Chapter 362: Half the Alliance fleets!
Three weeks later, in the Endaro Star Region, approximately one warp away from the borders.
Xia Fei listened to Charlie’s comprehensive report, then responded. “The headquarters relocation plan has been a huge success. The next step will be to bring the R&D and the administrative offices into the capital ring, but you must remember that Harris should never be anywhere near the capital, or any of the bustling metropolises around it, for that matter. I can’t tell you the reason for this, but just do as I’ve instructed, and everything will be fine.”
Charlie nodded. “Don’t worry. Harris will continue to stay in the research center here on Earth and will only keep contact with the research branch in the capital ring through the interplanetary internet. Oh, right. What’s the use of those two large crates that you left behind before you left Earth?”
Xia Fei chuckled. “That’s the final guarantee I’m leaving the company right before my departure. They’re completely filled with very valuable ores called Purple Hearts of Spirit. If the company runs into any crisis while I’m away during this time, and there’s an urgent need for funds, you may sell whatever’s inside. As for how to complete the transaction, I suggest getting old man Qin Mang or Uncle Thuram to help you with it.”
Charlie replied, “Don’t worry; with us keeping an eye on things here in the company, nothing will go wrong. As for the military’s request for us to set up a branch near Deklein Star Region, have you given the plan any thought?”
Earth was situated in the far reaches of the Pan-human Alliance, making transportation hardly convenient. After all, the Pan-human Alliance covered a large expanse of s.p.a.ce, and even the fastest wars.h.i.+p would take more than two months to travel to and fro, not to mention a c.u.mbersome cargo s.h.i.+p.
The military is hoping that Quantum Holdings will establish a branch closer to the capital ring in order to cut down on time and logistic costs when transporting the products.
Xia Fei gave the matter some thought. “Actually, establis.h.i.+ng a branch in a star region nearer the capital ring is part of my plan. The military has merely requested us to do this a year earlier than I expected. We can’t forever stay on Earth and never move outward; since the military is willing to provide us with the land, let’s seize this opportunity to mark out the land and slowly develop it after.”
Charlie nodded. “I know what you mean. You want us to complete the infrastructure on Earth first before thinking of moving to other planets. I’ll get the construction department to get the lay of the land and have the foundation’s all ready before we bring in the proper machinery and workers, so we can immediately start production.”
Xia Fei chuckled. “That’s indeed my intention. I haven’t explicitly instructed you this whole time because I wouldn’t be remaining in the Alliance for long, so you’ll have to make your decisions from here onward.”
Charlie was momentarily stunned before he recovered. “Don’t worry. We’ll continue to give it our two hundred percent so that Quantum Holdings can continue developing and growing at astounding rates, like before.”
Xia Fei nodded. “I trust that you will. My s.h.i.+p’s about to enter a wormhole, and the next jump will have me appearing out in the Wild Star Region. There’s no interplanetary internet there, so we’ll use the Black Bat radar to continue communications.”
…
Xia Fei turned off the screen and stood before the command deck, broadcasting across the entire fleet.
A crew of over ten thousand lifted their heads to look at the projected screen. This was the first time Xia Fei was wearing that navy-blue captain’s uniform, with his head held high, like a battle-tested general.
His hair was peppery grey, which made him look a bit older than he was, and his eyes withheld a piercing gaze which looked capable of seeing through the hearts of men.
Clearing his throat, Xia Fei addressed everyone in a deep and slightly hoa.r.s.e voice. “A good day, everyone. This is a broadcast across all channels; I am from Quantum Holdings, Xia Fei, the first fleet commander of this voyage.”
After a brief pause, Xia Fei continued. “Several minutes after, we’ll be leaving the Pan-human Alliance territory and entering the Wild Star Region, and in a week’s time from then, we’ll be venturing into the unknown s.p.a.ce that makes up the insectoid territory. Unfortunately, I don’t have any guarantee on what we will come across or meet when we enter their territory or even what may happen. That’s because no human has ever set foot in that foreign part of the universe before. We, and two other fleets from the Alliance, are the vanguards—the first humans in our history to ever do this.
“This is, of course, a great honor, but it’s also a heavy responsibility.
“As the fleet commander of this historic endeavor, what I want to tell everyone right now is take this time to call your family, loved ones, and friends while you still have the chance. Give them a call or an email, for there’s no telling when the next time you can contact them on the interplanetary internet is, or if you’ll ever have the opportunity to do so in the future.
“This is the end of this broadcast across all channels; I wish everyone good luck.”
Though Xia Fei had hardly given a speech using magnificent words, nor did it invoke any strong fervor in anyone who listened, it nevertheless caused this crew, who had been gathered for the fleet at the last minute from far away, to give him a rousing applause.
Giving their loved ones a call was a very simple yet kind order. It was just that the words carried a sort of unspoken melancholia in them, which could not help but make people sigh in woe.
With a light tap of his fingers, Xia Fei composed a short email but hesitated if he should send it.
It was only at the last second right before the Impaler entered the wormhole did Xia Fei finally tap and send it out into the ether.
“Avril, I’m leaving. Don’t miss me.”
…
Fifty-eight hours later.
“Xia Fei, we’re already very close to that Thanatos-cla.s.s carrier, only three jumps away from reaching it.” Phantom peered out a window.
Xia Fei nodded. “I know, but now isn’t the best time. Even if I can obtain the wars.h.i.+p after beating that Black Star Phantom Bat, I can’t possibly take it along with me. The insectoids may not allow me to pilot a capital s.h.i.+p into their territory; best to wait till when we are on our way back.”
…
Phantom was disappointed. “So be it. Going up against the Black Star Phantom Bat by yourself now will still be quite an ordeal. Your chances of success may increase when we are making our way back.”
That was when the radar system indicated that he was receiving an encrypted message, a hail from the Military.
Williams’ expression was severe, a hint of disquiet behind his eyes. Xia Fei could feel his heart tighten, as a bad feeling creeped up on him once again.
“Several minutes ago, I received information that a powerful and battle-ready insectoid fleet had suddenly appeared by the borders of the Wild Star Region and insectoid territory.” He informed even as he ma.s.saged his temples. It had been a long time since he had any sleep at all thanks to this mission and the fact that there were simply too many reports and a.n.a.lyses that he needed to deal with.
Xia Fei mulled over this new information before asking, “What are their numbers?”
“Approximately three hundred combined fleets.”
Xia Fei was stunned. A single combined fleet meant that there was at least one capital s.h.i.+p, so was it not a bit too ridiculous to mobilize three hundred capital s.h.i.+ps as well as over tens of thousands of battles.h.i.+ps just to welcome the guests from the Pan-human Alliance? Could there be some scheme at work here?
Williams could spot the hesitation in Xia Fei and laughed. “I guess it is still impossible for there to be trust between us and the insectoids. Sending such a ma.s.sive force to guard the border regions is no more than to shock the other party, so you don’t have to worry about this. Know how many fleets the Alliance has gathered in the nearby Endaro Star Region?”
Xia Fei shook his head.
Williams said in a mysteriously low voice, “Half of the military’s standing combat strength is gathered in the Endaro Star Region right now, with the Chief of Navy Layton personally taking command.”
Half of the military.
That essentially meant half of the entire military presence the Alliance had was all garrison by the borders.
The total number of fleets the Alliance had was a secret that Xia Fei had no idea about. All he knew was something Thuram once mentioned, that the number of combined fleets in the Alliance was never below a thousand. It basically meant that there were over five hundred combined fleets holding down the line behind Xia Fei.
Five hundred combined fleets was astounding.
The total number of people manning these fleets could be counted in the billions and could easily match the population found in the entire star region.
Xia Fei laughed uproariously. “So the military has already come prepared; in that case, I’m at ease. They don’t trust us, but the same can be said about us to them. This is fair.”
Williams nodded. “It’s good that you know that. I was afraid that you might be scared stiff seeing such an overwhelming force the other party has at the ready, which is why I’m informing you now in advance. Can you imagine what would happen if your three small trade delegation fleets were to face a super-fleet which has tens of thousands of battles.h.i.+ps?”
Xia Fei tried to picture the scene in his head, but unfortunately, he had never ever seen such a ma.s.sive fleet thus far, so he simply could not imagine what it would look like. Would it be like an ant going up against an elephant? No. Perhaps it would be as absurd as an ant facing up against the entire Earth.
Xia Fei smiled. “What do I have to worry about? The trade delegation from the insectoids will receive an even warmer welcome in the Endaro Star Region than what I’m getting from the insectoids; they ought to be the ones feeling frightened, not us.”
Williams laughed. “Since the insectoids are using their ma.s.sive fleets to scare you all, I’ll use an even larger fleet to scare them back. You must remember that half of the Alliance Military is rallying behind you.”
Xia Fei shrugged. “It’s not that shocking. I’ve already mentally prepared myself for this voyage into the insectoid territory.”
Williams asked, “Are you satisfied with Song Qian?”
Xia Fei nodded. “The man is rather measured, not too fond of chatting. As for the matter of cooperation, I’m afraid only time will tell if we can get along. After all, we’ve barely had much time to get to know each other.”
Williams remarked, “Out of the three fleets, you’re the one whom I feel the most at ease with, for you’re crafty enough, while Song Qian is calm and composed. I’m sure that you’ll get along swimmingly.”
…
Another seventy hours pa.s.sed.
…
The three trade delegation fleets from the Alliance traveled through their wormholes and officially made their way into the insectoid territory.
It was just as Williams described; hundreds of insectoid fleets appeared in front of Xia Fei.
Insectoid wars.h.i.+ps had a strange appearance, looking very much like black insects that were flying in s.p.a.ce. The cannons that extended from its hull were like antennas, while their portholes appeared to be like countless eyes.
Though he had already been mentally prepared for such a scene, Xia Fei was still startled by the size of the ma.s.sive fleets. Hundreds of these s.h.i.+ps were all grouped together, dotting the starry backdrop in such numbers that they even made s.p.a.ce seem somewhat cramped.
No matter which direction he faced, all he could see were wars.h.i.+ps cl.u.s.tered in varying numbers, endless and practically uncountable numbers as far as the eye could see.
“Look, that’s an insectoid capital s.h.i.+p,”Phantom said in a low voice.
Xia Fei turned to where Phantom was looking, and he noted how each of the fleets had two very large and majestic wars.h.i.+ps, with hundreds of smaller wars.h.i.+ps that were tightly circling the capital s.h.i.+ps, like a swarm of bees close to their hives.
Xia Fei knitted his eyebrows and shook his head, muttering to himself, “Every fleet’s configured with two capital s.h.i.+ps, one a carrier and the other a dreadnought. This seems to be a common fleet configuration only used in times of war, no?”