Him and their stars

It took Yu Lian nearly five minutes to return to the bridge, and the real commander of the task force, Admiral Paul Ferragut, also waited for him online for five minutes.

To put it bluntly, if it were a very typical leader who was ambitious and narrow-minded, this amount of time would have been enough for the two to become enemies.

However, Admiral Ferragut did not express any dissatisfaction, at least it was not visible on his face.

When the general who had put on weight saw Yu Lian, he immediately showed an amiable smile like Santa Claus: "Sorry, sorry, General Yu Lian, I was too anxious. Hahahaha, you will be with me for a while. You know, I am an impatient person, but I really don’t have any bad intentions. If you have offended me in any way, you must bring it up in person."

"You have really embarrassed me. Your officer will fully cooperate with the task force's subsequent return to China." As a mature adult, Yu Lian of course also showed a suitable business expression.

Admiral Ferragut was satisfied. He did not expect this young and famous young man to be convinced by himself, but a correct attitude was enough.

Anyway, everyone needs time to get along day and night, which is just a little time to lead the task force composed of four Lord God-class ships back home. It should be possible to maintain a superficial harmony.

As a result, his smile became even brighter, even showing his teeth.

Admiral Ferragut is seventy years old this year. It is probably because he has gained weight in middle age and is full of food all day long. He is indeed the fattest soldier Yu Lian has ever seen. Fortunately, after all, he is still in the obesity stage. He can still be called strong if he pinches his nose and rounds it off, at least not bloated.

Generally speaking, chubby old people are generally very amiable. Anyway, Yu Lian's first impression of the old general who had taken away his military power was good.

It seems that the comments about this old man are not necessarily objective.

Prior to this transfer, General Ferragu held the positions of Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard and Director of Reserve Operations and Training. However, we need to know that the Blue Star Community is a federal system and has very large autonomy at the local level. The financial and even personnel rights of the local police force are actually in the hands of the local sector government. The so-called Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard only has the power to dispatch the strength of the National Guard during a period of all-out war.

It all depends on the attitude of the local government.

It is conceivable that he should be relatively marginalized among the generals on the presidium of the National Defense Commission. Everyone knows that the old man was able to get to this position simply because he was a best friend of Mao Yuanzuo, the boss behind the Co-Prosperity Party, and he had to maintain a voice among the top military officials on behalf of the Co-Prosperity Party.

Of course, it may also be because he has been marginalized for a long time and finally got such a majestic assignment when he was about to retire. Admiral Ferragut should be in a very good mood.

"I'm in the Turanka galaxy now, preparing a celebration banquet for everyone. Hahahaha, I have to prepare some side dishes myself this time. Hahahaha, brother Yu Lian, you don't know! Even your grandfather Liu The God of Cookery also valued my talents and profits at the beginning." He wiped the corners of his eyes and showed a sigh: "Who could have known that I would actually embark on the path of joining the army due to the unpredictable nature of the world?"

It is indeed quite unpredictable. Yu Lian also felt that if General Ferragu had not been accepted as a confidant by Mao Yuanzuo, he might have been able to go to Longlin Palace to work as the royal cook for Emperor Eliasel, and his potential influence might be higher than that of the generals of the community. .

He just chatted with his new boss for a few words before finding an opportunity to say: "In addition, everyone rushed back day and night according to the timetable of the National Defense Commission. The soldiers are very tired..."

"I understand, I understand. We have made arrangements with the embassy. All the soldiers who participate in the snake extermination operation can get a consumption coupon of 800 Xingxing at the lowest."

"Coupons?"

"Yes, the coupons can be used in all the space cities in Turanka. It is a benefit for everyone." He waved his hands, as if he didn't need to thank me. This is what I should do.

Well, just use the coupons, as long as they can be used. Yu Lian was not prepared to care about where these things came from.

He added: "In addition, I have also arranged a berth for warship maintenance. It is on Platform 16 of the Poseidon Ship Group. All slipways, maintenance technicians, and pilot ships are on standby. After you arrive in Turanka, Just follow the instructions of the alliance pilot ship and enter the slipway, and you can start working immediately."

It is now July 6, 833 in the Common Calendar, which is three days ahead of schedule. The timetable given by the National Defense Committee was already very tight, but everyone was still able to arrive early. You can imagine how hard it was.

Of course, people are on the same side. We are all soldiers, so we can understand the hardship. The young officers and soldiers should take a few days off, eat, drink, soak in a sauna, etc. to restore their morale. However, after the battleship has been operating at full capacity for a long time, it needs rest more than the crew.

If necessary maintenance is not carried out, it would be good to be able to exert half of its combat power. Regarding this point, Maozi's Second Pacific Fleet in another timeline naturally has a say.

Battleships in the ocean age are needed, and battleships in the space age are also needed.

Yu Lian looked at the berthing plan that the other party had already sent and found that all the steps were done carefully and accurately. He immediately took a high look at Admiral Ferragut. Since the other party has made such appropriate arrangements, he is qualified to be a fleet formation staff officer based on his true ability.

At this time, Admiral Ferragut became a little more serious: "Because you arrived three days in advance, the maintenance work can be done more carefully. During this period, I originally thought that the soldiers could go to Nephi for a vacation. Even the cruise ship has been contacted. But, you know... Nephi is a little sensitive at the moment, so we need to be more cautious. Therefore, during the maintenance period, the officers and soldiers can rest, but they are not allowed to leave Turanka . I hope your distinguished official can communicate with everyone in advance."

Yu Lian felt that this was his duty, so he naturally agreed.

"In addition, our time is relatively limited. Once we leave, we still need to travel day and night to return home as soon as possible. Therefore, during the vacation, everyone can rest, but not too wild and uncontrollable. I know that the soldiers will definitely have I'm angry, but I hope you can try to appease me." His expression was a little helpless, and even a little apologetic.

Yu Lian thought to himself that you, 800 Xinxing, could say less, say more, but not much, how could you go wild?

Admiral Ferragut said with a grimace: "The National Defense Committee has given a new plan. We are required to return home in the direction of the Gibraltar galaxy."

Yu Lian was slightly startled. You must know that the timetable given by the National Defense Committee is for the task force to return from the "eastern" border of the alliance, pass through the jump channel between the first cantilevers, pass through the territory of the Turan Coordinating Minister State, and along the Femo Nebula's route "goes south", returning home from the "high seas" between the Cirke Kingdom and the Principality of Khayal. Then you can enter the community's New Atlantis sector.

This route is the shortest route back to the country, but there are many pirates on the road, and the Principality of Khayar is a vassal state of the empire. It is not completely safe when it is in confrontation with the Cirke Kingdom.

...But, what kind of bicycles does a formation of four of the most cutting-edge God-class dreadnoughts in the universe need? Who worries about pirates?

Yu Lian felt that the reason why the National Defense Committee asked the task force to march like this was to intimidate the Principality of Haiyal. After all, the two countries have been at war for so many years, and the refugees have severely impacted the borders of the Community's New Atlantis sector.

Strictly speaking, the "Christmas Uprising" in Lonely Night City at the end of last year was also inseparable from the refugee issue.

In short, by taking this route, the soldiers of the task force have plenty of time, and it also has certain marginal benefits of "gun diplomacy", making it the most cost-effective.

But now, the National Defense Committee has changed its tune and requested entry from the Gibraltar Star Port, which is where the Outer Rim Fleet is located.

The "high sea lanes" that will be passed along the way are all populated by small countries, but the overall security situation is not bad, but the voyage is at least 30% longer than the previous route. If I want to return to China on September 20 as originally planned, it will be a bit difficult.

For a while, Yu Lian felt that the National Defense Committee was a bit unkind. However, if you think about it more carefully, although the Gonggun princes of the earth like to act like monsters, and although they often act like humans, they occasionally behave like humans.

He soon realized their intentions.

On the other side of the Gibraltar Beta Galaxy, there is the South Gate to the New World, which can also be reached from the defense zone of the Far Shore Nebula.

Yu Lian sighed: "Is the defense pressure on the Ninth Fleet in the Far Coast Nebula a bit too high?"

Admiral Ferragut said helplessly: "You already know this?"

How fresh, such a big thing, it is impossible for me not to know even if I want to! Yu Lian thought, occasionally watching TV these days, the news was flooded with the tense situation in the Far Coast Nebula. The battlefield media from all over the galaxy rushed over, just like they flocked to the Canchuan Galaxy to watch snakes two months ago.

However, there are various reports on how this conflict started, but no one can give a precise conclusion.

"But don't worry. The Ninth Fleet did fight with the Cathays several times, but they didn't take advantage at all. The scale of the battles was also kept to a small scale. Everyone was very restrained."

"Very restrained?"

"Yes, very restrained. I will send you the detailed battle report right away." Admiral Ferragut said.

Internal battle reports provided to senior officers were impossible to falsify. No matter how bad the community military is, it won't be this bad. Yu Lian felt a little relieved.

"The Alliance and the Empire are trying to mediate. The Alliance's mission has just set off, and it is said that people from the Empire have already arrived." Admiral Ferragut's voice seemed to be a bit gloating: "The Treaty of Mugubai has just been signed. This There was a conflict on the side. The Cathays didn't attack us by surprise. They clearly broke away from their imperial masters and kicked the alliance's ass."

Indeed, the Treaty of Mugubai, which is said to have brought "peace for a generation", was mainly promoted by the alliance after all. There was a war in the Far Shore Nebula, and all the treaty signatories were naturally embarrassed, but the most embarrassing one was the Alliance.

"The diplomatic reputation of a great country has been abandoned like worn shoes. This is not a kick in the butt. It is clearly a slap in the face of the alliance." Yu Lian said with a smile.

Admiral Ferragut kept nodding his head, as if he had met his confidant: "Isn't that right? According to my opinion, the Alliance should have already mobilized its army to kill and crush the Cathay Cat."

"So, what was the Alliance's reaction?"

"Nothing, just sent a mission. Who told them that life has been difficult recently?" At this point, he couldn't help but shook his head and sighed: "What the hell, why did the alliance become That’s it! Just like this, you still call it a cosmic lighthouse. Sure enough, this kind of system is just for the outside world to dominate the country.”

Yu Lian naturally understood. As for what the situation on Nephi's side has become, it is definitely impossible for him to discuss it with Admiral Ferragut, although the chubby old man looks like he particularly wants to involve him in politics.

What followed was naturally calm. Anyway, we have already entered the hinterland of the alliance. If there is any danger, Yu Lian will naturally leave all the administrative work to Captain Tovey and Chief of Staff Mkawa.

In this way, at 16:15 on July 7, 833, Galaxy Standard Time, all warships, including the Fuxi, entered Turanka's No. 16 dock platform in an orderly manner. The officers and soldiers on the ship have not yet disembarked, and the technical members who have been waiting for a long time have already started working.

I don't know if it was an illusion, but Yu Lian always felt that the alliance's maintenance team seemed to be too eager, as if they wanted to get out of here as soon as the ship was fixed.

However, it must be admitted that whether it is the orderly entry of ships into the port or the handover of work, it is indeed accurate to the second. Yu Lian now feels that based on these overall planning skills alone, the fat old man who was born as a cook is definitely qualified to join a large expedition fleet and become the deputy commander in charge of fleet operations.

Well, someone who is used to being an executive chef should actually be very good at making arrangements, right?

So, who said a chef can't be a famous general? Heroes always emerge from working people.

Although he, the cook, is actually the owner of the Imperial Palace Restaurant that has been on Earth for more than 200 years, and although his benefactor is Mao Yuanzuo, the general of the empire, old and young, we cannot deny the future because of his past.

Speaking of which, this old man is not famous in the future of another timeline. It can only be said that the changes of the times are unpredictable.

perhaps……

So, until the celebration banquet arranged by Admiral Ferragut, Yu Lian and the other party were more sincere in their interactions. Zhe let the senior officers, who had been worried that the old man and the young man would tear each other up in public, let out a huge sigh of relief.

Of course, some people may be secretly disappointed. But that doesn't matter.

The important thing is that at the banquet, Yu Lian finally met his friend and adjutant Lieutenant Colonel Chester Rozes, whom he had not seen for a long time.

"...So, you actually made the overall plan for fleet maintenance? You also contacted the technical team of Slipway 16 and Poseidon Ship Group?" Yu Lian looked at Luo Zeshi and suddenly realized. He said why he always felt like something was wrong.

Rozeshi smiled and said: "However, it is indeed Commander Ferragut who approved my plan and ensured its implementation. This can naturally be regarded as his contribution."

Yes, the staff department has made a successful plan, and of course it must be the commander's credit. This is the tradition in the armies of all countries. Don't forget that classmate Luo Zeshi is no longer Yu Lian's adjutant, but a member of the staff.

However, Yu Lian always felt that things should not be so simple.