"Colonization?"
Halsey, who was originally sleepy, immediately perked up.
She certainly knew what kind of 'wealth' this decision would bring to Umbrella.
It was like the European countries such as Portugal and Spain in the 15th century, opening up colonies in North America, South America, Africa, and Oceania, and suddenly becoming the hegemons among the powers.
It would bring unimaginable money and status.
However, that kind of colonization meant keeping the indigenous inhabitants of the conquered regions like livestock and plundering their labor and wealth—that was 'evil' capitalism.
Umbrella's colonization was more like immigration and pioneering, which was quite different from the above.
"Everyone," William took advantage of the fact that the people present were still in shock and continued to explain:
"For example, going to Mars, at the level of the U.S. space agency, would take four hundred to four hundred and fifty days, and it can't even carry people."
"But, the six warships equipped with jump drives can reach Mars' near-Earth orbit in an instant."
"What kind of concept is this?"
"It's simply thousands of times easier than a journey on an international flight."
As he spoke, William looked at Cortana and asked:
"Cortana, without considering armament and defense, how much funding and time would it take to build a colony ship that can accommodate ten thousand people?"
"Yes."
Cortana's body emitted a faint light, representing that she was simulating and calculating at a very fast speed, and she replied within dozens of seconds:
"Boss, with the current number of people in the Engineering Team, it would take about eight months, and the cost per ship would be about 7.2 billion U.S. dollars."
"Thanks." William smiled slightly at Cortana to express his gratitude, then looked around at the three people in front of him and said:
"Some people, in order to realize the so-called American Dream, would rather spend one hundred thousand, hundreds of thousands, or even a million to immigrate to the United States."
"But what if it only costs ten or twenty thousand to join our Umbrella Engineering Team and go to Mars in person to build houses and cities for yourself for interstellar immigration?"
"It's the kind where you can go back and forth, not a one-way ticket; if you're not satisfied, you can return to Earth. What do you think?"
What William was doing could be called a two-way benefit...
Because he knew that once someone became a member of the Umbrella Engineering Team, they would possess the 'rapid construction' special skill.
Paying money.
And doing the work.
Pioneering, after all. Initially, let the existing Engineering Team split off some people to build base stations on the surface of Mars, and then carry out massive advertising and promotion.
Someone will always take the bait.
Besides, it's not a one-way ticket like the NASA plan, where you go and never return.
Spending ten or twenty thousand to take a trip 'off the Planet' and being able to enjoy the scenery of Mars is worth it, right?
And William's vision was not limited to immigration; the most important thing was resources.
For example, the asteroids between Mars and Jupiter contain gold, iron, nickel, and other ores, conservatively estimated at seven trillion trillion dollars.
Of course, resources should be used for Umbrella's technology research and development and military expansion, and to drive human progress.
Indeed, as reported by 'Fortune,' William wanted to make his Umbrella the leader of humanity in the 21st century.
To quote a famous saying from a certain foundation: "Humanity cannot live in fear any longer. Nothing can protect us, we must protect ourselves."
Also, as Hawking once reminded, if we want to ensure the continuation of the human race, interstellar immigration is inevitable and necessary.
"Boss, I support you~."
Sure enough, shortly after William finished speaking, Halsey was the first to express her stance and smiled: "As long as there is enough money, I agree with the implementation of the colonization plan."
"I have no objections," Andre replied.
"That's fine," Mike also nodded in agreement.
Seeing that all the senior executives of Umbrella agreed with the colonization project, William did not drag it out, turned his head to look at Halsey, and asked:
"Catherine, if we establish colonies on Planets like Mars and Titan, can you develop a device to modify the atmospheric environment?"
"Modify the atmosphere?" Halsey was taken aback.
But she immediately shook her head and smiled: "Even if I could build a device to modify the atmosphere, humans would not be able to live directly on Mars and Titan."
"First, there is the geomagnetic field. Mars' magnetic field is very weak, which is why the atmosphere is thin and water is lost."
"Most importantly, without the protection of a magnetic field, the human body will be in direct contact with cosmic rays, and diseases and death will follow one after another."
"I don't have the ability to modify the internal geological activity of a Planet."
"Titan's atmosphere is thick, but it also lacks magnetic field protection."
"However..."
Halsey overturned William's plan to modify the atmosphere and stated her hypothesis: "It is possible to build some kind of high-strength, sealed giant transparent dome that can resist harmful cosmic rays."
"Then expand the gravity generation device on the warship to keep the gravity inside the dome similar to Earth's. I think such a colony is feasible."
"And some corresponding facilities and technologies are already very mature, which is much more realistic and much cheaper than the plan to modify the atmosphere and geological activity."
"Hmm," William nodded.
As long as Halsey said it was possible, then it was certain; the rest was just a matter of time.
Then he said to her: "Catherine, what do you need? The company will fully support you."
"What do I need..."
Halsey raised her left hand to rub her chin, thought for a moment, and said: "There is nothing special needed. In two months, it will be the Spartan modification surgery."
"I'll go back to Minos Island to research first. Oh, by the way, I need Cortana's full assistance."
"If Cortana is focused on the immigration plan, what about the control of public opinion?" Mike looked worried.
"It's okay, Lieutenant General," Cortana responded proactively:
"The Hive has another intelligent artificial intelligence similar to me. She can perfectly replace my duties and assist Umbrella in controlling the network."
"Hmm, that's true," William chimed in from the side.
"Then I have no other questions," Mike realized.
"Very good."
Seeing that no one else had any questions, William stood up, straightened his clothes, and ordered: "Then, Dr. Halsey will lead and prepare for the implementation of the colonization project, with Cortana assisting from the side."
"Lieutenant General, your task is to train twenty thousand Marine Corps, preparing to protect Umbrella's property and employees when the Forward Unto Dawn sets sail and the colonization plan is implemented."
"General, the discovery and containment of global anomalies are still left to you to handle, but I hope you and the Lieutenant General will handle the Manhattan incident first."
"Yes." (x4)
After William finished explaining the company's policy, Halsey took Cortana and all the Spartans, escorted by Major Kent, and returned to Minos Island.
Andre and Mike needed to stay in New York state to continue executing the disinfection procedures and memory erasure plan.
William, on the other hand, took Hank and the others, the Alpha, and returned to Halifax, enabling Serana as his secretary to handle public opinion and various company arrangements.
William still needed to handle one plan...
That was to select the most elite task force from the UBCS, USS, Marine Corps, and Agents in the Umbrella troops to deal with various anomalies.
The Mobile Task Force.
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