People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

Having equal enthusiasm for two directions at the same time can indeed easily lead to a split personality.

Let's focus on the present first. Didn't Ernst say in his letter that he wanted to discuss with him how to deal with a Sarkaz that can "constantly resurrect" and "transfer consciousness"?

Coincidentally, he was also very interested in the Sarkaz. These bizarre races had a [vulnerability trait] that was different from most races on Terra, and they also used a [Sarkaz sorcery] that was quite different from modern Originium Arts. He needed a similar sample.

Moreover, the ability to repeatedly revive and transfer consciousness might, to some extent, play a special role in his research on Originium.

Moreover, according to Ernst, that Sarkaz held a high position in their tribe and had lived for over a thousand years. Heh, he must know quite a few secrets, right?

Since they are enemies, there's no need for mercy, right?

If we get rid of him, getting this "experimental subject" from Ernst shouldn't be a problem, right?

A chilling smile curled at the corner of Levy's mouth.

As for whether that Sarkaz is easy to deal with, Levi isn't afraid.

No challenge is insurmountable, and for scientists, overcoming challenges is precisely what they must do. If something is easy, how can the sense of accomplishment and reward that comes from completing it be so exhilarating?

He was strategically contemptuous of the enemy, but tactically respectful. He was not unprepared; after understanding the nature of the enemy, he would naturally develop a targeted plan.

Ah, I feel hopeful again tomorrow. There's something to look forward to in the future!

Levi stepped into the office of the head of the Originium Life Sciences Department.

Let's go, meeting time!

Chapter 477 The Military Shows You What Colombian Characteristics Are All About

Columbia, Trimont, Rhine Life.

Over the past year, Rhine Labs has rarely had a time when all its staff could gather together. This time, however, the number of absentees was clearly too high, to the point that even Muirsey's water clone, who convened the meeting, couldn't help but wonder if the meeting was truly effective.

Head of the Structural Engineering Department, Palvis, held his coffee cup. The freshly brewed black bean tea emitted a strong steam. This drink was not popular in Tremont, but its stimulating effect was stronger than coffee, and its bitter taste was more memorable, which was why Palvis loved it.

This serves as a constant reminder to him of the fact that he is a bitter mortal.

Ferdinand, the head of the Energy Department, was the second to arrive. His brows were furrowed, and even after he was seated, he kept glancing down to check the time, looking impatient.

He wasn't against Rhine Life opening branches; as long as it met the company's expansion needs, Rhine Life was certainly willing to establish branches. In fact, they had already established laboratories in many parts of Colombia, including frontier areas, for conducting various experiments requiring special environments.

He was simply one of the few who did not support establishing a Rhine Lab branch in Kjerag. To him, a remote, underdeveloped land with a shortage of highly skilled personnel was clearly unsuitable for Rhine Lab to take root and develop, not to mention that the place had a strong religious atmosphere, and Ferdinand had no interest in spending his days fasting and worshipping Buddha.

Yara, the head of human resources, always had a polite smile on her face; Justin, who hadn't stopped making phone calls since he entered; Levy, who arrived late at the end; and Muirsey (his water clone), who chaired the meeting.

These are all the department heads who attended the meeting.

Rhine Lab has ten departments, but only six people actually came to the joint meeting in person. Even if you include Nastie, who had already brought back her opinions through Muirsey, there are only seven people in total.

This is clearly a surprising number.

"Mariam and Kristen are one thing, but where did Saria go?"

Ferdinand asked with some resentment.

Yara answered first: "She went to the Special Zone. Look for her at [Science Frontiers]."

“But I have already conveyed her opinion.”

Yara paused for a moment, then spoke.

"She agreed."

"She agreed?"

Ferdinand stared in astonishment.

This news was clearly something he hadn't expected at all.

In any case, Ferdinand assumes that Seria will not agree to this request.

Only if she disagrees can the opposition, consisting of Ferdinand, Justin Jr., Seria, and Yara, counterbalance the supporters.

Now that Saria has suddenly sided with the other side, what's the point of casting this vote?

Nastya, Muirsey, Saria, Palvis, Levi, and even excluding Yara, who is highly likely to vote for Saria, already have five votes in favor of opening a branch in Kjerag. With Kristen and Mariam abstaining by default, this is an absolute advantage.

"why?"

Ferdinand stood up in disbelief.

Yara shook her head, signaling Ferdinand to calm down and not get agitated:

"To be honest, Ferdinand, isn't it strange that you're objecting?"

"Sherrag is undoubtedly a good place for Rhine Lab. It is the closest place to the sky on this land. If Rhine Lab's direction is to explore the unknown, given that the ice fields are difficult to penetrate and the oceans are unpredictable, the sky, which we can look up at, the Star-Picking Project has proven to be within reach, and there is already a lot of research data, is the future direction for Rhine Lab, isn't it?"

"Moreover, you also met Ernst once. I remember you kept the mecha built by Miss Dulin for a long time and drew a lot of inspiration from it, didn't you?"

Yara's expression remained smiling, but anyone could tell that her tone was becoming increasingly rapid and cold, until finally, it even carried a hint of doubt.

"Or is it that, Ferdinand, you actually have some reason that forces Rhine Life to remain in Colombia?"

Ferdinand: "........"

Ferdinand fell silent, a fleeting look of unease crossing his face, but he quickly regained his composure. He shook his head.

Does he have any reason to keep Rhine Life in Colombia?

Yes, of course.

Because he wanted to take over the company he had worked so hard for for many years from the irresponsible Christensen.

He was determined to climb to the top step by step, he wanted to become the governor! Governor Ferdinand!

But Ferdinand also knew that, given the current situation, his dream was actually very difficult to realize.

In the past, although Christensen had amazing personal charm, her ideal of exploring the sky was too far-fetched and too advanced. It is no exaggeration to say that even within the General Construction Department itself, which she carefully selected personnel for, there were very few researchers who could keep up with her thinking.

Coupled with her habit of rarely staying in the office and avoiding making her presence known to Rhine Life employees, the authority of the General Construction Department within Rhine Life has actually been declining.

This is why Ferdinand dared to harbor such rebellious thoughts. How can Rhine Lab be managed properly when working alongside such an incompetent insect-like leader?

But things are different now.

The success of Project Star Reaching signifies that the Terrans have finally achieved a glimpse into the world outside the isolation layer, a "breakthrough from zero." It also means that the Rhine Labs General Construction Department has truly achieved its first result.

Amazing results!

Ferdinand could no longer replace Kristen based on his internal influence. Because any scientist with dreams, the determination to explore the unknown, and the ambition to leave their name in textbooks would not oppose Kristen.

On the contrary, they would desperately try to squeeze into Christen's General Construction Department, even though Christen had been appearing and disappearing for nearly half a year. No one cared, and the number of people was even increasing!

Who knows, when Christen returns as the Dragon King, his crooked smile might bring another opportunity to go down in history and explore the truth?

In the scientific community, Ferdinand has lost allies in his quest to seize Christensen's position. He himself is even beginning to waver.

But another group of people found him.

These people don't understand science, experiments, or what Christensen's actions mean. They even resent Christensen and Ernst for completing the Star-Picking Project in Kjerag, because it means that firsthand information about the technology and the possibility of its future weaponization are not in their hands.

They are the Colombian military.

Ferdinand was unwilling to accept this "new ally," but was threatened into accepting it.

If someone who approaches him with secretly taken photos of his son and wife can be called an "ally," then...

"Rhine Life cannot establish a branch in Kjerag."

This was the request made by the military representative.

From the military's perspective, Ernst was indeed not a good person; in fact, one could say he was an enemy or foe.

After all, the military's commissioned project, Project Balrog, ultimately ran into trouble due to Ernst's sabotage, resulting in Colonel Bart's dismissal and the transfer of the biological weapons "revived" under Project Balrog. The military has never forgotten this grudge.

That resurrected Balrog, tsk, that should have been theirs all along, they paid for it!

Even if Rhine Life refused, if Ernst, the Chancellor of Rhine Life, hadn't been there at the time, they could have simply taken him from Rhine Life by force! How many divisions does a small company like Rhine Life have? If the military wanted him, could they really stop them?

But because of Ernst's interference, the Balrog was taken from the military by the political world and the Melander Foundation, and ended up in Sherag, becoming the first to cross the barrier! This honor should have belonged to the military!

Even if they can't get it, at least the Balrog is in their hands, and no one else can get it either!

Damn it, so hateful!

Don't think they can't find out. A few days before the Balrog experiment, Ernst's Foreign Minister visited the Vice President in the Special Administrative Region! It was all premeditated!

If these are still minor grudges, then the World Summit is a major one!

Extremists within the military have even openly asked: "If the world is at peace, where will we soldiers go to make our mark?"

"This is not about maintaining peace; it's about uprooting the military! It's a shameful conspiracy by despicable politicians!"

General Douglas passed the order down the chain of command. With Vice President Wilson having gained complete power through his speeches, they could only avoid direct confrontation with the political establishment, but they could still annoy Ernst.

Support Ferdinand and put him in power at Rhine Labs in exchange for Rhine Labs ending its cooperation with Kjerag.

Ferdinand doesn't want to? No problem, they have plenty of ways to get him to agree.

If Rhine Life were to establish a branch in Kjerag and transfer its operations there, the Colombian military would be completely unable to control the company.

No matter how far their reach is, it's impossible for them to extend that far. Besides, the military's status is both a guarantee and an obstacle. If they make any rash moves, countries like Victoria will be watching closely!

Therefore, Ferdinand was both happy and worried at that moment.

The good news is that, with a clear lead in votes, even if he votes against it as required, it won't change the established fact that Rhine Life will open a branch in Kjerag.

The concern is whether the Colombian military will take any drastic measures after the news is released, and forcibly sabotage the matter.

Ferdinand wasn't a politician, and he couldn't imagine what methods the military might use, but he still felt that the military probably wouldn't let it go easily. What would happen then to the safety of Rhine Life, to the directors, their subordinates, and their families...?

"Good morning, esteemed directors! Excuse me for interrupting!"

The conference room door was pushed open, and a cute young girl with light brown shoulder-length hair and a few white highlights peeked out a little shyly and greeted the directors in the room.

Not only Ferdinand's thoughts were disrupted, but many directors who had been looking down and deep in thought before the vote also raised their heads and looked at the sudden intruder.

Yara from the Human Resources Department was the first to recognize the newcomer and greeted her with a smile:

"Miss Vinta Magellan of the Scientific Expedition Department, is there something important that you have to say, barging into the director's meeting?"

Magellan breathed a slight sigh of relief. Although Director Mary... Mariam was very approachable and witty, often leading a great wave of progress in the scientific expedition department, Magellan really didn't know if the other directors were as easy to deal with.

Fortunately, Director Yara is a good person.

She took a deep breath, took the letter from her bosom, and explained:

"It was Director Mariam. Director Mariam wrote back and asked me to help vote at the meeting!"

"what?"

It's unclear who uttered that surprised exclamation, but it truly expressed the sentiments of everyone present.

Mariam? A meeting? A vote?

When will you be able to put these words together?

Besides, didn't she set off for Sami? She's probably still on the ice plains, right? Why would she come all this way to stir up trouble?

Justin stood up, took the letter from Magellan, and suspiciously checked the postmark—it really was Sami.

And the time it took to mail the letter...

"Half a month ago?"

We hadn't even started proposing opening a branch back then, had we?

Or is Mariam up to something else?

Rhine Life has been quite stable lately, and there haven't been any other issues that could involve the director in a vote.

Puzzled, Justin opened the envelope, took out the letter, glanced at the eager crowd, cleared his throat, and announced loudly:

"From Mariam, Head of the Scientific Expedition Department, to the Rhine Life Headquarters, thousands of miles away"

"Gentlemen, it's been a long time. I'm Mariam, whom you haven't seen in a while and who never stirs up trouble. I'm writing back today because I've indeed encountered something unbelievable."

"This letter was written on November 28th, and if nothing unexpected happens, it should arrive at Rhine Life in about two weeks."

“I don’t know if it will be too late, but if the prediction is correct and Sami is not wrong, it should be enough.”

"In short, just as you might think, I received a prophecy from Sami, instructing me to follow in the footsteps of the banshees and elves in the choices I will make in the future. But I think this interpretation is too complicated. Sami bluntly told me to vote in favor."

"I don't even know what vote I cast. But to ensure our upcoming investigation goes smoothly, I'll just give it a thumbs up! Muirsey and Nastya, I hope this vote you initiated doesn't mean I'll be expelled from Rhine Lab, thank you!"

"above."