound.

Chirrut Ingwe is now very close to being a Jedi Knight, and can be said to have learned everything by himself.

So after the Investigation Department obtained Chirrut's tissue sample, the military technicians used the ready-made Kyber crystal to tailor a lightsaber for Chirrut.

In addition, Chirrut fought and got along with Leon and others together. Although the Empire has not given Chirrut and Baze any formal organization for the time being, the two of them have long been close to the Empire in their hearts.

Especially Betz Mabius, after all, not everyone can resist the "temptation" of imperial welfare and salary.

"it is good."

Lyon was already accustomed to Bates' tone, and immediately pulled up an encrypted file from the Intelligence Department.

All they saw was a three-dimensional model of a fully armed warrior, slowly rotating in front of everyone.

The iconic Beskar steel armor glowed with a cold metallic luster in the projection, and the "T"-shaped visor on the helmet was like the eyes of a ferocious beast.

"Mandalorian." Leon's finger slid across the projection, and every detail of the armor was immediately magnified and displayed. "The Intelligence Department has assessed it as a priority target that can be contacted."

As he operated, key information in the archive appeared in red fonts around him——

"Tribal social structure"

"Martial tradition"

"Demolition Expert",

"Assimilation of foreign races is acceptable" and so on.

"During the Galactic Empire, among their many tribes and clans, they were the ones who rejected the rule of Sheev Palpatine."

As Leon spoke, the projection switched to a historical battle record obtained from the Rebel Alliance, "Even in the face of orbital bombardment by Star Destroyers, they would rather die in battle than surrender."

In the picture, a small team of Mandalorian warriors took off into the air in the burning ruins using jet packs, and accurately and luckily shot down two TIE fighters.

Baze suddenly whistled and poked the projection with his hand: "These guys are much better equipped than the rebels."

"That's why." Leon turned off the video, and the conference room was once again filled with cold lighting. "They are the most ideal 'special contractors'."

He deliberately emphasized the pronunciation of the last few words. "Certain special operations that require keeping a distance and maintaining secrecy require professionals like this."

Lucy quickly wrote down the key points, then suddenly looked up and asked, "What's their asking price?"

Hearing this, Leon looked at the other party and said:
"No matter what, the other party will surely not be able to refuse the Empire's offer. Okay, let's continue to sort out other targets that need to be contacted."

Leon said, and called up more files to explain and discuss with everyone.
(End of this chapter)