Chapter 437: Chapter 437: The Return Voyage

"Sir, they’ve closed all communication channels," Zuna reported to Lieutenant Colonel Fei Ang in a panic.

"Bastards! Turn around, now!"

Lieutenant Colonel Fei Ang instantly realized he was being used as a pawn.

"Yes, sir!"

Zuna hurriedly commanded the ship to turn around.

But before they could even finish turning, the Azure Blue shot past them at incredible speed.

ZAP! ZAP!

A dense barrage of light beams hammered against the Gray Fang’s Energy Barrier.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Massive explosions erupted one after another.

The entire Gray Fang shuddered violently and continuously.

"Sir, the swarm has targeted us!" Zuna cried out in terror.

"Accelerate! Get clear! Overtake the Azure Blue!"

"We can’t! Their ship is too fast!"

"Damn it! Open all launch tubes and return fire!" Lieutenant Colonel Fei Ang roared, absolutely furious.

Although both were Level 4 battleships, the Gray Fang’s speed was no match for the Azure Blue’s. The two weren’t even in the same league.

But the Azure Blue only needed to be faster than the Gray Fang to be safe.

...

On the bridge of the Azure Blue.

Fakadon reported to Hopka.

"Officer Hopka, the swarm has been drawn away and is tied up with the Gray Fang!"

"Hmph. We’re saved, for now."

Hopka, Long Ming, and the others all breathed a sigh of relief.

"But... is what we did okay?" Fakadon looked a little uneasy.

"It was a dirty trick, I admit, but we didn’t have a choice."

Hopka also felt a pang of guilt.

"What’s there to feel bad about? Don’t you think it’s a little too convenient for a Third Legion ship to suddenly show up here? They kept making excuses before, and now here they are. What are they after?" Long Ming reminded them coolly.

"You’re saying the Third Legion was secretly searching for the Ocean?"

"It’s more than likely."

"Hmph. In that case, they have no one to blame but themselves."

Hopka’s understanding dawned, and he let out an annoyed, cold snort.

"Heh heh, they really shot themselves in the foot," Antilo sneered.

"Forget it. Ignore them. Full speed, return to base!"

Hopka ordered Fakadon.

"Yes, sir!"

Fakadon immediately complied.

「The next day.」

The Azure Blue crossed through the Guangxiao Star Sea and entered the Guangying Star Sea.

On the bridge.

Fakadon breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the Second Legion patrol ships ahead. He reported to Hopka and the others, "We’ve entered the control zone. We should be safe now!"

"Good. Return to the Spine planetary fortress!" Hopka said to Fakadon.

Seeing they were heading for Spine Fortress, Long Ming quickly asked Colonel Hopka, "Wait, aren’t you supposed to take me to the Omro planetary fortress first?"

"I’m not. The Azure Blue is severely damaged and needs to return for repairs," Hopka replied irritably.

"That’s not cool. I saved your life, after all. What’s the harm in giving me a ride?"

"Hmph. Do you have any common sense? We haven’t returned to debrief and submit the mission report yet. And what about filing for your military merits? You don’t want them?"

"Ahem, forget I said anything."

Long Ming instantly caught on.

Hearing this, Antilo said with a laugh, "We’ll probably get a lot of military merits for this mission. The only shame is that we couldn’t salvage the Ocean. That ship was loaded with supplies. If we’d known it was going to sink there, we should’ve grabbed some."

"Yeah, what a total waste."

Long Ming also put on a look of deep regret.

’Of course, that wasn’t what he was really thinking. It was for the best that the ship sank.’

’That way, no one would know he’d taken the most expensive Sharp Gold Stone.’

’As for what might happen if the ship was salvaged someday, that was a problem for the future. By then, so much time would have passed that no one could say for sure what happened.’

"What’s there to regret? That’s Second Legion property. Even if you took anything, you’d have to hand it over!"

Hopka replied dismissively.

"So rigid."

Antilo sneered but didn’t say anything more.

...

「Several hours later.」

The Azure Blue arrived in the outer perimeter of the Spine planetary fortress.

Gazing at the optical image of the immense Spine planetary fortress, Long Ming was shaken to the core.

This planetary fortress was clearly more offensively oriented than Blacktan Fortress.

Just then, a communications request popped up.

"Captain, a comms request from Spine Fortress!"

Fakadon reported to Hopka.

"Patch them through," Hopka replied in a cold voice.

"Yes, sir!"

Fakadon immediately did as commanded.

An older man in a major’s uniform appeared on screen and saluted Hopka.

"Officer Hopka, are you requesting to dock at the Spine planetary fortress?"

"That’s correct. I am on a classified mission, authorization code CW1452."

"Confirmed. Opening a special approach corridor for you now!"

Major Taienl replied respectfully.

Hopka nodded and then cut the communication.

Normally, any ship returning to Spine Fortress had to undergo an inspection.

This was why Long Ming had wanted to go to the Omro planetary fortress first; he was mainly worried about his safe and the Sharp Gold Stone inside being discovered during a search.

Hearing this, he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

...

「A little over an hour later.」

The Azure Blue entered the internal dock of the Spine planetary fortress and came to a stop in its designated berth.

K-CHUNK!

A series of giant mechanical arms clamped onto the Azure Blue.

Immediately after, a section of the metal wall split open, extending a gangway to connect with the exit hatch.

Hopka then led the way out along the gangway, with Long Ming and the others following. They brought with them Woperi’s body, which was sealed in a cryo-pod, and the unconscious Chen Hong.

They arrived in a massive waiting hall.

An honor guard of soldiers in dress uniforms and a team of medics were already waiting for them.

The medics stepped forward first and took the unconscious Chen Hong away.

Then, the soldiers saluted Woperi’s body.

Hopka transferred the body to the honor guard, his eyes red as he instructed them, "Go slowly. Don’t jostle my brother!"

"Yes, sir," the soldiers replied respectfully.

Hopka stood rooted to the spot, watching as the honor guard carried the body away.

Long Ming and Antilo watched the scene, also falling silent.

After a long moment, Hopka turned to Long Ming and Antilo and said, "I’m going to report in and complete the mission debrief. As for filing for military merits, that won’t be as fast. You two stay on the fortress for a couple of days. I’ll notify you when things are sorted out on my end!"

"Alright. But where am I staying?"

Long Ming quickly asked Hopka.

"Check the Military Department system linked to your profile!"

With that, Hopka took his men and left.

Antilo looked at Long Ming and said with a smile, "I’m off, too. Hope we get a chance to work together again!"

"Sure."

Long Ming nodded.

Antilo then left without a backward glance.

Long Ming raised his wristband to check the linked Military Department system and quickly found his assigned room.

He headed toward the moving platform in Area C4.

「Half an hour later.」

Long Ming arrived at the door to room C479.

He raised his wristband and scanned the electronic lock.

BEEP!

The electronic lock opened instantly.

Long Ming pushed the door open and walked inside. A standard 50-square-meter room came into view.

The room was fully furnished with all the basic necessities and was quite nicely decorated.

Satisfied, Long Ming walked over to the sofa, sat down, and began to contemplate his next steps.

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