Chapter 16 A Temporary Departure
The Maniac Battlefleet kept moving forward. On the flagship, all the robots were busy working. Standing in front of the commanding equipment, Hardman stared at the radar screen cautiously.
“Sir, we will soon, s-soon, start-t-t . . . interstellar transportation. The leader of the interstellar relay station ahead sent a signal asking why there is a strange spaceship in our fleet,” the Stutter King said to Hardman as he walked his big body to the front.
"Tell McNight he can only focus on his own issues without asking any questions."
“Yes, sir.” The Stutter King walked unsteadily back to the communication equipment and extended a metal hose from the chest to send instructions. After a moment, he turned and said, “Commander, the interstellar passage has been open for us to pass smoothly. . .”
"Okay, I understand. Let’s go!" Hardman couldn't help screaming.
“Yes, sir!” The Stutter King shrugged his shoulders and fled away.
Before the fleet got there, an aureole quickly sucked the whole fleet in without any traces in an instant.
Almost at the same time, an aura appeared in another space with an electromagnetic wave band, which quickly piled up into a sphere, and then dispersed quickly, restoring into an interstellar spaceship.
With an instantaneous position adjustment, the fleet kept moving forward.
“Sir, we have been ten million kilometers away from the Pyramid Star," a robotic officer with eight metal tentacles stated as it entered. "If we will use the first-level nuclear power, the linear distance will take us 143 minutes and twenty-seven seconds. If we use particle beam power, it will only take two minutes and six seconds. Please confirm."
"I’m wondering whether the manmade spacecraft can follow us," Hardman said to himself.
"I believe the first-level nuclear power propulsion would be out of question. Their power system is ex-extremely advanced. If our warships hadn’t prevailed over theirs, these organic creatures might have already escaped then," the Stutter King stammered.
“Well, you’ve just reminded me. Contact the manmade spaceship right now. I’d like to talk with their captain,” Hardman said with a solemn face.
“Yes, sir.”
“Captain Tianhao, how are you?” On the screen, the Command Cabin of Smooth Flight appeared before the huge figure of Hardman.
“Very well, Mr. Commander.” Tianhao replied.
“Well, I’d like to make a small request. Please contribute several of your crew to our ship. Since the journey is so long, I really want to take the opportunity to communicate with the humans like you. The space shuttle is already in transit toward you. Any questions?” Hardman asked.
Tianhao realized they intended to take some of his crews as hostage in case the Smooth Flight made an escape halfway. Without any other choices, he had to answer, “Good idea, I will follow your suggestion.”
“Well, that’s perfect.” Hardman laughed wildly and disappeared from the screen.
“Captain, thank you for your generosity. For me, it’s a chance to prove myself. Let me go there,” Long volunteered, and then stepped forward.
Tianhao looked at him without any words, feeling exceedingly awkward.
Although they were all under control of the Maniac Battlefleet, nobody really wanted to approach such mechanic monsters.
Qiong stood side by side with Long, and begged, "Captain, we’d like to go there, since we have no choice!”
"Okay, the robot assistant will act as the pilot temporarily. Listen to me!" Tianhao nodded, and resolutely said, “It’s only a temporary departure. Qiong is right. Since we have no choice, both of you, Long and Qiong, will accept the mission.”
Tianhao glanced at Lina and Dick, and then said: "Doctor Lina and Major Dick will stay."
Dick shrugged indifferently, while Lina kept silent.
All agreed on Tianhao’s arrangement.
Long came over, blinked, and asked, "Mr. Commander, I’m just wondering why you don’t let Qiong stay and ask Dick to go with me."
Tianhao lowered his voice and replied, "Because I’m not sure I can persuade Lina to stay alone. I don't want my woman to stay with him alone!"
At this time, a small space shuttle slowly parked on the side of the Smooth Flight for the internal docking channel.
Waving goodbye to the other crewmembers, Long and Qiong entered the docking channel.
Soon, the space shuttle shook slightly twice on a curved track and left the Smooth Flight for the flagship of the Maniac Battlefleet.
Seeing the returning space shuttle in the porthole, Hardman returned with great satisfaction, and ordered, "Flight Officer, get ready to use the first-level nuclear power propulsion. Focus on the surrounding situation."
“Yes, sir!”
The robot officer answered and left.
The Maniac Battlefleet propelled by three-level nuclear power slowed down for a while and then the engine power thrust to the top. With a spray of light blue heat burned by the hydrogen, all the warships accelerated to rush forward.
"We will make a circular flight at three million kilometers away from the target. Now telegraph the base ahead of the Cold Blood Corps and tell them our position to make the request on the scheduled reception.”
“Yes, sir!” The control robot was busy with its eight arms between the steering station and the communication station, like a big spider weaving a net.
After a while, it stopped and twisted its head back to report, "Contact is done, and the Fly Eagle will come to meet us personally. We are scheduled to meet on the Poleton star near the SA coordinate of the B-direction.”
“Good. Old friends will finally meet again,” Hardman said with satisfaction.
Looking out of the porthole, he saw a star shining and sparkling blue light like a crystal-clear gem. As the time went by, the planet in the distance slowly zoomed in, changing from the size of an egg to the size of a football, which quietly hung in the drifting space of black background.
We’re going to arrive soon, and I don't know whether we will be lucky this time, Hardman thought secretly.
“Mr. Commander, the radar shows there are about thirty warships of the Feitian Empire ahead!” the robot officer screamed.
"Interception as I expected. They are so quick this time, but why do they think thirty warships can stop me? Never mind. Keep moving ahead." Hardman smiled coldly.
"The Fierce Angel mobile fortress ship is launching particle beams to stop our ships." The robotic officer continued to report the situation.
“Well?” Hardman looked a little solemn now. He whispered slowly after a while, “This could be big trouble.”