Personal Abilities Activated

The next day, after a night's rest, Ai and four others boarded the destroyer they arrived on and departed with Lin Fan's 101st Task Force Fleet.

"Commander, how do you plan to make contact with the Oakes Empire for this mission?" Liang Xue asked Lin Fan inside the flagship of the 101st Task Force Fleet.

Indeed, this mission was more complicated than it appeared. The Federation and the Oakes Empire had no established dialogue mechanism, making contact impossible.

If the fleet were to sail directly to Jupiter, they might be riddled with enemy fire the moment they appeared, without even a chance to speak. Therefore, how to make contact was the crux of this mission.

"No need to go to Jupiter. Have all fleets proceed to Sector 498."

"Sector 498?"

Liang Xue pulled up the star map of the Asteroid Belt and navigated to Sector 498. It was about 4 AU from Mars Base, located midway between Mars and Jupiter. However, Sector 498 was not a pleasant area; it was where the Fourth Fleet frequently clashed with the Oakes Empire's fleets. It was akin to a border zone between the two powers.

"Yes, that's precisely why we're going there. Because it's an area of frequent skirmishes, it's where we're most likely to encounter their fleet."

Liang Xue was puzzled. What did going there have to do with their mission today? In that sector, both sides opened fire on sight, with no communication whatsoever. Even if you encountered their fleet and sent a message, they wouldn't respond; they'd just blast you!

"I know what you're thinking. Let me ask you this: if you were fighting someone who had lost their temper, how would you get them to calm down and listen to you?"

"Subdue them directly, or display an overwhelming power difference, making them realize that fighting you would have no good outcome. Are you thinking of...?"

"Mhm, you finally understand?" Lin Fan nodded with satisfaction as he saw Liang Xue's enlightened expression. This girl has a good foundation, but like Emma, she's too rigid. That's why she can only be an adjutant. To become a commander, she needs more training. Lin Fan thought to himself, looking at Liang Xue.

"Sector 498 is actually quite similar to Sector 279, where we fought before. The terrain is complex and unsuitable for large fleets, which is why the clashes there are always between smaller fleets. Don't you think it's perfect for our fleet?"

"Perhaps!"

"Alright, we still have 4 AU to go. At our speed of 3,000 kilometers per second, it will take us nearly 40 hours to arrive. I'm going to the captain's quarters to sleep for a bit. I'll leave this to you!"

With that, Lin Fan got up and walked out of the bridge, leaving Liang Xue somewhat stunned.

"Commander, you're leaving right after we set sail?"

"Sigh, precisely because we just set sail, the first 2 AU of the journey to Sector 498 is safe. Once we get to the latter half, I won't have time to rest, so it's crucial to be well-rested. Alright, I'll relieve you in 18 hours."

Lin Fan stopped, turned back to explain, and then left.

Well, it does make some sense. Liang Xue could only console herself. If all the energy is spent on the first half of the journey, and something happens later, it would be bad if the commander made a wrong decision due to fatigue.

If Lin Fan knew what Liang Xue was imagining, he would definitely say, You're overthinking it. I'm just going to sleep for a bit, no, to train for a bit, because my Evasion Command ability is about to level up. After all, Lin Fan's Evasion Command ability was only C. Upgrading it to B would significantly improve his overall capabilities.

The journey was uneventful. The fleet had traveled 2 AU when Lin Fan opened his eyes in the captain's quarters.

"Ding, congratulations to the host for upgrading Evasion Command ability to Level B. Reward: Brain Development +2%."

"Ding, congratulations to the host for upgrading Mech Command ability to Level A. Reward: Brain Development +2%."

"Ding, congratulations to the host for reaching B-level or higher in all stats, becoming a second-rate commander. Hidden Reward: Mech Piloting ability obtained. System Personal Ability Panel activated."

"System, open the attribute panel."

Host: Lin Fan

Strength: 350 Agility: 350 Reaction: 350 Stamina: 350 Spirit: 350 Intelligence: 380

(Above stats are for normal humans: 50-100)

Lifespan: 500 years Brain Development: 24%

Command Abilities: Artillery Command (B), Evasion Command (B), Formation Command (A), Mech Command (B).

Personal Abilities: Mech Piloting (B)

Task 1: Destroy 500 warships of the Oakes Civilization, currently 208/500. (Reward: Energy Shield Technology upon completion)

Task 2: Achieve at least the rank of Major General. (Reward: Basic Gene Enhancement Serum Technology upon completion)

With a 4% increase in brain development, Lin Fan instantly felt his mind become clearer and his thoughts quicker.

"Hmm, good. Finally surpassed that girl Liang Xue. Someone with a system shouldn't have lower brain development than a normal person; that's absolutely unacceptable."

However, before Lin Fan could celebrate, a massive amount of information began flooding into his brain. Lin Fan felt like his head was about to explode.

He then remembered that the System had rewarded him with a new ability: Mech Piloting.

Whenever a new ability was integrated into his body, because it was going from nothing to something, the System would directly inject a large amount of information into Lin Fan's brain.

The experience was quite intense. Since he hadn't experienced it for over a year, Lin Fan had almost forgotten about this.

As for why existing abilities didn't cause this when upgraded? It was because the System didn't upgrade Lin Fan's abilities; Lin Fan improved them himself through constant virtual training, so there was no need for the System to provide an infusion.

Three minutes later, after receiving all the information and reviewing the piloting data in his mind, Lin Fan was certain that his current Mech Piloting ability could at least rival that of the Federation's elite mech pilots.

But, he was the commander. What use did he have for Mech Piloting skills?

"Ding, given the host's dangerous thought, the System will provide a special explanation. This System is a Commander System, not a Fleet Commander System. Please do not confuse the two."

"Ding, does the host believe that the commander of a mech unit is not a commander? And that they don't need Mech Piloting skills?"

"Alright, you're completely right, my mistake!"

Lin Fan shook his head and said helplessly, but he also admitted that the System's words were perfectly reasonable.

Moreover, having this skill was better than not having it, and it came with no drawbacks.

After everything was settled, Lin Fan returned to the bridge and went to Liang Xue, who was sitting in the captain's seat. But what did he see?

Lin Fan's eyes widened as he looked at the scene before him.

Liang Xue was opening a virtual panel and drawing something, a slight smile gracing her lips as she worked!

But that smile was so stunning, it made Lin Fan recall a line from an ancient poem: "All the other beauties in the six palaces were rendered colorless!"

Following Liang Xue's gaze, he saw what she was drawing.

Lin Fan's forehead instantly broke out in a cold sweat!