The competition to for the Ark's crew membership was incredibly fierce. Wang Tong had heard that even the ones with connections inside House Ma were not guaranteed a spot on the team. Therefore, he felt lucky to be able to get enlisted thanks to Ma Xiaoru.
Ma Xiaoru watched Wang Tong as he was absorbed in the imagination of his life on the ship. She hugged him gently and felt that she had never been so happy before.
House Ma was not entirely altruistic—profits would be made, and influence would be exerted after the successful expedition, and rightfully so, since the Ark project had almost exhausted House Ma's resources. Ma Dutian had to make sure his efforts were worthwhile.
Although House Ma had the sole rights on the ownership of the technology and the battleship, they were not free to use the power at will. The captain of the ship would have to obey the Confederation's orders. Otherwise, it would be treated as mutiny.
