I am the Emperor of Humanity across the Multiverse

Main Universe Time: February 18, 2001.

Within thirty hours of the space gate opening, the forward base on Harvest had taken shape. 

Thanks to the Engineering Department quickly establishing fully automated transport channels, the base was well supplied with essential goods, construction materials, and weaponry. 

However, since a day on Harvest lasted approximately 17.5 hours, it was already nighttime at the forward base.

Viewed from beneath the optical camouflage canopy:

The command building was located near the space gate. The engineering team had already cleared a large area of land and constructed a vertical takeoff and landing platform for the assembled aircraft.

At this moment, more than a hundred investigators, clad in black stealth combat suits and mechanical exoskeletons, carrying their weapons, backpacks, and equipment cases, left the completed main building, which housed an equipment maintenance room, and gathered at the landing platform.

Shortly after, several Black Hawk assault craft, carrying investigators, a few engineers, and Hextech robots, lifted off one after another.

As the flight formation left the canopy that covered the base, they activated their optical camouflage, disappearing into the pitch-black sky.

Inside one of the Black Hawk cabins:

Lyon sat on the right side of the cabin.

He first looked out through the window at the forest landscape, noting that the forward base was no longer visible to the naked eye, then shifted his gaze to the upper left corner of his helmet's screen, where a small map was displayed.

The map showed the flight formation splitting off, leaving only two Black Hawks labeled as 07-1 and 07-2.

07-1 was carrying Lyon, Chris, Mike, and others, while 07-2 carried the engineering team accompanying them to the outskirts of the target city.

Based on previous missions, Lyon guessed they would need a large amount of additional supplies to trade for local currency—whether cash or digital—to better infiltrate the city and blend into the local community.

Before boarding the Black Hawks, their colleagues at the forward base had already sent biological reconnaissance units into the target city.

Using bird-like "bioweapons" that looked indistinguishable from real birds, the investigators confirmed that physical cash, made of plastic, was still in circulation on Harvest. They also identified which areas of the city were the most chaotic.

The engineering team's main goal was to establish a supply depot near their landing zone for easy access.

Beep.

At that moment, a video communication window popped up on Lyon's screen.

Ada, dressed in her red uniform that couldn't fully hide her impressive figure, appeared and began speaking:

"Team 07, your objective is to investigate the largest city on Harvest—its capital, Odgard. Based on the Intelligence Department's reports, there are a large number of suspected rebel forces in the eastern district of the city. I suggest you trade outdated military equipment for information and supplies with these insurgents.

"However, you'll have to make decisions on the specifics of the trades. Lastly, remember to avoid armed conflict with the locals and minimize civilian casualties until we have a clearer understanding of the situation. 

"This is the Operations Branch of the Investigation Department. Over and out."

With her message delivered, Ada ended the communication, and Lyon's helmet screen returned to its original display.

As Ada's voice faded, only the faint hum of the engine remained in Lyon's ears.

Rather than worrying about whether to ask his superior out to dinner after the mission, Lyon focused on processing the current state of affairs and the intelligence provided by the department.

Since the locals on Harvest were dissatisfied with UEG and UNSC rule, assisting them in overthrowing their government seemed like a viable option.

However, doing so would undoubtedly provoke the UNSC's counterinsurgency fleet.

Although Lyon couldn't precisely assess the strength of the UNSC, he knew that with the company's current resources, they couldn't engage in a direct confrontation. Their only hope lay in ground forces.

Without orbital control, everything would be in vain.

In addition to the potential arrival of a UNSC fleet, the Intelligence Department had also confirmed the presence of an AI that helped manage colonial affairs on Harvest. This AI had some degree of self-awareness.

If the company could capture this AI, it could yield valuable intelligence and aid their own AI development projects.

Therefore, another primary goal of this reconnaissance mission was to locate the AI's terminal.

Lost in thought, Lyon noticed that the Black Hawks had crossed over the dense forest and were now flying above vast farmland. Scattered lights indicated the presence of human farmers and their families living in the area.

Automated farming equipment continued to operate as programmed, ensuring that crops were growing properly.

Before long.

Sensing the Black Hawk slowing down, Lyon snapped out of his thoughts, turning to look out the window again. In the distance, he could see the city of Odgard, their investigation target.

The assault craft landed behind a small hill on the outskirts. The side doors opened.

Everyone quickly disembarked, dropping their equipment cases beside them and crouching with weapons drawn, scanning the surroundings.

The two engineers and the Hextech robots, which had also arrived, unloaded construction materials and supplies from the second Black Hawk.

The Black Hawk that had completed its transport mission closed its doors and took off again, disappearing into the night within moments, while the other remained on standby with its engines off.

"Shhh-shhh-shhh."

"Chirp! Chirp!"

Soon, the only sounds around them were the insects buzzing in the night.

After pulse scanning and motion detection showed no anomalies, and visual checks confirmed no nearby threats, Chris, the leader of the investigation team, stood up and gave orders over the communication channel:

"Silver Mane, Amber Eyes, Night Howl, you three stay here and protect the engineers and the supply depot."

"Roger, boss."

"Yes."

"Understood."

With the orders given, the machine gunner, sniper, and communications officer from the special operations team took up defensive positions around the supply depot.

"The rest of you, follow me," Chris said, heading toward the top of the small hill, with Lyon, Mike, Maggie, and two other team members following closely behind.

Reaching the higher ground, Lyon looked west and got a clear view of the still brightly lit Odgard.

Zooming in on his helmet screen, he noticed police checkpoints stationed at key intersections around the city's outskirts.

It appeared that the escalating unrest had led to the city being placed under martial law and curfew.

Despite this, Lyon could still see people in some districts, seemingly gathering and trying to storm the Governor's Mansion located in the city center.

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