The first full meeting aboard the Artemis could now be declared over.
In the end, Ethan reminded everyone that the team was about to approach the first potentially habitable planet in a new star system. Betty was the most concerned about this, as it was tied to the possibility of finding her family.
However, she knew this couldn't be rushed and could only wait patiently.
"That's about it. Those with 'missions' should go prepare. Those without can wait on the ship until the landing."
Mordred was the first to get up and leave. She needed to go back and pack, to check what she would need to bring.
She carried some commonly used equipment with her, but this time, she would be staying in another world for a long period and needed to complete the trial Ethan had given her. She didn't want to fail. To successfully complete the test, Mordred was uncharacteristically serious.
Galahad naturally left with her. Aside from preparing himself, he also needed to act as Mordred's "advisor" to help determine if there was anything else she should take.
Before Mordred walked out, Ethan specifically reminded her, "You have three hours to prepare. Go to the transfer room and wait for me in three hours."
Then he said to Luna, "Remind me to go to the transfer room in two hours and fifty minutes."
"Yes, sir."
Annette and the others didn't need to say goodbye to Ethan. The coordinates for the Resident Evil world were already recorded in the transfer system, and they could use the transfer device to go there themselves.
As for time synchronization, universes like the Marvel Universe and the Starship Troopers Universe had already been set to synchronize time flow.
The DC Universe had also completed synchronization. However, for worlds like Resident Evil, although the coordinates were entered, the time flows were not yet synchronized. But Ethan had completed all the necessary work, and once Annette and the others used the transfer device, the synchronization program would automatically activate.
After synchronization, the two worlds would remain in sync and would not revert to an unsynchronized state once everyone returned.
If they wanted to travel across planes without syncing time, it could only be done through Ethan's transfer magic. That was because it required real-time adjustments and controls that the current transfer device could not perform.
After Annette and the others left, Evelyn also prepared to go. She was heading back to the Starship Troopers world to manage Cherry Military Industry in Annette's place.
She didn't need to give any important instructions. She just had to oversee operations and ensure nothing went wrong.
As Cherry Military Industry's strength continued to grow, although they had dealt with interference many times before, human greed was difficult to eliminate. No one could predict what competitors might try to sabotage or take over the company.
Evelyn's role was to prevent such incidents.
She wasn't expected to counterattack, just to keep watch. If something did happen, she could contact the Artemis immediately. There were plenty of idle crew members who could handle those problems.
According to previous arrangements, Ada would usually stay in that world for the most part. It was comfortable for her there, and she could make full use of her skills.
This time, she didn't suggest going with Evelyn. When Annette had earlier asked her to return to their original world, Ethan had refused, so Ada knew he probably had something else in mind for her.
"How about I go with Evelyn?" Selene looked around. She didn't have anything else to do, and helping Evelyn oversee Cherry Military Industry wasn't unfamiliar work.
"Alright."
At that moment, Illya, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly raised her hand.
"This isn't school. Just speak if you have something to say."
"Is there anything you need me to do?"
"Yes."
Illya immediately perked up, looking at Ethan with anticipation.
"What is it?"
"Study hard and improve every day..."
"..."
Ignoring Illya's dissatisfied expression, Ethan wasn't worried about Illya, Rin, or Leah. They had yet to graduate from Hogwarts and would be staying there for another two years.
"If you're bored, you can help Auriel with the magic stone mining..."
The magic stone mine developed by Auriel was already operating smoothly and could steadily produce stones. Though it couldn't produce high-grade stones yet, it was good to have a stable output, and they couldn't expect too much right away.
"That's it for now."
Ethan turned to look at Shirou. Normally, he would be preparing for his second trial, but Ethan had told him to finish all his personal matters first and become completely free before undertaking it.
When Ethan first considered bringing Shirou onto the team, Shirou was a second-year high school student. Now, he was in his third year and about to graduate.
Since it wouldn't take much longer, Ethan decided to let him finish this stage of his life. Otherwise, being sent to another world for a year and coming back just in time to deal with graduation would only add unnecessary complications.
Even though he had "tricked" people onto the ship, Ethan still cared about their well-being.
When Shirou saw that Ethan had even considered such a small detail for him, his attitude softened. Originally, his relationship with Ethan was rather neutral. He joined the team mainly because of Illya and Artoria, not because he admired Ethan.
Now, he was beginning to understand why so many people were drawn to Ethan, why everyone was so willing to follow this captain into battle.
A captain who was powerful, provided food and drink, taught various knowledge, and cared for his crew—such a person was truly rare.
Shirou got up and left as well. Everyone on the ship was present today. After asking Luna, he learned that nearly everyone would be dining on the ship, even Annette and Mordred would eat before leaving.
After confirming that, he prepared to showcase his cooking skills and prove his worth.
Illya and the others also left at the same time. Whether they were heading to the kitchen to cause trouble or going to check out the magic stone mine Auriel had developed, Ethan didn't really care.
Ada, Scathach, and a few others remained. After thinking for a while, Scathach said she might go explore the Starship Troopers world. If Selene got too busy, she could lend a hand.
Then Nebula, Maria Hill, and Betty left. They were going to check data and prepare for the upcoming planet landing.
Logan sat for a while longer. After confirming that nothing important remained, he went to get the potion and visit Atlanna. Finally, only Tony and Ada were left in the meeting room.
"Is there something you need me to do?"
Ada's combat skills were decent, but many on the ship were stronger. People like Logan or the newly arrived Scathach were better suited for direct combat. If there was a fight, it usually wouldn't be her turn.
Since she was needed, it was most likely for tasks such as disguise and infiltration, stealth and camouflage, or intelligence gathering—her specialties, and ones she excelled at more than anyone else in the team.
Ethan extended his hand and conjured images of a VF and a Macross-class ship using magic.
"The target is the technical data for these fighter jets and battleships."
The image Ethan displayed was of the original VF-1. As the VF fighter jet transformed on-screen between its various modes, Tony immediately realized the significance of these three forms.
The fighter mode needed no explanation. It was identical to a standard jet.
He didn't comment much on the humanoid form. Whether large humanoid machines had real combat value was debatable. He himself had not built large humanoid suits, and with his strength now far beyond the past, he hadn't even created the Hulkbuster this time around.
What interested him most was the intermediate mode, called the Guardian.
It could hover at low altitude and speed, providing effective ground support, and it could also resolve the strict landing requirements of fighter jets.
"To be honest, I was only mildly curious about the VF before. Now I'm starting to get genuinely interested."
As for the Macross-class battleship, it didn't impress him much.
After seeing so many space battleships, Macross no longer stood out to him.
"This fighter uses special alloy technology, right?"
Currently, in the Marvel Universe's version of Earth, there was no alloy that could meet this fighter's requirements. Judging by how this VF could perform high-speed maneuvers and transform in atmospheric conditions without breaking apart or even suffering minor issues, this was obvious.
"Yes."
Ethan didn't remember the exact technical parameters, but he did recall that after the first Macross crashed on Earth, the humans of that world obtained a great deal of advanced "alien technology" from it. Most of the technology used in the VF series originated from there.
After briefly explaining the VF's background, Ethan dismissed the projection.
"There is also an alien race called the Zentradi in that world. They have highly advanced interstellar technology. If possible, gather data on them as well."
This mission wasn't urgent. Ethan didn't plan to visit that world right away. He intended to resolve his physical issues first.
"Before going to that world, I need to deal with a few minor matters and also go see Mr. Oliver Queen with Tony."
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)