46: Golden Star Sea

"Gulp..."

Looking at the circle of combat mechs holding kinetic laser swords, everyone in the ship couldn't help but gulp.

"What is this thing... Damn it... It looks much cooler than our exoskeletons, and it's kinda scary."

"It seems to be something from the Star Dome Empire... Boss, what do we do now?"

"We..."

"Gentlemen pirates."

Before the boss could speak, the screen on the starship control console suddenly lit up, and an emotionless voice came from it:

"Please put down your weapons and exit our starship. The Master has questions for you."

"Wait, what did he say? Their starship? Our Lightning Pirate Gang has been robbed?"

"No... our Lightning has spoken?!"

Everyone suddenly widened their eyes, looking at the glowing screen in disbelief.

Meanwhile, from Asroth's perspective, lines of data were flowing rapidly.

"Analyzing target..."

"Unable to understand simple linguistic expressions..."

"Objective execution ability lower than a floor-cleaning robot..."

"Unable to discern the situation, attempting to continue occupying the Master's starship..."

"Summary: Belongs to the intellectually disabled population. Abandoning communication, executing directly with force."

The next moment, the hatches on both sides of the starship suddenly opened, and with a violent spin, all the personnel inside were flung out.

"What is going on! First Mate, what are you doing!"

"It's not me..."

The group that had been flung out fell heavily to the ground, kicking up clouds of dust mixed with ice particles.

Fortunately, most of them had strength above D-rank and were wearing exoskeleton armor, so they didn't die from the fall.

But before they could recover, a huge shadow loomed over their heads.

Looking up, they saw the aforementioned "War-bringer II" mech pressing down on them, its left hand holding a kinetic laser sword flashing with electric light, and its right hand's dark gun barrel almost touching their foreheads.

Thump!

The group, who previously couldn't grasp the situation, now seemed to have suddenly achieved Enlightenment, kneeling on the ground all at once, repeatedly saying:

"My Lord, please ask whatever you wish. We will definitely cooperate... please spare our lives."

"At least you're sensible."

Zhang Huaiyuan watched this scene from the base, unable to help but shake his head with a laugh. Being able to take down the enemy without bloodshed was certainly a good thing.

He immediately used one of the combat robots to ask:

"Who are you, and where do you come from?"

"My Lord, my name is York. I come from the Akalu Star Sector of the Free Star Alliance. I am 29 years old, unmarried, and my family..."

"Get to the point. No need to give me your life story."

"Ah... sorry, my Lord. I'm used to saying it... I am the leader of this Lightning Pirate Gang. About a year ago, because the Akalu Star Sector was affected by a Cataclysm-level Disaster Zone in a nearby sector, we were forced to relocate and came to this Golden Star Sea. It's strange, though; this place hasn't been affected much by the Disaster Zone."

"Golden Star Sea?"

"This is a buffer zone between the Star Dome Empire and our Free Star Alliance. Many merchant caravans conducting gray-market trades travel back and forth. Most of those caravans are incredibly wealthy, yet they dare not report to the official authorities on either side. Often, if they get robbed, they just have to accept their bad luck. It's practically a paradise for us Interstellar Pirates, which is why it's called the Golden Star Sea."

"I've read countless storybooks and watched many films; all those legendary pirates started their rise from here."

As he spoke, a look of longing appeared in York's eyes.

"How long have you been a pirate?"

Watching the other's expression, Zhang Huaiyuan glanced at the lie detector, which showed no reaction, and suddenly asked.

"Counting this year, it's been about three years."

"Hmm..."

Zhang Huaiyuan in the main control room nodded thoughtfully, his vigilance easing slightly.

If he were an old pirate, it would be suspicious for him to survive safely with such a temperament and backward combat readiness.

However, if he were a hot-blooded youth brainwashed by biographies and films, it would be quite reasonable.

Pondering this, Zhang Huaiyuan continued to ask:

"Do you know of any noteworthy factions nearby, or the distribution of valuable planets?"

"I'm not entirely sure about the specifics. I only know that this belongs to a relatively popular trade route in the Golden Star Sea. Within a range of about 3,000 light-years, there are four powerful Pirate Groups. It is said that they all have powerful Transcendent above A-rank stationed there, as well as advanced weapons and equipment, and they have existed for over a hundred years. They control almost all the resource planets in this area, and passing merchant caravans must pay tribute to pass through safely."

"Four? Transcendent above A-rank?"

Zhang Huaiyuan frowned slightly.

Wouldn't that strength be comparable to the Dark Annihilation mercenary group?

"Good thing I didn't just make a rash decision to build a starship and leave."

Zhang Huaiyuan felt a surge of relief. With the strength he currently possessed, he would undoubtedly die if he encountered any one of them.

"Then why are you able to travel freely here?"

"My Lord, it's like this. This area is extremely vast, and the Four Great Pirate Groups cannot occupy all of it. They only occupy some of the most resource-rich areas, leaving large swathes of empty territory. As long as you pay enough tribute, you can randomly rent an undeveloped planet here as a base."

"During the rental period, all resources on that planet belong to the lessee. If you're lucky enough to choose a planet with hidden mineral veins, you'll strike it rich!"

At this point, York's mood clearly lifted:

"Moreover, if you rent for three years at a time, you can enjoy one raiding activity organized by the Four Great Pirate Groups and truly experience the fun of being an Interstellar Pirate!"

"Raiding activity?"

"Hmm... it's just that the Four Great Pirate Groups sometimes kill merchant caravans or passing factions that don't know any better. After taking most of the valuable cargo, they leave. The rest is left there, and all other Pirate Groups with participation qualifications can go and divide the remaining goods. Often, among the things they don't care for, there are many valuable treasures!"

Speaking of this, York said with some regret in his eyes: "I passed through here this time to use one participation qualification, but unfortunately..."

"Alright... It seems this group of pirates really racked their brains to make money. Hmm... they've existed for over a hundred years. If they are truly as powerful as this guy says, the wealth they've accumulated is likely far more than the entire Dark Annihilation. If I can seize it from them... I will have sufficient resources for research and manufacturing."

Zhang Huaiyuan pondered secretly.

Now he wasn't in a hurry to leave.

Anyway, the Empire was also suffering from the invasion of the Disaster Zone, so it might not be much safer there. It would be better to first find a way to swallow these pirates and accumulate enough strength, so that when facing any crisis, he would at least have room to resist.

After making up his mind, Zhang Huaiyuan directly ordered:

"Asroth, take them down first and perform safety modifications. In addition, based on the star charts stored in the starship and the information they provided, draw up a complete map of the faction distribution as much as possible."