Space Exploration Technology Department

"Okay."

William looked at Halsey's face, his heart stirring with a restless excitement.

He shifted his gaze and said, "You know, I'm your boss. It's really inappropriate to be hugging and kissing like this every day."

"Oh?"

Halsey narrowed her eyes slightly, as if contemplating something.

Soon, she opened her eyes again, her brows furrowed slightly, and she pouted.

She suddenly reached out her right hand and pinched William's chin, forcing him to meet her gaze.

!

William looked at Halsey's extremely serious and slowly approaching face, his lips trembling as he asked:

"Halsey, what are you doing?"

Halsey didn't answer immediately. Instead, with their faces almost touching, her eyes a little hazy, she retorted:

"Are we really just employees?"

"Me, you, this!"

William watched as her lips were about to touch his.

He was a little flustered.

She's too forward!

But...

He liked it.

No more resistance, I'll accept it!

Only...

"Boss, Egypt..."

It was only after Hunk walked into the first-class cabin that he interrupted the two in the middle of their actions.

"Wow." Hunk exclaimed with a blank expression.

"Ah!" Halsey quickly got up and scurried to the restroom to escape the awkwardness.

William, on the other hand, looked at Hunk with a dead-fish expression.

He said with a hint of unwillingness, "Hunk, what's so urgent?"

"Boss, that..." Hunk pointed to the restroom at the end of the cabin.

"Maybe I should say it later. You and Dr. Halsey can continue?"

Continue my ass.

William naturally wouldn't say that out loud. Wouldn't that chill his subordinate's heart?

"No need." He leaned back against the sofa cushion and said in a slightly lazy, faint tone, "Go ahead."

"Yes."

Hunk clasped his hands behind his back and respectfully said to William, "Egyptian President Mr. Mubarak contacted the captain via radio to send his regards to you, Boss. He said if you're not busy, he can personally welcome you to Egypt."

"Send his regards?" William blinked.

Looks like Egypt's economic situation isn't good lately.

He then waved his hand and said, "Have the captain reply to that president. Just give him a perfunctory response saying I'm busy and thank him for his kindness."

"Yes." Hunk turned to leave.

"Wait."

"Boss, is there anything else you need?"

"Ah, also, tell that president I send my regards to his mother."

"Yes, Boss."

Since the United Nations conference.

Umbrella's international status had risen sharply, covering almost all fields.

Not only in cutting-edge technology, but even the lifestyle industry was monopolized by Umbrella.

Take Canada, for example.

From toothbrushes and toothpaste to houses and real estate, all bore the distinct red and white umbrella logo.

The Canadian Government's reaction?

Umbrella had long since become Canada's largest taxpayer. The government was too grateful to even consider suppressing it like the USA, which was so petty.

The Canadian military had also signed an order for standardized weapons with the Umbrella Arms Department earlier that year.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Umbrella was more powerful than the government within Canada.

The signing of the arms deal not only brought William tens of millions in pocket money but also sparked an idea.

Thus, in April 2007, Umbrella established the Space Exploration Technology Department, proclaiming its aim to lead humanity into the Interstellar Age.

This earth-shattering move once again captured global attention.

The moronic newspapers on Wall Street wouldn't miss a chance to mock, with many calling William Russell completely insane.

Since America's Apollo 17 mission in 1972, humanity had not ventured to the moon again.

The Interstellar Age?

Naturally, such a bold declaration from a mere company drew widespread condemnation.

Coupled with the continuous rise in Lehman Brothers' stock price, most shareholders followed suit and ridiculed William, telling him to wait and lose money.

However...

The development plan for the Xbox console was suddenly 'leaked,' causing Microsoft's market value to surge.

William, Microsoft's largest shareholder, indirectly doubled his net worth, effectively shutting up those who had been jeering.

Furthermore, since "Abnormal Crisis" was to be made into a launch title by Microsoft's Bungie team, the sales of the already popular comic surged.

After all, the game industry in this world was extremely backward, let alone the concepts of consoles and handhelds.

This move completely cemented Umbrella's status in the hearts of teenagers.

William, the mastermind behind it all, naturally wouldn't admit that he orchestrated the leak.

While he didn't care about gossip, he couldn't let Umbrella's reputation suffer.

Moreover, establishing the Space Exploration Technology Department was a move born out of necessity.

This world lacked a genius like Elon Musk and a company like SpaceX, so William had to create his own.

The department's headquarters and launch base were built by the Umbrella Engineering Team in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The primary goal was to design Umbrella's proprietary private satellites for detection, communication, navigation, and more.

The projected aim was global coverage, providing real-time information to Umbrella's armed personnel.

As the technology in this area was mature, there were no issues with implementation.

As for the launch rockets?

Buy them!

Money was not an issue.

Moreover, the current NASA was not favored by the American higher-ups at all.

They readily agreed to Umbrella's purchase contract without hesitation.

Although the department's researchers didn't know how this would help with the Interstellar Age, they didn't ask further questions after signing the non-disclosure agreements.

In reality, the department's actual purpose was merely to serve as a cover for another secret department.

Coordinates: 54°N, 62°W.

Clearance: B-class and above.

Name: Delphi Base.

Description:

A secret base located in an uninhabited area in the interior of Newfoundland and Labrador, this base possesses Umbrella's most cutting-edge technical talent.

Furthermore, the security mission is handled by two battalions from the UBCS.

Aside from the loyal Umbrella Engineering Team, there are no C-class personnel.

Delphi was the first base to construct a nuclear fusion reactor and is also the most secretive of all Umbrella's research facilities.

Delphi is the name of Apollo's temple in Greek mythology and the center of the world in Greek mythology.

William's intention in naming this place Delphi was clear...

That is, to break free from the bonds of gravity and venture into space, making Umbrella the core of the human world.