Chapter 75: Pirates?

By the time the Accountant was once again brought before Lan Jue, his face was so swollen as to be almost unrecognizable. Mika threw him atop one of the chairs before taking up her own, stony-faced.

Right, now we can have a conversation. What did the Keeper send you here to do, Lan Jue asked, settling himself beside the battered Accountant.

The Accountant responded, his words muffled and muddled from the beating. Jewelry Master treating me this way its inhuman!

Mika. Lan Jue looked towards the fiery woman.

No! No wait, Im sorry, I was wrong. The Accountant stared wide-eyed at Lan Jue, terror clear in their depths.

Lan Jue turned his eyes back to the cowed man.

The Keeper gave me some equipment, to help locate and mine gem deposits.

Lan Jue looked skeptical. Whats your relationship with the Keeper?

Ehm I cant say.

Mika!

Alright alright I-Im his only grandson.

Lan Jue blinked, taken aback. He knew for a fact that the only way the Accountant could have entered Skyfire Avenue as a resident was to undergo a series of stringent evaluations. There were no shortcuts.

Youre the Keepers grandson. His face said he didnt believe it.

The Accountants anger flared. Whats wrong with me being his grandson?! You think its a blessing being part of his family? Ever since I was small the old man has been brainwashing me with floods of useless data. Trying to fill me with his knowledge and ideas. From when I was three to twenty-three, I only had four hours of sleep a night. Then, to Skyfire Avenue for the evaluations. You want to know why I talk so much? Because I wasnt able to share my thoughts at all for twenty years! You dont know how much I loved the outside world, but I couldnt leave the geriatrics side. Im twenty four, and still a virgin. How pathetic is that!

Lan Jue spoke now in considerably droll tones. And thats why you snuck on my ship?

Eh the Accountant stuttered. Jewelry Master, I know you arent one to stoop to pettiness. Lets not fuss about it. Ive always been a little hyperactive, since I was small. Sometimes I cant help myself. I see something interesting and I want to study and look and examine

Lan Jue waved his hand, cutting him off. He didnt have the time to listen to the Accountant talk all day.

Seeing as youre part of the Keepers family, I wont bother with you any more this time. But in return you have to go through the sips systems and patch up their loopholes, so that next time no one not even you can sneak on board. Then well be square.

No problem. O-only, how can you prove I wont be able to get back in? The Accountants eyes shone with curiosity.

Lan Jue laughed. Let me tell you a secret. See these four ladies? One of them is psychic. If I want to know anything at all about you, its as easy as asking a question. Take a guess which one do you think it is?

Psychic? The Accountants heart rate shot up. As the Keepers son he absolutely knew about the Psychic Discipline. And how horrifying it could be.

Regardless of the type of psychic ability, congenitally derived Psychic Discipline begins at no less than the seventh-level of Talent, with plenty of potential for growth. The Accountant hadnt imagined Lan Jue commanded such a companion.

His eyes fluttered back and forth from Mika, Lin Guoguo, Keer and Xiuxiu. Hed already been acquainted with Mikas fiery temperament. And with her degree of power, she was a downright Dragon Lady. It couldnt be her, then, and thus must be one of the other three. But which one?

His own Talent was fairly useful in a fight, so combat didnt frighten him too badly. But a psychic, those types were capable of controlling your mind in the blink of an eye. No amount of intelligence could protect you.

Mika, from now on youre in charge of the Accountant. Get him a computer, and make him prove his worth.

Mika turned her face to shoot the Accountant a charming smile. As you command, boss.

The Accountants face grew sour at the prospect of being stuck with his tortures, and the pain in his body occasionally still caused him to twitch. Mika had left quite the impression on him.

Boss, radars picked up a gunboat-class ship bearing down on us. Wait, no three of them. Two on the originals flanks.

Pirates? A-are they pirates? Is there going to be a fight? The Accountant asked excitedly.

Shut up! Mika spat at him.

Ships in the tree alliances were broken in a class system. From high to low, they were; Bastions, Sovereign-Class Base Ships, Capital Warships, Expedition Battleships, common battleships, and gunboats. After those were carriers and mechas.

Generally speaking gunboats werent fitted for long-range expeditions, they needed to resupply at depot vessels. Any fleet required a range of ships to function effectively.

Zeus-1 was also, technically, a gunship, but compared to its unfitted cousins they were like night and day. It had no specialized mecha compartment, and could only house a crew of about ten. Regular gunboats, on the other hand, usually flew with a small mecha combat group. It was the best load-out for stellar assault missions.

Signal the boats, affirm their identities. Lan Jue said softly. He made no move to return to the captains chair.

Approaching gunships have refused signal, Keer reported.

Purpose unclear. Their speed has increased and their gun ports are opened, Lin Guoguo followed.

Were getting demands to surrender, Keer said.

Lan Jue chuckled. Surrender? Ladies, which one of you would like the honors?

Oh! Me! Other than Xiuxiu, the other three ladies all scrambled to speak at once.

The Accountant just watched the scene, speechless.

The three girls, each with a sharp look in their eyes, stared at one another for a moment before raising high their right hands. Together, they called out: Odd One Out!1

The three women each shot their hands out, Mika and Keer palms down, and Lin Guoguo with her hand facing up.

Hah! I win, Guoguo called out excitedly. She immediately typed something out on the keyboard before her. A silver helmet descended from the roof of the cabin to settle on her head.

The enemys main battery is charged and ready. Estimated time to fire, ten seconds. Keer was watching her control panel as the information streamed past.

Ten seconds is enough, Lin Guoguo affirmed. Shed quickly become all business. From the three meter tall conical bow of the ship, a firing tower slowly issued forth. A golden power gem was affixed to the towers apex.

1. This is actually called Black/White Match in Chinese, and is played by shooting your hand out either palm up or palm down. The odd one out is the winner.