Tania's appearance caught everyone by surprise.
Even more unexpected was the forceful way she had made her entrance by seizing control of everyone's computers and cell phones.
"Greetings, Commander! I'm Adrian Chen from the Techmasters' Alliance. I led the team that delivered the last batch of recruits to Pegasus. Do you remember me?" Adrian Chen leaned toward the screen, rubbing his hands together with an ingratiating smile.
"I remember you."
Tania's reply filled Adrian Chen with delight.
"Ninety percent of the recruits you sent were eliminated. They were a bunch of pampered, useless fools. What kind of people did you send me?"
Her words struck like a bucket of ice water, draining the color from Adrian Chen's face and sending a chill down his spine.
"You still haven't answered my question!" Tania raised her voice, her tone edged with anger and impatience.
Her time was extremely valuable. She had to monitor the planets and asteroid belts under her jurisdiction at all times to keep the Hunters from slipping through unnoticed.
The warriors under her command were still inexperienced and sometimes failed to see through the Hunters' disguises.
Wasting time arguing with these people was only increasing the security risk.
Everyone in the conference hall exchanged uncertain glances. Adrian Chen finally reacted, but he still could not tell what Tania truly wanted. She had angrily declared Lucy Luo's results invalid, but did she actually want them canceled or not?
"I support invalidating Lucy Luo's results!" Patrick Wang stepped forward beneath Tania's icy gaze and spoke with conviction. "The selection of Techmasters depends on the fairness of these competitions. There is already an enormous difference between Techmasters and ordinary pilots. If we start changing the rules whenever we please, who will still trust the competitions enough to participate?
"Techmasters may enjoy extraordinary status, but they still rise from among ordinary people. We absolutely cannot set a precedent for breaking the rules!"
Tania looked at Patrick Wang without any visible reaction, then turned to the others.
"What do the rest of you think? Do you agree with him?"
Hearing this, Adrian Chen immediately relaxed.
"I object! Lucy Luo is your younger sister. With her exceptional talent, she is certain to become world-class someday. Being a few hours late is hardly a serious matter. We should not let something like this discourage her from striving to improve."
The people aligned with Adrian Chen nodded eagerly in agreement.
They all believed their flattery had struck exactly the right note.
As for the stubborn, inflexible Patrick Wang, he was surely about to suffer the consequences.
Instead, Tania gave a cold laugh from the screen.
"Adrian Chen, you abused your authority to interfere with the rules of an official competition, causing severe repercussions.
"You are hereby stripped of your position as a member of the Techmasters' Alliance and sentenced to one month of confinement and study.
"After that month, report to the Pegasus Space Station for one year of service. I'll personally teach you how to follow the rules!"
The moment she finished speaking, Tania abruptly ended the video call.
Every cell phone, computer, and tablet in the conference hall went black at the same time.
Adrian Chen stood frozen, sweat gathering at his temples and trickling down his face. After a long silence, his legs gave way and he collapsed onto the floor.
None of his former subordinates dared to help him.
What a joke.
He was finished.
Losing his position in the Techmasters' Alliance was a minor problem. The real punishment was spending an entire year serving aboard the Pegasus Space Station.
For anyone below the level of a world-class Techmaster, even one month there would be enough to leave them utterly exhausted, let alone an entire year.
There was cosmic radiation, the constant threat of the Hunters, and an endless mountain of work.
Judging by Tania's attitude, she clearly intended to work Adrian Chen like a common laborer. At that rate, the Techmaster would be broken within six months.
"You reap what you sow!"
Seeing Adrian Chen looking utterly devastated filled Patrick Wang with satisfaction.
He clasped his hands behind his back and gave a haughty snort.
"As for those of you who raised your hands just now, don't bother following me anymore. Go cling to your precious godfathers in the Techmasters' Alliance! None of you need to report for duty tomorrow!"
With that, he led the more loyal members of his faction out of the conference room, striding away without sparing anyone else a glance.
He also called out to the competition staff member standing nearby in a daze.
"What are you still standing around for? Didn't you hear Commander Tania? Lucy Luo's result is canceled. Treat this competition as though she never participated!"
"Right, of course!" The staff member hurried away.
Adrian Chen's howls could still be heard from inside the conference room.
"What right does she have to remove me from my position? Does she even have that authority?"
"She's already been sent to the battlefield! What right does she have to interfere with matters here?!"
He had barely shouted a few times when the cell phone in his pocket began to ring.
He answered it.
As the Alliance Speaker unleashed a furious torrent of abuse from the other end of the call, Adrian Chen fell into a long silence.
On the surface, Tania truly did not have the authority to interfere with matters beneath the Starry Sky.
But no one could forget that she controlled Pegasus, currently the most powerful space station.
With a single order, Tania could expel any Techmaster or Mecha Girl stationed there.
With another, she could prevent any Techmaster sent by the Techmasters' Alliance from entering Pegasus.
Lifespan had always been one of humanity's favorite subjects.
There had once been a time when longevity was nothing more than a dream.
No matter how advanced medicine became, it could not reverse the failure of the body's organs.
Humans could indeed be fused with machines, but those who underwent such a process could no longer be considered truly human.
However, as Mecha Island continued its research into the Void, the secret behind the extraordinary longevity of this cosmic race was gradually revealed.
Long life was no longer an unattainable dream for humanity.
Those who wanted to extend their lifespan had to fight the Void and obtain a Void Heart.
For now, there was no question that this resource remained entirely in the hands of the frontline forces.
...
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