Shadows of the Deep Space Chapter 1662: 534: Return Voyage

A week has passed.

Mechanical crews alongside various mechs worked like a hive of busy bees, stripping the battlefield of its debris and ferrying it back to the Sunshine and Grey Angel.

Exultant shouts periodically broke the silence of the public communication channels.

“I am currently at coordinates 1341, 3222, 2111, and I have located several Third Generation Mechas known as Wind Chasers. Does anyone require assistance in hauling them?”

“Why would you bother with a Wind Chaser? Aim for a Gun Knight instead, surely?”

“Fair point, I will grab one of those instead.”

“Everyone listen up, if the damage is too critical, do not waste effort bringing it back!”

“Understood!”

…

Sunshine.

Aside from a single narrow passage kept clear in the primary corridor, the entire ship was absolutely crammed with mech remnants and salvaged equipment, packed tight from wall to wall. Even the auxiliary pathways were choked with mechanical components and sets of individual armor.

Rhein navigated sideways through the living quarter’s narrow hallway and spotted an officer giving orders to his associate.

“Chen Tao, tear your bunks out and heave them into the corridors.”

“Wait, where am I supposed to sleep then?”

“Are you simple? Just catch some shut-eye in a mech cockpit. If you strip out those beds, we can squeeze in dozens more Third Generation Exoskeleton Armors—those units are worth a fortune!”

“Good call, maybe I will dismantle all the fixtures in my cabin.”

“Only coming to that realization now? We stripped ours ages ago! Higher cargo volume means a bigger bonus. You’ll be able to head home and settle down with ease.”

“Yes, General Rhein!”

Chen Tao, mid-sentence, noticed Rhein drawing near and snapped into a stiff salute.

“Mm.”

Rhein simply offered a muted nod and continued forward.

Reaching the hangar, Rhein found the once orderly and vast space transformed into a claustrophobic storehouse. There, even a dismantled, battered Star Core Heart (low configuration) and an Advanced Superluminal Flight Device had been jammed inside.

Onite was currently barking orders to his team,

“Get that haul tucked into exit channel 42! Pack it tightly, no tossing it about carelessly. If I catch anyone failing to maximize our space utilization, I am deducting your pay!”

“Acknowledged!”

Iron Guards hauled the mangled mechs into the designated channel in a relentless stream.

Rhein watched with a twitching eyelid before approaching Onite, asking,

“Onite, isn’t this going a bit too far? You are even packing the emergency exit channels? What if we are forced into a sudden engagement?”

“Oh, I have left a few channels clear for defensive maneuvers.”

“That is nowhere near enough.”

“What is there to fear? With the boss onboard, who would dare ambush us? If we do not scavenge every piece of scrap now, we will live to regret it. I tell you, the wreckage out there is functionally infinite!”

Onite stated with visible fervor.

“Suit yourself, do as you please.”

Seeing the logic in his words, Rhein decided not to press the issue.

“By the way, where is the boss? I haven't caught sight of him.”

Onite inquired of Rhein.

“He is likely out on the external platform, staring into the dark. The boss has been in a foul mood lately, so keep your distance,”

Rhein advised.

“Understood.”

Onite acknowledged with a quick nod.

…

Out on the Sunshine’s external observation deck.

Su Ming had his symbiotic armor active, perched upon the metallic railing, gazing silently at the frantic activity below while letting out a quiet sigh.

At that moment, Celeste drifted into view beside him, asking,

“Su Ming, why are you lingering out here all by yourself?”

“Hm? What is it?”

Su Ming turned his gaze toward Celeste.

“Nothing, you just seem bothered. Is something weighing on you?”

“Not exactly.”

“I don't buy it. Stop brooding here; I am going to show you something worth seeing.”

Celeste declared.

“Something worth seeing?”

Su Ming showed a flicker of genuine interest.

“Just come with me.”

Celeste prompted.

“Very well.”

Su Ming pushed himself to his feet.

Celeste led him as they drifted toward the Grey Angel, currently trailing behind the Sunshine.

As they drew near, the battered hull of the Grey Angel came into focus; despite its dilapidated state, the ship still exuded an intimidating presence.

They entered the Grey Angel through a ragged breach in its armor.

Inside, Su Ming observed mechanical engineers aggressively stuffing salvaged parts into every available crevice, cramming the ship to its gills.

“So much debris?”

“Does anyone ever genuinely complain about having too many resources? We take what we can get and pack it in tighter.”

Celeste replied with a smirk.

“Fair point,”

Su Ming nodded.

“This way.”

Celeste led him toward the central command deck.

As he traversed the halls, Su Ming inspected the ship’s internals, noting that much of the equipment was ruined, with main structural segments bent and exposed cables dangling everywhere.

Sizzle~

The overhead lighting flickered rhythmically.

“Is the Grey Angel truly this damaged?”

“Indeed. The vessel was already sinking, and although Elshif’s integration with the Grey Angel accelerated its evolution, the process remained incomplete!”

Celeste explained.

“That makes sense. Is it a difficult ship to repair?”

Su Ming asked.

“It is both easy and difficult, depending on how you look at it.”

Celeste grinned.

“That is a remarkably vague answer. Surely it is one or the other.”

“Whether the task is simple or arduous rests entirely on your shoulders.”

“I fail to see the correlation to me.”

Su Ming spoke, his eye twitching with irritation.