The Legendary Mechanic, page 462
As peace was perfectly achieved on his mother planet, Bennett’s goal was accomplished. As the federation chairman, he needed to form a family. Thus, he got married and had a child. He was a Pugilist, after all, so his physique was more than good enough to carry out the process of creating a human. Nero was his son.
“Dad, the teacher told us about Black Star’s story today,” Nero said excitedly.
“Oh? What did he say?” Bennett was rather interested.
Nero repeated what he could remember with his innocent voice and then asked curiously, “Dad, is Black Star your friend?”
Yes, I’ve known him for close to twenty years.” Bennett was feeling a little nostalgic.
“Is he really that amazing? More amazing than you, Dad?”
Nero’s eyes opened wide. In his mind, his father, the federation chairman, was the most amazing person in the world. “He’s much more amazing than me.” Bennett laughed.
Beep beep!
This time, the communicator rang.
As Bennett saw who was calling, he was a little surprised. He waved at Nero.
“Come here. Aren’t you very curious about Black Star? Come and look at him.”
After placing Nero on his knees, Bennett then picked up the video call. Han Xiao’s face appeared on the screen.
“It’s been a long time, almost ten years.” Bennett smiled.
“It sure has.” Han Xiao nodded. As he saw Nero, his eyes sparkled. “This child is…”
“Hmm, this is my kid, Nero.”
Bennett smiled and rubbed Nero’s head. “Come on, that’s your uncle.”
“Hello, Uncle,” Nero greeted obediently.
Han Xiao was surprised. “When did you get married? Why didn’t you tell me?”
You’re so busy. I didn’t want to disturb you for something so small.”
“What are you talking about? We go way back. How could you not even tell me about such good news? I’m very disappointed.” Han Xiao showed a dissatisfied expression.
Bennett chuckled and did not mind it.
Although he did not say anything, he knew that Han Xiao was on a different level compared to him now.
The daily matters of Planet Aquamarine were undoubtedly small matters to Han Xiao. Bennett did not want to disturb him for these trivial matters, so they contacted each other less and less.
“You’re the person in the textbooks…” Nero stared at Han Xiao with curiosity.
“Textbooks?” Han Xiao wondered.
Bennett smiled and explained.
Han Xiao laughed. He did not expect to be written about in history textbooks.
This feeling of being remembered by people… actually felt quite good.
After chatting for a while, Bennett suddenly said, “I’m thinking about letting Nero be your godson. What do you think?” Han Xiao was a little surprised. He nodded. With his relationship with Bennett, he was willing to be this kid’s godfather. Bennett patted Nero and said, “Quick, greet your godfather.”
“God… father.” Nero’s tone was a little stiff. To him, Han Xiao was a stranger whom he had never met before, so addressing him as ‘Godfather’ was rather difficult.
Bennett smiled and let go of Nero, telling him to go aside to play.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing, I just wanted to ask about the situation on Planet Aquamarine,” Han Xiao replied.
Planet Aquamarine was one of the birthplaces of players that sent manpower to the Black Star Army continuously. It was equivalent to his logistics base and was very important to him.
Before opening new leek fields, he wanted to check the situation of the old one.
Bennett nodded and explained the current situation of Planet Aquamarine in detail.
Thanks to the Black Star Army, Planet Aquamarine was now shifting from a planet surface civilization to a galactic civilization and had been trying to colonize the nearby uninhabited planets.
A large number of new players had started in Version 3.0 on Planet Aquamarine and were recruited by the Black Star Army subdivision.
Overall, the situation was great.
Han Xiao was quite satisfied. “You’ve done a great job. You don’t have to worry about Planet Aquamarine anymore. Do you want to come to the galaxy?”
If he remembered correctly, Bennett had some longing for the universe, so Han Xiao proposed to invite him.
However, to his surprise, Bennett shook his head and rejected him.
“I have decided to stay in the Aquamarine Federation. The galaxy… I don’t want to go there anymore.”
“Why? I remember you were…”
“I have new wishes now. The Aquamarine Federation is still small. I hope to help it grow and devote the rest of my life to it.” Bennett smiled with deep wrinkles. “I’m old and have a family and a kid now. I don’t want to fight and kill anymore. I’m very satisfied with my current life.”
Upon hearing what Bennett said, Han Xiao did not want to persuade him anymore.
Everyone had different goals. Bennett had spent the first half of his life in wars and chaos, so now that he had found somewhere he belonged, he had a home where he could feel at peace. Han Xiao chose to respect that.
“Understood.”
“Actually, I have one more thing to ask from you,” Bennett said.
“What is it?”
“I’m still very worried about Nero. He has a very bright future and shouldn’t be staying here with me. After I pass away, I hope you can bring him along your side, take care of him, and raise him.” Bennett’s eyes were filled with fatherly love.
“What? Why are you planning these things out of nowhere?” Han Xiao felt numbness on his scalp.
“After all, I’m different from you. My life span is finite, and I don’t know when I will die. So, I wanted to tell you this as early as possible.” Bennett smiled wholeheartedly. “Can you promise me that?”
“No problem, I have enough money to raise one person.” Han Xiao raised his brows and made a joke to ease the atmosphere. “After you die, do you want me to ‘take care’ of your widow as well?”
Bennett’s mouth twitched. “No need to trouble you for that.”
After chatting casually for more than half an hour, only then did Han Xiao end the call. His smile dissipated, and he sighed.
Not everyone had a long life span like him.
Getting old and dying was the common fate of normal people.
Bennett was getting older. Sooner or later, he would pass away.
No matter what, he did feel quite sorrowful.
Nonetheless, even if he passed away one day, the cause that he loved and had devoted his life to would remain.
“The Aquamarine Federation…”
Han Xiao nodded.
With his protection, the Planet Aquamarine Civilization would go much, much farther than it did in his previous life…
With the popularity of the previous two versions, Version 3.0 became an exploding period for new players. According to statistics, there were more than ten million new players entering the game currently, and it was still growing.
Due to the fact that China had won the championship of the previous Pro League, the Shattered Star Ring attracted the most players. In just three months after Version 3.0 was released, there were already close to two million new players.
Half a month later, in the Gelock Star Cluster, Planet Deirdre…
The public airport hall had become a square for the players. Some opened stores, some asked to team up, and some provided boosting services. All sorts of players were gathered there.
It was noisy and crowded. The wall was transparent. The entire Planet Deirdre surface could be seen from there as well as the beautiful sky filled with stars.
As a galactic transit station, there were a lot of job opportunities on Planet Deirdre. Over the three months, the million or so new players had leveled up extremely quickly because of the Version 3.0 mission reward standard. Their level average was now above level 30, and some had already reached more than level 40.
Unlike the Version 1.0 Planet Aquamarine players, the players on Planet Deirdre became galactic residents as soon as they were born. Their information channels were rich, and they could search for galactic information easily.
After exploring for three months, the Planet Deirdre players found many ways to develop themselves.
At this time, among the boisterous public airport hall, there was one team that was discussing their future direction.
“We should join the Odegen Financial Group and help them fight the nearby galactic pirate groups. This is a planet’s main storyline. It’s definitely the best choice.”
“What kind of future can joining a financial group give? It’s better to become freelance mercenaries. Those senior player guides on the forums all say that becoming a mercenary is the best.”
“I’ve done the research. The biggest mercenary group in the Shattered Star Ring now is the Mercenary League. I heard some people triggered new main storylines there. If we’re going to be mercenaries, we have to join this organization.”
“Then we might as well go to Colton and join the Black Star Army to participate in the secret war main storyline.”
“The Black Star Army is good indeed, but flights between Star Clusters are rather expensive.”
“I don’t think we should go there. We have new main storyline missions here. There’s no reason to travel there.”
“How about we do something challenging? Killing and crimes are always profitable. Let’s become galactic pirates…”
“Hehe, you think we can afford a spaceship?”
“Are you stupid? Since we’re going to become galactic pirates, we can rob one if we can’t afford it.”
This player team discussed the matter for some time when they suddenly realized that the noisy environment around them had suddenly become quiet.
They turned around with shock.
In the entire hall, be it players or NPCs, everyone was looking up with their mouths wide open and their faces filled with shock.
What’s going on?
This player team looked up as well. When they saw what was outside the transparent ceiling, their eyes widened immediately.
An enormous armed satellite fortress appeared out of nowhere and filled the entire field outside the transparent ceiling. The size of this public airport was not even one twentieth of this armed satellite fortress!
Thousands of battleships guarded the satellite as it slowly approached, stopping in the outer orbit of Planet Deirdre.
The armor of these battleships all had the same symbol. For those players that often visited the forums, they recognized the symbol immediately.
It was the insignia of the Black Star Army!
The Black Star Army had moved an entire satellite subdivision there!
The million or so new players in the airport were in disbelief and at a loss.
Isn’t the Black Star Army fighting a war in another Star Cluster? Why are they here?
Chapter 738. Purple Crystal“s Thoughts |
The Black Star Army was already a famous organization in the Shattered Star Ring, and the sudden appearance of a satellite base caused a huge commotion on Planet Deirdre.
The Gelock Star Cluster had nothing to do with the secret war. The various financial groups located on Planet Deirdre and new players were extremely puzzled about the intentions of the Black Star Army.
A couple of battleships then left the dock and welcomed the arrival of the Black Star Army satellite base with caution.
The various financial groups immediately sent out a communication request, and they all wanted to talk to the commander of the fleet.
Very quickly, their requests were approved, and all the financial groups were pulled into a conference chat. Sylvia’s appearance then appeared on all their communicators.
It’s her! Black Star’s Chief Administrative Official!
As one of the important officers of the Black Star Army, Sylvia’s fame was not low, and many financial groups recognized her. Seeing such an important figure leading the group, they could not help but feel uneasy and felt that the Black Star Army was scheming in some way.
“I am Sylvia, the commander of this fleet.” Sylvia nodded and introduced herself.
“Why did you descend without informing us? Are you planning to go against the rules of the merchant world and snatch the business on Planet Deirdre?” one of the financial groups who seemed to be the leader of the group asked with an unfriendly tone.
The Odegen Financial Group was one of the largest financial groups on Planet Deirdre, and the one speaking was the person in charge, Carver.
The others shared the same thoughts as Carver. Planet Deirdre was like a treasure bowl to them, and they did not wish for others to snatch a piece of the pie from them.
Sylvia smiled and said, “Please do not misunderstand anything. Although our Black Star Army is an armed organization, we will not use force to coerce any legal financial groups. Furthermore, your operations on Planet Deirdre do not attract us in the slightest. All of you can be at ease.”
Hearing that, the faces of Carver and the others became unnatural. They treated Planet Deirdre as a treasure bowl, but the benefits from the planet were no more than peanuts to the Black Star Army. Sylvia had very obviously stated that they were not even interested in the little benefits of the planet, and this made Carver slightly embarrassed.
“Then, what is the purpose of your visit?” Carver asked with doubt. “You’ve even shifted an entire satellite base over. If I don’t remember incorrectly, the Gelock Star Cluster isn’t part of the secret war.”
Sylvia cleared her throat and said in a loud voice, “As an important member of the Mercenary League, our Black Star Army has decided to expand our mercenary operations toward the Gelock Star Cluster. Planet Deirdre is the planet that we have chosen to set up a branch on. We will take over the mercenary operations in this entire region, and all of you can treat us as an agency for the Mercenary League. If any of you need manpower in the future, you can make an application with us.”
The eyes of Carver and the others lit up. If the Black Star Army did not interfere in their operations on Planet Deirdre and only expanded their mercenary operations, there would only be benefits for them.
If a reliable mercenary group was set up on Planet Deirdre, the security of the region would be improved, and more people would be attracted to the planet.
Furthermore, with the Black Star Army around, they would not have to find other insignificant mercenary groups, and their safety would be ensured.
Currently, the Mercenary League was on their way to monopolizing the entire mercenary world in the Shattered Star Ring, and Carver felt that the Black Star Army was only expanding the operations of the Mercenary League as one of their members.
“We understand. We don’t have any opinions.” Carver was no longer as wary as before.
Sylvia then continued. “Very good. I have something to request. I hope that all those present here will make use of your influence to announce the news of our Black Star Army setting up a branch in this place. We will be able to open up this market very quickly with all of your help.”
As an organization that came from the outside, even if the Black Star Army was a huge conglomerate, Sylvia would still ease up their relationship with the local organizations. This would help to make their operations more efficient.
Carver began to hesitate upon hearing that.
At this moment, Sylvia added, “Of course, we will provide all of you with a discount should any of you need mercenaries in the future.”
“Don’t worry. We will definitely help you with the announcement.” Carver immediately agreed without hesitation.
Everyone on Planet Deirdre could see the gigantic satellite fortress floating outside the atmosphere of their planet whenever they lifted their head.
Just as everyone was filled with fear over the appearance of the satellite fortress, the financial groups made a public announcement that the Black Star Army had gone to Planet Deirdre with friendly intentions and had a cooperative relationship with the different financial groups.
The moment the announcement was made, everyone heaved a sigh of relief and was overjoyed.
The security situation in the galactic transit station was truly a problem, and the Black Star Army might be able to improve this situation.
Of course, not everyone welcomed the Black Star Army. For example, some small mercenary groups on Planet Deirdre felt immense pressure.
They all knew that their lives in the future would not be good, and all the mercenary missions would be snatched up by the Black Star Army.
However, the Black Star Army quickly released news that they were recruiting manpower and gave priority to the local mercenaries.
An endless stream of individuals immediately responded, especially the players located on Planet Deirdre.
The Black Star Army was a hot topic of discussion on the forums, and even the new players had a certain degree of understanding toward the benefits, storyline, and events of the Black Star Army.
The Black Star Army had already accompanied the players for two whole versions. With the players adding on their imagination and the legends of the Black Star Army becoming a part of the Galaxy Chronicles, many of the new players naturally felt a sense of belonging toward the Black Star Army.
In the eyes of many new players, the Black Star Army was like a player army in the Shattered Star Ring.
Because of their location, many of them did not wish to travel all the way to the Colton Star Cluster. Since the Black Star Army had expanded to the Gelock Star Cluster, most of the players no longer hesitated and joined.
The players who were hesitating were mainly concerned about the Main Storyline mission. The way they saw it, they would have to participate in the secret war storyline if they chose to join the Black Star Army. However, they did not wish to give up the freedom to explore other storylines.
