Shadows of the Deep Space Chapter 1603 523: Thunder Angel_2
Previously on Shadows of the Deep Space...
...
Zhang Yi along with the rest vented their frustrations toward Su Ming.
"Elrosatin Deputy Clan Leader? What level?"
Su Ming questioned, his eyebrows knitting together.
"It's merely a huge mechanical octopus creature. General Gabres indicated it's a Heroic Level VI variant, nearing transformation into an Emperor Level being."
Rhein explained to Su Ming.
"That makes sense why we couldn't endure it."
Su Ming lost his astonishment after hearing the details.
"But no worries anymore. Now that the boss is back, we have nothing to fear!"
Rhein and the others declared with enthusiasm.
"Alright."
Su Ming responded, smiling warmly.
...
A few hours afterward.
Every crate of white wine had been completely consumed, with the group all rosy-cheeked and tipsy.
"That's plenty for tonight, all of you—head back and retire early."
Su Ming joyfully instructed the gathering.
"Okay!"
Ankaga and the others answered in turn.
Su Ming then directed his attention to Rhein and inquired.
"Rhein, where's Little Grey?"
"It's holed up in the room. From the moment you vanished, it stopped enjoying outings and playtime. It just lingers there, scarcely touching food."
Rhein shared with Su Ming.
"I understand."
Su Ming rose to his feet, snatched a dish of untouched grapes off the table, and headed out.
...
Moments later, Su Ming reached the entrance to his quarters.
He extended his hand to push open the door and stepped inside. The space gleamed with cleanliness, every item precisely as left.
Entering the sleeping area, he spotted Little Grey sprawled sluggishly on the couch and approached softly, setting the grapes right before it.
Little Grey eyed the grapes briefly yet made no move to take them.
Yet, as if detecting a familiar presence, it abruptly raised its head and fixed its gaze on Su Ming.
"Squeak squeak~"
Little Grey leaped straight onto Su Ming in an instant, joyfully lapping at his cheek with its tongue.
"Okay, okay."
Su Ming chuckled while speaking.
Right then, Celeste emerged from Su Ming's pocket, observing Little Grey and commenting.
"Goodness, I never knew Little Grey was so fond of you!"
Spotting Celeste, Little Grey fluttered its wings in delight and dashed toward her.
"Silly deer, stay back!"
Celeste hastily drifted aside.
Still, Little Grey persisted in pursuing Celeste, darting around the chamber.
Su Ming observed the playful chaos and couldn't suppress a beaming grin.
....
-----------------
Mist Star Sea.
The mighty Federation armada retreated from the Mist Star Sea, guided by the glow of the Mist Mechanical Lamp along the route.
At that instant, the Level 5 Battleship·Giant Rock, trailing at the end, repeatedly unveiled its firing bays.
Swish, swish!
One missile after another launched forth!
Boom, boom, boom!
Mist Mechanical Lamps shattered sequentially beside the path.
The pale fog rapidly swallowed and shrouded the trail.
Within the core command center of the Black Tide Fortress.
Qian Lin occupied the captain's chair, as a short-haired woman with red locks, clad in a Colonel's attire, briefed her earnestly.
"Lord Qian Lin, Giant Rock is eliminating the Mist Mechanical Lamps."
"Lu Mi, what's our estimated time to exit Mist Star Sea?"
"14 hours and 18 minutes, since our withdrawal involves numerous fully burdened Level 4 Transport Ships that lag behind Level 5 vessels' pace. However, beyond Mist Star Sea, we'll engage the Superluminal Flight Device without issue."
Lu Mi answered Qian Lin.
"Understood."
Qian Lin affirmed with a grave nod.
"Lord, do you believe our withdrawal will proceed without hitches this round?"
Lu Mi ventured uncertainly.
"Hard to say, but if I commanded the Dark Star Empire, I'd never permit the foe to slip away unscathed. Remain vigilant, for success means returning home."
Qian Lin cautioned Lu Mi and the crew.
"Yes!"
The team chorused their acknowledgment.
As moments ticked by, Qian Lin fixed her stare on the holographic star chart before her.
They inched nearer to the Mist Star Sea's boundary.
Their swift departure benefited from the outpost not being positioned too far inward, of course.
But suddenly, the detection system blared a piercing warning.
Crimson blips began emerging at the scan's periphery.
Swish, swish~
Missiles streaked from the haze, striking the trailing vessels like Giant Rock.
Boom, boom, boom!
Lu Mi's face grew tense as she announced.
"Lord Qian Lin, Dark Star Empire units have been spotted. They're closing in!"
"Curses, despite demolishing the route's mechanical fog lamps, they've still overtaken us. These fiends act like rabid hounds."
Qian Lin remarked, her countenance sour.
"Lord, what's our course? They're gaining rapidly."
Lu Mi queried, appearing flustered.
"Push to maximum velocity, avoid getting snared by them."
Qian Lin lacked an ideal strategy; their priority was fleeing Mist Star Sea at once.
"Yes!"
Lu Mi replied promptly.
Meanwhile, in the heart of the Blood Ridge Fortress's control hub.
Deputy Corps Commander Awabi buzzed with excitement as he updated Lord Aus.
"Lord Aus, we've overtaken them, though it looks like they're attempting to flee!"
"Flee? Latch onto them!"
A fierce glint crossed Aus's features as he commanded.
"Yes!"
Awabi affirmed without delay.
....
The two armadas surged forward relentlessly, but the gap kept narrowing.
In the Black Tide Fortress's central control room.
Lu Mi urgently informed Qian Lin.
"Lord Qian Lin, we can't lose them."
"Blast it!"
Qian Lin snarled between clenched teeth.
Shortly, multiple comms linked up, projecting holographic figures of commanders.
"Lord Qian Lin, you must depart! Our Level 4 Battleships and Level 4 Transport Ships are dragging too slowly—they'll only impede you!"
"Out of the question!"