The Captain and His Disdain

Within a month, the number of recruits at the Arcane Recruit Camp began to dwindle.

A significant number of people apply to graduate early and participate in the sergeant assessment standards.

Most of them were unregistered and couldn't even rank well in the monthly exams at the recruit camp, so they couldn't earn military merits, let alone exchange them for resources.

It's better to become a soldier in an army group sooner and gain experience and improve in combat.

The recruit camp, which originally had more than 30,000 recruits, had less than 10,000 left when Lister and his companion left.

These are the true backbone of the force, with the opportunity to challenge for a place in the top 5,000, gain military merit and resources, and strive to become officers.

Arcane Civilization, Satellite XQ333.

The planet is rich in rare metal ores, and many large-scale mining facilities have been built on it.

However, the number of people living there on a daily basis is much more desolate compared to that of a typical planet.

A frigate is usually stationed here for protection.

Today, however, an additional warship entered and docked in the satellite's naval resupply area.

This warship is a whole size larger than the frigates that are permanently stationed here.

It is a class higher than a frigate and belongs to the category of small cruisers.

The ship is fully equipped with various weapons, and the two iconic neutron cannons on both sides are particularly intimidating.

At that moment, two men dressed in the standard uniforms of the Federation Military District, with recruit ranks hanging on their shoulders, disembarked from the frigate and headed toward the patrol ship not far away.

The two men were Lister and Reck, as the cruiser they were ultimately assigned would only stay there for three hours for resupply.

So the two of them arrived at the satellite yesterday and rested for a night on the frigate.

At the entrance of the cruiser, a sergeant is on duty.

Upon seeing the recruit reserve rank insignia on their collars, the officers immediately stopped them.

"Please show your identification, both of you."

"I am Lister, and this is Reck. We are the new officers assigned to this warship."

As he spoke, Lister waved his hand, and a virtual document appeared in mid-air.

It was an order issued by the headquarters of the Arcane Army Group.

"Captain Lister...?"

The soldier's expression changed drastically upon seeing the rank titles on the first line of the transfer order, and he quickly saluted Lister and his companion.

He didn't continue reading the transfer order, but respectfully led the two inside.

"Sir, please come with me."

Although it is only a small cruiser, its interior is surprisingly large.

There's even a dedicated internal public transportation system.

About ten minutes later, Lister and his party arrived at an area that resembled an office.

The sergeant carefully led the two through the public office area and knocked on the door of the only private office inside.

"Please come in!"

A loud voice came from inside. The door was pushed open, and inside was a captain who looked quite young.

It has delicate features, distinctive sharp ears, and a staff leaning against it.

One could tell at a glance that the other party came from Arcane Civilization.

[Target: Unknown (Captain of the Arcane Civilization Army, Arcane Civilization)]

[Level: LV119]

[Overall Rating: B]

The captain picked up his staff and waved it, and countless virtual files in mid-air suddenly disappeared.

Only then did he finally look up, glance at the soldier who had led the way and the two of them, and immediately forced a smile onto his tired face.

"Sergeant Xiao Ke, thank you for bringing your men here. Go back to your duty now."

"Yes!"

With just a simple "thank you for your hard work," Sergeant Xiao Ke's emotions became visibly agitated.

Excitedly, he closed the door and carefully left the area, not daring to disturb anyone around him.

"You two must be Captain Lister and Lieutenant Reck, right?"

"My name is Cohen, and I'm the Administration Department of this warship. May I show you the transfer order first?"

Upon hearing this, Lister immediately presented the transfer order.

"Lister is hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and transferred to the A73 Small Cruiser as the Landing Operations Department (subject to possible reassignment by the captain at the same rank, depending on the actual situation)."

"Reck: Granted the rank of Second Lieutenant and transferred to the A73 Small Cruiser, under the Landing Operations Department (position to be assigned internally by the fleet)."

Reck had already gathered information about this small cruiser long ago.

The captain, Boren, and several of the deputy captains were only majors.

Lister's rank of captain on this warship clearly places him among the senior officers.

Of course, even among captains, the actual status of military officers differs, with the most important factor being whether they have real power.

Clearly, thanks to Major Qi's patronage, Lister appointed him to the position of minister right away.

After confirming, Captain Cohen finally smiled broadly.

"The transfer order is approved. Captain Lister, Lieutenant Reck, welcome to our A73 Cruiser."

"Actually, I was just about to go outside to meet you two, but I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly."

During the polite greetings, Cohen's attention was entirely on Lister.

It's already rare to be able to graduate directly from recruit training and be awarded the rank of captain, which means that one's combat strength is no less than A-level.

Not to mention being granted an official position, Cohen's attitude towards him was exceptionally enthusiastic at the time.

"I have already notified the Logistics Department about your new uniforms and ranks. A special sergeant will deliver them to your quarters shortly."

"The captain and several first officers are in the command room right now, shall I introduce you to the captain first?"

"Thank you for your help, Captain Cohen."

"No need to be so polite, just call me Cohen."

The command center, belonging to the command headquarters, is a core department of this warship and is located at the bow.

"This is the Navigation Department, the Shipboard Artillery Department... the Radar Satellite Department... the Electromechanical Department..."

Compared to the soldier who looked nervous and didn't dare to say a word the whole way...

Captain Cohen generously introduced the departments they passed by to the two of them.

These departments are mainly staffed by officers of the rank of second lieutenant or higher, with only a small number of senior sergeants.

Most of the crew members on the warships were concentrated in the Landing Operations Department, which would be under Lister's future command.

"Cohen, if I want to take a vacation, who do I need to approve it for?"

"You're asking for leave today?"

Cohen looked at him with surprise. It was the first time he had ever seen someone take leave on their very first day on the job.

However, considering that the other party went directly from recruit training to a captain with real power, it suddenly seemed normal.

"If a sergeant requests leave, it will be approved immediately if the requirements are met."

"The officer's statement needs to be reviewed by me first."

"As for you, Lister, since you are the person in charge of the entire Landing Operations Department, you need Captain Boren's approval."

"Captain Boren has a bit of a fiery temper. I suggest you wait until your position is confirmed before..."

Lister's Landing Operations Department was pre-assigned to him by the Arcane Military District, but the actual transfer order also stated that he could be transferred at the same level as needed by the captain.

Although Major Boren's rank is only one level higher than his, as the first commander of the warship, the two are in a completely superior-subordinate relationship.

Whether he can actually secure this powerful position still depends on getting past Major Boren.

As soon as the three entered the command room, a series of harsh curses erupted.

"Why did you transfer my mission directly to another warship?"

"Do you think I'm easy to bully!?"

A burly man with a thick beard was shouting insults at the three of them from a short distance away.

Of course, it wasn't actually directed at them, but rather at the virtual projection in front of them.

"Major Boren, I understand your feelings, but the mortality rate on your ship's last mission was too high."

"Lieutenant Colonel Kali hopes you will take some time to rest and recuperate; this transfer was personally approved by her."

"Where is it high? It's only 27%!"

"Doesn't your command have any idea how difficult the last mission was?"

"I don't care about any of that! I'm not admitting to this! You guys get the mission back!"

The three of them had now bypassed the circular area and stood next to Major Boren, following Cohen.

[Target: Unknown (Federation Military District Major, Level 2 Civilization)]

[Grade:???]

[Overall Rating: Grade A]

Major Boren is indeed quite capable.

The entity he is currently speaking to appears to be the central command of the Arcane Army Group.

Moreover, the officer opposite him was only a lieutenant, and Major Boren clearly did not take him seriously.

Before he could explain again, Major Boren launched into another tirade, showing no mercy whatsoever.

The cursing stopped abruptly when another female lieutenant colonel appeared in front of them.

"Keep swearing, huh?"

"Why did you stop?!"

"Commander Kali! I didn't swear, I was just protesting normally."

"My mission has 10,000 military merit points, why should it be canceled just like that!"

He still verbally expressed his indignation, but his attitude had completely softened.

What's the point of trying to fool me?

"Given your mortality rate on your last mission, if I hadn't intervened, you wouldn't be getting any new missions for at least five years!"

"Commander Kali! This won't do!"

"Five years without a mission, our entire warship is going to fall apart?! How could headquarters treat us like this?! This..."

Upon hearing this, not only Major Boren, but also the other officers who appeared to be the vice-captains changed their expressions drastically.

Shut up!

"I've already stepped in to help you coordinate things; now you just need to rest for a while."

Lieutenant Colonel Kali's expression was already showing signs of impatience, but she managed to speak with barely any patience.

"Sir, you know me, I can't stay idle!"

"Please, have mercy and help me again..."

After much pleading and obsequious flattery, Lieutenant Colonel Kali finally had no choice but to speak.

"I have another 1000-point task here, you can have it first."

"A thousand points isn't enough..."

"Enough! Enough! One thousand points is more than enough! Thank you, sir!"

The bearded captain was about to continue expressing his dissatisfaction when he saw Lieutenant Colonel Kali's increasingly grim expression, so he quickly decided to back down while he was ahead.

Only after the virtual screen in front of him disappeared did he finally have the leisure to turn his head and look at Lister and the other man.

His gaze fixed on the recruit ranks on their shoulders, and his expression instantly turned puzzled.

"Captain Boren, this is Lister..."

As soon as Cohen finished introducing him, Boren's face darkened and became extremely ugly, and he interrupted the introduction of Reck.

"Is this the new minister that headquarters sent to me?"

"Damn it! Have worms eaten their brains?!"

"I paid them so much in bribes, and all they sent me was a rookie to fool me!?"