Mech: Shattering of the Galaxy Chapter 1513: 29: Dividing the Spoils
Chapter 1513: Chapter 29: Dividing the Spoils
A soldier, clad in a light gray uniform and donning a combat helmet, commenced inspections as per standard protocol.
The Dawn Battleship, painted entirely black, materialized on the monitor. Despite its menacing, modified armor being retracted, its dagger-like silhouette unmistakably identified it as a formidable warship.
This vessel, surpassing 2500 meters in length, had incurred toll fees twenty times the standard rate—a sign of a truly colossal transaction.
“Black Fire Weapons Company Armed Transport Ship, confirming exterior configuration… length exceeds 2500 meters, aligning with battleship specifications. Prepare for secondary tractor beam deployment.”
“First, transmit the tractor beam fee schedule. If they refuse, show them the door. The Aohan Freedom Alliance has no place for the penniless,” Kim Sang-geun interjected commandingly, cutting off Ben Carson’s report.
“Understood… they have accepted.”
On the display, Ben Carson observed a direct transfer of credit points via the Hinchlo Business Star Network: a staggering ten million credit points!
“I appreciate dealing with decisive individuals. When they dock, ensure they receive one of my business cards.” Witnessing the ten million credit points finalized, Kim Sang-geun’s cold, haughty facade crumbled instantly. He clapped Ben Carson heartily on the shoulder, beaming.
Indeed, wealth forged the strongest of bonds.
All hail the magnificent Aohan Freedom Alliance!
With spirits soaring, Kim Sang-geun continued his imposing patrol towards the subsequent sector.
“Zone 17 operational status… exceptionally commendable!”
Subordinates who contribute handsomely to profits warranted such high praise.
...
...
Mu Fan narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed and unyielding as he observed the twenty dark warships hurtling towards them.
“These individuals certainly possess a voracious appetite. For a combat vessel exceeding 2500 meters, a simple transit fee starts at ten million, with a strict no-negotiation clause attached.”
“Considering the 1:3 exchange rate, that amounts to an astronomical thirty million Federation Star Coins! Had the Black Fire Weapons Company not recently procured three Tier-Six warships this month, we would scarcely have the funds.”
Fatty and White Hair spoke in unison, their voices laced with indignant frustration.
Only they knew the countless perils faced, the lives risked in selling military-grade armaments, and the arduous effort spent opening markets across eleven planets, culminating in the sale of a single warship just last week. The funds, barely warm in their accounts, vanished as quickly as they arrived.
“Mu Fan, what's the remaining balance in our account?” Fatty called out towards the front.
Hearing the question, a flicker of emotion finally crossed Mu Fan’s face. After receiving the figure reported by Black, he turned, his expression unwavering, and stated, “We are left with 790,000 Hinchlo credit points.”
Truthfully, the financial sting he experienced far outweighed the combined distress of Fatty and White Hair.
However, the thought that all the raw materials for constructing warships were provided gratis by Loki Heavy Industry offered a sliver of solace.
Wait a moment… that wasn’t correct!
Loki Heavy Industry’s “free” delivery of steel to Shadow Island was merely an internal transfer, from one pocket to another!
An uncharacteristic flush of red crept onto Mu Fan’s cheeks.
He had nearly lost his composure.
White Hair, however, reacted far more impulsively than Mu Fan, leaping to his feet instantly.
“Damn it, only 790,000 remaining? I’m going to confront those thieves! Fatty, get ready.”
“Let’s go,” Fatty declared, patting his chest in a show of solidarity.
This was their hard-earned revenue.
The thirty million invested in market development alone would, at the very least, cement the allegiance of three significant figures.
“We are approaching the Aohan Freedom Alliance’s warp checkpoint warning threshold.”
“Black Fire Transport Ship, you are ordered to cease all engine operations, secure all weapon ports, and prepare for towing by the Aohan Freedom Alliance military. Your warp transit will be protected by the Firmament Corps for your security.”
“Please deactivate all engine groups; the tractor beams are imminent. Open the tractor beam ports.”
Commands flooded the bridge's communication channel.
The two men, now animated, turned towards the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. Outside, two small fleets were converging simultaneously from both the left and right.
White Hair also sharply noted, far in the distance along the interstellar corridor, two colossal fortress cannons that had already swiveled their muzzles in their direction.
By estimation, the bore of these planetary fortress cannons exceeded eight meters.
Such weaponry, if it struck, could likely obliterate their warship in a single blast.
“These Outer Domain Galaxy brigands are nothing short of pirates!”
“If we dared to resist, they’d undoubtedly open fire without hesitation, wouldn’t they?”
“Adhere to their procedures now; don't incite further trouble. Didn't Yin Shuai advise you to follow protocol?” Mu Fan concluded resolutely, posing the question back.
White Hair harbored a desire to protest the exorbitant ten million credit point charge, deeming it utterly outrageous extortion.
However, he found himself unable to utter another fabricated statement.
“Hm.”
Fatty and White Hair exchanged a look before both turned away with displeased snorts.
They deliberately avoided looking at the vessels positioned outside the viewport.
Ten million credit points; the mere contemplation was agonizing.
Swiftly, the engines of the Dawn Battleship fell entirely silent, and the tractor interfaces extended, enabling the fourteen tractor ships to latch onto the force field restraints.
Like manacles, fourteen orange beams pierced the flanks of the Dawn Battleship, while the engines at the stern of the fourteen tractor ships roared to life at their maximum output.
The remaining six Firmament Corps vessels initiated energy reaction scans, ensuring no active weapon systems remained operational on the warship.
One by one, plasma light screens meticulously swept across the hull.
Now disguised, the Dawn Battleship bore the appearance of a dormant, cold steel model.
"Inspection complete. Members of the Black Fire Transport Ship, maintain a complete shutdown of the warship’s engine group and weapon systems throughout this procedure. You will now be towed into the transfer zone by the Aohan Freedom Alliance. Should you breach the agreement during this time, appropriate enforcement actions will be enacted. Please be advised." “Understood.” Mu Fan responded with a tone of indifference.
The communication link was severed.
Within the central sector of Flame Star’s expansive, ringed data center, Kim Sang-geun stood upon the patrol platform, a chuckle escaping his lips. These individuals were indeed sharp.
They weren't so foolish as to attempt a forceful passage by leveraging their powerful lineage.
It was, however, somewhat unusual to encounter ships from the Galaxy Federation making an appearance.
Perhaps these newcomers could prove beneficial in attracting more commerce in the future.
With this notion solidifying, Kim Sang-geun cast a cursory glance over the five remaining zones below, marking each as ‘Excellent’ on his evaluations. He then turned and directed the patrol platform skyward, ascending towards the administrator’s lounge.
Having just witnessed a surge in revenue, his immediate intention was to cultivate a better relationship with the commanders of the Firmament Corps.
As the patrol platform smoothly docked with the larger platform, Kim Sang-geun’s haughty demeanor evaporated instantly, replaced by a smile as radiant and welcoming as a spring breeze.
“Hahaha, Mr. Grove, today’s profits are quite remarkable. I’ve prepared the allocation sheet for your review; simply affix your signature, and the credit points will be transferred without delay.”
Observing the gentleman opposite him, clad in a tan military uniform and possessing a rugged, bearded visage, Kim Sang-geun offered a nod and a bow as he presented a tactical tablet.