Chapter 72: The Voyage

Zeus-1 has broken atmosphere, were space-bound. Accelerating! Mikas voice echoed through the bridge.

Maintain speed, Lan Jue ordered.

Well be arriving at the wormhole in seven minutes, and will proceed to jump to the alliance border.

In the vastness of the universe Zeus-1 was but a spec. But it was its speed, not its size that protected it from military radar. It was simply too fast for them to get a lock.

If any of them knew the materials used to make the ship, or the sheer amount of energy gems that powered it, theyd be speechless.

The entirety of Zeus-1 was comprised like a gem. The blue coat on its exterior wasnt to dazzle the eyes, but was actually created from a power gem called an indigo keystone. It was mixed with other items to give it texture. It served both to insulate the ship and aid in power distribution.

The primary reason most airships had their speed capped was from heat restrictions. Air friction from going that fast caused the hull to heat up to extreme temperatures, getting worse the faster you went. Zeus-1, with its coat of indigo keystone, didnt have this problem. It was, in fact, capable of faster-than-light travel.

The result of its excellent power transference was the ability to use the natural radiation and x-rays of the universe to charge itself. When designing the ship, the concept was so long as you could see space, the thing would fly.

The coat had required a hundred kilos of indigo keystone to produce, which itself was a c-ranked gem. A hundred kilos would buy five ships the size of his own.

And it was only the most ordinary aspect of Zeus-1s construction.

Weve reached the wormhole. Shields active. Commencing interstellar jump. As Mika spoke, a series of photoshields enveloped each of the passengers.

Zeus-1 shook, and in the space of an instant the area around them began to warp grotesquely. An envelope of white light expanded from the ship to surround it.

Energy shields have always been an important staple of modern ship assembly, prized for their ability not only to protect in combat scenarios, but more importantly for protection against hazardous flying conditions.

Now, under the protection of the shields, Zeus-1s flight became steady once again. Outside, the shield was alive with bolts of multicolored light.

In what felt like a few seconds, and yet like a century, the ship shuddered and once more the skies outside became the comforting blackness of the universe.

Weve exited the wormhole. Nearing the boundary of the Eastern Alliance. Mikas voice crackled through the headsets.

Lin Guoguos voice was next. Intelligence reports state that the Twelfth Galactic Battalion of the Eastern Alliance is currently patrolling the Shattered Starfield border. Reliance on East Lake Bastion for zone control. Well approach under cover of an asteroid on its left flank. Then, when we approach the wormhole well burn towards it.

Calculate delta-v, Lan Jue ordered.

Silence, then Keer piped in. Near-SOL1.

Ensure safety parameters, then go SOL.

Yes, boss. Three days till jump point, she replied.

Lan Jue couldnt help but smile. Alright ladies, go take a rest. Put her on auto-pilot. We jump in three days.

The photoshields lifted one by one, and Lan Jue unfastened his safety harness to stand.

The serious expressions upon the womens faces melted away and they stood, with the exception of Keer who was setting the auto-pilot.

Lin Guoguo giggled. Its nice with the boss here, we get to experience SOL travel!

Mika smiled, draping herself around her companions shoulders. She muttered something in her ear, which instantly turned Guoguos face red. Bah! Stop talking nonsense!

Mika gave a deep, throaty laugh.

Lan Jues hearing was excellent, and despite Mikas low tones hed heard it all. When these girls got worked up, their topics could be worse than any man

Im off for a nap, Lan Jue stated ,stretching.

CRACK!

A red lash struck forth like a viper, landing on Gao Yongs body. The skin where the whip landed split, and a deep red rivulet of blood seeped forth.

Gao Yong grit his teeth, not daring to make a sound.

A woman in a long black dress was situated before him, her long hair pulled in to a bun on the top of her head. She looked to be in her twenties, with skin like snow and strange carnation-tinted eyes. They shone like crystal, with pupils red as the blood they looked upon. A beautiful, cunning demon woman.

She was tall, slender, standing at one hundred and eighty centimeters. Her black high-heels made her taller even than the towering Gao Yong.

Do you know how stupid you are, the woman hissed.

Youre majesty, I just

CRACK!

Another welt grew red and angry across his skin.

The Moonfiend Empress continued in her cold, malevolent voice. Worse than how stupid you are, is the fact that you dont REALIZE your own stupidity. If he werent a friend of mine, youd NEVER have left Skyfire Avenue.

Gao Yong was as intractable as ever, the welts had done nothing to rid him of that.

That guys strong, but no stronger than you your majesty. Hes just managed to restrain me, otherwise, Id have

The Empress snorted disdainfully. You think youre a match for him, hm? Ill tell you honestly, if he wanted to crush me he could. With little effort.

Huh? Now he truly was astonished. Youre Majesty, you.. youre serious?

She glared chillingly at him as she spoke. In the whole of our universe, of the organizations with the power to destroy our entire pirate clan, Skyfire Avenue is ranked above them all. There are no less than three who live there with the ability to utterly destroy me. You have no concept of their capabilities. You wouldnt, since they so rarely decide to act. But the one you met? Hes different he doesnt care. If he were to become angry, the whole of the Starfields would shake.

Who is he?

The Empress stared at him with hard, cold eyes. Three years ago, do you remember why the greatest pirate clan was destroyed?

Gao Yongs eyes grew wide with realization. He thought back to the power hed felt, and a chill struck to his very core.

You mean, he was

1. SOL speed of light