{M'tok fleet: You there? Answer.}
{Neil fleet: Dumbass, what the hell is wrong with you?}
Perkin Asland stamped hard on the bridge, denting the metal floor.
Say that again?! (In Xiaochuan's voice.)
{M'tok fleet: Why are you following us? Are you planning to violate the interstellar treaty?}
{Neil fleet: Dunno. I'm just following orders from above.}
{M'tok fleet: Do you know something?}
{Neil fleet: You stupid rocks. Even if I did, why would I tell you?}
{M'tok fleet: Has the Shazka System fallen to the humans?}
{Neil fleet: How would I know? Don't you know yourselves?}
{M'tok fleet: Or are you planning to ambush us shortly?}
{Neil fleet: I told you, we're just following orders, you moronic rocks!}
{M'tok fleet: Stupid alien sea turtles!}
{Neil fleet: Fuck your mother! (In Han Jian's voice.)}
After this routine friendly exchange with the Nier fleet behind them, Perkin Asland closed the channel and began pacing around the bridge again.
The Nier's answers were watertight, leaving Perkin no basis for speculation.
The M'tok fleet shut down its thrusters and stopped beside the system's Stellar Base, preparing to replenish its energy, weapons, and food.
But the station staff on duty at the Stellar Base told them that no new fleet supplies had arrived in months. They had nothing to offer.
Perkin Asland was dumbfounded for a moment, then requested access to the Stellar Base's reserves. Without replenishment, the fleet's travel speed would drop sharply from lack of energy.
The Stellar Base firmly refused, however, stating that this violated Federation regulations.
Then Perkin noticed that a massive transport fleet had already arrived to replenish the energy and ammunition of the Nier fleet following them.
Goddammit, we can't even compete with those lousy outsiders in our own territory?!
Perkin Asland grew even angrier, but the Stellar Base