189: Imperial II Star Destroyer

One was an Imperial Titan-E-class armed transport starship, which Li Yang had previously rented from Zhang. Its powerful transport capability and decent armament configuration had always left a deep impression on him.

When the fleet carried out missions in the past, there was always some pressure regarding material transport, and the Titan-E-class armed transport starship could just make up for this shortcoming.

Moreover, this starship was different from Zhang's; it was a newly commissioned model, not Zhang's retired older model.

The other was an Imperial Type II star destroyer, an upgraded version of the imperial type i star destroyer that Li Yang currently commanded.

As the fleet's main starship, the imperial type i star destroyer had accompanied Li Yang through many battles, achieving numerous military merits. However, as mission difficulty continuously increased, its performance limitations gradually became apparent.

Now that there was an opportunity to replace it with a higher-level Imperial Type II star destroyer, Li Yang was naturally very eager.

However, a difficult choice lay before Li Yang.

The fleet's armed forces were not lacking. The Titan-E-class armed transport starship would undoubtedly bring more balanced development to the fleet, but the more powerful firepower, more advanced systems, and higher strategic value of the Imperial Type II star destroyer were simply too appealing to Li Yang.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Yang looked up at Director Vol and asked, "Director Vol, can I purchase this Imperial Type II star destroyer separately?"

Director Vol nodded and replied, "Of course you can. If you wish to purchase it, the star coins price is 80 million. As you know, although it is only a stellar-class starship, it is, after all, a star destroyer type. Its performance and combat capabilities far exceed those of other types of frigates and patrol starships of the same class, so the price is naturally much higher."

Hearing this price, Li Yang's heart sank.

Eighty million star coins—this would almost mean emptying all his savings to barely gather enough.

He couldn't help but secretly calculate in his mind that this huge expenditure would have a significant impact on his financial situation, and subsequent mission planning and other development needs of the fleet might be restricted by this expenditure.

After a brief hesitation, Li Yang immediately dismissed the idea of purchasing it.

"Uh... since the star coins price is so high, can it be exchanged with military merit?"

Li Yang was truly a bit unwilling to miss out on his dream Imperial Type II star destroyer, and with a hint of anticipation in his eyes, he continued to ask Director Vol.

After all, he knew in his heart that his accumulated military merit had already reached 40,100 points. Recalling that exchanging for a Guard previously only cost around 11,000 military merit, he felt there might still be a glimmer of hope to exchange for this star destroyer with military merit.

Director Vol heard him, a gentle smile appeared on his face, and he nodded, saying, "Of course, it can be exchanged with military merit. According to regulations, directly exchanging for this Imperial Type II star destroyer with military merit requires 20,000 military merit. However, there is another more cost-effective way: you can trade in your existing imperial type i star destroyer, and in that case, the required military merit will only be 10,000."

Upon hearing this news, Li Yang's slightly furrowed brows instantly relaxed, and his eyes sparkled with excitement.

He never expected that there would be such an operation of "trading old for new," or more accurately, "trading low for high."

10,000 military merit was not a small sum for him, but compared to 80 million star coins, it was incredibly cost-effective.

At that moment, he almost didn't hesitate at all and immediately informed Director Vol of his decision.

"I've decided to use the imperial type i star destroyer plus 10,000 military merit to exchange for the Imperial Type II star destroyer. Additionally, for the mission reward starship, I choose the Titan-E-class armed transport starship."

Director Vol looked at Li Yang's decisive manner, his smile grew wider, and he readily agreed.

"No problem, Comrade Li Yang. I will process the relevant procedures for you now. Please wait a moment."

With that, he immediately turned around and skillfully began operating his optical screen to handle the coordination.

Time quietly slipped away in the busy work, and half an hour passed in a flash.

Under Director Vol's efficient processing, all the procedures for the two starships were successfully completed.

At this moment, Li Yang looked at the brand-new starship authorization certificate in his hand, his heart filled with joy.

From this moment on, his fleet officially possessed three stellar-class starships, and its strength achieved a qualitative leap, directly improving by a large margin.

After all matters were settled, Li Yang did not delay in the slightest.

He quickly boarded the command bridge and issued orders through the fleet communication channel.

"Attention all, prepare to set sail! Leave the Lanstan Star System and proceed at full speed towards the Galactic Administrative Center Department!"

As the orders were transmitted, the entire fleet began to move in an orderly fashion. The massive starships slowly turned, emitting dazzling light that cut through the darkness between the stars, heading towards the distant Galactic Administrative Center Department.

"Alas, it's a pity, Comrade Li Yang, I can't waive that docking fee for him..."

Director Vol watched the departing fleet, muttering with a hint of regret and helplessness in his eyes.

Li Yang's fleet indeed didn't dock for long in the port, but the port's docking fee standards were uniformly set by the relevant Imperial departments, and he, as the port director, could not arbitrarily change them.

However, Li Yang was currently still caught up in the excitement of getting new starships; a mere 10,000 star coins was nothing... Time quietly passed as the starships sped through space. Before long, Li Yang's fleet, like brilliant meteors streaking across the interstellar night sky, successfully arrived at the Galactic Administrative Center Department.

When the administrative center's monitoring system captured the signal of Li Yang's fleet, the news spread rapidly as if on wings.

Coens and Neil, who had been eagerly awaiting, rushed to the traction bridge to wait at the first opportunity.