Patrolling Shark

Yang Ming lay comfortably on the sofa by the porthole, holding a cup of coffee delivered by the butler robot. He gazed at the starry sky outside, indulging in the supreme authority of being a captain, and planned the repayment of one million New Federation currency.

Now that he had a ship, even if he just hauled cargo for transport, earning a million within three years wouldn't be a big problem.

Of course, Yang Ming had a better career plan.

Like robbing pirates, raiding pirate bases, and stealing batteries from the merchant ships of big corporations.

Oh, it was time.

Yang Ming said in an elegant voice, "Number Two, report the ship's various indices."

"Yes, Captain..."

"Stop! Stop it! Hanton!"

Kolev shouted angrily, "This is the sixth time you've asked for a report in the last hour!"

Yang Ming held his porcelain cup, raised an eyebrow, and smiled, "An excellent captain should always pay attention to his beloved little spaceship. We just completed a series of Warp Jumps, and I'm worried some armor modules might have fallen off."

"Listen, that's impossible. Warp Jumps are more stable than regular Navigation. During regular Navigation, you might hit dust and debris. What are you going to hit during Warp Jump, a higher-dimensional being?"

Kolev said helplessly, "You can come over and help me look at the star chart. I just got some intel, Captain Hanton, and the situation is dire."

"Coming, First Mate."

Yang Ming put away his playful demeanor and walked behind Kolev with his hands clasped behind his back.

He surveyed the Bridge, which had become somewhat empty due to high integration and auxiliary driving systems. He planned to set up a gym here, so he could train his muscles while watching for approaching enemy ships.

Kolev pulled up the holographic star chart.

"I've compiled and cross-referenced information from several informants, and there isn't much we can confirm right now.

"Gimo and his crew have been looking for us for two months. They also took down two merchant ships in the process. Now, out of the Black Dragon's six ships, three are docked at Point One—this location, inside this asteroid belt. It's a perfect hiding spot... developed by me.

"Another two ships are at Point Two, and one is at the repair dock. Damn it, all of these were developed by me!

"Guka is at Point Two, and Gimo is at Point One."

Yang Ming said, "They've actually split up."

"Yes," Kolev chuckled, "None of these guys respect each other."

"Doesn't that make it easier for us to act? We'll just raid their base, Kolev," Yang Ming said, his eyes shining, "Maybe one raid will be enough to pay off my debt!"

Kolev, however, said, "I told you, the situation is dire now. Why do you think the school of fish is hiding in its nest and afraid to move?"

Yang Ming played along and asked, "Why?"

"Because of her."

Kolev's fingers moved rapidly, and a full-surface Warship with a streamlined, teardrop shape appeared before Yang Ming.

"A shark is lurking near them and has already set its sights on them. Your little lover's ship, an 800-meter light Battleship."

"This is quite a problem."

Yang Ming crossed his arms and clicked his tongue lightly, "I'm starting to regret why I didn't crush her ruthlessly back then."

"It's not your fault. It's hard for normal people to harm companions they've gone through thick and thin with," Kolev said, "Especially when she didn't pose much of a threat back then."

Yang Ming stared at the Dawn-class Battleship for a while.

"You could try to get her into bed," Kolev suggested sincerely, "Use your masculine charm to subvert a high-level intelligence officer. It could bring you unexpected benefits."

Yang Ming was about to retort when he suddenly thought of something.

The Valkyrie's Mind Control.

Over the past three months, when Yang Ming was alone, he had tried everything to understand himself and conducted some physical tests, such as the longest interval between two injections of Gene Stabilizer.

Sometimes, when Yang Ming was in a light sleep, he would enter a state similar to sleepwalking. When he opened his eyes, the world before him was hazy.

Sometimes, Yang Ming seemed to hear what others were thinking, but it was like whispers from a demon, quickly causing him dizziness.

The result was... he hadn't found any 'powerful skills,' and his physical strength had slowed down considerably.

If he had the Valkyrie's Mind Control, his future actions would be much simpler.

"Where is Lina's ship?" Yang Ming asked.

"Near Gimo. This Battleship has its eyes on that asteroid belt. Your little lover probably thinks that keeping a close watch on Gimo will lead her to us," Kolev said, "The Dawn-class Battleship, one of the best-performing 800-meter class warships, with a powerful weapon system."

The old man paused and said in a low voice, "All six of my ships combined are no match for it."

"Is its Ship Hull easy to breach?" Yang Ming asked, rubbing his chin.

"Almost impossible, and I don't have data on how thick its armor is," Kolev shrugged, "Don't even think about it. Such a Warship can't have obvious weaknesses. We have to find a way to avoid it, otherwise, we can't take any action at all."

Yang Ming stared intently at the star chart before him for a long time.

"Kolev, you said..."

"Hmm?"

Yang Ming suddenly said, "Is it possible Lina is trying to bribe your subordinates?"

Kolev froze for a moment, then frowned deeply.

Yang Ming explained simply, "Lina was originally a ship doctor on an Imperial experimental vessel. I escaped with her, then I was thrown into Kor Port Prison, and she transformed into an intelligence officer for the Guer Alliance.

"Now that I think back, many of her actions were suspicious. I suspect now that she intentionally lured the Humanity Association's ship here... She's particularly skilled at espionage and infiltration."

Yang Ming stared blankly at the Dawn-class Battleship on the screen.

Kolev sighed, "Now that you mention it, I feel like my plan is full of holes, everywhere. We need to find a way to avoid this battleship."

Yang Ming pondered for a few moments, a rather bold idea popping into his mind. He murmured, "Or, we could take care of this ship."

"What?" Kolev doubted his ears. "Take care of a battleship?"

"Sounds crazy, right?"

"Hanton," Kolev said in a low voice, "I've always avoided asking you these questions... but if we're going to carry out such a dangerous operation, I need to know what your actual strength is, what gives you the confidence that you can handle a Dawn-class Battleship? This is pure fantasy."

It's the Ancient Gods.

Yang Ming answered in his mind.

After a brief thought, he decided to reveal a part of his true strength to Kolev.

"Come with me to the gym... My ship is here, will it be dangerous?"

"We're hiding in the wilderness between star systems, no need to worry at all."

"Come on, Kolev, my loyal First Mate, you'd better have a First Aid Capsule ready."

First, he demonstrated his strength.

Kolev sat on a mountain of metal plates with a blank expression.

As Yang Ming, who was lifting the plates, squatted and stood, the old man also moved up and down.

Next, he demonstrated his speed.

Yang Ming got onto the treadmill with adjustable gravity, setting it to triple gravity. His large feet blurred as he ran forward. Kolev stared dumbfoundedly at the Sherman Empire's numbers on the treadmill, equivalent to '55 kilometers per hour,' and was momentarily speechless.

Finally, he demonstrated his shooting.

Kolev stood dumbfounded in front of the shooting target, an almond balanced on his head. Yang Ming confidently raised his Laser Gun, which did not have auto-aim enabled...

"Oh! Stop! Alright! I get it! Your strength is astonishing!"

Kolev shouted, his voice trembling.

Yang Ming regretfully lowered the Laser Gun.

He had been fully confident.

Kolev quickly threw the almond aside and stumbled back, staring at Yang Ming as if he were a monster.

"What monster genes did you fuse with? How is it possible... your strength and speed are far beyond ordinary augmented individuals, and yet you don't have exaggerated muscles."

Yang Ming said earnestly, using a pre-prepared excuse: "This is the technological prowess of the Sherman Empire."

"Oh, this powerful empire, does it truly intend to conquer the entire galaxy!"

Kolev pondered carefully and shook his head:

"But this still isn't enough. Putting aside the fact that you can't infiltrate a battleship, what about the internal defense systems inevitably present within a battleship—there must be laser cannons placed at various corridor checkpoints, with limited power, to prevent internal revolts—you can't deal with those.

"Unless I can get you a ridiculously expensive bio-armor, but the current conditions don't allow it. If I show myself, I'll definitely be targeted."

Yang Ming thought of the laser cannons that could pierce a Valkyrie's body, and the red armor on a fully-formed Valkyrie.

"Is it possible to plant some electronic viruses on the Alliance's ship?" Yang Ming asked.

"Are you doubting the talent pool of the galaxy's four major powers?" Kolev chuckled. "My skills are only enough to bully small nations without a complete education system."

"Looking at it this way, we are indeed in a stalemate," Yang Ming pretended to wipe sweat that wasn't there.

"Relax, there will be a way," Kolev patted Yang Ming's shoulder.

The two left the gym and hurried back to the Bridge down the corridor.

Kolev said, "What needs to be clarified now is that we are both facing an existential crisis. Mine comes from my former subordinates, and yours comes from your former lover."

"Lina wasn't my mistress," Yang Ming explained. "She was an old friend of mine... Now, I need to resolve this problem once and for all."

Kolev said slowly, "Killing her won't solve your predicament, Hanton. After you entered Kor Port Prison, your information was undoubtedly reported by her to the Guer Alliance."

"I have to take down the entire Alliance?"

"Or make the Alliance believe you are already dead."

Yang Ming froze, stopped in his tracks, and fell into thought.

Kolev didn't disturb him, walking back to the Bridge on his own and beginning to ponder over the star chart.

Half an hour later.

"Captain has arrived at the Bridge."

Molly Two's synthesized voice was full of the energy one gets after a good meal.

Yang Ming practically ran in, his excited expression making Kolev a little uneasy.

A young person's sudden inspiration was often the beginning of disaster.

"Hey! Kolev!"

Yang Ming said with great enthusiasm:

"I have a plan! A plan that kills two birds with one stone! It'll solve both our problems at once!"

Oh, heavens!

Kolev clutched his chest, which was already starting to feel uncomfortable.