Boarding the Starship, Traveling with Enemies

Zheng Yi had originally been part of the 113th Legion. He had gone on campaign with his unit several years ago and only returned to Tianlan Star three months ago.

He hadn't even had time to step through his front door before his father, Zheng Henian, told him the news of his son's death.

That night, if Zheng Henian hadn't held him back with all his might, Zheng Yi would have almost lost control on the spot at the military base.

He had thought that after a few months, this storm had temporarily settled. But he never expected to meet again on the Dawn on the eve of the "Spirit Slaughter" operation's departure.

Just as Gao Zhan's heart was jolting with alarm, Zheng Yi suddenly stepped forward from the crowd, walked up beside him, and lowered his voice:

"Didn't expect me to show up here, did you? Don't worry, I won't touch that kid on the starship—let him live another year or two. Once we reach Carro 9 Star... I hope you can protect him."

With that, he turned and walked straight toward the 116th Legion's living quarters.

Gao Zhan watched Zheng Yi's retreating back, his gaze instantly turning cold.

He could roughly guess that Zheng Yi must have pulled some special strings to join this expedition.

The facts were exactly as he suspected.

Over two months ago, Zheng Yi had formally submitted an application to the command headquarters under the pretext of "contributing to the Jinzhou Military Region," requesting to lead his Night Owl Squad in this "Spirit Slaughter" operation.

His real purpose, however, was simply to board the Dawn alongside Gao Zhan and the others, biding his time.

Once the starship arrived at Carro 9 Star, he would kill Lu Feng on that distant battlefield to avenge his son.

This plan had actually been orchestrated by Zheng Henian as well.

Now that Lu Feng's family was under the protection of the military region, if Zheng Yi made a move inside the base, he would not only ruin his own future but also drag the entire Zheng Family's prospects down with him.

At this moment, Lu Feng knew nothing of this, nor did he realize that his enemy was already close at hand.

He followed his teammates from the Skyfire Club into the living quarters, where the cabin was filled with an astonishing technological aura.

Lu Feng found his room according to his expedition number. The doorplate bore his personal number: 1227.

He lightly tapped the open button on his communicator, and the white door slid open silently, revealing a "capsule" living space of about five square meters.

The walls were made of matte metal formed in one seamless piece, smooth and unmarked in normal times.

When Lu Feng pressed the "sleep" button, a single bed would slide smoothly out from the wall; when not in use, it retracted flush with the wall, freeing up the entire floor space.

In the corner was a silver sanitary unit, integrating a foldable sink and a vacuum toilet.

After each use, the system automatically cleaned and disinfected.

During non-sleep hours, Lu Feng could also use his communicator to control the wall, raising a foldable work desk from the other side.

A huge flexible screen lit up on the desktop, usable for contacting comrades in the same legion, as well as for watching movies, gaming, and other entertainment.

"So high-tech!"

Lu Feng couldn't help but exclaim. He pressed the sleep button and eagerly lay down.

Though the bed was only one meter twenty wide, it even had a massage function.

The moment he settled in, two mechanical arms quietly extended from under the bed, working from his forehead to his soles to relax his entire body.

The mechanical fingers were made of soft silicone, with moderate pressure—comfortable without being weak.

Lu Feng could even enjoy the massage while watching a movie on the flexible screen in front of him.

"Dear 1227, it's time for a late-night meal. Would you like to head to the dining hall for some food? After the meal, the Dawn will depart, leaving Tianlan Star and heading for the Carro Galaxy, 1.8 light-years away."

A gentle female voice suddenly sounded in his ear, startling Lu Feng slightly.

"Who's talking?"

"I am Luo Lin, the Dawn's intelligent butler. As long as you're wearing the starship communicator, you can talk to me anytime. If you need anything, feel free to let me know."

"The Dawn's butler?"

Lu Feng understood. This was the starship's artificial intelligence system, responsible for reminding crew members about schedules and meals, and also able to answer various questions.

"Where's the dining hall?"

"The 115th Legion's exclusive dining hall is at the end of the living quarters and can seat six hundred people at once."

"Alright, thank you, Luo Lin."

"You're welcome. Enjoy your meal."

As Lu Feng stepped out of his room, he saw other members of the 115th Legion also emerging from their cabins one after another.

It seemed everyone had received Luo Lin's late-night reminder.

"How do you feel?" Hong Kun and Yang Qian walked up to him, and the group chatted as they headed toward the dining hall.

"Not bad. The tech level here really is beyond imagination."

Entering the dining hall, they had just sat down at an empty table when a food-delivery robot quickly brought each of them a standard nutritional meal set.

Just then, Gao Zhan and the tall female team member from the Chasing Wind Squad walked over with their trays.

"Lu Feng," Gao Zhan stopped beside him, his voice low, "the ship launches in half an hour. Maybe... you should get off."

At these words, the Skyfire Club members who were eating all looked up at once, their gazes fixed on his face.

Lu Feng also raised his head, staring intently at Gao Zhan.

He didn't understand why Gao Zhan would suddenly say something like that at this moment.

The female team member beside him explained softly, "We just ran into Zheng Yi... He's on this ship too."

"Zheng Yi?"

Lu Feng was taken aback for a moment before remembering that was Zheng Tong's father.

Clearly, the man was here for him.

"I'm not afraid of him."

Lu Feng said quietly, then lowered his head and continued eating.

Gao Zhan and the female team member exchanged a glance but said nothing more.

They both understood that at this point, it was no longer realistic to ask Lu Feng to leave the ship.

At the stroke of zero hour, a low, steady hum rose from the depths of the starship.

"Attention all crew members, the Dawn is about to depart. Please close all living quarters doors and fasten your safety restraints."

Luo Lin's announcement rang clearly through every living quarters.

Lying on his bed, Lu Feng reached over and pulled the safety strap across himself, clicking it into place. The starship began to tremble slightly as the two massive engines started up.

As the colossal starship slowly lifted off, Lu Feng noticed that the originally seamless metal wall of his room suddenly revealed a transparent observation window.

Through the window, he watched the starship steadily ascending, its speed gradually increasing.

The Starry Sky Station below was shrinking rapidly before his eyes.

In the blink of an eye, he had left Tianlan Star, the place he had lived for eighteen years.

The view outside shifted, transforming into the boundless pitch-black cosmos and the brilliant river of stars.

Tianlan Star in the distance gradually coalesced into a floating blue gem, quietly radiating a soft glow.

"Luo Lin, hello."

Lu Feng suddenly spoke up, calling the starship's butler.

"Dear 1227, how may I assist you?"

"How long will it take us to reach the Carro Galaxy?"