Free Web NovelTwenty minutes later, Blizzard Zero and the t2 bee queen-class heavy carrier starship successively arrived at the preset coordinate location.
Zhao Chen was the first to wake up. He left the hibernation pod and sat in the captain's chair. Just as he was about to issue an order, a voice sounded beside him.
"All personnel on the Bridge, return to your stations within one minute. Check all Starship data.
All personnel aboard the Starship, return to your stations within three minutes. Stand by at all times.
The Starship will immediately enter Level Two combat readiness. Interstellar Drones are to be ready for deployment at any moment."
Zhao Chen looked over and saw that Secretary Lilith had already begun issuing commands.
Lilith noticed Zhao Chen's gaze. She said somewhat awkwardly, "I... I... Did I do something wrong?"
"No, you did very well. I didn't expect you to recover so quickly. Your physical fitness is quite good," Zhao Chen said approvingly.
The duty of a Secretary is to assist the captain in issuing orders. When necessary, they must also issue certain commands that do not require specific captain authorization, even before the captain does.
Just like those words earlier.
Lilith replied, "I previously served on a Starship of the Succubus Kingdom and even participated in the war to resist the invaders... but we ultimately failed."
"The Succubus Kingdom campaign... I recall that was already over fifty years ago, right? You were already serving then? Then you are now... how old?" Zhao Chen began to speculate about his Secretary's age.
Lilith said, "Yes, I am seventy-five this year."
Zhao Chen was taken aback. Seventy-five?
Looking at Lilith's appearance, one could easily mistake her for being no more than twenty.
Lilith guessed Captain Zhao's suspicion. She explained, "Under normal circumstances, we succubi have a lifespan of up to three hundred years. If, like your human race, we utilize certain technological advancements, we might even live to four hundred."
Four hundred years?
Zhao Chen swallowed hard. Calculating it that way, Lilith would indeed be equivalent to a twenty-year-old girl in human terms.
The current maximum lifespan for humans has already reached one hundred and fifty years; of course, only those of the privileged class can enjoy this.
The lifespan of ordinary people is still around seventy or eighty.
"Captain, Blizzard Zero has successfully completed warp travel. Awaiting further instructions," Charlotte's communication window popped up.
"What's the travel time from our current position to P331 Asteroid?" Zhao Chen asked.
Lilith quickly answered, "If traveling at the speed of the T2 Queen Bee, the estimated fastest time to reach P331 Asteroid is half an hour.
For Blizzard Zero, it would take 10 minutes."
Because warp travel can only reach an approximate location. In non-combat environments, one can get closer to the destination.
But if heading to a combat zone, a typical Starfleet will usually decelerate in advance, stopping warp travel while still a certain distance from the combat area, and then use conventional engines to enter the combat zone.
"Blizzard Zero will first form a formation with the T2 Queen Bee and proceed to P331 Asteroid. The specific combat plan will be decided upon arrival," Zhao Chen said.
"Yes," Charlotte and Lilith responded simultaneously.
Subsequently, the two Starships maintained the same speed as they traveled in one direction.
After sailing for about ten minutes, they spotted a fleet of Interstellar Transport Ships moving at a very slow speed.
"What are those Starships?" Zhao Chen looked puzzled at these Interstellar Transport Ships, whose speed he estimated was probably only 10 knots. This was clearly not their normal cruising speed.
"Based on the identification numbers of these Interstellar Transport Ships, they should be the Interstellar Transport Ship fleet under the jurisdiction of the Arctic Fox Star System's Lord Fleet.
Their model is the T2 Seahorse-class medium Interstellar Transport Ship. Their presence here is likely to execute the evacuation of civilians from P331 Asteroid," Lilith answered promptly.
Zhao Chen looked at Lilith with some surprise.
Lilith explained quietly, "It was in the study materials I learned."
"Contact their Starship. Ask them why their speed is so slow," Zhao Chen said, frowning.
Soon, the communication was connected.
"What fleet are you from?" the other side's Fleet Commander asked first.
"We are the Black Dragon Fleet, having accepted the mission to support the evacuation cover operation on P331 Asteroid. You are the Interstellar Transport Ships responsible for evacuating P331 Asteroid, correct? Why is your speed so slow!" Lilith inquired.
The opposing Fleet Commander was momentarily stunned: "Our Starships are damaged, hence the slower speed. Since you're here for support, you go on ahead." freeweɓnøvel.com
After saying this, the Fleet Commander cut off the communication on his end. Smirking lightly to his Adjutant beside him, he said, "There are actually people daring enough to take this mission. They must be fools with something wrong in their heads.
We're no idiots. If we rush over now and the Interstellar Insectoids attack while we're evacuating people from the planet, what then?
We'll just take it slow. When the Imperial Army can't hold on anymore and tells us there's no need to come, we'll just retreat directly."
"This vessel warns your fleet: Execute your combat mission. Proceed at full speed to P331 Asteroid," Lilith's voice sounded.
The Fleet Commander frowned: "Who are these people, meddling in others' business?"
Because his side had not opened communication, his words could not be heard aboard the T2 Queen Bee.
The Adjutant beside him, smoking a cigarette, said nonchalantly, "Ignore them. We'll go our own way. They're not the Imperial Army. What can they possibly do to us?"
"Report! The secondary cannons on that unidentified Starship are all targeting our fleet's Starships!" a Bridge crew ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ member suddenly reported.
The Fleet Commander snorted coldly: "What, are they going to open fire on us? We're a subordinate fleet of the Arctic Fox Star System's Lord Fleet!"
Suddenly, streaks of'shooting stars' streaked past the Bridge's floor-to-ceiling window before the Commander's eyes. The closest one passed less than a hundred meters from his Bridge!
That Starship actually dared to open fire!
"Final warning from this vessel: If you continue to neglect your mission, you will bear the consequences," the female voice sounded again.
The Fleet Commander swallowed hard: "Madmen! They must be madmen! Wanting to die themselves and dragging us down with them!"
"Then what should we do? This posture... they really dare to fire! We don't have an escort fleet. With just the Interstellar Transport Ships' limited firepower turrets, we have no means to retaliate! Ouch... my hand..." The Adjutant was also frightened now. He hadn't noticed his cigarette burning his hand and cried out in pain.
The Fleet Commander's face darkened: "I'm unlucky this time, but I'll remember this grudge! Full speed ahead, to P331 Asteroid."
On the Bridge of the T2 Queen Bee, Zhao Chen watched as the previously sluggish Interstellar Transport Ship fleet began sailing at full speed. A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
What thoughts these guys were harboring, how could he not know.
Usually, if it had nothing to do with him, he wouldn't care what they did.
But unfortunately, this time it was his, Zhao Chen's, system mission. There was no way he'd let them deliberately dawdle!
