The parade was held on a wide avenue in front of Immortal Academy.
At this time, the upper levels of the Hive City were already packed with people, all eager to witness the grand ceremony firsthand.
Residents in the lower levels of the Hive City, or in the other two Hive Cities, who couldn't attend in person, could watch the parade live on large screens installed throughout the Hive City.
On the top floor terrace of Immortal Academy, Marcus and Alexia, along with other high-ranking Universal Union officials, had gathered.
Aside from the Isaac Team (which now included Gordon Freeman, Barney Calhoun, and Adrian Shephard), who were still on an infiltration mission, and Alex (the original crew member, not Alyx Vance), who was far away in the Avatar World negotiating with the ICA on Mars, most of the other important figures were present.
Alexia, Wesker, and the old crew members from the Ishimura who now held important positions.
As well as some new crew members who joined after the Biohazard World, but who, through their genuine talent and hard work, now also held important positions.
"I hope we won't encounter such a major threat again for a while," Alexia said, shaking her head as she gazed at the bustling crowd below.
"This dark universe is never short of war and slaughter. Tyranids, Chaos Heretics, Necron, and even the Imperium of Man, we still have many threats to face."
Marcus knew better than anyone what kind of place the Warhammer Universe was.
Marcus took a moment, looking over the immense crowd. "Speaking of assets, I want to discuss the status of the two main scientific assets we acquired from the the other universe—Alyx Vance and her father, Dr. Eli Vance."
"They chose to stay behind to coordinate the remnants of the Resistance," Alexia replied, her tone pragmatic. "A sentimental choice, but understandable. They felt their duty was to their home."
"Sentiment is a wasted resource," Marcus countered, crossing his arms. "But their knowledge isn't. Alyx Vance is an engineering prodigy who understands both Black Mesa and rudimentary Combine technology. Eli Vance is the lead authority on the Borealis and temporal mechanics.
We extracted the data, yes, but the assets themselves are priceless. I've sent a retrieval signal to the outpost in that universe. I don't care about their sentiment; I care about their utility. Once we have a moment of stability, I want them brought here. I need Alyx's hands-on expertise with Combine tech for our defensive arrays."
Alexia nodded, accepting the decree instantly. "Consider it logged for immediate action once the current missions conclude. Their integration into the Immortal Academy's R&D will be seamless."
"Conscription and training cannot stop. Greenskins fleets are still rampaging in the surrounding star systems and sectors. We don't know when we might be invaded again. Also, the work to clear the Greenskins spores on Avarax will have to continue for at least another six months."
Although they had won the war, the problems left behind by the Greenskins were numerous.
"Since we still have the capacity, can we officially contact the governments of the surrounding star systems?" Alexia had already set her sights on the surrounding star systems.
"We can start with preliminary planning, but the official implementation will have to wait until the plan on Pandora succeeds," Marcus nodded.
The surrounding star systems did not possess the military might that Marcus had at his disposal, and had long been beaten into submission by the Greenskins.
Now was indeed a good opportunity to integrate all these governments under his, or rather, the Universal Union's, control.
"It's time. The parade is about to begin." Marcus and Alexia stopped their conversation and looked down from Immortal Academy.
Although they were hundreds of meters above the ground, they could still clearly see everything below.
Three large ICA assault ships swooped down from the sky, spraying colored smoke as they passed over the crowd below.
Numerous saluting cannons lining both sides of the avenue began to fire in unison.
This marked the official beginning of the parade.
"As the Planetary Governor of Avarax, you should at least make an appearance, shouldn't you?" Alexia looked at Marcus beside her.
He nodded and then stepped onto the prepared podium.
Although Marcus never particularly liked such formal occasions, just as Alexia said, as a Planetary Governor, he couldn't possibly not show his face at such an event.
Once Marcus was ready, all the camera positions were aimed at him.
"Look! It's the Planetary Governor!" The previously noisy crowd instantly fell silent.
Those other Avarax residents who hadn't come to the scene but were all watching this moment on screens also quieted down.
"Residents of Avarax!
And brave soldiers who fought against the Greenskins!
In the name of the Planetary Governor of Avarax, I hereby formally declare!
Through the collective efforts of each and every one of you!
Those Greenskins who sought to invade our sacred territory have been completely driven out of this star system!"
At this, Marcus paused.
The parade ground immediately erupted in thunderous cheers.
"Long live the Planetary Governor!!!"
When the cheers gradually subsided, Marcus continued.
"Avarax was originally just an insignificant small planet on the frontier of the Imperium, no different from other such planets, all ruled by corrupt and incompetent noble bureaucrats."
At this point, Marcus glanced at some noble officials below the stage who had survived Alexia's ruthless methods through their own abilities. "Perhaps at some point in the future, endless malice in the galaxy will surround us. But, at this very moment!
I believe that all residents of Avarax share the same conviction!
A conviction that we will never end here!
A conviction that we will continue to be united in the future, just as we are now!
A conviction that through our collective efforts, we can create a great and prosperous civilization!
May Avarax be immortalized!
May we always be remembered!"
As Marcus's firm voice fell, after a brief silence, the scene instantly erupted in a tsunami of cheers.
The roar was so immense that even the steel-forged Hive City buildings began to tremble slightly.
"Make Avarax great again!" Amidst the cheers, Marcus stepped down from the podium.
But the thunderous applause continued.
"I didn't expect you to be such a master orator," Alexia said, her eyes glinting.
Even she had to admit that Marcus's brief speech just now was indeed very inspiring.
"Perhaps," Marcus shrugged.
"But I still owe it to you. You managed to transform Avarax into what it is now in just half a year."
Choosing Alexia to be the acting Planetary Governor and manage everything on Avarax was one of the wisest decisions Marcus had ever made.
At this moment, Alexia, dressed in a white noble gown, also needed to give a speech as the acting Planetary Governor.
However, unlike Marcus's more inspiring approach, Alexia's speech focused more on practical matters.
From reforming Hive City factories to liberating more productivity.
Then to building schools, allowing more eligible young people to study.
And most importantly, improving people's livelihoods, which greatly reduced the number of Hive City residents dying of hunger and cold.
Every single thing she spoke about resonated deeply with the Hive City residents below, especially those in the lower levels of the Hive City.
Watching Alexia on stage, Marcus stroked his chin and mumbled, "I need to think of something to reward her with. After all, I can't let her work for free."
Alexia's speech lasted much longer than Marcus's. Although she streamlined a lot of cumbersome content, it still took her over half an hour.
"In the name of the Acting Planetary Governor of Avarax, I declare that the grand military parade now begins." With that, Alexia stepped down from the stage.
The long-waiting Hive City residents all perked up, not wanting to miss the rare spectacle that was about to unfold.