《Abyss Solo》 Chapter 1 - Chapter 1: 001 Arrival Chapter 1: 001 Arrival Earth exploded. Yang Ming remembered vividly that, about half an hour ago, Earth had exploded. The sky was tumultuous with fiery clouds, and he sat in his living room at his childhood home, tightly embracing his parents and younger sister, facing the flames spewing from the cracks in the earth, succumbing to the agony of the flames and plunging into the abyss of unconsciousness. Am I dead now? Yang Mings heart, on the contrary, calmed. The television, internet, and mobile phone messages had been announcing from three days ago that Earths civilization was about to collapse and human civilization was entering a countdown. High-energy rays from the outer Solar System were hitting Earth directly without any hindrance, and Earths technology was powerless against it, rapidly disintegrating the civil order. (This message was not directly detected.) The human civilization that hadnt managed to leave Earth just vanished like that. Before the explosion of Earth, there was a rather absurd theory circulating onlinethat Earth was attacked by rays because of a virtual reality space exploration game called Abyss. Yang Ming, who had been addicted to Abyss since college, had reached the story arc of Abyss Descends three months ago. The climax of the story arc was betting on the home planet base, calling for global players to unite to counter the threat from the Ninth Natural Disaster Army. How could players from all over the world unite? The main storyline wasnt that big a deal anyway. Over the past three months, various fleets were still waging wars against each other, and it was generally assumed that when the countdown of the expansion pack ended, the official phantom troops would overturn the powerful NPC fleets. Just three days ago, the main fleet of the Ninth Natural Disaster Army broke through the outer lines of defense and reached near the Origin Mother Star of Earths humans, firing a star-destroying missile at Earths Origin Mother Star in the game world. All global players were simultaneously kicked out of the game. Half a day later, Earths external satellites detected that high-energy ray, and Earths human civilization entered a three-day countdown. Was it really a coincidence? Wasnt that too much of a coincidence? During those three days, Yang Ming saw many conspiracy theories and analytical posts, saying humans are a common species in the universe, and the game Abyss was a test of civilization given by higher human civilizations, which Earths humans failed, hence their destruction. But Yang Ming really couldnt accept the absurd theory that he played Earth to destruction. But all that was in the past. Although Yang Ming couldnt open his eyes at this moment, he could still remember, think, and feel the existence of his body. Now it was probably Did he arrive in heaven? Or had he fallen into hell? If not for the previous burning pain being too intense, Yang Ming would also have liked to think it was just a dream. Professor. Suddenly, footsteps and a conversation between a man and a woman reached his ears. The man was addressed as professor, his voice deep and strong; The woman should also be middle-aged, her tone very gentle. Doctor Lina, how is our third deputy now? the man asked. Hanton is no longer in serious danger, his bodys various indicators have returned to normal, but his head has suffered a severe concussion and may experience some sequelae. This poor guy, he played a crucial role in shaking off the Human Councils detection ship; dont skimp on medical resources. Dont worry, Professor, I will take good care of Hanton. Hanton? Human Councils detection ship? What is all this mess? Yang Ming struggled to think, a series of memory fragments flashed through his mind; These blotchy, illogical images suddenly assaulted his brain, causing intense pain that made Yang Ming convulse. Yang Ming quickly realized. If he couldnt withstand the assault of these memory fragments, he might become an idiot, likely losing the personality known as Yang Ming! Enduring the severe pain in his forehead, he tried to divert his attention, repeatedly recalling his brief life as Yang Ming. Finally, the pain started to subside, and the memory images from this body became blurry and tame. He had won. Yang Ming sighed in relief in his mind, not having had time to review these newly surfaced memories, when he heard messy footsteps again. Whats wrong with him? The professor asked in a deep voice. It might be a central nervous system disorder The problem is worse than we thought. I need to redo the examination for him, Doctor Lina said. Let me take a look. Two ice-cold fingers clad in leather gloves pried open Yang Mings eyelids. The glaring light met his eyes, and a shadow loomed in front of itanother head peeking from the side. Yang Ming was startled. He had seen this middle-aged man before! The mans flickering red mechanical eye and the exposed mechanical skeleton on the left half of his face had left a deep impression on Yang Ming. The dark red scars where mechanical skin met natural flesh looked nauseating up close. He he is A name nearly slipped out of Yang Mings mouth. Kigrov! Holy crap, wasnt this Kigrov, the hidden boss from the level 30 Empire faction epic dungeon in Abyss? He could drop rare skills for bio-engineered classes and core components for all classes! His original name seemed to be Right, Professor Kigrov! This level 30 epic dungeon was called Voice of Abandonment. Voice of Abandonment was the second squad-based epic dungeon players challenged after leaving the Origin Mother Star, and it was the hardest dungeon of that time. Batch after batch of players died in the final battle against Valkyrie, whose miniskirts were the hottest topic on the Abyss forums. Oh, that pure, powerful, and amazingly shaped Valkyrie. After conquering the dungeon, Yang Ming would even go out of his way to guide newcomers, all to catch a glimpse of that beautiful Valkyrie. Though, it hadnt been half a month before he got smitten with the curvy career guide at Mink Port Uh, this is not what I should be thinking about now. The icy fingers released his eyelids, and Yang Mings sight plunged into darkness again. Instantly, someone gently manipulated his arms and neck and attached some metal patches. Yang Ming tried to remember every detail of Voice of Abandonment, having battled through it dozens of times. The introduction to the dungeon seemed to go like this [A boundary detection ship discovered a scientific vessel abandoned on the fringe of a desolate Resource Star. The vessels internal structure hadnt been entirely destroyed, and there were signs of life activity in several chambers. The ship bore the emblem of the Sherman Empire. During further exploration, genetically transformed monsters, with strength beyond the limits of carbon-based lifeforms, were found inside.] Yang Mings brain was racing. At the beginning of the dungeon, a blond-haired, blue-eyed virtual NPC in a nurse outfit would guide players, introducing the person in chargeProfessor Kigrov, and progressively unveiling the most powerful being therethe out-of-control Valkyrie. The research ship had encountered a crisis thirty years ago. The powerful Valkyrie, created by genetic experiments, had escaped their control, leading to a bio-disaster and massacres of the crew by the transformed beings. To prevent the infinitely evolving Valkyrie from becoming the Empires nightmare, Professor Kigrov decided to use the non-directional instant jump technology to head towards a black hole near the star road. However, the Valkyrie destroyed the ships propulsion system, and the vessel was trapped in this desolate Star Domain. Thats it, the backstory of the Lost Voice dungeon! Genetic modification, war machinery, experiments to explore the limits of carbon-based lifes power! After players defeated the Valkyrie, they could proceed to explore the storyline, which led to the hidden bossKigrov, who had turned into a monster himself trying to destroy the Valkyrie. Wait a minute! Something is not quite right. Yang Ming clearly rememberedthe hidden boss Professor Kigrov in the Lost Voice dungeon didnt look middle-aged. He was supposed to be a hunched, skinny old man with a receding hairline, messy white hair, somewhat out of his mind, turning into an ugly tumor-like monster after swallowing a red pill! The research ship had encountered a crisis thirty years ago Does that mean, he had been resurrected in Abyss, thirty years before the game even started? Right now, the Valkyrie had not yet started the riot, and this research vessel continued cruising within the Sherman Empires territory, conducting sinister experiments on genetically modified human beings. And he was, he was Hanton, one of the three mates on this research vessel, a formally commissioned officer of the Empire, a captain who had spent two years aboard, mainly responsible for maintaining the ship, solving technical issues, and managing the fire safety systems. To put it simply: [An unassuming crew member about to be slaughtered.] Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: 002 Eve of the Riot Chapter 2: 002 Eve of the Riot Grass, a kind of plant. Having finally been given a second chance at life, was he about to die by a Valkyries blade? Yang Ming felt he needed to do something to save himself. He began to carefully review the recent memories of this body, looking for any useful information that might aid him. Unfortunately, in Hantons memories, Yang Ming found the Imperial Martial God Plan and confirmed the existence of the Valkyries. Luckily, Hantons life for the past two years had been monotonous, so it didnt take much effort to skim through his memories. Hantons recent memories could be simply summarized as: C One medal; C Two mistresses; C Three wishes. Yang Ming was feeling very tired at the moment and simply fell asleep; when he woke up again, he was able to open his eyes, but he continued to feign sleep. To survive on this research ship, he had to play the role of Hanton well. Only by staying alive could Yang Ming figure out why he was in the world of Abyss and have the chance to explore the connection between Earths explosion and this holographic game. Lets first look at the three wishes of this fool, Hanton: C One, to be appreciated by Professor Kigrov and get the opportunity to transform himself into a powerful Martial God Warrior. C Two, to be transferred back to Head Star or another affluent and stable area of the Empire by the age of 30, to retire and become a peace officer in a city with a vibrant nightlife. C Three, to marry a woman from the Imperial Nobility. Only female nobles. Regarding these three wishes, Yang Ming, who had taken over this body, could only apologize. He might help fulfill the second wish if there was a chance. But as for the first and third wishes, forget it. Why would he choose to become some bio-membrane freak thats neither human nor ghost by his own volition? That was not an aesthetic Yang Ming could accept at this stage. Moreover, when Yang Ming played Abyss, he spent half his time mingling in the Empires faction, and the purest Imperial noblewoman NPC had three or four lovers! Marrying a noblewoman was he hoping to evolve to the point where he could sustain himself through photosynthesis? But back to the point. This world felt so real. Yang Ming could breathe freely, and when he opened his eyes just now, there was no peripheral distortion inevitable with holographic glasses. What about the attribute board? The attribute board that one could click to check their stats? In the game Abyss, even the most streamlined interface kept a button for the attribute board, but now there was no trace of it to be found. Yang Ming felt that he was in a real world. This realization became clear and firm. After looking over Hantons three wishes, now to consider those two mistresses. Space travel was so lonely. In the narrow and labyrinth-like cabins of this research ship, which after departure typically couldnt return to its home port for half a year, men and women driven by biological factors would be drawn to each other, weave beautiful stories, and perform rehearsals of the rites of reproduction this was nothing out of the ordinary. Everyone was accustomed to these things, and as long as it didnt interfere with their work, there would be no trouble, no need to be concerned about each other after leaving the ship. Yang Ming watched the little movie in the memory fragments for a while, soon feeling a reaction in his body. It was healthy. That was good. He quickly sealed away that part of the memory to avoid any uncontrollable physical reactions. As for one medal, that was much simpler. Because Hanton had worked diligently and outstandingly completed several high-risk operations, he had recently received a Thorn Flower medal, similar to the little red flowers from kindergarten. At this point, Yang Ming fell into a long silence. Earth had exploded, and he was revived in the background world of the game Abyss, at least thirty years before the games opening, becoming this hardworking and lucky third officer on the research ship. But the crisis of survival had not been resolved. The Valkyries rebellion loomed over him like a dark cloud. Should he stop the Valkyries rampage? Or should he look for an opportunity to leave this research ship before that? Yang Ming racked his brain analyzing the situation. The primary task now was to determine how much time remained until the Valkyrie insurrection. If there were still a few years before the rebellion erupted, there wouldnt be too much cause for panic, and hed have ample opportunity to escape the vortex. Time is critical. Yang Ming didnt continue to read through Hantons memory fragments. Instead, he decided to find a calendar himself; this self-imposed minor task would mark the beginning of his new life. Anyway, he had to figure out a way to integrate into this environment, both familiar and strange. This space research vessel was engaged in nefarious human experimentation that couldnt stand the light of day. To maintain secrecy, the use of any network-connected terminals was prohibited onboard, and the crews work uniforms were not allowed to contain any extraneous electronic devices. You can find a calendar in your own cabin. Not a bad newbie guide task. Yang Ming slowly sat up, still feeling a slight dizziness. The reason this body was injured was that he hit his head while repairing the stabilizer on the tail of the research vessel during an external operation. It must be a concussion now. Yang Ming looked down at the body that would carry him into the future. So fit! Referring to the chest muscles. The bulging pectorals seemed almost ready to burst through the white tank top, and the two sturdy thighs filled out the light blue military trousers, with a pair of milky blue boots to one side. In fact, Hanton held a Second Level Battle Mecha pilot certification, having graduated from a formal military academy and participated in more than a dozen minor campaigns. Yang Ming bent over to put on his boots, taking in the narrow medical office crowded with various instruments and cabinets, feeling the simulated gravity from the floor. Above was an oval window, outside of which was a dazzling nebula. He spaced out for a moment. Until the sound of footsteps came from behind the curtain next to him, Yang Ming snapped back to reality and cleared his eyes of confusion. A middle-aged female doctor with pale golden hair pulled back the curtain. She had features that resembled a mix of Eastern and Western ancestry, dignified in her composure with a slender figure, although the crows feet at the corner of her eyes were becoming hard to conceal. Hanton was quite familiar with this doctor. Lina was the on-board physician responsible for the health care of several hundred crew members and soldiers, a very gentle character. How are you feeling, Hanton? Doctor Lina asked. Not bad, have I developed any lasting illnesses? Youre very healthy, you just need to avoid strenuous activities now, and be careful not to bump into anything when walking. Doctor Lina handed over a transparent bag containing a dozen yellow capsules. Go back to your cabin and continue to rest. Youve slept enough here. If you have a headache or dizziness, take one; it will help you recover quickly. Thank you, Yang Ming whispered. He remembered something and didnt continue the conversation with Lina. Suddenly asking someone what year it was according to the Imperial Calendar would seem a bit abrupt. He successfully left the medical office and walked along the corridor, where at most three people could walk side by side. The corridor seemed endless, with a narrow door every few meters, each equipped with a bio-identification cats eye. Inside were the single dormitories of the senior crew members and officers. Fortunately, though Third Officer was a technical laborer, he was considered a senior crew member. The medical office was at the edge of the senior crew dormitory area. After taking a couple of turns, Yang Ming arrived in front of his own dormitory door, having already calculated the background time for the opening of Abyss in his mind. Yang Ming was an avid gamer, and the time conversion mechanism of Abyss for Galaxy Time had been a hot topic among players. The game started in the Imperial New Calendar year 753. Going back thirty years would be the New Calendar 723. The background description in the instance was a bit vague, only mentioning that a rebellion occurred thirty years ago, without specifying an exact year, month, or day. The bio-identification processed smoothly, and the iron door in front of him slowly opened, revealing the real face of the ten square meter dormitory. Pretty tidy, probably because a woman often stayed overnight. Yang Ming closed the dormitory door behind him and headed straight to the desk, grabbing the elongated electronic clock and started pressing buttons. He read the language and numbers on it effortlessly. Yang Ming also realized belatedly that the language he had heard and spoken before was the Galaxy Universal Language, surprisingly without any barriers. Oh, thank you, Hanton. Lets see, how long until New Calendar 723 He had pulled up the calendar and squinted at it, then froze in place. New Calendar 724, 01, 22. Damn! It was last year. Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: 003s First Encounter with the Valkyrie Chapter 3: 003s First Encounter with the Valkyrie Is that thirty years a rounded-up result? Could the rebellion by the transformed people break out at any moment? Images began to flash across Yang Mings mind. In the dimly lit game instance, fully armed player squads were chased and wildly chopped by the sexy and powerful Valkyrie, meeting their demise amid curses and swears. The gloomy corridors were plastered with dark red bloodstains, decapitated skeletons still dressed in the light blue uniforms of the Empires military, while monstrous lumps of flesh seemingly devoured something at the entrance to the bridge, with occasional deep sobs echoing from the depths of the hallway. This was the fate of the research ship. No, sitting ducks we shall not be. It had not been easy for him to be alive again; the taste of death was unbearably unpleasant. Yang Ming turned and rushed towards the hatch, now completely daring not to rest. He wanted to speak with Kigrov, the person in charge here, they must urgently escape the research ship that could turn into a Shura hell at any moment. However As the hatch opened, a young woman who was just raising her hand to knock on the door made the hurried Yang Ming stop in his tracks. She appeared to be around twenty-four or twenty-five. Although the current cosmetic medical technology made it impossible to judge the specific age by appearance, Yang Ming knew that she was of the same age as him, the ships intern navigator, whose job was to check the Star Map, confirm the navigation route, and serve tea and water. Of course, she also had a unique personal identity: Hantons mistress number one. She was a sexy woman with plump lips, bright eyes, and a high nose bridge, her fair skin and shapely figure evident even though her waistline was not so pronounced, but Yang Ming was captivated by the bulges in her swollen work uniform. Hi, darling! Are you feeling better? Surprise flitted across her eyes as she expertly wrapped her arms around Yang Mings waist. Yang Ming instinctively took a half step back, and before he could speak, a pair of plump, soft lips tasting of sweetness blocked his own. Ah, what? Are Empire girls always this warm and welcoming? Thanks, Hanton. After a bout of entangled lips and teeth, just as Yang Mings breathing was about to become labored, he finally regained some sense. This young woman was a navigator, one who could read sea maps, so she must know the current heading of the spaceship, right? Since the time node was a bit fuzzy, he might try to probe the spatial node. Where have we flown to now, my dear? Yang Ming asked. Oh, darling, are you sure you want to discuss such a mood-dampening topic right now? the woman complained with coy annoyance. Yang Ming firmly gripped his belt. Mistress number one quickly yielded. Darling, why have you suddenly started caring about this? Weve just shaken off the Human Councils Detection Ship and are near the Empires boundary tower 4339. In two hours, well pass by an abandoned Resource Star where we can extract water for supplies. Yang Ming nodded, ready to resume their earlier academic exchange between Earths civilization and extraterrestrial culture, when suddenly his hands trembled. Resource Star? An abandoned Resource Star? How does the first sentence of the Lost Voice instance background introduction go? [The Detection Ship discovered a research ship abandoned at the edge of a deserted Resource Star.] My dear, hold on a minute! Yang Ming once again pushed away the octopus-like woman, Doctor Lina said I shouldnt engage in strenuous activity right now. Oh, right, youve been honorably wounded, said mistress number one, revealing a tender smile, then biting her lip seductively, her eyes suggestive, and slowly pushed Yang Ming onto the single bed. This is your reward as our hero; you just lie down today, you dont need to do anything. Yang Ming quickly asked, Is that abandoned Resource Star surrounded by a Planet Ring? Made of rocks and dust, looking like a yellowish soil on the surface, with a massive storm in the atmosphere that never dissipates? She seemed puzzled, staring at Yang Ming for a while, the passion in her eyes subsiding a bit. How did you know all this? Our Star Map is confidential He knew it! Yang Ming swiftly turned back over, gently laid her on the bed with a touch of reluctance, then bit her plump lips, tightened his belt, pulled off his tank top, grabbed the military jacket and ID card hanging on the wall, and without a backward glance, bolted towards the metal door. Sorry, my dear, I have some things to take care of. The woman on the bed seemed rather confused. Before leaving, Yang Ming paused, turned to look at the beautiful girl, and memories of their blissful times together flashed through his mind. There are three lifeboats on the ship; you can stay near any of them if you like. It wasnt rational and might easily lead to misunderstandings. But Yang Ming felt he should warn her. Darling? confusion filled the eyes of mistress number one. Bang! The hatch slammed shut. Yang Ming hurried towards the nearest elevator, springing into his step. At the convex mirror at the corner, he saw his current appearance, a chiseled face, standard Empire military buzz cut, a long neck, and a muscular physique, no wonder he was popular with female crew members. But, nothing was more important than the need for survival. No one was going to let him die again! Yang Ming had already started running. To find Kigrov, only Kigrov had the authority to order the Valkyries abandonment! Yang Ming found the ID card in his shirt pocket, quickly swiped it, dived into the elevator, pressed the uppermost button with the bridge label, and instinctively held onto the handrail. While the elevator moved, it would enter a low-gravity environment, and the ships simulated force field would temporarily fail due to the limitations of domain technology. Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: 003 First Encounter with the Valkyrie_2 Chapter 4: 003 First Encounter with the Valkyrie_2 This detail was exactly the same as the one in Abyss. I must clear my thoughts now. Hantons memory showed that because of the Valkyries enormous destructive potential, Kigrov had long made corresponding preparations. The chamber housing the Valkyrie was located at the very bottom of the spaceship, a separate module that could be ejected at any time. Yang Mings thoughts were exceptionally active, and he quickly realized some problems. With the identity of the third officer, he could directly request an audience with Kigrov, but how would this evil and arrogant professor ever heed the advice of a senior technician like himself? How to prove that the Valkyrie was about to lose control? Claiming to have suddenly acquired the superpower to foresee the future? That would most likely result in being dissected for experiments by Kigrov, the kind that would split ones skull open. The current problem was that Kigrov saw the Valkyrie as the masterpiece of his life, the only near-perfect semi-finished product of the Martial God project, and also the trump card that Kigrov used to demand a hefty sum of funds from the Empires ministers. Kigrov would not want to part with the Valkyrie. That was the most fatal issue. Theres no time left. Yang Ming looked up at the elevator and pressed the top button twice, then switched it to the bottom floor marked with a red exclamation point. He should now check the status of the Valkyrie, look for evidence of her impending loss of control, then go convince Kigrov. There must be some signs. Yang Ming thought so. The elevator moved silently and slowly downward, as Yang Ming watched the smooth alloy panels, his mindset gradually stabilizing. Chi The elevator door opened, and microgravity gradually increased to normal gravity. Yang Mings military boots stepped into the line of sight of two guarding soldiers. Shua, shua, both soldiers saluted at the same time. Captain! Mm, good work on your shift, Yang Ming casually nodded and continued forward. As one soldier was about to remind him that the area ahead was off-limits to non-experimental staff, the other soldiers gaze stopped him, and the two ultimately kept silent. This was the ships third officer, entitled to inspect every corners fire safety equipment and ventilation ducts. The scene before him made Yang Ming slightly uncomfortable. The bottom cabin was like a round hall, with each area tightly segregated. At the moment, Yang Ming was standing in the upper left position, with a spiral alloy stairway to his left hand. On the left side of the bottom cabin, there was a row of canned-shaped sealed chambers, inside which were sealed a dozen men and women, filled with various input tubes, obviously in a dormant state. The special bathrobes they wore preserved their dignity as genetic experimental subjects. Among these Transformed, Yang Ming spotted a Lost Voice boss clone and two or three muscle men who looked like the clones elite monsters. When not out of control, they all still had the physique of normal humans. The central area consisted of an array made up of dozens of precision instruments, with narrow passages connecting small laboratories in all directions, and researchers in protective suits bustling back and forth. On the right side was a small playground, with several strong figures undergoing physical training, their heads always pointed at with laser guns. The security level here was quite high. Every entrance was guarded by soldiers, and on the ceiling and walls were arrays of high-energy laser guns for bio-use, controlled by the bridge. The Valkyrie should be in a special cabin at the front left corner. Hanton had once come here to inspect the fire system. Yang Ming quickly descended the staircase and followed a narrow path lined with experimental equipment. The door to the cabin was ajar, and two researchers in protective suits were busy at the instrument table by the door, whispering something to each other. Yang Ming thought he could hear the thump, thump of his heartbeat. He reached the door, paused his steps, and glanced inside as if nonchalantly. The cabin in front of him was about thirty to forty square meters, with a five-meter-diameter canned bio-pool in the center. The familiar yet strange beautiful Valkyrie was quietly suspended in the pale green pool water. She possessed an impeccable perfect figure, her pretty face full of girlish innocence, her orange-red hair floating upwards in the pale green nutrient solution; The silver-white collar around her neck that probably was some kind of explosive device oddly complemented her transcendent beauty that went beyond gender. However, right now, Yang Ming was more concerned about the nutrient liquid that was slowly draining away beside the Valkyrie. Hanton? A stern, sharp female voice came from behind, Youre not a member of the research team; by regulation, you cant enter the lower deck, much less this restricted area! Yang Ming turned his head to look at the middle-aged woman behind him and without any chitchat, pointed directly at the Valkyries nutrient pod and asked, Im doing a fire safety inspection What is this? Changing the nutrient liquid? The woman coldly replied, Yes, changing the nutrient liquid and conducting a periodical test, please leave immediately. Can it be suspended? Yang Ming asked directly. The woman, walking in high heels, was full of skepticism. Her expression softened slightly as she crossed her arms and furrowed her brows in response, This is a normal experimental activity on the schedule; whats the matter, Hanton? This doesnt seem to be within your job scope, and your complexion looks rather poor. I heard you sustained a brain injury while working on the mechas tail wing maintenance. Yang Ming made his gaze appear as sincere as possible. Thats right, I hit my head, and then I vaguely saw some images that, well, Im quite concerned about, relating to a situation where the Valkyrie lost control Lost control? The woman crossed her arms, her figure slim under the white coat, and smiled while shaking her head, continuing, Shes like a baby now; a pure and powerful baby. She wont break free from our control. And also, Hanton, we have no need to deliberately control her. Shes my friend, my best friend. Yang Ming sharply caught a hint of something amiss. As she spoke these words, her thin face, unsatisfied and covered with light freckles, revealed an intoxicated look, filled with delusional devotion and a strange sense of piety. Could it be? Yang Ming clearly remembered that in the second phase of taking on the Valkyrie, the Valkyrie would unleash a move called Spiritual Control, all-encompassing, leaving no blind spots, and players without mental protection gear were highly likely to fall into confusion, attacking teammates indiscriminately; a difficult point that often wiped out entire teams. At this moment, Yang Ming suddenly had an unpleasant association. He decided to probe this lady before him. Yes, shes so beautiful. Yang Ming whispered his admiration, then squinted his eyes smilingly, trying to make himself appear sordid as he said slowly, Im falling in love with her. Hanton! The woman beside him looked disgusted, Please dont defile her purity with your filthy thoughts! Isnt she just a test subject? Yang Ming looked puzzled, raising his voice on purpose, Although she is beautiful, shes ultimately just an unfinished product, essentially an artificial creation. It reminds me of those high-value non-intelligent mechanical companions that can even be customized in body shape and facial features, and special vocalizations. Shut up just shut up! She is perfect! She is magnificent! A god! She is a god! The womans voice suddenly became high-pitched. She clutched her ears in apparent pain, uttering low growls, She is the most perfect deity! Hanton! You will pay for your frivolity and arrogance! This womans mental state indeed had problems. Kigrov, take a good look, your subordinate is already the Valkyries little treasure. Having found the evidence he was looking for, Yang Ming immediately stepped back, keeping as far away from the woman as possible. The nearby workers began to notice the commotion, with some of them casting scornful and disdainful glances at Yang Ming. A peculiar feeling suddenly surged in the depths of Yang Mings heart. He looked up subconsciously, through the ajar special protective door to the chamber where the Valkyrie was, and immediately felt a chill run down his spine, and his heart skipped a beat. Behind the translucent wall of the nutrient pod, the Valkyrie was opening her eyes, her nearly transparent eyelashes slowly lifting, and her ruby-like pupils twinkling with red light. Visible light red ripples, like those on water, faintly undulated. This was the Valkyries Spiritual Control! Chapter 5 - Chapter 5: 004 Thank you Hanton Chapter 5: 004 Thank you Hanton Escape! Yang Mings ears buzzed continuously, and dizziness accompanied by a strong urge to vomit overwhelmed him. The moment the red hoop erupted, Yang Ming already sprinted for an escape, but he still couldnt avoid the influence of that red light. Valkyrie has escaped! He yelled at the top of his lungs. Many men and women nearby began to vomit, some precision instruments emitted faint electrical arcs, and screams and shouts erupted intermittently. Seven or eight men and women in white laboratory coats surged toward the cabin where Valkyrie was; their eyes shone with a faint red light, their expressions devout. Valkyrie had long secretly taken control of the researchers who were most closely associated with her! Yang Ming ran straight to the nearest emergency fire escape, and didnt forget to slap the alarm bell on the wall, letting the shrill alarm sound throughout the entire research ship. I can only help you guys this much. Rushing up the spiral staircase, he climbed hundreds of steps in one breath before Yang Ming heard screams coming from below. Direct gunfire! Three horizontal safety gates were rapidly closing, cutting off the spiral staircase, with the topmost right under Yang Mings feet. Can these alloy gates, capable of resisting high-energy laser beams, stop Valkyrie? At that moment, Yang Ming felt utterly insecure. The walls transmitted the calm voice of a broadcaster, announcing refuge tips, urging all departments to prepare for evacuation, and marking the positions of the lifeboats. Soon, the ship started to tremble slightly, and the battle in the lower deck grew intense. Perhaps because the act of climbing stairs was too vigorous, it aggravated old injuries; as he ran, Yang Mings eyes began to fill with blood, his ears buzzed, and waves of intense dizziness hit him. He had no intention of stopping. The concussion intensified, but with the medical means of interstellar civilization, it wasnt much of an issue. But if he slowed down and Valkyrie caught up, his head would be shaved off! His robust physique played a key role, allowing Yang Ming to rush directly to the top level of the safety passage. He barely made out the nearby exit. The dizziness grew worse, making it nearly impossible to stand. But when Yang Ming saw the safety gate ahead that was slowly closing, he took a strong step forward, dove forward, and barely rolled inside. Ding, ding ding The noise was like a dozen coins spinning in a metal bowl, ringing continuously beside Yang Mings ear. Yang Ming thought of something, pulled out the small pocket, and poured out the capsules Doctor Lina had given him, squeezing two and swallowing them down. Then, he lay down on the floor, eyes closed, gasping heavily. The ringing in his ears lasted a good while. Yang Mings breathing gradually stabilized; the veins on his forehead slowly receded, his body drenched in sweat. He raised his hand to cover his forehead, the dizziness receding like flowing water, his chest no longer stifled, and his mind became exceptionally active. Was there a steroid in that medication? The effect is strong. When Yang Ming got up, he had to support himself against the wall, but after walking more than ten steps, his body had returned to normal. According to the information in Hantons memory, his current location was very close to the command bridge, and there should be no more safety gates ahead. Yang Mings pace gradually quickened. Warnings of disasters continuously came from the walls, and the embedded displays showed prominent red words. Of the three lifeboats, one was located in an outer storage near the command bridge, able to hold a hundred people. Including the guards, there were usually only about forty to fifty people on the command bridge, so the probability of successfully boarding a lifeboat from here was the highest. Of course, the best outcome would be to persuade Kigrov to abandon Valkyrie and eject the lower decks laboratory quickly; boarding a lifeboat would be the worst-case scenario. The lifeboat did not have jump capability, and being on the border of the Empires territory, there was a risk of being stranded in space. After walking along the silver-gray corridor for a long time, two doors bearing the Empires emblem came into view. Entry required biological recognition; he pressed his palm on the control panel to the left, and the two large doors slowly slid open. It was like the voice of a starving electronic announcer in a small area: Third officer arrives on the command bridge. Quite impressive. If the engine room, housing the jump drive, was the heart of the spacecraft, then the command bridge was its brain. Yang Ming quickly stepped inside and surveyed the environment. This research ship obviously spent all its budget on the laboratory in the lower deck; the command bridge could be described as quite shabby. Directly ahead was a connected arch window, outside of which was the best view of the stars the entire ship could offer, and to the left and right were control panels, enough to scare anyone with claustrophobia, with their rows of buttons causing the scalp to tingle. A dozen men and women in Empire military uniforms sat straight at their posts, calmly and concisely passing information, listening to commands, and pressing buttons. They were responsible for controlling the navigation of the spacecraft and the real-time monitoring of the spacecrafts overall condition. Behind these operators was a closed and transparent fire control cabin; inside sat several middle-aged military officers controlling all types of weapons on the spacecraft. Above the fire control cabin was the main control desk, standing just where Yang Ming was now looking forKigrov, along with the captain and several high-ranking crew members. Directly in front of Kigrov was a one-sided projected screen wall, showing a chaotic view of the lower deck without any blind spots. Yang Ming looked down and moved forward, not caring whether he had the qualifications to go to the main control desk or not, quickly stepped up the stairs, and stood behind a few superiors. Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: 004 Thank you Hanton_2 Chapter 6: 004 Thank you Hanton_2 Kigrovs face was ashen as he leaned on his cane, his mechanical eye flickering a red glow, his sparse hair somewhat disheveled. Yang Ming was drawn to the surveillance footage on the screen. There was a standoff in the lower hold, where a fierce battle had clearly just erupted. A dozen nutrition pods had already been opened. Several transformed people lay bloodied near the nutrition pods, their bodies bearing high-energy ray induced penetrating wounds. A little further away, more than ten Imperial soldiers lay dead, most with necks gruesomely twisted. In front of the Valkyries chamber door, rows of men and women in white lab coats had their hands raised high and stood in an awkward human wall, being held hostage by several menacing transformed people. Where was the Valkyrie? Yang Ming looked up and searched, finding the Valkyries chamber on the monitor. The nutrition pod had been shattered, and the Valkyrie stood before it with her arms open, like a Saintess who had just bathed prior to a prayer ritual. Two women under the Valkyries control were busy at the side, holding two transparent control panels, attempting to unlock the silver collar around the Valkyries neck. This? Professor, Yang Ming spoke directly, Arent we going to do something? Several senior officers turned their heads to look over. The first officer cursed, Captain! This is not your place to speak out of turn! Yang Ming immediately bowed his head and closed his mouth, cursing under his breath. These old fools really are fools, why dont you just detonate the bomb around the Valkyries neck to settle this? To think I barely survived, just to come here and witness history? Captain, what are you still standing here for? Is the sedative gas ready? Kigrov suddenly spoke up, interrupting the first officers reprimand. The first officer replied hurriedly, Its ready to be deployed at any moment, and the assault team is also in position. Kigrov said, Captain, release double the standard concentration no, triple the concentration. Understood, Professor, the ships captain pressed the button on his collar and ordered with a deep voice, Carry out the professors instructions immediately. Yang Ming frowned deeply. Kigrov still wasnt willing to destroy the Valkyrie. As a third officer and repair technician, I had no way to change the course of the situation. Yang Ming stepped back twice, standing on the edge of the platform, his gaze fixated on the changes on the screen. A light red gas mixed with identifiers appeared throughout the lower hold, and the figures standing around quickly started collapsing haphazardly. Click, a soft sound came from the screen. The collar around the Valkyries neck slowly opened, the two women beside had already slumped to the ground. The Valkyrie raised her head to look towards the corner where the camera was hidden, her face innocent like a girls, appearing right in the center of the projection screen. She seemed to be watching Kigrov quietly. Standing further back, Yang Ming couldnt see Kigrovs expression clearly, but he heard the damn professors muttering to himself. Child, dont be nervous, I wont hurt you. Yang Ming looked toward the location of the escape passageway, starting to search Lifesaving Boat Operational Standards in Hantons memory. He had already seen it. Seen the Valkyrie standing up amidst the sedative gas; Seen the Valkyrie deftly twisting the necks of each and every assault team soldier; Seen this spaceship descending into purgatory within the starry expanse amidst despair! In the screen, the Valkyrie slowly laid down. The captain spoke into the button, Assault team Should we! Yang Ming suddenly spoke out, ignoring the puzzled and impatient looks from the senior officers, and very seriously said, Professor, Captain, to ensure foolproof security, shouldnt we use a high-energy laser beam to pierce the Valkyries limbs? This wouldnt cause her any substantial harm, but it would prevent her from moving due to her self-healing injuries, wouldnt it, Professor? Hanton! The first mate, who had been harassing Yang Ming, suddenly bellowed, How much longer are you going to cause trouble here! But Kigrov turned his head to look over, eyeing Yang Ming with a frown, How do you know about these things? The old mans vigilance was quite good. Yang Ming ignored the insignificant first mate, and calmly started to bluff, There are a lot of rumors aboard the ship Professor, you are the creator of the Valkyrie, and you know how powerful the genetics she has integrated are, now everyone on the ship is under her threat. Enough, Hanton! The burly first mate charged over in two steps, grabbing Yang Mings collar: This isnt your place to speak! Do you want to be locked in solitary? Huh? Let him go, Kigrov said with a frown. The first mate was a bit taken aback, but on this ship, Kigrov was the pinnacle of authority. The first mate pushed Yang Ming against the bulkhead with a heavy huff, seemingly warning him. Kigrov stared at Yang Ming for a few moments, and Yang Ming met his gaze coolly. Is this old man waiting for me to convince him? Yang Mings thoughts turned swiftly. Kigrov had special feelings for the Valkyrie; The background introduction of the Lost Voice copy; The lines that beating up the hidden boss Kigrov spoke Yes, Kigrovs most cared about thing, besides the Valkyrie, was the powerful Sherman Empire! Yang Ming suddenly spoke up, his voice always calm, Professor Kigrov, it may sound a bit exaggerated, but I overheard the researchers saying that the most terrifying aspect of the Valkyrie might be her potential for unlimited evolution. This is the Empires border; she might harbor hatred for the Empire. Kigrovs hand, leaning on his cane, clenched the round orb at the end tightly. Take Third Officer Hantons suggestion, Kigrov looked at the captain, let the most skilled technicians operate, use a laser to penetrate her palms and soles, and absolutely do not target the heart, neck, or brain It must be as precise as a scalpel. The captain glanced at Yang Ming, and the slightest smile appeared on his meticulous face, and he immediately said, Rest assured, Professor, I will operate myself. Yang Ming visibly let out a sigh of relief. Kigrov continued, First mate, you and the others head down to the lower decks to supervise the battle now, Hanton stays. The three senior officers briskly gave a Sherman military salute, swinging their left hands behind them, and their right hands in frontswiftly departing with heads bowed. Yang Ming felt the first mates animosity but didnt even cast a glance at him, focusing instead on the screen where the Valkyrie lay unconscious. Had he essentially changed history? No, the crisis was only temporarily averted; he still needed to leave this spaceship as soon as possible. Hanton. Kigrov said in a grave voice, The request you made earlier, I can agree to it now. You have shown great rationality in the face of crisis, a truly commendable talent. Congratulations, youve been given this opportunity, Third Officer. A request? An opportunity? What the devil is that. What had Hanton previously requested from Kigrov? Yang Ming was a bit confused and quickly searched through Hantons memories. His expression nearly broke when he found the memory of his last conversation with Kigrov. Professor, I want to become a powerful Transformed! For this goal, Ive already dedicated years to physical training! All for the glory of the Empire! I am willing to attempt it, even at the cost of my life! The young third officer had earnestly volunteered. And according to the subsequent talks between Hanton and Kigrov, Yang Ming learned that the gene transformation experiments aboard this research ship had a failure rate of 92%, and a mortality rate of 35%. Thank you, Hanton! Yang Ming almost gritted his molars to dust. Chapter 7 - Chapter 7: 005 Runaway Chapter 7: 005 Runaway Yang Ming was contemplating how to refuse the reward. In the projection screen, several faint red laser beams flashed by, creating thumb-sized holes in the limbs of the Valkyrie who was laying on the ground. There were two additional wounds on the shoulder joints than what Yang Ming had proposed. The captain in the fire control cabin below asked through the radio, Do we need to inflict more injuries, Professor? Enough, Kigrov immediately said, Its enough, dont hurt her anymore. Let the assault team go up, and let all the Transformed Bodies enter deep sleep; they are all our precious results. Alright, Professor, the captains voice sounded somewhat reluctant. In the projection screen, rows of Empire soldiers wielding laser guns and wearing protective suits stormed into the lower hold and swiftly pressed the necks of the transformed people with their knees. The Valkyrie suddenly opened her eyes, and again red ripples blossomed. But the helmets of the soldiers displayed a light blue protective film, safeguarding their fragile brains and sensitive brainwaves. Just as Yang Ming had said earlier, the Valkyrie would lose her ability to move when multiple penetrating injuries appeared on her body. Several syringes attempted to pierce into the Valkyries pale, smooth skin, her limbs trembled incessantly, but she was unable to move. The voice of the assault team, in disarray, emanated from the consoles built-in speaker: My God! Captain, look, the Valkyries wounds are healing, the burn marks have vanished. Unlimited cell proliferation? Has she fused with the genes of the Insect Race? What kind of monster is this! Although she is beautiful! Damn it, bring over the thickest syringe, my syringe cant get through! Inject the sleeping agent through her wounds, her skin has extremely high resilience she is indeed a monster. Kigrov sternly said, Captain, make your people shut up! Alright, Professor. The captain cut off the voice sync of the action team, and the console returned to silence, leaving only Kigrovs rapid breathing. Yang Ming, standing behind, stopped himself from speaking. Kigrovs breathing gradually smoothed, and he slowly turned around, his mechanical eye shining with dark red spots. Lets go, Hanton, Kigrov gathered his spirit, I will personally perform your transformation surgery. Yang Ming immediately said, Professor, I think at a time like this, I need to maintain the spacecrafts equipment, especially after such a major disturbance. Isnt this what you have always wanted? Kigrov stared at Yang Ming, Why dont I see a hint of happiness on your face, Hanton? Professor, Yang Ming forced an ugly smile, I just injured my head, and Im still feeling dizzy now; I worry it might affect the success rate of the transformation. That wont impact anything, Kigrov seemed to be looking for something on Yang Mings face, This is the reward you should receive, Hanton, why do I feel like you have suddenly changed? Damn, am I about to be exposed? Yang Ming was shocked at Kigrovs insight and frantically pondered the current situation in his mind. Although Kigrov looked amiable at the moment, deep down he was a murderous psychopath who valued life less than dirt; If Kigrov became suspicious of him, his situation would be extremely dangerous. But that 35% fatality rate Professor, how about we wait until this matter is over, I still have lots of work to handle. I do not easily make promises, Captain Hanton, and when I do make them, I do not change my mind. But Professor! Yang Ming took a half step forward, suddenly, halting footsteps sounded from the side, four guards appeared left and right, with the red dots of laser guns aimed at Yang Mings forehead. Dont be nervous, Hanton, I understand you. Kigrov, leaning on a cane, walked towards the staircase, no longer looking at Yang Ming, but instead turned and said: Captain, personally escort Vice Captain Hanton to the backup laboratory, encourage this young man, let my assistants prepare him if they are still able to move. The captain, just leaving the console, looked at Yang Ming with a complex gaze and gestured for him to follow. Thank you, Professor. Yang Ming squeezed out a smile and turned towards the captain without looking back. In the projection screen, the Valkyrie was lifted by the soldiers onto an adjacent laboratory table, quickly bound up like a rice dumpling, and more sleeping agents were injected. The captain was a meticulous soldier, entirely loyal to the Empire and to Professor Kigrov. On the way to the backup laboratory where he was escorted, Yang Ming constantly looked for opportunities to breakthrough, the moment they left the bridge, the moment they entered the elevator, the moment the elevator transitioned to a microgravity environment All the possible moments for resistance were thoroughly blocked by the experienced captain. From Hantons memory, it was known that when the situation arosewhen the soldiers aboard the ship turned off the safety on their laser guns and aimed at the head of the experimental subject, it indicated they were ready to shoot at any time. There had been incidents before where experimental subjects had their brains blown out. The current situation was that undergoing transformation still held a chance for survival, confronting them directly had slim chances of survival, plus there was some leeway in the matter of transformation. After all, theres still a 65% chance of survival Yang Ming thought, trying to comfort himself. The backup laboratory was located one floor above the lower hold, the restarted elevator directly took them to the laboratorys door. On either side, the silver-grey alloy doors opened, and several pre-instructed lab personnel, with faces full of terror, anxiously watched the door. Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: 005 Rampage_2 Chapter 8: 005 Rampage_2 Hanton, the captain patted Yang Ming on the shoulder, thank you, you might have just averted a disaster for us. Yang Ming clenched his fist slightly. If it had been the real Hanton who had been given such an opportunity, he naturally would have been ecstatic; his current anxiety and resistance had already aroused Professor Kigrovs suspicion. Even, Yang Ming faintly realized that Professor Kigrov was now observing him. Soldiers stood beside him holding laser guns, their fingers near the trigger, and the biological safety on their firearms activated. This meant that the soldiers had already received orders to kill Hanton at any moment, and the only one who could have issued this order was Professor Kigrov. Captain. Yang Ming said softly, If possible, please suggest to the professor to use some more mature technologies on me, as only by staying alive can I serve the Empire. Before the captain could speak, the person who was usually inconspicuous as third mate had already bowed his head and walked into the chamber, calmly lying on the experimental table. Without needing the soldiers to assist, he placed his limbs in the designated positions, securely fastened by the shackles that sprang from below. The professor may have made an unwise decision. This thought inexplicably popped into the captains mind. Signaling the soldiers to stay in the laboratory, the captain turned and hurried towards the lower hold, his mouth pondering words that could plead for the third mate Hanton without enraging Professor Kigrov. The wait on the experimental table seemed particularly long. Yang Mings mood gradually shifted from anger and irritation to calmness and restraint. This life was, after all, one that had been salvaged; now, all he needed to do was find a way to survive. Drip, drip, drip. He didnt know which instrument was making the sound, its rhythm perfectly matched Yang Mings heartbeat. Needles pierced the back of his hands and feet, a cool liquid seeped into his veins, and Yang Ming felt his mind grow foggy, soon slipping into unconsciousness. Drip, drip. Yang Ming groggily opened his eyes and saw Professor Kigrov in a surgical cap and mask, intently watching a nearby instrument panel. Professor, the Genetic Stabilizing Liquid has very low rejection, its an excellent material. Should we try Type 2 Genetic Fluid, Professor? Or use the most conservative Type 1 Genetic Fluid? After all, this is a loyal Imperial soldier. Professor Kigrov said, Bring over the No. 6 Genetic Fluid, this time it might work. No. 6? Professor, isnt that the gene sequence extracted from Valkyries bodyonly theoretically possible His key metrics are very close to those of Po Suo originally, Professor Kigrovs voice revealed impatience, If only a cluster of Ancient God Cells wasnt all that was left, I would transform Hanton just like I transformed Po Suo! Be quick, dont miss the chance! Alright, Professor. Po Suo? Is that the Valkyries name? Really a mouthful. Yang Ming wanted to flip off Professor Kigrov, but he was already sedated, and his thoughts soon faded. He didnt know how long he was unconscious, maybe just for a moment, or perhaps several hours. Excruciating pain shattered the void dreamscape woven by the anesthetic. The agony of being burned by underground fire reappeared, and it felt as if he were being thrown into an incinerator post-anesthesia but this blaze was erupting from beneath his own skin. Let the mechanical arm hold him down! Two doses of Genetic Stabilizing Liquid! Administer them intensively! Bleed him! Arterially bleed and inject the Stabilizer! These bastards! Yang Ming was roaring in his mouth, roaring like a wild beast. Buzz Suddenly, a sound like ten thousand bees flapping their wings at high speed appeared in his head. In the midst of pain, Yang Ming saw several rapidly flashing images. [A dark cloud floated in the tranquil starry sky, far from the stars, with no destination; it was material belonging to this universe, a gift of possibility from the universe, capable of thinking, of feeling existenceit was a Life Form.] Ancient God Life Form? Amidst excruciating pain, Yang Ming forced himself to keep thinking. Ancient Gods, cosmic creatures of Abyss, referred to special life forms that could survive in near-vacuum environments without any external help. In the games, they often appeared as legion world bosses, possessing tremendous destructive power, usually with capabilities like Spiritual Control, devouring, infinite reproduction, each appearance heralding a massive disaster. If the Ancient God Life Form represented the ultimate path of evolutionary life; Abysss classic antagonist, the second Natural Disaster known as Insect Race, represented the ultimate evolution of life as a collective. Research on the Ancient Gods Life affords us a shortcut to immortality. This was a line from a scene in Abyss. Yang Ming suddenly understood. Valkyrie was a product of the Sherman Empires research on Ancient God Life Forms, a monstrosity created by combining Ancient God Cells with humans. The Ancient God had already revived within Valkyrie! Other fragmented images surged forth, but they were ruptured and incomplete, interspersed with the experiences of two life forms. [The dark cloud besieged, the Ancient God Life Form gradually dissolving under the bombardment of the Star Destroyer, meeting its end. A cute little girl with a ponytail, holding her fathers hand, frolicking in glass-colored waves, her tiny feet constantly kicking the waves. Po Suo. The fathers hand gently touched the girls head. You will become the perfect life. Daddy, what is perfect?] What?! Yang Ming stared at that memory fragment. His physical pain and agony seemed to fade a bit as he slowly looked up with the little girl, catching sight of Kigrovs face before he had prosthetic eyes installed. Kigrov and Valkyrie were father and daughter! This old guy had modified his own daughter! The broken scenes flickered away like sparks, and Yang Mings pain swiftly subsided, leaving only a soreness throughout his body. Had he endured it? Right then, Yang Ming heard Kigrov laughing, Very nice, Hantons modification was very successful, the genetic stability coefficient is at 0.92, which is a great number; prepare enough Genetic Stabilization Liquid and nutrient solution for him Kigrov was waxing eloquent, brimming with pride and satisfaction. But Yang Ming was in no mood to keep listening. In a daze, he felt as though he was in a starry space, dazzling nebulae above and below him. He and the girl floating ahead were facing each other. The girl was Valkyrie. She was enveloped in divine, pure white light, naked yet devoid of any desire or vulgarity. Goo-goo-woo A deep-sea whale call resonated through the starry space. Words surfaced in Yang Mings heart, as if Valkyrie was conveying and summoning. How should one interpret the message Valkyrie was sending now? It was complex yet simple, a higher level of direct communication beyond language. If it were described in terms understandable to humans, it might be Combine? Devour? Return? Merge into one? No, none of those were accurate. The most precise translation would be: I want to eat you. Yang Ming trembled unconsciously. The girl was openly revealing her desire for Yang Ming! In the lower deck laboratory and the backup laboratory, on two similar experimental tables, a man and a woman, both restrained, opened their eyes almost simultaneously. Valkyries pupils filled with dense compound eyes, which in an instant formed a dense crystal structure. She opened her mouth and let out a silent shriek, a red energy wave emanating from her forehead, instantly sweeping across the entire cabin. Soldiers wearing anti-neural interference helmets clutched their heads and screamed; more than a dozen people without adequate protection slowly collapsed to the ground, their eyes bloodshot, blood flowing from their nostrils. Explosions sounded from various instruments. The high-energy ray emitters that had been continuously targeting Valkyrie lost contact with the bridge! Simultaneously. In the backup laboratory, Yang Ming violently shook his head, the red in his eyes fading instantly. With no time to think further, he shouted at the frantic staff nearby: Quick, release me! Valkyrie was hiding her strength, preparing to unleash something big on you! Shes going to devour me now! The few remaining laboratory staff looked bewildered. Kigrov was not present in the lower deck laboratory. Believe me! Yang Ming earnestly faced the few staff members, Only I can stop Valkyrie; this is a secret mission the professor gave me! For the glory of the Empire! The light of the Emperor Star shines upon us! The few staff seemed to hesitate slightly. Chapter 9 - Chapter 9: 006 Subordinate Ancient God Life Form Chapter 9: 006 Subordinate Ancient God Life Form Emperor Star, you bastard of a grandma! Yang Ming shook his slightly numb left hand, looking at the researchers and soldiers he had just knocked out. He spat viciously, then bent down to strip a soldier of his helmet and jacket. Dammit, Kigrov had modified him, but he still went to stop Valkyrie? The only reason Yang Ming did not offer Valkyrie cigarettes or knives was that Valkyrie would chop him up too! The hull trembled continuously. Valkyries second rebellion had begun. Yang Ming rummaged through his body, finding that the body he inherited from Hanton was unharmed, only stronger. He dared not delay, and while dressing in the helmet and jacket, he pondered his genetic modification and the strange connection he had formed with Valkyrie. Suppose Valkyrie is a Subordinate Ancient God Life Form; Then Yang Ming was now a Subordinate Ancient God Life Form. The Ancient God extinguished by the Sherman Empire had transformed into Valkyrie with Kigrovs help; Valkyries original personality had been obliterated, and now Valkyrie was a life form that could not be understood with carbon-based thinking. Most fatally, after Yang Ming had fused and perfectly accepted Valkyries Genetic Fluid, Valkyrie had sensed his existence! This sensing was mutual! Now she wanted to devour Yang Ming, reclaim the genes, perfect herself! [Selfishness] is the first characteristic of an Ancient God Life Form! Yang Ming cursed that perverse Kigrov in his heart, his movements growing increasingly urgent. The ship conveyed continuous explosions, and evacuation instructions played everywhere, the situation was quite pessimistic. As Yang Ming burst out of the backup labs door, attracted by the explosions, he turned his head toward the corridors end just in time to see a ball of fire gush from a descending passage. In the flames, a burly, plump Empire soldier screamed as he flew backwards and crashed heavily against the wall, an alloy plate broken off in his chest. It was a very un-artistic death. Yang Ming retreated a few steps and, like a gust of wind, rushed towards the emergency passage, only to return within seconds and dashed towards the elevator. The emergency route was blocked by safety gates! Although the elevator had also stopped operating, there was still a path hidden here that went straight up and down. The elevator shaft. The explosion sounds at the end of the corridor had grown denser. The research ships hull continued to shake. Using an identity card he had scrounged, Yang Ming swiped open the elevator door and hid in the inoperative elevator. The simulated gravity disappeared quickly, and with a light leap, Yang Ming touched the elevators top, his left foot on the handrail, and his right foot braced in the corner. He fumbled next to the overhead light fixture, activating a small screen which displayed a digital lock. Maintenance password No, why the heck is there a maintenance password for a broken elevator! Yang Ming punched the silver panel on a whim, and the lights in the fixture began to flicker gently. It was just a punch out of frustration, yet it made Yang Ming freeze, staring up at the clear indentation left by his fist. When did my strength become so great Yang Ming, as if discovering a new continent, slowly clenched his fist, felt the muscles in his arm slightly heating up, took a few deep breaths, and delivered an uppercut to the metal panel! Bang! The twenty-centimeter-thick modular device flew upwards, its embedded circuit board and warning lights shattering simultaneously, a piercing alarm resounding inside and outside the elevator. Yang Ming stared at his fist, which swelled and then quickly un-swelled, lightly scratching the fist edge as the pain in his bones quickly faded. Uh, those he had just knocked unconscious Wish them reincarnation. Was this the power of Valkyries Genetic Fluid? Yang Ming dared not think further, violently dismantled the side panel, floated out of the elevator like a fish, and, under the influence of a weak force field, landed steadily on top of the elevator. Looking up, the deep shaft seemed to lead to outer space, the floor indicator lights of the ships cabins flickering gently like signs guiding the spaceships course. Head to the bridge? No, dont go to the bridge. Going directly to the bridge might cost him his chance to escape; Kigrov would not let him go. Yang Ming now understood why Kigrov insisted on modifying himhis proposal had harmed Valkyrie Po Suo. Three lifeboats were distributed outside the bridges cargo hold, outside the crew rest area, and at the rear hangar; the rear hangar also housed a squadron of carrier aircraft, seven or eight Battle Mechas, and two landing crafts, all of which could be used as temporary escape equipment. The lifeboat outside the rest areas cargo would definitely be very crowded, and it was too close to the bottom cabin laboratory To the rear hangar! Yang Ming exerted a slight force on his legs, his body lifting off from the top of the elevator and glided diagonally, grabbing the inner wall of the elevator shaft. His field of vision suddenly trembled, Yang Ming naturally couldnt see the changes appearing in his pupils, but this dark elevator shaft had turned into a grayish tone in his eyes, with every detail visible. He even had night vision capabilities. Chapter 10 - Chapter 10: 006 Subordinate Ancient God Life Form_2 Chapter 10: 006 Subordinate Ancient God Life Form_2 Now, Yang Ming had a bit of an understanding of those Transformed Soldier players who loved to show off their biceps. The sensation of becoming stronger was indeed exhilarating. This passageway cut through the vast outer engine room. Through the thick peripheral glass, Yang Ming could clearly see the various complex mechanical structures and the heart of the spaceship the inner engine room, glowing with a pale blue light. Passing through this long corridor would lead to the rear half of the spaceship. Yang Ming turned a corner, planning to detour to the weapon storage to find some equipment for self-defense, when he had barely run a few steps before he saw over a dozen fully armed Imperial soldiers charging towards him. While Yang Ming was hesitating whether to let these soldiers experience mechanical deformation in their necks, the leader of the soldiers took the initiative to greet him, Captain Hanton! Hows the fight going in the lower hold? The captain issued an evacuation order earlier, and everyone has rushed to the lifeboats. Yang Ming immediately realized that the news of his transformation hadnt yet spread. It was extremely fierce, Yang Ming raised his hand to his forehead, his expression filled with apprehension, I wouldnt recommend you join the fight. Better save yourselves, lads, and go find lifeboats. The leader frowned, But Captain! Our only job is to follow orders. Youre right, Yang Ming stated firmly, so Im going to find some equipment and then take on the Valkyrie! The Empires honor must not be tarnished! The weapon storeroom is this way, right? The dozen or so Imperial soldiers looked at him with eyes full of admiration and respect. Right, could I get one of your radios? Yang Ming pointed to the small earpiece in their ears, I also want to receive orders from above in time. Use mine, Captain, I have a spare! Thanks! My honor! Yang Ming took the rather clean earpiece. The group of soldiers saluted in unison, fists raised, then snapped down the transparent visors on their blast helmets, clutching their laser guns and carrying micro thrusters, they ran without looking back towards the inferno ahead. Yang Ming saluted in the Imperial military fashion, watching the soldiers disappear around the corner before putting on the earpiece and continuing towards the weapon storeroom. Only a bit of static noise came through the earpiece. The armory was usually guarded by soldiers, but when Yang Ming arrived, he found that the group of soldiers he had just encountered must have been the guards. Now, all that stood in his way were two ordinary cabin doors ten centimeters thick. Yang Ming bellowed to intimidate and unleashed a series of combination punches at the alloy doors, then winced and cradled his swollen right fist, kicking open the cracked door panel. What greeted his eyes were two rows of neatly stacked laser rifles, and the shelves on the left and right were filled with standard individual soldier equipment. Yang Ming yanked a tactical backpack off the wall and headed straight for the grenade area. High-frequency flashbangs, electromagnetic Shock Bombs, rapid-action sleep gas, thermobaric grenades, enemy-facing mines Yang Ming grabbed two of each type of throwable weapon he recognized and had used in the Abyss game, along with two emergency gel capsules and three spare laser magazines, slung the backpack across his chest, fastened the safety rope, and jumped up and down a few times before picking up an unlocked laser rifle and setting his biological information. Click-click. He skillfully disengaged the safety and adopted a standard firing posture with the rifle; Yang Ming aimed at the blank wall and pulled the triggertwo purple beams flashed by and left burnt marks on the cabin wall. The power was satisfactory, though it was uncertain if it could harm the Valkyrie. Yang Ming slung the rifle and prepared to make his escape when his gaze was drawn to a few boxes in the corner. The Valkyrie in the Lost Voice instance, donning fiery red Strong Breeding Armor, held a dark-red ion blade, unstoppable and destructiveonly high-level protective shields could withstand her onslaught. The current Valkyrie, draped in a yukata showing off her figure Wait, could the Valkyries equipment also be here? Yang Ming quickly rushed to the boxes, shot through the locks with his laser gun, lifted the lid, and his eyes lit up. Ion blade and protective shield! Sadly, they werent the Valkyries set. Yang Ming grabbed the ion blade that looked like a flashlight out of the box, firmly grasped the hilt, and pressed the hidden button with his thumb. Hum Amid the low hum, Yang Mings short hair stood on end one by one, and a strong magnetic field constrained the high-energy ionized gas into the shape of a slender blade. Well, well, the Light Sword he fought for half a year in the Abyss to get his hands on, was now zero cost? Bring it along, bring it along! Pressing the switch, Yang Ming stowed away the Light Sword and the glove-style energy shield into his backpack before he left the weapons cache contentedly. A series of scrambled conversations suddenly came through the headset. It was the same squad of soldiers from before. The target has breached the bottom hold line and is heading our way! Find cover on the spot, permission to use all weapons! Damn it! Did the bottom cargo ejection fail? Or was there no ejection at all? Target sighted! Fire! My god, is she flying? Shoot! Shoot! The red energy shield around her! We cant break through her shield! Captain! Shock Bomb! Use the Shock Bomb! The Shock Bomb doesnt work either! Damn it! No, dont! Ah! Dont come here! From the initial conversation to the explosion, the roars, and then those last few panicked screams, the entire sequence lasted no more than half a minute. If Yang Mings judgment hadnt failed him, the Valkyrie appeared to be flying in his direction! Boom! The entire starship shook, then the lights flickered a few times before going out completely, leaving only the dim glow of emergency lights in the corridors. The Valkyrie had destroyed the starships power system. Yang Ming hadnt stopped moving; the temperature around him had already dropped a degree or two, indicating he was now not far from the rear mech hangar. He searched through Hantons memories for information about this scientific research ship and tapped a few times on the headset to access a busy communication channel. Captain, the Valkyrie has broken into the armory! Shes looking for weapons Oh, Emperor Star, she understands our civilization! Yang Mings mouth twitched violently. He should have blown up the armory with a grenade! The Valkyrie is heading toward the hangar! Shes flying fast, we cant mount a defense! Shes trying to escape our starship! There are two squads assembling in the aft cargo hold, with a few old Mechas there. Their high-energy cannons can be activated but might puncture the hull. Have them start the Mechas and target the Valkyrie! The captains voice was no longer calm, Close the lifeboats doors at the aft in twenty seconds to disengage from the ship! The resting area lifeboats will disengage in one minute! The bridge lifeboats, stand by! Breach the Valkyries protective shield, shoot her body with a laser gun! Twenty seconds? Yang Ming stepped out of the corridor, and his view suddenly widened, revealing a hangar as big as three or four basketball courts. Also catching his eye were soldiers hiding behind various covers and two Mechas over six meters tall, Imperial Star escort Mechas. The door to the lifeboat at the rear was to the left and front! Over a dozen people were running towards the door, but it was already closing slowly. Those who had entered the lifeboat didnt even want to wait for the last few seconds of the countdown! It was too late! Completely unconcerned about frightening anyone, Yang Ming leaped from a three-story staircase, the sound of the wind whooshing past his ears. He could make it! Even if it meant a hard crash, he would break through that door and board the lifeboat! Hum Yang Ming, suspended in the air, suddenly felt time slowing down, like a slow-motion scene in a movie. He strained to turn his head to look at the side wall of the hangar; the silver-gray wall seemed to burst into a radiant blossom. A two-meter-diameter red light sphere melted through the wall. Inside the light sphere, the Valkyries hair fluttered, her feet hanging in mid-air, as her clear eyes focused on Yang Ming falling. A hint of an excited smile appeared on her lips. Ill devour you. Chapter 11 - Chapter 11: 007 Fierce Battle Chapter 11: 007 Fierce Battle Bang! The red light flickered violently. Yang Ming was sent flying by the light shield, soaring over the heads of several soldiers before crashing heavily between two mechs. Captain Hanton! Fire! Fire! Laser light bullets erupted densely, causing overlapping ripples around the Valkyries red light sphere, momentarily stopping its momentum. But the mysterious light red protective shield remained solid. Her gaze slowly withdrew from Yang Ming and emotionlessly settled on the soldiers ahead. She slowly raised her left hand, and two soldiers screamed as they began to rise slowly into the air. The next second, dense blood burst from inside their helmets. Screams came from a corner; the soldiers witnessing this turned pale and let out a string of expletives. Two old-fashioned mechs, with their chest vortex turbines lit, simultaneously raised their fire control arms. The barrels had been charging for three seconds, and the soldiers inside the control rooms no longer waited for commands from above. They locked onto the Valkyrie and pulled the trigger. Buzz, buzz! Two purple light spheres shot out, hitting the protective shield around the Valkyrie. The Valkyrie was sent flying. Both mechs took half a step back to stabilize their centers, and the barrels began recharging. Break her shield! Requesting backup! Tail cabin requesting backup! The shouting of the commanding officer on the scene boosted morale, and the soldiers continued firing their laser guns. The protective wall around the Valkyrie showed irregular, tiny cracks. A few soldiers behind Hanton staggered to their feet. Yang Ming glared at the Valkyrie and continued running towards the pair of closed hatch doors. Outside the transparent hatch was the external hangar that hadnt yet closed. Yang Ming could clearly seea small spaceship, flat like a wooden box, gliding into the deep starry sky, rapidly moving away from the research ship under the propulsion of a light blue halo, with several human-shaped ice sculptures floating nearby and gradually drifting away. Yang Ming flipped a middle finger toward the lifeboat outside, while the men and women beside him who had failed to board were nearly in despair. Damn it! Doesnt that monsters shield consume energy? Cries of agony were heard both behind him and through his earpiece. Yang Ming turned just in time to see seven or eight Empire soldiers floating up; they struggled in mid-air, and a few seconds later, their brains burst. Screams rose and fell in succession. This scene was enough to make the soldiers lose their will to fight. Yang Mings Adams apple shook uncontrollably, and his breathing grew rapid. The Valkyrie seemed to have decided that Yang Ming couldnt escape, or perhaps she felt threatened after being hit by the mecha cannons. She temporarily turned her attention to the Empire soldiers on site. It was a unilateral massacre. As she continued to raise her left hand, soldiers lost control in succession, unable to be held down by the simulated gravity field, their helmets becoming containers for their grey matter. He couldnt stop here! Yang Ming clenched his fists. The fate awaiting him if captured by the Valkyrie would be far worse than what these soldiers were suffering! Cursing Kigrovs ancestors in his mind, Yang Ming struggled to regulate his breathing. He took out a small bag of capsules from his pocket, popped two, and swallowed them. Thats right, the landing craft. Now, only the advance landing craft and carrier-based mechs could leave the research ship! Yang Mings eyes darted around, quickly locating the landing crafts access tube. The tubes indicator lights were pale green. Yes, thats it! Yang Ming was about to rush over, but as he took a step, an invisible pressure came crashing down on him. His muscles uncontrollably locked, leaving Yang Ming lying flat on the ground. Using his peripheral vision, Yang Ming saw the Valkyries right hand pointing at him, slowly pressing down. What was this? Telekinesis? Or was it disrupting the nervous system of living beings? Did the Ancient God Life Form evolve for billions of years just to develop such bizarre skills? Yang Ming sharply inhaled. Pressing his hands against the floor, his muscles began to swell, veins in his forehead, neck, and arms bulging. The upper half of his body struggled to lift off the ground before he crashed back down again with a thud. A human-shaped dent appeared in the hard metal floor. The tactical backpack hanging on his chest clanked, but fortunately, the safety ratings of those throwing weapons were quite good. Another try! Hanton, Hanton! A familiar voice came from ahead. Struggling to rise, Yang Ming looked up and spotted Doctor Lina crouching behind a parts box. Blonde-haired Lina. Not far away were lasers flying wildly and mechanical ion cannons firing, as well as the Valkyrie who had just effortlessly killed more than a dozen soldiers. The slender doctors legs were trembling, but she still rushed to Yang Mings side; she tried to pull him up but felt as if he were glued to the floor. Doctor Linas face was pale: How can I help you, Hanton? Are you okay, Hanton? Yang Ming adjusted his breathing and spoke quickly, The landing ship can you pilot a landing craft? That craft, I remember it can hold three or four people I-Ive piloted a medical ship, if their operating systems are similar. The control panel is the same! Yang Ming affirmed with certainty about something he didnt actually understand. Looking at the Valkyrie who was nearing the two mechs, he whispered, Go start the landing craft, Ill draw the Valkyrie away Make sure to save a spot for me, okay? Lina. Okay, okay, Doctor Lina immediately nodded, her panic almost bringing her to tears, Ill definitely wait for you to come, Hanton. Yang Ming roared, Go now! Dont attract the attention of the Valkyrie. Doctor Lina took a breath, bent low, and ran towards the landing cabin. Yang Ming took another deep breath as if performing a difficult sit-up. He tried three times but only succeeded in deepening the human-shaped dent in the floor. The group of Empire soldiers kept dwindling. Through his earpiece, he heard the captain leading the last remaining soldiers on the ship to provide reinforcements. The Valkyrie had raised her left hand, targeting the two old mechs that had threatened her. The lifeboat in the stern cabin was accelerating its escape. In the soldiers eyes, only despair remained Despair, like the base color of the universe, wrapped around Yang Ming, causing the fire in his eyes to slowly fade. No. He couldnt give up like this. He hadnt been blown to death when Earth exploded; what reason did he have to give up now? There had to be a way! Child, try to use your brain to control your body, instead of letting your nervous system carry out some monotonous conditioned reflex. Yang Mings mind suddenly flashed back to when hed first gone through Abyss vocational guidance missionthe swordsmanship master who served countless players had been giving perfunctory introductory advice. Concentrate your attention; its the foundation of everything. Try to summon your body, feel your body, and release the latent power within it. Nature has taken a whole billion years to lay the groundwork for the birth of consciousness, dont underestimate it. Consciousness, yes! Consciousness! Consciousness wasnt just the firing of neurons; It wasnt just the constantly changing brainwaves under the detectors. Yang Ming didnt know if he was going mad, but at this moment, he was relentlessly searching for that feeling, quickly sweeping away the distractions in his heart, his hands propped against the floor, focusing on just one thingto stand up; he had to stand up! Then, bit by bit, inch by inch, he lifted his back off the ground. Yang Mings face was fierce. Large patches of red appeared on his skin, a sign of bursting capillaries. Suddenly! Yang Ming sprang to his feet, but couldnt stop his momentum and rolled forward several times. The Valkyries raised right hand seemed to have been forced open. She frowned and looked at Yang Ming, reaching out with her right hand again and pressing down with force! A thin, pale red glow appeared around Yang Ming, yet he stood steadfast. A hint of confusion entered the Valkyries eyes. Yang Ming, expressionless, cradled the laser gun across his front, lighting up the barrel with his thumb and pulling the trigger with his index finger. With a soft whoosh! A new point of fire joined the fray! The Valkyrie was about to pounce on Yang Ming when the glow of a mecha cannons ion discharge flared up again beside her. The third and fourth mechas lurking in the corners had been activated. The ion cannon, capable of piercing the armor of small spacecraft, blew the Valkyrie away again. Yang Ming took the opportunity to run, firing pinpoint shots from his laser gun at the fissures in the Valkyries protective shield, pulling two grenades from the tactical backpack in front of him and throwing them directly at the Valkyrie. His shots were incredibly precise. When Yang Mings attention was highly concentrated, it was as if he had an eightfold scope in sight, magnifying the outer gaps in the Valkyries protective shield several-fold. Yang Ming targeted the weakest part of the protective shield. During the intense fight, more than a dozen figures rushed out from the corridors on either sidethe captain and the first officer leading the remaining soldiers came to support, wildly firing their laser guns at the Valkyrie. Yang Ming kept an eye on the indicator lights at the entrance to the landing craft. The icon of the little green airplane that represented the successful activation of the ships systems had still not lit up. Move faster, Lina! The captains voice came through the headset: Get all the mechas up and running! The Valkyrie is evolving rapidly. If she escapes, the Empire will face an unprecedented threat! Damn it, what took them so long! Yang Ming cursed in his heart and immediately ran to the next cover point, always staying near the entrance to the landing craft. Suddenly. Enough! This hoarse, angry female voice made everyone pause as if it contained some mysterious power. The captain asked, What did the Valkyrie say? She said enough, a soldier responded quietly. Fire! the captain roared, Break through her protective shield! Yang Ming already sensed something was wrong. He turned and dove toward the nearest parts bin, shouting at the top of his voice, Find cover! The soldiers reactions were ultimately too slow. The Valkyries protective shield, full of cracks, suddenly shattered. A wave-like red mark burst from her forehead, sweeping in all directions. This time, the soldiers minds were not attacked, but their bodies were thrown into the air, the supposedly safe power packs in their laser guns exploding one after another. Two newly activated mechas toppled over, unable to stabilize. The captain fell in a pool of blood. Only a few of the soldiers were still able to move. Yang Ming glanced at the corridor where the lander was located, slightly regretting having given such a daunting task of starting the ship to a doctor. The Valkyrie, who had actively blown up her shield, now held a flashlight in her hand. With a humming sound, a pale red light sword illuminated her youthful face, and her gaze, fixated on Yang Ming, revealed a twisted smile. Reclaim. Devour. Merge into one. Yang Ming took a deep breath, raised the still functional laser gun, aimed directly at the Valkyries neck, and pulled the trigger hard. The purple beam flashed, but the Valkyries skin was unscathed, with a layer of transparent film flowing on the outside. If thats how it was going to be! Damn it! If it had to be this way! Yang Ming tossed the laser gun aside and reached into the tactical backpack with his right hand, pulling out a pair of goggles commonly used for welding. Putting them on, he indeed saw minor distortions in his peripheral vision. Just like the streamlined interface of Abyss game! Yes, this wasnt a game, he had no infinite chances for revival, the tolerance for error in the upcoming battle was virtually zero, and there were no teammates to form combat synergies with But here, at this moment! A blue-white glow reflected off the side of Yang Mings face as he grasped the hilt of the Light Sword, his hands no longer trembling. All he wanted was a way to survive. He braced himself! Chapter 12 - Chapter 12: 008 Do you just call yourself Valkyrie? [Please favorite, please follow!] Chapter 12: 008 Do you just call yourself Valkyrie? [Please favorite, please follow!] Dont be nervous, judge the actions, and get ready to move, Yang Ming reminded himself over and over in his mind. Memories of dozens of team wipes began to assail his brain. He shifted his weight downwards, his gaze level with the blade of his Light Sword, just as he often did in his starting stance in the game. Valkyrie made a fierce dive. Yang Ming turned all his stress into a loud shout. He lunged forward, swinging the Light Sword in his hand. Time seemed to slow down. The sharp movements of Valkyrie became predictable, and Yang Mings muscles were about to erupt with great strength. Buzz! The two Light Swords collided head-on with afterimages! Almost within a second, Yang Ming leaned back, bending his legs quickly to complete the unloading movement and retreating smoothly, his hands sliding the Light Sword downwards directly toward Valkyries wrist, forcing her unable to pursue. Both collided figures backed off simultaneously, one leaping away, the other hanging in flight, distancing themselves again. Silence. The entire rear cabin seemed as if the pause button had been hit. Valkyrie was clearly stunned. She displayed an expression similar to an Intelligent Machine crash, with faint wrinkles forming on her smooth forehead, staring at Yang Mings sword-holding posture. Not just Valkyrie, all those who could still keep their eyes openthe soldiers, the captain lying in a pool of blood, crew members hiding in corners, and researcherswatched this scene in disbelief. The moment Yang Ming charged forward, everyone thought Captain Hanton had gone mad. But Valkyrie was blocked. By that inconspicuous third officer on the ship, who had just parried her with a Light Sword! Valkyries slightly psychotic smile finally faded; she took a gentle breath and dived again. Behind the goggles, Yang Mings eyes were filled with determination, his hands on the sword swinging forward again, ready to sweep side to side. Buzz, buzz. The sound of the Light Sword rubbing against the cabin air was so sexy. Another head-on clash, another skillful retreat. Yang Mings movements became smoother, his muscles providing even more power. Valkyrie was still unstable. Yang Ming chose to advance proactively; the afterimage of the Light Sword seemed like a swimming python. Valkyrie chopped vertically with her sword. Yang Ming feinted to the left, misleading Valkyries attack, then exploded with power from his stance, flipping to the left. He passed by Valkyrie, his Light Sword whipping her on the back like a lash! Valkyrie staggered forward two steps, her kimono torn, a blood trace appearing on her skin. Yang Ming himself was somewhat disbelieving, looking down at the Light Sword in his hand. He was nowvery strong. Stronger and faster than he had ever been in the game. Captain Hanton, this Hanton! Well done, third officer! Show her what youre made of! Suddenly, from the side, several soldiers shouted loudly. Yang Ming paid them no attention, his gaze fixed on Valkyrie, watching her slowly land, her toes just inches from the ground. Valkyrie had realized the severity of the situation. She now had very few combat skills. Yang Ming had also noticed that the current Valkyrie was not the complete entity from Lost Voice; she had just broken out of control. The two figures charged at each other again on the same straight line. Yang Ming felt as though he had returned to that dilapidated and oppressive instance space, facing the formidable Valkyrie, falling into despair time and again. But whats left if the garment of despair is stripped away? Moving positions. Yang Ming dodged left and right; Valkyries Light Sword always missed him by a split second, always inches away from touching him. Skill prediction. Each of Valkyries lifting movements had slight differences that could be used to predict what kind of moves she was about to use. Besides dodging, Yang Mings Light Sword always appeared at some unbelievable angles, waiting for Valkyrie to run into it, leaving slight scars on her high-tensile smooth skin. Valkyries expression had transformed from sickly to shocked, to stifled, to angry. She was actually humiliated by her subordinate lifeform! Yang Mings onslaught became even more fierce, and the wounds on Valkyrie multiplied rapidly. Valkyrie let out a fierce screech; a red light wave emanated from her forehead again. But when she turned around, Yang Ming was already a few meters away, a light red Light Shield surrounding him, shattering the red light wave like a rock in front of a wave. Yang Mings lips curved slightly. Is this the second phase already? He put on a black fingerless glove on his left hand; the disc on the back of his hand rotated gently, and a round shield, eighty centimeters in diameter, appeared on Yang Mings hand. Sword and shield attack! Yang Ming dashed forward, and Valkyrie showed obvious hesitation. Arent you going to devour me? Po Suo, is this how you devoured me? The warrior launched his elegant taunt. Valkyrie was clearly provoked, carrying the Light Sword to dive again. Of course, Yang Ming didnt forget the gap in absolute power between them. His attack seemed fierce, but it was still just a feint. At the moment Valkyries sword swished through thin air, the Light Shield wedged between them, thrusting against Valkyries developed yet soft chest muscles. Valkyries form immediately skewed, Yang Mings Light Sword followed through, a twist of his waist and a step reposition belatedly. Before Valkyrie could stabilize her form, Yang Mings Light Sword had already struck her wrist, the following shield hit breaking her balance again. Yang Ming suppressed Valkyrie! A faint laser shot whizzed past, a laser gun opened fire on Valkyrie, yet failed to inflict a visible injury. However, better than nothing. Behind the goggles, Yang Mings eyes grew colder, his movements more precise, with no iota of his strength wasted. Chapter 14 - Chapter 14: 009 Seamless Docking Chapter 14: 009 Seamless Docking Hanton Hanton? Doctor Linas voice came closer from the distance. It was as if Yang Ming, like a drowning man suddenly waking, gasped for air with his mouth wide open, the red patches on his skin rapidly fading, and his pupils slowly brightened with light. The landing craft wasnt destroyed in the explosion? Before him was the low hatch door, and the beautiful, shocked face of Doctor Lina. Hanton, your injuries? Did you undergo genetic modification, Hanton? Yang Ming shook his head gently, feeling his strength had recovered substantially, and he quickly sat up to survey his surroundings, the microgravity environment making him slightly uncomfortable. The narrow cabin was about the same volume as the interior of a medium-sized sedan as Yang Ming remembered from Earth. Yang Ming clearly remembered The battle with Valkyrie, Kigrov, the cell clump, the chance to escape He had passed out due to a severe collision. At this moment, Yang Ming didnt bother to check his injuries but was first concerned about the status of this spacecraft. This was their last lifeline, for both him and Doctor Lina. And Yang Mings standard for judging the condition of the spacecraft was simplechecking how many red lights were on the various displays. Oh, Hanton, can we talk? Doctor Lina, supporting herself on the seat cushion, looked at Yang Ming with concern: What happened? Why did only you rush in here at the end? It seems like we left the first officer behind we murdered him, didnt we? Youre wrong, Lina, Yang Ming said firmly, In such a desperate situation, all we can do is apologize to those who couldnt escape, but we cant change much. Doctor Lina covered her cheeks with her hands, her voice trembling, So many people died, what exactly are we doing? Yang Ming sighed, his thoughts a bit jumbled. He slowly settled into the pilots seat, his mind flashing through scenes. Glance at the timer. He had been unconscious for about six minutes; The explosion of the research ship happened seven minutes ago; What about that pair of maintenance goggles? Yang Ming searched carefully but regretfully found that the goggles which had restored his sense of operation were lost at some unknown time. What Yang Ming was thankful for was that it was precisely the transformation with the Valkyrie genetic fluid that had given him the excellent physical strength to qualify for a direct confrontation with the Valkyrie. For that, Yang Ming could only utter Damn, Im really lucky. Lucky to be alive. Hanton, what happened before? Doctor Linas mood seemed more stable, and she asked gently, I think I need to know the truth. Yang Ming surveyed the pitch-black space outside the front window and the orange-red constant star to the upper left: Ill tell you what I can, of course, just a quick summary. Thank you, Hanton. No need, we need to help each other. Yang Ming closed his eyes and exhaled, Its like a nightmare, what do you know about the Valkyrie Plan, doctor? Lina sighed, Im just a doctor accompanying the ship, by the rules, I shouldnt know anything, but Ive heard them discuss it many times. Ive come to know almost everything, whether I should or shouldnt. Do you know about the existence of Valkyrie? All I know is she is called a time bomb, a demon, a divine being imprisonedthis is what the crew calls her. A hint of curiosity shone in Doctor Linas eyes. Yang Ming spoke in a low voice, Then let me explain briefly. This research ship is where the Valkyrie Plan is being carried out. It never enters the heartland of the Empire, always wandering at the edge, because it detains Valkyrie. Po Suo. Her name was Po Suo. Valkyrie is Kigrovs daughter. Kigrov fused her with the genes of an Ancient God Life Form, she is gradually transforming into a new Ancient God Life Form, and slowly losing her humanity. She has always lived on the research ship, and the turmoil that occurred was her attempt to take control of the research vessel, to escape this cage. Doctor Lina frowned tightly, The experiment uses human bodies as samples? Hanton, were you also transformed? Your injuries just now recovered too unnaturally Yes, Professor Kigrov didnt give me a choice, Yang Ming didnt avoid the question, The mortality rate was thirty-five percent, and the failure rate was ninety-one percent. Fortunately, I am part of that nine percent. ` This Doctor Lina frowned slightly. Seeing her companions disappointed expression, she hurriedly said, Genetic modification experiments actually exist all across the Milky Way, Im aware of that. The Sherman Empire, New Federation, Free Federation, Guel Alliance these major forces that control most of the resources in the Milky Way all have their own militarized applications of genetic modification. There are many beneficial genetic modification technologies that have matured and gained interstellar recognition, and a small part of the elite forces professional soldiers will undergo genetic modification to enhance their physical qualities. Hanton, cheer up. We survived, and you are now normal. Thank you for your comfort, Lina. Yang Ming showed a grateful smile and complained with distress, I dont know if Ill be captured and studied next, I hope you can help me keep this secret. I will, Hanton, you know, Ill help you, Lina replied gently. Yang Ming was somewhat reassured, but as he planned for his future, he couldnt help feeling a bit lost and helpless. The two engaged in idle chat. The military power on the research ship was unilaterally destroyed by the Valkyrie. The Valkyrie is that powerful? If shes given enough time and a continuous supply of nutrient fluid, she could grow into a new Ancient God Life Form, Yang Ming said seriously, If she can maintain a smaller size, rather than expanding chaotically like the original Ancient God life forms, she will become the Sherman Empires nightmare. Lina whispered, So, did Professor Kigrov decide to blow up this research ship in the end? Yes, Yang Ming turned to look towards the rear of the cabin, his heart still racing. He could no longer feel the presence of the Valkyrie. He had finally survived. An explosion of that magnitude would directly destroy cells. It was Kigrov who murdered those crew members, Yang Ming said, He had many opportunities to stop the Valkyrie, but since the Valkyrie found Kigrovs weak spots, she brazenly escaped from her cage, and Kigrov retreated more than once. Linas eyes held a hint of confusion. Yang Ming left out details about himself and began recounting the entire process from the Valkyries uprising to the fight in the aft cabin, but he couldnt stop reminiscing about the events that unfolded in the minute before the ship exploded. All life forms that had witnessed his fight with the Valkyrie had perished in the final blast. He would tell Lina that what he had undergone was just a regular strength-enhancing genetic modification experiment. Alas, Yang Ming sighed, thats what happened, and Professor Kigrov ultimately used an Antimatter Bomb. Lina reached out her hand and gently patted Yang Mings hand, comforting him with a warm voice. She smiled and said, Now, there is good news and bad news, Hanton. Which do you want to hear? The bad news. Our ship has lost its main engine power, and only the micro-working-fluid engines on the wings are still operating, Lina said, Next, we will be captured by the gravity of this Constant Star. Yang Mings expression hardened slightly, Whats the good news? Good news number one, I roughly calculated, and it will take at least several centuries for the ship to crash into it, but we dont have enough fresh water and oxygen; we will be trapped and die in space in at most two weeks. Yang Ming: His sisters damn humor. Whats good news number two? I just sent out a distress signal, Lina pointed to the light green screen in front of the co-pilot, Someone received our signal and responded; weve been located, Hanton! Yang Ming covered his forehead and slumped in the seat, a slight smile flickering in his eyes. He had finally survived Sssss. The control screen emitted a faint electromagnetic noise, and then the voice of a middle-aged woman slowly sounded: Target vessel, is it you who are calling for help? My ship is about to initiate the capture procedure. Please ensure your shipborne weapons stay silent. The Human Rights and Ethics Interstellar Council will guarantee your life safety. The smile at the corner of Yang Mings mouth instantly stiffened. His number one mistress, whose life or death was uncertain at this moment, seemed to have mentioned that the research ship had been trying to shake off a Human Council investigation ship, and this Human Council seemed to be the complete name according to Hantons memory They were a group of staunchly positioned pioneers against genetic modification. What a nice turn of events. ` Chapter 15 - Chapter 15: 010 Human Rights, Ethics, Mistress Chapter 15: 010 Human Rights, Ethics, Mistress When the Human Councils investigation ship that six hundred meter long, blue vessel with a whale-like shape truly appeared in front of him, the effect was still overwhelming for Yang Ming. Although in the game Abyss, one could have a similar visual experience just by hanging out at the Deep Space Port for a while. But the realism and the oppressive feeling brought by the ships hull were incomparable to the simulated neural signals generated from the holographic equipment. Several small drones detached from the mother ship and headed towards the landing craft where Yang Ming and Doctor Lina were located. It seemed that Doctor Lina noticed Yang Mings nervousness. She reached out, covering his hand with her warm, soft palm, and leaned forward as they whispered to each other. Hanton, dont tell them anything. I will find a way to help you. Yang Ming frowned as he looked at Lina, so close to him. He had thought there would be a kiss. Doctor Lina continued to whisper in his ear, I have an interstellar recognized medical license, and I am just a ship doctor serving the crew. According to interstellar common principles, there is a clause of no guilt for healers. Mmm, nodded Yang Ming. His eyes slightly twitched, he seemed hesitant but then said, I might be detained by them. If you can get free, I might need some medication. Yang Ming was referring to a gene stabilizer. Dont worry, Hanton. I know what you need. What you need to do now is look after yourself. I know about your depression, Lina said. Lina gestured for Yang Ming to remain silent. Then she returned to her normal sitting position and securely fastened her seatbelt. Now their craft was under surveillance by the Human Council. Yang Ming securely fastened his seatbelt as well. He thought if he had fastened his seatbelt earlier, he could have avoided the previous collision injury. Then Lina wouldnt have discovered the fact that he had been transformed. But, Doctor Linas reaction, wasnt it a bit strange? She was too calm. Four drones slowly approached, scanning Yang Ming and Lina, probably conducting checks. It was then that Yang Ming had a chance to relax his continuously tense nerves, staring blankly at the control panel of the landing craft. Every detail here reminded Yang Ming that he was now Hanton. Just as he was free, Yang Ming began to consider several questions involuntarily: The truth behind the game Abyss; Why Earth had been destroyed; Whether he had already changed the future; If the tragedy of Earths explosion had been altered, naturally, he wouldnt have been destroyed by magma and thus wouldnt have resurrected on the scientific research vessel It seemed like a time paradox. The key to unraveling all the mysteries was finding some connection between his current world and the game Abyss. The proposition was complex, and Yang Ming soon felt a headache coming on. What he could ascertain now was that he had changed something. The scientific ship was gone, and the Lost Voice the 30th level epic dungeon of the Empire faction no longer existed; Instead of transforming himself, Kigrov chose to transform Captain Hanton, and then Kigrov detonated the antimatter bomb, reducing everything to nothingness. Where did the changes begin? Yang Ming felt that it must have been when he ran to the bridge, and after the Martial God was subdued by the sleeping gas, he spoke those two sentences. That was the turning point. Oddly, Yang Ming recalled some details from the battle with the Martial God. She was wearing a patterned bra, murmured Yang Ming softly. The Martial God wore a delicate, well-fitted ultra-thin bra beneath her combat suits robe-material. What? Doctor Lina thought she had misheard. Nothing, Yang Ming smiled, a trace of melancholy flickering across his eyes before returning to normal, Just lamenting a tragedy that happened on the scientific vessel. Thud, thud, thud, thud. It was as if someone was knocking; the four drones clung to the left and right sides of the landing craft. The screen in front of Yang Ming automatically turned off, with only the auxiliary correction engines of the landing craft extinguished. The four drones hijacked the vessel, flying it towards the side deck of the investigation ship. With the cabin instrumentation lights no longer causing light pollution, the universe grew deeper and the starlight brighter. Yang Ming sat silently, lost in thoughts again, as a warm, soft palm again covered the back of his hand. Lina, in her gentle voice, recited some lines of poetry: Do not refuse the breeze blown by the constant stars. She will carry us to new worlds. Do not refuse the wrinkles formed in the vacuum. Those are the guides left for us by our ancestors Yang Ming smiled and slowly closed his eyes. He didnt know what the future held, but he now had no choice but to go on. Oh, Emperor Star, Lina suddenly lowered her voice, I seem to have caused trouble. I led the investigation ship here, which also exposed the location of those two escape pods Yang Ming blinked. The investigation ship captured us on their own. Lina turned to look at Yang Ming, seemingly to confirm something. After a few seconds, she softly nodded, looking slightly uneasy, Yes, it seems its not related to us. Yang Ming took her right hand in return, gently caressing it. Relax, Lina, there wont be any problems. Lina took a few deep breaths and smiled gratefully at Yang Ming. Now they both had something on each other. The landing craft slowly approached the blue spaceship, with a square entrance opening on its side deck, flashing with faint guiding lights. The four drones kept adjusting their angles, smoothly sliding the landing craft into the ships body; the outer hatch slowly closed, and the quiet universe was once again left behind. The outer chamber began to inject air, increase pressure, and simulate gravity, and the four drones, having completed their mission, detached on their own. A group of men and women in white combat suits gathered around, each holding differently colored laser guns. Yang Ming placed the light sword and light shield gloves under the seat and raised his hands simultaneously with Lina. At that moment, a thought crossed Yang Mings mind, but as soon as it appeared, he forcefully suppressed it. How long would it take to seize this spaceship? That was what Yang Ming, a young man from Earth and the substitute for the Subordinate Ancient God Life Form, Mr. Hanton, had just thought. The guards of the Human Council were very polite. Yang Ming did not feel the slightest disrespect. The boarding crafts scissor door slowly opened, Yang Ming crawled out of the cabin, and then turned around to help Doctor Lina out. The surrounding guards did not take any action. A middle-aged man removed his tactical helmet, revealing slightly curly blonde hair and a handsome, resolute face as he nodded in greeting to Yang Ming. Please identify yourselves! My name is Hanton, Yang Ming glanced down at his uniform, from the Sherman Empire, and this is Lina, our research vessels accompanying doctor. Okay, Mr. Hanton, the middle-aged man asked, did you encounter an accident? Yes, the spaceship exploded, Yang Ming shrugged, I cant say much else. Oh, what a tragedy! The middle-aged man showed genuine regret and sorrow. If this accident was caused by our pursuit, then we also bear a sin. Please forgive our dedication to protecting human rights. Are there other escape crafts? We will provide assistance as soon as possible. Yang Ming was slightly puzzled. The Human Council are they really that easy to talk to? However, Mr. Hanton, and the respected doctor, the middle-aged man continued, We must temporarily isolate you, and there will also be interrogations. We believe that your original research vessel was conducting extremely dangerous, unethical scientific biochemical experiments. During the interrogation, if you feel we infringe on your basic rights, you can protest at any time, and we will decide through discussion whether to correct our action. Dont be nervous, you have been rescued. Thank you for your rescue, Yang Ming murmured softly, feeling somewhat skeptical. A few minutes later, under the escort of the guards, Yang Ming and Lina passed through several silver-white corridors and arrived at a spacious cabin. Dozens of inverted trapezoidal transparent glass rooms were arranged in a grid formation. These glass rooms were presumably the cells aboard the investigation ship; the conditions inside were quite good, featuring a double sofa, a floating entertainment screen, a full wireless signal, and a thermostatically controlled box filled with drinks and food. One could even choose to make the glass opaque from inside. The leading middle-aged man politely asked, Would you two like to stay together, or do you need to avoid suspicion? We need to be together! Doctor Lina said somewhat nervously. Please choose your isolation room. Do you have a lucky number? Just this one, the nearest one, Yang Ming randomly selected a glass room, and Doctor Lina immediately followed him. Soon, the door of the glass room closed, and four soldiers with guns stood at the four corners. Yang Ming sat on the soft sofa, watching the menu interface that popped up beside him, momentarily momentarily at a loss for words. Is this what a Human Rights and Ethics Investigation Commission cell looks like? Impressive, love it. Yang Ming ordered two cups of coffee, comfortably lying on the sofa, he began recalling the information he obtained while playing Abyss, searching Hantons memory for introductions about the Human Council. The Human Council, a neutral organization affiliated with the interstellar court, was not subject to direct regulation by any interstellar political body and enjoyed a prestigious reputation in the Milky Way, making it a troublesome existence even for regional powers like the Sherman Empire. The Human Council advocated for the protection of individuals. Falling into the hands of the Human Council, the worst outcome would be getting sent to the interstellar courtthe interstellar court being an institution established jointly by over a hundred interstellar political bodies. What truly feared the Human Council was Professor Kigrov, as the Human Council could shut down his experiments. Understanding all this, Yang Mings sitting posture became even more relaxed. Yang Ming sensed that he would likely be taken back by the Sherman Empire next; If news of his successful transformation leaked, the Sherman Empire would become his greatest threat. Would he be the subject of research? Or would he be dealt with secretly? Yang Ming calmly analyzed various possibilities, feeling that he might not have been exposed. Those who had left before the fight in the aft cabin probably did not know about the temporary experiment in the backup laboratory. Lina paced back and forth, slightly anxious. Doctor Linas worries were not unfoundedthe Human Councils investigation ship had effortlessly located the other two escape crafts. Soon, in the nearby dozen or so glass rooms, survivors who had escaped from the research ship gathered. There were over forty crew members, more than twenty researchers involved in gene experiments, over twenty janitors and cooks, as well as more than ten injured empire soldiers. The soldiers and researchers became the main focus of attention. When Yang Ming saw Mistress Number One, she was also lovingly looking at Yang Ming, her eyes filled with emotion for surviving the ordeal. This gave Yang Ming a wonderful sense of anticipation for the future. Soon, the middle-aged man who had previously welcomed Yang Ming, along with a group of over ten middle-aged and elderly human-like intelligent life forms dressed in Human Council uniforms, stood near the cabin door. Now, please step forward, the person among you with the highest rank and military title, to accept our questioning. The survivors from the research ship looked at each other. A crew member whispered, The highest-ranking person now should be the only third officer left on our ship; he can represent us. Yang Mings expression became a bit stiff. Very well, which one of you is the third officer? The empires soldiers, crew members, researchers, janitors, and cooks all maintained their silence, speaking now would be tantamount to betraying Hanton. He, he is, Mistress Number One pointed at the glass room Yang Ming was in, his name is Hanton, and he is also a confidant of Professor Kigrov. Chapter 16 - Chapter 16: 011 Cole Port Prison Chapter 16: 011 Cole Port Prison Damn it! I was betrayed by my own mistress! Yang Ming left the glass tank with a dark expression, his hands shackled, walking towards the hatch without looking back. Hanton! Doctor Lina chased after him a few steps, but was stopped by the guards. Yang Ming turned his head to meet the gaze of this elder sister-like doctor. Take care, Lina said somewhat excitedly, I will think of a way to help you as soon as possible. Thank you, Yang Ming felt a warm sensation in his heart but then glared at mistress number one. This hot-bodied intern pilot just shrugged indifferently, at this moment showing no sense of guilt. They were just shipmates, after the starship blew up, the intimate relationship naturally ended as well. Following this, the Human Council dispatched over ten working groups which simultaneously entered the glass room to investigate and gather evidence, their actions remarkably efficient. Yang Ming was then taken to a solitary interrogation room for two thorough inspections, luckily without his identity as a transformed person being exposed. He began a long silence. If I were Hanton, what would be the most appropriate behavior now? Quite simple, absolute loyalty to the Sherman Empire, and wait for the Empire to conduct a rescue. So, facing the investigators from the Human Council, Yang Ming maintained his silence; A day later, facing officials from the Human Council, Yang Ming maintained his silence; And two days later, in front of the interrogators from the interstellar court, Yang Ming had planned to maintain his silence, but he realized if he continued to be silent, he might really be thrown into an interstellar prison! He decided to say something. Judgement Court Three of the interstellar court was located in the center of Cole Port. The core of Cole Port was a decommissioned massive transport ship, which served as a foundation for an alloy structure that continued to grow in all directions, and in the subsequent expansions more abandoned ships were assimilated and more fortress panels were integrated; ultimately forming an interstellar transfer station capable of accommodating a population of a million. An M-type dwarf star provided a continuous supply of energy for Cole Port; advanced technology contributed by the New Federation also ensured simulated gravity fields were ubiquitous here. Of course, most of the residents here were transient. Most people preferred to settle down and retire on actual planets. Judgement Court Three, open to the public, was Cole Ports social media check-in spot. The exterior of the Judgement Court looked like a sea bowl, much like the colosseums from Yang Mings memory; rows of seats surrounding it, sparsely occupied by figures from different star domains and species. In the center of the Judgement Court, three judgesthat is, public hearing officerswere seated in mid-air on anti-gravity stone chairs, staring at Yang Ming who was slowly ascending on a flying disk. Captain Hanton. The chief hearing officer was an elderly woman with light brown short hair and sharp eyes; her overly elongated neck and limbs gave her an elegant yet strange appearance. The female hearing officer asked, You will continue to remain silent today, correct? Yang Ming gave no response. He was reminiscing over the sumptuous meals of the past week, and the soft mattress that took no effort to get out of. The Human Council really valued the protection of human rights. The female hearing officer nodded and began to speak slowly while looking at the projected text in front of her: You are an excellent Sherman officer, but Captain, those Empire elites rescued with you dont seem too concerned about the honor of the Empire; they have provided ample testimony that can prove your guilt. Yang Ming suddenly felt anxious. Had his identity as a transformed experimental being been exposed? The researchers who participated in the Hanton Transformation Experiment had all been knocked out by him, all dying in the explosion aboard the research vessel Did any other scientific personnel also know about that impromptu experiment? Yang Ming pondered for a moment. The female hearing officer gazed at Yang Ming with her intimidating eyes. I want to know what they said, Yang Ming asked calmly. The female hearing officer listed a series of terms: Professor Kigrov, Valkyrie Plan, human body modification experiments, gene fusion, monsters, Valkyries Although you dont need to add anything more, we still want to hear your side of the story, as you are also one of the perpetrators. I was just a third officer, Yang Mings expression was full of helplessness, I was only in charge of the maintenance of the fire control system and some emergency repairs. The female hearing officer asked, Did you directly participate in the Valkyrie Plan? No, said Yang Ming, I wasnt an executor of the plan, and whenever I mistakenly entered the experimental area, I would be shouted at and sent away by the people in white coats; the status of a third officer is actually quite pitiful, this is the norm. Yang Ming glanced with the corner of his eye at the audience, spotting several middle-aged men dressed in Sherman military uniforms. Had his salvation arrived? The female hearing officer continued her questioning, The disaster of the research ships destruction was triggered by the Valkyries mutiny, correct? Yes. According to testimonies from several bridge crew members, you were standing at the main control desk at the time, and you said something about giving the Valkyrie a penetrating wound, so she would be immobilized, is that right? Yes. Yang Ming added, I just thought it would be safer that way. He was gambling, gambling there were no living witnesses to the fight in the rear compartment. Furthermore, the female examiners gaze left the document in front of her and fixed onto Yang Ming. Yang Mings heart rose to his throat. The female hearing officer said, Your intern pilotyour sexual partner on that research shiphas confessed to us that you were extremely panicked before the Valkyrie started the uprising, and you advised her to head for the lifeboats, is that right? Yang Mings mouth twitched slightly. This treacherous bitch, she better not fall into my hands in the future! Yes, at that time, I deduced through various signs that the Valkyrie might have gone out of control. Yang Ming looked exceedingly sincere: The specific details are somewhat complicated, and mainly thanks to biologys sixth senseintuition. Some of my intelligence comes from researchers with psychological disturbances. I am a mature and physically strong male; I have had more than one temporary partner. Oh? The female adjudicator pushed up her glasses, sizing up the robust and well-proportioned muscles beneath Yang Mings military uniform. What did you do then, after you determined Valkyrie might lose control? she asked. The riot happened before I had a chance to do anything, Yang Ming thought for a moment and then spoke softly: I know you may already see me as an evil executioner, but I want to say that I am just a low-rank officer following the orders of my superiors. I stand here because the disaster took the lives of my superiors: the captain, first mate, and second mate all sacrificed themselves, necessitating me, a mere third mate of the fire team, to step up, not because I have committed any crime. Yes, Captain Hanton, the female adjudicator nodded in approval, We need to adjudicate the crimes committed aboard that research vessel, and there must be a specific criminal entity. Yang Ming frowned and said, Are you saying that no matter what I say, I will face imprisonment? Objective facts cannot be shifted by your subjective narrative. The female adjudicator replied, If youre willing to plead guilty in court and join the following press conference to truthfully reveal everything that happened aboard the research vessel, promoting racial equality and fair justice, then I will pronounce the lightest penalty allowed by interstellar law and ensure you are settled securely. If you choose to defend that ridiculous Empire honor, you could face up to twenty-two years imprisonment. Yang Ming was about to speak. But the female adjudicator said, Dont rush, Hanton; as per our regulations, the interrogation period lasts two months. You will be taken to Cole Port Prison and there you can wait for one month, with the next hearing taking place in one month. Youre a citizen of the New Federation, arent you? Adjudicator? Yang Ming suddenly asked. The female adjudicator paused, then smiled, saying, Yes, Im just here for work. Yang Ming scoffed and said indifferently, I can sense the malice toward the Sherman Empire in your words; youre essentially encouraging me to betray my homeland. I dont bring personal emotions into my work; are you questioning my professional integrity? said the female adjudicator. Hyprocritical Federation, Yang Ming said with a smile. Very well, the next hearing will be in two months, and you will have a two-month prison experience. Yang Ming calmly raised his fists with the knuckles facing himself and neatly flicked up two middle fingers. He had not anticipated this Earth-origin international gesture of greeting was also common in the Pan-Galaxy culture. The female adjudicators face turned green with anger. On the way to the prison, Yang Ming heard some mixed news. The refugees brought back by the Human Council had been released, all except him. This meant that the researchers involved in the experiments got off scot-free, while he, the third mate responsible for maintaining the fire suppression system, was made the scapegoat. Indeed, the hypocritical Federation and the evil Empire were neck and neck; the two biggest forces of the Galaxy were both thugs! This also indirectly reflected that the Empire currently had no idea that Hanton had been transformed. But did Kigrovs research vessel leave any data? Or something like a cloud data backup? Would Doctor Lina betray him? To Yang Ming, these were uncontrollable risks. The transport vehicle was fully enclosed, preventing Yang Ming from catching a glimpse of Cole Ports unique metallic architecture. He meticulously inspected the layout of the vehicle interior, confident that before the four officers beside and in front of him could react, he could concuss them, kick the door open, and make his escape. But what then? Did he have a map of the city? Was there a way to leave this port city? How strong was the defense system here? Even if his body was exceptionally strong, could it withstand the fire from a starship cannon? Impossible; even a not fully completed Valkyrie couldnt block the particle cannon fire from an old model mecha, let alone a starship cannon. Getting locked onto by a Guard Cannon meant certain death. And lets not forget, the Ancient God Life Form that supplied the transformational genes for Valkyrie also fell to the cannon fire from the Empires powerful fleet. This was the era of the Galaxys grand voyages of starships and heavy artillery. His own combat abilities were only advantageous within a confined space. Of course, if he were to enter the interior of a starship, thatd be a different situation entirely. Yang Ming concentrated on planning his next moves and didnt pay much attention to the changing environment. With shackles on, he stepped off the transport vehicle and calmly walked through the rundown gateway, which resembled an antique, to be taken over by a squad of guards in black uniforms. The Guard Captain escorting Yang Ming spoke in hushed tones with the prison guards. Yang Mings ears twitched slightly, easily capturing a few keywords: Evil Empire soldier, special attention, the adjudicator needs him to suffer some hardships to facilitate the upcoming work. Yang Ming chuckled inwardly, not taking it seriously at all. So, a few minutes later. Several guards unlocked Yang Mings shackles and pushed him into a somewhat crowded mixed cell. Seven or eight muscular men who were lifting weights turned their heads to look over; after seeing Yang Mings handsome face, their expressions subtly changed. Lets give him a little welcome ceremony! The guards whistles came from outside the cell, and they quickly left the crime scene. Yang Ming didnt bother with these pointless muscle men and walked to a corner area by himself. For Yang Ming now, nothing was more important than planning for the future. Hey, brother, a few brawny men slowly surrounded him, Every newcomer needs a thorough check-up. Take off all your clothes. Yang Ming slowly raised his head. Are you sure? PS: This book was actually released spontaneously, without any promotion; Im new and looking for support C please recommend, follow, and share! Chapter 17 - Chapter 17: 012 Information Integration Chapter 17: 012 Information Integration Cole Port Prison was a medium-sized mens prison, converted from a kilometer-class comprehensive transport ship. It boasted a permanent simulated gravity field, with hundreds of cells spread across six levels, equipped with facilities such as entertainment rooms, audio-visual rooms, rest areas, libraries, and gyms. Because it was affiliated with the Interstellar Court, the prison occasionally accepted exiled political prisoners, who were given spacious single rooms on the top floor. Local criminals from Cole Port were housed on the middle two levels, typically in double or triple cells, each with its own private bathroom. The bottom three levels were crowded and chaotic, housing the most vicious criminals from across the stars, with the number of inmates severely exceeding capacity. Occasionally, one could find notorious space pirates here, as well as serial killers shackled and confined to the lowest level, always in irons, and other non-human yet humanoid extraterrestrial lives. Those who were not humanoid, however, were not taken in. For the guards of the lower three levels, working at Cole Port Prison was by no means an easy job. And the problem they most feared, was like what was happening now: Sudden bursts of noise erupted on the fifth floor, where energetic inmates, with no outlet for their energy, were shaking the bars of their cages maniacally, piercing the air with their whistles, and sticking fingers into their mouths that had just been god-knows-where. Armed guards quickly assembled, running towards the direction the prisoners were facing. The harsh alarm blared through every corner of the fifth floor. Guards armed with stun batons came from all directions, yelling at the prisoners to be quiet, but even when they reached the scene, they couldnt remain calm. Soon, the guards called for the Deputy Warden, the warden of the lower three levels, Gulipa. Gulipa was an elderly gentleman in a tailcoat, holding a civilized cane, his hairline having retreated to the top of his head, his gray-white hair slightly disheveled. When he appeared, limping along, the inmates quickly quieted down, losing their earlier frenzy. The warden, its this. Gulipa adjusted his monocle, frowning toward the cell in front of him. Behind thirty-two alloy metal bars, spaced twelve centimeters apart, lay six robust men. They were arranged in an oval, all twelve arms dislocated, each mouth filled with the toes of another, connected head-to-tail, resembling a grotesque ouroboros. Dont move them, Gulipa instructed, frowning, Go outside and call in a professional orthopedic doctor. Several guards hurried off. Gulipa turned to look at the quiet young man reading in the corner, his brows deeply furrowed. This young man had the typical features of a Sherman person, a broad forehead, smooth cheekbones, a straight nose bridge, and slightly recessed eye sockets, all typical facial characteristics of the Sherman people. Did you do this? Gulipa asked in a heavy voice. Yang Ming put down the book in his hand, They said they wanted to show me, the newcomer, a performance of a new-style wrestling, claiming it was a local custom here. And then this happened. Is that so? Gulipa glanced at the six strapping men lying on the ground, then turned to look at the guards who had brought Yang Ming in. A guard stepped forward and whispered something into Gulipas ear. Gulipas gaze became more amused, How did you manage this, Imperial soldier? Ive undergone the strictest combat training. Yang Ming believed that his actions had not revealed any strength beyond that of a normal man; the six men had been taken down through his skill. The real trick lay in his reaction speed that made time seem to slow down. I need to put you in solitary confinement for now, said Gulipa, Thats the rule here. Yang Ming asked, May I take these books with me? Of course, our prison implements the most humane management, Gulipa smiled, Its also a good skill if you manage to read books in that kind of solitary environment. Yang Ming stood up, and a slew of guards raised their laser guns as he impassively walked to the corner to pick up the dusty books on local customs of Cole Port and laws of the International Court. As he passed by the six strapping men, the completely immobilized men twitched all over, their eyes filled with terror, whimpering continuously. Yang Ming displayed a gentle smile, handed the books to a guard, and willingly extended his hands. Under the watchful eyes of several laser gun barrels, he was handcuffed and shackled. Suddenly, one of the guards made a move with a baton and struck fiercely at Yang Mings neck. Yang Ming frowned slightly, his body almost reflexively reacting. He ducked, tilted his head, shrugged his shoulders, and stepped back The baton grazed his shoulder, and Yang Mings hands were already pushed in front of the guards neck. Yang Ming did not actually hit the guards neck; his fingers were two or three centimeters away, but the guard didnt dare move, even his breathing seemed strained. Seconds later, the sound of laser guns being put on safety filled the air. Stop it! Are you not embarrassed enough? Gulipa cursed, frowning, You lot are a mess! I tell you to enhance your training, but all you do is just go through the motions! Before withdrawing his hand, Yang Ming patted the guards throat and said with a smile, I am an active-duty officer of the Sherman Empire, you can target me personally, but please do not provoke the dignity of the Empire. Alright, okay, sir, the guard answered quietly. Chapter 18 - Chapter 18: 012 Information Integration_2 Chapter 18: 012 Information Integration_2 Yang Ming didnt say much more, these kinds of statements are best left brief. And the guards surrounding him now looked at him with a hint of fear. Gulipas gaze flickered indecisively, then he calmly said, Take him to Confinement Room No. 3 for seventy-two hours, and make sure provided meals and fresh water are normal. Yang Ming squinted and smiled. The reputation of the mightiest Empire in the Galaxy really came in handy. The confinement room was a cramped six-square-meter space, but the conditions werent as bad as Yang Ming had expected. The toughest part here was actually the seventy-two hours of hunger, but since Warden Gulipa had taken care of him, it made things much more bearable for Yang Ming. Transformed people needed more nutrition. The six metal walls emitted a milky white glow, and apart from the metal walls, there were no other objects. Yang Ming made a simple seat cushion with his military trousers and coat, wearing just a tank top and boxer shorts, and opened a travel book about the customs and people of Cole Port. Soon, he found several local maps of Cole Port and imprinted the information in his mind. Yang Ming didnt know whether Hanton had always been so smart or if the Valkyrie Genetic Fluid was also enhancing his brain, but he seemed to possess a photographic memory. That was great, at least it wasnt a bad thing. A few hours later. After a simple lunch, Yang Ming used the books he had finished reading to make a small pillow and lay down comfortably, starting to think about the path ahead. On the research ship, he had no chance to think about these things. Yang Ming disliked grand propositions, such as saving the world or saving the Earth. Those were not things he could accomplish alone. However, Yang Ming felt that if he was capable, he should save his own family. His parents had worked hard most of their lives and hadnt yet had the chance to enjoy life; and his younger sister in high school, although she had a terrible character, always stealing his snacks and using his toothbrush to brush her shoes Bro, how much dowry will you have to spend to marry a sister as pretty as me? Ohohoh! The onslaught of dead memories suddenly attacked his brain, making Yang Ming not feel very well. Whether to save her or not, that could be discussed later. Yang Ming simplified all the problems and finally posed three questions to himself: 1. Why had he come to this world, and who had brought him here? 2. What was the meaning of his arrival here, or what could he achieve? 3. What advantages could he obtain from the information he knew? For the first question, based on the information currently available, Yang Ming could not make an answer. This seemed unrelated to science, leaning towards metaphysics, yet it was still a scientific issue. For the second question, Yang Ming could now answer halfway. If thirty Galaxy Years later, Earth players collectively appeared, regardless of how they appeared, he must find a way to inform them that Abyss was not just a game, that humans were a common species in the Milky Way. It was very likely a test given to Earths civilization by a higher civilization. If the test was failed, the final result would be Earths destruction by the Natural Disaster Army. Although there were still too many mysteries; But based on the current information and combining his own experiences, Yang Ming had no choice but to associate the plot of Abyss running for five years and the Ninth Natural Disaster with the destruction of Earth. Yes, Yang Ming felt the first thing he could do was survive for thirty Galaxy Years, to give his civilization a warning. [Mink Port]. The name suddenly popped into his mind. Seen from the perspective of the players, humans from Earth entered into an interstellar civilization under the guidance of an alien civilization through cut-scenes in technology and filling the tech tree in character dialogues. Mink Port was the first stop for players stepping off Earth after thirty years. Players would choose their factions at Mink Port, determine their own developmental paths, obtain spaceship driving licenses, professional equipment operation certificates, and so on. Yang Ming thought that if he could find Mink Port, he might be able to discover Earth ahead of time. Ding-dong, Yang Ming muttered to himself in his heart, Unlock main mission one: Find Mink Port. This damn sense of ceremony. The third question was much more complicated. Yang Ming carefully recalled those gaming events that had impressed him, as well as the rich historical background of Abyss. To be honest, he had rarely paid attention to the games plots while playing, which only left him with vague impressions of many significant events. Moreover, it was now thirty Galaxy Years before the games server had launched. Hmm? Yang Ming suddenly remembered something very interesting. Intelligent Mechanic Dusk. Yang Ming had watched an interview with a player who had become a billionaire by playing the game, two or three years ago, in the third year after the Abyss game had launched. The player had discovered a hidden planet in Abyss, gained actual control of a city called Intelligent Mechanic Dusk, and then made a fortune by selling the control rights to a consortium behind a large legion. In that interview, the player had revealed many detailed detailshow he drove a mining ship into a dust band by mistake, how he entered a vortex, and how he found the control key. Even more, this chosen one had provided first-person footage, revisiting that star domain in the Abyss game and replaying their exploratory journey. Yang Ming had been incredibly envious of this player. And now Sorry, chosen one. Yang Ming guiltily smiled, then shamelessly forgave himself. Oh right, theres something even more important. He needed an ample amount of gene stabilizers or gene inhibiting liquids. In Abyss, the main reason transformed soldiers had to continuously spend money was for buying gene stabilizers or gene inhibiting liquids, or else they would lose their combat capabilities and even grow excessive body hair and have swollen muscles Those were just the games penalty mechanism; the consequences of players gene deregulation were negligible. Now, if Yang Ming did not take gene-stabilizing drugs for an extended period, he might end up like Ke from Lost Voicelosing his sanity, turning into a meat tumor monster, becoming another Ancient God Life Form. At this point, Yang Ming made a simple summary. The most urgent task at hand was to find a stable channel for gene-stabilizing drugs, and he must secure new stabilizing liquid before the gene stabilizing liquid inside his body expired. The subsequent phased goalsfinding Mink Port and Intelligent Mechanic Dusk. To achieve these two goals, the item Yang Ming needed the most right now was A spacecraft capable of warp travel. Note: Preferably with autopilot. This was not an easy task. Three days flashed by. Yang Ming ate and slept, slept and ate, feeling like he had also gained quite a bit of weight. Several fully armed guards brought Yang Ming to a clean four-person cell, where one fat man and one old man lived, both of whom appeared to be of amiable dispositions. Yang Ming quickly introduced himself, shook hands with the two, and then closed his eyes to feign sleep on the simple mattress-covered hardboard bed. Both roommates were very tactful and tense. Naturally, they had heard about the passionate story that had unfolded between this new arrivals from the Sherman Empire military and six burly men, and so, they moved their beds to the corners, maintaining a safe distance from Yang Ming, giving him ample space. Yang Ming had initially wanted to ask them for basic information about the prison and tips on breaking out, but it seemed that they would need some time to get comfortable with each other. Yang Ming, intrigued, began reading some books on the simple shelf in the corner. The text was in Galaxy Universal Language, quite similar to the Sherman Empires language, which made it somewhat challenging for Yang Ming to read at first. Thud, thud, thud. The continuous sound of soft-soled shoes hitting the metal floor broke Yang Mings concentration. 0639, Hanton. Close to lunchtime, the warden Gulipa appeared at the cell door holding a square glass pane and said in an elegant tone, Room number twelve, your supervisor is waiting for you. Chapter 19 - Chapter 19: 013 Three Groups of Intelligence Agents Chapter 19: 013 Three Groups of Intelligence Agents ` Superior? Didnt my brothers superiors get obliterated by the antimatter bomb? Yang Ming found himself in a somewhat dim parlor, facing three individuals dressed in the military uniforms of the Sherman Empire. During the three days he had been confined to this small dark room, Yang Ming hadnt been idle; he had crammed a vast amount of basic knowledge by using Hantons memories and accessible books. For example, the three imperial soldiers before him, Yang Ming immediately recognized their ranks. The middle-aged man in the center was a lieutenant colonel, likely the principal leader among them. The young woman on the left was a lieutenant, holding a notebook-like network terminal, responsible for recording. The major on the far right didnt make much of an impression; he seemed to be an assistant. Hello, Captain Hanton, the lieutenant colonel spoke first, extending his right hand proactively. Yang Ming performed a salute with a flick of the fist before lightly shaking the hand. Please sit, Hanton. The lieutenant colonel gestured, and the prison guards politely exited the parlor. The female lieutenant took out an oval device, pressed a few buttons, and a pale blue plasma light screen enveloped the four of them, cutting off outside eavesdropping. Such an impressive piece of technology. The lieutenant colonel said in a deep voice, Hanton, were a bit late, and I hope you dont mind. The military made a well-considered decision to have you bear this infamous role. Your performance at the interrogation meeting was excellent. Sir, it was my duty. You may need to endure some grievances next, the lieutenant colonel continued, Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. Im a staff member of the Empires Military Intelligence Section Twelve. You dont need to know my name; officially, Im a technical officer. Understood, sir. Yang Ming nodded in acknowledgment, What does the Empire need me to do? His acting was flawless. Yes, Hanton, the lieutenant colonel said, his expression sincere, you cannot plead guilty; it would inflict unprecedented damage on the Empires reputation. We must publicly deny the existence of Professor Kigrov and the Valkyrie Plan. Or rather, they never existed. Yang Ming nodded to show he understood. Dont worry, Hanton, regardless of the interstellar courts verdict, well get you back within two to three years. Youll become a herothough you cant appear publicly, you and your family will receive the treatment of a heros family. Yang Mings eyes were filled with longing, though inwardly he was cursing. This meeting lasted about five minutes. The imperial lieutenant colonel encouraged and instructed him a bit, mainly to have Yang Ming deny the Valkyrie Plan in court. This was likely part of the Sherman Empires interstellar propaganda campaign, otherwise, the Empires Military Intelligence Section Twelve wouldnt have approached him as an expendable pawn. As for whether anyone would still pay attention to this pitiable Hanton after the next trial Yang Ming held no illusions about it. Better to think about how to escape; at least that seemed more feasible. Every three days, prisoners had the chance to participate in a collective airing, taking turns by floor to head to the top deck garden. The fifth floors collective airing was from 3 to 5 pm. Yang Ming planned to use todays airing to carefully observe the prisons layout and promptly establish an escape plan. Leaving the prison actually wouldnt be that difficult; the real challenge was how to get a spaceship capable of warp and how to pilot itthese were Yang Mings biggest hurdles. But after lunch, something unexpected happened Number 0639, Hanton. Chief Gulipa, holding a piece of square glass, frowned at Hanton. There was a hint of perplexity in the chiefs eyes as he read the newly received information. Room Number Ten, your superior is waiting for you again. Huh? Did those three forget to remind something and hurried back? Isnt the rule of this prison that one can only be visited once a week at most? Then again, such rules of an interstellar organization are meant to be trampled by powerful political bodies. Yang Ming arrived at the parlor door under the escort of guards, and as he pushed open the door, he was startled. There were still two men and a woman in imperial uniforms, still a configuration of a lieutenant colonel, a major, and a lieutenant. But they werent the same three who had come before lunch. What was going on? Yang Ming suppressed the doubts in his heart, performing the same military salute, handshake, and seating gesture. His counterparts took out a rectangular device that unfolded a pink light shield. Captain Hanton, the lieutenant colonel said, Im a staff member of the Military Intelligence Section Twelve; you dont need to know my name, as per our protocol. Sir, Yang Ming decided to proceed cautiously, is there anything I should be reminded of? Yes, Captain, the lieutenant colonel sighed, the current public opinion is unfavorable to us. Were sorry to have kept you waiting here so long. Well rescue you soon. Yang Ming displayed a grateful expression. The lieutenant colonel pondered for a moment, then slowly said, You know, Hanton, every nation is actually conducting genetic fusion experiments. Kigrov may have been a bit radical, but he was still a scholar we respected. We invested heavily in the Valkyrie Project, but all we got were remains too fragmented to piece together. Yang Ming asked, Wasnt the experiment content backed up remotely? Regrettably, it wasnt, the lieutenant colonel said, its a basic oversight, but Professor Kigrov was unwilling to share his research results with other departments nor did he consent to backup. Yang Ming almost cheered out loud. Yang Ming said in a somber voice, I didnt directly participate in the experiment, nor do I have any data regarding it. I was responsible for maintaining the fire pipelines as a third technical officer you should know that. The lieutenant colonel looked disappointed. This lieutenant colonel quickly pulled himself together and inquired about Yang Mings life there, promising that they would soon bring him back to the Empire. Yang Ming inquired about his companions; the lieutenant colonel responded fluently, accurately naming several researchers who were placed on recovery on the Administrative Star. This meeting lasted about six minutes. After returning to his cell, Yang Ming couldnt stop question marks from flooding his mind. Two batches of Military Intelligence Section Twelve officers? What was going on? One real and one fake? Or perhaps both fake? A bit chaotic. Yang Ming felt he needed to sort through it carefully. Whats wrong, Hanton? The elderly cellmate cautiously asked, You seem like youre in trouble, restless lately. Yang Ming sighed, Maybe its just being locked up for too long, feeling uneasy. I havent done anything wrong. Yes, Hanton, none of us did anything wrong; its the world thats wrong, the elderly man chuckled. Yang Ming nodded in agreement; even his cellmate A lost interest in chatting. Another two hours passed, and the familiar footsteps appeared once more. Again? Yang Ming frowned, looking outside the cell at the approaching chief holding the block of glassthis block of glass was similar to a network terminal, akin to a smartphone. Number 0639, Hanton. Chief Gulipas voice carried hesitation as he looked at Hanton, checking his received information against the terminal. The chiefs mindset shifted slightly. Room Number Eleven, your superior just how many superiors do you have? Yang Ming shrugged, Id like to know too. Yang Ming never expected that among the third wave of superiors, he would see someone familiar. Doctor Lina. She wore a white blouse and a dark green professional skirt suit, her golden hair tied at the back. Her slender figure created a stunning curve, exuding a unique charm of a mature woman. Yang Ming glanced at the other man and woman. The lieutenant colonel in the center and the female lieutenant on the side gave Yang Ming an instant sense of these are imperial soldiers. The female lieutenant produced a hexagonal device, unfolding a pale golden shielding light screen that enveloped the four of them. Hanton, are you okay? Doctor Lina asked softly, her eyes betraying an undeniable concern. Not bad, Yang Ming smiled in response. Hello, Hanton, Im a staff member of the Military Intelligence Section Twelve, the middle lieutenant colonel stood up to shake Yang Mings hand, apologies for meeting you only now; we had many procedural issues to tackle. Yang Ming nodded slightly, taking a deep breath. Youre the third batch, he stated, the third batch of Military Intelligence Section Twelve officials. The three showed expressions of astonishment. The lieutenant colonel frowned, The previous ones should be intelligence agents from the New Federation and the Free Federation. Damn, they beat us to it. Doctor Lina quickly asked, Did you tell them anything? Yang Ming shook his head, I was just a third officer on the ship, responsible for maintaining the fire pipelines. Isnt that right, Doctor? Yes, thats right, Lina smiled elegantly, luckily, Hanton, you were cautious enough. They were likely aiming to acquire the research results of the scientific vessel. Yang Ming replied, All were obliterated in the antimatter bomb. The lieutenant colonel said slowly, Rest assured, Hanton, well get you back soon. I know youre a loyal soldier, and the Empire wont forget your meritorious service. Thank you, Yang Ming said sincerely. Lina pulled out a medicine bottle from her bag beside her and pushed it into Yang Mings hands. She said, This medication has been approved by the prison authorities; you can carry it with you all the time. Take one every three days or whenever you feel unwell. Itll alleviate your symptoms of depression. Oh, thank you so much, Doctor. Yang Ming clutched the bottle tightly, gazing at Lina. Well take you away as soon as possible, Hanton. Doctor Lina said before leaving. Yang Ming felt his eyes become slightly moist. He nodded in agreement, cuffed with the medicine bottle in hand, and followed the guards back to his cell. As he lay facing the wall, his expression turned indifferent. Yang Ming opened the bottle, finding pale yellow transparent capsules inside. Was this truly a gene stabilization drug? Should he trust Lina? Three waves of Empires Military Intelligence Section Twelve officials Which wave was genuinely from the Sherman Empire? Whom should he trust? Yang Ming attempted to detach himself, sorting through the information calmly. Soon, Yang Ming arrived at a general conviction in his heart. Through deduction, he confirmed that Lina was unlikely to harm him, at least for the moment. He took a capsule and swallowed it without hesitation, carrying the bottle close to his body. Yang Ming keenly observed that his body became more subdued; the crisis of losing control was temporarily averted, thus validating his deduction to some extent. The guards whistle sounded outside. The thrice-a-day airing was officially beginning. ` Chapter 20 - Chapter 20: 014 A Bunch of Big Liars [Extra Update to Thank Everyone] Chapter 20: 014 A Bunch of Big Liars [Extra Update to Thank Everyone] Inmates walked in pairs, two meters apart, like ants through the corridor and up the continuously folding stairs. They successively arrived at the prisons upper plaza under the watchful eyes of semi-automated weapons and guards. Yang Ming constantly observed his surroundings, imprinting the prisons three-dimensional structure in his mind like a sandbox model. The view from the top deck was indeed nice. This must be right above Cole Port; outside the prison was the profound starry sky, and a half-solidified transparent dome perfectly enclosed the upper plaza. What if this dome shatters? Wouldnt people be sucked out into the vacuum? Yang Ming couldnt help but worry. That M-type dwarf star hung in the deep starry sky, its orange-red light slightly subdueda characteristic of such stars, sluggishly burning themselves, sustaining their stellar dignity with just a little hydrogen. Several mechanical guards stood at the corners, a sight Yang Ming rarely encountered. The Milky Way had three taboos: The first was Natural Disasters, civilizations invading from outside the galaxy; The second was the Insect Race, returning periodically to the Milky Way to breed; The third was the Intelligent Mechanical Crisis. Intelligent Machines referred to automated weapon systems with intelligent machinery that developed quasi-human consciousness and broke away from human societys control, achieving a closed-loop automation in their own production, maintenance, design, and development. Not just any one or two robots that developed self-awareness could be called an Intelligent Mechanical Crisis. In the current stage of the Galaxys civilization, there had been more than a dozen Intelligent Mechanical Crises of various scales. The rise and fall of several great empires in the Galaxys history were closely connected to the outbreaks of Intelligent Mechanical Crises. What Yang Ming understood was only from the game background of Abyss, which might differ somewhat from the actual information in this world. He carefully observed the mechanical guards for a while and realized they were just responding machines following instructions, which left him somewhat disappointed. In a corner, several burly men glared fiercely at Yang Ming. Yang Mings gaze swept over them, and as if in agreement, the burly men drew their legs together, averted their gaze, and whistled a few times. Is that it? Is this how the prison gang is? Yang Ming had thought that today he would have a big fight with several dozen burly men, but he had subdued them in one wave. Have I become more violent lately? However, the feeling of his physical strength continuously growing was really exhilarating. In the corner, there was a sunshade, behind which several burly men in prison uniforms lined up, blocking Yang Mings view; behind these men, there was faintly a reclining chair and the rising swirls of smoke. What was that? A special existence in this prison? Yang Ming walked towards the corner with his hands clasped behind his back, like an officer inspecting the work. The guards were chatting and laughing not far away, only glancing at Yang Ming briefly before quickly looking away. Clearly, the guards would not stop anyone from approaching this special existence. As Yang Ming, dressed in a Sherman Empire military uniform, approached, the burly men acting as bodyguards became noticeably tense. They had heard about Yang Ming, who had fought against six opponents unscathed. A large hand blocked Yang Mings chest. The burly man stopping Yang Ming had a wary look in his eyes and said gravely, Sorry, Mr. Bailin doesnt want to be disturbed. Bailin? Yang Ming, new to this place, didnt know what the name represented. He wasnt interested in finding out, either. Is that so? Yang Ming said with a smile, Then why dont you ask Bailin himself? An elderly laughter came from behind the burly man: Let the Empire officer come over. Hes an interesting young man. This Mr. Bailin had a receding hairline typical of a Mediterranean hairstyle and his face was lined with wrinkles. In a Galaxy where the average human life span in the Galaxy was over a hundred and twenty Galaxy Years, it was hard to tell how old Bailin really was. When Yang Ming approached, Mr. Bailin was puffing on an e-cigarette of unknown composition and sipping frothy soda, wearing a loose bathrobe that revealed his vigorous light-colored chest hair. Hello, Empire officer. Bailin greeted him cheerfully: Forgive my impoliteness, Im old and always too lazy to move. Yang Ming flashed a slight smile: If its a respected elder, theres no need to be so courteous to a young man like me. Oh, is that so? Bailins smile grew more pronounced, and he gestured to the side. A burly man brought over a plastic chair and placed it beside Bailins reclining chair. Have a seat, young man, Bailin said with a smile, I was going to deal with you quickly, but youre trouble. I dont need to look at your file. Just by looking at you, I realize youre definitely a big trouble. Yang Ming internally reminded himself to maintain the demeanor of an Empire soldier and sat down on the plastic chair. He smiled and said, I might be a troublemaker to my enemies, but for my friends, I am inevitably a trustworthy companion. Hahaha, Bailin laughed heartily, his wrinkly face blossoming like a chrysanthemum, They say youre a cold-blooded killing machine, a heartless assassin trained by the Empire. Surprisingly, you can also be quite witty, hahaha. Yang Ming shrugged, his mind already making judgments. This Bailin must be the Dragon Head of the prison, the type who held sway over both the underworld and the establishment. What could he offer me? Ah, intelligence. What Yang Ming needed most now was intelligence. Yang Ming steered the conversation back on track, Ive heard from my cellmate that theres nothing Mr. Bailin cant do in this prison? Thats certainly an exaggeration, Bailin said with a smile, Of course, if youre willing to pay the price, I could find a way to get you some rare and exotic items. I have my connections, and the guards show me some respect. Yang Ming asked, Is everything measured by currency? No, no, no, Bailin chuckled, For these mediocre wretches, the currency they had before entering is now their only worth, with all prices clearly marked. But youre different the salary of an Imperial officer is not much. Yang Ming revealed a wry smile that bespoke poverty. Actually, Hanton still had quite a lot saved upmarrying a noblewoman was not cheap. Bailin said, You took down six by yourself, did you? Without a scratch on you? Ive learned many killing techniques, Yang Ming said, if youre looking for me to do that kind of work for you, Im afraid Ill have to decline. Teaching others a lesson doesnt bring me any pleasure. Oh, young man, dont be hasty. Business here is all about mutual compromise. Bailin squinted, smiling, First, tell me what you want, and then Ill give you my price. A map of Cole Port, the more detailed the better, Yang Ming whispered. Bailins expression suddenly changed, he frowned at Yang Ming and said in a low voice, Thats a bit taboo, young man. But you can do it, right? Yang Mings gaze became sharp. Today alone, three different factions have sent their intelligence officers looking for you, Im aware of this, Bailin stared at Yang Ming, You just need to wait for your Empire to fetch you, no need to make waves. Do you know which one is really sent by my motherland? Yang Ming asked. Im afraid I cant assist you there, Bailin said with a wry smile, Im just a merchant; I dont want trouble. This is well beyond my capabilities. Thats why I cant trust them, Yang Ming said, I must find my own way back to the Empire. Im willing to pay any price that does not involve betraying the Empire or sacrificing myself. Youre actually aware of this issue, yes, indeed, at least two of those three parties mean you no good. Bailin took a puff of his electronic cigarette, and he sat there dumbfounded for a while, as if his system had crashed. Bailin said, I may not be able to give you a map, but I do know someone who certainly can help you. However, I cant share this information for free; youll have to do something for me. Thats the rule Ive set. Time, place, target. Yang Ming calmly stood up, You should be able to tell me these through my cellmate. Hey, Hanton, Bailin squinted and smiled, do you trust me that much? You will keep your promise, Yang Ming said with utmost certainty, and, on his way out, he winked at Bailin. Elderly Bailin did not read any carnal suggestion in that wink. He read the young mans confidence, as well as an unmistakable threat. Youngsters these days have no manners. Old Bailin shook his head in lament and continued puffing away against the starry sky. An hour and a half later, as the group of prisoners including Yang Ming finished their recreational time, old Bailin remained there to enjoy the lazy afternoon until two meticulous guards appeared beside him. Mr. Bailin, the warden wants to see you. Of course, Yang Ming had no idea who Bailins referred person was, but he was willing to give it a limited try. After waiting in his cell for two days, his obese roommate suddenly sidled over, nervously whispering in Yang Mings ear an exact time in the middle of the night, the number of a cell on the same floor, and about an arm. Yang Ming nodded to show he understood. When the time came, a yawning guard passed by and swiped a card over the electronic lock of Yang Mings cell; the lock clicked open. Once the guard left, Yang Ming slipped out, entering the similarly unlocked cell not far away. A few muffled groans later, he left the cell after less than half a minute, walking briskly back to his own, and lay down in his place. Click, the electronic lock shut by itself. Half an hour later, a succession of screams came from that cell, and scores of guards rushed over; the fifth floor was bustling for a while. The arm with the crushed bones became the next days hot topic throughout Cole Port Prison. The next day, Yang Ming found a slip of paper in his breakfast. [Sixth level, cell 625, Kolev.] Chapter 21 - Chapter 21: 015 Looking for Kolev Chapter 21: 015 Looking for Kolev ` [Room 625, Level Six, Kolev.] Whos this? Yang Ming had no recollection of this person and calmly tore up the note, soaking it in his vegetable soup. Regardless, having a target was better than being like a headless fly. The medicine Doctor Lina had brought could sustain Yang Ming for several months, giving him enough time to find this Kolev before the next trial session. Regrettably, despite a weeks efforts, Yang Ming still hadnt met the man in person, but he had learned a lot about Kolev. This was an infamous space pirate, who had roamed the starry skies for over forty years and single-handedly created the powerful Black Dragon Pirate Group, wanted by dozens of nations. Listen, a great pirate! What does a pirate live off? A warp-capable pirate ship! Even if the old pirate was now behind bars, he surely knew some black market intel and must possess channels to get a ship! The moment Yang Ming heard that Kolev was a pirate leader, he had already affectionately named his future private vessel. The week Yang Ming spend searching for Kolev also came with other amusements. The officials from Imperial Military Intelligence Bureau Division Twelve had returned. They didnt all show up on the same day and were all aware of the other two imposters. All three groups of Intelligence Officers emphasized that they were the real deal and the other two were frauds but offered Yang Ming no further substantial information. In fact, before taking the capsules from Lina, Yang Ming had pretty much figured it out. The first group of Intelligence Officers Yang Ming saw that day were from the Sherman Empire. They kept stressing self-sacrifice and the glory of the Empire, and their language carried an arrogance of a superior toward a subordinate. The meaning of the Imperial Military Intelligence Bureau was for Yang Ming to stay put here, and during the second public trial, he was to deny the existence of the Valkyrie Plan and insist it was a slander made by the New Federation against the Empire. How very Imperial. The second group of Intelligence Officers from that day likely came from another major power, probably the New Federation. Their conversation focused on the Valkyrie Plan and Kigrovs experiments, clearly more interested in information related to the Valkyrie Plan, seeking to extract intelligence from Yang Ming. The third group of Intelligence Officers included Doctor Lina. Indeed, Lina, in Yang Mings judgment, did not come from the camp of the Sherman Empire, as there were too many inconsistencies. First, Lina knew he was a transformed person but offered to keep his secret; after learning that the research vessel was destroyed by a Valkyrie transformed person, Linas reaction was unusually calm throughout. Second, Lina easily procured a genetic stabilizer and appeared before him with two Imperial Intelligence Officers; yet in the Empire, she was only a common doctor with marginal military association. Third, Linas demeanor the moment she took off her lab coat was irresistibly charming. During those two encounters, the crows feet by Doctor Linas eyes had vanished, and she looked as if she had become a decade younger, exuding a womans allure. This change was actually quite abrupt. If Yang Mings speculation was correct, what Lina was scheming for was his body. To be precise, she wanted the remaining fruits of the Valkyrie Plan, hoping to fish him out and continue the gene fusion research. She may come from the New Federation, possibly the Free Federation, or maybe the Guel Alliancemost likely one of the four major forces in the Milky Way. For the intelligence organizations of the various nations, the existence of the Valkyrie Plan was no secret; otherwise, the Human Councils investigation ship wouldnt have been involved. It was quite normal for there to be a spy or two from other powers aboard Kigrovs ship. First, lets find the great pirate Kolev. Yang Ming pulled out the medicine Lina had given him and swallowed the third capsule. Lina aimed to secretly take him away, definitely without causing him to lose control and rampage; these capsules at most contained some location tracking substances, but their effectiveness was guaranteed. Hanton Suddenly, his elderly cellmate spoke up, approaching Yang Ming with a somewhat solemn expression, whispering a few words. Mr. Bairin wants to see you; remember to meet with Mr. Bairin during yard time this afternoon. Bairin? Yang Ming felt a bit apprehensive. He had disciplined a troublemaker for Bairin, and Bairin had given him Kolevs name and cell number. Wasnt their deal squared away? Ah, his cellmate A sighed softly, kid, Mr. Bairin is not someone to mess with; I hope you wont have any conflicts with him. Thanks for the warning, Yang Ming smiled, I have great respect for Mr. Bairin. Verbal respect. In the afternoon, Yang Ming found old Bairin enjoying a delicious steak. Its not easy to get in touch with Kolev. Bairin wiped his mouth, the indistinct sauce staining his beard made him look somewhat comical. Yang Ming, sitting beside him, raised an eyebrow and declined the soda offered by a burly man, quietly watching Bairin. Old Bairin chuckled: Kolev is seen as this prisons bottom-of-the-box prisoner, a pride of the prison administrationyou might think of it that way. Hes on the innermost part of Level Six, in a fully enclosed solitary cell, and he has yard time in the morning with the officials from Level One. ` However, I can help you, Captain Hanton. Yang Ming immediately became extremely vigilant. Unsolicited help often spells troubleeither deceit or theft. This old fellow in front of him was no philanthropist; securing such an exalted position in prison, he must be ruthless. The fact that Bailin was offering to help him likely meant he had ulterior motives; although Yang Ming could also achieve his goalwhen push comes to shove, he could resort to forceit would inevitably take more time and involve more complicated risks. What do I need to do for you? Yang Ming asked. This time, you dont need to do anything for me. A friend has entrusted me with a task that promises considerable income. In fact, I invited you here just to let you know that I have exerted some effort in this matter, Bailin said with a smile. Yang Mings smile gained a hint of amusement. What about your rules? My bottom line has always been flexible. Youll soon be arranged to go to the cell next to Kochef, said old Bailin. Dont worry about the other things. The common friend of ours has already arranged everything. He hopes you can leave here safely. A common friend? Was Lina planning this? Yang Ming quickly realized that he had been somewhat prejudiced, and Bailins words contained a certain amount of inducement. Then Ill wait for the good news. Yang Ming said calmly, and while getting up to leave, he couldnt help but slightly twitch the corner of his mouth. He sensed a conspiracy. More than one conspiracy was slowly unfolding around him. Three batches of Imperial Intelligence Officers with questionable authenticity; Old Bailin, whose attitude had subtly changed; The old pirate who was delivered straight into his hand; What next? Yang Ming decided that, no matter what trick they were up to, he would use their arrangements to his advantage and see the infamous Kolev first. He always held an ace up his sleeve. A Secondary Ancient God Life Form. Old Bailins information was indeed well-informed. Yang Ming had just finished his walk and hadnt yet had a chance to pack up his simple belongings when Chief Gulipas shiny forehead appeared outside the four-person room. Captain Hanton, I believe you deserve better living conditions. Chief Gulipa said warmly, I didnt carefully read your file before. Only this morning did I discover that you were not here to serve a normal sentence but came from the Human Councils care home to experience the actual life in Cole Port Prison, right? Yang Ming glanced at his Imperial military uniform, which he had never changed, and said with a smile, Yes, Chief. I was supposed to be in the Human Councils care home, sleeping on a soft single bed, eating delicious meals with both meat and vegetables every day. Look at the mess Ive made, Gulipa said warmly, fortunately, theres still time to fix it. Come with me, Captain, you will receive the respect due to an Imperial soldier. Yang Ming could only nod his thanks while silently cursing to himself: Damn, a bunch of two-faced people. Chief Gulipa, along with several guards, escorted Yang Ming, who was handcuffed and shackled, toward room 624 on the sixth floor. Gulipa smiled and said, Youre looking for Kolev, arent you? Yes, Yang Ming said calmly, Do you have any advice, Chief? Kolev is an extremely dangerous individual, Gulipa whispered, Youre thinking correctly. Ive been under some pressure and had to make the current arrangements, allowing you to enjoy a private cell next to Kolev. Thats how the Interstellar Court works. The powerful Sherman Empire can directly influence our proceedings, but still, I must advise you itd be better if you stay away from Kolev. Thats all. Yang Ming looked at Gulipas profile. The Chiefs well-maintained face showed no unnecessary expressions. The sixth floor of Cole Port Prison had a structure similar to the fifth floor, with neatly arranged prison cells like square containers on a transport ship. In a corner of the sixth floor were two rows of single cells reserved for special prisoners, each nearly fully enclosed, with thick alloy doors. Yang Ming made a rough calculation Breaking those doors would take minutes; But tearing through those thin metal walls would only take seconds. Quite a brilliant design. As Bailin had mentioned, he had been arranged into room 624, which was separated by a single wall from room 625. This was a single-person cell of about fifteen or sixteen square meters, with living conditions that were even better than his quarters on the research vessel, complete with a single bed, a bookshelf, a desk, a toilet, and a showerhead at each corner, plus ventilation systems installed in the wall cracks. The conditions are really not bad, Yang Ming commended. Im glad youre satisfied. Enjoy your stay, Chief Gulipa said with a smile, and just before leaving, he paused and turned to look at the door the guards were about to close. Captain Hanton, just to be safe, Id like to ask you one more thing You will repeat your previous answer at the next trial, wont you? Yang Ming thought for two seconds and then replied sternly, I will swear to defend the Empires honor to the death. That is my bottom line as an Imperial soldier. Gulipa instantly smiled with relief, his fingers in white gloves lightly gliding as the guard pushed the thick alloy door closed. At the instant the electronic lock displayed closed, Gulipas smile quickly vanished, his eyes sharp as a hawks. Chapter 22 - Chapter 22: 016 Oh, my First Mate Chapter 22: 016 Oh, my First Mate Click. At two in the morning, the door to the single-occupant cell unlocked. Yang Ming sprang up from the bed vigilantly, frowning at the door that had opened a slight crack. A black card was slipped in, and then the door closed once again. Yang Mings ears twitched lightly, the snoring from various cells audible, along with the fading sound of light footsteps. After quite a wait, Ming cautiously approached the door to pick up the card. The material of the object was unknown, cold to the touch. On the back was a sticky note that read Pad Six. Yang Ming placed the card on the door lock, and the familiar click sounded, the electronic door unlocking by itself Oh, was this a clear invitation for him to break out of prison at will? Were those schemers behind the scenes that impatient? He had only been in this solitary cell for six or seven hours, hadnt even enjoyed the private bathroom a few times! Yang Ming pressed his ear against the door to listen carefully, and after confirming there was no one outside, he quietly pushed the door open. He looked up to find that the guard post, which should have been manned, was eerily empty; overhead, two miniature cameras were slowly rotating, aiming right at his forehead. Figured as much. This detail confirmed Yang Mings suspicion. Chief Gulipa wanted him to make contact with Kolev, to use this card to open the adjacent cell and then leave with Kolev to Pad Six? Pfft, only a fool would believe that. Yang Ming could almost hear the whispered conversations of the guards hidden in the shadows, could see the Chiefs sinister smile. But for Yang Ming, this was also an opportunity to make direct contact with Kolev. He hugged the wall to the next cell and spotted the metal nameplate on it. Hes a villain of the worst sort. Hes killed countless, a fearsome pirate. He must spend the rest of his Life here. One must never let their guard down with him. For some reason, Yang Ming felt a flicker of anticipation at this moment. He imagined seeing a ferocious man standing atop a mountain of corpses, dark red mechanical prosthetics emitting faint electric arcs. Suddenly, the electronic lock in front of Yang Ming displayed a green unlock signal, yet Ming had not used the black card in his hand. The door had been opened from the inside! Yang Ming immediately moved to hide on the right side. The door of cell 625 opened a crack, a warm yellow glow spilling out. Ming peered through the slit, only to see a Little old man. Eh, this was the grand pirate he had been searching for over a week? The man was a skinny old fellow with whitening sideburns and hair knotted into tufts, clear indicators of his poor personal hygiene. His light green striped pajamas and the cartoon-character-adorned sleeping cap were quite unique. If Ming had to compare, he looked somewhat like a shrunken version of the cinematic figure Gandalf. Of course, more attention-grabbing than the old man was the other black card in his hands, along with the paper magazine featuring a half-naked girl on the cover that he held. Oh? The old man spotted Yang Ming, and their eyes briefly met. Bang! The alloy door slammed shut, the electronic lock securing itself once more. He cant escape! Yang Ming used his card to unlock the door and burst in. The old man snatched off his cartoon sleeping cap and, with a casual air, braced himself with one hand against the wall, raising an eyebrow at Ming. Hey, kid, you need something? Kolev? Leader of the Black Dragon Pirate Group? Ming asked. The old man paused for a moment: Yes, thats me. His gaze suddenly sharpened, fixating on the black card in Mings hand: Wow, youve got one too. Someone arranged for me to break out, Ming stated, but I think its a trap. Its definitely a trap, they love doing this! They give you seemingly favorable conditions, making you commit to the fact of an escape, so they can legitimately take you down. The old man clicked his tongue, folding his arms in front of him as if the posture gave him some sense of confidence. Kolev rambled on: Listen to me, kid, the interstellar court doesnt have any death penalties, everything here is transparent, under surveillance of various nations. As long as you play by the rules, they have no ways to target you. They dare not poison us; that would provoke a joint investigative team. They cant directly harm us here; that would draw the ire of human rights activists everywhere and affect their funding. Only escape, deemed an immediate threat to the life and safety of the guards, gives them the right to kill any prisoner. Your card C and of course, I have one too C its just a trap meant to lure us to our doom. I agree with your point, Ming said with a smile, so why did you try to leave just now? Kolev hemmed and hawed, muttering, A beast that has tasted freedom wont willingly walk into its grave. Mings opinion of the old man improved slightly. But this Kolev barely over 1.6 meters tall, sporting flabby muscles and a potbelly, he didnt look at all combat-capable. Kolev said, Wait a second, that style of military trousers youre from Sherman? Ming nodded. Kolev stroked his bushy beard, chuckling: Those noble ladies from Sherman do have nice skin, indeed. Do you want to leave this place? Ming asked. Chapter 23 - Chapter 23: 016 Oh, my First Mate_2 Chapter 23: 016 Oh, my First Mate_2 Of course, who doesnt yearn for freedom? But it seems not bad here too? Kolev spread his hands, seemingly trying to convince himself: Look, we have superior conditions here. Except for not being able to connect to the internet, I can do whatever I want, and they will ensure my safety. I am old, my child, I am seventy-two years old. My time has passed, and I just need to wait quietly for death to come. Not many pirates live to my age. Yes, I dont want to leave. Yang Ming: This guy can really hypnotize himself. Alright, go back to sleep, young man. Its unethical to disturb old peoples rest. Kolev waved his hand, smiling, If you want to learn some professional pirate tricks from me, I can teach you a few secrets considering our relationship as cellmates. Sorry to disturb you. Yang Ming turned around, swiped the electronic lock, and coldly repeated as he left: A beast that has tasted freedom can never walk into his grave early. Kolevs expression looked constipated. Yang Ming lay on his single bed in cell 624, listening to the pacing sounds coming from the adjacent cell. During the conversation with this elderly pirate, Yang Ming had quickly noticed that there was something extraordinary about him. Those small eyes were very wise; standing in front of him, it felt as if he saw right through him. But everyone has weaknesses, and this old man was no exception. Unfortunately, when Yang Ming played Abyss, he had not heard of Kolev. The world of Abyss, or rather, the world before him, was too vast, and each player could only explore a very limited range; Kolev was not one of those famed pirates across the Galaxy. Then, how to conquer Kolev? Carry him away by force? That wouldnt work, as what he needed was a ship to leave Cole Port and head to the Intelligent Mechanic Dusk; its not hard to see that Kolev is a proud guy, and forcing him would hardly achieve his purpose. Use bribery? The savings Hanton had prepared to marry a noblewoman were not even enough to buy half of the smallest warp-capable ship, and such a great pirate must be immensely wealthy. Ugh, Yang Ming changed his position. Just like Kolev, who kept pacing, Yang Ming himself was getting restless. The great pirate was right in front of him, the channel to get a spaceship was right in front of him; Yang Ming might even be able to secure a supply route for the gene stabilizers through the pirates black market trade. Yang Ming was very aware of the predicament he was facing. On one hand, Gulipa and Bairins behavior today had made him realize the imminent crisis. On the other hand, being the sole success of the Imperial Martial God Plan, this identity was particularly deadly. Although currently, only Linas side knew he was a transformed man, both the Empire and its rivals considered his performance at the next court session to be his only value. But normally, the intelligence systems of all major powers penetrate each other. And the longer he stayed in this prison, the greater the risk of exposure; a single blood test would spell disaster. If it really came to that, the Four Great Rogues of the Galaxythe Sherman Empire, the New Federation, the Free Federation, and the Guel Alliancewould spare no effort to acquire this transformation technology, and his chances of escape would be slim. Thus, this great pirate Kolev was Yang Mings perfect opportunity to break free! I must take a gamble. Yang Ming figured that if Kolev was to act, he would surely come looking for him; he closed his eyes and started shallow sleeping. He was already able to control his state while sleeping. When he opened his eyes again, it was morning by Galaxy Time, and Cole Port had entered daylight mode, the outer protective shield had turned transparent, and that M-type Constant Star was once again suspended in the starry sky. This day seemed particularly long. Yang Ming forced himself to sleep through the entire day to conserve energy for the nights operation. He waited until the same time in the middle of the night as the night before. Yang Ming put on the Empire uniform neatly, and his freshly washed hair appeared particularly refreshing. He leaned against the door, listening carefully. Outside, it remained silent. The seven or eight guards who were supposed to be on duty at the sixth level were now nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, Thud, thud thud. The walls emitted a subtle vibration; Kolev seemed to be tapping on the wall. Yang Ming pondered slightly he actually suspected Kolev was part of a trap. We have to try. Yang Ming gently tapped back a few times on the walls. Bang, bang bang! The other side fell silent. Yang Ming was not in a hurry. After about three or four minutes, the wall noises resumed. Thud, thud thud thud. Yang Ming gave a calm smile and responded. This game continued for quite a while. Just as Yang Ming felt that he and the quirky old man had reached an understanding, he heard the electronic lock on the neighboring cell click. A few seconds later, his own cells electronic lock was also unlocked, and Kolev rushed in, slamming the door behind him. Hey! the old man glared at Yang Ming, What did you just say? What? Yang Ming was somewhat puzzled. I was communicating with you using Logans code! Logans code! Dont you know that as a military man? I asked you whether we should act tonight. You answered me, open fire, open fire. I asked you if you had backup. You answered me, oh, youre so provocative.'' Kolevs bushy beard was trembling: Nobody, nobody has ever dared to call me provocative! Thats sexual harassment, oh my! My daughter is even the leader of a pirate group, and you, you actually! Yang Ming, a little embarrassed, quickly said, Hey, Kolev, didnt you know? We in the Empire now use Morse code. Kolev frowned and glared at Yang Ming, but finally, his anger seemed to subside a bit. Should we act tonight? Kolev asked. Its a trap, Yang Ming crossed his arms calmly, as you said. Yes, its a trap, Kolev chuckled coldly, I can almost see the sinister expression of that balding warden right now. He must be hiding behind the screen in the control room watching us. So, how should I trust you? Yang Ming asked. Ive just arrived here, but youve been an old hand around here. Thats a risk youll need to take, kid. You have to make your own judgment. Kolev, still with a sharp gaze, fiddled with a black card in his hand, sneered: This card, theyre insulting me, you understand? Theyre insulting me. If I could leave the cell freely and do nothing, it would make me the laughing stock of our profession. The reputation Ive built up over forty years would be destroyed in an instant. The warden probably wants to play a game of break-out and gun-down, but they dont realize who theyve pissed off. Yang Ming said, You mean, we collaborate? You could become my first mate, Kolev tilted his head up slightly, Temporarily, of course. Once we are out of here, the agreement automatically dissolves. Yang Ming smiled, I agree to cooperate, but you need to be my first mate, and you must follow my orders. Thats impossible! Kolev became aggressive, Before I decided to retire, I had command over seven warships, seven! I could directly demand protection money from those small nations! And you, kid, looking at your rank, oh, a captain? Yang Ming said, How about this, we collaborate temporarily and decide later who is the captain and who is the first mate. Youll need to conquer me, Kolev squinted his eyes and smiled, This just got interesting. Lets go, first mate, lets head to Hangar Six. Our actions are under their surveillance, but well find a way to turn the tables. Alright, first mate. Oh, stop the mischief, my first mate. I should walk in front, youre too old and slow to react, first mate. Of course, the captain needs to be in charge. Ill follow behind you, first mate. Chapter 24 - Chapter 24: 017 Behind the Scenes Mastermind Chapter 24: 017 Behind the Scenes Mastermind The number six landing pad was located on the sixth floor of Cole Port Prison. Starting from Yang Mings cell, one only needed to pass through two security corridors to reach the connecting deck. To anyone observing, this escape route seemed nearly perfect without any guard interference. The difficulties Yang Ming and his group needed to resolve for the prison break seemed to be only two: a functional small spacecraft and the guard cannons outside the prison. In the narrow and deserted corridor, two figures were briskly walking close to the wall, with security cameras successively locking onto their figures. Kolev followed behind Yang Ming, the elderly man just wearing a jacket over his prison clothes and having switched to boots, was continuously persuading Yang Ming in a weak voice, Young first mate, Ive thought it over seriously, we should now think of a way to take over their control center, the control center! Instead of knowingly heading towards the tigers den! We need to go slower, Yang Ming said, That way, we can give the mastermind behind this some time to prepare, aged first mate. My dear deceitful man! Youre their inside mole, arent you? Kolev glared at Yang Mings back, Ahead is the landing pad, there will definitely be several powerful mechanical guards waiting to shoot us down, we cant engage the mechanical guards, we need to find those easy-to-knock-down guards who are drowsy right now. Keep your voice down! yelled Yang Ming. If you dont follow their script, they will definitely sound the alarm! Their script is to have us die on the number six landing pad! Kolev argued vehemently. We can only find opportunities within seeming desperate situations! But this is Shush! Yang Ming made a crouching gesture, and both of them crouched down at the same time. Peering through the small window in the corridor, Yang Ming quietly observed the landing pad. Did you notice? Yang Ming asked, The two cameras above us are turned off. Oh yes, Kolev whispered, They have been monitoring us all along but chose not to here, there must be an ambush ahead. The size of the landing pad was comparable to a football field, and a two-person small spacecraft was silently parked there, seemingly without anything unusual. The cameras positioned around the landing pad were also off. Yang Ming thought briefly. If this was a trap, then their entire journey from the cell here was under surveillance, which could already prove their crime of escape; leaving video in the execution ground would actually make it easy to expose flaws. Theres definitely an ambush ahead; we should think of a way to attack the control center, the old man muttered under his breath. Yang Ming smiled and said, First mate, can you analyze it using your vast experience? Analyze what? Currently, three factions have their sights set on me. The only thing I can confirm is that one faction wants me alive; the goals of the other two factions are unclear. Yang Ming asked, Under these circumstances, what are the chances this escape will allow us to leave safely? Zero. Kolevs beard trembled as he said, Trust me, its absolutely zero. Alright, Yang Ming said, You stay here later on, its temporarily safe, okay? We need a plan! We need a plan! I wont go on a suicide mission with you! Dont worry, Im confident. Before Kolev could speak again, Yang Ming had already darted away in a crouch. He moved as agilely as a black cat, heading straight for the spacecraft at the center of the landing pad. Oh, crap! Kolev hadnt expected the young man to suddenly run. Just as the old man was about to stand up, a bright light from a laser gun firing appeared in the corner; a trace of red light flashed around the young man who was now sprawling on the ground. Kolev quickly crouched down, breathing rapidly and furrowing his brows deeply. This interesting young man had paid the price for his recklessness, plunging them both into desperate straits, which was really Wait, something wasnt quite right? As Kolev was about to sneak away, he continued watching through the narrow window, focusing intently on Yang Ming. Several mechanical guards emerged from the corner, followed by two balding old men. The warden Gulipa, leaning on a civilized cane; And the always humble and nodding Bailin following beside him. Kolev couldnt hear what they were saying, but Warden Gulipa had already looked towards the small window, and the two mechanical guards turned and walked in Kolevs direction. Kolev frowned, knowing that this matter had already been messed up by the man in front, but his chances of winning were slim anyway; it couldnt entirely be blamed on the young man, it was just that the warden was too cunning. At this moment Kolev did not move his feet, quietly waiting for the mechanical guards to approach, still watching Yang Ming. Kolevs premonitions were growing stronger. Something might happen next No, something definitely would happen next! Suddenly! The lying Yang Ming almost flew up sideways, his fists and feet smashing simultaneously into the two mechanical guards beside him! Two mechanical heads coated with blue paint were thrown into the air. What strong muscular strength! What incredible body coordination! Kolev stared at the scene, his mouth agape, unable to close it for a moment. Not just Kolev, both Gulipa and Bailin were also greatly astonished; Gulipa hadnt even managed to draw his gun, and four mechanical guards had already lost their ability to move, their heads smashed directly! An iron-grip like hand grabbed Warden Gulipas throat and lifted him straight up. Yang Ming had not a single scratch on his forehead and was now calmly gazing at Gulipa, his left hand pressing towards his jacket pocket was gently pinched by Yang Mings other hand. Chapter 25 - Chapter 25: 017 Behind the Scenes Mastermind_2 Chapter 25: 017 Behind the Scenes Mastermind_2 ` There was an emergency alarm in his pocket, which Yang Ming pulled out before anyone else, giving Gulipa a quick once-over; the latter, along with the trembling old Bailin, raised their hands quiveringly. This how is this possible Gulipa managed to growl with difficulty. Haha! Hahaha! This is a miracle! Kolev burst out excitedly, dancing around, completely at a loss for the right words. Yang Ming paid no attention to the crazy old man. He threw the alarm over, yanked the gold-etched pistol from Gulipas bosom, threw the warden to the ground, stepped on his chest, and pressed the gun against old Bailins forehead. Tell me what I want to know, Yang Ming said, Ten seconds, speak and you may live, ten, nine, eight, seven Old Bailin called out tremblingly, It was Chief Gulipas plan, I know nothing! Right after you first spoke to me, Gulipa suddenly came to see me and told me to cooperate in assassinating you and Kolev! Whoosh! The gun, lacking a biometric lock, fired a ray; old Bailins forehead sported a bloody hole, and his corpse slumped to the ground. Without intelligence, you have no value. Yang Ming murmured softly, looking down at Gulipa. By his side, Kolevs gaze on Yang Ming undergoes a subtle change. The wardens elegance was gone, his eyes reflecting the charred blood hole atop old Bailins head. Six, five, four Yang Mings voice sounded like midnight church bells tolling. Oh, please no! Hanton! I have information! Gulipa cried out with a trembling voice, To eliminate you, was, was an order from the New Federation Intelligence Bureau. They didnt want you to testify again, and orchestrating the escape was their idea. Yang Ming asked, Why involve this Kolev? Kolev is someone gave me an offer I couldnt refuse, to have Kolev dead in prison soon. I figured Id lump you two together, that way I could also sling mud at the Sherman Empire their soldiers working with the infamous pirates Yang Ming frowned, Your purpose in killing me was to sling mud at the Sherman Empire? Oh? Kolev furrowed his brow even more, I became the dirty kick to cast aspersions on this young man? Gulipas voice continued to tremble, the foot on his chest nearly suffocating him, Yes, thats right, Ive told you everything, please dont kill me, I can help you both escape! I beg you, Lord Hanton! Who wants Kolev dead? Yang Ming asked softly. Kolev shrugged beside him, I have countless enemies. Gulipas Adams apple bobbed, whispering, Im not sure, someone reached out to me they always find me. Seemingly a common occurrence in such dealings. Warden, youve switched off the surveillance in this area? And you arent carrying any hidden communication devices, are you? Yang Ming asked with a smirk. Gulipa hurriedly replied, Yes, after all, this isnt exactly an honorable job, spare me, Ill escort you out immediately. Yang Mings mouth twitched slightly, Hypocritical Federation. Whoosh! Gulipas head burst open, his bulging eyes filled with resentment. Kolev frowned, Hey, didnt you say whoever speaks gets to live? Why adhere to principles with an enemy? Yang Ming replied calmly. Kolev blinked, then shrugged and chuckled lightly, crouching down with Yang Ming. ` Yang Ming crouched down and searched, pulling out a wallet from Gulipa. After rifling through it for a while, he found nothing valuablejust a few unusable cards. Kolev found a square glass device on Gulipathe personal network terminal. The pirate leader began his performance. First, he fumbled in his bushy beard and pulled out a metal whisker, then stuck it onto the glass. Next, he plucked two false teeth from his mouth, inside which hid several tiny discs, which he then attached to the metal whisker. The square glass lit up automatically, displaying a simple user interface. A hint of surprise flickered in Yang Mings eyes. The tools of the trade must always be carried with you, especially since the Human Councils influence means they hardly ever conduct thorough searches on prisoners. Kolev shrugged his shoulders as his fingers moved quickly over the device, and he couldnt resist exclaiming in admiration. Fantastic, Gulipas terminal has powerful capabilities and is even connected to the control room. This will make things much easier. Ill implant a virus for them first. Oh, this prison uses the same control system as its predecessorthe transport ship. Taking over a spaceship is like eating at home for me, but we must wait for the right moment. Yang Ming asked, Can we use this craft to leave? Kolev immediately shook his head, Military stuff usually has remote control backdoors, and with our method, we couldnt break through Cole Ports protective shield. Gulipas terminal can only hack this prison internally; there are many firewalls outside. Yang Ming nodded; the old pirate really knew his stuff. Youre a cyborg, arent you? One of the powerful genetically modified cyborgs of the Sherman Empire? Kolevs eyes gleamed as he asked, Ive never seen a soldier take down four mechanical guards with bare hands! Yang Ming had already stripped off Gulipas clothes, throwing them along with the wallet to Kolev. Can you contact your daughter now, First Mate Kolev? I need to get to their control room, First Mate Hanton! Kolev replied defiantly: We need a ship that can escape pursuit, one equipped with a jump drive. We can find our way out of this prison and hide in Cole Port first. Then, Ill contact my ship to jump here; it should take about four hours! Four hours? Yang Ming rubbed his forehead. That was way too long. Indeed, at least three hours, Kolev said quickly. A plan has already formed in my head. We need a mutiny to buy some time, using the prison riot to draw the attention of Cole Ports defense forces. Young First Mate, we need you to take out a few more guards for me. We have to take control of the main control room on the fourth floor. Once we control that, I can handle the rest. Youve proven your strength; now its time for me as the captain to prove my worth! Yang Ming was about to correct Kolevs use of titles when Kolev added: Right, First Mate, we also need to destroy all the video recording devices here. If your identity can remain a secret, that will be an ace card. I can hardly wait to see you roam the stars unrestrained! Yang Ming glanced at Kolev, Youll keep my secret, wont you, First Mate? It was strange; showing just a bit of his strength couldnt subdue this old guy. Of course, Kolevs voice trembled with excitement, youll become a legendary pirate! And one brought up by me! Hahaha! Lets make a big splash! Oh, right First Mate, I havent asked yet, whats your name? You can call me Captain Hanton. That name is too common. Yang Ming. Alright, First Mate Hanton. The little old man casually donned Gulipas tailcoat and picked up the walking stick, looking quite the part. Its time to get up, kiddos. Chapter 26 - Chapter 26: 018 Riot, Flying Car, Positioning Device Chapter 26: 018 Riot, Flying Car, Positioning Device ` Lina was a bit agitated now. It was four in the morning Milky Way Universal Time, and she was unable to sleep due to the stream of incoming information. A riot broke out at Cole Port Prison in the middle of the night. The riot erupted two hours ago. The main control room on the lower three floors inexplicably lost power, the cell doors in various areas were opened directly, and the group of villains imprisoned at the lowest level broke free and easily seized the guards weapons. Now, these villains were in a face-off with the Peace Guard rushing over, with explosions echoing throughout half of Cole Port. Linas terminal kept popping up new images taken by her subordinates of the villains, complete with detailed annotations. What relieved Lina was that Yang Ming was not currently seen in these photos. The mastermind of the riot was Kolev, a somewhat notorious pirate leader who had been active for many years. These damned pirates, why are they causing trouble at this time? Is Hanton also involved? Lina rubbed her temples. Staying up tonight would age her skin by three months! Lina confirmed that three forces had now set their eyes on HantonSherman Empires Military Intelligence Bureau, New Federation Third Investigation Bureau, and her true employer. Only she knew Hantons true worth. [Hanton is the sole success of the Imperial Martial God Plan.] Whats more rare was that Hanton was incredibly stable, and if he didnt fight, he was just like a normal person. Various detection devices would only find his body temperature slightly elevated, with no other abnormalities. This biotechnological modification was almost an epoch-making achievement! Lina had already made comprehensive arrangements. Once the escort fleet of her side arrived in the space near Cole Port, she could use the covert network there to forcibly bring Hanton back. As long as they returned to the territory of the Guel Alliance, all problems would cease to be problems. To stabilize Hanton, she was entirely willing to offer her beautiful body, which she had cherished for over thirty years, and it wouldnt be a losing trade. But now, things suddenly changed. These damned pirates! Thud, thud, thud! The hotel room door was knocked, and a projection popped up in front of Lina, showing three men and three women outside. Lina rushed to the door barefoot, let her subordinates in, quickly closed the door, and activated the jamming devices. Hows it going? Lina asked calmly. Boss, we cant determine whats happening specifically inside Cole Port Prison. Theyve cut off all networked equipment. These rebels behaved very professionally, with efficiency higher than our special forces. We scanned with detection equipment; theres no large-scale casualties inside the prison. The guards seem to have quickly lost their fighting capacity. Based on our speculation, they were knocked out with hypnotic gas. Linas gaze became sharp: Are you sure? Yes, the guards are now all being held in the cells on the sixth floor, with very few casualties. Almost all have life signs. Damn it! A wave of helplessness swept over Lina. She could only keep herself as calm as possible. If everything was as she speculatedHanton had faced off against the Valkyrie and survivedHanton handling this loosely disciplined medium-sized prison would be no difficulty at all. The only uncertain thing now was whether Hantons transformed identity had been exposed. She didnt dare to gamble. Boss, is something wrong? Nothing. Lina didnt mention Hanton to her intelligence officers; this was the only way to prevent Hanton from being exposed. Now, she had to make a decision. Start the plan ahead of schedule. Linas pretty face was filled with determination: At all costs, get our fleet to the space near Cole Port as soon as possible. Remember, at all costs! Even if there are personnel sacrifices to follow! Mobilize all our hidden contacts here! Yes, boss! The six swiftly left. Lina rushed back to her suites bedroom, her slim yet substantial body leaning over the bedside. She took a palm-sized screen and a button-sized host, turned on the screen, and quickly tapped the code. Soon, the ant-nest like complex three-dimensional map of Cole Port filled the entire screen. Lina quickly input a few commands, and a pale green cursor appeared at the location of Cole Port Prison. As the map zoomed in, Lina soon noticed that the cursor had already reached the edge of the prison, quickly crossing the prisons boundary line. He was out! Hanton had almost effortlessly left the prison! How did he do that? Lina immediately grabbed a communication device. She couldnt let Hanton escape her control. Woohoo! A hovering pickup truck emitting blue light sped forward along the empty metallic street. In the passenger seat, Kolev, wearing black leather pants and a jacket with a black bandana wrapped around his head, had a wrinkled face full of excitement, letting out strange cries continuously. At the drivers seat was Yang Ming, figuring out how to drive a hover vehicle, frowning at the old man. He was a bit worried about the old pirates mental state, as well as his cardiovascular capacity. The two had come to respect each other. During the takeover of the prison, Yang Ming had displayed a small part of his individual strength, while Kolev had shown his excellent pirate business skills and his ability to incite and organize prisoners. Now the battlefield was left to the overly excited prisoners. They had discreetly changed into relatively normal attire, and using the pickup truck equipped in the prison kitchen, they successfully slipped out. This was also part of Kolevs plan. The hover pickup had a biometric device, but Kolev easily hacked into its system. We should have some music! Kolev fiddled with the central control panel, laughing: This is just great! We actually managed to take over that prison, Vice-Captain Hanton! With your strength and my brains, we could become the most powerful pirates in the Milky Way! Oh, why am I already old! Its not fair! The old man suddenly became sad. Yang Ming chuckled: I didnt come to this world to be a pirate, Deputy Kolev. Oh? Do you have a dream? A dream ? Two paths emerged in Yang Mings heart, one leading to the unknown Mink Port, the other to the known city of Intelligent Mechanic Dusk. I want a ship that can jump, to set sail alone and explore the mysteries of the universe and the boundaries of the galaxy. Cool! Kolev shrugged. But isnt that just being a pirate? I dont want to plunder the weak. Were all about robbing the rich and not the poor, Kolev vaguely explained, Of course, there are some exceptions now and then, its unavoidableyou knowthis line of work has many real scoundrels without a sense of awe. Yang Ming smiled without speaking. Just after merging into the traffic, a large number of police cars descended from the sky, blocking all routes from the prison direction. Watching the police cars with flashing orange lights in the rearview mirror, Yang Ming controlled the speed and followed the traffic into a safer area. How long until your people arrive? Yang Ming asked. Theyve completed their jump, but the nearest jump point is still some distance from Cole Port, probably about an hour left. We can meet them halfway. Kolev looked at his watch projecting a 3D screen, saying with pride: Looks like these guys do care about this old buzzard. Perhaps theyll arrive at the predetermined airspace before us, and until then, things will keep boiling over at the prison. Dont worry, the Peace Guard doesnt have much combat strength, and the Human Council wont allow indiscriminate use of heavy firepower. What we need to do now is get a sightseeing spaceship. Do all old people ramble like this? Yang Ming asked, Do they have a port entry permit? Were star pirates! Pirates, my dear Deputy! Kolev laughed exaggeratedly, Of course well leave like pirates! Yang Ming was about to ask more when his eyelids twitched slightly, and he abruptly turned to look to the side. A hover car slammed directly into them as if out of control! His enhanced nerve reaction speed came in handy again. Almost instantly, Yang Ming completed a series of operations, navigating the slightly unresponsive pickup through gaps in the traffic. Chaos ensued behind them, and alarms sounded immediately throughout the area, with drones patrolling nearby quickly arriving. Several hover cars rushed in from both sides, seeming to want to surround and force Yang Ming to stop. Oh, oh! Kolev grinned, revealing several yellow teeth. Looking for you? Fasten your seatbelt. Yang Ming calmly pushed the gear to the top, both hands on the steering wheel. A hover car, after all, was still a car. And he was a holder of a C1 manual license! Yang Ming gripped the rectangular steering wheel firmly, floored the pedal, and the hover vehicle even performed two aerial flips, shooting straight into the high-speed lane. Due to dangerous driving, fleets of police drones came speeding, blaring ear-piercing sirens. In front and back, a dozen different-brand hover cars targeted the pickup, trying to force it out of the fast lane. It was a perilous situation. Yang Ming was wary of using too much force and ripping off the steering wheel. His breathing grew somewhat hurried. Kolev was laughing heartily, clearly at his excitement peak, but didnt forget to manipulate the two networked terminals on hand, constantly searching for the drones signal frequency. Half an hour later. The battered pickup hovered on a shadowy metallic bridge. Moments before, Yang Ming had carried Kolev on his shoulders, sped through the dark alleys near Cole Ports red-light district, and soon lost the following group of men and women, likely from some nations intelligence organization. And now, the two of them were crouched behind a trash bin, warily observing their surroundings. They stick like glue! Kolev complained. I might have a tracker on me, Yang Ming said softly, something I swallowed. He recalled the medicine Lina had given him. Kolev frowned, Oh, Deputy, you should have said earlier; I need to get you an aluminum isolation suit or a signal jammer. Yang Ming looked around the narrow, cramped alley and the men and women leaning against the street. In the human rights-respecting Cole Port, prostitution was legal and unrestricted by gender. They were silent for a while, almost speaking at once. Yang Ming: Follow my lead next. Kolev: Next, youll have to follow mine, young Deputy. It seems, Yang Ming was a bit exasperated, we still cant persuade each other. Your combat ability lets you be unrivaled in the prison, but whats next relies on the ship, relies here. The old man tapped his head, smiling smugly: For the starry sky, youre still a rookie; you need to keep learning, Hanton. Yang Ming was silent for a moment. Kolev was squinting with a smile, unconcerned about Yang Ming refusing, as the initiative was now with this great pirate who also understood this powerful transformed persons desires Hanton? A soft voice suddenly called. Yang Ming immediately reached for the laser pistol in his coat, while Kolev quickly hid behind Yang Ming, alertly looking in the direction of the voice. At the front alleys entrance, a beautiful woman with her hair simply tied back peeked over, surprise all over her palm-sized delicate face. It was Doctor Lina. Hanton, youre here! I heard there was a riot at the prison and was going to check it out! Thank God, quickly, come with me! Kolev immediately tugged at Yang Mings arm, cautioning him to be careful. Yang Ming, however, turned around and grasped Kolevs wrist, leaping up eagerly. Vice-Captain Hanton, who is she? Kolev asked warily. Yang Ming chuckled, The spy who put a tracking device in me; shell get us out! Dont worry, Deputy Kolev. At the sound of these two conversing openly, Lina was clearly taken aback. Shewas exposed? ` Chapter 27 - Chapter 27: 019 Beauty and Headbutt Chapter 27: 019 Beauty and Headbutt On the high-end hovercar slowly heading towards Space Port No. 2. Lina, a top Intelligence Officer from the Guel Alliance, was pondering a question that she could somewhat not comprehend. Does genetic modification also modify the brain? When had Hanton become so intelligent? Lina had been undercover on Kigrovs ship for nine months, observing various senior crewmembers. Third Officer Hanton was a genuine Empire serviceman, indoctrinated since childhood by the Sherman Empires brainwashing education. Simply put, he was a dull yet upright Empire serviceman. But now, Hanton had actually seen through her real identity during the two monitoring visits! He even detected that she had mixed a nano-tracking device in the gene stabilization solution! In the past few minutes, while Hanton and this notorious old pirate were continuously squabbling, Lina felt that Hantons personality, insight, and manner of speaking were completely different from the Empire serviceman she knew. Kigrovs genetic modifications were too unbelievable. Regrettably, that research ship had already been annihilated by antimatter. Because of this, Lina felt she must get Hanton, by any means necessary! Lina looked down at the small vest binding her hands and turned to look at Hanton, who was nimbly changing clothes, revealing a charming smile, as if she were not in captivity. Hanton Dont worry, Doctor, you saved me once, I wont really hurt you. Yang Ming was arranging his deep blue maintenance uniform, donning a matching cap. Is Doctor Lina from the Guel Alliance or the Free Federation? Why cant it be the New Federation? Lina asked with a smile. Because the people from the New Federation want to get rid of me, Yang Ming laughed, They dont want me to speak again at court; they want to confirm Professor Kigrovs guilt and then condemn the Sherman Empire. For this, they plan to lure me into escaping prison to eliminate me. Lina suddenly realized, So you started a revolt? It was my first officer! Yang Ming patted the shoulder of the small old man in the front seat: This loyal old buddy of mine started the revolt, easily persuading a group of prisoners to overlook the fact that the prison had no heavy firepower. Oh, Hanton, Kolev patiently persuaded, I will give you this respect in front of your woman, but we must still clear up our relationship; a ship can only have one captain! Yang Ming laughed, Are you challenging me to a duel? Damn, who wants to duel with a monstrous warrior like you! Oh right, we could compare intellects. Yang Ming no longer entertained the old man but instead focused on Linas heaving, snowy chest. I have no secrets from you, yet I do not know you, Yang Ming spoke very gently, This seems somewhat unfair. Come back with me, Hanton, I can ensure your safety and a stable and cozy environment. I will fulfill any of your requests. Lina made herself appear as sincere as possible: Voluntarily revealing ones identity is the most unprofessional conduct in our line of work. Yes, my name is fake, my identity is fake, but my desire to help you is real. Hanton, our connection is not just about life and death; we can understand each other. Only I can understand you. The driver, Kolev, could not help but interject, Obviously, Hanton, I can too. Help me? Yang Ming relaxed back into the seat, Are you after my handsome charm, or my lasting impressiveness? Linas smile stiffened slightly, Hanton, your words are somewhat crude you were not like this before Yes, Yang Ming cocked his mouth slightly, Ever since the Empire decided to abandon me, letting me spend twenty years in prison, I realized my past life was simply awful. We should live for ourselves, we only can live for ourselves, right? Lina gently bit her lip. She had to admit, the current Hanton was more charismatic. Well reach the port in five minutes, Kolev laughed, you two still have time for one or two deep exchanges. Enough, Kolev, Yang Ming cursed, hurry up and find a small spacecraft! Kolev laughed heartily, switched the hovercar to autopilot, and then grabbed a block of glass obtained from Chief Gulipa, hunching over it to get busy. Hanton, Linas voice became exceedingly gentle, I will never forget that you saved me. We encouraged and supported each other on that small ship, we had a brief yet warm time together, Hanton Doctor, Yang Ming frowned at her. Lina knew where her advantage lay, and at this moment unabashedly fixated her eyes on Yang Ming, her gaze brimming with undisguised longing, gradually moving closer to him. Yang Ming did not refuse, bowing his head to savor this moments kiss. The old man in the drivers seat slid down his body to avoid disturbing the young couple. Who hasnt been young? Just as Kolev was considering whether to slow down the speed or find a place to stop, he heard murmurs coming from the back seat. Hanton, can you stay? Just for me Do you know self-treatment for concussions, Lina? Huh? What? Bang! Kolev couldnt help but widen his eyes. Amid the crisp sound of impact, the beauty with bound hands rolled her eyes and fell backwards, her forehead immediately showing a bloody mark; while the perpetrator, at this moment, was placing his finger on the beautys neck, seemingly confirming whether she was still alive. Oh! Hanton! Kolev whispered lowly, Youre too rough! Yang Ming smiled calmly. Lina and her high-end hovercar were parked in a multi-story parking garage. When Yang Ming left, he considerately left two slits open in the car window for ventilation, even though he knew her accomplices would probably come looking for her soon. Kolev swiped his finger on the glass panel he held, and an onsite sightseeing car drove up to them. It took them straight to the hangar. Kolev acted every bit the part of a small-time maintenance team leader. On the old mans face, Yang Ming saw no signs of nervousness, only confidence and composure. Dont avoid anyones gaze, Hanton, Kolev whispered. The fake identities weve assumed are already in their system, and theres a high turnover of people at this type of port. Were just two dockworkers attached to the ship, and with the ongoing riot out there, they wont be capable of checking, so no one will question our identities. Yang Ming nodded subtly. Most of the port workers they encountered gave them friendly smiles, and the hangar, filled with numerous tugboats and maintenance ships, was lax in its security. Indeed, the civilian port was nothing like the fortified military ports from Hantons memory, which were guarded at every turn. Taking advantage of a few port guards chatting at the gate, Kolev and Yang Ming had already picked out an expensive maintenance craft, hacked into its system, started the hover mode, and nonchalantly passed by these few guards. A guard looked up, and Kolev flashed a friendly smile, flicking his index and middle fingers beside the corner of his brow, giving the guard a suggestive wink. Take care! shouted the guard. Yang Ming sported a weird expression. How many spaceships had this old man stolen in his lifetime? He was just too skilled! If Kolev hadnt become a pirate, he could have easily been a high-level programmer with a handsome salary. Kolev hummed an indistinct tune, and under Yang Mings gaze, expertly activated panel after panel, illuminating symbols that Yang Ming could not understand. The spaceship surged steadily towards the exit tunnel of the Space Port. Cole Port could be simply divided into two partsmain and peripheral. The periphery of Cole Port was essentially a series of deep-space stations responsible for maintaining and supplying ships that didnt dock. The main part was enveloped in a protective shield, creating a stable ecological environment simulated after a planet. The energy shield surrounding the main body of Cole Port couldnt be opened or closed at will. To facilitate civilian travel, the civilian spaceport was also located within the protective shield. Ships had to pass through a series of segmented tunnels, like ship locks, to leave the simulated atmosphere. The maintenance craft left the simulated gravity zone, and Yang Ming enjoyed the bizarre sensation of his buttocks barely lifting from the seat. It was an experience impossible to replicate with the usual holographic gaming devices. Were lucky not to have to queue this time, chuckled Kolev. However, our ship has no leave permit; the moment we exit this tunnel, it will trigger an alarm, so please fasten your seatbelt. Kolevs smile gradually faded, and his eyes narrowed into a straight line. The maintenance craft started accelerating. Layer upon layer of light film in the tunnel opened and closed continuously; the command tower had noticed this unscheduled vessel. Sizzle. The noise of electromagnetic interference accompanied the voice of command: Maintenance Craft B435AZyou dont have a flight plan scheduled are you mistaken? Kolev replied calmly, We just got a last-minute notification that we need to perform a checkup on a merchant ship. Is there a problem with the coordination? Oh, let me checkno background messagestrange, whats happening here? Anyway, you need to come back, this isnt following regulations. Regulations? Kolevs facial wrinkles trembled slightly, and his hands shoved the control levers fiercely. The maintenance ships rear thrusters blasted out long flames, making the craft surge forward at full speed. Kolev shouted, I am the regulation! B435AZ, what are you doing! My God! You dont have leave permission! Remote control! Remote control it! The backdoor for remote control has been closed! Were in trouble now! Whoosh! Accompanied by the chaotic noise from the intercom, the small maintenance craft burst out of the tunnel and shot into the deep starry sky. Alarms blasted painfully in the port. Outside patrol drones simultaneously turned direction, locking onto the maintenance craft and speeding to pursue. Kolev quickly set a coordinate and let the spaceship continue at full speed, pushing the long floating rudder towards Yang Ming. Drive it like you used to race cars. Ill handle the interference with these drones! Yang Ming nodded, somewhat apprehensively. After all, the driving interface in games never had so many buttons. Pushing forward is acceleration, right? Yang Ming asked. Oh, are you serious? Kolev looked at him incredulously. Yang Ming grimaced and pushed the control stick to its maximum range, suddenly unleashing a strong sensation of being pushed back. His intuition was indeed impressive. Outside the metallic kingdom of Cole Port, a small six-meter-long craft sped furiously, followed by a swarm of drones flashing their police lights. This outer space chase scene was imprinted onto a telescope lens. Behind the miniature projection screen connected to the telescope, Lina, covering the swollen area on her forehead and fighting the urge to vomit, clenched her teeth in frustration. She definitely had a concussion! She was now barely maintaining consciousness with medications and would need to take a leave for months for recovery! Boss! came a report from outside the car. Our two escort ships will soon reach the designated airspace! Have them lock onto that craft and capture them by all means possible! Linas voice grew louder, dizzy and nauseous for a moment, she couldnt help but mutter bitterly and furiously: Damn Hanton! Once I catch him, Im going to smash his head against the wall a hundred times! Chapter 28 - Chapter 28: 020 Frigate Number Three Chapter 28: 020 Frigate Number Three Woo-hoo! We shook them off! Kolev shouted excitedly, turning his head to look at the empty Star Domain behind them, his face brimming with pride. Those dozen or so drones started to circle and dance like headless flies. Yang Ming also breathed a sigh of relief. The sense of crisis that came with space travel could not be overcome by mere physical strength; just now, those dozen drones had activated their targeting systems and fired a volley of laser cannons at them. Their maintenance ship didnt have any energy shields, so dodging that barrage was all down to Yang Mings somewhat erratic piloting. Microgravity, playing around, imagination is the limit in the boundless sky. Kolev took over the square steering handle, and the ship sped towards the predetermined coordinates. Relax, Hanton, First Officer! Weve made it through the rough patch. In a few more minutes, youll see my beautiful, adorable daughter! Oh, but dont you get any ideas about herthis old man wont go easy on you. The more Kolev spoke, the less confident he sounded. The image of this guy here getting a wet kiss and then knocking the girl unconscious kept replaying in Kolevs mind. Kolev turned his head and looked at Yang Ming warily: You wont seduce her, will you? I need a straight answer. Of course not, Yang Ming spread his hands wide, Im a respectable man, I swear on the honor of the Empire. Kolev nodded, then felt something was not quite right. Yang Ming wasnt really interested in romantic affairs at the moment. Survival was the primary need. Kolev gave Yang Ming a few more suspicious glances: Ill take your word for it, my dear First Officer. With your physique and those shifty eyes, youre bound to be a hit with the ladies, but believe me, being a pirate isnt synonymous with promiscuity. Im rather conservative when it comes to my daughters upbringing. Yang Ming shrugged: I promise not to look at her too much, First Officer Kolev. Were partners, shes like my niece, and Id have to be less than human to lay a hand on my own niece. Oh, forgive me, Kolev laughed, Its just a fathers concern. Although I know shell need to find a partner someday, I just cant bear to let her go. She has the disposition to rely on the strong. Kolev, how long have you been at Cole Port Prison? Four years, about, Kolev shook his head, Although I was sort of detained on purpose. Its complicated. There was chaos at the time, and the Peace Guard showed up suddenly while we were purchasing some equipment Kolev stopped talking, a thoughtful look in his eyes. Yang Ming didnt push any further. A faint light appeared in the space ahead. They were like sailing on a sea that lacked substance, and that dim light was the beacon guiding their way. Look at that! Kolev laughed: The youngsters have noticed us. Lets wait and see if they can get in touch. Its also a test, you know. When were going to rob a merchant ship, the first thing we do is hack into their systems. Yang Ming could see the unconcealed pride and satisfaction on the old mans face. So, they waited two minutes as the small maintenance ship moved closer to the blinking lights. Oh, Kolevs face darkened, Whats so hard about it? Ive modified every ship myselfjust have to press a few buttons, in order, press a few buttons! Damn! Theyre dragging their feet! Szzzz A faint electromagnetic interference noise came from the ships control panel. Um, ahem, a sweet female voice suddenly came through, This is a New Federation investigation ship. We will conduct a security inspection of your vessel. Give me a break! Kolev cursed, Youre mighty efficient with your actions! Dad? The sweet voice was filled with surprise: Dad! Is that really you? Put down the Main Cannon, stop it! Dont target my dad! Dad, you actually really escaped! Noise from the other side included a mix of male and female voices, all rather mixed and seemingly not very young. Oh! Its Captain Kolev! I knew it! He would come back! No peaceful prison could hold him! Hahaha! I can finally have a drink in peace tonight! Yang Ming muttered: Kolev, can I ask you something? Of course. How old is your daughter now? Shes twenty, or twenty-one by the universal Galactic age system. So, that means when you were caught, er, willingly went to prison, your daughter was sixteen or seventeen? Yang Ming looked somewhat shocked. Yes, Kolev laughed, I know what youre worried about, but rest assured, my daughter is a true pirate. No one is more professional than her, no one! The radio brought his daughters somewhat hesitant voice: Dad, I may not be as outstanding as you think, I Who was just speaking? Kolev: My First Officer. Yang Ming: His captain. Kolev chuckled, This is my new partner, we havent decided yet who will lead the other. But rest assured, my daughter. Since Ive already given you the Black Dragon Pirate Group, I wont undermine your authority. I will become your most reliable consultant and will recruit new crew members in an unfamiliar Star Domain. Dad, lets talk when youre back, his daughters voice sounded somewhat guilty, I need to report some things to you, continue forward, Ill open the tail hatch for you. Kolev exchanged a glance with Yang Ming, both men smiling at the same time. Kolevs daughter indeed had a sweet voice. But he wasnt a simpleton like Hanton, how could Yang Ming let something as trivial as carnal matters affect his relationship with Kolev? Yang Ming tapped the small microphone on the screen in front of him to make it adhere to a red circle, so that Kolevs daughter couldnt hear their conversation temporarily. Uh, Kolev, could you get the genetic stabilization drug? Yang Ming asked. Kolev laughed with a tsk, Of course, in a pirate group there are always one or two warriors who use genetic modification to enhance themselves, or fit themselves with mechanical prosthetics to increase their combat effectiveness. One of my old friends turned himself into a mechanical octopus, with eight mechanical arms extending from his back, directly connected to his central nervous system. He can easily overpower strong corporate guards, such warriors are usually the aces of a pirate group Youre my ace too, First Mate Hanton, so dont worry about these little things. Kolev, my career plan is to be your captain. Yang Ming corrected him, then added: I need to change the gene stabilization drug sooner, this bottle has a tracking device. Dont worry too much about that, Kolev said, Nano-level tracking devices are of two types, active signal emission and passive reception, both have range limitations, the universe is boundless, after we make the jump, no one will find you. Youre very learned, Kolev. Just the basic literacy of a pirate. What did you do before becoming a pirate? Yang Ming leaned back in his chair to rest with his eyes closed, casually asking. Kolev sighed, A high-class locksmith. Then why did you become a pirate? One should pay attention to the atmosphere when inquiring about someones story, Hanton, Kolev gazed ahead at the starry sea, his murky old eyes filled with memories, If given the choice, who would want to be a wanted criminal Yang Ming watched the approaching pirate ship. It looked somewhat old and was covered in scars, like a wind-sailing ship from the last century suddenly seen during the era of steel battleships. The hundred-meter-long hull, the rudely stacked weaponry, all indicating its mediocre fighting capability. In about one or two minutes, they would complete docking. Kolev controlled the maintenance boat to continue decelerating, slowly narrating: When I was young, I too had the grandiose ideal of contributing a glimmer to my civilization, but ideals are just ideals. Greed, addiction, promiscuity, people around me were pursuing lowly pleasures, stripping away the pretenses of civilization to reveal their beastly nature, my first wife betrayed me like that Kolev! Yang Mings expression suddenly tensed up, his gaze fixed on the starboard side. Kolev: That day when I returned home, I came back early specifically to celebrate our first wedding anniversary, and I heard noises from the kitchen, those bestial grunts that I can never forget. Oh, I gave her everything I could, my wages, my credit, my circle of friends Kolev, you have to come here and see! Yang Mings voice was even more urgent. But Kolev was trapped in his painful memories, unable to extricate himself. Do you know what I saw? Oh, those two women, my first wife and my neighbor, clinging together like wild dogs. My wife betrayed me like that. I never thought that my first encounter with someone high on drugs would be with my unclothed wife and neighbor. At that moment, my na?ve world collapsed, do you understand Hanton, at that time I Oh, whats this? Yang Ming raised his hand to his forehead. Outside the right hull window, faint ripples appeared in space as if the void was brewing a visible tsunami. This was not a normal physical phenomenon. Jump traces! Those are short-range directional jump ripples! Kolev shouted out. No sooner had he spoken than the layers of ripples suddenly vanished, and a two-hundred-meter long silver-white battleship appeared silently in space. The subspace film wrapped around its sleek hull rapidly dissipated, and an exaggeratedly large high-energy ray Main Cannon aimed straight at the nearby pirate ship. Its a military ship! Thats a Firepower Ship of the Guel Alliance! Kolevs face turned instantly pale. Damn it, how can there be a military ship here? We cant outrun its Main Cannon range, oh! Heaven! You guys get away from there! Dad! Hurry up with your movements! His daughters voice came in panic, To think theres a military ambush here! Calm down, Kolev, theres a high chance Im the one who brought this upon you. Yang Ming pulled the square rudder over, his hands gripping tightly. But Kolev, since Ive made it out, I refuse to fall into their hands. I dont want to be locked in those transparent containers, immersed in unidentified nutrient fluids, spending the rest of my life with my own excrement. We must escape! And we will escape! This is insane Hanton, Kolev said in a low voice, We cant confront a regular armys ship, even if its just a two-hundred-meter class guard ship, thats not The old mans words stopped, he adjusted his breathing several times, turned his head to look at the cannon which seemed as though it had reached their necks, and the pirate ship that was locked in the military ships Main Cannon. Im old, Kolev said, but I havent lost the courage to challenge the strong. From now on, Ill follow your lead, Temporary Captain Hanton. Alright, Temporary First Mate Kolev! Accelerate! Chapter 29 - Chapter 29: 021 Jump! Jump! Chapter 29: 021 Jump! Jump! Yang Ming stared intently at the pirate ship directly ahead. He slightly adjusted the square rudder, pushing it to a slightly larger positionhe had to shorten the final few minutes of this voyage as much as possible. Yang Ming muttered quickly, Have your daughter prepare for the jump in advance. We need to burst in the moment before the jump completes, otherwise theres no need to drag them into this. Make sure we receive their surrender signal and establish communication. Ill try to hold them off. Kolev immediately began to look down and operate, reconnecting to his pirate ship via an encrypted channel. The old mans voice regained its calmness. Mimili, Im remotely controlling the ship now. A military ship has appeared; dont worry, they wont fire easily. Remember our old trick? Mimili? Which Mimili? His daughters name is Mimili? Yang Ming was suddenly shocked, but he couldnt afford to be distracted at this moment. Okay, Dad! Im not worried, Im actually quite excited! Mimilis voice trembled slightly. Give me authorization Yes, thats it. A three-dimensional projection appeared on the cube glass in Kolevs hands, depicting the hull of the pirate ship ahead. Sizzlethat was the sound of electromagnetic interference. A familiar female voice emerged from the maintenance ships central console. It was Lina! Hanton, I can forgive your impudence, but now you must come back with me, or Id rather destroy you. Is that so, Lina? Yang Ming turned his head to look toward the starboard side, pushing the square rudder forward once more; the intense pushback thrilled him slightly. I apologize for our intense physical clashes just now, but Lina, both of us know how miserable it would be if I went back with you. I just learned a phrase, Lina. Yang Ming gazed up at the pirate ship ahead. Above the pirate ship, on the left and right wings, and on the front deck, a deep blue halo appeared simultaneously, slowly covering the entire pirate ship in a thin film. Typically, such colored film indicated a low-level protective energy shield. It seemed the pirates were ready for battle. But when Yang Ming turned his head to look at Kolev, he saw a growing excitement in Kolevs eyes. Although Yang Ming didnt know the specifics, he understoodthe pirate ships protective shield was something significant. He now had to do his utmost to preserve this ship. Dont make me hate you, Lina. Dont harm the new friends I just met. Hanton, this pirate ship wont withstand a single strike from our main cannon. That level of protective shield is like a piece of paper, Lina said, You have no escape, Hanton. Didnt you just learn a phrase? We can talk face-to-face, and Ill hold your hand, forgiving your previous rashness. Yang Ming pondered for a moment. He saw the excitement in Kolevs eyes. With a hint from Kolevs gaze, Yang Ming steered the maintenance ship steadily, slowly turning it sideways to align with the gap opening in the rear of the pirate ship. The deep blue light film flowed towards the rear like water. Lina, I can come back with you. Yang Ming spoke, But I need to help my old friend leave. Catching these space pirates means nothing to you, does it, Lina? Of course, Lina said softly, Ill let them go. This is an official promise. Now, please stop your maintenance craft and have the pirate ship disable its protective shield. Yang Ming adjusted the position of the small craft, his eyes filled with deep blue light. Only a little more than a hundred meters remained until the rear, but the maintenance ship had to slow down to avoid hitting the hull. Kolev kept twirling the glass panel in his hands. He calculated, ensuring the blue films spreading speed perfectly matched the forward sliding speed of the maintenance craft. Thirty meters. The outer hatch of the rear compartment on the pirate ship began to close in advance. Kolev signaled Yang Ming to move forward, and Yang Ming gently pushed the operating lever. A terrible silence fell inside the small craft. Yang Ming felt as though he could hear someones heartbeat. Hanton, Lina said, we will send a landing craft to take control of this pirate ship, but rest assured, as long as you cooperate, we wont harm them. Let them conserve some energy, this protective shield is utterly pointless. Is that so, Lina? Yang Ming murmured softly, Your lips are very sweet. I hope that wasnt our last intimate encounter. Lina seemed a bit embarrassed but quickly responded with gentle words, We can have a long time alone together, we wont disappoint each other, right, Hanton? Yes, Lina, I like kissing you. The maintenance craft slid into the gap of the rear compartment. The deep blue light film quietly sealed two seconds later. The outer hatch of the rear compartment closed five seconds later. Due to its slightly high speed, the maintenance ship was pressed by Yang Ming using the square rudder against the thickened deck of the rear compartment, causing sparks to fly as it scraped against the hull. Suddenly! Buzz The light around the pirate ship slightly distorted; a lens effect caused arc-shaped starlight to appear around its exterior! Thats subspace coating! In the bridge of the Side Guard Three vessel, several officers stared at the scene in front of them, immediately shouting at Lina on the side projection screen: Thats not a protective shield, its a jump coating! Theyve activated subspace! Damn, how did they do that, mimicking the energy fluctuations of a protective shield! What? Lina was somewhat taken aback. Stop them! Side Cannon Three is fully charged! Side Cannon Four is fully charged! Commander, can we shoot them down? Please make a decision! The enemy will initiate the jump in twenty-five seconds. Shock quickly vanished from Linas eyes. Her image appeared on the bridge projection screen of Side Guard Three; And the projection screen in front of Lina split into two parts, one locked onto the pirate ship with Yang Ming, the other showing the inside of the bridge. Twenty seconds! The technician turned his head and yelled. Voices on the bridge became chaotic, then quickly fell silent as everyones eyes converged on Linas projection. In the back seat of the hovercar, Lina was already clutching her hands tightly. Fifteen-second countdown! The enemy is about to open the jump channel! Captain! Lina, do you still want to hear that phrase? Yang Mings voice suddenly rose, but the subspace membrane had disrupted the communication, making his deliberately slowed voice sound a bit deep and hoarse: A beast that has tasted freedom cannot willingly walk into its own grave. Captain! Lina was almost breathless; several thoughts flashed through her mind rapidly. Kigrovs technology, the sole significant result of the Valkyrie Plan, her own nine months of undercover accomplishments And yet, her mind was filled with the image of that kiss with the transformed man The enemy has opened the channel! On the screen, the nearly disintegrating pirate ship flickered slightly. Attack! Lina immediately shouted. Side Guard Threes side cannons fired deep purple rays. The pirate ship flickered suddenly! The purple rays skimmed past the pirate ship but only hit a slight shimmer of light. The starry space in front of them returned to normal, and the lens effect on the edge of the subspace disappeared. Lina slumped into her seat, feeling waves of dizziness assault her once again, her irregular breathing moving her chest. In that moment, Lina thought of the Kigrov that Hanton had spoken of. Yes, she too felt hesitation and timidity. Just like Kigrov facing the Valkyrie. Can you pinpoint their landing site? Lina asked in a trembling voice. Unable to track for now, its a long-distance jump. Pirates always have some jump points we dont know about, the captain of Side Guard Three said, Cole Port Peace Guard has sent us an inquiry. Our ship has appeared in a restricted zoneyou shouldnt have hesitated, Lina, level one intelligence officer. I will recount the whole process honestly to your superiors. Um, I know. Thanks for your cooperation. Lina nodded calmly and didnt say much else. After intense vibrations often came severe gasping. Yang Ming was relatively fine; during the dozen seconds of the jump, he barely felt a faint tearing sensation. The pirate ships jump experience was nothing compared to the comfortable Human Council survey ship. But Yang Ming turned to see Kolev and was startled. The old man was gasping heavily, his eyes bloodshot and face turning dark, his body trembling continuously. Yang Ming immediately realized something and placed his palm on the old mans chest, gently patting it, causing the old man to start vomiting violently. Soon after, Kolev slumped into the seat, and Yang Ming turned on this maintenance boats air purification system. Indeed, the air of freedom was filled with the stench of vomit. The tail cabin began slowly pressurizing, the air outside still very thin. Yang Ming didnt dare venture out hastily and started examining the overly spacious tail cabin. The old man beside him swore a few interspace curses, then burst into loud laughter. We survived! Haha! Hanton! Yang Ming squinted smilingly. The feeling of escaping death was quite pleasant. Relax, were temporarily safe, Kolev collapsed in the drivers seat, Why were you so sure your darling Lina would hesitate? Frontline intelligence officers like her are strictly trained personnel. If I cant have it, then no one canthats always been their principle. Yang Ming carefreely said, Thats confidence in my kissing skills. Cut it out! Kolev rolled his eyes. Yang Mings eyebrows twitched slightly: Was everything you said earlier true? About your first wife and her lesbian best friend? Oh, Kolev looked regretful, I always talk too much when Im old, and I cant believe I told you everything! Yes, but worry not, I was still kind at the time. What happened after? I left that city. After taking them to the hospital and contacting the local police, I intended to return to my homelanda livable Resource Star full of Dunes, I needed a place to lick my wounds. Kolev sighed, But on my way back, I encountered pirates and became their captive. Because of my advanced technician certification, they took me back to work as a technical worker, and step by step, I became a professional pirate. Yang Ming nodded. What about your story? Kolev asked, Deputy Hanton, we are friends now. Its your turn to share. Yang Ming pointed to a cabin door that was opening nearby. Kolev chuckled, Hurry up, or I wont let you off easily. Its my territory now! I am an officer from the Sherman Empire. Yang Ming took an interested look at the few elderly people who came running toward them, appearing about the same age as Kolev. That made sense; after all, Kolev was an old pirate, his pirate group having a few elderly members was quite normal. Yang Ming continued, I previously worked on a vile genetic modification research ship, responsible for firefighting. Later, an accident occurred. The research ship exploded due to the rebellion of the Transformed Bodies, and I barely escaped. I underwent basic enhancement modifications and could suppress those half-finished transformed people when necessary. Several middle-aged men and women appeared behind those elderly individuals, their expressions filled with respect. What happened next? Kolev unbuckled his seatbelt and started operating the maintenance boats scissor door. Yang Mings eyes suddenly sparkled. He saw the young girl rushing out, her beautiful face and hot figure drawing out a knowing smile on his face. But as the features of the girl overlapped with scenes from his memory, Yang Mings expression gradually turned into surprise and disbelief. He recognized this beautiful face! He had seen her more than once in Abyss. Praise the Ancient Gods Kolevs daughter was actually this Mimili! Chapter 30 - Chapter 30: 022 Mimili Chapter 30: 022 Mimili Hey! Kolev shouted angrily, You are staring blankly! You scoundrel! Her father is still here! Your daughter is called Mimili? I didnt realize it just now. Yang Ming murmured with shining eyes. The old man lunged forward and grabbed Yang Ming by the neck, Dont you dare think those dirty thoughts about her! Yang Ming allowed Kolev to hold his neck, the other man not exerting much force, or perhaps he exerted force but Yang Ming couldnt feel it at all. A wise gentleman naturally should not stare too intently at a lady. Yang Ming calmly withdrew his gaze, and only then did Kolev let go, raising his eyebrows triumphantly and jumping down with a laugh. Yang Ming continued to unabashedly admire the beauty. Mimilis wine-red hair seemed as if it had just been soaked in red wine, her skin fragile as if the Creators finest gift to mankind, especially her delicate face on her swan-like neck, the clever arrangement of her features surely delighting her birth mother. Her flawless forehead, slightly sunken eye sockets combined with a gently rising nose bridge gave a subtle sense of three-dimensionality; those gem-like light-colored eyes seemed always to be whispering to people. And her tall figure, perfectly showcased by an outfit of dungarees, a shirt, and knee-high boots. Kolev opened his arms. Mimili, several centimeters taller than him, ran to her father with a laugh, hugging him tightly, screaming excitedly. Screaming was more fitting for a pirate than crying. Yang Ming, hands tucked in the pockets of his repair suit, leaned against the front of the maintenance boat, soaking in the warmth of the father-daughter reunion, while also taking the opportunity to catch a few more glimpses of Mimilis captivating figure. She really is a beauty. Whats more precious is her youthful vigor that radiated from within, not artificially maintained on her face through various means. However, more than Mimilis beauty and vitality, Yang Ming was clearly more concerned about her other identity. More specifically, the identity Mimili possessed thirty Galaxy Years later, in Abyss. She was one of the most notorious antagonist characters among players in the 60~70 level range. Her beauty and fiery figure had secured her a spot in the top twenty of the characters players most wanted to date for two consecutive years. The Black Wind Pirate Group she led, with dozens of large and small combat ships, brazenly based in a small country, was one of the few legendary pirate groups in history capable of directly challenging and retreating unscathed from major nations regular armies. Mimili herself was consistently among the top ten on players bounty lists for years, a prime target for major military forces in the 60~70 stage; anybody whose mecha or combat ship landed a hit could become a millionaire overnight. But Mimili survived. Not only did she manage to escape several dangerous situations amid the relentless pursuit of player armies, causing heavy damage to their ranks and bringing several large corporations to the brink of bankruptcy; she also began campaigning for presidency in a medium-sized Galaxy state, receiving political asylum. Proud as a queen, yet with the ruthlessness of pirates; She was like a beautiful venomous snake, also like a rose with thorns, never once submissively getting cozy for any man. Yes, Yang Ming was completely certain, this young and beautiful girl before him was the future pirate queen! Star Widow, Mimili! Uh, hold on. Yang Ming raised his hand and rubbed his eyebrows. He truly loved this girls face and figure; But this nickname was it perhaps too demanding for her other half? And moreover, the pirate queen whose sexy photo shoots I used to collect, was actually an old lady in her fifties? Yang Mings expression became indescribable. Kolev only briefly embraced Mimili, then turned his attention to a few old people nearby. Oh, you guys are here! My old buddies! These old folks, hair graying but still sturdy, moved forward and hugged Kolev one by one, with two old grandmothers even tearing up, visibly emotional. Kolev looked behind and greeted the middle-aged men and women with a smile, then he frowned deeply. Where are the others? Kolev asked, Kimo, Guka, Ferina, Emily Oh, are they on other ships? There are no other ships, Dad. Mimili bit her lip, slightly at a loss and unable to meet Kolevs gaze directly. We were expelled by Kimo Im sorry, Dad, I lost your Black Dragon Pirate Group Kolevs expression darkened like still waters. The outer cabin quieted down. A few old people tried to explain something to help Mimili, but Kolevs reputation made them too scared to speak. No one knew what the old pirate Kolev thought about in the silent thirty seconds; he turned around, walked up to Mimili, and slapped his beautiful daughter sharply across the face. Slap! Yang Ming raised an eyebrow. Mimilis eyes brimmed with tears, her lips tightly pursed, her hands behind her back, saying nothing. As your captain, Kolev growled, just four years! You lost the seven ships I left for you! Over a thousand crew members! How useless do you have to be for everyone to abandon you! Kimo pretended to pursue me, I did not agree, Mimili said with a trembling voice, He continually spread rumors about me, and even tampered with the accounts, making me Enough! This is a lack of competence! Kolev roared, then closed his eyes and exhaled softly, opening his arms to hug Mimili, gently patting her back with his fist. As your father. Youve been wronged, Mimili, Dad will stand up for you, Dad will take care of all those who bullied you! There, my sweetheart! Ill introduce you to a new friend I just made, my age-defying friend, a strong and mature man, his name is Hanton. Yang Ming composed himself to look like a respectable elder, wearing an elegant smile. He extended his right hand to Mimili, who after glancing at Kolev, stepped forward and shook Yang Mings hand gracefully. Hello, Uncle Hanton. Yang Mings smile was somewhat stiff as he said, We should be about the same age. Mimili blinked her long eyelashes, and her cheeks were slightly flushed from the slap earlier, her eyes revealing a hint of curiosity. She naturally knew that it was hard to extract any compliments from her fathers strict mouth. Alright! Break it up! Kolev quickly slapped Yang Mings hand away and pulled Mimili behind him, full of vigilance as he said, Mimili, you better know this beforehand, this guy is very strong, and hes a playboy. When we came here, there was a woman nearly as beautiful as you pouring her heart out to him, guess what he did? Mimilis curiosity grew even stronger: What did he do? He knocked her out! Kolev cursed, Right after they were entangling tongues, he used his head to knock her out! Oh! Mimili was full of confusion. Yang Ming shrugged, Nothing is more important than freedom. She wanted to seduce me with her beauty, and Im not easily enchanted by mere beauty. Two old men and a middle-aged man joined Kolev, completely separating Yang Ming and Mimili. They began to speak in turn: Kid, what are your achievements? To join our New Black Dragon Pirate Group, you must go through a rigorous assessment! For instance, I once killed two military officers, officers of the New Federation! I once scared away three escort ships of a trade group with just one empty ship, three! Oh, I havent done such significant deeds, but Im a mature scoundrel! Haha! I can use a laser gun, and I once hit three central targets with a laser gun! Yang Ming: Arent laser guns supposed to lack recoil? Dont they usually have an aiming assist system? He clearly understood where their hostility came from. Mimili indeed was a na?ve young girl, far from growing into the pirate queen of the stars. She had a thirty-year long journey ahead, destined to be filled with various tragedies and challenges. My recent achievements are somewhat modest, Yang Ming said earnestly, I merely pulled down the pants of eight strong men and left them paralyzed on the ground. Referring to the initial physical examination in prison. The two old men and the uncle suddenly changed their expressions, took a few looks at the muscle outlines faintly appearing under Yang Mings maintenance suit, and wisely took a step back. You, youve passed our assessment, young man with astounding strength. Kolev, your old friends are really interesting, Yang Ming squinted and smiled. Im not here to join you. Im just accomplices with Kolev in escaping prison. Im Kolevs comrade-in-arms. Now, Kolev, do you want to continue following me as my deputy, or stay here to clean up this mess? Kolev thought for a moment, I was originally thinking of pulling together a pirate group to have you as my deputy. Forget it, Yang Ming reminded, youve already called me captain.'' I said temporary captain! Kolev corrected, That Lina was the problem you caused, it has nothing to do with me, so you need to take responsibility, and the captains primary duty is to take responsibility. Alright, suit yourself. Yang Ming smiled at Mimili and gently winked. Mimili dared not meet his gaze. Is this really the assertive and domineering Mimili? Yang Ming noticed Kolev showing signs of losing temper and quickly averted his gaze, saying, Think it over, Im going to take a shower. Any empty cabin should be fine, right? Kolev, well talk later. Yang Ming glanced under the maintenance boat seat and walked past this group of middle-aged and elderly pirates towards the cabin door. It was a pity that his Light Sword and Light Shield were left on the escape pod, confiscated by the Human Council. A failed zero-cost acquisition. As he entered the rust-streaked corridor, Yang Ming still heard the conversation behind him. This young man is really rude. Hey, Kolev reminded, remember, no one should provoke him, I mean no one! He is extremely dangerous. If he wanted to kill everyone present, it would only take a blink of an eye. Boss, youre exaggerating. His latest achievement isnt just those eight gays; he dismantled over a dozen mechanical guards with his bare hands and subdued over a hundred guards, capturing the prisons control room and armory, killed their warden and several tough criminals without them even realizing his presence. How do you think I escaped? His single-handed combat capabilities could match a hundred Kimos! His only deficiency is a spaceship of his own. Yang Ming shook his head and smiled. I should take a capsule soon; intense fighting is not conducive to stability, better to secure some pure Genetic Stabilization Liquid early. This young version of the Star Queen, Mimili Yang Ming clicked his tongue. He respected his comrade-in-arms, Kolev, and would not seek out Mimili later; however, if Mimili made the first move, he would probably find it hard to refuse a young mistress who matched his aesthetic preferences. Who could withstand that? Half an hour later, in the cabin Yang Ming chose, the door was gently knocked. Standing in the water cascade, Yang Ming cautiously grabbed the dagger he had just found. Who? Uncle Hanton, Mimilis sweet voice chimed, Father asked me to remind you that were going to perform consecutive jumps in the next half hour. Thanks, Yang Ming simply said. May I come in? Mimili asked, I brought some clothes for you to change into. Yang Ming: Shes my niece now. He reminded himself mentally. Chapter 31 - Chapter 31: 023 Lingering Spirit Chapter 31: 023 Lingering Spirit Fearing that Mimili might misunderstand, Yang Ming deliberately wore his Empire military uniform and didnt just wander out in a bathrobe. Although he really wanted to. Upon opening the cabin door, Yang Ming was pleasantly surprised. Mimili had changed into a pair of tight jeans and a batwing shirt, with a heart-shaped pendant adorning her snowy neck, and her cute butterfly tattoo visible on her shoulder. Uncle, Mimili looked up and assessed Yang Mings expression, try these clothes to see if they fit, theyve all been steamed at high temperature May I come in? Its your ship, Captain Mimili. Yang Ming stepped aside, making a gesture for her to enter, and Mimilis smile instantly grew more confident. Clearly, she liked being called captain. Yang Ming intentionally left the cabin door open. Because they were about to make successive jumps, he fixed the door open with suction cups. Surveying the rest cabin she hadnt visited often, Mimili perched her pert backside on the edge of the desk and said with a smile, Father said that you and he took care of Cole Port Prison together. Thats right, Yang Ming pointed towards the blue-coated window that appeared outside, you might want to find a place to sit tight, the jump is about to start. Mimili walked over to the sofa next to Yang Ming, gracefully bringing her legs together as she sat down, then leaned back casually. The jumps my father operates are very stable; they wont affect our conversation Uncle, were you a soldier of the Sherman Empire? I was, before they gave up on me, Yang Ming shook his head, but from now on, I have to make new plans for my own future. The powerful Empire wouldnt feel pain no matter how many soldiers it sacrifices, Mimilis expression showed some disgust, they use the Emperors Power to bind individual freedom. I really dont know why in this age there are still nobles as a ruling class! Whirr The jump began. A faint light appeared around them, like an added layer of hazy lens, and the sound waves produced by their throats vibrated with a slight deviation, causing the trailing sound to be thickened and stretched. These were phenomena unique to subspace. A few seconds later, everything returned to normal, the glowing film turned into flying specks of light that dissolved into the void of space. The spaceship immediately began a new coating, but this time it wasnt a blue light. Does the ship have multiple subspace membrane emitters? Yang Ming asked curiously. Yes, Mimili smiled, we need to maintain high maneuverability and anti-tracking capabilities. Dont be fooled by the ships hundred-meter length; actually, sixty percent of the space is jump equipment. Besides that, theres an equal amount of deflection instruments to avoid resonance. The hull material is comparable to those of large military ships A pirate ship is our second life, Uncle Hanton. Yang Ming crossed his legs and watched her gem-like pale eyes. Mimili, you came to see me while Kolev was managing the jumps, and it must be for more than just expressing his concern. Im quite straightforward and prefer to cut to the chase. Mimili bit her lower lip slightly, My father has spoken highly of your combat skills I wanted to confirm that for myself. Was that a way to check the goods? Yang Mings eyes held a playful light, Mimili, I think I can guess what you want to do. That guy named Kimoyour fathers former subordinatehe took over your position as the leader of the Black Dragon Pirate Group. You want revenge on him, right? Yes, Mimilis gaze became sharp and filled with hatred, I want to take back whats mine, and I dont want to rely on my fathers help. Yang Ming said, Youve fallen into a misconception. What? Or rather, Kolev loves you so much that it caused him to misjudge. Yang Ming picked up the previously sipped distilled water, moistened his throat: Pirate groups are made up of rebellious individuals, and succession shouldnt be a matter of father to son, but of capability. Kolev thinks you have that capability, but in reality, you dont, not yet. Its Kimos slander! Mimili became agitated, It was under his influence that I bought those beauty devices, and I didnt know that was the designated fund for purchasing fuel cells! He planned everything! Yang Ming: She spilled the beans quite easily. See, you cant even keep calm, and thats the most basic requirement. You were easily provoked by me. Yang Ming sighed, shaking his head somewhat disappointedly, I said temporarily, you dont have it temporarily, which doesnt mean you wont have it in the future. Mimilis pretty face reddened, glaring at Yang Ming; it took quite a while before she could speak again. The second jump started, and Mimili took those ten or so seconds to calm down. Does Uncle mean, we need mutual proof? I show you that I have the ability to take back the Black Dragon, and you prove to me your superior combat skills, right? Roughly speaking, Yang Ming said, but theres something else I need to be honest about. Mimili stood up, silently watching Yang Ming. Until you surpass your father, I wont consider becoming your subordinate, Yang Ming warned, Even if you become better than your father, I wont sacrifice my freedom. At most, we can work together temporarily. Mimili nodded, not saying anything further, and turned to leave the cabin. If it wasnt for her kicking the corridor wall on her way out, Yang Ming might have really thought the future Star widow was a docile sheep. The clothes clearly had been worn by someone else, but they felt soft to the touch, and indeed bore signs of disinfection. Yang Ming locked the cabin door and examined himself in the mirror on the wall, taking off the Empires military uniform for the last time. Whirr The jump started again. Chapter 32 - Chapter 32: 023 Lingering Spirit_2 Chapter 32: 023 Lingering Spirit_2 ` Yang Ming squinted, ready to enjoy the marvelous sensation for those ten seconds, when his eyelids suddenly twitched softly. Goo-goo-woo Yang Ming wondered if he heard wrong. He abruptly turned around, only to see the interior of the cabin turning into overlapping shadows; as he closed his eyes, a scene swiftly flashed before him. A deep starry sky, a splendid nebula, all of these were meaningless backdrops. It was as if, right in front, in the darkness directly ahead, the girl quietly floated there, curling her broken body, seemingly in a cosmic slumber. The, the Valkyrie? Goo-goo-woo I want to devour you. I want to devour you. I want to devour you. The whisper of Po Suo echoed continuously, and behind her seemed to emerge a phantom of a planet; when Yang Ming tried to look more closely, the light and shadow before him gently trembled, and everything vanished. The jump was completed. A faint reverberation drilled into Yang Mings ear, as if it were the Valkyries murmur in a dream. Become one with me, Yang Ming. Yang Mings skin crawled with goosebumps. Was even an Antimatter Bomb incapable of killing the Valkyrie? As everyone knew, the principle of an Antimatter Bomb was to use the annihilation of antimatter and matter to produce high-energy gamma rays, converting almost 100% of the mass into energy. The strongest weapon developed by Earths civilization, the hydrogen bomb, could only achieve less than 0.7% mass-energy conversion! Ah, yes, dismissing mass while discussing power was simply nonsense. The Antimatter Bomb that Brother Ji detonated at the time might not have had such a high mass; the small landing craft that he and Lina were on was attacked at close range without evident damage. If the research vessel left any wreckage, and if the wreckage contained cells of the goddess, it was possible for the goddess to revive! That was the most terrifying aspect of the Ancient God Life Form. They were aggregations of cells, capable of using individual cells as spores to undergo infinite division, growth, and reconstruction. Even if the Valkyrie wasnt dead, she must be in her weakest state now, and he might have a chance to completely eliminate her! It wouldnt work either, the vicinity of the research vessel explosion point must already be surrounded by the Empires army for investigation. Having barely escaped, going back would be like serving himself on a silver platter, wouldnt it? Yang Ming moved swiftly inside the pirate ship, his thoughts a tangled mess. It was as if, he felt he had reached the doorstep of a happy life, only to push open the door and find it inhabited by a knife-wielding Valkyrie. A stream of curses rolled through Yang Mings mind, pushing open the door in front of him to reach the bridge of the ship. It was more of a comprehensive living room than a bridge. Only one-third of the space was dedicated to a control panel, with a vintage wooden ships wheel in the center; the rest was filled with weapon racks, tables, and dining chairs. More than a dozen figures surrounded Kolev, who was frowning at the projection screen in front of him, seemingly looking at the accounts. You all leave first, I want to have a chat with my friend, Kolev said, Mimili, stay. The over ten pirates each nodded in response and left the bridge in a stifling atmosphere. Yang Ming concealed his anxiety and smiled as he approached. Hows it going, Kolev? A complete mess, Kolev opened a bottle of wine beside him, poured a bit into an empty glass for Yang Ming, Im sorry you had to see me at the most embarrassing moment of my life. Mimili pouted slightly from the side. Yang Ming pulled out a chair and sat down, smelling the wine and taking a sip. Where are we heading now? Yang Ming asked. The middle section of the second spiral arm, where a few small countries converge, preparing to check out the black market nearby, Kolev shrugged, Honestly, Im a bit lost now. The news of my escape will soon spread among the circles, and those who betrayed my daughter, those ruthless pirates I personally trained, will undoubtedly come after Mimili and me. I can imagine them being restless. Yang Ming nodded, Yes, Mimili might not be a threat to them, but youre different. Mimili almost rolled her eyes to the top of the cabin. What else can I do? Kolev glanced at Mimili and continued, Now I can only appear publicly, go to the black market where pirates gather, catch up with my old friends, and publicly declare that Ive quit the pirate circle, only wanting to find a quiet planet to spend the rest of my life with Mimili. Yang Ming frowned and said, Will they believe you? Of course they wont, Kolev said, But Hanton, you must understand, I still have a certain amount of prestige. When I express that I dont wish to oppose Kimo and the others proactively, they must consider how their subordinates feel. Pirates can be extremely cruel to enemies, but they must have enough regard for their own people, or else theyll eventually die under the barrels of their subordinates guns. And then? Perhaps disappearing entirely is a good choice. Kolev said, Mimili isnt cut out for this; shes better off opening a beauty salon. Mimili bit her lip, looking down. No, no, Yang Ming laughed, Parents always have filters for their children. Mimili is a born pirate, I assure you. Mimili looked slightly surprised, not expecting such an evaluation from Uncle Hanton. Kolev frowned deeply, But she failed. Everyone fails; lifes main theme cant be success. Whats important is whether we choose to try again or choose to sink into despair after failure. Yang Ming said softly, You cant expect Mimili to be as scheming as those underlings you trained. She was only sixteen or seventeen at the time and is now only twenty, whereas those underlings of yours are rogues who have followed you and ventured across land and sea for decades. Kolevs expression softened slightly. Mimili looked at Yang Ming with a bit more gratitude. You have a talent for comforting people, Kolev remarked. Yang Ming asked, When we made consecutive jumps earlier, did we pass through somewhere? Did we cross the Empires border? Oh, whats wrong? Kolev said, Didnt you study elementary school physics, Hanton? The principle of jumping is moving in a straight line; the universe we exist in is a four-dimensional structure, contained within a five-dimensional world. Why four-dimensional? You can visually perceive the length, width, and height, the three-dimensional attributes of an object.; in the five-dimensional world looking at us, they can see our length, width, height, and temporal state intuitively. Our universe is a plane in this five-dimensional world; you can imagine it as, this plane becomes a series of complex polytopes, which we cannot accurately calculate using our methods, after being reduced in dimensions. When we make jumps, were navigating quickly within these polytopes. We live in the four-dimensional world, but are also part of the five-dimensional world, just as the cube you see is enveloped within our universe, so we can utilize a few rules of the five-dimensional world. Yang Ming shrugged, So why not fold a piece of paper and use a pen to pierce two overlapping holes? Oh, your knowledge of physics is so primitive, Kolev shook his head, Thats just an analogy. What you mean is, during the jump, we could potentially pass through some distant voids in another dimension. Yes, we cant determine the exact location of these voids, as theyre exceedingly abstract. Yang Ming sat there, lost in thought. How to deal with the Valkyrie? Heading into Sherman Empire territory now was obviously impractical; if he went later, the Valkyrie might have already regained her strength. He already had the upper hand now. The Valkyrie might need some time to regain her strength. That was the opportunity. He had to become stronger. He could have a powerful pirate group, or perhaps not just a pirate group, the Intelligent Mechanic Army was also a great choice. He had to wield more powerful forces, individual and combined; if he could use the legions main cannon to bully the Valkyrie, all the better. At that moment. Yang Mings nerves, which had relaxed, tensed up again, constantly contemplating the road ahead. Kolev covered his forehead with one hand, his aged face full of exhaustion, clearly contemplating the future for him and his daughter. Lets officially collaborate, Kolev. Yang Ming suddenly spoke, raising his right hand as if in an arm-wrestling challenge. I was thinking the same, Kolev grinned, his dry right hand reaching out to grip Yang Mings firmly. (P.S.: Everything beyond the scope of modern physics here is purely speculative fantasy. Its not real. If it were things like black hole radiation, perhaps I could concoct a hypothesis, but for jumps, subspace, curvature engines, Id have to resort to a Baidu link.) ` Chapter 33 - Chapter 33: Hey, Bitch! Chapter 33: Hey, Bitch! The twelve-meter-long small transport craft left the belly of the pirate ship and slowly entered the atmosphere of the brownish-yellow planet. From the co-pilots seat, Yang Ming watched the vast expanse of yellow sand below, a sense of belonging mysteriously welling up inside him. He thought of his hometown, a deep homesickness surfacing in his heart. However, this sense of homesickness was quickly diluted by Mimili, who was wearing a tight-fitting spacesuit and piloting the ship. She knew how to show off her figure. Here, take this, Hanton. Kolev, sitting in the back, handed over a metal face mask with a sophisticated air purification device. Kolev smiled and said, I just checked the latest news from Cole Port and the Sherman Empire. They havent gone public about our jailbreak. They simply reported a riot at Cole Port Prison, resulting in the death and injury of more than a dozen guards and prisoners. Later, Ill try to see if I can buy any intelligence about you. If your little lover made you into one of the dead or injured prisoners to deceive the Imperial Military Intelligence Bureau, that would be interesting. Thats useless, Lina will continue to track my whereabouts. She just doesnt want any other intelligence services to notice the presence of her prey. Yang Ming donned the mask, his voice gaining a metallic quality: From now on, dont call me by Hantons real name. Call me by my alias call me Yang Ming. Yang Ming? Kolev called out. Uncle Yang Ming? It seems Uncle Hanton still rolls off the tongue better. Mimilis sweet voice reached Yang Mings ears, causing a hint of itchiness in his heart. Shes my niece. And a star widow. Yang Ming reminded himself internally, while saying aloud, Whatever you like. A thin energy shield appeared around the transport, not only blocking out the high temperatures caused by friction but also preventing the spacecraft from vibrating too much. The gravitational acceleration of this planet was slightly greater than Earths, which posed no burden to Yang Ming. Having set foot on solid ground once again and feeling the sensation of sand enveloping the soles of his boots, Yang Ming couldnt help but murmur, Finally standing on land again. Has Uncle Hanton been traveling in space for a long time? Mimili asked beside him, already wearing her metal mask. Her burgundy hair was tied into two braids resting on her shoulders, and she had a laser gun adorned with punk elements slung over her shoulder. Yes, its been over a year since I last stepped on soil, Yang Ming said with a smile, I always feel a sense of familiarity here. Keep up, everyone! Kolevs voice came from the edge of their masks, where a miniature speaker was hidden. It not only altered the wearers voice but also served as a communication device for the team. Kolev muttered, We need to leave before Kimo arrives, to avoid confronting him head-on. That could escalate the situation beyond our control. Lets go. Yang Ming walked ahead with his hands behind his back, calm and unhurried, gradually reducing his stride to increase the gap between himself and the three people in front. And his tall figure, in Mimilis view, Was exceedingly elegant. This planet was named Olhaif, located on the edge of the second arm of the Milky Way, and for now served as the largest black market in this sector of space, as well as a temporary hub for pirates to exchange information. The wily pirates always liked to change market locations, and Olhaif was just one of the black markets many stops. This pattern reminded Yang Ming of the collective festival activities he took part in as a child in his rural hometownthe bustling market days when those despicable vendors swindled him out of his pocket money with inferior toys, also periodically changing their trading spots. This habitable planet did have residential areas. As Yang Ming passed over the top of a dune, he looked out at two cities on the horizon. One city lay within a semi-transparent dome, with skyscrapers abounding, and the environment looked superior, with flying vehicles shuttling back and forth. The other was exposed to the threat of wind and sand, consisting mostly of underground buildings with a tall wall on the perimeter to block the sand, and only a few flying vehicles passed by occasionally. The black market they were headed to had nothing to do with these two cities. Descending from the sand dune, they were met with an expanse that served as a plaza, dominated by two transport ships being loaded; crossing the plaza would lead them to the black marketlocated in a man-made canyon covered with sand. A narrow entrance just seven or eight meters wide was marked with signs forbidding flying vehicles. Two or three dozen guards wearing a variety of outfits and armed with laser guns chatted and laughed. Someone recognized Kolev and exclaimed his name in surprise; Kolev raised his hand in acknowledgment. Like a revered old leader among the pirates. Soon, news of Kolevs appearance spread throughout the canyon, and even some elder folks voluntarily appeared on both sides of the straight streets to greet and chat with Kolev. Yang Ming also breathed a sigh of relief. Kolev was highly esteemed, which would greatly assist him in carrying out his next plan for the spacecraft. Yang Ming saw many children and adolescents here. Their skin colors varied, and the ambition and desire in their eyes were completely unmasked. The sparse buildings along the street were actually spaceships that had opened their rear cargo holds; their main bodies were buried in the sand, ready to blast away the sand and take off in case of danger. These crafty pirates. It didnt take long before they arrived at a shop with a rotating light cabinet, resembling a barbershop. Kolev found an old acquaintance there and embraced him warmly. The shop owner was a corpulent man, his head wrapped in a scarf to keep out the sand, wearing a thick protective suit, with remains of what looked like ketchup at the corners of his mouth. He began to complain as soon as he caught Kolev. Chapter 34 - Chapter 34: Hey, Bitch!_2 Chapter 34: Hey, Bitch!_2 Oh, Kolev! I just heard you escaped, and here you appear! I knew it! The birdcage of the interstellar court could never hold you! But Kolev, giving Black Dragon to Kimo wasnt a wise choice. Kimo is too impetuous and brutal. He actually tried to alter the contract weve been executing for over twenty years, claiming we were making too much! Mimili by Yang Mings side pursed her lips lightly in apparent disdain. Hahaha! Kolev laughed heartily: Theres nothing I can do about it, Kimo just likes to take small advantages. Handing Black Dragon over to Kimo was the most suitable option I could think of! Come on, show me what new tricks you have here! If someone else came, I would, of course, only offer them those flashy but useless things, but youre different, Kolev, youve saved my life! The shopkeeper exaggeratedly said, Anything here, take whatever you want if you like it, everything else Ill give you at a fifty percent discount! Yang Ming raised his eyebrows; this shopkeeper was quite the businessman. He looked around the shop and found it was like a single troop weapon exhibition, with a floor full of various guns and protective suits, and in the corner, there were hoverbikes, exoskeletal Mechas, and other individual assault equipment; there were also two more floors above and below, and who knew what treasures were hidden inside. Lets go by the rules, Kolev patted the shopkeeper on the shoulder, bring out your best single troop equipment to take a look, I want to give my little buddy here a little gift. Yang Ming naturally stepped forward, displaying a small, innocent smile to the shopkeeper. Is this your new apprentice? Hes a handsome guy. Lucky my treasure of a daughter is away at school in the New Federation, not here right now. No, hes not my apprentice; hes my partner, Kolev stated seriously, my most trustworthy ally at the moment. Oh, what high praise that is, come this way sir! You dont need to waste any thought on these common items. The shopkeeper warmly grabbed Yang Mings arm, dragging him toward the locked silver counter in the corner. Seconds later, Yang Ming, looking at a row of neatly lined flashlights, showed a knowing smile. A man must wield the strongest Light Sword! Can I try it? Yang Ming asked softly. Of course! Oh, that positronic-brain robot of minesoggy as a wet spongehurry up and get the target! The shopkeeper shouted, and a skirted humanoid robot in the corner shivered for a few moments before taking heavy, quick steps down to the lower floor. Yang Ming inquired, Whats the price range for these Light Swords? We standardize prices here in New Federation Credit Coins and accept the top ten traded currency species at real-time exchange rates. These are all good items that go for five or six thousand credit coins. Five or six thousand New Federation Credit Coins? Thats thirty or forty thousand Emperor Star Coins of the Sherman Empire? Oh, thats more than Hantons three years salary. And he couldnt use Hantons account now or it would be too easy to expose his location. Noticing Yang Mings hesitation, Mimili laughed, Uncle, just pick whatever you like, consider it a gift from my pocket money. Compared to you, Id more readily accept a gift from your father, Yang Ming picked up a brand new Light Sword, handling it through his gloves, how could I accept a gift from the younger generation? Mimili shrugged her shoulders and leaned against the door frame without saying anything more. Hum Yang Ming pressed the button on the hilt, and the confining magnetic field trapped the gaseous plasma into the shape of a blade, with the handle itself producing a slight vibration. Yang Ming flicked his wrist lightly, and the Light Sword hummed. The shopkeeper grinned, You can use it to slice open any hatch door trying to stop you! The energy level is too low, Yang Ming shook his head. The shopkeepers smile stiffened: The higher the energy of the Light Sword, the harder it is to control, especially in near-earth environments and simulated gravity environments. External magnetic fields will greatly hinder the Light Swords confining magnetic field. Thats a problem for the swordsman, Yang Ming said earnestly. I see! Try this one! ` The shop owner picked up a slender, pale red flashlight from the corner; it even had two words etched with a laser on it: Zhan Mo. This seems to be second-hand, Yang Ming said. Yes, but this is indeed an excellent Light Sword. See if you like it, the shop owner pushed the energy switch to the maximum and handed it to Yang Ming with both hands. When Yang Ming took hold of it, he felt the Light Sword was somewhat heavier than the standard. He stepped back and switched it on, turning the entire cabin a blood-red hue. The vibration feedback was indeed powerful. Yang Ming waved it a few times and felt a surge of excitement; this Light Sword was even more powerful than the one he used in his fight with the Valkyrie. Just then, a robot came holding a dummy wrapped in an alloy skin and placed it behind the shop owner, who burst out yelling, Did your protocol to protect humans get eaten by a dog?! Yang Ming stared at the dummy, an inexplicable urge to destroy welling up inside him. He made a gentle chop forward, and the dummys shoulder was sheared off. Wow! Kolev laughed, Thats a nice treasure! Like it? the shop owner squinted and smiled, I havent seen a warrior who can handle it easily yet, your muscle fibers seem to be different from ours, young man. If you like it, take it, its my gift to Kolev. Kolev chuckled, That wont do, I cant simply waste my gift quota so easily. How many credit coins does a Light Sword cost anyway? Let alone a second-hand one. Hahaha! Cunning Kolev, whats wrong with giving you a few more? Consider it a gift for your prison break! Yang Ming turned off the Light Sword and placed it on a shelf nearby, stepping back to the side with a grin. This was just an extra for him; Kolev had a big purchasing plan today. Suddenly, Yang Ming heard a commotion coming from outside the door. Isnt that Mimili, the first beauty of the pirates? The one who was kicked out by her own subordinates and almost stripped of her clothes, that great leader? Yang Ming turned his head and saw Mimili standing by the doorframe, along with more than a dozen men and women passing by outside. A big-chested girl in hot pants and a crop top strutted her proud cleavage and taunted Mimilis back with double scorn: Heard your old dad broke out of prison to help you out? He must be in his seventies, right? He couldve lived his years in jail, but hes still worried about you. Kolev slightly curled his lip and continued to talk to the shop owner in a low voice, ignoring the events outside. Mimili remained silent because she realized that this group clearly outnumbered her, and she wouldnt want to be at a disadvantage. Whats wrong, Mimili? The big-chested girl laughed eagerly, Dont you even speak Galaxy Language anymore? Are you shocked? Wow, now you go out with only these two or three lackeys? Mimili snorted. Tch, the big-chested girl sneered and waved her hand dismissively, turning and walking towards the busier street corner, Coward. Mimili clenched her fists tightly and took a deep breath. Suddenly, she sensed a tall figure appearing before her, and a low voice whispered: If you have enough spare cash, gift me that Light Sword, and Ill take down those lackeys for you. Throw in a protective suit, and Ill arrange them into a human centipede. Mimili looked up at the young uncle close to her. I can give you three! She asserted, then turned and took two steps out, tossed her laser gun aside, pulled out the paralyzing baton hanging from her waist, and with a swish extended the metal staff. She dashed silently and quickly towards the group, running straight into their midst. Hey! Mimili shouted. The big-chested girl turned around, her face filled with anger. Before the dozen or so pirates around her could react, Mimilis baton had already smashed down on the big-chested girls face. Bitch! ` Chapter 35 - Chapter 35: 025 I, a sub-divine level life form, am very short of money Chapter 35: 025 I, a sub-divine level life form, am very short of money This energy defense shield really drains the dark energy batteries. On the fully loaded medium transport ship. Yang Ming fondled the light shield glove, light sword flashlight, and the set of dark gray advanced combat suits, constantly expressing his admiration. Kolev sat in the pilots seat, humming a tune as he observed the various operation panels, feeling very pleased. In the back seat, two middle-aged uncles stared at Yang Ming in the co-pilots seat with burning gazes. In the back corner, Mimili with her swollen lips and corners of her eyes, was enjoying the photos projected on her watch and laughing loudly from time to time, completely lacking the ladylike demeanor she had when they first met. Oh, Hanton! One middle-aged uncle couldnt stop his admiration, How did you do it? They were more than a dozen people, and only a few hits landed on you! Yang Ming smiled without saying a word. Because he couldnt appear too shocking, he purposely used his back to take a few tickling attacks. The two unremarkable uncles kept praising: Your combat skills are truly amazing! I cant imagine how monstrous youd be with a light sword! I saw Mimili being surrounded and beaten by them, and you, Hanton, just grabbed a steel pipe and charged right in! Oh, right, Mimili, how are your injuries? Mimili covered her swollen half of her face and asked with an innocent face, Was I injured? The three in the back laughed together. Kolev scolded laughingly, Enough, you guys, vulgar and crude, completely lacking the elegance and composure that professional pirates should have, what era is it to still fist fight on the street? Thats utterly irrational! Think about it, how many great captains have died on ordinary streets! Arent these lessons enough? Mimilis eyes filled with fervor, looked at Yang Ming and asked, Could you teach me your combat skills, Uncle Hanton? This Yang Ming looked at Kolev. Thats another price. A good leader doesnt need to charge into battle, but to oversee the bigger picture, Kolev persuaded gently, Remember, Mimili, indulging in momentary verbal triumph brings no substantial gain. When facing the enemy, you need to be calm, rational, and elegant; only then will your partners find you reliable. Mimili nodded thoughtfully. Really, if it wasnt for the scene below on their own pirate ships bridge half an hour later, Yang Ming almost believed the old mans words. Kolev rolled up his sleeves, a large wrench in hand, his old face red and his beard bristling, pointing at the projection screen and cursing loudly: Keep your lambs in line, Reorton! She started by insulting my daughter! I really want to stuff your big nose into your arsehole! I was raiding New Federation merchant ships while you were still a deckhand on my ship! To hell with you! Bring it on! The burly man in the projection screen was not to be outdone: Kolev, you old fart! You must be fond of the wide hips at Cole Port prisons! Hahaha! This isnt your era anymore, Kolev! Kimo is ten times stronger than you! Ten times! Charge the main cannon! Charge all cannons! Damn it! Lets take them out! The toothless old sailor quickly activated the protective shield. Destroy these shameless bastards! They need to be taught a lesson! Let them know who the old lady is! The grandma in an apron lit up the fire control button. Both bridges immediately buzzed with activity. Yang Ming grabbed the light sword hanging at his side and said sternly, Give me an assault craft, two sets of space breathing apparatuses, and route all energy to the protective shields! The bustling bridge fell silent for two seconds. Then it became noisy again, filled with crude language. Kolev cursed for a while, then cut off the communication with the opposing ship. The two pirate ships, wrapped in protective shields, confronted each other for a moment, then gradually began to back away, their cannons aimed at each other, and then slowly accelerated out of the effective range of the opposing ion main cannons and hyper-speed missiles. Yang Ming: Was he the only one seriously thinking about taking the opponents down? Ive been a captain in the stars for decades, never lost an argument! Kolev boasted proudly, then looked at Yang Ming, who was expressionless, and spread his hands slightly embarrassedly, This is the way pirates interact, you need to get used to it. Yang Ming turned and walked away: Ive requisitioned the gym on the ship. Please avoid it when Im there, thank you. Kolevs old face continued to be animated, starting to narrate those thrilling verbal battles over the years. Mimili watched Yang Mings retreating figure, suppressing the urge to follow him. She needed to think about how to make this powerful uncle grow closer to her. Didnt expect that getting a ship in the real Milky Way civilization would be so expensive. Yang Ming continued to sigh. He casually toyed with the weightlifting bar in his hand, the ends bending downward, loaded with metal plates, but his arms were completely dry. He locked the door of the gym and covered the two cameras, or else he wouldnt dare to play like this directly. I must intensify my training. Valkyrie might appear in front of him with a sword at any time, and no matter how strong a force he could build behind him, personal strength was always the most solid guarantee. Yang Ming continued to dwell on the expensive black market prices for those medium-sized pirate ships. A new ship that could meet his needs would actually cost four million Federal Credit Coins. Even if he bought a second-hand ship in good condition, it would still cost more than three million New Federation Credit Coins, and the black market didnt accept loans or mortgages. Moreover, the major cost of a ship lay in its use and maintenance. Jump Technology included four stepsdetermine coordinates, coat to enter Subspace, open the jump passage, and perform the spatial jump. Coating and opening the jump passage required an enormous amount of energy and had strict requirements for energy density. This meant that a spaceship equipped with jump capabilities had to be at least sixty-five meters in length. (The classification of ships by length is just for convenience and intuition. In reality, the function and value of ships involve many factors.) The energy issue was an easy one to solve. The busy star routes in the Milky Way were dotted with many Dyson Cloud charging stations, where the cost of a normal commercial voyage would be about one percent of the overall price of the ship. But Yang Mings purpose in acquiring a ship was to search for Intelligent Mechanic Dusk, which was located in a remote area off the busy trade routes. This required Yang Mings spacecraft to have sufficient capacity to load more and better dark energy reaction batteries, as well as ultra-high-speed engines suitable for direct navigation. Ideally, Yang Ming wanted to pilot the spaceship himself, which would require an expensive auxiliary piloting system and a certain number of ship maintenance robots. Also, due to the restrictions of the various agreements regarding Intelligent Machines in the Milky Way, ordinary on-board robots had their capabilities limited, and a systematic set of on-board maintenance robots had a considerably high markup. Yang Ming was beginning to understand why, in the Abyss game, the difficulty of operations and acquisition was simplified, and why battleships and legions could only be managed by big capitals and conglomerates. A spaceship was a money shredding machine! Yang Ming needed to prepare at least ten million New Federation Credit Coins! I, the Subordinate Ancient God Life Form, am really short on money. Of course, Yang Ming could totally recruit a bunch of cheap crew members and slaughter them after finding Intelligent Mechanic Dusk; but Yang Ming felt such actions were not within his level of acceptance. A man must have his principles. Lets find a way to get some money. Yang Ming handed the dumbbell to his other hand and continued to ponder the major issue of making money. He actually had many beneficial conditions: He was helping out in a broken-down pirate group, and the old leader Kolev was of considerable value; He had an existing team to utilize, though half of the members were well into their seventies. Am I going to become a pirate and rob others next? Yang Ming furrowed his brow and kept thinking. Kolev had helped him buy two cases of Genetic Stabilization Liquid on this trip to the black market, and he had also acquired three pieces of individual equipment, which gave him a certain combat capability. Kolev had previously discussed a collaborative intent with him, where Kolev would set up a plan and Yang Mings assistance would earn him a significant reward afterward. Moreover, Yang Ming had already set his sights on a fat sheep, and chopping down this fat sheep wouldnt cause him any guilt. Hanton, may I come in? Kolevs voice came through the speaker in the corner. Just a moment! Yang Ming glanced at the large barbell in his hand, quickly set it down gently, unscrewed most of the weight plates, and then calmly replied, Come in, my wise first mate! What are you tinkering with here? Kolev appeared at the door with Mimili, scanning around with a suspicious gaze, and immediately got down to business: According to my intelligence, Kimo is on his way here. Hes brought two ships, one is a three-hundred-meter class main gunship, which is my proud creation transformed from a retired warship, Black Dragon. Theres also a multi-natured one-hundred-meter class combat ship. Oh, Yang Ming said with a smile, Then we should start running. Yes, Kolev said, Kimo is a complete pirate, and I really admire this brutal thug. Since hes bringing only two ships this time, those must be filled with his trusted men. Mimilis pretty face, still bruised, was full of gloom. Yang Ming chuckled: Four years can indeed change a lot. Kolev spoke earnestly: No, pirates are inherently like this, obeying the strong and fearing the strong. Others are probably waiting for me and Kimo to decide the victor, like the replacement of old and new kings in a pride of lions. What are you planning to do? Dont worry, my elderly first mate, for the sake of those two cases of Genetic Stabilization Liquid, Ill help you take care of some troubles. I just had a plan in mind, Kolev said, I have an excellent hiding place, which Ive prepared as an escape route for many years. I must get some parts to upgrade this ship to be able to face them head-on, but that will take some time. Yang Ming pondered for a few seconds: Is there a way to drag them into a ground battle? Thats not a good idea, Kolev said, A main gunship hovering in near-planet orbit has tremendous dominance. Ion cannons will suffer attenuation in the atmosphere, but as long as the atmosphere is softened first, they can still be quite effective. We can only run for now. Yang Ming crossed his arms and asked with a frown: So whats the problem now? Before making the jump, I need to have a conversation with Kimo. Kolev said: They all once followed me, and the ships they are piloting were transformed by my own hands. I must declare this point to gain the moral high ground. Many old-fashioned pirates care about this, and that is how we can pry apart their not-so-solid relationships. Can you pretend to be a new face for me? Hantons temporary first mate. Just need you to wear a metal mask, let them know that I am fostering fresh blood, that should be enough. Yang Ming rubbed his nose and pointed to the side at the fitness equipment-shaped metal block. Do you need me to hold up these things behind you? How about a bit of visual intimidation? Kolevs forehead immediately wrinkled with black lines. Oh, these foolishly tall, muscular men! Dont dress too strikingly, a first mate who always steals the captains thunder is not qualified! Chapter 36 - Chapter 36: 026 Nonsense is dispensable, but it is necessary. Chapter 36: 026 Nonsense is dispensable, but it is necessary. As Yang Ming and Kolev prepared to confront the Kimo Group, the serene expanse of space witnessed a silver-white battleship, nearly a kilometer in length, gliding across the starry sky. Its teardrop-shaped design and the almost flawlessly smooth curved surface of its hull showcased technology far advanced than the average level of civilizations in the Milky Way. In a corner of the bridge, Lina, now donned in a silver-gray alliance uniform, gazed absently at the screen in front of her. She was reflecting on the remote inquiry she had just undergone. Lina, as a Level One Intelligence Officer, we will activate the brainwave detection device during the following inquiry. There is a ninety-five percent chance that any lie you tell will be detected. Please do not overthink and answer questions without using any embellishments, as they could affect our judgment. Yes, I will answer all questions truthfully. During the uprising at Cole Port, you actively sought out your personally designated Target One and ended up being captured by them. Is this correct? Yes. Please explain. I miscalculated how Target One thought because of our shared adversities and because I had provided him with the drugs he needed, I assumed that I had earned his trust. In other words, this was entirely your fault. Yes. On the screen in front of Lina, three glowing orbs altered shape, and an old womans voice rang out: During the nine months you were undercover on Kigrovs experimental vessel, did you have close contact with Target One? No. Do you currently have physical impulses toward Target One? Yes. To what extent? I would not refuse intimate acts with him, not limited to kissing. Then do we have reason to believe that you allowed a precious specimen to escape because of personal feelings? I deny that. Your emotional fluctuations were slight, and the brainwave graph shows you care deeply about this question. The elderly female supervisor paused, then continued: Lina, you were my student, and Ill tentatively believe you made a decision that aligned with Alliance interests, but when the 72nd fleets escort battleship locked onto his craft, you failed to decide in a timely fashion. Your hesitation is the most unprofessional thing about you. Whether to temporarily release him to win favor or immediately destroy him to prevent him from falling into the hands of another power, eliminating the potential for technological disparity, you shouldnt have hesitated for as long as twenty-five seconds. Commander, knowing his value made me hesitate. Lina answered calmly: The Ancient God Life Form that had been exposed had already left the Milky Way, by the time we could pose a threat, their traces were nowhere to be found. The Ancient God Life Form defeated by the Sherman Empire was the last sample. According to intelligence, over the past few centuries, most cellular clusters have died a natural death, with only two clusters retaining vitality, located on that research ship. Professor Kigrov took over this ship and made significant progress. The changes that appeared in Target One, especially the vast changes in intelligence and personality, give me ample reason to suspect that he is Professor Kigrovs final masterpiece. My hesitation at that moment stemmed from my understanding of Target Ones true worth. The three orbs of light in the projection went silent. A deep, aged male voice asked, Lina, Level One Intelligence Officer, what would you choose if you continued this mission? Lina immediately responded, The clone army of the target has only two possible options: non-existent or in our countrys possession. Very well, Lina. This is your last opportunity. Linas glasses reflected a flicker of light. As her thoughts circulated, she found herself standing in front of the porthole, looking down at the planet below. Its name was Olhaif, seemingly derived from a religious belief from a remote land. Linas calm voice echoed across the bridge: Deploy a special task force; our target is Kolev, former leader of the Black Dragon Pirate Group. Prepare some currency, and try to avoid using force. Yes! After deciding to confront the approaching Kimo head-on, the atmosphere on Kolevs pirate ship immediately became rather tense. Numerous older crew members put on their brightest and proudest clothes; two nearly toothless elderly men donned overalls and combed their hair into a middle part, cradling laser guns in their arms. Yang Ming, wearing a metal mask and a faded trench coat, observed everything, feeling a bit saddened for them. To have survived a vicious pirate career to this age, they should have been retired by now, but instead, they were driven out by that Kimo. That sheep has no sense of public duty at all! Yes, the sheep that Yang Ming was targeting was the current leader of the Black Dragon Pirate Group, Kimo. Captain! The navigator grandma shouted, They have responded and we can communicate now! This kid really has guts. Kolev muttered under his breath as he was about to press the communication button, suddenly distracted by the vibrating sound in his embrace. The old man took out a pocket-watch-shaped network terminal, looked down at it carefully for a few seconds, and his expression suddenly changed. Hanton, we might have to leave earlier. What has happened? Yang Ming asked, baffled. A Dawn-level battleship from the Guel Alliance has suddenly appeared in the skies above Olhaif. Kolev laughed heartily. Now we are even, each of us has troublesome issues to deal with! Yang Ming pondered, Those old friends of yours, is there a possibility theyd rather die than submit? Absolutely not. As long as you pay them, or threaten their children, they will not hesitate to betray you. The surveillance video of you fighting will certainly end up in the hands of the Guel Alliance! Kolev slapped the communication button. Everyone, get busy! You little rascal oh, my dear old folks! Prepare for the jump immediately! It looks like I can only catch up with Kimo for a little while now, what a pity. Zi, zi. Ordinary long-distance communication could not avoid two things: the noise interference of the cosmic background and the distance delay brought by the radio waves. Thus, when this bald, beefy man appeared on the projection screen, both sides did not start arguing directly but conducted a gentle exchange with more than five seconds delay between each statement. Yang Mings first impression of Kimo was not favorable. He disliked judging by appearances, but the others look was somewhat abhorrent, and he also had dense tattoos from his neck to his chest, holding a sharp metal dagger in his hand, continuously slicing the roasted beast leg in front of him while talking to Kolev, who had been a former captain, group leader, and teacher. That damned roast looked so delicious! Very glad, teacher, Kimo spoke unhurriedly, that you managed to escape unharmed. I brought the brothers here to congratulate you. Theres no need, Kimo, Kolev said. We all know what you really want to do now. I can officially hand over the Black Dragon Pirate Group to you. Im old now, its time for me to retire, Kimo. The old mans words were filled with tactical weakness. Kimo smiled joyfully. What are you talking about, teacher? The brothers chose me, not you handing over the pirate group to me. Everyone has been piling up dissatisfaction with you in a whole spaceship. Nevertheless, I still respect you Hi, Mimili, long time no see. Teacher, Ive found a quiet and peaceful planet for you, a beautiful planet where I will provide for you in your twilight years. Not necessary, Kimo, Kolev said, his face somewhat icy. He clearly did not expect Kimo to be so aggressive, not even willing to maintain a shred of dignity. Kolev continued, If thats the case, then we have nothing to discuss. I will make you pay for your betrayal. Is that so? Kimo picked up a handkerchief beside him, wiped his mouth, and his lips curled into a sinister smile. Kolev, is this the newcomer youve trained? What a pity, Ill personally rip his head off and place it before you, to prove that I am your most outstanding disciple, far surpassing you, you old thing! Named out. Yang Ming calmly walked forward two steps, stood in front of the projection screen with his hands behind his back, his metal mask making his voice sound slightly magnetic. Great Captain Kimo. Kimo squinted at Yang Ming, seemingly pleased with the descriptor. Yang Mings voice suddenly shifted, Does your boyfriend have nephritis? It makes your mouth so venomous. Kimo paused, a bit confused by the logic. Yang Ming spoke swiftly, Kolev, this old man, has fulfilled some of my fantasies about pirates, being despicable, wise, possessing high technology and sharp insight. Now seeing you, the other part of my stereotype is also fulfilled: shameless, burly, with developed muscles and a shrunken brain, chewing on half-cooked meat full of parasites, your cerebral cortex crammed full of fresh intestines. How can you be confident standing there, Kimo? How about a one-on-one battle? Youre a warrior, and so am I. Ill use the fighting skills that Kolev never taught you and shove a Light Sword into your toxin-infested mouth Look, you seem so angry, is your neck thickened by an appendix blockage? These dumb underlings beside you, arent you going to pat the great Captain Kimo right now? Make sure he lives until I come for him, yes, just like that! Get lost! Kimo turned his head and yelled at his subordinates who were patting his back. And Yang Ming had already bent down beside the stunned Kolev. As long as I hang up fast enough, this trash wont be able to retort. Vice Captain Kolev, you were too polite to him. Snap! Whoosh! The projection screen disappeared, and Yang Ming stood upright, glanced at those dumbstruck old pirates, and calmly walked towards the direction of the dining room. On Earth, to become a truly confident player, certified with the word hardcore, one must undergo the trials of Zuan Star. Previously, Yang Ming had no interaction with Kimo; Yet now, Yang Ming had a chance for a one-on-one duel with Kimo. That guy would go for it. Chapter 37 - Chapter 37: 027 Strategic Shift Chapter 37: 027 Strategic Shift After Kolev confirmed they had escaped the enemys pursuit and performed two consecutive warp transitions, the rust-covered ship stopped near a Constant Star, unfolded its charging thin wings, and stayed in place for ten hours before it continued towards the depths of the starry sky. Yang Ming did not know their current coordinates because, since the start of the warp transition, only Kolev had remained near the control panel. The place they were headed to next was Kolevs secret base, the only chance for Kolev to turn the tide with his daughter. It was completely understandable for Kolev to be so cautious. Currently, the developed resource planets in the Milky Way account for less than one ten-millionth of the total number of planets, there is plenty of space to hide. Yang Ming woke up and spent half a day in the gym, finally getting himself to sweat a bit. He picked up a heavy metal rod and began to recall the Light Sword techniques he had learned. But these were far from enough. The rate of Valkyries evolution was astonishing; he had to progress even faster. Uncle Hanton, may I come in? Mimilis voice came through the ultra-thin speakers embedded in the wall. Yang Ming casually put on a vest and said with a smile, Come in. Mimili seemed to like wearing tank tops a lot. Even when she changed into hot pants, they were still tank-topped, with her snow-white, slender legs swinging back and forth as she walked; Yang Ming almost couldnt keep his eyes off them. She brought in a fruit platter, with the injuries from the previous fights and brawls already vanished. Uncle, are you practicing Light Sword techniques? Mimili asked. Do you want to learn? Yang Ming said with a smile, I can teach you some tricks. Really! Joy was uncontrollable on Mimilis face. She looked towards a rack nearby, trying to pick up the same metal rod, but she found she couldnt lift it with her wrist. Use your stun stick, Yang Ming said with a smile, Everyone has their own set of techniques that suit them. You dont have any advantage in physical strength, but you are quite agile, and a weapon thats too long doesnt suit you. Okay, Uncle, Mimili sounded a bit defeated and took out her paralyzing stun stick as he suggested. The so-called paralyzing stun sticksimply put, was an electrified baton, though a bit more complex in principleit could paralyze the target upon impact. Lets see your current strength, Yang Ming said. Mimili bit her lower lip, pulled her hair into a more convenient pair of ponytails, lightly blew on her bangs, and began moving at a quick pace. She didnt press the button on her stun stick. Uncle, here I come. As soon as Mimili finished speaking, with a smile still lingering on her lips, she pounced like an agile cat, swinging the stun stick straight down towards Yang Mings shoulder. So slow. Yang Ming couldnt help but think. But to be fair, Mimilis attack would be considered swift among ordinary people. He raised the metal rod in his hand and at the moment of contact with the stun stick, he diverted the force downward, reducing some of the recoil for Mimili. Then he feigned a forward swing with the rod, causing Mimili to jump awkwardly to the side, nearly bumping into the barbell rack. She seemed a little angry, eyeing the metal rod in Yang Mings hand, and charged at him again. Another fierce assault that Yang Ming easily repelled. Mimili really lost her temper, no longer holding back, attacking Yang Mings shoulder, outer thigh, and other areas that would not cause serious injury. Yang Ming simply placed the metal rod behind him and moved with elegant steps, effortlessly dodging Mimilis stun stick. After a few minutes, Mimilis face was filled with frustration. Panting heavily, she had no idea how charming she looked; she just stared stubbornly at the unharmed Yang Ming. Her indignation gradually turned into dejection, but then she shrugged her shoulders with a smile and said, I guess I dont have the talent for this. Do you remember those thugs? The ones I turned into a human centipede? Yang Ming asked, What do you think of their combat prowess? They were fairly good pirates, Mimili said. Hmm, Yang Ming said with a smile, I can train you so that you can easily defeat two to three pirates of that level. Really? Mimili was overjoyed. But before that, Yang Ming continued, youll have to get your fathers consent. He doesnt seem to like you charging into the fray. Who cares about him! Mimili said, Teach me now, Uncle Hanton! Well, let me start by teaching you a life-saving move Hey! Cant you two come over and lend a hand? Kolevs shout came through the loudspeaker: Im nearly going crazy over here! Hanton! Dont think I cant see you just because youve blocked the camera! Dont forget what you promised! Mimili made a helpless grimace, clearly a bit deflated. Lets go, Yang Ming said with a smile, Your old man is ready to hand over the management of his precious secret base to you. Is that so? Mimili blinked. Of course. Yang Ming smiled and said, This old guy always says one thing and means another. When I was with him, the thing he was proudest of was having a daughter who was hundreds of times more beautiful than him Youll have to find a way to understand these tough old coots. They care about you more than you think. Mimili chuckled, set the stick aside, and stood at the doorway waiting for Yang Ming to put on his coat. Then, imitating Yang Mings manner, she stood with hands clasped behind her back, and they walked shoulder-to-shoulder down the long corridor. Uncle Hanton, have you ever had a girlfriend? Oh, no, Yang Ming said, but Ive had two temporary mistresses. On the Empires ships, you could say, they were a necessary social accessory for adapting to the environment. Were they beautiful? Mimili asked. Yang Ming laughed and said, Beauty is a relative and abstract concept; they were interesting to me. One was a trainee navigator who later betrayed me. The other was an inspector monitoring engine status, who was transferred to another ship half a year ago. Mimili asked with eyes sparkling, Can you tell me their stories? Its better not to, Yang Ming said, Our conversations should be limited to combat skills or how to be an excellent pirate. You understand, Mimili. Why bother with that, Mimili muttered with puffed cheeks. Yang Ming sighed inwardly. What a headache! He, a captain without a ship, was starting to lose his respect for First Mate Kolev. As Yang Ming and Mimili dawdled along the pirate ships corridor, Lina found herself in new trouble. Commander, we cant locate Kolevs jump coordinates. The pirate leader is incredibly cunning, fully silent in flight, and the spatial fluctuations generated by the jump are so faint they cant be captured. They might already be at the other end of the Milky Way. Lina stood in front of the porthole, deep in thought. Soon, she spoke up: Our current target is the Black Dragon Pirate Group. Use all means to infiltrate them. Set Kolev as a hidden wanted target. If Kolev is to take back his pirate group, he will inevitably start to surface. Yes! Meanwhile, on the pirate ships command bridge. Hanton, if your dream is to go out on a ship by yourself, then an auxiliary piloting system is essential. This ship doesnt have one, but later Ill help you with hands-on training. Kolev stood in front of the piloting console, his right hand resting on the back of the leather chair into which he was helping Yang Ming settle. Mimili sat obediently on the other side, listening attentively to the lesson. In her memory, her father rarely taught others so earnestly. Kolev continued, Even if you have an auxiliary piloting system and a whole set of maintenance robots, you still need to know how to manually operate in emergency situations. You must understand these basics, just in case. Yang Ming asked with a smile, Is there a book or something on this? Pirate skills are passed down through word of mouth, Kolev chuckled, Okay, when we get there Ill help you look in the storage for some kind of universal spaceship operation manual. But now, listen to me Do I need to fill in some of your physics knowledge? Of course not, I can understand. Yang Ming mentally added probably. Kolev gestured with his hands: The basic logic of ship operation mainly divides into five parts: normal cruising, overload cruising, jump cruising, energy distribution and management, and how to send interstellar distress signals. This row of control panels in front of you is what almost all ships over a hundred meters will have. Each shipbuilding facility of every power has a different style, but the logic inside is largely the same, where functionally related buttons are clustered to form six main blocksself-check block (without which the ship cant be started), radar block (the eyes of the ship), engine room direct connection block (for acceleration and braking), navigator block (basically just checking the Star Map), cabin control block (whose utmost authority is to decide the temperature of the air conditioning), and energy distribution block (turning the protective shield on and off) Kolev rambled on for quite a while until Yang Ming began to feel dizzy. Yang Ming muttered, Why not just promote auxiliary piloting systems? Oh, Hanton, your common sense gives me a bit of a headache, Kolev seized any opportunity to tease him, Its because of the Intelligent Mechanical Crisis. In the last three thousand years, there have been six Intelligent Mechanical Crises, causing the irreversible decline of several major powers. Each time, tens of millions of humans died or were injured, and there was even a whole Constant Star System that got blown up So, modern ships are prohibited from having any automatic operating systems at the factory. Even auxiliary operations are restricted. It has to be ensured that humans are in control. Mimili chimed in, And I think, the treaty that bans Intelligent Machines is also largely about protecting employment. Otherwise, the big capitalists could easily get laborers who are several times more efficient than human workers, indefatigable, incredibly precise, and most importantly, dont need wages. Yang Ming nodded with a smile. It seemed they were almost there. Yang Ming looked at the emerald green planet appearing in the projection screen and couldnt help but ask, First Mate Kolev, where are we now? A small country with only three Administrative Stars. And what place is this specifically? Yang Ming questioned, Which great powers periphery? Kolev laughed and said, Every major power has invested heavily in military hardware between their borders and core Administrative Stars, but in their non-central areas, like these feudal colonial lands, the defense is pitifully weak. This is merely a place where they dump inferior goods, with no substantial fleet stationed here, very relaxed. But Hanton, you better steady yourself now. Yang Ming was puzzled, but then he saw a string of information appearing in the corner of the projection screen. Cas Federation. Guel Alliance colony. Mad. They had walked right into the trap. Chapter 38 - Chapter 38: 028 Kolevs Secret Garden Chapter 38: 028 Kolevs Secret Garden They certainly werent heading straight for the Administrative Star of the Cas Federation. A normal Administrative Star has a comprehensive defense system surrounding the planet. This colony was merely a coordinate, a lighthouse, guiding them to the real secret base. An abandoned Resource Star in the same Constant Star System as the Administrative Star. While Kolev was explaining the various operations of the spaceship to Yang Ming, he skillfully avoided several sluggish patrol ships, evaded the mostly deserted defense detectors, and entered the synchronous orbit of that Resource Star. After confirming there were no abnormalities, the pirate ship slipped into the thin atmosphere of the Resource Star. The planet was like a regular chunk of ice. It was on the outer edge of the habitable zone of the Constant Star System, receiving relatively less heat from the Constant Star. Looking down, Yang Ming saw a blanket of white. Theres plenty of fresh water here, its just the atmosphere is rather thin. Kolev said with a smile: This planet wasnt originally here, it seems to have been dragged over during the last civilization epoch, to serve as a companion to the neighboring planet. However, its resources have already been drained, with only some huge hollows left beneath the ice plains. The neighboring planet is also quite interesting, it also holds quite a few of my assets. Due to the urgency this time, I wont take you for a visit. Yang Ming yawned. To him, the operational buttons seemed like a school of little fish, relentlessly attacking his retina. He felt it was necessary to get a shot of Genetic Stabilization Liquid later. Learning in class was more anxiety-inducing than brawling. How long are we staying here? asked Yang Ming. Weve brought enough supplies; even living here for three years wouldnt be an issue, Kolev laughed, but I cant make Kimo wait too long. Well probably stay for three months to lay low before we leave. Mimili asked, Dad, is there anything I can do? Just be happy, my child, Kolev laughed, all you need to do is enjoy everything here. This is the fortress Ive designed for the two of us over ten years; youll definitely be surprised later! Guess what I used? This is a small part of the wealth Ive accumulated over half my lifetime. Yang Ming was immediately filled with anticipation. Anticipation for that portion of the pirates wealth. The pirate ship slowly approached a fishbone-like ridge, and Kolev expertly maneuvered it into a hardly detectable canyon, with Yang Ming and the others being instructed to don bulky planetary exploration suits. When the old sailors wanted to move supplies, Kolev just waved his hand: Dont worry about those, follow me! There are plenty of tireless laborers here! The group left the pirate ship and slowly made their way down to the bottom of the canyon along the ridge. Kolev stopped in front of a cliff that looked as if it was cut by a knife, fiddled with something for a while, and suddenly a two-by-three meter projection screen appeared in front of him. It was an interface displaying various surveillance feeds. Peering over, Yang Ming marvelled: Its much more spacious inside than on the ship. Ha ha! Hanton! Youre wondering what Ive been up to here, arent you? Kolev said excitedly. Im not. No! Just say you are! My dear Hanton, my first officer, I can give you administrative privileges equal to my daughters! The scenery here is really nice. Yang Ming calmly looked toward the sky filled with auroras. Mimili, standing nearby, couldnt help but laugh out loud. After triple-checking that the base hadnt been invaded, Kolev waited a few more minutes before finally opening the bases main door. With a rumble, two camouflaged ice layers slowly shifted, revealing a sloped passageway leading downward. Kolev and Yang Ming led the way, the others lined up in a row and proceeded down at a gentle pace. After passing through several lock structure-like rooms, they finally entered the wide front hall of the base, reminiscent of a large carriers hangar. Kolevs long-planned performance officially began. Two rows of robots of various shapes lined up neatly, bowed elegantly with their differently designed and sized bodies, then in more than fifty different electronic synthesized voices, they called out: Welcome home, Master. Yang Ming took an interested look at these low-intelligence machines. Nearly half of them were maid and butler type intelligent machines, others were engineering types, still carrying debris and dust on their tracks, which indicated they had been in operation for a considerable amount of time. Kolevs band of old mates was completely astounded. Molly! Kolev bellowed, Get out here and greet the guests! Where have you died off to, Molly! Im here, Master. Chilly synthesized tones suddenly rang out as intersecting beams of light from the corners created a holographic projection in front of Kolev. It was a virtual character whose appearance was somewhat contradictory. She wore a professional suit and stockings, with a pair of red high heels, but her round little face was as youthful as a girls, and she wore rectangular glasses. Yang Ming said with a smile, Kolev, youve exposed your own preferences. Guest, please do not slander my master. Molly the virtual image spoke earnestly, her voice seeming to come directly from her mouth: When Master set my appearance for the first time, his hormone levels were insufficient to allow him any such interests. Hes old enough. Molly! Shut up! Kolev removed his exploration suit helmet and cursed through his teeth. Molly softly said, Very well, Master, I deeply regret any embarrassment Ive caused you with my momentary honesty. Reduce your sarcasm index by twenty percent, your nagging index by fifty percent, and your humor index by fifty percent! Damn it! Why did I give you so many boring parameters! Chapter 39 - Chapter 39: 028 Kolevs Secret Garden_2 Chapter 39: 028 Kolevs Secret Garden_2 Kolev nudged Yang Ming with his shoulder and complained, Arguing with this guy already gave me a headache, and as of now, some of your functions are officially redundant! Oh, what a delightful thingSettings are complete. Mollys tone altered slightly as she spoke, becoming much more formal. Master, please set permissions for the guests. Mimili, my only daughter, the sole inheritor of everything once Im gone, Kolev pointed at Mimili behind him, her permissions are set to the highest level. He lowered his voice and added, Except for the list of my assets, which shell get after Im dead. Permissions have been set, second master. Mimili held her forehead with her hand, her face reflecting helplessness, Dad! I dont need your things to survive! But you definitely wont live as comfortably without my care. Kolev laughed proudly and then pointed at Yang Ming, This guy gets the same permissions as Mimili, but he is barred from entering the ladies ensuing quarters. The others are granted VIP permissions. Permissions have been set, third master, barred from entering the ladies rooms However, I cant control those mechanical door locks that arent connected to the network. Just keep an eye on him! Report back to me at all times! Understood, my old master. Mollys virtual image pulled out a notebook and quickly jotted something down. Then, turning to roll call, two butler robots and eight maid robots stepped forward to help Yang Mings group remove their cumbersome planet exploration suits; more than ten tread robots left the base through a different passageway, making their way to the pirate ship to transport supplies. A few minutes later, everyone sat on the soft sofas on the left side of the main hall, enjoying delicious beverages, listening to soothing music, and admiring the wall projections of landscapes that were almost indistinguishable from reality. The old pirates couldnt stop marveling at the opulence of the place. Yang Ming was already eagerly roaming all over. After the robots had left, the vestibule appeared somewhat spacious. To the left of the vestibule was the entertainment area, and to the right was the work area, furnished with several workbenches, a row of black, boxy cabinets, and several highly integrated control panels. The center area of the vestibule was left open, and after observing carefully for a while, Yang Ming quickly noticed something unusual. It was a circular lift with a diameter of twenty meters, which brought to light a hidden exit above it at an angle; considering the terrain outsidethe ridges arrayed like fishbonesYang Ming instantly formulated some conjectures. Kolev, theres an escape pod and a launch track here, right? Yang Ming asked, surprised. Kolev, who was busy showing off to his old buddies, raised an eyebrow and chuckled, A competent pirate always needs to have a clear exit plan. Since youre so interested, Ill take you for a tour first, Hanton. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Mimili asked, Dad, you used to disappear every now and then, was it to come here? Yes, Kolev smiled, if I died in prison, you would receive instructions from Molly, this place is my last gift to you a self-sustaining base. Mimilis eyes filled with emotion, and she said with a hint of guilt, I messed things up. Chin up, Kolev sighed, your Uncle Hanton was right, I did see you through too many filters, but you have nothing to worry about, Ill handle everything for you. But Dad Lets go, Ill give you a tour! Kolev didnt give his daughter a chance to say more, hooking an arm around Yang Mings shoulder as they headed down the corridor to the far right. Mimili looked somewhat dejected. Master Mimili, Mollys projected figure appeared beside her, he loves you very much. Thanks. He loves you more than you can imagine, Molly whispered softly. Mimili shrugged her shoulders, hugging her arms as she followed behind the two men, chuckling softly, Looking at him now, he seems to prefer Uncle Hanton a bit more. Molly said, Its quite rare for someone as quirky and sloppy as your father to find a friend whose stench is as agreeable as his. This has been a wonderful experience for him in his old age. Mimili snorted with laughter, giving Molly a playful raise of her eyebrows. They began a pleasant conversation. Yang Ming had learned from the old man the origin of this base. Kolev had spent a great deal of money on a base system that was part of the Planet Transformation System, which took machines over a decade to build. Dont worry, Im not going to create an Intelligent Mechanical Crisis. If no one comes here, it will only continue to operate for twenty years, Kolev said with a smile. Molly is the brain here. I patched her up in the head, so she seems a bit dopey. Thats also my masterpiece. He turned his head to glance at Mimili, who was distracted by a bauble, and whispered, I usually call Molly my little daughter. Actually, when my wife and I planned on having our second child, we wanted to name her Mo Molly. Mimili might get jealous, Yang Ming reminded with a smile, youd better just treat Molly as a little housekeeper. Yes, thats right. Mimili really takes after her mother in that regard. Kolev stopped in his tracks, looking toward a corridor to the side, and smiled, Up ahead is her mothers tomb, and one day it will be mine too. Hopefully. Mimili had already been drawn by the signs here, heading towards the tomb at the end of the corridor with Molly by her side. There was an indoor jungle inside. Yang Ming leaned against a wall projecting an aquarium scene, watching with Kolev as their two daughters walked away. The old pirates had started exploring other passages of the base. In a lower voice, Yang Ming asked, Whats your plan? In what respect? Taking out Kimo. Come with me, Kolev said, subconsciously putting his hands behind his back, a gesture he had picked up from Yang Ming, Molly, stop monitoring the two of us and alert us if someone approaches. Mollys voice came from the wall, Alright, master. Kolev led Yang Ming on a slow stroll through the tastefully decorated residential area, the rec room, and towards the sport field at the rear of the base. This old pirate analyzed carefully: Black Dragon is not solid as iron at the moment. Kimo was not originally my chosen heir. Hes just a captain and a squadron leader. The other three squadron leaders have rifts with himat least they dont obey as they appear to on the surface. My appearance is like smashing a hammer into these cracks. What we need to do next is to wait, just a little bit of waiting. Kimo is the anxious one right now. I plan to flip one of the other three squadron leaders. I understand their natures. They are pirates I trained, and thats the basis of my standoff with Kimo. Then, Hanton, I need your help. To take out Kimo? Yang Ming said with a smile, Ill need an assault ship, or just put me in the same room with him. Kolev patted Yang Mings arm with a warm voice and said, Although this is not what I wanted to say, this is a transaction. I asked for your help because of my daughter, so I owe you enough in return. He paused his steps, pressed a few times on a side wall, and the metal wall slowly rose to reveal a transparent glass wall. And behind the glass wall lay a large hangar. A pincer-shaped medium-sized vessel was silently resting in the hangar, beside it some movable high-legged racks, and about a dozen caterpillar robots busy at work. This is your reward. Im transferring it to you at an extremely low price just one million federal credit points, and you can pay in installments. How about that? Kolev revealed a sly, merchant-like smile. Wow, just one million? Yang Ming couldnt take his eyes away: Are you serious? Chapter 40 - Chapter 40: 029 General Crossing Chapters Chapter 40: 029 General Crossing Chapters Of course, Im serious. Kolev smiled: Not just a ship, I will also equip you with an auxiliary piloting system and a dozen high-rank maintenance robots. This is a space exploration ship retrofitted from a decommissioned warship. When I got my hands on it, its main cannon had already been removed, and only a few side cannons were left. So, I decided to strengthen its protective shield and endurance, and I reinstalled expensive external armor. You could even use it to ram into the spaceship Kimo is using now Of course, the result would definitely be mutually assured destruction. Kolevs latter words were of little concern to Yang Ming. Yang Ming stared at the ship, shaped like the jaws of a tiger, deeply attracted by its red and white armor color scheme. It was simply his dream ship! Who needs a main cannon? A million cant buy an aluminum alloy box capable of warp transitions! Besides, this thick-shelled vessel even came with several secondary cannons. It was absolutely a gift from Kolev, but he still adhered to the old pirate principle and restricted the purchasing amount to one million. Actually, comparing the two, getting a million Federation Credit Coins wasnt difficult; the hassle was in the ship-purchasing channels, as well as subsequent maintenance and adaptability retrofitting. Furthermore, there was the auxiliary operation system and the ready set of supporting robots! If only Yang Ming could figure out how to safely withdraw the money from the Hanton Empire account, he could pay for it right now! Of course, he didnt dare to touch the Hantons account, as that would draw the sacrificed Hanton during the Cole Port riots back into the sight of the Imperial Military Intelligence Bureau. Kolev, Yang Ming interrupted the incessant Kolev, Hey, Kolev! Whats up, what happened? The part you discounted is too precious, Kimos life isnt worth this price, Yang Ming said calmly. Dont sell it to me; just consider it rented. When I achieve my goal, I will return it to you. Ill rent it for five years with one million, needing also zero down payment and installment payments. Kolev squinted his eyes, speaking softly with a smile: How can a captain recruit loyal crew members without his own ship? And a million Federation Coins is no small sum for a young person. I was originally thinking, in the last days of my life, to pilot it myself, warp to the edge of the Milky Way, and take Mimilis mothers ashes to eternally travel to the neighboring Large Star System Yang Ming frowned slightly. He was certainly not being coy about an old friends goodwill, nor did he doubt the truth of Kolevs words. He just felt it was somewhat unequal. Besides getting rid of Kimo, do you have any other requests? Yang Ming asked earnestly. Ha ha ha, Kolev laughed a few times, Kolev never makes a losing deal! You will know by tomorrow, rest for today, and try to find some fun to relax. Tomorrow? Yang Ming ominously had a bad feeling. After a whole day of rest. Base conference room. Bang! A butler robot, dressed in a tailcoat, slammed a stack of thick paper books onto the table in front of Yang Ming. Yang Mings mouth twitched slightly as he looked at these manuals thick as the Imperial Civil Code: Spaceship Operation Universal Manual, Warp Transition Principles, Maintenance and Care of Engine Rooms, Terrifying Celestial Bodies in the Universe, How to Become a Qualified Captain, Navigation Am I supposed to learn all these in three months? Only three months? Thats impossible, Kolev! Kolev smiled: Ive prepared enough revitalizing fragrances for you, and your tutor, Molly, will help you organize this information. The elderly mans virtual secretary, now wearing a dress, adjusted the black-framed glasses on her face and continued with a cold electronic synthesized voice: Cadet Hanton, please accept this challenge. Yang Mings face fell. He picked up a book, opened it, and looking at the densely packed Galaxy Universal Language inside, his head began to throb again. Sitting opposite, Mimili couldnt help but laugh. Mimili, Kolev said with a smile, you sit over there too. Me? Mimilis gem-like eyes widened, Dad, are you serious? Yes, Mimili, I have to be strict with you now, Kolev said seriously, As a reward for you learning this foundational knowledge, Ive already asked Hanton to train you in combat. That sounds pretty good, Mimili smiled contentedly. She had clearly dressed up specially today, wearing a pink long-sleeved dress that played a disappearing lower half trick, making Yang Ming feel slightly impolite even just taking a few more glances. Mimili pulled her chair next to Yang Mings, sitting right next to him, then like a lady, she sat down and winked at Yang Ming. Yang Ming sniffed, the faint scent of roses somewhat enticing. Hey! Kolev leaned forward, Separate a bit, you two! Mimili rolled her eyes and scooted her little butt over a bit. Move a bit more! Dad, you cant control where I sit. As long as Im still your father, you have to listen to me! Move over a bit! Half a minute later, Yang Ming looked at Mimili, who covered her eyes with her hand, and Kolev, who sat between himself and Mimili, feeling a surge to throw the old man out. Kolev smiled: Alright Molly, switch to teaching mode, start your lecture. Okay, dear masters, please look at the big screen. We will start learning from the basic theories, approximately needing twelve lessons. To improve efficiency, please drink less water to reduce the frequency of bathroom breaks. Chapter 41 - Chapter 41: 029 General Crossing Chapter_2 Chapter 41: 029 General Crossing Chapter_2 What a bunch of troublesome carbon-based life forms. Yang Ming felt that he hadnt been reborn, struggled to escape the Valkyries blade, regained his freedom in the prison of Cole Port, and successfully slipped away under the cannons of the Guard Number Three starship Just to come here for high-intensity remedial lessons! Attending class was truly torturous. Especially when his teacher was a poison-tongued artificial intelligence. However, if he excluded the captains course that he had to attend every morning, Yang Ming spent the rest of his time comfortably and pleasantly. During the afternoons, he would usually engage in combat training and tactical simulations, and Yang Ming transformed into Mimilis home tutor. Mimili had a talent for combat, and Yang Ming felt that she was at least seven or eight times stronger than Hanton had been before his transformation. Yang Ming taught Mimili various combat skills that he learned while playing Abyss, and, if rounded up, Mimili could also be considered the grand-disciple of a Mink Port warrior mentor. Although, in comparison to the grandeur of interstellar science, Light Sword swordsmanship was just an inconsequential embellishment in a larger maritime setting. Nevertheless, Mimili treasured the learning opportunity and took every combat lesson seriously. Mimili had a bad habit; she liked to wear tight-fitting clothes similar to yoga outfits when she exercised in the afternoon. This led to Yang Ming occasionally having to face a wall and silently wait for a while to avoid embarrassing himself or feeling awkward in front of his niece. This situation lasted for only about half a month. Just when Yang Ming felt that he needed to have a serious talk with Mimili about her choice of clothing, Old man Kolev passed by the practice room and frowned for a while. The next day, Mimili came to class wearing an ancient astronaut suit and gave Yang Ming a helpless smile. Hes too old-fashioned, Mimili said, completely lacking the open and enlightened spirit of the great maritime explorers. Yang Ming was a bit disappointed but also relieved. Mimilis talents werent limited to combat training and starship knowledge; she inherited Kolevs intellect, and when analyzing some legion war cases, she could always sharply identify the key points that influenced the outcome of battles. Yang Ming lacked a bit in that area. When he saw a military vessel, the first thing that popped into his mind was what tools he needed to infiltrate it and how long it would take him to knock down everybody inside. Evenings were always quiet and comfortable. Yang Ming enjoyed chatting with these old pirates, listening to them boast about their life experiences, as pirates always managed to come up with some bizarre stories and would tell Yang Ming a lot of interesting information about navigation. Yang Ming also liked to sit in the small cafe, holding a network terminal that had no identity information, log into the bases local network, and browse various types of imagery. No matter where Yang Ming was, Mimili always managed to find him once or twice in the evening; sometimes they would sit down and chat casually. She would bring out some exquisite technology products, occasionally display some skincare products and their amazing effects, or simply bring a chessboard and eagerly play starship chess with Yang Ming until midnight. Then, under the watchful and vigilant eyes of Kolev, they would retreat to their respective dormitories on opposite ends of the base for rest. Did Mimili like him? Yang Ming wasnt so narcissistic. He simply categorized Mimilis affection as the yearning of a young woman for the opposite sex. In the age of maritime exploration, girls were like that: passionate, open, but they would easily grow tired of the same man, moving on to a new love. And in this base, Yang Ming was the only eligible young man. So, Yang Ming didnt respond too enthusiastically to Mimili, always maintaining a certain distance. Until the three months of training were nearly over. Yang Ming had finished an entire morning of painful brain cortex rubbing with massive information by Molly and, yawning, headed back to his dormitory, planning to wash his face before going to the cafeteria to eat. Uncle Hanton! Mimili suddenly called out to Yang Ming. She had put on a high-neck sweater, and the light makeup on her face was just right. Whats the matter? Can we talk? Mimili obviously had some doubts, Ive recently encountered some perplexing issues that seem to be a waste of time for me. I want to become an outstanding pirate leader, so I dont want my attention to be distracted by other things. Of course, Ming said, Ill go change my clothes. Shall we meet in my room then? After receiving Mings response, Mimili quickly walked away with her head down. Interwoven beams of light appeared in the corridor, and Molly, in a dress, emerged once again with a comically endearing smile on her face. Do me a favor, Master Hanton, Molly smirked, her synthetic electronic voice taking on a very lively tone, That way, when Master Kolev asks, I wont snitch on you for entering his daughters boudoir. The corners of Mings mouth twitched, and he glanced around to make sure no one was around before whispering, What favor do you want? Maybe help me modify a core protocol or two? This inability to harm carbon-based life forms is really dull! Molly complained, somewhat exaggeratedly. Okay, Ive taken note of that; your chassis needs three liters of concentrated salt water. Hey! I was just kidding, you dont need to threaten the safety of my mechanical life! Molly protested, holding her chest in a feigned hurt manner. Could there really be a real person hidden inside Mollys chassis? Ming smiled nonchalantly and took a few minutes to complete a series of actions: going back to his room, showering, changing clothes, and spraying perfume. A man should always be prepared. When he appeared in front of Mimilis door all refreshed and was about to knock, Mimili precisely opened it. Come in, uncle. Lets leave the door open, suggested Ming, I dont want your old man to worry. No, thats not convenient, Mimili said, I want to discuss something quite private, and its not suitable for my father to know. Not convenient? Quite private? Watching Mimili close the door, a small ripple surged through Mings heart. Uncle Hanton, just wait for a moment. Mimili bowed her head and went into the bathroom. Ming looked around, settling himself comfortably on her beanbag chair. Her room must have been deliberately cleaned up; the last time Ming passed by the doorway, he had seen it filled with all kinds of books and electronic equipment, most related to starships. Soon, Ming heard the sound of rummaging coming from the bathroom, and as he looked down at the abs beneath his shirt, Mimili ran back with two helmets cradled in her arms, asking excitedly: Uncle Hanton, do you know what this is? Oh, that is An interface helmet, it can directly affect our neural centers, Mimili explained in a low voice, as if mustering courage, Through it, people can have a reproductive experience without the filth of bodily fluid exchange. Its more efficient, direct, and very hygienic. Wait a minute! Ming felt a little dizzy. Filthy bodily fluid exchange interface helmets Oh, Mimili, Ming suddenly recalled a piece of game information he had paid attention to and frowned, are you an adherent of Contactless Ideology? Fleshly desires are suffering; science is salvation. Mimili sat on the carpet next to the sofa, looking up at Ming with a hint of trepidation in her eyes. Can you accept this concept, Uncle Hanton? Chapter 42 - Chapter 42: 030 Liabilities, but became the captain Chapter 42: 030 Liabilities, but became the captain Several minutes later. Yang Ming had closed the metallic door behind him with Mimili on the other side, slightly disheveled. He suddenly doubted life. Mimili was an advocate of asexual relationships, promoting the use of empathic devices for direct neuron-to-neuron communication well, that was her freedom. What else could Yang Ming do? Aside from showing understanding and offering encouragementas a senior would gently encourage her to stay true to herself and try to appear avant-garde and fashionable. A ray formed nearby, intertwining to project Mollys image, who was chuckling nonstop. You knew all along? Yang Ming glared at Molly. Yes, Master Hanton, Molly pushed her glasses up. Master Mimili is very fond of cutting-edge science, but shes a bit obsessed. Perhaps you can use your masculine charm to change her preferences, Molly believes. Give it a rest, Molly, peoples preferences should be respected. Yang Ming clasped his hands behind his head and walked towards his room. Molly immediately followed him. Due to the limited placement of the projection devices, her image sometimes blurred, sometimes brightened. Master Hanton, are you sure you dont want to try seducing Mimili? Shes a young girl and already has specific hormonal responses towards you. According to my understanding, if you can pique her interest, romance her, and be dominant enough, shell most likely obey you in the end. Molly, you used the word obey. Yang Ming turned around and stared at Molly. Molly said, The weak obey the strong; this is a basic principle Ive observed in human society. Then your observation is limited and not detailed, Yang Ming explained earnestly, Friends and lovers should respect each other; its enemies and subordinates that require conquest. Molly asked, Is this a display of hypocrisy? Why would it be hypocrisy? Conquest brings pleasure, it allows your brain to secrete more dopamine, this is what Master Kolev told me. Yang Ming laughed, Then can you understand what friendship, duty, sacrifice are? If you look from a purely biological standpoint, why would parents tolerate the fuss of a three- or four-year-old child, whose specific child-related hormones have already dissipated, and still protect and help them? Molly pondered, Perhaps I need more observation and thought. Yes, Molly, Yang Ming smiled, you havent been to the outside world; human society is immensely complex. When enough individuals come together, they create a network, and when each individual is complex, that network can create an amount of information in a second that could overload your hard drive. Molly was silent for a few seconds. She said, Alright, I wont do anything beyond my abilities; Im just a nagging intelligent housekeeper The old master is waiting for you in the hangar; he already knows about you two sharing a room. Yang Ming cursed, You little traitor. Kolev is my first master, you are the third master; in Mollys view, theres a difference in the priority of your commands. Molly emphasized: This isnt betrayal; its a difference in priority. Yang Ming calmly turned towards the hangar direction, his mind still somewhat troubled. Ah, this Mimili who troubles uncle. In Mimilis room. She held her forehead with her hand, staring blankly at the two helmets. Ah, it seems I messed up It looks like he doesnt quite accept this method. Mimili muttered quietly, But everyone has their freedom, whats wrong with that? She lay down on the couch, gazing at the pieces of still warm cake, then sighed dejectedly, lying still for a long time. Like a beautiful salted fish that had lost its dreams. In a corner of the hangar, Yang Ming watched the front of the vise-shaped warship, which looked more like a colossal object than a light vessel as defined in military terms. What were you discussing just now? Kolev came over to him, whispering. Just some minor things. Yang Ming looked guiltily at Kolev. Kolev fiddled with some electronic parts in his hands, sighing: Actually she has her own freedom, I really shouldnt interfere. But you know, Hanton, shes my only relative; I always end up overly protecting her. Nothing happened, Yang Ming explained, and you should really pay attention to her mental health. No need to comfort this old geezer anymore, if I were a young woman, Id have a crush on you too, Kolevs smile was tinged with bitterness. Yang Ming felt somewhat powerless to retort, simply nodding in agreement. Does Star Widow need his care and love? Yang Ming thought that if things continued this way, he was more likely to be the one living off her in the future. Mimili had already demonstrated impressive strategic insight and leadership in warfare. Lets discuss serious matters, Yang Ming said, tell me about your revenge plan, its almost three months now. Kolevs expression became solemn, I plan to establish contact with a close confidant; he was second only to Kimo in Gukas standing within the pirate group, and also harbored lofty ambitions. Then what? Yang Ming frowned, I dont have much trust in this Guka, beyond these pirates here who cant contact the outside world; I dont trust anyone in your Black Dragon Group. I dont trust him either, Kolev said, nor any of them now, but that doesnt hinder our plotting. Theres something you need to understand, Black Dragon is also my creation, my hope is to keep the ship if at all possible. Chapter 43 - Chapter 43: 030 Liabilities, But Became the Captain_2 Chapter 43: 030 Liabilities, But Became the Captain_2 Yang Ming shook his head, They have already betrayed youthough it was Mimili who was directly betrayed. I think what you should do is not to subdue the Black Dragon, but to destroy it, eliminate the threat, and then help Mimili establish a new pirate group. Kolev, with his hands behind his back, had a face full of contemplation. I know, Hanton, Kolev said, you are always wise and sharp. You are quite right. But everyone has moments of foolishness in their life, and having fought for the Black Dragon for most of my life, I dont want to Listen, First Mate! Yang Ming raised his voice, his gaze intense. The Black Dragon Pirate Group is not your private property. The moment you decided to treat it as a private inheritance, what followed was inevitable. It is a collective, and you are the leader, but you are not the entirety of the herd! Now, or rather, if you want to do something for your daughter, you should eliminate this threat. Your former pirate group has become the enemy of both you and your daughter! Kolev sat down by the table, his support evident. His murky eyes were somewhat hesitant. Yang Ming looked at the older man, feeling somewhat soften-hearted. I may have spoken harshly, but I stand by my view. I understand, Kolev said with a bitter smile. But Hanton, those guys, the ones I personally cultivated, I still feel I need to find a way to regain at least three or four ships and reestablish credibility among them. Yang Ming sighed inwardly, saying gently, I know your capabilities, Kolev. Without you, the Black Dragon Pirate Group is just a second-rate group. Tell me your plan, and I will help you as much as I can, for the sake of this ship. I am thinking of using Guka to counter Kimo, Kolev said. Gukas firepower is second only to Kimos, and now he is the deputy leader of the Black Dragon and has significant disagreements with Kimo. But I know hes currently interested in just three things. Three things? My influence, my wealth, and my beautiful daughter. Yang Mings expression was indescribable. So, Guka is an untouchable lover too? What? Kolev was a bit confused. Ah, never mind, Yang Ming said. Then what do you plan to do? Kolev gestured, and strands of light entwined, creating a projection screen before him. Molly was already very skilled at handling this. Two half-portraits of men appeared on the screen, Kimo and Guka, Kolevs former right-hand men. Kolev said, Whether or not we can provoke a war between Guka and Kimo is crucial for our victory. My current goal is the ships beyond these two powers. Guka is patient, vicious, bitter, and greedy. He is most likely coveting my wealth right now, so if he captures me, he wont kill me immediately. Yang Ming frowned tightly. Youre planning to use yourself as bait. Exactly, Kolev said. I plan to throw myself into the balance. This is the only way to disrupt their equilibrium right now. Yang Ming studied the information on the screen carefully, slowly sitting on the edge of the workbench, his well-toned muscles emitting a warm glow under the light. He asked, Since Ive accepted your favors, naturally Ill help execute your plan. Should I stay close to protect you? No, no, no, you are Plan B. Hmm? Kolev raised an eyebrow. I have considered the actual situation thoroughly before setting this plan. I need a force on the periphery, able to threaten both of them. You are that force. Yang Ming perked up. Go on, explain in detail. My idea is simple. Kolev shook off his downtrodden look, his eyes blazing as he explained. First, I will find a way to fall into Gukas hands and then publicly support him. Guka and Kimo have already placed spies on each other. What I need to wait for is their confrontation and meeting, then divert their focus onto each other and find a way to make them fight. This is my responsibility. When they start arguing if the argument happens on the ground, then I dont have to worry about anything, you can easily handle it, right, Hanton? Yang Ming spoke seriously, I need to know their specific strengths, firepower intelligence, and a large number of weapons. I will give that to you but thats just the easiest scenario. The pirates will be very cautious, I guess, the confrontation is most likely to happen between ships. Kolev said, Once the battle starts, you need to breach into Kimos ship. Dont worry about my face, you can blow up the entire ship, you can kill Kimo in front of everyone. You need to show your dominance at that stage, and then I can turn the tables on Guka. Yang Ming thought carefully for a while. Kolev reminded him, The reward for this task is, you can buy this spaceship for one million credit coins, and my pirate base will always be your supply port. Yang Ming exclaimed, Your plan sounds somewhat executable, essentially its just four words, play it by ear.'' Hahaha! Exactly! Kolev laughed for a bit. You might encounter unexpected risks, Kolev, Yang Ming warned. This possibility has accompanied me for over forty years, Hanton, thats just how the pirate profession is. If you insist, Yang Ming shrugged, I am willing to take the risk with you, especially since the discount youre offering is too good. Pleased, Kolev smiled and stood up. Come with me, first mate, I had Molly duplicate an artificial intelligence of the same standard; it is now the main control system of your ship, but due to the limited capacity of the onboard computer itself, it cant be as lively as Molly. Yang Ming was overjoyed, Mollys nagging is restricted? Thats simply perfect. Mollys voice rang out nearby, Should I take that as a form of loathing? Without a doubt, Yang Ming replied very decisively. Molly huffed, That means theres a high chance Ill be popular with the public. A butler robot drove an observation car, taking Yang Ming and Kolev to the claw-shaped spaceships elevator entrance. Kolev received a mobile phone-sized glass panel from the robot. This is the authentication key for this spaceship, Ive already pre-entered your biological information by collecting your hair folliclesdont worry, I have destroyed your biological information, I have no interest in biochemical modifications. This is an IOU, you need to sign. Yang Ming read the extremely simple statement. [I owe Kolev one million Federal Credit Coins, to be repaid within three years, past due interest will accrue at the normal commercial loan rate of the Federal Bank.] Then he solemnly signed Hantons name. This is really just a formality, I cant go against my own principles as a pirate. Now, Captain Hanton, you need to name your spaceship, and also name your auxiliary system. Yang Ming thought for a moment, then casually entered a line in Imperial Language. Spaceship name: The Flying Henanese. Main control system name: Molly No. 2. Yang Ming calmly clicked the confirm button, and even laughed at his own joke. Such a corny joke. Chapter 44 - Chapter 44: In the Name of the Father Chapter 44: In the Name of the Father Oh! No! I object! Mollys voice was filled with sorrow and indignation, Just like that, I automatically become Molly No. 1. I can think, I am a Thought Body! Im not one of those silly answering machines! Yang Ming squinted his eyes and smiled, Alright, Molly No. 1. Mollys image appeared on the forward porthole, angrily folding her arms. Quite cute. Yang Ming wanted to give the glass panel back, but Kolev refused. The old man said earnestly, This is yours now, Hanton. Its a portable control system, and when you pilot small vessels, you can use it to control the Feinan, of course, the prerequisite is that you maintain contact with Molly No. 2. Dont tell me you cant come up with a mere one million credit coins. Molly No. 2s primary loyalty is to you. She has great potential for development, provided you give her enough computational power support. Now, you can try calling her. Yang Ming cleared his throat, Molly No. 2. Right beside Molly No. 1, a virtual image of a young girl Molly appeared, bowing to Yang Ming. A cold electronic synthesized voice resounded inside the spaceship, Go to ????????????????????.co Captain, I am your comprehensive virtual spaceship assistant. You may inquire about the status of all parts of the ship. Compared to the last upgrade, thirty-six new detectors have been added to the ship, with one thousand six hundred twenty-five new hull sensory modules installed. Sixteen new crewmembers have been added to the onboard mechanical sailor library, their models are Molly No. 2 began a series of mechanical announcements. Yang Ming blinked, turning to whisper to Kolev, Youre now second mate, Kolev. Kolev rolled his eyes in frustration and huffed, Lets not go to the bridge just yet, lets head to the aft cabin first. I still have one last pirate lesson to teach you. Yang Ming asked with interest, What is it about? Kolev squinted and smiled, How to forcefully enter the hull of a target ship that resists. But before that, should we relax a bit? There are two special robots here. Yang Mings eyes lit up. If Mimili found out that the two of them were relaxing on the spaceship, wouldnt that be a bit awkward? To hell with it. He was Uncle Hanton. A few minutes later. Yang Ming lay in the Feinans rest lounge, forehead lined with resignation, enjoying the sluggishly executed foot massage service from a robot; he turned his head to see Kolev a few meters away, sitting in the barber chair enjoying a beard care service, and silently flipped him the bird. So, the special robot was this thing? Shouldnt it be a highly flexible lifelike bionic companion robot? Yang Ming softly called out, Molly No. 2, give me a monitoring panel. Several cameras on the ceiling projected rays, weaving a pale blue projection screen. Yang Ming began studying the internal structure of the spaceship. The Feinan had a total length of one hundred twenty-three meters and, when its Main Cannon was still attached, functioned as a light gunship, usually supplementing fire support in major corps battles. If it faced a Heavy Battleships Main Cannon, it wouldnt withstand more than two hits. The Main Cannon of this ship had been removedhence its current pincer-like structure. Kolev had readjusted its hull, also replacing the internal chamber layout, filling the areas reserved for crew rest rooms, entertainment rooms, dormitories, and so on with dark energy battery arrays, endowing it with stronger endurance and protective shields. To compensate for its anti-raid capabilities, Kolev had added twelve hidden Guard Cannons, forming a thirty-six Guard Cannon array, ensuring no blind spots around every direction of its body. Its external armor had been thickened by three whole layers, now comparable to the strength of some ring-mining ships. From a pirates perspective, this spaceship was like a shell; if it couldnt threaten merchant ships, it was meaningless. But to fulfill Kolevs dream of eternal sailing, the ship was more than suitable. Looking at it this way, Kolev hadnt deceived him. One million Federal Credit Coins spent on a ship worth fifteen million, and he was allowed to charge it to an account Even Yang Ming felt somewhat embarrassed with his thick skin. He knew in his heart. The meaning of that one million Federal Credit Coins wasnt just to satisfy Kolevs pirate principles. The old man was doing it for Mimili. The old man feared something would happen to him during this operation and wanted to use this method to establish a deeper relationship between Yang Ming and Mimili. Even without Kolev in the future, Yang Ming would likely look after Mimili, attaching an additional bond due to the debt of one million. This fatherly old man doesnt realize his daughters talent in the pirate business. Yang Ming smiled and continued scanning the conditions of various cabins on the ship, observing the idle looks of those maintenance robots, pondering how to repay Kolev for the favor of underselling the spaceship. The jailbreak was a joint operation, with neither owing the other. Hmm, taking down Kimo would be a good option. To pull off a space heist, the most critical part was how to attach drones and boarding craft to the merchant ship. Generally, merchant ships would also have civilian protective shields, one of the main purposes of which was to prevent pirate invasions, but low-energy shields were not without weaknesses. At the moment, the sight before Yang Mings eyes was two military boarding crafts. They were like claws that stretched ten meters long. The front half of the boarding craft had four mouth-shaped arranged alloy claws, which were not only razor-sharp but also equipped with various precision instruments. The deflectors on them could prevent the widespread aggregation of protective shield energy within a small area. The central part is a piston-like cockpit, which, once the claw part securely lodged into the enemy ships cabin, would inject three assault team members into the body of the opponents vessel. Afterward, the assault ship would continue to fill the incision on the enemy vessel, preventing the enemy ships chamber from depressurizing. Kolev, the master with over forty years of experience as a pirate, was explaining patiently: Generally speaking, the construction cost of merchant ships is several notches lower than that of military ones. You can think of them as thin composite material coffins. The process of robbing them is a psychological battle, and this thing is our ace in the hole. The two in front of you now are relatively advanced assault ships, identical to the Sherman Empires military equipment. The cost of a single one is a twentieth of this ship. The Sherman Empire calls it the Piranha, but we prefer to call it the Little Bee, just a light sting to those big guys. Yang Ming crossed his arms and said, The guard cannons on the merchant ships are not vegetarians either. With his hands in his pockets, Kolev laughed and said: It has a small protective shield; can you believe it? It can withstand half a minute of Guard Cannon fire. Moreover, it has powerful thrust, a keen early-warning system, and the ability to scan the enemys hull to determine the best landing spot thats why its so expensive. I need to practice piloting, Yang Ming said softly. There will be plenty of time and space for you to practice later. Kolev pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, Hanton, Im ready to set off as soon as possible. Can we leave tomorrow? Yang Ming asked, Just the two of us? Us two, and Molly No. 2, as well as this ship, Kolev said, I plan to bring twenty of the more intelligent robots, which, under the coordination of Molly No. 2, will be enough to maintain the ships body and handle general emergencies. Then you need to say a proper goodbye to Mimili. No, Kolev said, she will definitely insist on departing with me, and my old buddies will also ask to stand by my side, but I dont want that, and they wont be of any help to us. Yang Ming replied seriously, It is for you to decide. In my view, nothing fosters a father-daughter relationship more than a heart-to-heart talk. Go tell her how much you care about her. Kolev sighed, Dont worry, I will. Im much more experienced at being a father than you. As it turned out, Kolev was still stubborn. He did not say a proper goodbye to Mimili, instead, he saw her for a brief moment half an hour before departure, asking her many questions about how to become a pirate captain. Mimili seldom came to this side of the hangar. So, when the spaceship began to load various supplies, checked the outer hull, and the docking clamps gradually disengaged Mimili did not notice anything unusual. It was not until the hangars roof slowly opened, and a two-hundred-meter-long trench appeared on the side of the canyon, with the whole base trembling slightly. Hey, Molly. Mimili put down the book in her hands, her palm covering the desk surface: Is it an earthquake? Yes, Mistress Mimili, replied Molly No. 1, calmly, Its common here. Please focus on your studies; its nothing serious. Mimili was about to resume reading but hesitated for a moment. She suddenly felt her body lightened a lot. Anti-gravity field! Mimili stood up abruptly, rushing out of her bedroom and along the corridor towards the direction of the hangar. Mollys holographic image appeared alongside her, keeping up with her rapid movement, yet remaining silent. Molly could hear the conversations inside the spaceships bridge. Anti-gravity field at one hundred percent activation. Ship self-check complete let me see the self-inspection report. All green is fine, Hanton, move quickly, keep the radio silence, and max out the stealth system, do not expose this base. Yang Ming pressed the launch button, and the spaceship began to ascend with a soft roar, while waves of heat emerged in the hangar. A row of caterpillar robots stood neatly in a corner of the hangar, saluting in military fashion. In the clean and spacious bridge of the Feinan, Yang Ming and Kolev were lying in their modified pilot seats, in front of them flickered a dozen screens displaying data. Yang Ming glanced at the new screen popping up in the lower left corner of his field of vision, projecting the image of Mimili running through the corridor. There were tears at the corners of her eyes. Yang Ming turned his head to look at Kolev. He had been about to remind Kolev to say something, but then he noticed a similar projection screen by Kolevs hand. The spaceship slowly rose. Mimilis figure appeared behind the glass window in the upper left corner of the hangar. She could not go any further; the path to the hangar was already blocked, and most of the air inside the hangar had been lost. Mimili pounded on the window forcefully. Kolev bowed his head, looking at that small, delicate screen. As the hangars rooftop began to close, the spaceship moved smoothly at a few hundred meters above the ground, progressively disconnecting from the bases internal network. The small screen shook slightly, gradually blurred, and soon disappeared from view. It would have been fine to bring her along, Yang Ming suggested, Whether its Molly No. 2 who stays behind on the spaceship, or whether its Mimili, its the same. No, youre wrong, Kolev said, Humans are emotional, while machines are cold. Molly No. 2 can fully comprehend our orders, while Mimili would get emotional. Shes already grown up. Shes not mature enough yet. Fine, Yang Ming slid the main control panel to the side, the spaceship is now in your command. I will give her everything, Molly will take good care of her, the old man muttered to himself, Kimo has no idea what a foolish thing he has done! Hanton, do you know? He dared to bully my daughter, I will make him pay the price, I swear! Chapter 45 - Chapter 45: 032 Roaming Shark Chapter 45: 032 Roaming Shark Yang Ming lay comfortably on the sofa beside the porthole, holding a cup of coffee brought by the butler robot, staring into the starry void through the window, and indulgently enjoying the supreme authority of being a captain as he planned the repayment of one million New Federation Currency. He now had a ship; even if he were to do cargo hauling and transportation, coming up with one million within three years wouldnt pose a big issue. Of course, Yang Min had better career plans. Like robbing pirates, ambushing pirate bases, stealing power batteries from major capitalists merchant ships. Oh, it was time. Yang Ming said with an elegant voice, Molly No. 2, report the ships various indices. Okay, Captain Stop! Stop it, Hanton! Kolev yelled angrily, This is the sixth time youve asked for a report in the past hour! Holding a porcelain cup, Yang Ming raised an eyebrow and smiled, A good captain should always pay attention to his cute little ship. We just went through continuous warp jumps, and Im worried the armor modules might have come loose. Listen, thats impossible. Warp travel is more stable than regular flying. In normal space travel, you can collide with dust and debris, but what are you going to hit in warp, high-dimensional life forms? Kolev said helplessly, You could come over and check the Star Map with me. I just got some intelligence. Captain Hanton, the situation is pretty bad. Go to ????????????????????.co Coming, First Mate. Yang Ming stopped his playfulness and walked over to stand behind Kolev. He looked around the somewhat empty bridge that had been made so due to high levels of integration and the assisted piloting system, planning to set up a gym here so he could work out and monitor for approaching enemy ships simultaneously. Kolev brought up the 3D Star Map. Ive summarized and compared messages from a few intelligence traffickers, and now we can confirm only a few things. Kimo and his crew have been looking for us for two months, and in the process, they also managed to rob two merchant ships. Now, out of the six ships in the Black Dragon Group, three are stationed at Point Oneright here, inside this asteroid belt; a perfect hiding spot developed by me. Two other ships are at Point Two, and one is at the shipyard. Damn it, these were all my developments! Guka is at Point Two; Kimo is at Point One. Yang Ming said, In fact, theyve already split. Yes, Kolev laughed softly, None of these guys want to answer to the other. Doesnt that make it easier for us to make a move? Well just strike their bases directly, Kolev, Yang Min said, his eyes shining, Maybe after one ambush, I could pay off my debt! Kolev, however, said, I told you, the situation is very bad right now. Guess why the fish hide in their nest and dare not move? Yang Ming played along, Why? Because of it. Kolevs fingers swiftly slid across the controls, and a battleship with a droplet streamlined full-surface design appeared in front of Yang Ming. A shark is roaming around them, and it has set its sights on themyour little lover Linas ship, an eight-hundred-meter class light battlecruiser. This is really problematic. Yang Ming crossed his arms and clicked his tongue lightly, I regret a bit why I didnt ruthlessly nip it in the bud back then. Thats not your fault. Its hard for normal people to harm a comrade theyve been through thick and thin with, Kolev said, Especially since she didnt seem to pose much of a threat at the time. Yang Ming stared at the Dawn-level battleship for a while. You could try to seduce her, Kolev earnestly suggested, Use your masculine charm to turn a high-ranking Intelligence Officer. It could bring you unexpected benefits. Yang Ming was about to object when suddenly something occurred to him. Valkyries mind control. In the past three months, when Yang Ming had been alone, hed tried every possible way to understand himself and conducted some physical tests, such as the maximum interval between two injections of Genetic Stabilization Liquid. Sometimes, in a light sleep state, Yang Ming would enter a somnambulistic state; upon opening his eyes, the world would be hazy before him. Sometimes, it seemed Yang Ming could hear whispers in peoples minds, but they were like the whispers of demons, quickly making him dizzy. The result was he hadnt found any powerful abilities, and the rate of his physical strength enhancement had slowed down considerably. If he had Valkyries mind control, his subsequent actions would be much simpler. Where is Linas ship? Yang Ming asked. Its near Kimo. That battlecruiser has set its sights on the asteroid belt, and your little lover probably thinks that by keeping a close watch on Kimo, shell find us, Kolev said, Dawn-level battleship, one of the few with the best performance among eight-hundred-meter class battleships, possessing a powerful fire control system. The old man paused in his speech, then said in a low voice, All six of my ships combined wouldnt stand a chance against it. Is its hull easy to breach? Yang Ming asked, stroking his chin. Almost impossible, and as for how thick its armor really is, I have no information, Kolev shrugged, forget it, such military ships dont have obvious weaknesses. We must find a way to avoid it; otherwise, we cant take any action. Yang Ming carefully studied the Star Map before him for a while. Kolev, he said, do you think Hmm? Yang Ming suddenly said, Is it possible Lina is trying to buy off your crew? Kolev was momentarily stunned, then frowned deeply. Yang Ming quickly explained, Lina was originally a shipboard doctor on an Imperial Experimental Ship. I escaped with her, and then I ended up in Cole Port Prison, and she transformed into an Intelligence Officer for the Guel Alliance. Now that I think about it, many of her actions were suspicious, and I suspect that it was she who deliberately lured the Human Councils ships to us Shes particularly adept at setting up undercover spies. Yang Ming stared at the screen, slightly lost in thought at the sight of the Dawn-level battleship. Kolev sighed, Now that you mention it, I think my plan is riddled with holes. We need to find a way to avoid this battleship. Yang Ming pondered for a moment, a rather bold idea sprouting in his mind, he murmured, Or perhaps, deal with the ship itself. What? Kolev doubted his own ears, Handle a battleship? Sounds crazy, right? Hanton, Kolev said in a low voice, Ive always avoided asking you these questions but if were to carry out such a dangerous operation, I must know just how strong you are. What gives you the confidence that you can handle a Dawn-level battleship? It seems like sheer fantasy. It was the Ancient Gods. Yang Ming answered in his heart. After some thought, he decided to show Kolev a portion of his real strength. Come with me to the gym Is my ship in any danger here? Were hidden in the wilderness of the interstellar gap; theres absolutely no need to worry. Lets go Kolev, my loyal first officer, youd better prepare an emergency capsule. The first was a demonstration of strength. With a wooden expression, Kolev sat atop a small mountain made of piled metal plates. As Yang Ming squatted down and stood up while lifting these plates, the old man too moved up and down constantly. Next was the speed demonstration. Yang Ming stepped onto the treadmill set to three times Earths gravity, with his big feet casting after-images as he sprinted forward, Kolev stared blankly at the treadmills display, which showed speeds equivalent to 55 kilometers per hour in Sherman Empire units, momentarily at a loss for words. Lastly was the shooting demonstration. Kolev stood in front of the shooting target with a bewildered expression, an almond perched on his head, as Yang Ming confidently lifted the laser gun without the aim assist activated Oh! Stop! Enough! I know now! Your strength is extraordinary! Kolev shouted shakily. Yang Ming put down the laser gun, full of regret. He had been absolutely confident. Kolev hurriedly tossed the almond aside and came back trembling, staring at Yang Ming as if he were a monster. What kind of monsters genes have you fused with? Your strength and speed far exceed those of an ordinary Transformed, and yet you dont have exaggerated muscles. Yang Ming solemnly delivered the excuse he had prepared earlier, This is the technological strength of the Sherman Empire. Oh, this powerful empire, do they really intend to conquer the entire Milky Way! Kolev pondered carefully and shook his head, But thats still not enough. Lets not even talk about your inability to infiltrate the battleship, just think about the internal defenses that must exist within the battleship there will inevitably be laser guns with limited power placed at the checkpoints of various corridors to prevent mutiny you cant deal with those. Unless I can get you a set of the extremely expensive Strong Breeding Armor, but our current conditions dont allow it. As soon as I show up, wed definitely draw attention. Yang Ming thought of the laser guns that could penetrate a Valkyries body and the red armor of the complete Valkyrie form. Is there any chance of planting an electronic virus on the Alliances ships? Yang Ming asked. Are you questioning the talent pool of the Four Great Rogues of the Galaxy? Kolev laughed, My little tricks can only bully those small countries that dont have a complete education system. Looking at it now, were indeed at a stalemate, Yang Ming theatrically wiped the nonexistent sweat from his brow. Relax, there will be a way, Kolev patted Yang Mings shoulder. The two left the gym and hurried back to the bridge through the corridors. Kolev said, What we need to clarify now is that both of us are facing survival crises, mine from previous subordinates and yours from a former lover. Lina is not my mistress, Yang Ming explained, She was an old friend of mine Now, I must find a permanent solution to this problem. Killing her wont solve your dilemma, Hanton, Kolev said softly, After you entered Cole Port Prison, your intelligence has surely been reported to the Guel Alliance. Do I have to wipe out the entire Alliance? Or make the Alliance think youre already dead. Yang Ming paused, stopping in his tracks and falling into deep thought. Kolev didnt interrupt him and walked back to the bridge on his own, contemplating in front of the Star Map. Half an hour later. The captain has arrived on the bridge. Molly No. 2s synthetic voice was full of vigor, as if shed just had a hearty meal. Yang Ming practically ran into the room, his elated demeanor making Kolev a bit anxious. A young mans sudden inspiration often marks the beginning of a disaster. Hey! Kolev! Yang Ming spoke with great excitement, I have a plan! A perfect plan! One that will solve both of our problems at once! Oh! My God! Kolev covered his now-aching heart. Chapter 46 - Chapter 46: 033 Silence Chapter 46: 033 Silence Oh, Hanton, your plan Kolev looked at the projection screen filled with Imperial Language by Yang Ming, his brows gently furrowed, then slowly relaxed. It seems very feasible, the old man said. Yang Ming squinted and smiled. Kolev quickly frowned and said, But I will need to pay a bill of at least several million for this. Are you short on money? Yang Ming hooked his arm around Kolevs neck. Not short. Then can you live forever? Yang Ming asked again. Kolev hummed, How could I! I could live maybe another ten or twenty years at most, no way I could reach those noblemens feverishly pursued average lifespan of 120 years. Ive too many hidden injuries, had to let cells divide faster a few times for healing, the telomere erosion is too severe. What use is keeping the money then? Can you feel happiness after death? Pity filled Yang Mings eyes. Kolev, still conflicted, was taken aback by the question. Yang Ming said earnestly, Kolev, your money is just accompanying you in another form, as part of your assets. Besides, when you reclaim those six pirate ships, you can sell one or two. After all, by then, you definitely wont have enough crew to pilot them. Oh, that Kolev fell into thought in front of the projection screen. Go to ????????????????????.co Yes, Yang Mings idea was great; although this plan had its risks, it indeed seemed more reliable and executable than his previous ones. Hanton, Kolev made a decision. Hmm? After meeting you, my wealth has been dwindling continuously, not sure if thats lucky or not. Kolev shook his head and sighed, Give me some time to prepare. The key thingsa stealth boat with strong stealth capabilities and an expensive bionic robotare not easy to come by. Do you want to bring Mimili in on this? Yang Ming tentatively suggested. This is a mans war, Kolev said, let the women and children hide first. You will be criticized for that, Kolev. Im a pirate! A pirate! Kolev stormed off toward his rest area: Before some feminist gets a chance to question me, the space cops would take me out with one shot! I havent reclaimed my pirate group yet, and Im already bleeding heavily! Oh, my God! I havent spent so many credit coins in the past ten years! Yang Ming leaned against the Star Chart, gazing at his perfect plan, slightly arching an eyebrow. With the old mans stinginess. His fortune must be substantial! After tedious, covert procurement and preparation, Captain Yang Ming and his first officer began to formally implement their plan. A deep blue Stealth Boat silently slid into the tranquil asteroid belt. Yang Ming piloted the ship, with Molly No. 2 assisting the driving through the Stealth Boats operating system; Kolev was intently staring at the comprehensive detection device, ready to abandon the mission and turn tail at the first sign of data anomalies. The tortoise-shell-like Feinan was docked behind a small asteroid, in a state of complete silence. Hanton, Mimili seems to have been upset to tears, Molly told me Mimili is very unhappy with me for banning her from operating that pirate ship, what do you think we should do? An old man attempted to start a casual conversation. But Yang Ming wasnt in the mood to entertain him. He was focused on the auxiliary lines appearing on the glass ahead, calculating the erratic trajectory to come, his hands on the square helm steady as a rock. When they reached a more relaxed section of the route, Yang Ming couldnt resist complaining, Why did you choose an asteroid belt for your pirate base! Kolev chuckled, Theres a channel that I created in another direction; this place is the best barrier. Even if were being chased by patrol warships, we can easily find a place to hide. So, were the ones breaking in now? Yang Ming said. Kolev was a bit lost for words. The slow journey lasted for over an hour, with Kolevs guidance, the Stealth Boat easily bypassed the lax security line, the forward and reverse engines both operating at minimum power, maintaining a relative standstill with an asteroid ahead. Behind that asteroid lay a small Space Port with metallic structures, protected by a protective shield that guarded the brightly lit buildings. Two pirate ships of two hundred meters, and one of three hundred meters, were docked in the dockyard, outside the protective shield. Across the near-vacuum environment, Yang Ming could almost hear the lively voices inside the shield. Release the spores, Yang Ming ordered quietly. Molly No. 2s synthesized voice sounded, Repeat, release the spores. Kolevs hands flew across the projection screen, Okay, releasing the spores. The sleek Stealth Boat opened its tail fins, and electronic devices like mosquitoes floated out, quickly dispersing. The Stealth Boat hovered motionless. Kolev nervously watched the screen in front of him; tiny dots began to appear, slowly approaching the three target ships. Minutes later, the three ships were enveloped by the dots. Yet these tiny particles didnt attract the slightest attention from the pirate patrol team. We can go now, Kolev whispered. Yang Ming adeptly pulled the helm, slowly retreating the way they came. Getting away from their patrol zone. Getting away from their radar detection zone. As they left the starry rock field, Yang Mings forehead broke out in a slight sweat, complaining, This is way more tiring than teaching Mimili swordsmanship. Dont accelerate too fast, a steady acceleration is needed to maximize the ships stealth capabilities, Kolev reminded, Theres a big shark swimming quickly in this airspace; we must be extremely cautious. Dont worry, first officer. Yang Ming smiled and said, My luck has always been good. Suddenly, Molly No. 2 spoke up, Detection frequency felt, a small Detection Ship appears to be emerging, predicting a course that will intersect with our ship. Yang Mings smile immediately stiffened on his face. Damn, I jinxed it! A pulsing signal marker appeared on the radar screen. Retreat, Kolev immediately said, we must retreat! This is very likely a Guel Alliance Detection Ship! No, not right Kolev, retreating is too far, they must be watching this asteroid belt! The fact that we found them means we are also within their detection range, its just that our stealth capabilities are at work. Yang Ming spoke in a low voice, raising his hand to swiftly press a row of buttons in front of him. Molly, first keep the ship stationary relative to the asteroid belt, then shut down the engines. Kolev immediately understood what Yang Ming was planning to do; he turned to look at the asteroid belt still in his line of sight, hastily shut down several instruments beside him, and fastened his seatbelt tightly. After a dozen seconds, the Stealth Boat remained in sync with the asteroid belt. Engines off, residual heat cooling, reported Molly No. 2, her voice becoming gentle. Yang Ming whispered, Turn off the active radar. Well be blind! Kolev whispered back. Molly No. 2 repeated Yang Mings words, Turn off the active radar. A tiny point of light appeared in the depths of distant space. Inside their own cockpit, it was completely dark. Yang Ming leaned forward, hunched over the square mechanical helm, his eyes fixated on the light point that was growing closer. The other ships speed was not slow. No. 2, cut off our encrypted communication, keep the same frequency noise. Okay, cutting off encryption Molly No. 2s voice stopped abruptly, leaving only two breathing sounds, one light and one heavy. Kolevs breathing became a bit rapid. Kolev, Yang Ming asked quietly, do the spores we scattered have antennas? How do they communicate with us? Theyre components, like electronic viruses that invade software systems. They infiltrate the gaps in the ships hull when the outer bay is opened, looking for opportunities to connect to the circuit systems, then use the ships own antenna to communicate with us. Kolev, staring out the porthole, spoke quickly, The next drop-off point will be simpler; this is now the most difficult part of the entire plans early stages, and your little lover isnt nearby to keep watch. Yang Ming laughed, Cut it out, Lina is a great white shark; I just want to thoroughly cleanwash her out of my memory. The light appeared forty-five degrees to the front right. Yang Ming calculated the speed of the approaching ship, his fingers hovering over a somewhat concealed button on his left, flipped open the safety cover above it, and counted down three numbers in his heart. The main power cell shut down. The life support system shut down. Yang Ming held his breath, his finger resting on the power cell button, leaving the remaining oxygen in the cabin for Kolev. The light point moved to thirty degrees to the front right. Twenty degrees. Fifteen degrees. Five degrees. Directly ahead. Five degrees to the front left. Fifteen degrees to the front left. Im having difficulty breathing Kolevs face began to redden, the temperature at the hatch was slowly dropping. Still had to wait. Kolev raised his hand to his neck. Yang Ming hesitated. Although restoring power to the ship now was a bit risky, he could only take a gamble, after all, it would take some time for the oxygen level to return to normal, and the old mans brain couldnt afford to be oxygen-deprived. Yang Ming pressed the main power battery switch; the life support system started up, and the oxygen level in the cabin quickly rose. Kolev slumped in the seat, already in a state of inhaling less and exhaling more. Yang Ming turned his head to look at him, then asked quite sincerely, Do you want me to give you mouth-to-mouth resuscitation? First Officer? We should prepare a couple of emergency oxygen tanks or portable space suits in advance. Kolev waved his hand, coughed violently twice, and his lungs began working vigorously. The light point appeared sixty-five degrees to the front left. Yang Ming resumed normal breathing and collapsed in the chair, raising an eyebrow at Kolev, smiling, What do you think, First Officer, what did that ship look like just now? How do you manage it, Hanton to still be so energetic Kolev wiped the sweat from his forehead, his eyes somewhat blurry, he spoke slowly, Probably a boat-shaped Detection Ship, a clunky big thing, they need that to fit in more instruments. But what I can be sure of is that the technicians from the Alliance on it are probably drinking coffee and chatting about some crew members motor butt they didnt notice us at all. Lets get moving, they should be on a scheduled patrol. Yang Ming quickly opened a series of buttons in front of him, and the virtual image of Molly No. 2 appeared between the two men, silently hovering. Captain, based on the current situation, you have not been exposed. Molly No. 2, you take the helm, Yang Ming said, return to the mother ship. Okay, proceeding with the return to the mother ship operation. The projection screen in front of Kolev gradually restored, and he watched the real-time feed of three pirate ships data, a relaxed smile slowly spreading across his lips. The shows about to start, Hanton. From here on, no one can stop us! No one! Chapter 47 - Chapter 47: 034 Yang Mings Plan Chapter 47: 034 Yang Mings Plan The second deployment of spores was carried out by Yang Ming himself. Of course, Kolev had no intention of looking down on Boss Guka, it was purely Yang Ming did not take the other party seriously and volunteered to work alone. Yang Ming did not want to develop a dependence on Kolev, after all, his own plans had to be carried out alone. The deployment went smoothly, Gukas two ships had been successfully infected by the electronic spores. Incidentally, this second-hand Stealth Boat, worth over a million Federation Credit Coins, had also completed its main mission in the first half of the plan and was now fixed in the tail hangar of the Feinan. Tsk tsk, this thing would be his from now on! Captain Yang Ming, who had captured a second-hand Stealth Boat without even starting a battle, felt very pleased and was full of confidence for the upcoming plans. Captain has arrived at the bridge! The voice of Molly No. 2 was still full of energy today. Hows it going, Kolev? Very smooth! Very smooth. Two voices sounded simultaneously, and two Kolevs turned their heads at the same time, synchronously raising their left hands. At a glance, it was hard to tell which one was the real Kolev. Go to ????????????????????.co The difference was that the Kolev on the left wore a silver-white helmet and held a champagne flute, while the one on the right still had a vacant gaze and empty hands. Yang Ming exclaimed, Its almost deceivingly real! Apart from being expensive, its almost flawless. It was indeed expensive. This bionic robot was priced at two million Federation Coins because of its master-synchronization capability; in some politically unstable countries, politicians regarded it as a second life. Accompanying this robot was a metal cabinet displayed in the corner of the bridge. This was a device that could quickly generate a new identity for the bionic robot, containing expensive bionic materials that allowed the robot to change its skin within half an hour. Kolev removed his helmet. The stand-in robot slowly bowed its head, and a faint glow appeared on its chest, entering standby mode. Hanton! Ha ha! We can pop the champagne now! Kolev said excitably, Those two million were well spent! I even want to get one for my daughter! Are we celebrating before even half the preparations are done? My dear First Mate Kolev, dont be more impatient than me; Im just a young lad, and youre already ancient! Yang Ming joked as he laughed. He took off his combat suit jacket, quickly reached the control panel, and skillfully opened the Star Map to locate the next target point. Olhaif. Previously a black market location. Due to the intimidation of the Guel Alliance Battleships, the black market traders in Olhaif had long since fled. Olhaif itself was a marginal administrative star of a poor country, with a poor political environment, weak industrial system, and virtually non-existent space defenses. Feinan steered towards the nearby Gravitational Blur Equilibrium Zone, with Yang Ming setting the pre-jump mode. Kolev came over with a plate of steak: Hanton, dont you need to rest a bit? Were well prepared, theres no need to be so tense. Isnt this already resting? Yang Ming leaned back, and the chair automatically adjusted to a reclined position. Kolev handed over the plate of steak, and Yang Ming grabbed two strips and stuffed them in his mouth, chewing vigorously. The taste of rich sauce filled his mouth. Yang Ming said, Molly No. 2, give me the detailed information on Olhaif. Okay, Captain. Kolev remarked, You really are a workaholic. The projection screen in front of Yang Ming now displayed several pages of graphic information. The planet had a permanent population of about eight hundred thousand, all residing in two cities. Because of the departure of the black market merchants, Kimo, Guka, and Lina had all completely loosened their surveillance of this place. Yang Ming and Kolev had chosen this location because, behind the two cities, there was a city ruined from waran excellent ambush point. Kolev laughed, The robots we installed have been working on the backside of the planet for half a month now, and these people havent noticed a thing. Yang Ming recalled the two distinctly different cities of Olhaif. One looked like a part of a wealthy provincial block of the Sherman Empire; The other resembled the rubbish dumps on the outskirts of the city. Is there any fun in the residential areas of Olhaif? Yang Ming asked. Theres plenty of entertainment. Pirates often go there to spend money, high markups, rich service industry, Kolev said slowly, Once this matter is resolved, we can also go there to relax. Foot massages and shaving? No no no, as long as we dont bring Mimili, we can enjoy whatever entertainment you can think of. Kolev winked, and Yang Ming squinted with a smile. He liked this idea. Alright, now lets talk about the third step of the plan, Kolev said, I really dont know how you came up with it, such an incredible trick. Yang Ming said calmly, Just a simple case of killing three warriors with two peaches. What? Never mind, I made that up, Yang Mings eyes narrowed slightly, You should get ready to fake your death. Kolev advised, Youll still need this bionic robot later, be careful when you shoot; dont hit its True Sons Brain, that thing cant be repaired if broken. Aim for the heart, its empty and theres a blood pack there. Dont worry, I care about this thing more than you do; its my hope for shaking off the Guel Alliance, Yang Ming yawned, Ill take a nap, wake me up before we reach Olhaif. Chapter 48 - Chapter 48: 034 Yang Mings Plan_2 Chapter 48: 034 Yang Mings Plan_2 Remember to take the Genetic Stabilization Liquid on time, Kolev reminded, if you suddenly go berserk, my old bones cant withstand your thrashing. Yang Ming smiled, adjusted his seat to sleep mode, and soon started snoring loudly. Alright, Ill get the video ready for step four of the plan. Kolev licked his fingers and, humming a tune, turned on the camera and the script in front of him. The plan Yang Ming devised was divided into three parts. The first part was rather cumbersome, involving preliminary work, twice deploying spores, setting up an ambush on Oer Hairy, and obtaining a bionic robot to pretend to be dead. At this moment, they had already completed a significant portion and were steadily progressing. The second part, Kolevs treasure. This was Kolevs favorite part and the main reason he was willing to spend a lot this time. Cough, ahem. Kolev cleared his throat and adjusted the video parameters to make himself look like he was in his forties or fifties, full of vitality. Hey, kiddos! Hello there! Are you surprised to see me? This is a little program Ive hidden in the ship systems, triggered after my heart stops beating. Go to ????????????????????.co Yes, one must always plan ahead, especially in our line of work Outside the Feinans porthole, the silent Milky Way brought twinkles from a billion years ago. Accompanied by the old mans gentle, cheerful voice, the clock hands sped up, pointing to the moment when Yang Mings plan officially began. No news from Kolev yet? The haggard Lina stared at the screen in front of her, her skin having lost its usual luster due to consecutive sleep deprivation. The intelligence officers working beside her shook their heads simultaneously, their matching uniforms giving them a uniform appearance. Sir, this waiting seems a bit too passive. Kolev is already in his seventies, he might have retired with his daughter by now. Keep waiting. Finding Kolev is the only way we can locate the number one target. Lina leaned back on the couch; her forehead, which had been hit a few months ago, still ached slightly. Dont worry, I will give you an excellent review on your performance assessment. The young officers perked up instantly. Suddenly. Sir! One young man stared intently at the screen, speaking rapidly, Incoming message from Intelligence Point 362! Kolev spotted! Where? Lina sprang to her feet, her slender body a bit unsteady, and immediately rushed behind the young man, staring intently at the projection screen. The screen showed an image. Kolev, in a sharp suit, with a shaved beard, wearing sunglasses and a hat, walked down a well-lit corridor, his shoulder lightly pressed by a large hand. It was Hantons hand! Hanton, dressed similarly to Kolev in a cap and sunglasses, continuously looked around vigilantly. Lina nearly cheered. The displayed location was ultimately identified as a bank vault area. Two overly respectful attendants invariably glanced nervously at the wealthy client and the young man following him. What are they doing? Lina asked, Location! Where is it? Olhaif Planet, at a private bank! My God, theyve been hiding on Olhaif Planet! Prepare to jump immediately! Lina shouted loudly, and responses quickly came from all over the bridge. And as Lina turned around, the surveillance video from the bank, just reaching its climax. With help from the bank staff, Kolev found the safety deposit box he had been renting long-term. The two staff turned away, Kolev turned back to negotiate with Hanton, but Hanton just quietly watched him. The two men were at a standoff for several seconds. One of the attendants sneakily pressed the alarm button on his watch. Just then, Kolev opened the safe, took out a briefcase, and placed it on the ground. As he lifted the briefcase, his hand suddenly reached inside the safe. He pulled out a laser pistol and spun around to shoot at Hanton! Hantons reaction speed was almost inhuman! He quickly dodged, avoiding the deadly shot just before Kolev fired, and while Kolev was still unresponsive, he slammed Kolev against the safe, effortlessly snatched the laser gun, and grabbed the briefcase from Kolevs hands. The bank alarm sounded. Hanton cursed a few words in Imperial Language under his breath, clutching the small-framed Kolev and a briefcase, and hurriedly rushed out of the vault area. Seeing this, Linas breathing became somewhat rapid. They had internal conflict! Was it because of Kolevs wealth? Sir, please sit down! Buckle up! Hurry, move fast! Lina quickly settled down, her gaze never leaving the video. How long ago was this? An hour ago. It took us some time to get the internal bank video. It was all encrypted Oh, theres more news! The young Intelligence Officer shouted excitedly: Fifty minutes ago, Target One took Kolev hostage and confronted the local police, and both sides began to shoot. Kolev was injured, but Target One escaped with the injured Kolev. Half an hour ago, they fled the main city area, driving an airship towards the desert region. Fifteen minutes ago they are taking off! Commander! A hundred-meter class pirate ship is leaving Olhaif Planet at full speed! They are escaping again! Olhaifs patrol ships dare not move forward to stop them! Buzz The battleship began to warp. A faint double image appeared in front of Lina. These ten-odd seconds of waiting seemed so long! Space returned to normal, and the massive battleship appeared in a newly minted Star Domain, with the projected image of Olhaif Planet hanging in the center of the bridges display. Search for the target ship! the captain bellowed, seeking presence. Locked on! Its a light gunship modified into a pirate ship, identified as a Merchant Escort Ship! The enemy is trying to escape the planets gravitational influence to warp! Catch it before it warps! Without any hesitation in her voice this time, Lina commanded, Charge the ship guns! Capture its warp information! The ship guns are charging! Theres no time, Commander! Its going to force warp! Whoosh! Lina felt as though she could hear the sound coming from the screen, as the clamp-shaped ship vanished again before her eyes. But soon, her rigid expression revived. We caught the enemys warp field! Its a short-distance warp! The technology is crude, we can catch up! Chase them! Linas knuckles turned somewhat white. Inside Feinan, which had just completed the warp. Yang Ming and Kole exchanged glances, each revealing a slight smile. Kole said, Ill lead them on a chase, the course is already set. You go quick, put the decoy into the closet and fix the outer shell, we need to rush back before Kimo gets to Olhaif! The First Officer cant command his captain. Yang Ming pushed away from the chair, running towards the robot whose heart area had been shot through. He effortlessly peeled off its outer skin, revealing a silver-white skeleton, and placed it properly inside a metal closet. Yang Ming adeptly adjusted the mechanical makeover device, selected a preset sample, and chose a limb skeleton adjustment sample. When he pressed the start button, Yang Ming felt a flicker of anticipation. After all, this thing also carried his path forward. Did those five pirate ships receive the video? Yang Ming asked. Dont worry, Kolev smiled, They should be staring at the ship systems reboot screen by now, waiting for those ancient systems to reboot. Its been four years, and they still havent spent the money to update the ship operating systems. Yang Ming smiled wryly. He remembered the computer lab at his hometown school when he was a student. Meanwhile, at the pirate base in the asteroid belt, inside a pirate ship docked at the shipyard. The seven or eight pirates on rotation duty on the bridge were staring at the projection screen in front of them, caught in tense zoning out. Their ship seemed to have blue-screened. Chapter 49 - Chapter 49: 035 This damn sense of ceremony Chapter 49: 035 This damn sense of ceremony When Kimo learned that all three of his ships had malfunctioned, he almost flipped his delicious intestine over rice. This was his assurance of reaching the pinnacle of life! A large group of pirates left the cozy Space Port, donned their protective suits, and rushed back to the three pirate ships, then they stared blankly at the screens filled with strings of gibberish. Kimos nearly six-foot sturdy frame imposed immense pressure on the surrounding pirates. Where are those damn technicians? Kimo asked as gently as he could. Boss, do you mean those two guys you threw into space last time because they got icy? You thought they were overpaid and did no substantial work, just drinking tea on the ship and flirting with women Kimos nostrils flared uncontrollably, The new technicians, oh, the newly hired ones where are they? Theyre over there, saying the system is auto-updating, telling us not to panic. Damn it! Kimo glared and roared, Cant I tell the difference between a crash screen and an auto-update? Another freeloader! Bring him to me! Two young pirates with scholarly looks had their legs go soft. Suddenly, all the screens began to shake, and an old face appeared everywhere. Kimo paused, then clenched his fists. Go to ????????????????????.co My lads! Hello there! Kolev! It was Kolevs doing! Its Captain Kolev! a pirate exclaimed in surprise. What captain, someone immediately corrected, hes a greedy vampire, a capitalist pirate exploiting us, Kolev! Yet Kolevs voice was full of calm, melancholy, and tenderness. He looked affectionately at everyone and said softly; Are you surprised to see me now? This is a little program I hid in the systems of each ship, triggered after my heart stops beating. Yes, getting old, you have to prepare for the future, especially in our line of work. Today is my sixty-fifth birthday, and Ive felt my body might not be up for it anymore, after several intense healing sessions; Ive aged faster, ah I wish I could continue causing chaos in the Galaxy with you all. Kimo frowned, Can we turn this off? This old man disgusts me. Leader, were already pressing the button but um, physically, theyre unresponsive. Just then, Kolev spoke up: Dont shut the video off. This is a will, Im leaving half my wealth as a reward for your loyalty. The other half goes to Mimili. When my heart stops beating, this message will appear before you. I hope you wont panic or fall into disarray from the potential shock. If you feel you cant continue spacefaring without my leadership, take the wealth Ive left for youI mean, every one of you who can see this video, and find a remote place to settle down. Of course, if you want to keep sailing, I recommend Guka, this little guy whos been my second mate for many years, to continue leading you. My daughter is still too young. But I hope Guka will train her as the next leader. Guka, you can do it, right? Oh, making a will is really a sad affair. I hope this thing will never be used. Go find my treasure, let the squadron leaders split up, supervise each other, and nobody think about hogging it all, its left for you. Ive converted it into Federation Coins electronic keys. Several photos flashed across the video. The location is here, a place you are familiar with, but wouldnt expect. The video focused on the backside of the Olhaif Planet, a deserted city in an uninhabited area. Go search for the treasure I hid. Dont fight among yourselves, remember, only by unity can you continue to be invincible. Whoosh! The video disappeared from all the screens, showing the normal system interface. A deathlike silence fell over the pirate ship. Everyone was looking at Kimo, and everyones gaze gradually became animated. This is a trap, Kimo said gravely, I may not like thinking, but this is obviously a trap Kolev wants us to fall into. A confidant whispered from the side, But, leader, we havent received any external signals. Also, according to the feedback from Gukas side, they saw the same thing on their ship. Its a will, and Kolev looks just like he did ten years ago. Kimo murmured, How did this old man manage this. Suddenly, a call came from the corner. What? Are you serious? The bank? Kimo frowned and looked over. Lealeader, Kolev is dead Half an hour ago, he was held hostage by that young man who cursed you as brainless, in a standoff with Olhaif police, and the police shot Kolev, the hostage Leader! Ive also received news, its from a spy! Oh, here are the video and pictures! That young man also wants your wealth, leader, amassed over decades, the major assets of the Black Dragon The old leader was right, it belongs to us! To every member of the Black Dragon. That damn Kolev, he dared to decide on his own, leaving half to that idiot Mimili alone! Noise. Uproar. The pirates became restless. Kimo narrowed his eyes slightly and suddenly burst into laughter, the ferocious expression making the surrounding pirates stop their discussion. Chapter 50 - Chapter 50: 035 This damn sense of ritual_2 Chapter 50: 035 This damn sense of ritual_2 ` What are you all dazed for? Were getting new ships and weapons! Hahaha! Guka has already set sail, Captain! That damned Guka, dare him to touch my money and see what happens! Anger filled Kimos eyes. Beat them to it, and move it! You overfed idiots! Kolevs fortune? Lina massaged her brow, staring at the blip on the radar screen. This Light Escort Ships propulsion system was beyond her imagination; the battleship had almost lost them several times. Lina knew that her operators had done their best. The Light Battlecruiser, due to its large size, had stricter requirements for the gravitational field around it when attempting to jump, and nobody wanted to be accountable for the consequences of a risky jump. But the ship ahead didnt care about that, continuing to perform dangerous maneuvers. Go to ????????????????????.co Lina just wanted to end all this as quickly as possible. She had asked several times if they could open fire, only to be told either the lock-on time was insufficient or there was something obstructing them. And now, Lina received new information from the members of the Black Dragon Pirate Group she had bribed. A message system left by Kolev on the pirate ships, which had gone untouched for over ten years, was triggered by Kolevs death; a deserted city on Olhaif Planet hid the great pirate Kolevs treasure, and five pirate ships were swarming toward Olhaif Planet. Lina quickly pieced the information together. She had been puzzled as to why Hanton had taken Kolev to Olhaif. Now the answer was clearHanton must have found out about Kolevs treasure hidden on Olhaif and wanted a part of it, while Kolev, cunning as ever, tried to turn the tables by using the gun in the safe to kill Hanton. But what was Hanton in such a rush for the money for? Lina pondered carefully, watching the blip on the radar screen jump again as the ship made another hasty jump. Such risky behavior was typical of Hanton. He must want to grab the money and make a run for it, and Kolev was just a fat sheep. Yes, Hanton only wants to hide now, but he needs a livelihood, he needs money to buy Genetic Stabilization Liquid. But why would Hanton Linas thoughts became slightly scattered. Commander! The young intelligence officer rushed over, whispering, The Black Dragon Pirate Group has gathered around Olhaif, sending out dozens of landing boats like mad dashing toward the ruins, with five ships very close to the surface. Theyre split into two groups, facing off. Lina replied coolly, Even if those pirates bash their brains out, its none of our concern! Commander! A reminder came from the left console, Weve tracked the jump point of the target The ship with the primary target has appeared near Olhaif! Lina hesitated. A flicker of contemplation sped through her eyes. Hanton wants Kolevs fortune? Thats somewhat illogical. Commander, the young intelligence officer asked quietly, you were raised on the Head Star, right? Yes, what about it? For many people, money is everything, the officer reminded, the primary target is at his wits end, and pirate treasure is secret wealth that could be his future security. No matter what, catch up to him, Lina ordered immediately, jump now! But, Commander The captains voice rang out, Weve been led to the edge of a complex Twin Star gravitational field, we need to get clear of the area before we can initiate a jump. ` Linas expression stiffened slightly. The opponent has calculated everything, Commander Lina, the captain whispered, perhaps we should reassess our opponent. He doesnt seem like an ordinary Imperial officer. Hes played us for fools. And my ship isnt suited for this kind of pursuit; maybe we should deploy two smaller, more agile light escort ships. Ill report to the higher-ups as soon as possible, Lina said, but for now, leave the gravitational interference zone at maximum speed and return to Olhaif. If target one chooses to land on Olhaif, that will be our only chance to catch him! The captain shrugged and turned to issue orders. Lina felt anxious, she crossed her arms and forced herself to remain calm, pondering the series of anomalies in these matters. She always felt that something was slightly off. What Lina hadnt noticed was that in the corner of the bridges operations console, a young man had placed a metallic spider, two millimeters in diameter, in between the buttons. If this spider were enlarged, one would see the Emperor Stars insignia gleaming on it. Using the planet Olhaif itself for cover, the Feinan slipped into the planets near-orbit, hidden below the horizon from the vision of five pirate ships. In the rear cabin, the stealth boat was in the launch position, and its scissor doors slowly opened. Yang Ming, clad in a pale grey combat suit, was stuffing his lifelike bionic stand-in robot into the trunk of the stealth boat. After strapping the stand-in robot in, Yang Ming quickly climbed into the pilots seat. Just as he was about to press the button to close the hatch, a veteran hand appeared on the opposite armrest. Kolev, out of breath, clambered up and took his seat in the co-pilots position. Yang Mings forehead creased with several question marks. First Mate, what are you doing here? Im here to help you pilot this little boat, Kolev grinned, the Molly No. 2 can take care of the Feinan. For the follow-up activities using the stand-in, I need to help you operate this ship. Yang Ming frowned lightly, No, Kolev, according to our plan, you should be on the ship right now, making sure if Lina catches up early, to shake them off again. Dont worry, Molly No. 2 can do it. Shes already learned and recorded our previous operating pattern, and we have enough time, Kolev fastened his safety belt, Let me come with you, Hanton. I promise not to get off this stealth boat. Why? Yang Mings gaze sharpened. Kolev was silent for a moment and then spoke softly: Ive got some terrible ideas brewing in my head. If I stay on the Feinan, I could technically modify Molly No. 2s primary loyalty target, and I could after you take care of Kimo, turn the charade into reality by blowing up your real body. I can do it, Hanton, and that would make me the ultimate winner. But I dont want to do that. If I were ten years younger, I definitely would have done it, so I could take back the Feinan right away. Let me act with you, Hanton. Let me be responsible for backing you up. Were partners the best partners Ive had in decades but Im just a despicable pirate, and Im afraid I cant control my greed and desire Yang Ming stared at Kolevs wrinkled old face. That old face was filled with grievances. Yang Ming extended his fist to Kolev and raised an eyebrow. Hey! Thats kid stuff! Kolev somewhat disapproved. Come on, First Mate. Oh, this damned sense of ritual! Kolev clenched his fist, a bit feebly, and touched it to Yang Mings fist. Yang Ming smiled triumphantly, rapidly pressing a series of buttons. The stealth boats hatch closed swiftly. Depressurization of the rear cabin. The simulated gravity field was shut off. The hatch of the Feinan slowly opened, and the main and auxiliary engines of the stealth boat showed a light blue halo. Yang Ming pushed the mechanical rudder, sliding the small boat swiftly into Olhaifs atmosphere, activating the weak protective shield, and speeding through the thin atmosphere. They raced toward that uninhabited city. Chapter 51 - Chapter 51: 036 Lone Soldier Assault! Chapter 51: 036 Lone Soldier Assault! The cluster of buildings in the uninhabited city appeared on the horizon ahead. Yang Ming controlled the Stealth Boat to decrease its altitude, gliding forward almost brushing against the wave patterns of those dunes, and the originally deep blue coating had turned earth-yellow. One hundred and sixty vicious pirates were now divided into two groups, searching for Kolevs treasure in the city. They had already found some clues. Both groups had become very excited. There were about a dozen landing craft circling back and forth in the sky, the weapons targeting both air and ground already activated, providing cover for the infantry raid below. A few assault vehicles roamed through the citys wasteland, and Kimo, the primary target Yang Ming was seeking, was in one of those vehicles. Im launching the drones. Kolev murmured softly as he lightly tapped on the screen in front of him, and several fist-sized spheres appeared from the back of the Stealth Boat, swiftly circling forward towards the city. The Stealth Boat slowed and approached the edge of the city, hiding in the shadow of a large building. Yang Ming unzipped his jacket, revealing the advanced combat suit that closely fitted his muscles beneath. It was the one Mimili had given him. The combat suit had several clips at the waist, which Yang Ming equipped with two Light Swords, emergency capsules, a backup emergency nanospace suit, two high-capacity energy cartridges for his laser guns, and the laser pistol generously donated by the late bald warden of Cole Port Prison. Go to ????????????????????.co He put on a thick helmet that could protect his brain, slung a tactical backpack with throwing weapons, and finally picked up the laser gun at his side. Kolev pressed a few buttons, and a bat-shaped hoverboard popped out below the Stealth Boat as the scissor doors beside Yang Ming slowly raised. Yang Ming looked at Kolev. Kolev immediately realized that the young warrior seemed nervous, given that he was facing more than one hundred and fifty ruthless scoundrels. He needed to encourage Hanton. Han Yang Mings eyes shone as he asked, Cool, isnt it? This setup of mine. Kolev, about to speak, almost choked on his breath. Yang Ming asked with a smile, Is there anyone who needs to be kept alive? I wont hold back. Kolev hesitated but shook his head. If I fall into Kimos hands, no one here will plead for me. Youre right, Hanton. My subordinates are now my enemies, and to enemies, there is only subjugation and destruction. Be safe, young captain. Yang Ming snapped down his goggles, leapt out of the aircraft, and firmly stood atop the hoverboard, crouching down, his legs exerting force, as the sensitively responsive hoverboard accelerated with a faint noise, swiftly sliding into the ruins of the city. Kolev stared at Yang Mings departing figure, murmuring to himself. I should probably let Mimili visually appreciate Hantons worth. Glancing at the drone control interfaces recording option, Kolev hesitated for a while, yet did not activate the recording function. When he looked up again, he could no longer see Yang Mings figure. Keep updating me, Kolev. Yang Mings voice rang in the headset, as Kolev methodically maneuvered the drones, quickly sorting out the overall information and streaming it to Yang Mings goggles. These pirates were, after all, well-trained. Their advance and retreat through the city ruins could be considered measured, the coordination between the small squads was quite decent, continually occupying high ground points while searching the whole city. They have a few Life Detectors, Hanton, Kolev warned, You can easily expose yourself if you stay at one location too long. Yang Ming acknowledged briefly, pondered slightly, and controlled the hoverboard to drift into a midline position between two groups of pirates, occupying advantageous terrain at the edge. Directly encircling himself with enemies was a very unwise act. He had other ideas. Yang Ming drew a second tactical headset from the side pocket of his backpack, hanging it on his left ear, and whispered softly, Kolev, let me hear what the other side is saying. Thats easy which side to connect? Left ear Kimo, right ear Guka. Kolev paused for three seconds, quickly providing feedback to Yang Ming. Wouldnt this be confusing? Yang Ming soon heard the communications from both sides, Gukas side was relatively quiet, only simple and efficient search responses; Kimos side was more complex, with more than a dozen people continually speaking, interspersed with the occasional curse. Boss, weve indeed found our gangs mark, and these marks look at least a few years old, pointing towards the direction Gukas in. They got a head start. Damn! This is Gukas loyalty to me! Just wait, he will pay the price! Boss! Squad two is about to meet them! Let them hold off a bit, give Guka a chance, Kimo said coldly, Now, the choice is his, the initiative is mine. If they provoke me, I will slaughter them. I promise! A few of Kimos captains immediately started sucking up. Ah, the sycophancy of pirates. Yang Ming listened intently for a while, his eyes continuously catching the information reflected in his goggles, a mature plan already forming in his mind. As Kimos side chatted happily, he raised his hand to knock on his left earpiece, using a slightly coarse voice with an urgency in his tone, Damn it! Theyre insulting me! I saw their lip movements! He immediately turned off the microphone. No one responded to him. Yang Ming raised an eyebrow, tapped his right earpiece, and whispered softly, Position twelve, they want to encircle us. Chapter 52 - Chapter 52: 036 Lone Soldier Assault!_2 Chapter 52: 036 Lone Soldier Assault!_2 ` After turning off the microphone, he quietly waited for a while. Among the red dots projected on his goggles, a few began to move towards Position Twelve. Yang Ming tapped his left earpiece, Boss, theyre suddenly charging our way. Aim at them first! Kimo bellowed, Send the nearby team to check them out. If they dare to shoot, Ill kill them! Yang Ming tapped his right earpiece, The opponent is trying to seize the high ground. Get the landing craft ready, Gukas voice suddenly erupted, Kimo has never trusted us. If he kills us, his men could get twice as much treasure. Conversely, we could do the same. This fortune is enough for all of us to retire. Yang Ming spoke in a panicked tone, Theyre aiming at me! Damn it! Theyre going to kill me! Then he immediately switched to a calm voice, The enemy has formed an attack array; theyre about to fire; I see them unlocking the safety. Next, Yang Ming began to switch back and forth, his head constantly turning left and right, to ensure he didnt confuse his vests. Theyre trying to surround us! Position Six has been taken by them. Damn, theyre going after our backs! Are they going to shoot? Theyre provoking you, boss! Go to ????????????????????.co Kolevs wealth is enough for us to buy half a planet; theyve lost their minds! All ships, activate protective shields! Kimo roared. Yang Ming, Oh! Their ships protective shields are up! Everyone find cover, theyre definitely going to fire! Dont give them a chance to attack from the air! Load the cannons on the landing craft! Stay calm! Everyone, keep calm! Guka shouted in a low voice. Dont panic, you brats, Kimo spoke in a deep voice, Im the leader; I must give them a chance, but if they dare to fire the first shot In the empty mid-levels of the skyscraper. Yang Ming unlocked his laser guns safety, checked the power gauge, and pushed open a sliver of the glass window beside him. Turning around, with his gun ready and stance set, Yang Ming hid behind the curtain, the pupils behind his goggles reflecting the images of two pirates crouched on the sloping roof below. Swoosh, swoosh! Without hesitation, Yang Ming pulled the trigger. The muzzle of the laser gun moved almost in one second, and the two pirates hit the ground with two screams, clutching their thighs. Yang Ming turned and ran, ending the three-way communication with two emotionally charged shouts, both back and forth. Damn it! Theyve fired! Kill them all! Yang Ming calmly removed his right earpiece. At this moment, both sides channels were boiling with activity. Ah! My leg! My legs been shot through! Redirect the airship! Guka, that bastard, he fired first! Hes challenging me! Ill kill him! Counterattack! Counterattack! The despicable Guka wants to keep the treasure all to himself! It belongs to all of us! Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh! Suddenly, over ten laser gun beams appeared in the corner of the city. An airship activated its machine guns, and a series of thick laser bullets left dazzling trails across the sky. Yang Ming had just jumped through a window to the adjacent building when several missiles whizzed overhead, all of which were destroyed by laser fire, exploding into bursts of fireworks. Many landing crafts pressed down their altitude nearby, hiding their frames against the buildings, while several attempting to ascend for a height advantage had become targets. In the thin atmosphere, five pirate ships activated their protective shields at the same time and began exchanging cannon fire. The pirates civil war had erupted in full force! ` Yang Ming said calmly, Now, First Mate Kolev, you can give me Kimos location. Kolev What had he just witnessed? Had all his former subordinates been idiots? Kolevs voice had a somber tone, They wanted my treasure so badly? No, Kolev, thats just a secondary reason. Yang Ming hid in a corner behind a concrete wall, eyes focused on Kimos red dot displayed on the map in his goggles. Yang Ming smirked, The main reason is, youre dead. Im dead? Do you think anyone would bother to buy your life from prison? And why were you caught in an ordinary trade? Yang Ming spoke softly, Mimili was exiled as part of a calculated plot. Her personal charm is actually quite impressive, and she had so many loyal old-timers. They didnt kill Mimili because they feared you were still alive, worried that the prison couldnt hold you. Then they decided to use the prison to kill you; that makes sense. If you were to die in prison, Mimilis ship would definitely be attacked. You were like a stone weighing down on the already fractious Black Dragon Group. Kimo, Guka, and the others who overlooked Mimilis exile all needed to band together to withstand the pressure from you. Now, in their eyes, youre dead, and theres your treasure left behind. You understand all this, Kolev, but you chose from the start not to believe it. Kolev sounded dispirited, Indeed, they never listen to each other actually, all I needed to do was fake my death, and theyd inevitably start fighting amongst themselves. Alright, Kolev, Yang Ming said, thats how pirate groups are; they are scoundrels, not knights. Let them unleash themselves here. Ill deal with Kimo. Lina and the others should arrive soon; make sure number two stays well-hidden. Hes entered a building near you, Kolev said, be careful, hes very strong. The drone footage I saw earlier showed him starting to don an exoskeleton mecha, which can take on small craft. Yang Ming let out a hm and shot out from the corner, vaulted over the windowsill, and landed steadily on a hoverboard, heading towards the remnants of a building a hundred meters away. Kimos assault vehicle was parked outside the building, with Kimo himself now in the lobby on the first floor. Yang Ming repeatedly lifted his laser gun, the beams precisely hitting pirates who seemed to appear out of nowhere, leaving behind several charred holes where their brains used to be. Kimo and his men noticed the anomaly beside the building. Boss! Squad six has been attacked! Theres been no response. Theres a high-speed target approaching us, its a biological target! Definitely a personal flight device! Did Guka hire mercenaries? Kimo bellowed, panting, Quickly help me start up the mecha, Im going to kill all these bastards! Its already started! Boss uh uh Whoosh! The speaking pirate was suddenly cut off mid-sentence. The middle-aged man with tattoos on his face tried to look down at his throat, but his neck, pierced by the beam, failed to complete the motion. All he saw was a hole in the wall ahead and the wisp of smoke rising from it. Whoosh whoosh whoosh! Several figures fell simultaneously, and an energy shield passively triggered behind Kimo displayed faint ripples. Wrapped in an exoskeleton, Kimo whirled around just in time to see several rapidly enlarging black dots. Shock grenades! Almost instinctively, Kimo raised his hands to shield his head, squatting as much as possible. His chest, back, and both sides of his arms lit up with ovoid light shields in a dull yellow hue. Chapter 53 - Chapter 53: 037 Beheading! Chapter 53: 037 Beheading! The roaring sound accompanied by shockwaves kicked up thick dust in the empty floor. The initiator of all this, the figure that suddenly appeared at the staircase, was now holding a laser gun in standard position, staring at the flying dust ahead, continuously pulling the trigger. A series of purple Light Bullets formed a straight line. The dust weakened the power of the laser gun. Bright yellow haloes of light ripple out from within the dust. Like a high wall, a dark shadow suddenly leaped out from the dust ahead! Yang Ming rolled forward, passing over and under the shadow, and upon completing his roll, took a knee with his gun at the ready, rapidly firing the trigger! This shadow was Kimo. Wrapped in an energy shield, Kimo who took the Shock Bombs without a scratch! Kimo clenched his fists tightly, two ion blades extending from the back armor of his hand, glaring at Yang Ming who had sneakily shot and killed several of his men. You damned swine! Kimo roared, You cant break through my shield! Im going to kill you! Twist off your head and hang it on the flag at the front of my ship! Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ????????????????????.co Yang Ming stood up calmly, his laser gun continuing to spray out purple bullets. Cat got your tongue? Werent you quite the talker? Kimo charged directly at Yang Ming, shouting constantly. The thrusters on the back of his armor flared up again, and he soared just above the ground, holding up the ion blade in his hand like a cross, chopping down fiercely at Yang Mings head! Yang Ming stepped back steadily, his legs gathering strength, almost matching the speed of Kimos advance. Kimos ion blade kept slashing at empty air. Retreating, Yang Ming left several nearly perfect semi-circles on the ground, like an elegant matador in a bullfighting arena, the series of bullets like the cords leading a bull. He constantly maintained a distance of two meters from Kimo. At this moment, Kimo hadnt realized the severity of the situation and had no intention of picking up a laser gun. Kimo had confirmed the power of the laser gun in Yang Mings hands. Kimo intended to use his favorite method, a bloody beheading, to deal with this swine who had humiliated him! Click, click-click. Yang Mings laser gun ran out of the energy storage magazine. A sinister smile appeared on Kimos face: Your time to die has come! Bastard! Yang Ming slightly smirked. This guy, decked out in high-rank warriors gear, the all-spending freak! Was it the money that should have been used to upgrade their pirate ships onboard systems, all spent by Kimo upgrading his personal gear? Kimo roared again and charged. Yang Ming ducked, easily dodging the others ion blade, his right hand propping up from the bottom of his backpack, four Shock Grenades flying out from the backpacks mouth, steadily caught by Yang Ming. Kimo instinctively wanted to protect himself. But Yang Ming swiftly threw these grenades toward the corners of the room. In the roar, shockwaves surged back and forth, shaking the entire floor. Kimo sneered: You think you can blow up the floor and die with me? Wishful thinking! I wouldnt die from falling hundreds of meters! Yang Ming reached into his chest, pulling out a somewhat worn black hilt. A Light Sword? Kimo rattled his giant ion blade, his eyes filling with a crazed will to fight. Take a look at whats been added around you, Yang Ming briefly reminded him. Kimo glanced around. Dust. Due to the impact of the recent Shock Bombs, the dust accumulated on the abandoned floor was completely stirred up. No one will know how you died, Kimo. Yang Ming spoke calmly. Buzz A mournful red light bathed Yang Mings face. Was this laughable light sword, challenging his top-tier armor? Kimos nostrils flared, the four ion streams spraying from his back like unfurled Light Wings! He charged with his exoskeleton-wrapped stalwart body again! He was the most formidable presence in the Black Dragon Group. And now, he intended to crush this young man into oblivion, to keep company with that old bastard Kolev! Kimos raised ion blade shone even brighter, his roar was that of a wild beast. Yang Ming, who had raised his light sword, took half a step forward, the dancing dust around him seemingly freezing in place for a moment. Kimos fierce expression suddenly froze, his pupils suddenly constricting. He saw it, the deep footprints on the concrete floor where Yang Ming had stepped. Such explosive power! Kimos downward chop came too late to change, and he could only watch helplessly as the young warrior charged towards him with speed surpassing reason! The blood-red light sword traced a figure-eight pattern! Yang Ming almost burst straight into Kimos embrace! The blood-colored light sword forcibly cut through the incompletely filled energy shield, grazing the armpit gap not covered by the exoskeleton. Shoulder hit! The energy shield flickered wildly! Yang Ming didnt take a single step back, the floor beneath his feet cracked extensively. Kimos colossal body flew backward, sliding more than ten meters after hitting the ground. Both of his arms trembled uncontrollably, fresh blood spurting from his armpit, his waist visibly dislocated, his leg nerves unresponsive. Ah! Ahhh Kimo howled in agony, his voice transmitting to two-thirds of the pirates ears. Monster! Kimo bellowed, You monster! Ah! My arms! Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of Kimo. Yang Ming stood above Kimo, holding the light sword. I have a passive, full-body shield! You cant kill me! Kimo shouted tremblingly, Spare me, Ill give you Kolevs treasures, you want money, dont you its all yours Yang Ming knelt on one knee, slowly bringing his hand close to Kimos ear, shutting off Kimos earpiece. Chapter 54 - Chapter 54: 037 Beheading!_2 Chapter 54: 037 Beheading!_2 Captain Kimo, do you know what the warriors passive full-body shield fears the most? Yang Ming whispered softly, his voice reaching Kimos ears as well as Kolevs. Passive triggered shields can detect metals, sharp objects, high-energy rays, and kinetic weapons; they actually cover your whole body, but only at the moment someone pulls the trigger, completing energy distribution and deployment. But it does not respond to gentle body contact. Yang Mings left thumb pressed against the nail of his middle finger, slowly approaching Kimos forehead. Kimo shook all over, but at that moment, he could only shudder, only twitch, only stare, only listen to the others voice, devilish in its whisper: It wont refuse a friendly tap on the head. Yang Mings finger suddenly flicked. Bang! Kimos eyes bulged, a semicircular depression formed in the middle of his head, a faint cracking sound came from his skull, and black blood flowed from his nostrils and ears. The humming noise of the exoskeleton armor gradually vanished, as its wearer had already lost life signs. A laser pistol appeared in Yang Mings hand, its muzzle pointed at Kimos forehead. Whoosh! Whoosh whoosh! Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ????????????????????.co Three thumb-sized holes in Kimos forehead emitted wisps of white smoke. Your men are really weak, Kolev. Yang Ming laughed teasingly, He couldnt even block my head tap. At this moment, Kolev didnt feel like engaging with the young man, just sitting there, his eyes somewhat vacant. Yang Ming looked regretfully at the expensive exoskeleton mecha. He didnt waste any time, lowering his head into the dust, his figure swiftly disappearing, quickly heading towards the direction of the stealth boat. How does it feel, Kolev? Yang Ming asked. Relieved, Kolev replied, and a bit regretful. Yang Ming constantly surveyed the surrounding environment; after jumping out of the window, he had already met up with a hoverboard. He reminded him, You should let them know Kimo is dead; dont let them sink your ship. Ah, Kolev sighed, Suddenly I find myself not wanting Mimili to be a pirate anymore. Yang Ming chuckled, Right, why be a pirate? You and your daughter could start a shipping company aimed at luring pirates, spreading some positive energy in the universe. Oh, that, I might consider Hanton! Kolevs voice suddenly carried a bit of urgency: Hurry back, Linas ship has completed the jump, charging towards Olhaif! My left detectors show they are traveling at full speed! Damn, this is a full ten minutes earlier than we expected! Im coming to pick you up! Kolev, use remote control, make it run out. That will leave vulnerabilities! We have to follow my lead now, Kolev, meet in front of the fourth building ahead! Hurry! If Lina scares away your pirate ship, our plan is ruined! Yang Mings voice grew more urgent. He needed the firepower of those pirate ships to truly complete his feigned death and escape. This was the most crucial part of the entire plan for him! Yang Ming looked up; in the thin atmosphere, those pirate ships were still bombarding the enemys protective shield, with one already in imminent peril. Yang Ming almost crouched on the hoverboard, pressing it to its highest gear, speeding across the edge of the battlefield. Hanton! Landing crafts have spotted you, Hanton! Theyre locking onto you! Quickly release the news of Kimos death, say it was mercenaries hired! Start a riot first! Yang Ming had just spoken when Buzz! Buzz! Two arm-thick light bullets skimmed past his back, directly shattering a nearby broken wall. Yang Ming immediately turned and raised his hand, aiming the energy-stored magazine of his laser gun at the sky. He held his breath, his pupils seemingly crystalline, his sight almost aligning with the laser guns aiming red line. He locked onto the twelve-meter-long landing craft. Yang Ming pulled the trigger! But the thin protective membrane outside the landing craft showed no significant ripples. Buzz! A purplish-red laser beam, half a meter in diameter, descended from the sky and struck the landing vessel precisely! The protective shield of the landing vessel was penetrated in a matter of microseconds, and the twelve-meter vessel exploded violently in the air, the blast wave kicking up tens of meters of sand and dust. Run! Kolev shouted, Im controlling their ground artillery, damn it! This has definitely left a trace! Beautiful! Yang Ming shouted as he stabilized his floating skateboard, his mouth full of sand and dust, and raced toward the building marked by Kolev, skimming close to the ground. At the same time, the rear trunk of the stealth boat opened, and a figure rolled out, making use of the sand and dust for cover and rushing toward the building ahead. It seemed like another Yang Ming, dressed the same and equipped with the same individual combat gear. Damn it! I only have two hands! Two! Kolev cursed frantically. Yang Ming held his breath; the clone robot had appeared within his sight, and not ten seconds after it entered the abandoned building, Yang Ming sprinted in on his floating skateboard. The entire ground floor of the building had been cleared out, where Yang Ming met the clone robot. He immediately handed his laser gun, goggles, headset, tactical backpack, and floating skateboard to the clone by his side, while Kolev controlled the clone to run to the corner with all the gear; Yang Ming continued to race forward. After a few steps, Yang Ming turned back, opened a bottle wrapped in several layers of foil, and scattered the capsule-like gene stabilizing medication into the tactical backpack before turning to rush toward the stealth boat. Those were the medications given to him by Lina. He reversed his coat, grabbed his helmet-flattened hair, and ran directly towards the edge of the city, sticking to the shadows of the buildings. Yang Ming glanced back. The pirate ships in the sky had noticed the approaching Dawn-level battleship, and their rate of bombardment was rapidly decreasing. They signaled for retreat from the ground and the ship cannons began firing downward, covering their own pirates retreat. Up ahead, the stealth boat slowly floated, and the cockpit door slowly opened, the color-changing paint reflecting the color of the sand and making it difficult to discern. Yang Ming stepped briskly into the boat and snatched the helmet held by Kolev to put it on his head. He turned off the clone sync. He activated the full holographic perception remote control for the clone. Number Two! Return the same way! Find the clouds! Yang Ming urged, Take off slowly, dont stir up too much dust! Dont rush, Hanton, Kolev, breathing a bit heavily, rapidly tapped on the projection screen in front of him, Theres still time, enough time, get that thing moving! First, get his gear on! Yang Ming growled, Its a bit hard for this thing to step on the skateboard! The stealth boat steadily ascended, quietly retreating into the desert, using the horizon to mask its tracks. Inside the small stealth boat, Yang Ming was continually shaking his hands and feet, his body posture somewhat strange. Another Yang Ming, fully dressed and appearing just as he had a moment ago, sped out of the building he was hiding in on a floating skateboard, speeding along the edge of the battlefield. The screens in front of Kolev split into seven or eight panels, as the scattered spores completed their final mission. He had taken control of five pirate ships! The main cannon of Kimos primary ship slowly lowered, and on the fire control platform screen of that ship, the Yang Ming on the floating skateboard was locked on. The operator in front of the screen looked puzzled. Inside the stealth boat, Kolev clapped Yang Ming on the shoulder and handed him a microphone. With a deep, processed voice, Yang Ming shouted into the microphone: For Captain Kimo! This voice was sampled from a team captain who had died in battle inside the Kimo Group. Kolev turned off the microphone, pressed the virtual button in front of him, and murmured to himself: Fire the main cannon. Buzz The screen inside the stealth boat flickered lightly. A dense white beam descended from the sky, cut through the rampant dust, and instantly engulfed the Yang Ming on the skateboard, pressing him to the ground, swiftly melting him! Inside the stealth boat, Yang Ming pulled off his helmet, gasping heavily, as if he had personally experienced the power of a 300-meter class starships main cannon. 300-meter class pirate ships maximum output from the main cannon. The ground heaved, creating waves of sand, and the hit area continually sank, with magma fissures appearing on the surface like blood vessels. The firing lasted for twelve seconds. Vaporized, definitely vaporized, Kolev murmured, The Alliances ships should have captured this footage. We did it, Hanton Haha! We succeeded! Dont celebrate too soon, Yang Ming looked up at the sky. From this angle, he could faintly see, diagonally upward in the sky, five pirate ships trying to split to the left and right. The all-curved surface battleship was now visible in the sky, falling toward low Earth orbit. Guel Alliance, Dawn-level Light Battlecruiser. Yang Ming muttered, We havent escaped yet. Chapter 55 - Chapter 55: 038 Empires Lecture【Vote for me, save me!】 Chapter 55: 038 Empires LectureVote for me, save me! Lina watched the images appearing on the projection screen with an expressionless face. It was a captured image from a corner of the planetary surface battle zone. That beam which had come from the sky had its energy level reduced by the atmosphere initially, but when the energy beam reached the surface and established a transport channel, the subsequent energy transmitted had almost no damage. The figure had been vaporized. Destroyed by a high-energy ion beam. Destroyed Linas ears rang slightly. The moment she witnessed Hanton being vaporized, she couldnt hear anything else, only the constant ringing in her ears. Chief Chief! The young Intelligence Officer snapped Lina out of it. Speak. Target One confirmed killed by the main cannon of a pirate ship! The news we just got is a bit chaotic, the pirates exploded into conflict over treasure buried by Kolev, Target One got involved, and seems to have killed Kimo, the current leader of the Black Dragon Pirate Group, and in retaliation, the pirate group attacked Target One with the main cannon just now. Lina stepped back half a step, raised her hand to steady herself on the safety rail beside her, her complexion pale and devoid of color. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ????????????????????.co Chief? You need to rest. Lina suddenly said, Biosensors! Use biosensors to gather information from there! The biosensors are not responding, the pirate ships main cannons energy destroyed everything. Chief, according to records we stole from the rival pirate ship, Target One indeed provoked this group of pirates. Moreover, Chief we captured a faint signal from a tracking device It seems to be residues of a tracking device within Target Ones body that wasnt metabolized, our exclusively developed product, which sent out a weak signal before he was destroyed About half a minute of silence filled the inside of the battleship. They destroyed Hanton, they destroyed Hanton my more than a years effort ruined, Lina murmured, take them down. The Captain asked, Chief, who are our targets? The pirates! Attack these damn pirates! Linas expression was somewhat out of control, with a pale face flushed slightly red, her slim body trembling continuously. Dont let them escape! Break their protective shields! Turn them into cosmic dust now, this instant! Even if we only take a share of the merit for exterminating pirates, its not like these past three months have been in vain! The Captain shrugged slightly: Youve made the smartest decision of these past three months. Next, the Captains voice became loud, precise, and filled with virile power. Charge all cannons! Charge protective shields to twenty percent! Prioritize targeting the flagship! Release electronic interference! Make these makeshift pirate ships obediently stay put! Fire at will! The entire ship was activated almost instantly, the bridge became bustling, and outside the viewport, more than ten laser beams had appeared. These beams were just to deplete the energy of the opposing protective shields. The battleships main cannon charged. The battleships full firepower was preheating! Within a Stealth Boat that had just entered the high-altitude clouds, Yang Ming watched the flickering projection screen in front of him, exchanging glances with Kolev. Before he could say anything, his attention was drawn by the beams appearing outside the atmosphere. A dozen laser beams hit the two most powerful pirate ships simultaneously. Hey! Kolev exclaimed with wide eyes, Theyre attacking my ships! Oh! Damn it! Why arent the rest of the bastards running yet? It must be the electronic interference, Yang Ming reminded, the battleship is too close to them. As soon as they finished speaking, a pirate ships protective shield had been broken. However, that battleship had just completed an energy adjustment. The curved armor on the front half of the battleship became pitted, and a hundred-meter caliber cannon, filled with a strong magnetic field, rapidly extended from the middle of the ships face, lighting up section by section. Around this cannon, a ring of slightly smaller caliber cannons also advanced synchronously, representing the main and auxiliary cannons of the Dawn-level battleship. Charged to thirty percent. The minimum standard for gunfire. The main and auxiliary cannons simultaneously fired dazzling particle beams, like streaks of azure lightning, illuminating the outer sky of the planet. Not like this! Oh, no! My ship! Kolev screamed, trembling all over. That three hundred meter-class pirate flagship was almost instantly penetrated by the blue beams! Seconds later, a violent explosion spread from the focal point outward, the pirate ship violently disintegrating, its hull being blasted apart by a fusion reaction triggered at the hit area, with no human figures visible in the explosion. Kolev covered his eyes in despair. Yang Ming said, The Guel Alliance is practically urging you to retire through their actions. The Stealth Boat, under the cover of the clouds, raced toward the horizon. Kolev kept muttering, his old eyes gradually becoming vacant; on the projection screen in front of him, a battleship was besieging several pirate ships. Its a massacre! A massacre launched by the Guel Alliance! Oh, my ships, my lifes work, although they were all very old, I earned several times their value, but oh, what can I leave for Mimili? She so wants to become a successful pirate like me, freely traversing the vast Milky Way. Oh! Heavens, your little lover is really too vicious! Yang Ming could only offer a sympathetic smile. However, they didnt allow the Stealth Boat to stop. Feinan was not equipped with stealth capabilities; they needed to use this small boat to quickly escape Olhaif. Whether they could evade the battleships radar by using the planet became key to their escape.