Arknights, I'm going to beat Kal'tsit, really?

Page 29

"But in any case, once this door is opened, it will be very difficult to close it in the future."

"Kane, do you want to completely control Rhine Lab? Don't you think you're more like those ambitious people you talk about now?"

Christensen spoke frankly. In her mind, Kane shouldn't be such a greedy person, so, as usual, the long preamble was just a prelude; what followed was what he really wanted to say.

"I just don't want to achieve great things in the future only to be exhausted by internal strife. Christensen, I'll fully fund it—I'll be the largest shareholder of Rhine Life, how about it?"

Kane finally bared his fangs—that's right, he never intended to take on the role of governor in the first place; that position required handling too many practical matters, and he wasn't that free.

But he was unwilling to just be a department head who delegated authority; otherwise, when facing Christensen in the future, all he could rely on was personal connections and underhanded tactics.

The establishment of Rhine Life required money—Kristen wanted to raise funds, but the cost was the dispersion of power; and relying on the Wright family to fund it… She had calculated that with the family's current savings and credit, they simply could not come up with such a huge sum of money.

Therefore, Kane accurately seized this weakness.

"...So, if I do something wrong in the future—you can just dismiss me?"

“You won’t make mistakes—and I won’t use this power to suppress you. I just… hope that in the future when I enter your office, I won’t have to wait for news at the door.”

Kane's tone was flippant, and he was indeed as unrestrained as his words suggested. Kristen laughed and said:

"No, this is good. Kane, if I make a mistake in the future—I hope the one who stops me is you. No one else can stop me but you."

"It's a word."

With this, the establishment of Rhine Life was officially completed.

The Texas family's entire income from the past two years was transferred in one go and injected into Rhine Life's projects. This move shocked Colombian banks and even alarmed the Sicilian woman in Syracuse.

“Mr. Mordred, if you don’t mind, Syracuse is also willing to do its part for your cause.”

The messenger from the Sicilian woman brought this news. This reveals another force in Syracuse besides the gangs—when Colombia waged its war of independence to break free from Victorian rule, although it received assistance from the pre-civilizational artificial intelligence Mark Max, resources remained scarce. To defeat Victoria, Colombia sought allies and gathered forces from various sides.

Among them, the Syracuse gangs joined at that time. They transported large amounts of supplies through various secret channels, which allowed the gang families to gain a foothold in Colombia and forge deep-rooted relationships with many Colombian families.

Today, this is mainly reflected in company shares—Madame Sicily may not directly control any Colombian companies, but she has a say in quite a few.

"Thank you for your kindness, Mrs. Sicily, but the problem has been resolved."

Kane politely declined the Syracuse godmother's offer to join the fray. Rhine Life was destined to become the most prestigious company on the continent; to let others share its spoils so easily would be too lucrative.

From then on, Colombia had a new company called "Rhine Life"—and right now, the most eye-catching news about it is that one of its founders and executive director is Christen Wright.

Countless high-society figures were waiting to see this fallen heiress make a fool of herself. As a result, Rhine Labs gained far more exposure than the average startup—unfortunately, infamy.

Chapter 75 Foster Mother and Daughter

Now that the company has been established, the next step is naturally to recruit staff—after all, four people alone cannot build a large and successful business. Many basic tasks should be left to ordinary people, while Kane and his team should use their time on more valuable things. However, given Rhine Lab's infamous reputation, this step will likely face numerous difficulties.

However, Christensen had already anticipated the current situation and had already found a suitable candidate for the head of the "Human Resources Assessment Department".

"Ahem, everyone, this is the one I mentioned before, my guardian—Ms. Yara Booker Wilson. She was my parents' best friend, and without her help, I definitely wouldn't have made it through those most difficult days."

One day after Rhine Life was founded, Christensen brought in a Ms. Rupert. Judging from her demeanor, she was middle-aged—but thanks to the robust physique of the Terrans and their meticulous care, she still retained her charm. Her fashionable and luxurious attire, the sunglasses that concealed her eyes, and her seasoned and composed aura all inspired respect and trust.

"My God! It's Marianne Black! Kristen, you never told us!"

As a fashionista and avid film buff, Muirsey immediately recognized the woman—she was once one of Blue Cardwood's most famous actresses, and although she has retired from acting, she still has a huge fan base. More importantly, this woman has never been involved in any scandals, unlike those artists who are constantly embroiled in problems; she is a person of high moral character both on and off screen.

“Ms. Wilson, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I have great respect for the Wrights and believe they should not be stigmatized—and thank you for your help to Christensen, a respectable and trustworthy friend.”

Seria didn't know much about the film and television industry, but everything the other party did for Christensen was enough to prove his noble character.

"Wow, it's already started? Rhine Labs is practicing nepotism?"

"Heh, Kane, you're the last person who has the right to say that here."

Kane made a joke, but Kristen, having known him for so long, had long since learned to retort. Nepotism? All four founders of Rhine Lab were Kane's friends—wasn't that enough to prove anything?

“Hehe, Marianna is just my stage name—from now on, please just call me Yara. I’m so glad to be a part of this great dream. Christensen…you’ve really grown up.”

Yara skillfully exchanged pleasantries with everyone. To Muirsey, she was willing to rekindle the past and offer a set of "exclusive fan benefits" that were unique in the market; with Seria, she chatted about professional knowledge and the Wrights' past; as for Kane... he saw tears of joy in Yara's eyes as she witnessed Christensen's growth.

Kane felt that the tears were a mixture of genuine and feigned emotions—her affection for Christensen as her own daughter was undeniable; but as an actress and a successful person navigating high society, it was also the best way to integrate into the team and gain favor.

More importantly, Kane sensed that she was wary of him.

So, after the day's discussion, Kane approached the woman alone.

A black, high-end land vehicle silently glided up in front of Yara, who naturally opened the door and sat in the passenger seat. This vehicle was imported by Kane from Syracuse—Syracuse boasts the most prosperous land vehicle culture in Terra. While its products may not be the most technologically advanced, their development directions are diverse. The handling and high horsepower sought after by racers, and the understated luxury and stability desired by the wealthy—both can be found in Syracuse.

"Ms. Yara, as a big star, getting into a car of dubious origin is enough for the paparazzi to make up three or four headlines."

“Heh, how could someone Christensen approve of have an unknown background? Kane, she told me a lot about you—from our first meeting, our first trip together, to the argument a few days ago.”

Yara spoke slowly, as if reciting a script, but Kane knew she was very serious.

"That child has no doubt fallen in love with you, but I can't see your love for her."

Yara's scrutinizing gaze seemed to pierce through her sunglasses, revealing Kane's true thoughts.

“I’ve given up all of Texas to support her dream—isn’t that enough?”

“That’s your dream too—or rather, your plan. To protect Kristen, I occasionally investigate the people around her. Muirsey is a lovely girl, a bit young, but she’s bound to be a great scientist. Saria is an excellent choice as a companion, but her personality might cause some friction with Kristen in the future. And you—Kane Mordred. I admit I can’t find out much more about you, but I know you usurped Texas through a sham marriage. Answer me, will you also use Kristen next?”

Yara's voice was unusually calm. Her strength as a combatant was probably not great; if Kane were enraged, harming her would be incredibly easy.

But Kane didn't feel it was offensive; it was just a mother's concern for her daughter.

“Ms. Yara, Christen is truly the luckiest person in her life to be adopted by you.”

Kane's joyful smile was genuine; he was truly happy for Christensen. If she had been adopted by other members of the Wright family, she would either have been driven mad or had her life arranged for her early on to atone for the Wright family's sins.

"..."

Yara now understood why her guarded "daughter" had fallen in love with the man before her.

“Treat her well. I will find the most suitable person for Rhine Life.”

"Your ability to stay with Rhine Life and continue to support her is the best help you can give. Good night, madam."

Kane escorted Yara to Kristen's residence. After clarifying their respective positions, they said goodnight and parted ways.

After that, Yara used all her connections to recruit a group of elite soldiers for Rhine Lab.

Among them were many talented individuals capable of serving as department heads. Out of respect for Yara, they disregarded the rampant rumors circulating outside, turned down high salaries at giant corporations, and chose to join this fledgling company.

--split line--

Rhine Lab's site selection was extremely meticulous, situated directly above the large technological ruins discovered by Kristen. As the construction team worked, the entrance to the ruins quickly became apparent.

The engineering team was not outsourced, but rather incorporated into Rhine Lab's own engineering department—a team led by a Sarkaz who had been brought in.

Nasti Runori, a Sarkaz weary of the Kazdel conflicts, came to Colombia and worked diligently in her studies, research, and business, becoming a leading figure in the field of engineering and construction. Her dream is to build mobile cities that can soar through the sky, hoping to create a promised land for the Sarkaz.

Christensen accepted her wish—that the future development direction of the Rhine Life Engineering Construction Department would include the design and construction of flying mobile cities.

But now, she needs to explore with Kane first to find out what is hidden deep within the ruins she first discovered.

Chapter 76 The Preserver

As Kane and Kristen stepped into the magnificent yet silent building, the most "dangerous" yet also the most exciting sight unfolded before them—the instruments were still running, and the indicator lights were still glowing faintly, indicating that the building's energy had not yet been exhausted, and the scientific and technological knowledge stored within was likely exceptionally well preserved.

Christen stayed close to Kane. Her combat skills were limited, and in the face of any unexpected situation, she could only rely on Kane's protection. After all, he was now the head of Rhine Lab's defense department.

Although Kristen believed that his achievements in high-energy physics were in no way inferior to her own, Kane was not a person who was truly passionate about scientific research; for him, research was merely a means. He was more interested in building his own armed forces than in scientific research.

The power of Rhine Life, under Kane's guidance, will intervene in various events in the future.

As for the potential dangers within this building… Lancawood films involving scientific relics have already deeply ingrained images of high-tech laser traps, automatic machine gun corridors, and electrified floors in people's minds, unconsciously shaping Colombians' fearful imagination of "scientific relics."

In reality, most of the pre-civilization ruins within Colombia are essentially laboratories or storage facilities, each with its own function, but certainly not intended for killing. What we should really be worried about are the Originium creatures that flood in and nest within them as the entrances open.

"The writing on this... I'm not a linguist, Kane, can you understand it?"

"I don't remember ever taking linguistics as an elective. If you can't understand it, then I certainly can't either."

In fact, Kane could certainly understand it—his internal programming included the ability to communicate directly with others across language barriers. Although he didn't recognize the characters on the wall, he understood their meaning. This indicated that the program must contain a database of that language.

"Let's go that way."

How did you make that judgment?

"Standing still won't change anything, so let's just choose a direction and move forward. Anyway, we have plenty of time, so we can explore at our own pace."

In fact, Kane chose the most correct path.

As they ventured deeper, they finally stood before a massive door.

Compared to the minimalist design of the exterior space, this door appears incredibly "exaggerated." Its size and thickness are comparable to the foundation blocks of a mobile city. What kind of disaster was this level of defense intended to withstand back then?

Christensen's brilliant mind raced, trying to analyze all the possibilities. Kane, on the other hand, stepped forward and placed his hand on the touch panel next to the door.

He naturally didn't have access and was rightfully refused—but it was like knocking on a door; even if the door wasn't opened, it was enough to let the person inside know that a visitor had arrived.

Nourishes—

With a hiss of pressure release, the incredibly heavy door began to move slowly. The first light to shine through the crack in the door was a dark red glow.

As their view gradually opened up, the two visitors finally saw what was before them clearly:

A vast underground space. The ceiling clearly had a lighting system, but it was all turned off, perhaps due to damage or to conserve energy. The only light source in the entire space came from the very center—

It was a massive instrument. Countless thick cables connected to its interfaces from various parts of the bunker, and its body was constructed of smooth metal, its manufacturing process far exceeding Kane and Kristen's comprehension. But the researchers' intuition told them: this thing was priceless.

"Ah, a wolf and a dog. What an interesting combination..."

The massive metal structure emitted a red glow, which swept over the two people and completed the analysis in an instant.

"It...speaks?"

"Yes, he did speak—but not in Colombian."

“Hmm? Unbelievable… such a long time has passed, and I can still cross paths with my former colleagues. Servant, I know you understand—answer me, how much do you know?”

The metallic construct had clearly deciphered Kane's true nature by scanning his data—a truly astonishing feat. This was the first time in all his time operating in Terra that Kane had been so thoroughly exposed.

"Dear pioneer, my name is Kane Mordred. Of course, you may also call me Ama-9."

Kane then began to converse with the Preservator. Kristen, who witnessed the two speaking fluently in an unknown language, was greatly shocked—Kane actually knew the language, and judging from his tone of voice, the other party clearly acknowledged his identity.

"Ama-9? I remember... of this series, only the tenth generation was successfully developed."

"Of course, your database is correct. The discrepancy lies with my two creators."

"Hmph... This is the work of Priscilla."

Clearly, as a key member of the previous civilization, the Preservator knows much inside information. Talking to him is pointless; lies are pointless, but excessive explanations are unnecessary.

"So, what brings you to me, this dying ghost?"

"I need to borrow a sarcophagus to repair the defects in my structure."

"Why should I help you? Perhaps you don't know—but I strongly disapprove of what Precyth did. She caused the Originium Project to deviate from its intended course, leading to the current situation."

Kane knew very well that the negotiations would not go smoothly, but he had his own way of getting the preserver's approval.

The fact that the Preservator subsequently chose to support Christen reveals that he had long been disillusioned with the failed "Preservator Project." Millennia of despair and loneliness had completely extinguished his emotions; despair had filled his heart. Rather than passively awaiting inevitable destruction, he decided to take a gamble, to point the nascent civilization in a new direction, and to help them take the most crucial step.

How should I put it? Those who dare to chase the stars are always so audacious.

Kane, too, doesn't mind if Terra becomes even more exciting in the future.

"At least, a new option is better than a predetermined failure."

"You lack reverence for civilization itself. Get out of here before I get angry."

"You'll figure it out later."

Kane led the distraught Kristen away. Once outside the massive gate, Kristen finally poured out all the countless questions that had been building up inside her.

"More important than these questions, Christensen, is to get the old man an internet connection so he can have some movies to watch during his boring later years. Maybe he'll change his mind after he watches them."

The preserver's personality is exactly like the doctor's—they are both the purest scientists and adventurers, deeply loving "humanity," a life form capable of feeling and understanding one another.

This purity inspired the Doctor to lead civilization forward after roaming Terra.

The Preservator will make a similar choice to the Doctor—only his focus will be on the stars. In the future, he will assist Kristen in allowing the Terrans to witness the true stars.

Chapter 77 Thinking "Skirt. Chat (Part 3) Underworld Qi Wajiji Temple 8 Deaths Debate"

Once connected to the Columbia network, the keeper's characteristics as a "cyber ghost" were fully revealed. No data in Columbia could withstand his intrusion; it was an absolute technological superiority, silent and without a trace.

Thus, all the secrets, both spoken and unspeakable, were laid bare before this former representative of the civilization. He spent about a month meticulously studying the development of Terran civilization. He read through everything, from legendary heroes to detailed historical events, and then offered his own evaluations.

This includes both the inevitability of civilization and the accidental result of forced interference.