Chapter 48: Promotion to Squad Leader
Compared to Lin Xu, Luo Fei appeared more like a person who held power in the organization.
His actions and decision-making were meticulous and well-planned.
Before Lin Xu even spoke, Luo Fei had already reinforced the evidence chain, confirmed the guilt of Wu Hao and the other two individuals, and reached out to the headquarters.
Luo Fei said to Lin Xu,
"Once the people from headquarters arrive, you'll be in charge of receiving and arranging everything. With your reputation and connections within the company, securing new recruits and mining equipment shouldn't be a problem. The excavation at the meteorite pit is nearly finished, but I still need to reorganize the internal affairs of the security team. Please understand, Chief."
"Fine." Lin Xu responded, taking on the heavy responsibility of the base with a serious expression.
"However, you must ensure that no issues arise at the meteorite pit."
"Don't worry, Chief." Luo Fei smiled and assured him.
"Now that we've caught Wu Hao, the traitor, the problems with the Starry Sky Wind Team are basically resolved. With us monitoring the meteorite pit, no issues will occur. I'll take full responsibility."
Luo Fei gave an oath.
Lin Xu smiled.
"Having you say that, I'm relieved."
After giving a few more instructions, Luo Fei took the entire security team and left.
Back at the security department, the atmosphere grew even more somber.
Especially for those who had followed Wu Hao, the mood was heavy, and they were awaiting their fate.
They knew that with Wu Hao out of the picture, their lives at the base would become much more difficult.
As expected!
Luo Fei acted swiftly and decisively!
He immediately confirmed that the fifteen people who had once aligned with Wu Hao had no involvement with the space pirates. He wasted no time in disbanding them, removing the former team leaders, and reassigned them to new leaders: Chen Wuling, Liu Xuesong, Lao Lu, Tian Xiao, and others.
Originally, the security team had been led by Wu Hao, with Iron Bear and Zhao Jia forming the iron triangle, but now one of them was dead, and two were detained, awaiting trial.
Luo Fei's authority had never been higher!
No one dared to object.
Everyone silently accepted Luo Fei's arrangement.
Luo Fei's faction was filled with smiles.
Tian Xiao, who had just been promoted from a newcomer to a small team leader in the security department, now led a team of four and received an additional 3,000 in monthly salary.
Though the pay raise wasn't much, his status and authority had greatly increased, giving him more influence.
Among the people assigned to his team were two former members of Wu Hao's faction, Wang Yong and Li Kui, as well as two others: Liu Fangyan, a neutral party member, and Zhu Xiaotian, a new recruit.
After reorganizing the security team, Luo Fei addressed them:
"Wu Hao, Iron Bear, and Zhao Jia got what they deserved—colluding with space pirates and resorting to any means to harm our own people. In the end, they couldn't escape death. I trust that all of you will learn from this!"
"Alright! Given the significant personnel and position changes in the security team, we'll reorganize the base's daily tasks!"
"The six teams will continue to follow the eight-hour rotation rule."
"First and foremost, our priority is still to eliminate the lizard claw bugs in the meteorite pit and ensure that the base is not under threat of invasion."
"Second, we'll focus on daily security duties."
After outlining the tasks, Luo Fei established the team rotations.
Chen Wuling took the first team, Tian Xiao the second...
Chen Wuling quickly led her team to take over the meteorite pit tasks, while Tian Xiao gathered his four members in a separate room for an internal meeting.
As a vice-captain with experience leading a regiment-sized team, Tian Xiao quickly asserted his authority with just a few words.
Looking at his four team members, Tian Xiao spoke:
"Our team, apart from Zhu Xiaotian, who joined later, consists of veterans. However, after reviewing your performance in the security team, I must say, none of you have shown any remarkable qualities."
Wang Yong, Li Kui, and Liu Fangyan were all stunned.
Tian Xiao's tone was calm as he continued:
"Though I've only been with the security team for a short time, I've already received three commendations. One for saving people in the meteorite pit, one for eliminating all the lizard claw bugs during a convoy mission, and another for helping destroy the space pirate flagship during the same mission. And I'm fairly certain that after killing Iron Bear and Zhao Jia and destroying two modified Skybirds, I'll be getting another commendation from headquarters."
Wang Yong, Li Kui, and Liu Fangyan had not previously thought much of Tian Xiao, but after hearing about his three commendations, especially the last one, they suddenly felt tremendous pressure.
While they weren't fully aware of the space pirates' strength, they were very familiar with the prowess of Iron Bear and Zhao Jia, both H7-level experts. One was injured and the other dead, which made it clear just how strong Tian Xiao was.
"When you're under my command, I only have one rule: obey my orders without question. If not, don't blame me for being ruthless."
With that, Tian Xiao assigned the tasks:
"Zhu Xiaotian will be in charge of the monitoring center. You three will handle the meteorite pit's security duties. Once the meteorite pit work is done, you'll take over routine patrols!"
Tian Xiao's decisions were firm and unquestionable.
"Yes, Captain!" they replied in unison.
At that moment, for reasons they couldn't explain, all four of them felt a pressure from Tian Xiao that was even stronger than Luo Fei's.
The eight-hour shift passed quickly.
Tian Xiao led his team to take over the meteorite pit's security tasks.
Since the No. 37 Skybird had been destroyed, they were now using the No. 15 Skybird.
Other miners had already taken over the excavation tasks at the meteorite pit.
Over three hundred miners had reached a depth of 270 meters underground.
After a quick scan, Tian Xiao left the meteorite pit.
There were no lizard claw bugs here, so there was no need to waste time.
There was, however, another pressing matter that needed attention.
The Purple Xiu Ore.
Miners 099 and his team had been working there for over twenty days, and they should have gathered a sufficient amount of the ore.
It was time to reap the harvest.
As a squad leader of the security team, Tian Xiao effortlessly moved these three individuals, along with several other miners, to join the excavation task at the meteorite pit, redirecting them to the G46 zone.
Under the surveillance of drones, the three were confused as they quickly left G46 zone and headed towards C25 zone for their new task.
Meanwhile, Tian Xiao entered the tunnel in the G46 zone.
Hidden under the rocks were numerous deposits of Purple Xiu Ore.
Tian Xiao hovered in place, using the mechanical arm to swiftly plunder the ore.
A few days later, the largest meteorite at the bottom of the pit was revealed, and all the miners were sent home.
Miners 099 and his team rushed back to the G46 zone, only to find everything gone.
They had spent an entire month collecting Purple Xiu Ore, and now—nothing was left!
They were furious!
Not a single piece had been spared for them!
The three of them were on the verge of tears.