{Rebecca}: A Carbon-Silicon Insect Race biological deep-space vessel, hatched in space by combining the superior genes of half the species on Rebecca Star, using an interstellar exploration ship as its foundation and biological armor as its blueprint.
It measured 60 kilometers long and 20 kilometers wide, with a crocodile's head, a frog's belly, a dragonlike spine, fishlike fins, six claws, and two anuses. Its fins and claws provided basic propulsion, magic energy provided acceleration, and a biological class C engine powered its warp jumps.
Seven hundred {Rebecca} vessels formed the vast armada Zhang Fan used to explore the universe in search of a route back to Earth.
In the Tiger Shark Galaxy, 300,000 light-years from Rebecca Star.
War had broken out between the humanoid Asha and the energy-based Lila over the primitive planet Camille.
Several thousand warships from each side faced off in the M56 Asteroid Belt. The outcome of this battle would determine who ultimately possessed Camille Star, as well as the Asha's standing as rulers.
Aboard an Asha Gross-class tactical command ship, Supreme Commander Lia Gross glared at the enormous Lila fleet.
"For the Asha, we must hold this final defensive line. We have to hold out until imperial reinforcements arrive."
The command ship's radar observer suddenly reported, "An unidentified fleet has appeared on radar."
Liya looked questioningly at General Mora beside her. "Could the empire's reinforcements have arrived so quickly?"
Mora frowned and shook his head. "It seems they aren't our reinforcements."
A sudden chill ran down Supreme Commander Liya's back. The Lila already outnumbered them three to one in warships, and now things had taken another turn for the worse.
The radar observer reported again, "The unidentified fleet has transmitted a biological signal, but we can't translate it!"
The pilot suddenly cried out, "Commander, the Lila fleet is turning!"
Mora said thoughtfully, "Could they be someone other than Lila reinforcements, too?"
The third fleet's sudden arrival put both the Asha and the Lila on high alert. Everyone watched the enormous life-forms slowly emerge through the stellar haze.
"What are those things? Are they living creatures?"
"Heavens, there are actually creatures that can survive in space! They're even bigger than our attack ships."
"They look so strange... are they individual creatures or warships?"
Everyone was full of questions. The Lila fleet actually began slowly retreating, but Liya could not do the same. Whatever the mysterious fleet had come for, she had to hold this final defensive line.
"Try to contact them. Be as friendly as possible."
"This is the Asha Empire imperial fleet, requesting contact with the unidentified fleet. Requesting contact with the unidentified fleet."
The communications officer turned to Liya. "We've detected a Lila signal. It looks like they're also trying to communicate with the unidentified fleet."
After ten minutes of anxious waiting, the strange fleet, which had remained motionless, gradually withdrew, leaving only one vessel sitting quietly between the Asha and Lila fleets.
"Are they... making a friendly gesture?"
After a moment's consideration, Liya said, "Send out the Emissary Ship. If this strange fleet doesn't belong to the Lila, do everything possible to win them over!"
The communications officer immediately reported, "A small Lila exploration ship is approaching the mysterious fleet..."
"Damn it! We can't let them get there first."
Flashing its red signal lights in a regular pattern, Asha's Emissary Ship gradually approached the mysterious fleet. It arrived almost simultaneously with the Lila exploration ship.
Everyone watched as the situation unfolded...
Suddenly... the strange creature opened its enormous mouth, drawing startled cries from the Asha. Everyone broke into a cold sweat for the Emissary Ship.
"There's a creature..."
The Emissary Ship's pilot suddenly cried out over the communicator.
"There... there... there's a creature that looks like... a worm, standing in the monster's mouth. What... what should I do?"
Liya nodded. "It seems this monster really is a warship. That creature should be a crew member. Since they haven't shown any hostility, I think we can attempt further contact."
The Emissary Ship's pilot suddenly reported, "The Lila have teleported beside the worm creature. It looks like the worm creature was startled."
"Stay where you are for now!"
Mora looked at Supreme Commander Liya. "If the worm creature starts fighting the Lila, I suggest we withdraw immediately to show our goodwill. If neither the worm creature nor the Lila makes a move, our people can go over."
The pilot's terrified voice came through. "A monster with four legs and two claws has appeared behind the worm creature. It... it seems to be beckoning to me!"
Mora said to Liya, "Let me go. Hopefully, I can win us an ally. At the very least, we mustn't gain another enemy."
"If things go wrong, teleport back immediately. The Asha need you!"
Mora smiled faintly, then turned and headed for the teleportation room.
A moment later, the Emissary Ship's pilot spoke again. "General Mora has gone inside!"
The monster's enormous mouth closed, and Mora lost contact with the command ship. The Emissary Ship could no longer detect his life signs either.
Several long hours of waiting passed...
At last, the Emissary Ship's pilot spoke over the communicator again.
"The small Lila ship has withdrawn..."
Liya immediately asked in alarm, "What about General Mora? Have you picked up General Mora's signal?"
"...Not yet..."
"Reporting, the unidentified biological vessel is turning toward us..."
Liya asked in confusion, "What are they trying to do?"
The radar operator cried out, "The Lila fleet has retreated. All of them have retreated."
Liya let out a long breath. "At last, some good news."
Just then, Mora's excited voice suddenly came through the communicator:
"Commander... please prepare a banquet to welcome our new friends, our Insect Race friends from the Rebecca Alliance."
The weight hanging over Liya's heart finally lifted. Mora's diplomatic talents were simply... he had actually made the Lila withdraw and brought back an ally!
The banquet hall of the commander's residence in New Moon City, on Asha's Third Colony Star...
All the prominent nobles on the Third Colony Star had gathered. The magnificent hall was adorned with four-handed symbols of peace. To welcome their Insect Race friends from afar, they had specially changed every symbol to purple.
Dressed in formal attire, Liya, the supreme commander of the Third Colony Star, led all the nobles in standing at the banquet hall's entrance as a sign of respect.
Mora led the slow-moving Insect Race {Broodmother} and two enhanced {Night Apes} wearing biological armor toward the banquet hall.
When Liya saw the strangely shaped {Broodmother}, who stood over three meters tall and was as bulky as an ox, she felt a little unnerved, but still stepped forward to greet him.
"As supreme commander of the Asha Empire's Third Colony Star, I welcome our friends from Rebecca on behalf of the Asha Empire."
The {Broodmother} replied in fluent Asha, "Thank you, Commander Liya. I am Zhang Fan, and I come in peace. I hope to become friends with the Asha!"
All the Asha present burst into startled exclamations. They had never imagined that this wormlike creature could converse fluently in their language.
Led by Liya and surrounded by Asha nobles, the {Broodmother} entered the banquet hall. The two {Night Apes} stood at the entrance like soldiers.
Liya glanced at the two powerful {Night Apes} without saying anything, merely giving the captain of the guards a discreet look.
The {Broodmother} suddenly said, "Commander Liya, there's no need for concern. If you don't like it, I can have my guards leave!"
Looking slightly embarrassed, Liya said, "Lord Zhang Fan... please don't misunderstand. I simply didn't want to neglect these two warriors."
"If that's the case, Commander Liya, just have someone arrange some food for them!"
"May I ask what our Insect Race friends usually eat?"
"Raw meat!"
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