novelnext Chapter 4 Lost Fleet 002
Chapter 4 Lost Fleet 002
Not far from the sun, space appeared terrifyingly silent compared to the giant star that constantly radiated heat and occasionally unleashed phenomena like solar flares on its surface.
However, in the next moment of silence, a strong disturbance suddenly emerged in space, as if the zipper of a pocket was yanked open, and things that did not belong there were abruptly spilled out into this region.
"Damn it!" a soft female voice cried out in complete dissatisfaction.
The owner of the voice, however, contrasted with it—a tall and slender military beauty. She was filled with an air of bravery, particularly her arched eyebrows which, combined with her bright and clear big eyes, compelled others to surrender to her unique aura involuntarily.
The female officer steadied herself with one hand on a throne-like chair in the command room, the other hand always on a ceremonial sword at her waist. Although the item seemed as delicate and refined as she was, no one doubted the terror she would become once she drew that sword.
With a slight frown of her beautiful brows, the female officer spoke, "All ships, report your status."
"Flying Bear Cruiser, all performance parameters normal, unable to establish communication with the mother star."
"Spear Thrower Escort Ship, all performance parameters normal, unable to establish communication with the mother star."
"Dart Escort Ship, malfunction in the third power chamber, self-diagnosis and repair underway, other performance parameters normal, unable to establish communication with the mother star."
"Insight Reconnaissance Ship, all performance parameters normal, unable to establish communication with the mother star."
"Ruyi City Colonial Base Ship, slight damage to the outer wall of environmental area six, crew vital signs normal, all performance parameters normal, unable to establish communication with the mother star."
A young officer sitting in front of a massive see-through glass-like control panel turned to report to the female officer, "Sacred Falcon Class Battlecruiser, all performance parameters normal, unable to establish communication with the mother star."
Another communications officer spoke up, "All quantum instant communication within the fleet is operating normally; the only issue is our inability to contact any administrative star of the United Empire. Perhaps after we traveled through the wormhole, we arrived in a star region capable of blocking external quantum communication."
No sooner had the officer finished speaking than the huge door to the command center-like cabin opened, and several people entered. The one in the lead was a tall and burly man, at least two meters tall, clad in a white lab coat with silver hair, looking both aged and energetic. His voice, deep and resonant, said, "Have you ever seen a star region capable of blocking quantum communication?
Our quantum communications are fast and secure because quantum signals do not travel through the physical universe. Therefore, unless there is something beyond our dimension's understanding interfering on the periphery of this star region, it is absolutely impossible to be unable to contact the mother star while the quantum communication inside our own fleet is unhindered."
The female officer waved her hand and said, "No need to explain. Please stay on the bridge now and wait with everyone for the Fleet Scientific Research Bureau's final verdict."
Although young, Xu Lanzhou's shoulder insignia—a general's badge—spoke clearly of her status. She was the commodore of this fleet, the only general, and she had enough power to make decisions about any major or minor matters concerning the fleet.
At this point, the Marine Commander, Xiao Yu, also sobered up a bit and couldn't help but secretly admire the astute mind of Xu Lanzhou, who was considerably younger than him. By at once stabilizing and partially controlling him, the Marine Corps would not cause any chaos at this crucial moment. Nevertheless, thinking this far, Xiao Yu's expression inevitably darkened.
This fellow Knight Family member and female captain—whom one could even call a childhood friend—never trusted him and always kept on guard.
The Marine Corps was the only true combat force within the fleet, and although the number of crew members under Xu Lanzhou's command was more than twice that of the Marines, barely any of them were actual combatants.
Xu Lanzhou issued a series of commands with a clear goal in mind: to stabilize everyone on the fleet and avoid unnecessary panic. Although jumping out of their original universe was a significant event, and as shocking as it was, the fleet's professionalism was exceptional. After a brief surprise, most were able to maintain their standard operating conditions.
In fact, for many, joining this exploration fleet was inherently a dangerous venture. They could be attacked by enemies, suffer astronomical disasters, and the mortality rate among exploration fleet members was even higher than that of fleet personnel in wartime. At the very least, they were prepared for this.
"Please summon Master Nan Ma to the bridge," was the last order Xu Lanzhou gave.
The sound of the hatch opening followed, then a shiny bald head came into everyone's view as a jovial man walked in and said to Xu Lanzhou, "No need to summon me; I'm already on my way."
Xu Lanzhou did not bow her head to Master Nan Ma as she had to Dean Mo, but instead gave a very formal military salute. All the military personnel on the bridge did the same, while Dean Mo and others who were non-military bowed their chest to the cheerful bald man, their respect overflowing in their gesture.
The bald man, named Nan Ma, held an exceptional position within the fleet, almost beyond anyone's control.
He smiled and said, "I really don't know if we're lucky or unlucky, to have accidentally crossed into another universe."
Dean Mo became somewhat excited by his words and asked, "Master, is it as I deduced, that we have arrived in a parallel universe? Did you learn this through communication with the universe and star energy?"
Nan Ma scratched the back of his head and said, "That's pretty much the case."
Then he turned back, looked at Xu Lanzhou who was nearly as tall as him and ten times better in appearance, and said, "Captain Miss, I'm very curious. We've left our world behind and arrived in a completely unfamiliar place. The glory of the United Empire and the Chancellor might not shine upon us here. As the fleet's supreme commander, what are your plans?"