Starsea Fleet: Age of the Lord

When Elpan finished the report, Feng Mo cleared his throat and said, "Commander Cui, both of our fleets suffered losses during this mission. How about we split the spoils from destroying the Hive Mother ships evenly?"

Cui Zhihua's grin widened ear to ear as he gave Feng Mo a big thumbs-up and showered him with flattery. Despite his fleet's efforts, it was clear that without the bait provided by the T3-class interstellar carrier, annihilating the Hive Mother ships would have been impossible.

Cui knew full well what his fleet was capable of and was grateful for Feng Mo's fairness. "Commander, you can count on me! If you ever need anything, just call. If I ever refuse, may the stars curse me!" he declared, slapping his chest in a show of sincerity.

Feng Mo didn't believe a word of Cui's grand promises. A man like Cui, who would follow wherever the benefits lay, could handle small tasks, but nothing major. Still, Feng Mo smiled and nodded politely.

Following the decisive victory over the insectoids, the next three and a half days were uneventful. The fleet safely reached Xuanwu Star Fortress without further incident.

"You've entered a military-controlled area. Please report your identities, fleet details, and the purpose of your visit," a mechanical voice announced in each ship's control room.

Elpan transmitted the fleet's information, and three minutes later, a response came. "Identification confirmed: Viscount Feng Mo of Yunshan Empire. Fleet composition: seven T3-class warships, five T2-class warships, and seven T3-class transport ships. Welcome to Xuanwu Star Fortress, Viscount. Please dock your fleet at Dock 12."

"The course to Dock 12 has been marked. Viscount, please ensure your fleet stays on the designated route."

The fleet docked smoothly at Dock 12, which was filled with warships, the smallest being T3-class. Several massive T4-class vessels loomed nearby, but this time, they weren't fortunate enough to glimpse a T5 imperial juggernaut.

A group of officers awaited them on the ground. Leading them was a major. Feng Mo sighed slightly, disappointed there wasn't a more senior reception, and descended from his ship. The major stepped forward and gave a crisp salute, a proper salute of the Starsea Federation military: the left fist clenched and struck against the right chest, a gesture of solemnity and respect.

Feng Mo and his entourage returned the salute.

"Welcome to Xuanwu Star Fortress, Viscount. Please proceed to the strategy office. Advisor Jiang is expecting you," the major informed them.

Feng Mo nodded, understanding that the military was likely taking the insectoid situation very seriously. It was a critical matter. Xuanwu Star Fortress, the first line of defense against the insectoids, could usually handle one or two Hive Mother ships slipping through, but seventeen T3-class ships? That was a major oversight, and someone would need to take responsibility.

Sure enough, in the strategy office, tempers were flaring.

"Old Li, this is clearly a failure of your Radar Special Operations Division. The fortress radar didn't detect a single Hive Mother ship. Where did they come from? Did they fall out of the sky?" A colonel sitting on the left side of the rectangular table slammed his fist down, glaring at another colonel across from him.

"Bullshit! We're always the scapegoat. Your Mobile Unit is equally to blame! The entire zone between Beitian Gate Station and Xuanwu Fortress is under your patrol jurisdiction. What were you doing? Slacking off? Lazy bastards!" The accused colonel fired back, raising the room's tension.

It was like poking a hornet's nest. The officers on the left side of the table leaped to their feet, shouting in anger, while those on the right weren't any less aggressive. The room was full of heated arguments and even some choice curses.

Thump, thump, thump.

"Come in," a stern voice called.

A communications officer entered the room and saluted. "Report: Viscount Feng Mo of Yunshan Empire has successfully completed his escort mission, destroying seventeen T3-class Hive Mother ships. Our transport fleet remains unharmed. Viscount Feng Mo's fleet is now docked at Xuanwu Fortress, Dock 12."

The middle of the three senior officers at the head of the room cleared his throat. Instantly, the room fell silent. Every officer sat up straight, their postures stiff with attention.

"First: the sudden appearance of seventeen T3-class Hive Mother ships in the buffer zone between Beitian Gate Station and Xuanwu Fortress is a grave failure of the entire fortress," the senior officer declared, setting the tone of accountability.

"Second: each department will conduct thorough inspections. This must never happen again. If it does..."

The officer let his unspoken threat hang in the air. Every officer in the room looked even more solemn.

"Third: we need to discuss how to compensate that young man. Viscounts of Yunshan Empire carry weight, and that fleet included the eldest son of Earl Wang and the granddaughter of the Marquis of Meteor from the Yinxing Empire. Plus, they're students at Yunshan Military Academy. This won't be easy."

Even the general found this situation tricky. Feng Mo's connections were formidable, and the general hadn't even mentioned the most sensitive one: Xiao Meng's true identity. Her background was powerful enough to give a Starsea Federation general headaches. The compensation had to be substantial to avoid making a laughingstock of themselves.

The general scanned the room, his eyes lighting up as he turned to an officer on his left. "Advisor Jiang, I understand you're a distinguished graduate of Yunshan Military Academy. You're their senior, and you're even from the same region. I'll leave this matter to you."

"Don't worry, I'm not stingy. As long as the compensation isn't excessive, I'll approve it. But keep it discreet. I don't want this becoming public knowledge."

Advisor Jiang forced a smile. This was a difficult task. Gauging what would satisfy Feng Mo without overspending was the challenge. "Yes, General Xu. I'll take care of it."

Meanwhile, Feng Mo and his companions were being escorted to a hovering maglev bus outside the starport.

"Mo, what do you think the military is planning? Maybe they'll try to silence us!" Wang Chongsheng joked, only to earn a glare from Feng Mo.

They knew that such things weren't out of the question, but given their backgrounds and connections, there was little chance of that happening here. With Yunshan Military Academy behind them and their influential families, the military wouldn't dare.

Yunshan Empire was the third most powerful of the seventeen Starsea Federation empires, and many top military officials were Yunshan Academy alumni. They we

re being summoned to discuss terms and compensation, not threats.