Sky-cracking Rider

Putting down the phone, Hanna Gagel did not feel the relief that usually came after completing a task. Instead, her face was etched with seriousness.

After pondering for a moment, she picked up the phone again and dialed an internal base extension.

"Notify all mid-level and above managers to meet in the pilots' dormitory conference room."

Five minutes later, the heads of various departments from the Aircrew Base hurried to the three-story building next to the hangar, where the pilots' dormitories were located.

There was a small conference room inside, now borrowed by Executive Manager Hanna Gagel. The heads of the tower, human resources, maintenance, combat flight squadron, security, radar, and ground services departments arrived one after another. They took their seats around the conference table.

Their numbers were no more than the pilots of the "Genuine Fragrance" squadron, so there were just enough chairs for everyone.

Once everyone had arrived, the female executive manager did not engage in much small talk but went straight to the point. "The diplomatic envoy from Sky Dragon City has just left, and I have reported the investigation process to the headquarters."

"Manager Hanna, there shouldn't be any problems here now, should there?" asked Takar, the head of human resources.

Takar was increasingly baffled by the recent developments, but what he was more worried about was the possibility of Sky Dragon City seeking retribution against Aircrew Base 911.

After all, the Metallic Dragon Bit who had been killed was a member of the Dragon Clan, and Takar feared that other dragons would seek vengeance for their kin. If that happened, no one at the base would likely survive, and Takar had no desire to be implicated.

"The situation has become clear enough to declassify some information," the executive manager explained. "There's no need to worry, Director Takar. The order to kill the Metallic Dragon Bit came from Sky Dragon City itself, conveyed through the Blue Star Global United Defense Committee."

At last, some confidential information could be disclosed, preventing others from speculating wildly.

"Ah!?" exclaimed Takar, the human resources director, completely startled by the answer.

With a solemn expression, Hanna Gagel said, "There's one more important matter. I need all of you to be prepared, including being mentally ready for what's to come."

At that moment, the atmosphere in the small conference room turned palpably heavy. Everyone instinctively straightened their spines, sitting up attentively.

"The contractor for Aircrew Base 897, Stark International Defense Company, recently declared insolvency and is preparing to file for bankruptcy. The industry's eighth-ranked powerhouse, Meman Brothers United Defense Consortium, subsequently launched a takeover offer.

According to insider information, should the acquisition succeed, Meman Brothers United is very likely to initiate corporate warfare against our Apocalypse Defense Group. This is also one of the conditions of Stark International Defense's agreement to be acquired."

Before Hanna Gagel could finish speaking, a short electronic tone sounded from her.

She took out her cell phone, quickly glanced at the screen, then looked up and surveyed the room. "I just received a message," she said with a grave voice. "Meman Brothers United has secured Aircrew Base 897 and Stark International Defense for a single Star Yuan in a bundled transfer.

Both parties have signed the acquisition agreement, and the Global United Defense Committee has concurrently approved the corporate war. Ladies and gentlemen, the war has begun."

The conference room fell into a deathly silence.

The next second, it was as if cold water had been thrown into a hot oil pan sending up plumes of smoke—the room erupted into chaos, with some even standing up in disbelief, looking towards the executive manager.

"How, how could it happen so fast?"

"Are we going to go to war immediately? How could the Joint Defense Committee possibly approve such a thing? It's completely absurd."

"It's not fair. Apocalypse Defense hasn't offended Meman Brothers United!"

"That's the eighth-ranked military contractor powerhouse, and our Apocalypse Defense Group is ranked twenty-seventh. They're bullying us too much."

"What's there to fear? Let's fight! We used to fight mutants and magical beasts, now we're fighting people. What's the difference?"

"Don't just think about fighting all the time. We should quickly try to negotiate. We're all here to make money. Goodwill is the best wealth, so why go through hardship for nothing? Let's sit down and talk. If there are conflicts, let's set them aside for the moment!"

In the conference room, some were panic-stricken, some furious, some eager to fight, and some took the opportunity to vent their frustrations. It was as chaotic as a marketplace, but no one maintained their earlier composure.

In Blue Star's military contracting industry, the top ten are behemoth giants, even capable of taking on some of the sovereign military defense tasks of the lower-ranked.

Those ranked eleventh to thirtieth are considered major military contractors. The Apocalypse Defense Group, ranked twenty-seventh, is among them but relatively low in the hierarchy. There was no way they could be compared to the top ten giant military contractors.

No matter whether it's hard power or soft power, from a comprehensive assessment, ten Apocalypse Defense Groups would not be a match for the Meman Brothers United Defense Consortium.

The Stark International Defense Company, which contracted Aircrew Base 897, couldn't even rank in the top one hundred of the industry. The Apocalypse Defense Group's retaliatory action was decisive—bullying such a weak opponent without any hesitation or psychological burden.

A single surprise assault nearly leveled the entire base, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy to the point of near bankruptcy, rendering them unable to continue.

But in any industry, it's a big fish eats little fish game. Yesterday Apocalypse ate Stark International, today Meman Brothers United is looking to devour Apocalypse. Under the cruel law of the jungle, no one escapes.

For behemoths like the Meman Brothers United Defense Consortium, which neither lack money nor personnel, nor equipment, and have deep foundations, even if one or two bases were destroyed, it would still be far from the point of a crippling blow.

"Be quiet!"

The female executive manager uttered the command, and the bubbling meeting room instantly fell silent.

Even Major Chekhov, the squadron leader of the "Genuine Fragrance" Combat Flight Squadron, who still wanted to shout something, obediently shut his mouth.

"Since it has already happened, everyone, please face reality! If anyone wants to desert, you can leave the meeting room now."

Hanna Gagel's icy gaze swept over everyone.

"..."

The room fell dead silent, many people looked at each other with very ugly expressions on their faces.

Corporate warfare is not a joke—it genuinely costs lives.

Despite having casualty insurance and compensation, isn't it better to be alive?

After a minute of silence, no one left!

The HR Director, Takar, surreptitiously sized everyone up, the wily old man putting away his little scheming thoughts.

Who knows if this One-Eyed woman was testing to see who would be unlucky enough to jump out and become a sacrificial flag.

The life of one person is enough to settle the restless Aircrew Base, prompting everyone to abandon their fantasies and prepare for battle.

"Starting now, establish a wartime Command Center, the entire base enters emergency status, all departments are on standby 24 hours, the 'Genuine Fragrance' Squadron prepares two 'Big Mouth Monsters' equipped with electronic pods, on alternating patrols..."

Although Hanna Gagel had only recently become the executive manager of Aircrew Base 911, her commands were orderly, showing no signs of confusion.

As soon as the meeting ended, Aircrew Base 911 started operating like a real war machine—slowly and resolutely at full capacity.

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Stay tuned to m-v l|e'm,p y r

Back at the dorm, Chen Fei began constructing a new nest for his pet. First, because the Little Bird had grown larger, and second, because the original nest indeed needed an improved and expanded area—it was, after all, a necessity.

The Third Rank Light-element Magical Beast Crystal Core, given to him by Yilan, was boldly placed inside the bird's nest; the core emitted a light haze that could even replace the table lamp on the bedside table.

The fragrant chicken feed and vigorous mealworms were no longer enticing. Xiao Jiu, the Pure Light Sparrow's favorite activity was pecking at this Magical Beast Crystal Core. Each peck induced a small release of Light Elemental Energy, which was then immediately absorbed by the little bird.

As a Light-element bird-shaped Magical Beast, the Pure Light Sparrow was greatly attracted to the Light Element Crystal Core, which shared its Elemental Attribute. But fully absorbing all the Light Elemental Energy contained in this Crystal Core was not something that could be achieved in a day or two.

Ding ding ding ding... Xiao Jiu did not tire, pecking merrily away like a diligent little miner, drawing on deeply ingrained instincts to strive for more Light Elemental Energy.

Just as Chen Fei finished building the nest, his mobile phone rang, lighting up to show that the call was from his younger sister, Chen Meng.

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