After parting ways with the Chu Family fleet, Zhao Chen's T3 Blizzard traveled through the Blue Field Star System Stargate and, after several days, finally returned to the North Star System.
Zhao Chen did not return to the North Star Starship Military Academy but instead went directly to the Soaring Dragon Base.
The rescue operation for the faculty and students of the two academies had taken nearly ten days.
During this time, the two T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ships at the Soaring Dragon Base had not rested at all.
According to Zhao Chen's original production plan, if the existing production tasks were completed, they would continue producing T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ships.
For this type of interstellar auxiliary ship, Zhao Chen could never have too many!
Currently, on the expansion platforms of the two existing T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ships, the ship hull keels of two more T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ships were already in place!
They were expected to be commissioned into service by mid-April.
Zhao Chen and Secretary Officer Lilith left the T3 Blizzard and took a shuttle to the T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ship Number One.
"Commander," a three-meter-tall Minotaur female demi-human, who could lift Zhao Chen with one hand, stood before him in work clothes.
The Minotaur female demi-human had a pair of horns on her head, with beautifully defined muscles in her limbs, healthy wheat-colored skin, drooping ears, and a short tail behind her.
If this were in Zhao Chen's previous life, she would undoubtedly be at the level of a fitness model!
Zhao Chen glanced at a certain area, wondering if such a large obstruction might hinder her work...
And... could her race possibly be the Dairy Cow Tribe?
Ahem, ahem.
Zhao Chen pulled back his thoughts. "Your name is Jenny, right?"
"You actually remember my name!" Jenny exclaimed excitedly, looking at Zhao Chen.
Jenny was the Captain and Chief Engineer of the T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ship. She was a former subordinate of Charlotte's fleet, primarily responsible for starship maintenance and construction.
Hardworking and capable, she never complained about any assignments.
Although her talent might be somewhat lacking, she was undoubtedly a 'good employee'!
This also made her the first Captain and Chief Engineer of the T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ship.
"Of course. After all, Jenny, you work here for our Fierce Dragon Fleet. The starships we pilot all have your contributions. How could I not remember you? Tell me, what reward would you like?" Zhao Chen placed his hand on Jenny's shoulder.
"Then... can I hug you, Commander?" Jenny looked at Zhao Chen eagerly, then quickly waved her hands and said self-consciously, "Maybe my request is too rude. If you don't want to, it's fine."
"No, I don't mind. I'm just surprised why you would make such a request." Zhao Chen was both amused and touched.
Jenny grinned sheepishly and rubbed the horns on her head. "Back when I worked for General Charlotte, I was the biggest eater in my tribe. My parents couldn't afford to feed me anymore, so they gave me to General Charlotte, who was passing by. General Charlotte treated me well. With her... although I never ate my fill, at least I didn't starve. Later, General Charlotte brought us to work for you. At first, I was a little scared."
But later I realized, General Charlotte's decision was absolutely right.
Commander, you are like a god to us. Here… we no longer suffer oppression, and we can eat our fill every day.
I can eat a huge bowl of rice every day. From the day I was born until now, this is the first time I've ever known what it feels like to have a full stomach.
That's why I've always admired you, Commander. If… if I could just hug you… I'd be satisfied.
I don't want any other reward…"
She really is a simple-minded girl.
"Alright then." Zhao Chen smiled and opened his arms.
But soon, Zhao Chen began to regret it.
Zhao Chen is now 1.8 meters tall, but Jenny, this Minotaur Girl, stands over two meters tall.
The main issue is that this simple-minded girl didn't know to bend down to hug Zhao Chen. Instead, she just wrapped her arms around him.
This gave Zhao Chen a feeling that could only be described as suffocation.
"Mmmph… mmmph…"
It was only when Lilith, who was standing nearby, noticed something was wrong that she hurriedly stopped Jenny, who had gotten so excited she forgot about time.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I got too carried away just now!" Jenny quickly let go, looking at the commander in a panic.
"It's… it's fine." Zhao Chen forced a smile.
Jenny's strength was truly immense. Zhao Chen now understood why there were rumors that some special individuals among the Beastkin Race could shatter the Starship Armor of a T1 Interstellar Warship with a single punch.
Even Zhao Chen, who had been injected with the T3 Super Soldier Serum, couldn't break free from Jenny's grip for a moment. Her strength was truly astonishing.
If it were an ordinary person, a hug like that would probably have shattered their bones.
"Jenny, I came to discuss something serious with you. It's about the Starship Construction Plan for the next few months." As Zhao Chen spoke, he raised his hand and opened a construction plan list he had prepared earlier.
When Jenny saw this Electronic Document, she looked completely bewildered. Then, scratching her head in embarrassment, she said, "Commander, to be honest with you… I get confused just looking at this stuff.
Before, General Charlotte would explain things to me step by step…
Actually, if you let me work as a craftsman, a Starship Engineer, or a repairman, I'd be fine.
But making me the Captain… I really can't do it. If you hadn't assigned Annie to the Number Two Ship a while ago and I borrowed her for a few days…
During the days when you, General Charlotte, and Secretary Officer Lilith weren't here, I really didn't know how to manage the work."
Annie?
"Annie is here?" Zhao Chen asked.
"Yes, she's over there at the Number Four Operations Console. That girl is not only skilled with her hands but also clever.
The things I can't understand, she figures out at a glance.
And after she adjusted some of the original Starship construction steps, efficiency improved significantly!" Jenny immediately began praising Annie.
Zhao Chen hadn't expected Annie to become so proficient with the tasks inside the T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ship so quickly.
Actually, he had already considered that the first batch of Demi-human Craftsmen might not be able to meet future construction demands.
They might be hardworking and resilient, but most Demi-humans are single-minded. If you ask them to do one thing, they might do it well, but if you ask them to manage and coordinate, they'll end up in a mess.
Exceptional individuals like Charlotte are extremely rare among Demi-humans.
"Take me to see Annie," Zhao Chen said.
"Alright, Commander, please follow me this way." Jenny entered a rectangular corridor structure nearby. This type of rectangular corridor could connect to any workstation on the T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ship, making it extremely convenient.