The T3 Reindeer-Class Interstellar Transport Ship had always been Feng Mo's dream vessel. He carefully examined the specifications:
T3 Reindeer-Class Interstellar Transport Ship:
Armor Strength: 300 units
Ship Dimensions: 6km x 1.5km x 1.1km
Speed: 40 star knots
Warp Engine: Level 3
Star Shield Energy: Level 3, 100%
Weaponry: 180 T3 Close-Defense Laser Cannons
Its massive capacity made it the perfect transport ship, with strong armor compensating for its relatively slow speed. And despite its impressive specifications, the cost wasn't too steep—around 50 million Cloudy Mountain coins.
Given the urgent need for resources to develop Storm Star, Feng Mo knew this transport ship would be invaluable.
Next on his agenda was dealing with the Flame Raiders. Luckily, he had just received the T3 Sea Lion-Class Interstellar Carrier blueprint as a mission reward, which had the following stats:
T3 Sea Lion-Class Interstellar Carrier:
Armor Strength: 270 units
Ship Dimensions: 1.5km x 330m x 273m
Speed: 160 star knots
Warp Engine: Level 3
Star Shield Energy: Level 3, 100%
Weaponry: 300 T3 Interstellar Fighters, 100 T3 Interstellar Suicide Drones, 50 T3 Interstellar Bombers
This carrier was twice the size of the Storm and boasted a formidable array of drones and bombers, making it a devastating force in space battles. However, its enormous power came with a hefty price tag—no less than 23 million Cloudy Mountain coins—and a construction time of at least two months.
Feng Mo sighed at the thought of his growing financial burden. With so many expenses, from planetary development to fleet expansion, he rubbed his temples to ease the mounting pressure and retreated to his quarters. Soon, exhaustion took over, and he fell asleep.
---
On the Flame Command Bridge...
The Flame Command was a makeshift T3-class battleship, serving as the flagship of the Flame Raiders. In the control room, seven men sat cross-legged around a spread of food and liquor. Their leader, clad in a red combat uniform with a fierce orange flame insignia on his chest, wore a grim expression.
"The situation is dire," he growled. "The elves and the Bixi tribe are relentlessly attacking us. Back home, we were ambushed by a mysterious force, and Old Nine's fate is unknown. We're caught between a rock and a hard place. Does anyone have a plan?"
The Flame Raiders' leader, known as the Big Boss, scanned his comrades with a fierce gaze, beginning with the Second Boss. The Second Boss met his eyes but looked away, unable to offer any solutions.
Turning to the Third Boss, a burly man with a simple grin, he said, "Big Brother, you know me—I only know how to fight, drink, and fool around with women," he chuckled, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
The Fourth Boss added with a hint of flirtation, "Big Brother, you know I'm only good at loving men. I'll follow whatever you decide."
The Big Boss sighed heavily, disappointed by the lack of ideas. He lifted his liquor bottle and took a long, bitter swig.
"Since no one has a better idea, here's the plan. Tomorrow, Third and Fourth will pair up, and Seventh and Eighth will form another group. You two groups will stay behind and hold the line. Just give us seven days. Old Two, Old Five, and I will lead our fleets back to Flame Star. I want to see who dares challenge us!"
The other bosses reluctantly agreed. After eating and drinking, they bid each other farewell. The Second and Fifth Bosses returned to their ships to prepare, while the Fourth Boss gazed at the Big Boss with tearful eyes, vowing to die for him before leaving.
---
Meanwhile, Feng Mo was sound asleep, regaining his strength for the coming battles. The next morning, Ai Er helped him dress, and he soon found himself back in the command room, his consciousness diving into the Star Network.
In a luxurious virtual room, he sipped fragrant tea, feeling slightly out of place as three women chatted like old friends. Unable to bear the chattering any longer, Feng Mo tapped the table and said, "Ladies, you can catch up all you want later, but can we discuss business first?"
The three women gave him playful glares, and his eldest aunt, Zhang Yue, finally spoke up. "Alright, let Xiao Mo take the lead. We can plan a shopping trip afterward."
Relieved, Feng Mo got straight to the point. "You all know how popular the T2 destroyers and frigates I sold to Aunt Yue have become. I propose that the four of us establish a starship trade company together."
"This company will handle all T2 models. Aunt Yue, I'll need you to sell the copyrights for those two T2 ships to the new company. I'll contribute three more T2 blueprints: a battleship, a carrier, and an industrial ship."
"I only want thirty percent of the shares. You three can split the rest however you see fit. I also need a shipment of T3-grade materials and an intelligent atmosphere dome for Storm Star. Deduct the cost from my dividends, and I won't be involved in the company's management."
Feng Mo sipped his tea, watching as the women did some quick mental calculations. Zhang Yue, the eldest, spoke first. "I agree. Your starships are too successful for any of us to handle alone. We need to collaborate. I'll take twenty percent of the shares."
Another woman chimed in, "I second that. I'll take twenty percent too. Cloudy Chamber can have the remaining thirty percent, but they must supply the materials and dome right away."
Chu Yun Jian, the third woman, flashed a grateful smile at the others before giving Feng Mo a playful glare. "I'll get you the materials within two days, and I have some news: the Flame Raiders split into two groups. The Third Boss betrayed the Big Boss and fled, leaving the Big Boss to defend against the elves and Bixi tribe."
"Old Fourth stayed behind and died in battle. The raiders are now divided, with the Big Boss retreating to a border planet. I've sent you the coordinates."
Feng Mo kept his composure but was inwardly stunned by the accuracy of Chu Yun Jian's intelligence network. Even the Flame Raiders' retreat location was known. Her family's espionage capabilities were frighteningly good.
He felt grateful that they were allies, at least for now. "I've sent you the list. Take care of the company, and I expect to see dividends rolling in within six months."
With that, Feng Mo exited the Star Network and
ordered Little Y to block all calls. It was time to prepare for the next stage of his plan.