"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing the temporary mission: deliver a lecture that shocks the entire audience. Reward obtained: Quantum Communication Technology."
"Ding! As the shock caused by the Host far exceeded the mission requirements, a hidden reward has been obtained: one opportunity to enhance a personal ability."
The following evening, after Lin Fan had finally finished covering everything, the system's voice sounded in his mind. Quantum Communication Technology—another excellent thing. It could solve humanity's problem of real-time communication across ultra-long distances.
At the Federation's peak, it had occupied three external Star Systems: Proxima, Epsilon Eridani, and Barnard's Star. Yet the timeliness of communications and the efficiency of interstellar travel had always been humanity's greatest headaches.
The Warp Drive Engine had previously solved the issue of interstellar travel efficiency completely, and now Quantum Communication Technology would solve the problem of timely communication on a stellar-system scale as well.
Lin Fan could not have been more satisfied with this reward.
But the hidden reward afterward left Lin Fan somewhat bewildered. According to the system's explanation, he could choose one of his personal abilities to enhance.
But the key issue was that he only had one personal ability at the moment: Mech Piloting. There was nothing to choose from. Could he raise Mech Piloting to S-rank?
In the end, Lin Fan decided to save the enhancement opportunity for now and use it when he needed it later.
With matters settled, Lin Fan and Liang Xue prepared to return to Mars Base. At the spaceport, Li Fulai personally came to see them off.
Of course, Emma had come as well.
However, Emma did not say a single word to Lin Fan. Instead, she and Liang Xue stood off to the side, whispering to each other.
Who knew what the two had said? In any case, what happened next nearly fried Lin Fan's brain.
"Sister Xue, I'll leave Lin Fan in your care. I'll report to Mars Base next year!"
"Alright. When you arrive next year, I'll arrange for you to join the 101st Task Force Fleet directly."
Huh. Lin Fan found this conversation extremely bizarre. Though he was happy to see the two getting along so well, it was still far too bizarre.
They had been fiercely bickering just last night. How had they become close sisters today? That made no sense!
"Kid, you've really got skills. You settled it in just one night?"
Li Fulai patted Lin Fan on the shoulder and whispered with a sly grin.
Huh. What did I settle? Did I get transported through time again?
Before Lin Fan could figure it out, Emma walked over and delivered another blow.
"Damn Lin Fan, listen to me. You'd better not bully Sister Xue, or when I get here next year, I'll make you regret it! Got it?"
"I—"
"Enough with the stammering. Hurry up and go!"
Alright then. After saying goodbye to the two of them, Lin Fan boarded the Uranus with a head full of question marks.
"Honey, what exactly is going on between you two?"
"Nothing much. I went out and talked to Emma for a while last night."
"What did you even talk about? How did things turn out like this overnight?"
"I won't tell you what we talked about. Emma only happened because you lost your memory, and I've accepted that. But there absolutely cannot be a third."
"I'm sorry."
For a moment, Lin Fan did not know what to say. He merely stepped forward and wrapped Liang Xue in his arms.
"Alright, there are people coming and going here. It wouldn't look good. Hurry to the bridge."
"Alright. I'll listen to my wife in everything."
Although Lin Fan still did not know what Liang Xue and Emma had discussed the night before, did it really matter anymore? This was already the best possible outcome. There was no need to get to the bottom of everything.
Three days later, the Uranus returned to Medium Orbital Starport No. 27 at Mars Base. The moment they disembarked, Lin Fan saw someone unexpected: Wood Scott!
Strange. Why was he here?
The Scott Family was a great family capable of rivaling the Campbell Family. The difference was that the Campbell Family's influence lay in politics, while the Scott Family's influence lay in the military.
Wood Scott was the current family head's son and the Scott Family's foremost future heir.
If it came to actual talent, plenty of people in the Fourth Fleet were more capable than him. Wood Scott's great fame in the Federal Fleet was mainly due to the hype created by the Scott Family behind him.
It was just that even the Scott Family had not expected Wood to cause such a huge mess when he had merely intended to build up some fame at the academy.
After that incident happened years ago, the Scott Family had once tried to use its influence in the military to destroy Lin Fan. Before they could act, however, Lin Zhen and Liang Xingchen warned them off. Only then did they learn that Lin Fan was actually the Federation President's son.
One of those issuing the warning was the current Federation President, while the other was the God of War of the Federation, who commanded the Federation's only main fleet at present.
With those two speaking out together, even the Scott Family did not dare make any more moves behind the scenes. In the end, the matter could only be dropped.
"Lin Fan, long time no see!"
"Yeah, it has been a long time. Why did you come to Mars Base?"
"It has something to do with you."
"Me?"
"Yes. You know, I grew up amid the Scott Family's praise and hype. After living in that environment for so long, I became a little full of myself. I truly believed I was some super genius who could rival Commander Liang. It was only after you crushed me so completely that I understood. I had merely been living amid the lies of those around me."
"So you've come to the front lines to gain experience?"
"Yes. I specifically applied to Commander Liang to join your fleet. This is my transfer order. Please guide me from now on!"
Lin Fan took the transfer order and examined it. Sure enough, it had been personally signed by Liang Xingchen, transferring Wood to serve as a fleet staff officer.
"The transfer order checks out. Welcome to the 101st Task Force Fleet!"
"Yes, thank you, Commander!"
Wood Scott stood at attention and gave Lin Fan a standard military salute.
It seemed he had truly come to his senses, Lin Fan thought.
After chatting with Wood for a few more moments, Lin Fan left with Liang Xue.
However, Lin Fan had no idea that after he left, Wood's entire expression changed.
Wood took a strange device from inside his clothes and placed it in his ear.
"Lord Adams? This is Wood Scott. I have successfully infiltrated the base of the 101st Task Force Fleet according to plan."
"Very good. Remember, your first mission is to rescue the Ninth Prince. Your second is to assassinate Lin Fan, and your third is to abduct Liang Xingchen's daughter, Liang Xue. However, if either of the other two missions conflicts with completing the first, you are permitted to abandon them. Understood?"
"Yes, Lord Adams. I understand."
"Good. Work hard. As long as you complete this mission, I will recommend you for honorary citizenship in the Oakes Empire. Once we conquer the Federation, I will make you Governor of Earth."
"Yes, thank you, Lord Adams. I will definitely complete the mission!"
"Good. That will be all."
After ending the communication, Wood's face twisted viciously.
"Lin Fan, just wait. As soon as I get the chance, I'll kill you myself!"
Before you continue