Opening a Branch Mine!

The arched windows of the New Apollowin Mining Industrial Area Supervisory Office facing the mine were all open, letting in the gentle morning breeze, causing the tightly drawn curtains and the pale yellow tassels of the bookmarks on the bookshelves to sway together.

Augustus's gray hairs swayed gently on his forehead, the report papers on his mahogany desk rustled, and his coat and hat hung on a nearby clothes rack.

The old record player that Raynor and Harnack had picked up last week at the New Apollowen Community market was still working hard, always missing a catchy tune from Tarsonis, but Augustus knew it was a miracle that this old relic, which may have existed since the early Colonial Era, could still make a sound.

Perhaps this record player isn't as old as the locals say. After all, Raynor acquired it for scrap metal prices.

Looking back now, it was quite a miracle that Raynor and Harnack were able to emerge unscathed from the furious residents of Kel-Morian, despite the presence of two Arclite Siege Tank and a platoon of Resocialized Soldier standing at the community entrance.

In the supervisor's office, Lisa, dressed in a medical sergeant's uniform, was cleaning up some collections left behind by the former supervisor of Kel-Morian Mining, including some ores that emitted colorful light but whose purpose was unknown, portraits of beautiful women that conformed to Kel-Morian aesthetics, and gilded mining picks.

After tidying up, Lisa then hung up an oil painting of Augustus's mother and several cage-guarded swords that Augustus himself used to practice swordsmanship— Augustus was practicing swordsmanship and other ancient fighting techniques to improve his appalling close combat skills, but the only skill he had been able to use well so far was the Salted Fish Thrust.

"What is this?" Lisa took out a plain-looking safe from a box.

"Tarsonis Peace Islands wine, if I remember correctly, it should be the 2014 vintage. Handle with care." Augustus glanced up.

"Why put it in a safe? It's just a bottle of wine." Lisa gently put it down.

"You don't understand the Mengsk family's fondness for fine wine, just as the Kel-Morian people are keen on finding pretty stones in the mud. As for the safe, that's a tradition," Augustus. "It's the same as your love for pretty dresses."

"In this world, there are other things besides crabs that can bring joy, such as happiness, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment."

"Okay, you're always right." Lisa shook her head. "I haven't touched them for almost two months, and I don't think about that stuff all the time anymore. I'm trying to make something else my whole life."

"I'm truly happy for you." Augustus put down his pen again, a smile spreading across his face. "It seems your drug rehabilitation has been quite successful so far. I believe that one day you won't need my supervision anymore. That way, you won't be controlled by those hallucinogenic drugs, no longer living in a daze. Lisa, I believe your life should belong to you."

"It's impossible that I'll never be able to control myself. Like the doctor said, I have a weak will and am beyond help." Out of Augustus's sight, Lisa's pink lips, painted with lipstick, trembled. "Augustus."

"..." Augustus looked at Lisa, waiting for her to continue.

"They still need supervision," Lisa said softly.

"...You have so little confidence in yourself." Augustus paused, thinking to himself, "What should I say?" "If all else fails, after you leave the army, I can hire a few maids to look after you."

Something's not right. This sounds more like keeping a mistress.

"Of course, I have other options." Augustus changed his tune, saying, "What are your plans after you retire?"

"The future? I don't have any plans for the future." Lisa took out a framed photograph from Augustus's box. It was of a little girl with a silver ponytail, about ten years old, and she looked quite tall.

"Is that your sister?" she asked.

"It seems so," Augustus said uncertainly. "Alright, give it to me."

"Then could you pour me a cup of coffee?"

Augustus had much work to do, including calculating mine profits and tallying labor and transportation costs.

After the ceasefire agreement took effect, all offensive plans of the Terran Confederacy army were suspended, and most of the landing forces returned to their warships that were stationary in orbit.

However, Augustus volunteered to stay in New Apollowin and promised to get the local factory back to production as quickly as possible and deliver the full amount of Ardien Crystal to the Meinhoff Space Port.

Normally, no one would have paid any attention to the opinion of a mere second lieutenant, even though Augustus was already quite famous, both in the officer circle of the 33rd Ground Assault Division and in the wider civilian population.

In the matter of applying to manage the New Apollowin factory, Augustus's old superior, Lieutenant Colonel Warfield, would not help him, because Warfield always insisted on fairness and impartiality. He could tolerate some minor flaws, but he was always impartial on matters of principle.

Ultimately, it was one of his Arcturus's men who remained in the army for the time being, an old subordinate named Chuck, who took over the task.

Today is the first day since the document was issued, Augustus successfully become the manager of a large mine, even earlier than his brother. If nothing unexpected happens, Arcturus, who has just left the army, is currently driving SCV on some barren planet in the outer sector, mining and analyzing samples of ore.

Besides the Heaven's Devils Platoon, Augustus also commanded a Resocialized Company, as well as four Arclite Siege Tank left on the ground.

These troops were more than sufficient to maintain order, and Kel-Morian's main forces dared not risk unilaterally breaking the ceasefire agreement by attacking an ordinary mining area.

The war has dragged on for too long; both sides need time to regroup.

As for whether to continue fighting or conclude a peace treaty afterward, that is up to the two governments to decide.

Although a ceasefire had been reached, minor skirmishes continued throughout Meinhoff. The fact that some officers did not want to die on a planet full of rocks and Kel-Morian people on the eve of the war's end was also a major reason why Augustus able to secure the appointment.

However, the problems caused by the excessively high proportion of Resocialized Soldier have begun to emerge, namely, the number of soldiers who can flexibly handle management matters is decreasing.

Just then, some noise came from outside the window. Augustus smiled; he knew that his hired Kel-Morian miners had arrived.

In the Koprulu Sector, there are many ways to become wealthy, but owning a rare crystal mine is undoubtedly the key to entering high society—whether by selling ownership or hiring people to mine it.