Chapter 46: Three Minutes of Silence
The person walking in front had long white hair, a navy hat on her head, and a black navy cloak. A bald eagle was squatting on her shoulder.
Looking at this familiar yet unfamiliar figure, Qin Ge's mind quickly reflected the name of this ship girl, Enterprise!
Her name is a monument, a monument of World War II. Her legend is not only because of her achievements, but also because of the spirit she represents.
Enterprise is the second ship of the Yorktown-class aircraft carrier of the United States Navy and the seventh ship named after Enterprise. It once held back the Japanese Combined Fleet for a year in the Pacific battlefield without any other supporting aircraft carriers. It is the most famous and legendary battleship in the history of the United States and even the world navy.
In her lifetime, she shot down 911 enemy planes, sank 71 ships, damaged more than 192 ships, and was awarded 20 battle star medals. She had the reputation of being able to defeat one enemy country with one ship, and was truly the Queen of the Pacific.
"It seems that the Donghuang Navy Department really takes this matter seriously. They even sent the commander-in-chief of the front-line command to the Commander Academy. It seems that the higher-ups have also sensed a greater crisis." Aurora's words interrupted Qin Ge's thoughts and made him re-examine the company opposite him.
"Indeed, it has been almost half a month since you left the Northern Union. I believe the Soviet Alliance must have noticed something and sent a message to the Donghuang Navy Department through communications. I believe that now not only the Donghuang Navy Department, but also the navies of other camps are nervous." Mikasa said on the side.
"Probably." Aurora nodded.
Qin Ge, who was sitting next to them, heard a hint of impending storm from their words. It seemed that this was more than just an opening ceremony.
After the three of them sat down in their seats, the Prince of Wales walked directly to the podium and spoke to all the commanders in the audience.
"I am the dean of the Azur Lane Commander Academy, the Prince of Wales. I believe you have all heard of my name before. On behalf of all my colleagues at the Azur Lane Commander Academy, I would like to express my deepest respect for your arrival.
When many people were struggling to survive, you stood up without hesitation, came to this Commander Academy for your ideals, for humanity, for peace, and for freedom, and became a brave and fearless rookie commander. "
Warm applause began to break out from the audience, and these words continued to strike in the hearts of the freshmen. Any lofty ambitions ultimately hope to gain recognition from others, and now the words of the dean of the Azur Lane Command Academy, Prince of Wales, are the best recognition for them.
The Prince of Wales raised his right hand and gently pressed it down, and the applause gradually stopped. She spoke again, "Now that you are sitting here, it means that you are one step closer to realizing your ideals. Through the two years of study and experience in the Azur Lane Commander Academy, I hope that you will be able to contribute your own strength in protecting humanity and the ocean in the future in this great journey.
We will proceed to the traditional first session of our Commander Academy. Please all stand."
As the Prince of Wales finished speaking, the first to react were the second-year students, but the first-year students were no less slow, and all stood up in line with the rhythm. On the podium, Qin Ge also stood up with Mikasa and the others.
"Take off your hats, face our martyrs' monument, and observe three minutes of silence!"
The new commanders understood the words of the Prince of Wales, quickly took off their military caps, and lowered their heads towards the black stone tablet.
At this moment, in front of the auditorium of the Commander Academy , everyone stood in silence, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. The wind blew, as if paying silent tribute to the commanders who had passed away on the stone tablets.
Three minutes was neither too long nor too short. When it was over, the Prince of Wales raised his head and said to everyone, "That's it, put on your hats and sit down!"
The sound of everyone putting on their hats and sitting down was heard at this moment, and everyone began to look directly at the Prince of Wales again.
The Prince of Wales said: "These commanders whose names are engraved on the martyrs' monuments have lost their lives for the greatest cause of mankind, for peace and protection. They are the most lovely people and they are also the most respectable people.
However, I sincerely hope that you will not become one of them. I hope that you can master the various knowledge that your future mentors will teach you. I hope that you can be cautious and calm in future missions, and be careful in what you say and do. I hope that you can survive future wars.
Because only when you are alive can you fight, because only when you are alive can you realize your ideals, and because only when you are alive can you command your fleet to defeat the Sirens.
So you heard me? Learn, fight, and live!"
"I heard it clearly!"
A deafening sound resounded through the sky at this moment, and the affairs of the new students below were brought up by the Prince of Wales with just a few words.
Seeing this, the Prince of Wales nodded with satisfaction and said to everyone, "Very good, you are the best commanders. Next, let me introduce to you the distinguished guests who are attending your opening ceremony today."
Following the Prince of Wales's voice, many students below began to pay attention to the person the Prince of Wales would introduce next.
The Prince of Wales turned around on the stage and introduced Enterprise and the others, "The first person I want to introduce to you is Mr. Li Siyuan, the president of the Shenhua Chamber of Commerce. His chamber of commerce is the largest partner of our Azur Lane Commander Academy. All the commissioned tasks for the second-year students are issued by their chamber of commerce, so you should thank him for the tasks you will receive in the future."
Following the voice of the Prince of Wales, a middle-aged man stood up and waved to the commanders below, while thunderous applause broke out from underground.
"The second is the chief director from our Maritime Bureau, Canglong, director of the Shenhua City Maritime Bureau. After you graduate from the Commander Academy, the Maritime Bureau where Director Canglong works will be your largest transaction and entrustment center, as well as a data collection center." Prince of Wales pointed at Canglong and introduced him.
Canglong stood up, adjusted his glasses, nodded to everyone, and then sat down amid thunderous applause.
Prince of Wales smiled at Canglong, then pointed to the third person, "I think you know less about this one. She has been active in the forefront of the fight against the Sirens, and together with many commanders, she led the Freedom Ship Girls to fight against the Sirens. She is Enterprise, the front-line commander of the Donghuang Navy!"
