The Highest Bounty

After they entered the s.p.a.ce dock, Neptune immediately took over the s.p.a.ce dock"s system and shut the door.

This door was constructed with a special alloy. Even if it were hit with a hundred tons of force, it would not change its shape whatsoever. It could also stop all forms of viral infections from entering.

Inside the s.p.a.ce dock, there was a complete range of system functions. Even though it had already been more than ten years, the majority of its functions still worked perfectly. This was also one of the reasons why Cooper had chosen to use this place as the base.

Gu Ding had only ever seen pictures of the s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p during its repair. Under the sunlight, the polished metal surface of the s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p produced a bright golden l.u.s.ter.

This Grey-faced Buzzard grade s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p looked just as it did in the picture Gu Ding saw on Skynet. Its entire body was constructed with three t.i.tanium alloy and pyrite. Huge amounts of mexallon were also added as supplementary material. The total capacity was more than six hundred cubes approximately, a completely different ballgame compared to Gu Ding"s previous Kittyhawk Model. 

"It looks awesome…" Gu Ding"s eyes sparkled as he stared at the s.h.i.+p in awe. He stroked his hands across the s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p"s enormous side wing. The metal"s st.u.r.dy texture was transmitted to Gu Ding"s brain through his fingertips. He could even feel ever so faintly that the s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p seemed to be pouring out something to him.

"Before this s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p was laid aside, it had been used for over fifty years. Right now, it already has a history of hundreds of years." In no time, Neptune had found the previous navigational records of this s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p. "From its production serial number, this is also a first-generation Grey-faced Buzzard. If you fly this s.h.i.+p out there, I guarantee that many wealthy people will offer a handsome price to take it off your hands."

"Grey-faced Buzzard grade s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p itself is priced between one to three billion Star Credits. I reckon people would be willing to pay even if it costs tens of billions of Star Credits. It will be too great a luxury for an Interstellar Pirate to fly this one. You can consider selling it then, essentially exchanging it for a completely new Grey-faced Buzzard. Its performance will be so much better than this model. Moreover, it"s half as big as this model, much more agile when operated," Neptune suggested. 

"I"m not changing it. I want this one." Gu Ding shook his head firmly. Ever since he first laid eyes on this s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p, he knew that it belonged to him.

"I think it"s quite nice as well," Liliath agreed. "Although it"s a little old-fas.h.i.+oned, I think there"s a rich history behind it."

"Right now, this s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p is only equipped with certain basic functions. If you want to restore it, the maintenance fee will certainly be a hefty amount. Luckily, the fellow who was infected with the viral contagion has a lot of valuable items in his inventory. I think he had also made a lot of preparations as he planned on leaving this planet." Neptune did not voice out any more objections. Not that he disliked the s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p, but from a rational point of view, swapping it for a new s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p was clearly a better choice.

"Let"s go in and take a look," Gu Ding said to Liliath.

Taking him by the arm, the two took off exploring the interior.

After entering the s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p and seeing the internal decor, Gu Ding was even more resolute in his decision. "I will not sell this s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p even if I was offered a hundred billion."

"Mm!" Liliath nodded vigorously in agreement upon coming across a cozy room.

After taking a tour around the s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p, Gu Ding had no plans of going out. He stumbled into the room nearest to the c.o.c.kpit and sat down straight away. "This will be my room from now on."

Liliath chose the one opposite to his. "This isn"t too bad either. It"ll be easier for us to drop in on each other next time."

"If you plan on using this s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p in the long-run, then it needs to be repaired at the earliest opportunity. Based on the current situation, I estimate that this s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p will turn into sc.r.a.ps after flying another three to five times, at most." Neptune knew that Gu Ding had already made up his mind, hence he offered his opinion.

"Mm. Let"s drop by Fengyuan then we"ll find a planet to fix the s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p." Gu Ding nodded.

"We"re still going to Fengyuan?" Neptune was taken aback. Then, he explained, "Actually, according to our current coordination, we have already pa.s.sed Fengyuan. After we leave this Gray Star Sector and continue on a bit further, we should be able to return to the original route. There"s no need to double back, is there?" 

"Is that so? But I promised Mister Modican to meet him there." Gu Ding scratched his head. "Dad mentioned before that a man can be dishonest, but he must keep his promises. We"d better drop by." 

"Alright, then. It makes no difference where I am anyway. You decide on the target destination and I"ll just navigate the s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p." Neptune did not oppose it. "It"d be better if you briefed Lili on the navigation destination."

"Fengyuan sounds great. I wanted to take a look at first. I heard that there are many professional pharmacologists. On top of that, the cost of medicine is also cheaper." After hearing about Gu Ding"s destination, Liliath agreed once more.

In the next two days, Gu Ding had finally recovered from his injuries. Neptune was also navigating the s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p, leaving the planet"s atmosphere in no time.

"Gu Ding, the body of the viral infection is not dead. Once his injuries have fully healed, he will definitely return to s.p.a.ce dock, remodel another s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p, and find an opportunity to leave this planet." Outside the planet, Neptune made sure not to fly away instantly. Instead, he took a second to talk to Gu Ding. 

"If he carried those viral infection bodies and left this planet, who knows how many people will be infected with this virus and turn into the virus puppets." After hearing that, Liliath frowned slightly as well. "Why don"t we destroy the s.p.a.ce dock?" 

"Indeed, we can"t allow him to escape. He looks just like any ordinary person. Once he arrives at another planet, his mind could turn completely dormant, and the virus will have a window to infect others." Gu Ding was fully aware of the severity of the threat. "Neptune, destroy the s.p.a.ce dock!"

Controlling the antimatter cannon of the s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p, Neptune aimed at the s.p.a.ce dock.

A light beam shot out of the s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p"s cannon deck, immediately obliterating the s.p.a.ce dock.

The blast from the explosion could be seen erupting into the atmosphere, bright and colorful like fireworks.

Right after, the second and third light beams were shot out consecutively.

On the planet, two more blinding flares shot out into the sky.

Gu Ding and Liliath saw this scene and were both pretty startled. "What are you doing?"

"I"ve destroyed the research inst.i.tution. I"ve also destroyed the power system that maintains network operations. If the information in the research inst.i.tute lands in the hands of the wrong people, they may recreate similar viruses. After destroying the power system, even if the infected fellow is still alive and reconstructs a s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p, he won"t be able to replenish enough power for the s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p to leave this planet," Neptune explained. 

"Let"s go then!" Gu Ding waved his hand. "Next station, Fengyuan!"