Zero Blizzard... system alert... arrived at predetermined... currently in Autopilot Mode
Zhao Chen vaguely felt a sound ringing in his ears.
Zero Blizzard Starship Intelligent... Zero Blizzard has... navigation state, arrived at predetermined... in Autopilot Mode
The voice gradually grew louder, as if memories were returning to his body at this moment.
Zero Blizzard Starship Intelligent System alert, Zero Blizzard has exited Warp Navigation State, arrived at predetermined location; currently in Autopilot Mode
Zhao Chen suddenly opened his eyes, gasping for breath as he watched the transparent hatch slowly open.
The lighting on the bridge had been restored, and familiar figures were already resuming their duties on the command bridge.
"All personnel on the bridge, return to your posts within one minute and check all starship data.
All personnel on the starship, return to your posts within three minutes and stand by at all times."
Deputy Captain Charlotte continuously issued orders, with Zhao Wan'er assisting beside her.
Zhao Chen instinctively took two steps forward but found his legs felt weak. If he hadn't grabbed the nearby handrail, he would have nearly fallen to the floor.
"Captain, you're awake. Our ship has successfully arrived at the outer region of the Star Gate in the North Star System. All starship indicators are normal, and we have resumed normal navigation status," Deputy Captain Charlotte reported the current situation to Zhao Chen as soon as she saw him.
"You all woke up earlier than me?" Zhao Chen looked at them in surprise.
Zhao Wan'er glanced at Zhao Chen's trembling legs and chuckled, "We woke up a minute before you. I told you your physique isn't up to par. I've said before, you need to exercise more.
Don't think piloting a starship is just mental work. You need to develop both wisdom and physical strength for interstellar travel!"
Zhao Chen ignored Zhao Wan'er's teasing.
He asked Charlotte, "How long were we in hibernation?"
"Thirty-two minutes," Deputy Captain Charlotte replied.
Thirty-two minutes... To Zhao Chen, it felt like an eternity.
Don't think thirty minutes didn't cover much distance. Without using the Warp Drive, conventional engines alone would have taken nearly a hundred days to travel this distance!
The development of Warp Drive technology has propelled civilization toward interstellar exploration.
It is a revolutionary technological achievement, just like Star Gate Technology!
Suddenly, Zhao Chen felt discomfort in his stomach and instinctively leaned forward to vomit.
Deputy Captain Charlotte seemed prepared, as a Floating Trash Bin appeared before Zhao Chen.
"Ugh... ugh..." Zhao Chen vomited for a while before finally recovering.
Only then did he realize how painful warp navigation could be.
"This is your first time using a Military Sleep Chamber, right? When traveling back and forth between the Fierce Dragon Star System and the Academy, you used Travel Sleep Chambers, which include a recovery phase to help your body adapt.
But Military Sleep Chambers aren't as comfortable.
By your fourth year, you'll have training in this area. Most people vomit the first time," Zhao Wan'er explained from the side, though the smile on her face clearly showed she was boasting about her superior physique compared to Zhao Chen.
Ignoring Zhao Wan'er, Zhao Chen staggered to his Captain's seat and glanced around the bridge.
He was the last to awaken. The hibernation pods of the others had long since descended beneath the bridge floor, and only now did Zhao Chen's pod begin to sink.
"Apply for Star Gate passage, destination Arctic Fox System Star Gate," Zhao Chen instructed.
"Application sent. We should receive a response within ten minutes," Deputy Captain Charlotte replied.
It didn't take ten minutes. Within just a few minutes, the Zero Blizzard received passage clearance—though this was only after Zhao Chen paid a Star Gate Usage Fee.
Following the navigation route provided by the North Star Gate Management Department, the Zero Blizzard soon approached rows of starships waiting to pass through the Star Gate, as well as those arriving in the North Star System from beyond.
None of that mattered, however. Zhao Chen's eyes were fixed on the massive Star Gate.
Although he had studied Star Gates in Academy courses, seen images, and even had memories of them from his own past, this was his first time seeing one so vividly up close.
The North Star Gate resembled three interconnected temple gates. From the center of each gate emanated halos of blue, red, and gold light, like a three-colored lake surface.
As he gazed at the Star Gate, information about it flooded Zhao Chen's mind.
The North Star Gate was a T3 Three-God Gate Class Star Gate, a T3-level model independently developed by the Stellar Glory Empire. Over seventy percent of the Star Gate Network within the empire consisted of this type.
"Captain, it's our turn," Deputy Captain Charlotte's voice pulled Zhao Chen back from the awe-inspiring sight before him.
"Hmm." Zhao Chen took a deep breath, his hand unconsciously tightening on the armrest of the captain's chair.
Using a Star Gate for a Star Gate Jump did not require entering deep-sea mode. The reasons for this were complex, something only Interstellar Scientists could fully explain. Ordinary people only needed to understand that it worked.
The entire process was fast—incredibly fast.
Zhao Chen felt a momentary blur before his eyes, the surrounding scenery vanished, and his pupils seemed to glimpse a kaleidoscopic world. Then his vision began to restore, and the dark, vast universe reappeared before him.
This sensation was far better than the previous warp navigation.
Then again, it made sense—after all, he had paid for it.
The Star Coins an ordinary person could earn in a lifetime wouldn't be enough for even a short-distance Star Gate Jump in a T1 Starship.
Zhao Chen checked the time. Less than thirty seconds had passed.
This was the power of the Star Gate!
It dramatically shortened the distance between star systems.
However, Star Gates had limitations. There was an upper limit to the number of starships that could be transported per hour, depending on the specifics of the starships.
For example, if a Star Gate could transport ten thousand T1 Starships in an hour, it could only handle a thousand T2 Starships, or a hundred T3 Starships. That was roughly how it worked.
The higher the level of the starship, the higher the cost of using the Star Gate.
"We have arrived in the Arctic Fox System, currently positioned at the Star Gate. After we depart the Star Gate's range, we will re-enter warp navigation state. Estimated arrival at Arctic Fox Starport is in one hour," Deputy Captain Charlotte began explaining what came next.
Zhao Wan'er leaned close to Zhao Chen's ear. "You really were a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse. I never expected there would be someone with such commanding talent among the Half-Beast Slaves.
This Charlotte is more professional than many fifth-year students I know."
Zhao Chen chuckled inwardly. You haven't even seen the extent of her abilities yet.
"Proceed to the Arctic Fox Starport," Zhao Chen issued the navigation order.