The timing was just right. The Seventh Herrscher had fallen, and the Eighth Herrscher was severely wounded. Honkai had temporarily lost its offensive capability.
Currently, the only complete Herrscher remaining was the Herrscher of Death, who was probably also licking her wounds and had no energy to deal with humanity. This created a valuable window of opportunity.
Normally, Mei would never dare to recall the strong ones to headquarters. Now, even if the Herrscher seized the opportunity, the cost would only be one or two cities.
This cost was painful, but still within humanity's tolerance.
As pragmatists, Mei and Ryan both disliked extravagance and waste. To keep secrets, the lower key, the better. They didn't even alarm the underground city. Only one transport plane after another flying in from all over the world proved that today was absolutely unusual.
"Don't look around, they're here."
Coleman waved. As the former head of the intelligence department, he knew every high-ranking MANTIS, so he was sent out as the greeter. Beside him was Andevich, like a brown bear.
This warrior, whose body still bore frost, had just arrived. He crossed his strong arms over his chest and scanned each person walking off the plane.
First to appear were a pair of twins, both with waist-length black hair. The one on the left had a cold, unsmiling expression, while the one on the right looked displeased, as if ready to snap at anyone at any moment.
"It's the Anna and Isabella sisters, Coleman, aren't you going to say hello?"
"Uh, there's a small grudge." Coleman was instantly speechless. The last time in New York, he was terrified by their sharp tongues. He only sighed: "It's a pity John died, otherwise he would have been perfect for dealing with these twins."
John was officially designated as deceased, and Ryan didn't mention him being controlled, which saved him some face.
"Oh, if it isn't Lieutenant Colonel Coleman, did you go peek at that Golden Courtyard or something?" The red-eyed Isabella immediately noticed the blond young man, and her opening remark made his face twitch.
"How would I dare? But I'm very interested in your boudoir."
"Come on, if you dare!"
"Hehe, of course I'd come when you're asleep, I'm not stupid." Coleman didn't give face either. Just as Isabella was about to explode, a pair of white-gloved hands separated the two.
"God says we should be united. As companions who entrust our backs to each other, why should we speak ill of each other?"
In stiff monastic robes and with compassionate expressions, the two saw the priest and each turned their heads away. They still held Joshua, who often helped refugees, in high regard.
"Father, I'll give you this face and not argue with children."
"Hehe, I don't want to waste words with a pervert, sister, let's go."
The two sides separated, naturally guided by soldiers, and Andevich saw Joshua walk to the other side, feeling strange.
"Father Joshua, aren't you going to headquarters?"
"Later, I'm going to see Sister Aponia first. Please excuse us both."
He used the word 'meet', which left the two of them stunned for a long time. Just then, his shoulder was pressed again. He turned his head and saw a man around thirty years old.
He wore a stiff black and gold Fire Moth uniform, a small golden horn at his waist, and an overly long fringe that made him look a bit dejected, but fortunately, a slight smile played at the corner of his mouth.
"These religious fanatics are so boring. Arguing with beautiful girls is a pleasure, they'll never understand."
"Yun, you're here too. You didn't even participate in the previous simulation battles." Coleman eyes lit up. This was half of his wild friends. "You're talking big with me now, but if you really faced those twins, you wouldn't be able to say a thing. Want to go have some fun later?"
Andevich also tilted his head slightly. He wasn't familiar with this young man, only knowing that his code was CM014, and he was usually assigned to the North Shenzhou Branch. Also, how did this Coleman get along with everyone?
"Forget it, I want to save my first time for the one I love." Yun immediately blushed, the flirtatious air from before vanished without a trace.
"Come on, you're thirty already. Are you planning to become a Grand Magus? And if you want to find the one you love so much, why don't you go on a blind date?"
"Uh, I can't speak when I see girls. It's more relaxing to talk to men."
"But you're not gay!"
Coleman showed an exaggerated expression, just about to complain, when he found he opened his mouth but couldn't make a sound, instinctively grabbing his gun.
"Be quiet at headquarters, don't forget the confidentiality regulations."
A serious, low voice, like that of a dean of discipline, entered his ears. He turned his head and saw a tall figure with a square face and black trench coat approaching. His silver hair was meticulously combed, and with his neat beard, he looked like the 'King' in a deck of cards.
Seeing him, Coleman felt annoyed and looked away coldly: "Zheng, using your ability on a comrade-in-arms, that's what's against regulations, isn't it?"
"According to organizational rule 315, paragraph 2, I am stopping your illegal act, and Major, I hope you add 'senior' after my name." The newcomer replied seriously, much like a teacher catching a failing student.
Pah, you're just number 007, what kind of old qualifications are you pretending to be? That warrior numbered 009 also died in Australia. Do you really think this thing is invulnerable?
Coleman cursed inwardly, but mumbled, "Alright, alright, Senior Zheng, please come in. The Director-General is waiting for you."
Zheng didn't leave. He gave the two a deep look. As the oldest warrior from the former National Alliance Army, he felt that the recent changes in Fire Moth were illogical, but what could he say?
Firstly, humanity could no longer afford too much internal strife; secondly, Fire Moth now had twenty-two high-ranking MANTIS. Subtracting the two deceased and two missing, over half of them were his people. Who could question that?
"Sigh, the big picture is more important. Take care of yourselves." He sighed and walked away with heavy steps.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Coleman spat directly on the ground.
"What a thing, thinks he's always right?"
"Forget it, that's just his personality. He'll straighten up after suffering a bit in the simulator. Then he'll realize that the Director-General's rise to power was never due to any conspiracy." The equally experienced Andevich shrugged. He was certainly convinced.
"Yeah, he'll be honest after suffering. Who else on the list hasn't arrived?"
"CM018 Ludicyna, my countryman."
Just then, a helicopter slowly descended overhead. Coleman, who had just been indignant, straightened his collar and put on a gentlemanly smile to greet her. But just as he took two steps, Andevich's large hand gripped his neck, as if picking up a small chicken.
"You are not allowed to approach her, understand!?"
Coleman saw the cabin door open, and a girl with white, slightly curly long hair, a childish appearance, and a somewhat timid look emerged. He snorted in annoyance.
"Alright."
....
As of now, the MANTIS numbers ranged from CM001 Mobius all the way to CM022 Kosma. Two of them had died in action: number 9, Levy, died in Australia, and number 12, John, died in Donggong.
"The two high-ranking MANTIS who died both succumbed to the Seventh Herrscher. As expected, the intensity has suddenly increased. Even if John didn't activate 'Overweight Super-Transformation', he could still fight evenly with the top three Herrschers."
Ryan sat in the swivel chair, flipping through the documents. Even though he had seen them before, at that time he mostly treated them as potential enemies.
"There are also two missing, numbers five and sixteen. We can consider them defected for now. Hmm, the mess I inherited isn't too bad." He chuckled. Subtracting four, there were still eighteen. However, Su and Eden would soon undergo fusion surgery, which would roughly restore combat power. And let's not forget, there's Mei, who doesn't have a number.
CM001—CM022. The lower the number, the earlier the surgery was performed, but this doesn't represent absolute strength. For example, Kalpas is CM021, and how many of those with lower numbers can beat him?
No, I also need to be subtracted. I'm holding the 002 number and collecting a salary without doing anything, but it doesn't matter anyway, I'll soon become a true MANTIS.
"Ryan, ready? Everyone's here." Mei walked over to urge him. She didn't think Ryan would be nervous, because at a glance, all the faces were familiar.
The residents of the Golden Courtyard accounted for a full nine, and there were also familiar collaborators like Rin, Coleman, and Andevich. This was one of the reasons she dared to push this plan forward.
Everyone here is my person, how else can they cause trouble?
"Almost. These people are all battle-hardened, I don't need to give a speech." Ryan stood up and straightened his black and gold uniform. It was his first time wearing a military uniform, except that the Director-General's shoulder insignia was gold and had no military rank.
He looked in the mirror. The stiff military uniform clung to his slightly strong physique. His leather boots and several medals sparkled, exuding a bloodthirsty aura. Coupled with his expressionless face, it exuded a sense of oppression.
Very handsome.
He turned and strode out, listening to the 'thud-thud' of his leather boots. Sakura, who had been waiting at the door, quietly lowered her head, her hand on her long sword, apparently having forgotten the unpleasant wait from last night.
Today's meeting venue was the former council hall. In front was a podium, and on the wall hung a giant Fire Moth emblem, like a totem, silently watching over humanity's guardians.
The circular seating for the original forty-six council members had been replaced. In addition to the eighteen high-ranking MANTIS, there were also more than a dozen elite warriors such as Vinal, Himeko, and Destopia, making the venue seem less empty.
These individuals had varied personalities.
Some looked around nervously, some whispered, and some simply walked around, greeting everyone like social phobics.
But amidst all this, when the man with the golden shoulder insignia walked onto the high platform from the side, all discussions ceased.
Even those aimlessly wandering in the lower ranks quickly returned to their places.
Except for Elysia, who quietly waved a greeting, most people's expressions were solemn.
They saw 'Forget-Me-Not' with hands stained with blood, and Dr. Mei, whose intelligence was immeasurable and who managed the organization meticulously.
In front of them, a not-so-tall man walked to the Fire Moth emblem, pressed his hands on the podium, his gaze like a knife sweeping across the hall.
Including Vil-V and Mobius, they all looked at this man in silence.
Some people were seeing Ryan for the first time, but this aura forced them to admit: He didn't gain that position through quid pro quo, nor through many schemes. Putting aside his intelligence and connections, the most fundamental factor was only one:
Power!!