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In the reception room of the Spaceship...
"Captain, we have two more guests, here are their drinks."
A stunning attendant with twin horns approached the seats with cat-like steps. With a slight bow, she revealed a low-cut top, presenting three bubbling glasses of golden liquid.
"Ahahaha, excellent!" Captain Reno laughed heartily, casually picking up one of the glasses and offering it to Kyle and Lorna across the table. "Guests from the distant Earth, this is a famous beverage in the Galactic Alliance. It's spicy with an indescribable refreshing taste."
Wasn't that just alcohol?
Lorna internally rolled her eyes, reaching for a glass to taste it. But before she could bring it to her lips, Kyle, sitting next to her, intercepted it.
"Mr. Kyle?" Reno frowned slightly, seemingly displeased.
Kyle didn't say a word. He lifted the glass, examining the bubbles rising within, and then whispered to Lorna in his arms, "Lorna, be careful. Don't forget, you're pregnant now. You shouldn't drink such stimulating beverages!"
Blushing, Lorna quickly withdrew her hand, tucking her face against Kyle's neck. "Fine, I won't drink it then."
"I see. The lady is already pregnant." Reno noticed and waved his hand with a smile, indicating the attendant to retreat with only one glass of the beverage.
"Yes. Since she won't drink, allow me to accept the drink on her behalf, Captain."
Kyle shook the liquid in his glass, raising it towards Reno as a gesture. Reno naturally obliged, raising his glass to clink against Kyle's.
*Clink!*
They both tilted their heads back, finishing the contents of their glasses in one gulp.
Kyle felt the fiery mixture of alcohol and soda rush down his throat, sending a burning sensation straight to his stomach.
"Refreshing!"
"Excellent!"
After finishing his drink, Reno's eyes curved into a satisfied smile. He patted his chest and promised, "Mr. Kyle, no matter what, I've been mingling in the Galactic Alliance for decades. As a newcomer, you must have many things unfamiliar to you. If you have any needs or concerns, I'll be happy to help you with full strength!"
"That's wonderful."
Kyle's eyes lit up, throwing out a question he hadn't quite figured out. "Captain, how did you know we were outsiders? Just by looking at the model of the Spaceship, we were piloting?"
Reno chuckled knowingly, shaking his head. "Of course not. With so many planetary civilizations within the Galactic Alliance, countless have the technological capability to produce Spaceships for interstellar travel. There are not just tens of thousands, but thousands of models of Interstellar fighters. It's not easy to identify the origin of the pilots based on the fighter's model."
Kyle nodded, waiting for further explanation.
"Let me explain. Generally, planetary civilizations are self-sufficient and rarely pilot Spaceships for wandering in space. After all, in the vast and boundless outer space, there are too many unknown and known dangers lurking."
Reno raised three fingers, speaking slowly. "Spaceships that venture out are marked with distinct power symbols, and only three types of people regularly pilot Spaceships outside. The first type is those sheltered by the Nova Empire. Nova Empire is one of the most prosperous economic planets in the Galactic Alliance, and many people seeking business, trade, and item procurement choose to go to Nova Empire. The second type are members of the Kree Legion. The Kree seek battle and slaughter, often wanting to instigate large-scale wars within the Galactic Alliance, regardless of race—"
At this point, he suddenly stopped.
"Captain, what about the third type?" Kyle asked curiously.
Reno smiled. "The third type are Space Hunters. They don't belong to any civilized power and wander in outer space solely for money and resources. On many civilized planets, there exists a profession called 'intermediary.' From intermediaries, Space Hunters can receive bounties issued by civilized planets, hunt down lifeforms on bounties, or search for rare items, and so on."
Kyle's heart skipped a beat, eager to know more. "Do intermediaries have extensive connections?"
Reno replied confidently, "Of course. Intermediaries belong to the gray area between black and white, acting as middlemen and having dealings with major civilized powers in the Galactic Alliance! It can be said that whenever there's a stir in the Galactic Alliance, intermediaries are definitely the second to know!"
In the reception room of the Spaceship...
Kyle and Lorna exchanged a glance. If they could find the intermediary, would they still have trouble locating Howard and his group?
Without much thought, Kyle addressed Reno directly. "Captain, I'd like to discuss a business deal with you."
"Oh, what kind of business?" Reno's interest was piqued immediately, his hands instinctively rubbing together.
"Take us to a civilization planet where intermediaries are present."
As Kyle spoke, he pulled out a dazzling blue Kryon Stone from his pocket, and calmly said, "I will offer this energy core as payment."
The moment Reno laid eyes on the Kryon Stone, he couldn't contain his excitement and astonishment. "Is this an energy crystal? The energy inside is so pure, it emits such a gorgeous light!"
"How about it? This should be a simple matter for you." Kyle didn't hesitate, placing the Kryon in Reno's palm.
Reno held the Kryon tightly, greed flickering in his eyes for a moment before he composed himself, concealing his joy with a stern expression.
With a wave of his hand, armed guards immediately surrounded Kyle and Lorna's area, leaving no room for escape.
To Kyle, this wasn't unexpected; it was almost as if he had anticipated it. He sighed softly. "Must it be like this?"
When Reno mentioned the three types of people active in outer space, it essentially revealed their identities. They belonged to the third category— Space Hunters, or to put it bluntly, Space Bandits.
Reno no longer concealed his true intentions. The previous warmth disappeared, replaced by greed and malice. "You knew all along? Then why did you willingly hand over the energy core to me?"
"You alien fool, Boss just wanted to give you a chance!" Lorna suddenly spoke up, looking at Reno with a mixture of pity and disgust in her eyes.
"A chance for me? What chance can you give me, mere Earthlings?" Reno sneered repeatedly. "Since you boarded this Spaceship, all your belongings belong to us! Do you still expect that the guard outside the door can rush in to save you? I bet by now, Green has dismantled its body into pieces!"
"Have you finished talking yet?"
Kyle stared coldly at him and was about to stand up but stumbled, nearly falling back into his seat. Fortunately, Lorna reached out and steadied him in time.
"Boss, what's wrong? Could it be that there was something wrong with that drink?" Lorna's expression changed slightly as she looked at the empty glass on the table, still containing a few drops of the golden liquid.
"You would be correct in your assumption, but there is no reward for you. In that drink, I added a large dose of nerve-paralyzing venom. Even if you were gods, I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to move once the effects kick in."
Reno held the Kryon in his hand, looking at Kyle and Lorna as if they were trapped prey, grinning maliciously. "Don't worry, I won't kill you. I'll sell you as human slaves to others, and I'll even visit the intermediary on your behalf. Consider this my first lesson to you outsiders—everywhere, it's survival of the fittest and the strong rule!"
(End of chapter)