Chapter 46: Opportunity

45. Opportunity

Endo Galaxy, Dawn Planet synchronous orbit, Kushan Mothership Command Center.

Tang Xiao frowned as he looked at the semi-naked Vute in the holographic projection before him. "Are you saying that Quinto and the others sold the news of our mothership to someone called 'Iron Fang' Kooken? And that this person has connections to Black Sun?"

"I've already sent you the recording. That's exactly how it is," Vute said.

Tang Xiao gave him another look and said with a half-smile, "This must have been hard on you, trading your charms to get this intelligence. It must have been quite exhausting."

"Well..." Vute glanced back at the suggestive curves faintly visible under the blanket behind him and laughed awkwardly, "It was moderately exhausting, haha."

"Alright, I understand. You don't need to worry too much; it's not as if we lack the strength to fight. The improvements to the Blade-class fighters are nearly complete, and we've also begun preparing frigates for active service. Since this mess has happened over on Tatooine, it's safer for you to return first," Tang Xiao said.

"Alright, Boss, I know what to do. Don't worry!" Vute waved two fingers, then the woman behind him stirred as if waking up. He quickly cut the communication and seemed to rush off to soothe her.

As Vute's holographic projection vanished, Tang Xiao pondered for a moment and muttered to himself, "A Hammerhead-class cruiser... I do know the Hammerhead, but that was a type of corvette that appeared in the movie *Rogue One*. But Vute clearly said 'cruiser' just now."

He thought further. "It must be that ancient model. If I remember correctly, it was a type of cruiser produced during the war between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire. If that's the case, there might still be a turning point..."

He then stood up, called over Chief of Staff Qi Jian, and informed him of the news that a Hammerhead-class cruiser was approaching.

"A cruiser?" Qi Jian's expression turned grave. "Is there more specific intelligence?"

"No, we only know it's a model from a thousand or two thousand years ago. But we must be careful; even two thousand years ago, an interstellar war had already broken out between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire. Ships from that era are still a lethal threat to us today," Tang Xiao said, adding, "Because of the Lusang Reforms, the Galactic Republic essentially disbanded its powerful fleets, so in reality, starship technology in the galaxy hasn't improved much over the last one or two thousand years."

"And if my estimation is correct, this cruiser is different from the previous bounty hunters; it is absolutely capable of heavily damaging our mothership, isn't it?" Qi Jian asked with a heavy expression.

"Correct. When the last bounty hunters attacked, we could at most hunker down inside the mothership; they could never break through its shields. But this thing is, at the very least, a warship several hundred meters long. It might take a long time to cause damage to our mothership, but it is definitely capable of it," Tang Xiao said.

"Do we need to urge the research department regarding the progress of the Ghost fighters?" Qi Jian asked.

Tang Xiao shook his head. "Don't put more pressure on them. Professor Chi knows what to do. He knows what we are carrying and what we are facing."

Qi Jian sighed. "I will immediately draft a strike plan. However, even though the Blade fighters are now equipped with infrared laser weapons, small fusion engines, and basic energy shields, it will still be a stretch to pose a threat to a cruiser. The plan to install Gemini air-to-air missiles on the Blade fighters is our bottom line; otherwise, we might not even be qualified to cause damage to this cruiser."

"I understand. Go ahead and do that," Tang Xiao nodded.

【Administrator, the Medical Department has asked me to inform you that the wounded person sent earlier has regained consciousness.】 The Mainframe's voice rang out.

Semid? Tang Xiao nodded and said, "If the patient's condition is stable, prepare a top-secret room. I want to speak with him privately."

【Understood. I will open Meeting Room 003. However, I must remind you that two T-850s are hidden in the secret compartment under the meeting room table, on standby.】

"Take me there."

Following the instructions, Tang Xiao arrived at a meeting room. Upon entering, he saw a Muun sitting on a sofa, still wrapped in bandages, looking somewhat listless.

Seeing Tang Xiao enter, the Muun struggled to stand and bowed in greeting. "Hello, respected sir. You must be my savior. I offer you my highest respects."

Tang Xiao looked at the man. He possessed the characteristic slender build of a Muun—everything, including his head, was long and thin. His forehead was prominent, he was hairless, his arms were long, and his index and middle fingers were more than twice as long as his other fingers. His deep-set eye sockets gave him a somewhat sinister appearance.

"Semid, is it? You should know the level of risk I took to save you," Tang Xiao said.

Semid nodded in response. "Believe me, no one understands the terror of Hego Damask II better than I do. That is why I offer my deepest gratitude for your act of rescuing me from under his very nose. Whatever you want in return, I will agree unconditionally."

"Tell me what it was that you obtained in Maketo," Tang Xiao inquired.

"The import and export ledgers of the Tonith family," Semid said without hesitation. "The Tonith family is one of the largest families among the Muun, arguably on par with the Hill family. The two families have been competing for the position of Co-Chairman of the Interstellar Banking Clan."

Tang Xiao nodded, signaling him to continue.

"Seventeen years ago, Lars Doon, a director of the Interstellar Banking Clan, was assassinated. Since then, Ford Tonith has served as the Co-Chairman. Hego has been constantly supporting Lars's son, San Hill, to break Ford Tonith's re-election and take over as the next Co-Chairman," Semid said.