Development of the Situation—Please Recommend, Please Vote Monthly, Please Keep Reading; Don't Let This New Book Die

Development of the Situation

Although Tang Xiao believed from everything he had observed so far that there should be nothing wrong with Kunto, they still had to do their due diligence.

"Everyone who took part in this battle must receive psychological counseling. We can't let this defeat affect our morale. That includes those smugglers. Haven't they been living a little too comfortably lately? Make sure this battle doesn't put any ideas in their heads," Tang Xiao said.

"Those smugglers should be harmless. Those timid, spineless fools can't accomplish anything, and they've been very obedient in their usual work. They should have been able to see the battle from their compartment. I'll send someone to sound them out," Qi Jian said.

Tang Xiao leaned back against the sofa, crossing one leg over the other, his expression grave.

"What, are you still worried about Hego? You won't be going out and taking risks anymore—that was your own decision. That means you won't even run into him," Cun Te said with a smile. He had seen far worse. Even if he no longer remembered his past experiences, a few pirates shooting down several fighters would never shake his composure. "Besides, with that mysterious power of yours, unless dozens of times more people come after you, I think you'll still be able to get away."

"Hego is my problem now. It has nothing to do with you. What worries me is that we've only been in this world for a few days, and so much has already happened... I'm afraid we won't be able to stay out of things here," Tang Xiao said, shaking his head.

"So we need to explore this universe further. Tatooine is only a tiny part of it, yet the information it has revealed is already frightening enough," Cun Te said. "That's why I think we should put more effort into people like Kunto."

"Though they've worked with us aboard the mothership for a while, they're smugglers at the end of the day. They aren't irreplaceable. If we're going to use them, we need to make sure they can truly be used by us. If necessary..." Tang Xiao made a throat-slitting gesture.

"I suggest we take a longer view. We urgently need to build good relations with the local powers in this universe. Most importantly, even if we're going to seek protection under someone's banner, we need to know which direction to go. Kunto is timid and weak, but he's spent years in smuggling and knows all sorts of people. He's exactly what we need. Rather than killing at the slightest provocation, we should give them a chance and observe their actions first," Cun Te said, shaking his head.

"All right. I'll leave Kunto to you." Tang Xiao accepted his advice, then continued, "For the time being, don't go too far. We need to prevent what happened last time from happening again. I've awakened an elite pilot named Judith. She'll immediately begin training with and familiarizing herself with the Auro class freighter. For now, she'll be responsible for the defense around the mothership. But you must remain on standby at all times as well."

"Understood." Cun Te nodded.

"Also, take all one hundred thousand credits. Then... well, go to Tatooine and see if you can find anything useful for us on the black market. Blasters, hyperspace engines, things like that," Tang Xiao said.

"Leave it to me. By the way, Administrator, you don't need to worry about every little thing yourself. Otherwise, what are we getting paid for?" Cun Te grinned and gave Tang Xiao a thumbs-up, then waved and walked out of the command center.

Tang Xiao rubbed his temples and laughed at himself.

That was right. Trust those you employ, and don't employ those you distrust. Now that he was in this position, he should let his subordinates work freely. How could he possibly manage everything if he had to oversee research, personnel, combat, diplomacy, smuggling, and everything else himself?

Wasn't that the most common mistake made by people new to management? They always thought only they could do things properly.

But in truth, there were plenty of people who could do better. The question was whether he would give them the opportunity.

A Z-10 Explorer-class spacecraft entered Galactic Republic Capital Coruscant. After passing inspection by the Defense Fleet, it headed toward the Jedi Temple.

"What's wrong, Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon Jinn turned around and found his apprentice staring blankly out the window.

"I... I was thinking about those people in the Endor system, Master. The ones calling themselves the Fourth Group Company." Obi-Wan Kenobi nodded.

"Oh? What were you thinking about them?"

"They call themselves a company, but the way they operate is not what they claim," Obi-Wan said. "Their fighters are poorly performing, but their pilots are clearly well trained. Think about it—even colossal corporations like the Trade Federation and the InterGalactic Banking Clan don't systematically train their own pilots like that. Unless..."

"A regular military force." Qui-Gon Jinn finished for him and nodded. "You observed carefully, Obi-Wan. That is exactly what worries me as well. Let's return and make our report first. More and more things are happening across the galaxy. I have a bad feeling about this."

The spacecraft docked at a landing platform of the Jedi Temple. Master and apprentice went to one of the Temple's towers and reported their findings to the twelve-member High Council of the Jedi Order.

"A formal interstellar colonial expedition, hmm." Master Yoda nodded after hearing Qui-Gon's report. "Any other discoveries?"

"No. We did not find the source of the Force disturbance," Qui-Gon Jinn replied.

"Gradually fading, this feeling is. Gradually maturing, this thing is." Master Yoda turned to look at a tall, bald Black man. "What is your view, Master Windu?"

Master Windu wore a grave expression that carried unquestionable authority. He was one of the twelve members of the Jedi High Council, second only to Master Yoda in status.

He nodded to Qui-Gon and continued his questioning in a deep, powerful voice. "Then did you observe anything unusual about that colonial expedition?"

"They call themselves the Fourth Group Company. They possess an extremely massive spacecraft. According to radar readings, it is over 41,300 meters tall, larger than any spacecraft currently known to us. But the ship is entirely civilian in nature. It has very little weaponry, and the Fourth Group's defensive forces are also extremely weak," Qui-Gon replied.

"Undertaking colonization on the remote planet Endor without the ability to defend themselves. Hmm..." Master Yoda pondered for a while, then shook his head without saying anything further.

"I'm afraid we currently lack the capacity to continue investing resources into the Endor system, such a remote region of the Outer Rim, Master Yoda. The galaxy is far from peaceful. The war on Niele has only just ended, while the dispute between Malastare and the Corporate Alliance is becoming increasingly intense. They could come to blows at any moment. Since this Fourth Group is carrying only civilian ships and equipment, there is no need for us to pay them excessive attention," Master Windu said.

He then looked at Qui-Gon. "My recommendation is to investigate through the Republic Commerce Guild—if they are indeed a properly registered company. You have done enough in this matter. Leave the rest to the Senate. You have worked hard, Master Qui-Gon. May the Force be with you."

"May the Force be with you." Qui-Gon Jinn bowed, then left the meeting room.

Bonus Chapter Illustration 1: Master Windu