Abyss Solo
Chapter 405 - 188 Expedition Sherman_2

Chapter 405: 188 Expedition Sherman_2

Lyu spoke quickly,

"We didn’t capture any footage of the Valkyrie entering or exiting the Blue Ship, but the Detection Ship photographed the Blue Ship hovering near the constant star for energy replenishment."

The scene switched, showing the Blue Ship floating beside an orange-yellow constant star. Initially, it was extremely small, but as the view zoomed in, the entire ’appearance’ of the ship was revealed.

It was quiet with no lights, only unfolding three emergency energy panels.

—Such short-range spaceships usually replenish energy at the space port. To reduce costs during design, they were only equipped with emergency energy blocks.

"When I realized that something was wrong with this spaceship, I started searching through our entire surveillance network and the data records of the Imperial Maritime Bureau. Soon, I made a new discovery.

"This is the only other image we could find at the moment, captured at the corner of a photo taken by an unmanned mining ship."

The third image appeared in front of Yang Ming.

In the image, the tail cargo hold of the Blue Ship was open, quietly floating in space, silent like a coffin, seemingly a vessel for a ghost.

Yang Ming felt a bit restless.

He stood up and began to pace back and forth, occasionally a glimmer of light flashing in his eyes.

Had the Valkyrie taken control of a ship?

It wouldn’t be difficult for her, all she needed was a simple application of spirit control.

At this point in time, the Valkyrie must have already regained her strength; she actively sought out the Insect Swarm for power, and now she was certainly stronger than the last time she appeared.

Even more troublesome was that she had begun to let go of the Ancient God Life Form’s pride and started to learn to adapt!

She had the potential for infinite evolution;

She was intelligent;

She even hid a youthful girl’s lingerie in that battle suit, indicating that she still had some human elements of the Po Suo.

Of course, the human elements were already scarce.

What should he do?

He couldn’t get entangled with her, or else she would continuously gain new assistance.

If she had a change of mind, she might even actively seek reconciliation with the Empire!

He had to make a decisive move.

If he didn’t attack, he’d hide; if he attacked, he couldn’t give her a chance to resist!

Yang Ming slowly clenched his fists, his breathing turning somewhat heavy.

Lyu watched him with some concern but wisely chose to remain silent at this moment.

"First, send Mimili and Kolev back," Yang Ming said, "We need more intelligence and also some aid from within the Sherman Empire. We should find a way to exaggerate the harm the Valkyrie poses to the Empire, ideally using the situation to our advantage... Of course, I think there’s a high chance the Valkyrie will find me."

"Boss," Lyu said softly, "As long as we ensure the Valkyrie and the Sherman Empire are absolutely hostile, then we will remain unbeatable."

"Come up with a few contingency plans so we can carefully plan this matter."

Yang Ming exhaled gently to calm himself down.

He stared at the projection screen in front of him, his gaze growing increasingly ruthless.

He couldn’t afford to be afraid. Fear meant losing half the battle initially.

He had won the first time; there was no certainty he would lose now.

But Yang Ming quickly recalled another point, which was the Valkyrie’s method of self-preservation; she could leave a cluster of cells at her base, so that the main body could self-destruct if faced with danger.

She had played a similar trick last time.

How could he eliminate her completely?

Yang Ming fell into prolonged thoughts.

...

Half an hour later.

"Going out for a few months again?"

In the 3D projection, Edwan frowned as he looked at Yang Ming.

"Ming, you can’t always be running outside, there are so many political and military affairs that require your attention!"

"This time is different from last time," Yang Ming smiled and said, "This time I can continuously monitor Wind. Previously, I had to isolate signals, and the time away might not be certain, maybe just half a month."

Edwan frowned and said, "What exactly are you busy with?"

Yang Ming sighed and said, "Some major affairs concerning life safety."

"We haven’t sat down for drinks and a barbecue in ages... Well, we all have our own things to be busy with."

Edwan shrugged and offered Yang Ming a few smiles.

"Keep at it, young man. Remember not to push too hard. You can always count on me here."

Yang Ming immediately smiled in relief.

Although Edwan’s wording gave him a slightly pathological feeling.

After disconnecting the communication, Yang Ming looked up ahead; the crew had been gathered again.

Mimili appeared without any awkwardness. Not yet fully matured as a ’Star Widow,’ at her current stage, she already possessed strong psychological adaptability.

"Was that the Emperor of the Luofeng Empire just now?" Mimili asked with arms crossed and a frown.

Kolev laughed, "I told you, in the Luofeng Empire, we are calling the shots now. That’s no joke."

Mimili shrugged slightly.

Yang Ming sighed, walked to stand in front of them, and said softly, "Kolev, Mimili, we need to part ways for now. I need to deal with a thorny enemy, and later the Feinan will take you back while I head over to the new warship."

Kolev immediately nodded, "Off you go then, Captain, I’ll keep an eye on the Wind’s Industrial Federation for you, striving to become a chemical and energy tycoon."

"A tycoon isn’t exactly a flattering word," Yang Ming chuckled, and Kolev immediately made a funny face.

"Can I help you?"

Mimili suddenly asked.

Yang Ming paused, frowning as he stared at Mimili.

Mimili’s combat strength wasn’t particularly solid; she was, after all, an ordinary person and a female lacking a physical advantage.

However, her speed in handling affairs, her grasp of the bigger picture, and her ability to negotiate were all extraordinarily strong.

Even as a not yet fully developed ’Star Widow,’ she was a ’quasi’ legendary figure not to be underestimated.

Yang Ming felt that he needed to deal with the Valkyrie now.

Firstly, because the East Wind gave him a certain amount of courage;

Secondly, because the discovery that the Valkyrie might already have begun using her methods to exploit existing societal resources was an extremely dangerous signal;

Lastly, because the appearance of the Blue Allure gave Yang Ming a clear target.

Finding a ship in space was certainly simpler than finding a shapeshifting, elusive Ancient God humanoid life form.

If Mimili could help him...

"You hesitated," Mimili said, "I can feel you really want me to go with you. Is there any concern?"

"Very dangerous," Yang Ming said, "If I’m not a match for the opponent, chances are you won’t survive either."

Mimili lightly furrowed her brows.

She considered for a few seconds, then said, "I think such an enemy is more challenging. You need my help more, Uncle Hanton."

Yang Ming’s eyes flickered slightly.

With arms crossed, Mimili offered a faint smile; her starry eyes gazed at Yang Ming with some undisguised admiration.

After careful thought, she found a way to resolve the difficulties in their deeper exchanges.

Through wearing helmets, they could synchronize virtual and real communication.

That feeling must be marvelous.

"Oh oh!"

Kolev, the little old man, suddenly sprang into their sight, breaking the gaze between the man and the woman.

"I want to go too!" Kolev shouted, "A wise first mate can inject invaluable life experience into a young captain at crucial moments! You have to take me too if you’re taking Mimili!"

Mimili frowned, "Dad, you should retire. You need to go back and rest, take care of yourself."

"An old pirate never tires!"

Kolev yelled, arms akimbo,

"I am bound for great adventures!"

Yang Ming said, "Then you’d be better off with those old ... "

Kolev leapt forward, covering Yang Ming’s mouth with a hand, turning to Mimili and said, "He agreed, my dear daughter. With Daddy here, you might just have to settle for being a second or third mate."

Lyu’s realistic projection calmly stated, "I’m the second mate."

"Third mate, then third mate," Mimili said, "But I don’t want to manage repairs and firefighting."

Nearby, 026, wearing a technician’s uniform, pouted.

Tsk.

The ship status -1.

"We’ll have half a day to rest," Yang Ming said, "Then we’ll begin infiltrating deep into the Sherman Empire to search for a Ghost Ship. At the right time, I’ll have Lyu disclose some classified information to you."

Kolev asked, "So what’s the specific plan?"

Yang Ming said, "As for plans, Lyu is still working on them. We haven’t considered unexpected situations too thoroughly for the time being."

Summary: No plan.