Chapter 337: Annie’s Award Ceremony

Chapter 337: Chapter 337: Annie’s Award Ceremony

By the time Zhao Chen returned to the Fierce Dragon Star System, it was already mid-March.

After an absence of a month and a half, when Zhao Chen returned to his Fierce Dragon Base, he found that significant changes had taken place since he left.

First and foremost, several brand-new starships had appeared.

Bridge of the T3 Phoenix-class Heavy Carrier Starship

Zhao Chen looked at the starships hovering in the distance, feeling a surge of excitement.

Beside him, Secretary Officer Lilith and Deputy Captain Red Eye were also staring intently at one particular starship.

"Is that the T4... Huiguang-class Interstellar Jump Ship?" Deputy Captain Red Eye gazed at the starship, which resembled a work of art.

It had no weapon modules, yet its inherent value even surpassed that of starships like the T4 Boreas-class Heavy Interstellar Battleship.

Beep beep beep

A communication request came in.

It was Chief Engineer Annie.

Zhao Chen clicked to accept, and a holographic image of Annie appeared beside him.

"Commander, I’ve missed you so much!" Annie exclaimed with the excitement of a devoted fan.

"Let’s get down to business. Has the T4 Huiguang-class Interstellar Jump Ship been completed?" Zhao Chen inquired.

Annie immediately replied with pride, "Under my brilliant and capable leadership, the T4 Huiguang-class Interstellar Jump Ship was completed ahead of schedule by half a month!"

"What about the sea trials?" Zhao Chen asked.

"The sea trials went perfectly. We conducted a trial voyage mission to the Lion King Star System, and it was extremely smooth!" Annie reported.

"Excellent." Zhao Chen nodded with satisfaction.

In Zhao Chen’s mind, having one ship was just the beginning. Ideally, such starships should operate in pairs—one going and one returning—forming a perfect partnership.

However, given the current circumstances, this requirement could not yet be met.

Zhao Chen continued his inquiry, "What other starships have been completed?"

Annie began listing her ’achievements’ over this period.

The construction plan originally scheduled for the first quarter of this year was progressing as follows: the T4 Revenant-class Clone Starship was over halfway completed and would be finished before mid-year.

The four T3 Forge-class Heavy Star Industrial Ships were the first to be completed. As for the T3 Virgo-class Heavy Interstellar Supply Ships, originally planned for five, the sudden outbreak of the Zerg Campaign led to their construction timeline being moved up, and the number was expanded to ten.

The T4 Huiguang-class Interstellar Jump Ship was also successfully completed and delivered.

Additionally, out of the planned fifty T3 Triceratops-class Interstellar Heavy Assault Frigates, thirty had already been launched and delivered, with the remaining twenty expected to be delivered within the next week.

In summary, this series of construction plans had not only been fully completed but had also been finished nearly ten days ahead of schedule!

Zhao Chen looked at Annie before him, increasingly feeling that she was a little treasure.

It was as if Annie came with her own ’industrial acceleration aura.’

"Commander, don’t you think I deserve a big reward?" Annie asked, gazing at Commander Zhao Chen with hopeful eyes.

Commander Zhao Chen rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "A reward is certainly possible. However, given Chief Engineer Annie’s hard work and immense contributions, this reward must be presented in front of all the high-ranking officials of our Fierce Dragon Fleet!

It must be grand!

It must have a sense of ceremony!"

Hearing the commander’s words, Annie felt as if she were floating on air.

Her lips unconsciously curled into a wide grin, and she waved her hands repeatedly, saying modestly, "Keep it low-key... keep it low-key..."

"This can’t be kept low-key! This is the honor we earned through our own abilities! What’s the point of hiding it away?

Why wait for another day when today is perfect? Let’s do it tonight!

I’ll gather the senior members of our Fierce Dragon Fleet and hold an awards ceremony!" Zhao Chen said seriously.

"That’s a bit embarrassing..." Annie giggled, her eyes nearly disappearing into happy slits.

...

Half a day later.

Wearing her finest uniform and having specially sprayed on a certain perfume, Annie stared darkly at the scene before her.

This was no grand awards ceremony venue—it was clearly a camping and picnic site!

"Bessie, we’re out of grilled fish. Bring me some more fish," Zhao Chen called out, surrounded by a circle of grills, as if he had transformed into a master barbecue chef.

"Mmm... I want three more skewers of grilled fish! Who would have thought... Commander... you had such skills," Charlotte mumbled, holding a grilled blackfish in her left hand and a fish steak in her right, while still gnawing on a fish bone.

"Brother, why are we doing this ourselves when robots could handle the grilling?" Zhao Wan’er asked, puzzled, from the side.

Zhao Chen worked with both hands, multitasking as he replied, "When it comes to food, the feeling of something made by a machine versus something made by yourself is just different.

Look at our Starship Dining Hall—except for steps that save time without affecting taste, most of the cooking is done manually.

That’s what you call a true feast for the taste buds."

"Mmm... I... agree..." Charlotte mumbled between bites of fish bone.

"The commander’s barbecue is really quite tasty," Shen Bing praised from nearby.

"You should also try Lilith’s cooking," Zhao Chen pointed to the nearby stall.

Secretary Officer Lilith was busy preparing food.

Compared to Zhao Chen’s ’chaotic’ setup, Lilith’s side was much more elegant, with a variety of dishes being prepared.

Back when she was wandering, she never had the chance.

Now, whenever she had time, Lilith would learn various cooking techniques.

All of Zhao Chen’s afternoon tea snacks were prepared by Lilijth.

Annie suddenly stood up, pouting as she stared at Commander Zhao Chen. "Commander, didn’t you say... didn’t you say... we were gathering to hold... an awards ceremony for me...

So... why are we having a barbecue picnic instead?"

"Oh right, the awards ceremony! Bessie, bring out the things I asked you to prepare earlier. Shen Bing, keep an eye on the fire for me—don’t let it burn."

Zhao Chen stood up with great ceremony, casually wiping his hands on his apron before adopting a serious expression. "Everyone, pause what you’re doing for a moment.

During this period, Chief Engineer Annie has been diligent and responsible, establishing a comprehensive construction plan for our Fierce Dragon Fleet and completing construction tasks with high efficiency.

Therefore, I hereby award Chief Engineer Annie the title of Outstanding Employee... ahem... Outstanding Starship Crew Member!

Everyone, applaud and congratulate her!"

With that, Zhao Chen clapped quickly a few times.

Meanwhile, Bessie produced a confetti cannon from somewhere and set it off behind Annie. A burst of non-polluting particle confetti bloomed behind her, dissipating after a few seconds.

Everyone around them applauded as well.

Zhao Chen clenched his fists. "And that’s it!

Alright, let’s get back to the barbecue. Charlotte, don’t just eat fish—try some other things too. You need a balanced diet!"

The applause abruptly ceased at that moment.

Everyone continued enjoying their meal as if nothing had just happened.

Annie stood there dumbfounded.

"Commander... is this what you meant by... grand? Ceremonial?" Annie looked at the commander with a hint of resentment.

Zhao Chen slapped his forehead. "I almost forgot something important."

With that, Zhao Chen took out a tea mug from beside him and placed it in front of Annie. "This is the gift I prepared for you."

Looking at the tea mug, the words ’Model Worker’ were written on it in red font.

Annie tilted her head, completely bewildered.

Had she opened this the wrong way?

This was completely different from what she had imagined.

"Oh, right! There’s one more important thing!" Zhao Chen remembered something else.

Annie looked at Zhao Chen expectantly. She knew the commander couldn’t possibly handle these matters so casually!