Soon, two sets of information appeared before Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen looked at the two information boxes, which not only contained the names and models of the starships but also displayed schematic images, as these were relatively common starships on the market.
The Interstellar Pirates fleet consisted of thirty starships, including five T2 starships:
One T2 Gray Shark-class Medium Interstellar Cruiser;
Two T2 Ishtar-class Heavy Interstellar Destroyers;
Two T2 Ishkur-class Medium Interstellar Frigates.
The twenty-five T1 starships were:
Fifteen T1 Vulture-class Medium Interstellar Frigates;
Ten T1 Sickle-class Medium Interstellar Destroyers;
Five T1 Bluebird-class Medium Interstellar Cruisers.
As for the rebel nobles, they had only sixteen starships, a clear indication of the poverty and desolation of the Fierce Dragon Star System.
Among these sixteen starships, two were T2 starships:
A T2 Gray Wolf-class Light Interstellar Cruiser and a T2 Hyena-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer.
The remaining fourteen T1 starships were all T1 Vulture-class Medium Interstellar Frigates.
Looking at these starships, Zhao Chen couldn't help but laugh.
A bunch of starships older than he was.
Even the relatively new T2 Hyena-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer was a second-hand starship purchased by the head of the Cui family using decades of family savings.
As for the starships used by the Interstellar Pirates, they were mostly common vessels favored by pirates. Regardless of their performance, they were all cheap and easy to repair.
The most prevalent among them was naturally the T1 Vulture-class Medium Interstellar Frigate, a T1 starship developed by the Stellar Glory Empire two centuries ago. Although its combat capability was low, it was inexpensive to build and had a low technological threshold.
Moreover, the Stellar Glory Empire had publicly released the technology for this starship, making its market price even lower. It was a favorite among minor nobles, Interstellar Pirates, and stellar adventurers.
"Based solely on the enemy starship information in the intelligence, winning this battle will be simple for us.
The question now is where and how we should fight," Charlotte said.
Zhao Chen rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
He stared at the star map of the Fierce Dragon Star System and muttered, "We can't fight on their predetermined battlefield. Although we'd win regardless of where we fight,
we should minimize our losses. And if we fight near my Zhao family's home planet, what if collateral damage occurs?"
Suddenly, an idea struck Zhao Chen. He narrowed his eyes and pointed to a location on the star map. "Who says we have to go looking for them?
We'll make them come to us!"
Charlotte and Zhao Wan'er looked at the spot Zhao Chen was pointing to and understood his plan almost simultaneously.
——————
Interstellar Pirates Fleet · Flagship
This was a T2 Gray Shark-class Medium Interstellar Cruiser. The bullet marks and patched-up scars on its ship hull were clear evidence of its "history."
A burly man with a thick beard lay half-reclined in the captain's chair, his feet propped up on the control panel in front of him.
"Damn it, I've been waiting here for two months. If those guys hadn't been smart enough to send over some women,
I wouldn't have bothered waiting around like this!" The man complaining was the captain of this Interstellar Pirates fleet, who called themselves the Three-Clawed Snake Interstellar Pirates.
On their ship hulls was a starship emblem depicting a three-clawed snake.
At that moment, another skinny man walked out of the adjacent room, pulling up his pants. From the room behind him, the pleas and cries of women could be heard.
"These women are all as thin as bones—they can't handle much before they're done for. No fun at all. It's those noble ladies who really know how to put up a fight.
I say we just raid the nobles of this star system!" the skinny man grumbled, unsatisfied.
The bearded captain glanced sideways at the skinny man—his adjutant.
"Even though this lousy star system's fleet isn't strong, don't forget who hired us. If we really mess with this place, we'll be in deep trouble.
Let's just earn this commission honestly and not stir up trouble," the bearded captain said.
The skinny adjutant picked his nose. "We don't have to plunder these planets, but we can squeeze them for more money. After all, our brothers and these dozens of starships can't just wait here for two months for nothing."
The bearded captain grinned slyly, holding up three fingers. "I've already thought of that. When they finally give us the go-ahead, we'll demand a thirty percent increase in the commission!"
The skinny adjutant gave a thumbs-up. "You're the boss, always calculating!"
Speak of the devil.
Just then, a communication request appeared.
"Looks like it's time to get to work," the bearded captain said with a smirk as he opened the video communication.
On the other end appeared a middle-aged man whom he recognized.
It was the head of the Bao family from the Fierce Dragon Star System.
"Patriarch Bao, if you hadn't come to me, I would've come looking for you. My brothers have been waiting here for over two months, and they're all itching for action," the bearded captain said, feigning displeasure.
Patriarch Bao replied seriously, "We've been sending you batches of women and supplies every month, haven't we?
Alright, let's get down to business. The target has appeared, but they just sent word that they've changed their plans and won't be returning to their home planet.
Instead, they'll be making an appearance as a lord on a planet called Dragon Tail Star on the outskirts of the star system, staying for just one day before heading back to the North Star Starship Military Academy.
So, we're revising the combat plan.
You need to set out immediately and eliminate the target near Dragon Tail Star!
They only have one starship, so I assume it'll be more than enough for your forces."
The bearded captain scratched his foot. "Changing the combat plan isn't a problem—it's all within the same star system, so it'll only take a few hours to get there.
But we've been waiting for over two months.
Patriarch Bao, you have to understand how much business this two-month delay has cost my brothers.
You'll have to account for the time cost, or I won't be able to explain it to my men."
Patriarch Bao understood the implied extortion and cursed inwardly, calling them a bunch of interstellar thugs.
He knew these people well—they often went a year or more without a job like this.
And now they were complaining about two months of lost business? Nothing but empty boasts.
Still, the most important thing now was to deal with that Waste Baron.
"Name your price," Patriarch Bao said coldly.
The bearded captain held up three fingers. "A thirty percent increase in the commission. No bargaining."
Patriarch Bao's lips twitched, but he suppressed his anger. "Fine! You'll get it once the job is done!"
"Alright, I like dealing with straightforward folks like you. Give me the coordinates, and my boys will take care of this Baron right away." The bearded Captain put his feet down, adopting a serious demeanor.
"I'll send you the coordinates right away. Remember, send us a message as soon as the job is done," Clan Leader Bao reminded him.
"No problem, we're professionals at what we do!" the bearded Captain said confidently.
Shortly after, the bearded Captain received the coordinate location.
He immediately ordered his Interstellar Pirates fleet to set off, confirmed the coordinates, and entered warp navigation mode.
Due to the presence of T1 Starships, and to maintain fleet speed consistency, the T2 Starships deliberately reduced their speed.
The entire journey took about six hours.
When the bearded Captain awoke from his hibernation pod, he immediately ordered preparations for battle and began searching for the target.
In truth, there was no need to search for the target at all. As soon as they activated their Starship Radar, they detected a lone Starship hovering beside the Dragon Tail Star, like prey waiting for the hunter.
"Captain, about twenty minutes away from our current position! That's our target—the Baron's Zero Blizzard!" the skinny adjutant exclaimed excitedly.
The bearded Captain grinned maliciously and said, "The game begins, Baron."
At the same time, the Baron aboard the Zero Blizzard had finally welcomed his prey.