Chapter 53: The Roar of the Cannon

"The Star River Gale faction has been eradicated," came the crisp report.

"Three ships were identified, and we've located the first one."

"Good progress," someone muttered.

"At this rate, we'll wrap things up within three days," another voice chimed in.

In the cramped yet bustling hangar bay of the Sturgeon, the atmosphere was electric. Crewmates were excitedly speculating about potential spoils of war. Whispers about the riches they might scrape from the remnants of the infamous Star River Gale faction spread like wildfire.

"Do you think following Captain Zhang on this mission means we'll get a piece of the pie?" someone mused.

"Absolutely," Liu Fangyan replied, his enthusiasm hard to suppress.

For him, this was an extraordinary opportunity. Back when he worked in the security team, his middle-of-the-road reputation left him overlooked for lucrative missions. Now, he was on a high-profile mission brimming with possibilities.

Meanwhile, Wang Yong and Li Kui had tasted the fruits of "side deals" before, but only the crumbs trickling down from the top. This mission promised something different: the vast, unguarded treasures of an abandoned planet—perhaps even a stroke of luck.

On another side of the bay, Chen Wuling's crew shared similar dreams of profit. The potential to "accidentally" pocket valuable F-grade alloys during the second round of inspections was tantalizing.

After all, F-grade starship materials were worth fortunes. A single plate could fetch tens of thousands of credits.

However, Zhu Xiaotian, ever the pragmatist, noticed the somber demeanor of the reconnaissance team and Tianxiao, her sharp instincts signaling caution.

"I'm not so optimistic," she murmured.

"Why?" a crewmate asked, intrigued.

Zhu's gaze was steady. "The Shark Hunter is nothing but a shell now. What might seem valuable to us probably means nothing to Captain Zhang."

She leaned back, crossing her arms. "If the other two ships are gutted like this, Captain Zhang might end up with nothing but a massive loss."

Chen Wuling, more seasoned and aligned with the strategic goals of the higher-ups, nodded in agreement.

Tianxiao, usually silent, felt their eyes on him. Sighing, he finally spoke:

"A cannon's roar consumes ten thousand gold coins."

The phrase hung in the air, weighty and undeniable.

"The Sturgeon came a long way, unleashing its full firepower. If we end up with three empty husks, this mission will cost Captain Zhang dearly."

Tianxiao's words cut through the hopeful chatter, grounding the room in reality. The energy spent traveling, the wages for crew members, the favors owed to veteran allies, and the ammunition used—all of these were enormous costs Captain Zhang had to bear.

His experience added to the gravity of his assessment. In all likelihood, the pirates had stripped the ships bare, their valuable components already traded on the black market.

The men left behind were nothing more than cannon fodder. The real masterminds had long since vanished, taking their profits with them.

True to Tianxiao's predictions, five hours later, the second and third ships were located.

They were, as expected, empty shells. Every valuable piece had been methodically removed.

Captain Zhang stood silently in the command center, his face a mask of resignation. The findings left no room for optimism. He made his decision quickly.

"Recall all personnel," he commanded. "Ten minutes to return to the Sturgeon. We're heading back to base."

The crew obeyed, disappointed but efficient.

As the Sturgeon prepared for departure, Zhang Lian received a message from three of his staunchest allies, their voices echoing through the comms:

"Captain Zhang, no need to worry. Since we didn't fully deploy, we'll refund half the commission."

Zhang Lian's lips tightened as he responded, "Apologies for this wasted effort. The Star River pirates were clever, abandoning their lair and scattering before we arrived. It's my mistake for letting the allure of potential resources cloud my judgment."

"Don't dwell on it," one ally replied.

"Right. Consider it a lesson learned," added another.

The captain nodded solemnly, his composure slowly returning.

Before the mission's formal end, Zhang Lian paid the Bluebird squad a sum of 50,000 alliance credits for their efforts. Despite the failed venture, he refused to compromise on principles or respect.

The Sturgeon wasted no time on the empty ships. Hauling the hollow husks would only incur more costs. Instead, they left them behind, returning swiftly to base.

The mission that had begun with so much anticipation ended with little more than frustration and disappointment.

That evening, a group gathered on the thirty-sixth floor of the training facility to reflect on the debacle. Among them were Luo Fei, Tianxiao, and Chen Wuling.

"Luo Boss," Chen Wuling began, unable to contain his curiosity. "A mission like this must be incredibly expensive for a ship like the Sturgeon, right?"

Luo Fei hesitated, then shrugged. "I wouldn't know the exact costs."

The group exchanged surprised looks. Luo Fei, their leader, was usually a repository of knowledge.

Sensing their skepticism, Luo Fei took a deep swig of his drink before continuing.

"To command a ship, to sail through the vastness of space and wage war among the stars—that's the dream of our generation. It's my dream too," he admitted. "But being a captain isn't just about courage. You need immense computational prowess, physical endurance, and, most importantly, a loyal and capable team. Every member must meet G-grade standards in both physique and computation."

His tone grew somber. "I haven't even reached G-grade myself. How could I possibly understand the burdens of being a captain?"

The room fell silent, Luo Fei's words resonating deeply.

Though he was a respected leader, the gap between his position and that of someone like Captain Zhang was stark.

After a moment, Luo Fei shared more of his ambitions: "My goal is to break through to G-grade within three years. Once that happens, I want to groom leaders like Chen Wuling, Lin Hu, Liu Xuesong, and Qiao Dazhi. Together, we'll seize control of a base, paving the way for greater things."

His eyes landed on Chen Wuling. "I always saw you as my successor for the security team."

Chen Wuling's breath hitched, his surprise evident.

"But I've hesitated because I'm not sure you can command the group just yet. You're talented, no doubt, but developing the authority and skills needed within three years is a tall order."

Chen Wuling lowered his gaze, struggling with both pride and humility.

The room's attention shifted to Tianxiao.

Luo Fei met his gaze, a rare smile forming.

"Tianxiao's arrival has changed my plans," he said. "In just a month, his talent and resilience have proven extraordinary—even beyond my own."

The group nodded, their respect for Tianxiao evident. His feats on the battlefield had left an indelible mark, silencing any doubts about his capabilities.

By acknowledging Tianxiao's strengths, Luo Fei not only solidified his role but also cleared the air, leaving no room for hidden resentment or misunderstandings among the group.