T2 Queen Bee-class Heavy Carrier Starship · Bridge
This was Zhao Chen's first time stepping onto its bridge since its construction.
"This is much more spacious than the Zero Blizzard's bridge," Zhao Chen remarked, glancing around before settling into the captain's chair.
Zhao Wan'er, the nominal captain of the T2 Queen Bee-class Heavy Carrier Starship, didn't say much, as this starship was built by Zhao Chen.
"Shall we depart early? Head to the Arctic Fox System at maximum warp navigation speed?" Zhao Wan'er asked Zhao Chen.
"Yes, this time we don't need to wait for the Zero Blizzard. We'll set off first and rendezvous at the Arctic Fox Starport," Zhao Chen replied. "Did you bring everything I asked you to?"
Zhao Wan'er nodded. "All the supplies seized from the nobles, totaling a value of seven hundred thousand Star Coins, are already stored in the cabins of the T2 Queen Bee-class Heavy Carrier Starship. As for the starship wreckage from the Three-Claw Snake Interstellar Pirate Fleet, the Zero Blizzard is responsible for transporting it to the Arctic Fox System."
Zhao Chen nodded in satisfaction. These were all funds for building starships.
"I didn't expect you to actually let the Jiang Family go," Zhao Wan'er said, looking at Zhao Chen with surprise.
Zhao Chen chuckled. "What else could I do? Massacre the Jiang Family as well? According to Jiang Hong's intelligence, although the Jiang Family knew about the Bao and Cui Families' plans, they remained bystanders and didn't participate. I needed to establish authority in the Fierce Dragon Star System, so I eliminated the Bao and Cui Families and their allies. However, no one wants a lord who kills without reason. Killing too much would do more harm than good. So, I left the Jiang Family untouched. But I made sure they left my territory."
Zhao Wan'er nodded in understanding. She had initially thought Zhao Chen might use this opportunity to deal with Jiang Shasha's family, but he never even mentioned her name.
"Prepare for departure," Zhao Chen said, stepping into the hibernation pod early.
The hibernation pods on the T2 Queen Bee-class Heavy Carrier Starship were far superior to those on the Zero Blizzard—more aesthetically pleasing, more comfortable to lie in, and even the injected blue fluid had a faint, pleasant fragrance.
Gradually... Zhao Chen drifted into a deep sleep.
The T2 Queen Bee-class Heavy Carrier Starship entered warp navigation, preparing to traverse interstellar border space and head to the Arctic Fox System.
...
Arctic Fox Starport
"Hello, Mr. Zhao Chen. I am the responsible personnel at the Arctic Fox Starport, code CC11. It is my great honor to serve you again," the woman greeted with a smile through the video window.
"Arrange another starship workshop for me, just like the previous one. Book it for two months for now. Also, I'll send you a raw materials order worth two million Star Coins. Please procure the listed materials as quickly as possible! Finally, book me a ticket to the North Star Starship Military Academy," Zhao Chen instructed.
"Understood. I have already booked a large starship workshop for you as requested—the same one you used last time. Additionally, your ticket to the North Star Starship Military Academy has been booked. It's a first-class cabin ticket on a T2 interstellar cruise ship departing tomorrow afternoon. Is that acceptable?" the female manager inquired with a smile.
"Alright, that's settled." Zhao Chen said, transferring 2.1 million Star Coins from his account.
Originally, Zhao Chen had only 1.9 million Star Coins left, but after confiscating 700,000 Star Coins from the nobles of the Fierce Dragon Star System, he now had a total of 2.6 million.
Even after spending 2.1 million, he still had a full 500,000 Star Coins remaining.
The female manager smiled warmly. "During your stay, if you have any needs, feel free to contact me anytime. I'm available 24/7." With that, she gave him a flirtatious glance, her eyes filled with affection and reluctance as she ended the video communication.
He was her big spender, after all!
"A single ticket?" Zhao Wan'er looked at Zhao Chen in surprise, unsure what he was planning.
The T2 Queen Bee-class Heavy Carrier Starship, relying on its Level Four Warp Engine, completed a week of warp navigation and arrived at the Arctic Fox Starport a full week ahead of the Zero Blizzard.
Coincidentally, it was the last day of September!
"I still have some matters to attend to, so I won't be returning to the Academy just yet. You can take this flight back to the North Star Starship Military Academy tomorrow," Zhao Chen said.
"What could be more important than your studies at the Academy? Aren't you worried about failing the end-of-term assessments?" Zhao Wan'er muttered, clearly unhappy that Zhao Chen wouldn't be returning with her.
Zhao Chen patted her head. "Don't worry, your brother knows what he's doing. I'll be back in a month or two at most."
"Then I'll wait for you at the Academy," Zhao Wan'er said.
The T2 Queen Bee-class Heavy Carrier Starship slowly entered the Starship Workshop where it had been built. Although the carrier now occupied the space, there was still plenty of room to dock or construct several more starships.
"The raw materials order hasn't arrived yet, so we have some free time. Let's go explore the Arctic Fox Starport. Last time we were here, we were too busy building this T2 Queen Bee-class Heavy Carrier Starship to really look around," Zhao Chen suggested.
After a week in hibernation, Zhao Chen wanted to enjoy this brief "holiday" before diving into the busy days ahead.
"Great!" Zhao Wan'er agreed happily.
Afterward, Zhao Chen gathered a squad of demi-human female soldier guards arranged by Charlotte. The seven of them boarded an unmanned flying car, left the Starship Workshop, and entered the interior of the Arctic Fox Starport.
The interior of the Arctic Fox Starport was a vast city, capable of accommodating hundreds of thousands of people.
Of course, that was assuming you had the money!
"Come to think of it, my starship crew doesn't have unified uniforms," Zhao Chen mused, rubbing his chin as he looked at the five demi-human female soldier guards accompanying him.
They were dressed in the plainest of cloth garments—the same ones given to them for free by the slave traders when they were purchased.
"Perfect timing. You haven't bought any new clothes this year. Let's go shopping for some, and I'll also order a batch of crew uniforms," Zhao Chen suggested.
"I have my Academy uniform," Zhao Wan'er replied.
Zhao Chen glanced at the Academy uniform she was still wearing. No one wanted to wear a uniform all day, every day—it was really just to save money.
Zhao Chen took her hand and pulled her forward. "No way. Today, you're getting new clothes! We're not going back until we've bought at least ten sets!"
Zhao Wan'er looked utterly bewildered.
Just as their group was hurrying along, a person draped in a black cloak, head bowed, stumbled unsteadily toward Zhao Chen and the others.
The demi-human female soldier guards, alert and swift, immediately stepped in front of Zhao Chen.
The person collided right into one of the demi-human female soldier guards, then repeatedly apologized.
The voice was a hoarse female one.
"Sorry... sorry..."
Then they quickly walked away.
Zhao Chen watched the figure's retreating back until it disappeared around the corner.
"What's wrong?" Zhao Wan'er asked, noticing Zhao Chen's odd expression. Zhao Chen replied, "It's nothing. Let's go buy clothes."
Inside the clothing store.
Zhao Chen stared at several outfits before him, his expression conflicted.
Form-fitting uniforms, maid outfits, bunny girl outfits...
If the female starship crew on his starship were to wear these kinds of uniforms...
The image was too beautiful to imagine!
"Don't even think about it. Just have them custom-made according to the designs I've drawn," Zhao Wan'er said, directly sketching a few clothing designs herself on the side, shattering Zhao Chen's wonderful fantasy.
Suddenly, Zhao Chen spotted a familiar figure outside the store, but behind that figure were several shadowy, suspicious ones.
"Wan'er, wait here for a moment. You two stay behind. You three, come with me," Zhao Chen said abruptly, leaving the clothing store with three demi-human female soldier guards and vanishing into the crowd.