"You accepted the Imperial Army's escort mission?" Charlotte's image appeared in the video window, inquiring about the matter the commander had just mentioned.
Zhao Chen nodded. "To graduate from the North Star Starship Military Academy as soon as possible, I need to undertake some high-difficulty missions. However, given our current starship capabilities, completing this kind of escort mission shouldn't be too difficult."
"Then I'll accompany you," Charlotte volunteered.
But Zhao Chen refused.
Zhao Chen said, "You should stay behind and guard our temporary base. Right now, the two T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ships here are operating at full capacity, producing starships—including one at the T3 level. Compared to my escort mission, this place is far more important. I need someone capable to remain here."
As the fleet vice commander, Charlotte was aware of the production plan Commander Zhao Chen had set for the T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ships. She also knew that an unidentified T3 starship was currently under construction. Although she didn't understand how the commander had acquired T3 starship technology, after half a year of working together, she was willing to trust this man.
"Please rest assured, Commander. I will hold this position until you return!" Charlotte assured him.
Zhao Chen nodded. "This trip of mine may take until early March at the latest. Although we're still within the Northern Star Sector of the Stellar Glory Empire and not on the frontline battlefield, communication disruptions are still possible. In such cases, if anything happens here, I grant you the highest decision-making authority. I've left you several emergency contingency plans for reference."
"Yes," Charlotte responded.
After giving these instructions, Zhao Chen left the Zero Blizzard with Charlotte and instead boarded the T2 Queen Bee-class Heavy Carrier Starship. He led five T2 Black Rhinoceros-class interstellar heavy assault frigates and set off.
Secretary Officer Lilith accompanied Zhao Chen on this journey. Zhao Chen wanted Lilith to seize every opportunity for real combat experience to grow as quickly as possible.
"The navigation route has been confirmed. We will first head to the Stargate in the North Star System, then travel through the Stargate to the Chu River Star Sector, which, like the North Wind Star Domain, is located within the Northern Star Sector of the Stellar Glory Empire. Due to the considerable distance, we will need to pass through three Stargates along the way before finally arriving at the Imperial Fleet Third Military Base in the northern border region of the Chu River Star Sector. This journey will take approximately twenty-six hours, and we are expected to arrive at our destination on January 18th. The mission's required assembly time is January 20th, so we have ample time," Secretary Officer Lilith meticulously arranged the entire navigation route and reported it to Fleet Commander Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen nodded in satisfaction. "No problem, proceed according to your plan. I entrust you with command for this journey. Notify me when we arrive."
"Yes," Secretary Officer Lilith replied, fully aware that this was the commander's way of training her. She intended to seize every opportunity, knowing that if she could attain a higher position within the Fierce Dragon Fleet, it would bring significant benefits to her Succubus kin in the future.
"Warp drive navigation route pre-programmed. We will now enter the acceleration phase. In ten minutes, we will commence warp navigation. All starship crew members, enter deep-sea mode within ten minutes!"
"Repeat the order: All crew members must enter deep-sea mode within ten minutes!" Secretary Officer Lilith's command was transmitted to the bridges of all six starships in the fleet.
"Bridge of Black Rhinoceros-class Ship One, understood."
"Bridge of Black Rhinoceros-class Ship Two, understood."
"Black Rhinoceros..."
One after another, the six starships entered warp navigation state, heading toward the Stargate.
————
Northern Star Sector · Chu River Star Sector · Third Military Base
After a day's journey, Zhao Chen's fleet finally arrived at this military base located behind the frontline battlefield.
Though called a military base, it would be more accurate to describe it as a "military star system."
This was a fully militarized star system with no name and no ruling lord.
It only had a designation: "Third Military Base," though some also referred to it as the Northern Third Star System.
"Your fleet has entered the controlled airspace of the 'Third Star System.' Please immediately report your fleet information and the purpose of your mission here." A mechanical female voice sounded over the communication channel of Zhao Chen's T2 Queen Bee-class Heavy Carrier Starship.
All fleets arriving at the Third Star System had to undergo dual verification.
First, the departure Stargate would confirm your fleet information and purpose for heading to the Northern Third Star System.
Upon arrival at the Stargate of the Third Star System, the navigation control department here would re-verify this information.
This demonstrated the strictness of the security measures in place.
"Information confirmed. The visiting fleet is a mercenary fleet executing a bounty mission, originating from the North Star Starship Military Academy. Fleet size: six T2 starships.
Navigation route has been marked. Please proceed along the designated route.
Note: If you deviate from the designated route and fail to respond to three warnings, you will bear the consequences!" The mechanical female voice sounded again.
Simultaneously, a route information was transmitted to Zhao Chen's starship.
Secretary Officer Lilith reviewed it, confirmed it was correct, and then asked Zhao Chen about the next steps.
"Let's proceed," Zhao Chen said.
After speaking, Zhao Chen sat in the captain's chair, manipulating the surrounding visual displays to admire the "scenery" of this military base.
Everywhere he looked, various starships were visible.
Interstellar Battleships, Interstellar Frigates, Stellar Cruisers...
Suddenly, Zhao Chen spotted an enormous starship!
This was an interstellar battleship with a hull length exceeding one kilometer!
Its entire body was painted in a crimson hull paint scheme, and its massive main cannon muzzle was nearly twice the size of Zhao Chen's modified Zero Blizzard!
Rows of secondary cannons stood tall like battle spears.
Zhao Chen's T2 Queen Bee-class Heavy Carrier Starship looked like a mere child in front of it, let alone the T2 Black Rhinoceros-class interstellar heavy assault frigates—the difference was like that between a watermelon and a sesame seed.
This was a true interstellar battleship!
This was also why, in the Galactic Alliance's understanding, T3 starships were considered true combat-type starships, while most T2 starships were only semi-military interstellar vessels.
Just the star shield technology alone was enough for a single T3 starship to pummel a group of T2 starships without even chipping its paint.
"T3 Blazing Lion-class Medium Interstellar Battlecruiser—the standard T3-level starship for the Imperial Army. Exclusively supplied to the Stellar Glory Empire's Imperial Army, only a small number of noble families and royalty privately possess this starship."
And rumor has it, a single unit sells for as high as seven hundred million Star Coins!
Its main weapon is a 2200mm caliber Medium Electromagnetic Cannon.
It is one of the main combat starships in the Imperial Army's T3 series." Zhao Chen recited the data of this starship from the Academy textbook.
However, Zhao Chen wasn't very fond of this starship because he possessed an even more formidable Stellar Battlecruiser.
Zhao Chen didn't linger on this T3 interstellar battleship for long, continuing his search instead, much like a flirtatious playboy scouting for tonight's target in a nightclub.
Finally, Zhao Chen saw his 'target,' and in that moment, he felt like a pure-hearted young man struck by love at first sight.
An impressive figure, curves as graceful as ocean waves, perfectly proportioned dimensions, and those two awe-inspiring main weapons!
The Imperial Fleet's super starship—the T4-class Interstellar Battleship!