Five hours later, the 101st Task Force returned to Medium Starport 27 in Mars orbit.
After disembarking, a funeral ceremony for the fallen personnel was held with Admiral Marcus Sterling, who was already waiting at the starport.
"They were all good men!"
After the ceremony, Admiral Sterling patted Adrian Vale's shoulder and said.
"Yes, they were all good men."
"Now that we have 7 years, have you considered how you'll use it? Dr. Harold Bennett was quite noisy with me after hearing the truce news, insisting that you focus on scientific research for these next few years!"
"Spare me, asking me to spend all my time on research is practically asking for my life."
Admiral Sterling looked at Adrian, said nothing, and just smiled.
After all, he had already anticipated this answer.
"Let's go, let's head to the lab together first. Dr. Bennett has already started manufacturing the first warp engine. Let's go take a look!"
"Great, I also have some new things. I'll just throw them to Dr. Bennett to research as well!"
"Uh, what have you come up with now, kid?"
"You'll know in a bit, Admiral!"
Admiral Sterling shook his head helplessly and walked towards the lab with Adrian.
"Adrian, you're finally here. I just heard from that kid Sterling that there will be a truce for several years. During this time, you should focus on scientific research with us!"
"Dr. Bennett, no one can guarantee that the Ochus Empire won't tear up the agreement. I need to be on standby at all times!"
"You!"
Dr. Bennett was furious, thinking it was a complete waste of talent.
He was clearly the greatest scientist in the entire Federation, yet he was obsessed with war, it was simply...
"Dr. Bennett, don't get angry yet. Let me show you something good!"
With that, he handed over a storage card.
Dr. Bennett's eyelids twitched after seeing it. How familiar this scene was.
The first time Adrian handed him a storage card, it contained all the technical data for the warp engine. The second time, it contained the complete technical data for industrial robots, decades ahead of the Federation.
What would this third time be?
Dr. Bennett didn't immediately take the storage card. Instead, he went to the side, washed his hands, dried them, and then returned to Adrian, carefully taking the storage card.
This action made Admiral Sterling's eyes almost pop out. When had he ever seen Dr. Bennett act like this? It was simply...
Adrian, however, pursed his lips. Dr. Bennett, you're exaggerating too much, is this really necessary?
After taking the storage card, Dr. Bennett didn't even look at the two of them. He carefully inserted it into his optical computer and began to read!
"Hahahahaha!"
A few minutes later, everyone was startled by Dr. Bennett's sudden burst of laughter.
"Dr. Bennett, are you alright?"
Admiral Sterling carefully walked forward and asked softly.
"Alright? No, I'm not. There's something big, something huge! Do you know what Adrian gave me?"
"What?"
"Something that will let you crush the Ochus Empire in 2 or 3 years!"
"What!"
This time, it was Admiral Sterling's turn to shout.
Again, everyone was startled. The voice was too loud.
"What are you doing? Do you want to deafen my old ears, kid?"
"No, no, I was just too shocked. By the way, what exactly did Adrian give you?"
"Listen carefully, it's the complete technical data for an energy shield!"
After saying that, Dr. Bennett looked at Admiral Sterling with a smug expression.
Admiral Sterling looked at Dr. Bennett's expression, feeling a bit speechless. What are you so proud of, old man? You didn't research it yourself.
Although he thought this, Admiral Sterling didn't dare to actually say it to Dr. Bennett, otherwise that guy would definitely not let him off the hook.
An energy shield, how could Admiral Sterling not know what that was? This was a technology that had always existed only in human imagination.
If it was truly developed, then the Federation's warships would have an absolute advantage over the Ochus Empire's warships. Not to mention driving them out of the Milky Way, even reclaiming Proxima, Barnard's Star, Epsilon Eridani, or even counterattacking the Ochus Empire's territory would be effortless.
What was going on with this kid Adrian? He was getting more and more mysterious.
Forget it, it's still the same old saying: everyone has their own secrets. Since he's one of us, and the son of the Federation President, there's no need to delve too deeply.
"Dr. Bennett, how confident are you that this can be developed?"
"How confident? Are you stupid? I already said it's complete and full technical data. As long as the data is correct, of course it can be 100% developed!"
"Alright, my mistake!"
"Of course it's your mistake. Let me tell you, the first prototype of the warp engine is expected to be completed next week. At that time, I plan to equip it on a frigate for testing."
"No problem! Just let me know when it's ready, I'll come to observe the test too!"
"Hmm, also, now that we have this energy shield project, we need more manpower!"
"Okay, I'll contact the President and have him bring over all the top talents in the entire Federation!"
"Good, that's a good attitude. You can leave now!"
Although Admiral Sterling was used to Dr. Bennett's temper, he was still quite speechless.
What does 'good attitude, you can leave now' even mean?
Inadvertently, he also saw Adrian stifling a laugh nearby, which made his mood even worse.
Alright, I'll leave then. I have to say, when it came to Dr. Bennett, Admiral Sterling really had no temper.
"Okay, I'm leaving. Adrian, come with me, I have something to ask you!"
"Yes, Admiral!"
Soon, Adrian followed Admiral Sterling out of the lab, but Admiral Sterling didn't speak the whole way. Adrian could only follow along until they reached the port, where Admiral Sterling finally spoke.
"Adrian, Lena Sterling contacted me on the way back. She asked me if you had amnesia."
"Hmm, I know. Lena told me some things about when I was 8 years old. I told her I had amnesia ten years ago and have no memory of anything before I was 9!"
"No wonder! I did hear your father mention your amnesia. Apparently, they still haven't found the cause!"
"Yes, Admiral. May I ask if I knew Lena when I was little?"
"You didn't just know each other, you also... Sigh, never mind. This isn't something I should say. If you want to know, ask Lena yourself!"
"Uh, alright!"
"Oh, and finally, because you've twice defeated the Ochus Empire's fleet, the higher-ups are already considering promoting you. If it goes through, there should be a formal notification in the next few days!"
"Yes, Admiral!"
"Alright, I'll go first. You should have a good chat with Lena!"
"Okay!"
After Admiral Sterling left, Adrian returned to his office.
Sitting in his seat, Adrian thought of Lena. Sigh, what a headache. If he didn't clear this up, he would feel uncomfortable. He still needed to ask Lena to clarify things.
Thinking this, Adrian pressed the communication button on his desk!
"Lena, come to my office!"