Rock Planet, at the Nine-Star Luxury Hotel owned by the Locke Conglomerate.
Several hundred pirates had surrounded the hotel, while a pirate landing craft hovered overhead with its cannons pointed down, poised to strike.
The hotel's 187th floor.
Knock, knock!
After a long wait, the door to an ordinary suite finally opened, and a potbellied middle-aged man poked his head out, trembling.
"M-may I ask what this is about?"
"Bezos, the richest man in the Silver Galaxy. You checked in ten days ago and switched from the Imperial Suite on the top floor to this ordinary suite yesterday. Have I got that right?" The fully armed pirate checked the photograph and information on his terminal, then grinned.
Bezos's heart lurched, and his face went deathly pale.
I'd deliberately kept a low profile, but they still found out everything...
This meant Rock Planet's central system had completely sold out his personal information and itinerary to these pirates. It also meant they had gained full control of Rock Planet...
Damn the Locke Conglomerate! Damn Kinlock! I fled all the way to Rock Planet, and you couldn't even protect your own home base. You let a bunch of pirates raid your nest!
If I'd known, I should have headed straight for the interior...
With his last shred of hope shattered, Bezos felt as though the sky were falling.
Even the Locke Fleet had been defeated. He didn't think his two-hundred-plus pounds stood a chance against these ravenous pirates.
Between his life and his money, he could only choose to pay for his safety.
"You've heard of the Tiered Protection Fee issued by the Pirate King, haven't you?" Seeing his resigned expression, the pirate who had come to collect the fee chuckled.
Bezos's cheek twitched.
Of course he had heard of it. He had