Starting from the Planetary Governor

Chapter 1257: 53

The servants on the lower deck primarily rely on religion to fulfill their spiritual needs.

The accompanying ship priests who occasionally descend to the lower level spread the faith in The Emperor through their preaching and enthusiastically praise the great deeds of the Interstellar Warriors, known as Emperor Angels.

And these legends naturally are the most attractive to the youngsters.

The admiration for Interstellar Warriors is quite strong among the people.

Not just Russell, most of the young people conscripted this time are extremely excited and looking forward to possibly becoming Phoenix recruits.

Russell is quite satisfied with the spiritual attitude of the youngsters. But what he is not satisfied with is their physical condition.

Malnutrition, the need to participate in heavy various warship maintenance work from their teens, lack of education, lack of specialized exercise… these youngsters’ overall conditions clearly do not meet the typical recruitment standards of Interstellar Warriors.

In the Battle Group’s prime time, recruitment would not even consider such inferior sources.

“It’s as if I have a choice…” Russell internally complained.

Fortunately, he had the [Unique Insight] reward ability; otherwise, he really wouldn’t dare to use the precious Genetic Seeds on these recruits with such poor overall conditions.

…

Even with special abilities, detecting recruits still required a lot of effort.

Even a simple observation to determine a target’s gene adaptation takes about ten seconds.

At this pace, completing the examination of over 3,800 people took Russell nearly two days. Eventually, he selected twelve candidates with gene adaptation exceeding 85%.

Theoretically, a value only needs to reach 70% to qualify. But isn’t it because Russell has few Genetic Seeds and can’t afford to waste them? Raising the standards slightly also increases the surgery’s success rate.

Honestly, finding twelve suitable candidates already surprised him pleasantly.

At least, the F.2 task didn’t seem to present many problems.

With twelve candidates in hand, Russell didn’t delay.

He gave these young lads a few days to prepare, while also providing them a nutritious and balanced diet to ensure their bodies remain in optimal condition.

Then, the surgeries began.

…

Tied down on the cold surgical table, Reese’s feelings were still tense.

Arguing with his mother, he boasted a lot, but internally he knew his chances of being selected weren’t high.

Standing in line, watching the people ahead failing to pass made him sober up quite a bit. He felt his mother’s worries were excessive, fearing he might die on the surgical table.

Isn’t there a possibility of him not being chosen at all?

But precisely because of this mindset, when Russell grabbed his arm and sized him up for a little while before picking him out, the huge surprise made him momentarily unable to react.

Me, actually chosen?

After the surprise came excitement and apprehension.

After all, the dangers of the transformation surgery can’t be ignored.

This mood persisted until today when he got onto the surgical table, reaching its peak.

“The surgery has no anesthesia, so it will be very painful. However, the pain from the surgery is nothing compared to the pain from the subsequent genetic alteration. Prepare yourself mentally, endure, don’t faint, or you will die.”

Russell’s voice sounded in his ear.

Reese wanted to nod, but couldn’t move; wanted to speak, his mouth was sealed, so he could only blink to show understanding.

“It’s started.”

Russell made the first incision.

The sharp scalpel cutting through the skin caused Reese’s eyes to widen instantly.

This was still within bearable range, but as the surgery continued, the pain became increasingly difficult to endure.

He couldn’t move; he couldn’t even scream to vent the agony, veins bulged on his forehead, sweat constantly flowed.

But Russell’s hand never stopped.

He didn’t know how long he endured the pain; it felt like one of the longest periods in his life.

Until, at last, he heard Russell’s emotionless two words, feeling relieved:

“It’s done.”

All restraints were released, but he couldn’t stand up.

Two Mechanical Servants walked in from the door, lifted him onto a stretcher, and carried him into a rest room.

He gasped heavily, feeling the pain had somewhat diminished.

But he couldn’t help recalling Russell’s previous words.

The subsequent alteration is even more painful than the surgery?

How painful is that!

He immediately regretted but soon dismissed his feelings of regret.

“There’s no room for regret, according to the Battle Group Leader’s remarks, I must endure, endure, and endure to survive.”

“I’ll definitely survive!”

…

One surgery after another, each taking Russell half an hour.

This concerns the future development of the Battle Group, so he didn’t dare to be careless; besides, the seed implantation surgery is intricate work, consuming much energy. Plus, it was his first time operating hands-on, appearing indifferent and confident before the subjects was to calm them, but he himself was rather nervous.

But overall, the twelve surgeries went smoothly; at least, no one died on the surgical table. Whether they succeed in the end depends on the recruits themselves.

According to past experience, the most dangerous period is the first month post-surgery. During this time, the body undergoes the most profound gene seed transformation. Survive it, and things become much smoother, allowing training to commence.

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