Returning to the Command Center, Yang Ying buried himself in the sofa, sinking into thought. Since his transmigration, he had constantly skirted the edge of life and death; now, at last, he found himself in a relatively secure environment to sort out his plans for the future.
Whatever the Apes' ultimate goal might be, he had no intention of concerning himself with it. This was not the time to plunge into the vortex of war; the military strength on the Floating Continent remained a solid zero. Besides the CVs, the farmers of the other two races were equally useless.
Therefore, remaining a lucky civilian possessing supernatural abilities for the time being seemed the most appropriate course.
Judging by the attitude of the female intelligence officer just now, the high-ranking officers of the Seventh Fleet held high hopes for him, a talent capable of wielding psychokinesis.
As for the Captain rank offered by the military, Yang Ying had never factored it into his considerations, because joining the army meant subjecting himself to its rules.
The military operated under a strict hierarchy. A mere Captain would, at most, command a company-level unit, managing a hundred or so soldiers at the highest, all while navigating complex relationships with superiors and peers, all while carefully guarding the secret of the Galaxy in his palm.
On the battlefield, his limited strength would prevent him from earning military merit, and worse, should his life be endangered, he couldn't even deploy the armies of the Floating Continent to save himself, unless he risked discovery.
It was clear that joining the army would utterly prevent him from utilizing the power of the Galaxy in his palm. Consequently, Yang Ying had firmly decided to ignore all recruitment efforts from the military.
When Emperor Qin obtained the Heshibi, he could forge the Imperial Seal; but if an ordinary man possessed the Heshibi, his life would be in peril.
Yang Ying wished to be Emperor Qin, not the ordinary man, meaning he needed time and space for the Galaxy in his palm to develop.
Just as he was weaving a beautiful blueprint for the future, the communicator on the main console began to beep.
Yang Ying activated it, and the image of the female intelligence officer appeared on the screen.
“Mr. Yang Ying, has anything happened in the last half hour?” the female intelligence officer asked, fulfilling a routine formality.
“Nothing to report, everything is normal,” Yang Ying replied. “May I ask the Major’s name? I forgot to ask earlier.”
“My surname is Wen. You may call me Major Wen.”
Major Wen always maintained an expression that kept people at arm's length; Yang Ying presumed she received a considerable number of suitors, finding them a persistent nuisance.
“Very well,” said Yang Ying.
Major Wen adjusted her glasses and inquired, “Have you checked the central air conditioning unit?”
Yang Ying nodded. In order to conceal the existence of the CVs, he decided to lower the reported difficulty of repairing the air conditioning. He said:
“I have some good news. The damage caused by those Apes when they left wasn't too extensive. Perhaps they assumed no one in the city would wake up, so they only disconnected a few circuits. As a mechanical technician, I should be able to fix damage of this extent before the deadline.”
A look of relief crossed Major Wen’s face, but it was quickly followed by a frown of confusion. “That seems slightly out of character for the Apes. They usually resort to outright demolition when they want to destroy things. You’re quite lucky.”
Yang Ying figured she couldn't possibly guess the truth out of thin air; no normal person would suspect another harbored an entire world, complete with super-engineers.
Thus, he bantered without concern: “I’m not the only lucky one. Every survivor in the entirety of Titan’s Light City is counting on this. Perhaps the Apes suffered a collective brainstorm while setting their bombs.”
Major Wen offered a slight smile upon hearing this. “Mr. Yang Ying, the City Council should award you the Best Citizen Prize.”
Yang Ying stood up. “That will have to wait until Titan’s Light is safe. Let’s connect next time; I need to get to work on the equipment repairs.”
Major Wen saluted him. “Wishing you success!”
Having successfully concealed the truth, Yang Ying was pleased that his identity as a mechanical technician served as adequate cover, allowing him to successfully hide the CVs’ presence. Yang Ying had already erased all internal video recordings, so as long as the CVs were meticulous, no one would suspect they had been present here.
As for the Apes, although the possibility of them leaking information theoretically existed, the chance was too slim. Once the fact was established, how many people would believe the words spat out by the enemy?
Half an hour later, Yang Ying contacted the Seventh Fleet again. However, the person appearing on the screen this time was not the serious and stern Major Wen, but a gray-haired, high-nosed, deep-eyed old General covered in a cluster of medals. He cleared his throat before speaking:
“I am Lieutenant General Randolph, Vice Commander of the Seventh Fleet. From this moment on, all your matters are to be reported directly to me.”
Yang Ying asked, displeased, “Where is Major Wen?”
Lieutenant General Randolph possessed fox-like eyes, which now shone with cunning and excitement. “Repairing the central air conditioning unit is a matter concerning all thirty thousand survivors of Titan’s Light. Her inexperience could delay things and cost the lives of thirty thousand civilians. The entire Seventh Fleet would be held responsible for her, which is why I have taken over.”
Yang Ying sensed the insincerity and felt contempt building inside him. The old man sounds noble, but if the air conditioning repair succeeds and saves thirty thousand lives, wouldn't you jump out to claim a share of the credit? Maybe you’ll even be hailed as the guiding hand, reducing me to a supporting character.
Despite his feelings, he had to accept the reality. As the saying went: a minor impatience can ruin a major plan. He couldn't abandon the repair just because an old man was trying to steal the spotlight.
However, Yang Ying’s inclination toward military service plummeted further into the negative.
The subsequent period was unremarkable. Yang Ying spent his time recovering his energy while maintaining contact with the Seventh Fleet every half hour to report the latest status, providing intelligence support for the landing forces. He and Lieutenant General Randolph shared little common ground; each communication ended after only a few procedural sentences.
Time flowed slowly by.
“Sir! The central air conditioning unit is repaired! It is ready for deployment!” Jerry reported back, accompanied by two other CVs.
Yang Ying opened his eyes, checked the time, and finally broke into a smile. “Good. Two hours and twenty-nine minutes. You’ve performed a great service. I… I’ll ask Murphy to reward you!”
As he spoke, he realized his knowledge of the three races was insufficient; he didn't even know how to reward these CVs, so he deferred the decision to Murphy.
“Yes, Sir!” the three CVs responded.
Yang Ying sent them back to the Floating Continent, then proceeded to the Human Main Base to discuss the matter with Murphy.
Murphy merely laughed heartily. “Commander, what is so difficult about that? Clones also need to eat. I shall simply increase their rations!”
After thanking Murphy, Yang Ying returned to the real world and activated the central air conditioning unit via the main console.
Immediately, a roaring sound echoed from the equipment room. The computer screen displayed the air conditioning operation rising from 1% to 12%, 25%, 47%, 69%, 87%, and finally, 100%—fully operational!
Yang Ying opened communications and transmitted the news to Lieutenant General Randolph of the Seventh Fleet.
When Randolph heard the report, his voice trembled. He managed a few hasty words before terminating the communication, turning immediately to order his secretary to draft a report.
Watching the old man struggle to suppress his ecstasy, Yang Ying felt not a trace of negative emotion. He had come to an understanding.
This was just another pitiful soul captured by the lure of fame and profit.
What use was status? In the final analysis, the goal of climbing the ladder was to command greater power. Conversely, possessing absolute power guaranteed absolute status.
The Galaxy is in my hand, and the world is mine!
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