"Let's just name this the 'Ripple Theory'," Admiral Anson broke the silence first.
"Heavy-armored units are like a stone thrown into water, establishing a landing anchor point, and then light-armored units spread outwards like ripples to attack. Isn't that just a ripple?" Commodore Edward nodded in understanding.
"You have good ideas, young man." The Admiral's stern face surprisingly showed a rare expression of approval:
"But."
Everyone looked at George Anson.
"This theory is still very rough, and it lacks practical testing for feasibility. You still have a long way to go to refine the 'Ripple Theory'."
"Yes, this is just a preliminary concept. To implement it, it will probably require modifications and organizational adjustments after extensive practical verification," Horatio admitted openly.
"Please come in, Rear Admiral Alexander Hood."
When the Admiral spoke that name, Horatio's eyes widened abruptly, and time and his heartbeat seemed to slow down.
[Farida's father?]
The door was pushed open, and a man with a cold and solemn demeanor strode in.
Horatio adjusted his breathing, maintaining a dignified and solemn smile, appearing completely innocent and unconcerned. He turned his gaze to the side and saluted the tall man who was quickly approaching him.
It was as if the incident of bringing the Military Intelligence Commander's beloved daughter into the Rear Admiral's study had never occurred.
Rear Admiral Hood, at 1.9 meters tall, stood out among the Navy officers, and he was equally prominent standing beside Horatio.
Horatio glanced sideways at Rear Admiral Alexander Hood, meeting his icy gaze.
[He... is staring at me?]
"Your Excellency Anson, this is the 10th edition of the Special Forces Proposal I drafted. Please review it." Rear Admiral Hood stepped forward and handed the over 300-page detailed proposal to the old man. Horatio even saw training plans, dietary allowances, and organizational regulations in the Table of contents as it flipped by...
"Previously, Commodore Edward Peru proposed first establishing a Navy Special Operations plan for a pilot program. Rear Admiral Alexander Hood was very interested in this and immediately collaborated with His Excellency Peru to draft a feasible solution plan."
The old man flipped through the document while looking at Horatio: "This pilot unit will be assigned to the Fleet Military Intelligence Office in the future. The office will strictly screen backgrounds, selecting suitable personnel from Navy Heir and cadets, with the most outstanding students from Loyalist Academy serving as instructors. The name of this unit..."
The old man's gaze swept over the alternative names on the last page. He closed his eyes and then closed the proposal. After a moment, he slowly said:
"Let's use Hellspawns, as proposed by Mr. Horatio, for the name." The old man looked at Horatio, his expression serious.
"General, are none of the other names being used? There are much better names..."
"Rear Admiral Hood, if a person isn't even afraid to jump into hell, then what can stop that warrior's fighting spirit and determination?"
"Yes, General." Seeing that Admiral Anson had made his decision, Rear Admiral Hood shot a resentful glance at the young man beside him and respectfully took a step back.
It must be said, Farida was indeed his biological daughter; the sense of resentment in her eyes was identical.
"Today's discussion ends here. I will hand this proposal to Navy Admiral Venuska Katalia. You can now proceed with the first batch of preliminary selections and arrange training."
"Yes!" The other four people in the room stood up simultaneously and saluted the Admiral.
"Sergeant Horatio." The Admiral suddenly called out to Horatio.
"The end of freedom is chaos. Please remember this."
"Yes, General."
---
"The end of freedom is chaos, and the end of order is tyranny. That is the complete sentence. Balance this scale, and you will be a qualified captain."
Commodore Edward said, patting the fringed epaulet on Horatio's shoulder meaningfully.
"Your Excellency, I have a plan."
"Please speak." Commodore Edward replied with interest.
"I used to be the leader of the 'Labor Union' in the PW-P-15 Megaport Freight Zone. If the Imperial Navy needs it, they can send me to reconnect the underground intelligence network. The intelligence that people living there can provide might be more detailed than what our agents can gather. Once the intelligence is confirmed, we can launch precise, surgical strikes to clear out the obstacles entrenched there."
Commodore Edward's eyes widened slightly as he lowered his head, deep in thought.
"It seems we're on the same page, Mr. Horatio. We formed this Navy Special Operations unit precisely to carry out decapitation strikes against kingpins when intelligence is detailed. I almost forgot you had this ability and background."
Commodore Edward stood with his hands behind his back, looking into the distance, and said, "I will prepare your proposed plan with Rear Admiral Hood. At the same time, you are on the first pre-selection list for the Hellspawns. Be ready and await deployment."
"Yes, Your Excellency." Seeing that Commodore Edward had agreed, Horatio saluted solemnly.
"Since the Hellspawns are assigned to the Fleet Military Intelligence Department, does that mean Rear Admiral Hood will be my... direct superior?"
"Yes, but you don't have to worry. His Excellency Hood is a good man."
Thump, thump, thump!
"But I still don't know which team I'm in," Horatio said with a wry smile.
"It's alright, you'll make your choice soon." The Commodore glanced at the exquisite wristwatch on his wrist:
"In 20 minutes, there will be a grand matriculation ceremony on the parade ground. You must return your belongings to your bed in Room 3 of Dorm B-25 within this time, and then rush to Parade Ground 1 for assembly."
"20 minutes?"
"20 minutes." Commodore Edward nodded and smiled.
Horatio grabbed his bicorne hat and went full throttle. The surgery allowed him to descend the stairs at an incredible speed and height, almost leaping, with his tassels and sash fluttering in the air.
"Hmph, that brat's psychological fortitude is really good. He stood beside me as if nothing was wrong, not even trembling a bit."
Rear Admiral Alexander Hood, with an indifferent expression, walked behind Commodore Edward Peru and coldly snorted.
"Good psychological fortitude is the cornerstone of an excellent Imperial Army soldier. I apologize for the trouble, my friend."
"This kid, are you sure he can do it? I don't want to waste my energy." Rear Admiral Hood frowned.
"He will become a hero like his father, and I even think he might surpass his father," Commodore Edward replied with a smile.
"With his vague theories, I'm afraid he's still far from it."
"That's why we need to let him experience the front lines, to let him refine his ideas in practice. This is the path one must take to become a well-rounded talent. If given the chance, I even hope to send him to the Imperial Guard for training."
"Hmph, you really just come up with ideas on a whim. You're almost fifty; aren't you going to let the Navy Department promote you to Rear Admiral?"
"My current rank makes me feel free, unburdened, unconstrained. The void is my only aspiration. I can pilot my old friend, following the guidance of the Astronomican and starlight, roaming every corner of this galaxy, and freely hunting the Emperor's enemies."
"Times have changed. Now is the age of order. Freedom will only lead us to the abyss."
Commodore Edward smiled and said no more.
[Dorm B-25!]
Horatio quickly ran past the holographic map sign, swiftly locating Dorm B-25, then went full speed, like a gust of wind sweeping across the ground.
If the White Scars Chapter saw him, they would surely appreciate such an energetic 'Wind Chaser' and take him to the Chapter for a transformation, making him a new recruit of the Tenth Company.
Unfortunately, Horatio was now 'taken'.
The Navy Academy's dormitory complex was very large. Each dormitory was a mix of Baroque and Gothic styles, surprisingly adopting an aerial villa design.
With spires adorning the top, it was about 13 meters high, with a four-story design, one unit above and one below. To reach the first unit below, one had to pass through a small courtyard where clothes could be hung to dry. To reach the second unit above, one had to go up the stairs from the back of the building, which was replaced by a balcony.
Dorm B-25 was in a good location, very close to the 5th canteen, and it even had a club for students to entertain themselves, which refreshed Horatio's stereotypical impression of the Loyalist Academy.
It turned out that not only were different academies within the Loyalist Academy different, but even different campuses within the same academy were different.
The Navy campus occupied the largest area, designed by expensive designers hired by the Imperial Navy, capable of accommodating up to 300,000 students simultaneously.
Of course, this number included cadets from the Officer Preparatory School.
Room 3 was in the first unit. Horatio sprinted 6 kilometers and finally arrived, with 12 minutes remaining.
Horatio caught his breath, pressed his ID, activated the access control system, and immediately rushed inside.
It seemed empty inside. The wooden floor was very clean. The first thing that met his eyes was a spacious living room, furnished with a mahogany long table and chairs. Along one wall were partitioned study desks, with bookshelves behind them, filled with Navy professional textbooks.
On the first floor, there were two bathrooms, two toilets, a private washroom large enough for multiple students to use together, and a combat training room.
The second floor housed the students' rooms. Rooms 1, 2, and 3 were set up as double-occupancy dorms, while Room 4 was relatively smaller and used as a storage room by the students living there.
[Where are my things?]
The living supplies issued by the academy were not placed at the door. Horatio, somewhat puzzled, pushed open door 3, and there was movement inside.
Horatio looked at the plain bicorne hat on the Victorian-style wooden bed. His belongings were placed by another bed.
A figure, back turned to Horatio, was bending over, tidying things. He had a head of light gold mixed with brown curly hair, which was not unfamiliar to Horatio.