Different fleets called for different tactics. Clearly, Xi Yan had his eye on Captain Nais's years of experience as a pirate. Pirate boarding tactics could be extremely useful.
"Or..." Xi Yan rubbed his chin. "How about going back to your old trade under the alias Captain Shit and rebuilding your pirate empire?"
Xi Yan leaned closer and worked out the numbers with him. "You've undergone synthetic ascension now. No one will recognize you. You could take over the remnants of the Black Needle Pirates, pull off the switch right under everyone's noses, then start plundering those idiot nations."
"Ha." Captain Nais applauded. "You really know how to dream big, boss."
"And that's not all. With my backing behind the scenes, you can raid their merchant ships and transports to your heart's content, and we'll each take our cut."
Captain Nais's eyes grew wider and wider.
You could do that?
"Haha-this will earn you even more than your old raids, and it'll be safer too."
Grinning, Xi Yan patted Captain Nais on the shoulder, only for his hand to pass straight through it.
"I have another idea. I'll take the lead, and you'll set up a security company with underworld ties to escort merchant convoys. You'll raid them on one hand and protect them on the other. Then I'll launch an anti-piracy campaign in the Sea of Stars Community and have the other nations give you funding to fight pirates. My money comes back in full; their money gets split thirty-seventy."
Xi Yan stepped back and spread his hands. "So, Captain Nais, would you rather settle down as a fleet commander under me, or rebuild your pirate empire with my support?"
Captain Nais stared into Xi Yan's calm, composed eyes and pondered for a long time.
As though recalling the grand,