Super Mothership
“Catherine, did you hear that? They’re pirates,” Nie Yun said, his eyes sparkling as he spoke.
He had heard countless legends about pirates in his life, but this was the first time he’d ever seen real, living ones—and upgraded to the interstellar version, no less. It was hard not to feel a little excited.
Catherine shot Nie Yun a strange look.
Why do I feel like you’re not worried at all—if anything, you look kind of excited?
Must be my imagination, right?
“Judging by the looks of it, they’re just a ragtag group. But they’re familiar with the local environment and have the advantage in numbers. If a fight breaks out, I’m afraid we won’t come out of it without losses,” Catherine said with a frown.
They weren’t facing the Wolf Empire’s regular army, but these local predators might be even more troublesome.
Even if they won, there’d be absolutely no benefit.
We’re here to sabotage things. What, are we supposed to help the enemy wipe out pirates and maintain public order? Our merit points would probably be judged as negative.
“If we can avoid fighting, naturally we should. Pirates are nothing more than money-seekers. If we give them something they like, it’s not impossible to turn hostility into peace, hehehe…”
Catherine: “???”
…
Meanwhile, aboard the flagship of the Goldfang Pirate Group, the pirate captain Goldfang was carefully observing the Twin Star Fleet trapped within the encirclement.
Goldfang was powerfully built, with a ferocious expression and distinct werewolf features similar to Jinlock’s. Most striking of all was the gleaming golden canine on the right side of his cheek.
Although his earlier broadcast had sounded arrogant and confident, his eyes were now filled with gravity.
Any pirate leader who could survive in the dangerous and chaotic Shattered Star Region, surrounded by powerful enemies, might not all be brilliant—but very few were fools.
The opposing fleet consisted entirely of brand-new warships, arranged in tight formation. Even when ambushed, they had reacted swiftly and calmly, showing no signs of panic. This was clearly a fully organized, well-trained regular military force—nothing like their own patchwork fleet assembled from all over.
Even though his side had more than three times as many ships, plus large numbers of mechs for support, those so-called “warships”—put politely—were armed merchant vessels at best. Going head-on against a regular army… just thinking about it made Goldfang’s teeth ache.
Even with the advantage of terrain, if a real fight broke out, their losses would be enormous.
But with the enemy’s guns practically pointed at his doorstep, and only about thirty warships at that, backing down now would mean never being able to hold his head up in pirate circles again.
“Boss, the other side has replied,” reported a sharp-faced lackey, a hint of excitement on his face. “They say they’re merchants who came to the Shattered Star Region to do business and accidentally entered our territory. They’ve expressed their apologies and are willing to pay to resolve the matter.
“Also, their leader wants to meet you in person. He says he’d like to discuss a deal.”
Goldfang let out a breath of relief. Good—these people looked like they were willing to talk.
If possible, he didn’t want to waste his strength gnawing on such a hard bone. They weren’t even a trade convoy—there wouldn’t be much profit in it. Totally not worth the effort.
Pirates sought wealth above all else, and what they feared most were opponents with some real strength who would charge in without a word, determined to fight to mutual destruction.
The enemy’s warship designs were clearly something never seen in the Shattered Star Region. They really did look like outsiders who had stumbled into his territory without knowing the local power structure.
With such a toll delivered right to his doorstep, there was no reason for Goldfang not to accept it.
But… a business deal?
Could it be another rich young master trying to seize an inheritance from a second son, looking to hire them to finish the job once and for all?
The pirates of the Shattered Star Region had handled plenty of such jobs before. They were very familiar with this kind of work.
“Agree to it. Have their leader come over alone,” Goldfang ordered. “Also, tell the brothers not to let their guard down. Make sure the other side doesn’t try anything funny.”
“Yes!”
…
Not long after, a gorgeously designed black mech flew out from the Fallen Angel…
“This is outrageous! It was the same last time, and now it’s happening again. Lord Arthas is indulging in personal heroism! The other side are vicious pirates!
This time it’s not just four or five mechs—it’s an entire fleet! If something goes wrong, how are we supposed to explain it to headquarters?!
Catherine, how can you just stand by and watch His Excellency act so recklessly without trying to stop him?”
Aboard the Fallen Angel, Captain Emilia exploded in anger as soon as she received the news.
Nie Yun hadn’t discussed this with anyone at all. He had merely informed Catherine and then headed out alone, piloting the brand-new advanced mech he had just acquired to attend the meeting single-handedly.
“What can I do?” Catherine spread her hands helplessly. “Lord Arthas is the supreme commander of the fleet. I can’t disobey his orders, can I?”
“It’s over… we’re finished this time. What if they detain the commander and use him to threaten us? His Excellency is being far too naïve this time—does he really think these pirates are easy to reason with?” Emilia said anxiously.
Catherine sighed but didn’t respond. She had tried to persuade Nie Yun—leading the fleet to break out of the encirclement would have been the safest course of action at this moment. But judging by his attitude, the commander seemed to have… other ideas about those pirates.
Though she was just as worried, when she thought about her superior’s unfathomable strength, Catherine suddenly—somehow—found herself feeling a bit sorry for the pirates on the other side…
…
The negotiation site designated by the Goldfang Pirate Group was located aboard a small armed merchant ship behind their lines.
Boom!
After a dull metallic collision, Nie Yun’s black mech landed steadily inside the hangar.
The cold-toned black steel giant, radiating a brutal sense of beauty, slowly knelt on one knee and bowed its head. The cockpit hatch at the back of its neck opened with an exceptionally pleasing mechanical hiss, and Nie Yun emerged, dressed in a black combat suit.
Gulp—
A chorus of swallowing sounds rippled through the surrounding pirates.
Leaving performance aside, just the appearance of Nie Yun’s newly acquired mech was enough to blind the eyes of this group of country bumpkins.
After dismounting, Nie Yun glanced around, extremely satisfied with the results of his little show.
Getting paid by Enemy A, piloting Enemy A’s top-tier mech, and going to Enemy B’s place to show off—this feeling… was pretty damn good.
Compared to Nie Yun’s calm and casual demeanor, the pirates were far more on edge.
More than a dozen mechs of various models crammed the clearly modified hangar to capacity, their dark gun barrels uniformly trained on Nie Yun.
Farther back, five or six light energy cannons and the ship’s automated weapons also lay in wait.
“Heh! This welcome ceremony is a bit too grand. I’m truly honored,” Nie Yun chuckled.
“For ordinary negotiators, such measures wouldn’t be necessary,” came the reply. “But since Your Excellency arrived piloting such a killing machine, special treatment is only appropriate.”
Seeing that Nie Yun had disembarked and that the opposing mech’s weapon systems were clearly shut down, Goldfang finally stepped out slowly from behind the line of mechs.
Goldfang wasn’t particularly surprised by Nie Yun’s obviously alien appearance. The Wolf Empire’s territory was vast, and with its many vassal civilizations, only professional scholars could say how many races existed within its borders.
Even among the pirates of the Shattered Star Region, not all were Wolf Empire natives.
His gaze swept over Nie Yun’s mech, and a glint of greed flashed in Goldfang’s eyes.
After years of living on the edge, Goldfang knew quality when he saw it. The mech’s unique design and the many hand-crafted details clearly distinguished it from mass-produced standard models—it was obviously extremely expensive.
Just this single mech alone likely equaled the total gains from raiding an entire merchant convoy.
There was no doubt about it: anyone who could pilot such a mech was either rich or noble.
Combined with Nie Yun’s refined, young-master appearance, Goldfang became even more convinced of his earlier guess.
“You must be Captain Goldfang. I’ve heard much about you,” Nie Yun said with a smile. “Please don’t take offense—today, I drove this mech here precisely to show my sincerity.
A fine steed for a hero, a treasured sword for a champion. This mech is called Ghost. It is my gift to you as a token of our first meeting.”
“Hiss—”
Goldfang sucked in a sharp breath.
Damn it! We’ve just met by chance, and your opening gift is a luxury ride?!
This guy… is a super-grade fat lamb, A big fat sheep.
TL Note- Fat Lamb?
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