Supervisor Bai Ye (Continued)

The various rumors had nothing to do with Bai Ye. He did not care about them.

What he wanted to do now was take control of the overall situation in the entire External Operations department.

The electric doors opened, and Bai Ye walked into the conference room.

All of External Operations' management had arrived.

The dispatched operators resting in the dormitories had also connected to their personal terminals. The conference room simply could not hold everyone, so the rest could only listen to the broadcast.

When Bai Ye entered the conference room, everyone present brightened up.

People were visual creatures, and Bai Ye also possessed an utterly unreasonable natural affinity. He made an excellent first impression.

Some of those present had originally resented the parachuted supervisor, but much of that resentment dissipated now. At the very least, their hostility was no longer so strong.

Quite a few people thought to themselves that he actually looked rather fitting in a supervisor's uniform...

Rhodes Island operated with great efficiency. With PRTS assisting the landship, Human Resources had only just processed Bai Ye's employment when the information had already been sent here. There had been so little delay that some people had not even reacted yet.

Bai Ye did not deliberately waste time. He did not even inspect his future dormitory or office before gathering everyone for this meeting. Time was tight, and his plan truly had to race against every second.

Bai Ye sat in the seat of honor at the conference table, with a microphone placed before him.

As he switched on the microphone, Bai Ye was actually a little nervous inside. This was his first time speaking before so many people.

Well, those idiotic Players from before did not count...

To be honest, the psychological pressure was quite heavy.

But speeches were practically a Rhodes Island tradition. Such actions could bring hope to this land, and Bai Ye knew he had to get used to them.

His mild social anxiety from his previous life had forced him to become a social terrorizer in this one. All he could say was that fate toyed with people.

Though he felt somewhat uncertain inside, none of it showed on his face.

Bai Ye sat expressionlessly before the microphone, his gaze fixed on the operators in the conference room.

He did not speak.

The whispers in the conference room gradually died away.

Everyone noticed that the air throughout the room had "sunk," and an oppressive feeling filled the atmosphere.

At first, everyone thought it was an illusion. But as the pressure grew stronger and stronger, they realized the air really was becoming heavy, weighing on them until they could barely breathe, much less whisper to one another.

The room fell silent. Everyone held their breath. Though they did not know how the young man before the microphone had done it, they all understood that this newly appointed supervisor was displaying his methods.

His temperament did not seem as easy to bully as his attractive appearance suggested. That harmless air was merely a disguise.

Bai Ye released his innate Arts, and the sudden relief made everyone let out a breath.

It could not be helped. Bai Ye knew that as a newcomer and a parachuted supervisor, he had no foundation here. His overly approachable appearance and temperament could also be misleading, so he could only use physical means to earn the right to speak.

Fortunately, the move had worked.

Watching the green light blink on the microphone, Bai Ye took a deep breath. "Hello, everyone. I'm Bai Ye. Starting today, I will be your new supervisor."

Bai Ye's voice echoed through the room and was transmitted through radio signals to every External Operations operator on the island.

Afterward, messengers would carry his speech to Rhodes Island offices across Terra.

No one spoke. Bai Ye was the sole focus of the room, and everyone's gaze rested on this excessively young new supervisor.

"First, I would like to commend all of you. PRTS has transmitted the previous data to me. I gave it a quick look. During the period when the previous supervisor was injured and stepped down, our department performed well."

Bai Ye really had reviewed all the data. He possessed the talent of Thought Acceleration. While it was not as useful for studying as it was in combat, Bai Ye could still process the data transmitted by PRTS with ease thanks to his efficient information intake and processing.

"Perhaps many people misunderstand our work."

"Some say that External Operations occupies an awkward position."

"Above us are the pure frontline operators, each of them possessing considerable combat ability."

"Below us are the logistics departments. Everyone there is office staff, working in offices without needing to go to the front lines."

"Only External Operations is stuck here, caught in the middle. Our combat ability is inferior to that of frontline operators, yet we have to run everywhere. Our workload keeps us too busy to train, and when danger arises, we struggle to deal with it."

"Excluding Catastrophe Messengers and messengers, our casualty rate even exceeds that of frontline combat operators."

"And because of their working conditions and intensity, messengers suffer an even higher casualty rate."

"Perhaps some people might ask whether this thankless job, one that even earns mockery, is really worth continuing."

"It is! Of course it is!"

"We are important."

"External Operations can be called Rhodes Island's largest department, with the broadest range of functions and the greatest responsibilities."

"Rhodes Island has dedicated offices in every important hub region. The operators stationed abroad are our backbone and the foundation supporting Rhodes Island."

"Catastrophe Messengers brave the risks of death and infection as they travel through the wilderness, safeguarding our routes."

"Messengers have struggled to weave a fragile network across this land. They are Rhodes Island's eyes and ears."

"Logistics and commercial messengers ensure the stability of Rhodes Island's supplies and maintain our financial chain."

"Dispatched operators undertake the bulk of fieldwork and even handle much of the Logistics department's work."

"Even external combat operations and medical aid require our coordination and assistance."

"Everyone has done an excellent job!"

Hearing this, everyone let out a breath, and their expressions brightened considerably.

Bai Ye paused for a moment, then continued, "But that alone is not enough."

"In Lungmen, I observed an entirely new group. Their kind resembles us in some ways, yet differs from us enormously."

"I believe this phenomenon is not accidental. In the future, their appearance will bring immense changes to this land."

"Gentlemen! A new crisis and a new tide are about to arrive. We will face an even harsher situation and greater challenges. This land will undergo changes unseen in a thousand years."

Bai Ye's words made everyone present exchange looks.

What he described was unheard of. Besides, was it not a little too exaggerated?

This land was already in such a terrible state.

Could it truly become even stranger?

"Not only is there this new group, but even harsher trials await us."

"It has been nearly forty years since Gaul fell during the Fourth Great War, yet the shadow of war has never left us."

"Now, internal conflicts within political entities around the world are gradually surfacing, external frictions continue without end, geopolitics are in turmoil, and the conflict between the Infected and non-Infected is intensifying. This land has reached an extremely dangerous and sensitive point."

Bai Ye had yet to mention those threats originating beyond Terra's civilization.

"Everyone, perhaps you think what I am saying is too distant, that it has little to do with employees of a small pharmaceutical company like us."

"But do not forget: when heaven and earth are overturned, no one can remain untouched."

"Rhodes Island has its own special nature. We have always remained politically neutral, which has earned us permission to enter various nations and establish offices in different places. But that also means we cannot receive political protection from anyone."

"We are an isolated island!"

"If Rhodes Island wishes to survive this tide, the work of External Operations will become our highest priority."

After finishing that section, Bai Ye paused to drink some water.

The atmosphere in the conference room became heavy once more.

This time, Bai Ye had not used his innate Arts. His words alone had frozen the air in the entire room.

Everyone's expressions were grave.

They knew Bai Ye was right.

The people in the conference room were all managers, not fools. Naturally, they could understand everything Bai Ye had said. The dispatched field operators and messengers traveled across Terra and had broad experience; they had noticed that something was wrong during their work outside as well.

They had merely noticed those things and never truly paid them attention or taken them seriously.

Now, Bai Ye had laid all those problems before them.

These weighty subjects left everyone struggling to breathe.

Compared with Rhodes Island's cheerful and bright daily life, this land was simply far too heavy.

Bai Ye's words were like waves, one after another, giving no one a chance to rest.

After a brief silence, Bai Ye continued, "From this point onward, External Operations will be crucial."

"First, within External Operations, I want to hear only one voice. Everyone, all External Operations operators must unite. No matter which functional department you belong to, no matter who you are, you must stand together."

"Only when we are a solid slab of iron can we weather the storm. Only when all fingers clench together can they become a fist."

Bai Ye intended to establish his authority within Rhodes Island first.

"I do not need you to agree with me completely in your thoughts. After all, you do not know me well, and I was parachuted in. Some of you will certainly be dissatisfied with me, and that is normal."

As he spoke, Bai Ye swept his gaze across the people in the conference room.

Some of them could not help lowering their heads. After Bai Ye's predecessor had been injured and stepped down, they had thought they might have a chance to become the new supervisor. Bai Ye's sudden arrival had caught them off guard, so naturally some were unhappy.

But that did not matter!

"What I want to say is that I need your trust. No matter what you are thinking right now, please trust me first. Follow my requests and carry out my will. Rather than holding one another back and standing still, it is more efficient to follow me forward."

"Perhaps my upcoming decisions will confuse you and leave you at a loss, but please trust me."

Kal'tsit sat in her office, listening to Bai Ye's speech.

Red lurked quietly in the shadows, her tail swaying gently as she looked perfectly at ease.

Amiya sat beside Kal'tsit, her expression grave.

She was a young girl, Rhodes Island's chief executive officer and publicly recognized leader.

Yet from her appearance alone, she was merely a child of around fourteen, still quite immature. It was difficult to imagine that a child like her was already the public leader of an organization.

If Bai Ye had been here, he would definitely have complained that people in his previous life always called Rhodes Island a heartless company. Was this not blatant child labor abuse?

Amiya's long ears twitched slightly, and she looked worried.

Do not misunderstand. Amiya certainly was not worried that Bai Ye had ulterior motives. Though Bai Ye's speech did sound somewhat suspicious on the surface, it might even have brought S.W.E.E.P. to his door for an inspection.

But Amiya trusted Kal'tsit. She believed that the supervisor personally approved by Kal'tsit was also someone worthy of trust.

What Amiya worried about was whether Bai Ye could truly earn the trust of External Operations.

If Bai Ye had joined a frontline action squad, he could have won everyone's approval simply by displaying his strength.

However, External Operations was unique. It was not a department where one could gain the right to speak merely by giving a speech or displaying strength. The challenges facing Bai Ye as a parachuted supervisor were severe.

Kal'tsit glanced at Amiya. Naturally, she could guess what the girl was thinking, and she reached out to stroke her hair. "Do not rush. Keep listening."

"Mm."

Amiya nodded obediently. To her, Kal'tsit was both a loving mother and a strict father. Though her words were cold, Amiya could still feel her care.

Kal'tsit was not the only one listening to Bai Ye's speech. Some of Rhodes Island's other management staff were listening as well.

Bai Ye had not deliberately concealed his speech. He openly displayed everything, without worrying that others might misunderstand his intentions.

Ascalon had already begun paying attention to this newly appointed supervisor. Rhodes Island's Anbu was gathering more information on Bai Ye and assessing the danger he posed to Rhodes Island.

Warfarin hummed softly. What Bai Ye said had not moved her, since she had already experienced far too much. What lay before her now was not enough to touch her. She only cared about what mattered to her.

Closure wore headphones and had long since tossed the so-called "Bai Ye speech" aside. With Kal'tsit around, what was there for her to worry about?

The elite operators were busy with their own tasks. Those with free time were training or preparing for their next missions.

Logos had just completed an Arts experiment. As he wiped down his staff, he casually took out a pen. Listening to Bai Ye's speech, he could not help but chuckle. "He really dares to say it..."

Exusiai was not listening to anything. She was pouring sweat in the training room, heat rising from her long, toned body, scorching and intense.

ACE...

Mechanist...

Only the Human Resources supervisor's face was black as coal.

Another troublesome operator!