Chapter 268 "Neptune" Emergency (Two in One)

March 26.

In the low-Earth orbit of Reach, located in the orbital space station directly above the city of New Alexandria;

"All passengers preparing to board the Neptune, please go to Port 13 as soon as possible. The Neptune will close the gate in 15 minutes.

Repeat, please."

The hall here is filled with reminders issued by the radio.

The UNSC Marines holding MA guns and equipped with non-mechanical skeleton individual armor stand guard at the safety passages, elevator entrances and exits, and some patrol in groups of three.

Tourists wearing different styles of clothing follow the content presented on the holographic guide signs to their respective destinations.

Among them, there are three people in plain clothes: Leon, Mike and Maggie Shaw (Queen Maeve).

Their luggage has been checked in, and they are currently following the radio reminders and walking towards Port 13 not far away.

As for the special operations team led by Chris, more than a dozen colleagues, as well as Bingnan and Homelander, are preparing to take other flights and go to Earth, which is "only" ten light years away from Reach.

The main reason is that if all personnel are concentrated together, it is easy to increase the risk of exposure, so it is better to disperse and consider the reunion after arriving on Earth.

After a while.

Lyon and the other two came to the 13th docking port, and used the identity documents forged by Cortana and the "tickets" purchased by the real purchase to successfully complete the final inspection of the crew, and came to the corridor leading to the hull.

Walking in the corridor, Lyon can use the observation windows on both sides to see the Neptune cruise ship they are going to take, as well as the scene of the docking port.

The scale and style of the docking port are similar to the space city built by the company in the main universe. They are directly connected to the outer space, and the environment is low temperature, low pressure and full of harmful radiation.

Civilian, commercial ships, and even military ships rely on large mechanical arms to complete the berthing.

Retractable and different-sized corridors are the best way for ships to unload and load cargo, or for people to enter and exit.

"."

At this moment, looking at the Neptune outside the window, Leon couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly.

Because he always had an inexplicable feeling in his heart.

It may be related to the fact that all the vehicles he had taken would encounter some emergencies.

During the holidays, the private car he bought himself had many car accidents, ranging from scratches and paint to being knocked over by other vehicles.

When on duty, the company's exclusive vehicle for investigators was a little better, after all, it had armor protection and could be turned on magnetic levitation mode.

Although Leon did not believe in evil or superstition, the number of accidents was a bit too frequent, making him more sensitive to this aspect.

"What's wrong, my old friend?"

At this time, Mike noticed that Leon's facial expression was a little solemn, so he joked:

"Are you afraid of seasickness? It's okay, I can understand."

"No." Leon shook his head lightly, indicating that everything was normal.

"No?" Mike also made a solemn expression, and put his arm around Leon's shoulder, saying:

"Is the number 13 unlucky, making you feel... that there will be some unexpected situation on our trip? Huh?"

"Stop being so crow-mouthed."

Leon elbowed Mike in the ribs.

"You are so daring."

Mike grinned and had to loosen his right arm on Leon's shoulder.

"."

Maggie, who was much younger than them, looked at the two of them speechlessly.

In terms of qualifications, Leon and Mike can be regarded as legendary investigators, and in terms of experience, Maggie can't compare with them.

But this didn't stop Maggie from complaining in her heart.

However, it was the "calmness" of Leon and Mike that made Maggie's stealth and combat mentality more stable since she transferred to the Investigation Department and entered the "Halo" universe.

Soon, the three of them passed through the corridor bridge and came to the interior of the Neptune.

The uniformed and well-proportioned steward led them to a large suite with three bedrooms.

Before leaving the suite, the steward followed the procedure and said to the three people with a smile:

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Neptune is the newest, fastest and most stable civilian cruise ship.

During the voyage, our buffet restaurant provides free service all day long, but you need to pay for the supermarket yourself.

In addition, the entertainment area of ​​the cruise ship is also open all day long, but you need to strictly abide by safety matters and the instructions of the security personnel.

If you need anything, please tell me and my colleagues as soon as possible.

Finally, thank you for choosing our Ocean Airlines and wish you a pleasant journey."

After speaking, the steward placed his hands in front of his lower abdomen and bowed slightly to Leon, Mike and Maggie.

After standing up, the steward turned around and left the suite.

Swish——.

As the automatic door closed, only the three of them were left in the suite.

Mike threw his backpack on the sofa and lay down on it, putting his hands on the back of his head, looking at the metal ceiling and said happily:

"Huh~ I can finally rest, I need to sleep for a while."

"I'll go to the supermarket."

Maggie put her backpack away, took the plastic-textured boat ticket, and also left the suite.

Leon didn't say anything. He came to the sofa chair by the side, sat up, and looked at the port of call outside the sealed window.

Although it seemed like he and Mike were alone in the suite, Leon was not prepared to discuss work-related matters with the other person.

Who knows if there are secret listening and monitoring equipment here?

At this stage, the UNSC's tolerance for the rebels has reached its limit, and the rebels are even more frenzied and often carry out terrorist attacks that cause civilian casualties.

Therefore, the UNSC and UEG do not care about the privacy rights of civilians at all. As long as they can prevent the rebels, they will do whatever it takes.

For example, in the passenger suites of civilian cruise ships, it is common practice to install listening and monitoring equipment.

What's more, the Neptune is the latest cruise ship to "enter the sea", and most of its passengers are family members of wealthy businessmen and political figures, so it is on the UNSC's protection list.

Thinking of this, Leon just shook his head helplessly with a sleepy face.

Without a unified enemy, humanity will always be trapped in internal strife.

Didn't have to wait long.

Through the sealed window, Leon saw that the scene outside was slowly "moving", or in other words, the Neptune had separated from the covered bridge and was slowly sailing out of the port of call.

Then, the dark deep space of the universe and the star Reach covered by the aurora appeared in Leon's field of vision.

Immediately afterwards, the scene outside the window was replaced by a "whirlpool channel" emitting blue light.

This shows that the Neptune they are on board has entered the cleavage space and is heading towards the Earth ten light years away.

"Dear passengers, I am Robert Lemsey, captain of the Neptune."

At this time, a speech from the captain of the Sea King came over the radio:

"This ship will sail towards our home planet of mankind at a speed of about 3 light-years per Earth day, and is expected to reach the low-Earth orbit at the end of the journey on March 30.

During this period, all passengers can enjoy the free entertainment, delicious food and desserts provided by the ship, and all our crew members will also provide the most attentive service to everyone.

Finally, passengers are also requested to abide by the corresponding safety regulations so that we can have a pleasant and safe journey. Thank you for your cooperation. "

"The safety regulations are, don't run around. I don't have the time."

After listening to the captain's speech, Mike, who was lying on the sofa, complained.

"."

Leon shrugged and did not respond to his friend's complaints.

He glanced at the "gorgeous" loft space outside the window, got up and left the sofa chair, and walked toward the bathroom.

It seemed that Leon was going to wash up briefly and then go to the bedroom to have a good sleep.

——

Twenty-four hours later.

Set up in the Neptune’s cafeteria at the upper end of the ship;

The floor height here is six meters high, and hundreds of tourists gather here. The ceiling is not a lifeless metal, but a panoramic skylight that ensures airtightness and safety.

The sparkling light from the loft space shines into the buffet restaurant through the panoramic skylight, and combined with green plants, soft lighting, and soothing music, the passengers have a unique and alternative experience, and their mood is even more joyful.

Security personnel who are responsible for maintaining order and equipped with stun guns are guarding the entrances and corners of the restaurant.

In fact, there is a UNSC Marine combat platoon inside the Neptune to ensure the safety of the cruise ship.

The main passengers who can take the Neptune are mostly residents of near-Earth colonies or the Earth itself, not to mention many family members of wealthy businessmen and political figures.

If something unexpected happens to the Neptune by the rebels, then the UNSC and UEG will not simply be "embarrassed."

Once the travelers become hostages, the UNSC and UEG have to negotiate and negotiate with the rebels.

but

"Haha~! Come on, come on!"

"Slow down and wait for me!"

However, the young children cannot understand political and military conflicts. At this moment, they are playing in the lobby outside the restaurant.

But the noise they make will not disturb the dining experience of tourists.

Among them were Leon, Mike and Maggie who were sitting at the edge of the restaurant.

"Hiccup~!"

After cleaning the dishes, Mike burped, leaned back on his seat, looked up at the loft space outside the window, and sighed:

"If nothing else, just put the restaurant here on Neptune, it's worth the price of admission."

"."

Leon frowned, seemingly not agreeing.

The funds for their investigators' operations are provided by the company, but Leon always feels that Neptune's tickets are a bit too expensive.

However, the identities Cortana assigned to the three of them were from wealthy families in the "Halo" universe, so the logic of their actions and the content of their words had to match the forged identities.

But Lyon is really dedicated to the public good and thinks Neptune’s one-way ticket pricing is a bit outrageous.

Converted into the company's military supplies, one person's ticket price can be worth 240 8mm Gauss spike bombs.

It may be that the main universe dominated by the company has lower pricing and is quite conscientious in terms of travel, which makes Lyon have a strong "gap contrast".

If Neptune were a company's cruise ship, families of all walks of life would be able to board it easily.

After all, Atlas’ concept includes “common prosperity”.

As for Maggie, she worked the whole time and had no time to discuss the fare issue with Mike and Leon.

Slow down.

Mike looked at Maggie and asked, "Hey, you haven't thought about finding a boyfriend? You're already a grown man."

"Me?" Maggie, who had just finished eating a basket of steamed buns, was in a daze.

Then she shook her head and said, "Why look for a boyfriend? It's not good to be free?"

Maggie's words were true. She really didn't have the idea of ​​looking for a boyfriend.

Besides, even if she wanted to find one, it would be difficult for ordinary people to "survive a round", so there was almost no opposite sex that she could take a fancy to.

As for the same sex.

Maggie now did not suffer persecution and intimidation from her homeland like in the timeline of "The Boys", so her sexual orientation was still normal and she had no feelings for the same sex.

"Don't always say those nonsense." Leon interrupted, "Take care of yourself first, my old friend."

"Why, you are jealous"

Mike wanted to say a few words to Leon, but halfway through his words, his expression changed quickly, and his eyes were fixed on the entrance and exit of the restaurant.

Because the security guards guarding the entrance and exit had a dispute with the three Marines.

?

This made Mike alert immediately.

Even Leon and Maggie looked at the entrance and exit.

And, just as the two of them turned their heads sideways, three Marines raised their rifles and aimed at the security guards who tried to stop them.

Then——

Da! Dada!

Then, the deafening sound of gunfire resounded throughout the restaurant.

Puff! Puff!

The sound of the security guards whose heads were pierced and destroyed by rifle bullets collapsing to the ground was also particularly "sharp".

"Oh my God!"

"Help! Help!"

Faced with this sudden change, the passengers present were immediately terrified and fled from their seats, trying to use the safety passage to run out of the restaurant.

However, just as the security guards guarding the safety passage unlocked the door and prepared to let the passengers evacuate better, two more Marines took advantage of the open gate and killed the last security guard from behind.

A Marine even jumped onto the dining table, pointed his gun at the crowd, and threatened loudly:

"If you don't want to die, be quiet!"

"Put out your hands! Get on the ground!"

"Hurry up! Don't force us to shoot!"

"Don't even think about doing anything. No one can save you here!"

All the Marines cooperated with their teammates and immediately controlled the passengers, as well as the cruise ship staff and crew.

And Leon, Mike, and Maggie also followed the instructions of the Marines, put out their hands, and got on the ground.

Before they figured out the situation, the three of them were ready to wait and see.

After all, if they acted rashly, the three of them could indeed easily deal with the Marines in front of them, but there was a high probability that innocent people would be hurt.

Secondly, they were still speculating on the reason why the Marines suddenly "suddenly rose up".

Did the rebels infiltrate the UNSC Marines?

Or did the rebels instigate the battle platoon stationed on the Neptune?

While thinking, Leon found that the shimmering light on the carpet had disappeared in an instant, leaving only soft light to illuminate the restaurant.

He looked up at the panoramic skylight and saw that the jump space outside the window had been replaced by the dark deep space of the real universe.

This meant that the Neptune they were on was forced to end the jump voyage and arrived at a star system that might be controlled by the rebels.