Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!-Chapter 942 - 662: Sources of Supplies—Battling Pirates (2)

Those miners heard the name "Blood Claw," and their faces looked even worse.

An old miner clenched his fist, knuckles turning white, and muttered under his breath: "Those beasts... Last month, Old Tomi's daughter from next door accidentally got taken by them. Later they found her, but there wasn't even a complete body."

Another miner cast a complex glance at Bai E and the others: "Before... nobody ever cared. The Republic didn't care, and now no one cares."

The implication in his words was clear: both despair and a barely detectable probe.

Bai E said nothing, turning to walk toward the direction of the tunnel exit.

Catherine and Victor exchanged a glance and hurried to follow.

Climbing to the surface, amidst the swirling sands, they could see dots on the horizon gradually descending—a silhouette of ships, entirely black.

Similar in style to "Black Pearl," as described by Wild Wolf in memory and seen in Freeport, but seemingly of a different model.

"The position they're landing should be the Black Steel Mine," Catherine judged.

Bai E watched those black ships silently for a moment, then suddenly asked, "These pirates, who do they sell their ores to? How do they trade?"

Catherine hesitated before understanding Bai E's intention: "You're thinking... to seize their channels? Or rob them?"

"Sent right to us, isn't it?" Bai E's gaze was calm. "We need a quick entry point to obtain a large amount of resources. Pirates control the mine, have existing ore production and transport capabilities, and might even have their own smuggling network. Moreover, they're illegal, dealing with them would bring less psychological pressure and external resistance."

The appearance of pirates was a nuisance to the miners here, but an opportunity for them.

Victor was somewhat excited but also worried: "Big brother Bai E, you mean... we should take down this pirate base, and take over their mine and supplies? But to control a mine, these pirates probably aren't weak; surely they have armed forces."

Catherine also pondered: "Moreover, we don't know whether Blood Claw has a bigger backer. Would acting directly bring bigger trouble? Our current forces are still quite weak."

Bai E shook his head, "This kind of trouble is no longer a trouble."

Development needs planning, killing only requires a target.

A bunch of pirates, as long as they're not a massive cosmic body like Blood Ming, Lei Long, or Thousand Stars, can always be wiped out.

"First gather some intelligence." Bai E said softly, "Probe them; then we can send them away. Taking it down, we can obtain a batch of ready supplies, even some ships and arms. With these foundations, we can talk about the next stage of development."

"Okay." With the backbone's opinion, Catherine nodded, "We'll handle this with Victor; we'll find a way to inquire with the miners. They have been here on the Mine Star for years and know a little about these pirates. Plus, I can try to access the recent movements within the pirate sphere through some old hidden channels."

"As fast as possible." Bai E looked at Catherine and Victor. "We didn't come here begging, nor to slowly farm. Time waits for no one; the Star Alliance's review period, Peak Alliance might intervene at any time, including those miners... They've been in despair for a very long time. We must open up the situation faster."

Catherine saw from Bai E's eyes the familiar decisiveness moving forward, and the benevolent compassion from a higher position toward his people, which made her feel reassured.

"Understood, I'll go gather intelligence now."

Over the next two days, Bai E remained at the basic mining area.

Using techniques learned from Helen and the assistance of Spiritual Energy, he got several near-scrapped mining machines operational again, surprising several miners secretly.

Whenever he thought of that name, Bai E couldn't help but become distracted.

Helen... If only she could be here now.

A nearly all-around scientist; with her here, maybe the technology level of Mine Star could be raised quickly.

And she personally...

Catherine and Victor acted separately and soon obtained enough information—

Blood Claw Pirate Group is indeed a medium-sized pirate force active in this Stellar District, roughly possessing ten ships of various sizes, core members numbering a few hundred, plus controlled miners and slaves, totaling possibly over five thousand.

They are notoriously cruel and oppressive to miners.

Previously, they seemed reliant on a larger pirate force, but over the past month, their actions appear even more wanton.

Some miners vaguely heard guards chatting, saying something like "Things are messed up on top," "Boss is dead," "Now whoever seizes it, it's theirs."

Catherine also received more valuable information.

Through a reliable old ally, she indirectly gathered some whispers from the pirate circles:

Salvador, the infamous Pirate King dominating nearby Stellar District—a month ago—completely disappeared from his fleet.

Originally, his fleet came forth with rumors belying, saying the Black Emperor was merely hired by the government to help fight a certain battle.

After the battle, their pirate group ties to the Peak Alliance would be official; then they would possess a legit background in this Stellar District, behaving even more unscrupulously.

But now... The district's contests have ended for days, yet the Pirate King still hasn't returned.

Some say he died in the contest... Though this rumor isn't completely verified, even his own fleet cannot step forth to clarify.

Internally, they've even begun infighting.

This situation instantly stirred intense chaos in the whole pirate sphere.

Numerous large pirate groups that previously depended on him are fighting each other, seizing territories and resources, while more, like Blood Claw's medium and small powers are taking the chance to become independent, frenetically plundering to expand themselves.

"This matter... You probably know best." Catherine looked at Bai E.

She didn't know the details, but when called to the Thousand Stars Commerce Alliance's Starship, the Pirate King had already disappeared... He had been fine during the contest.

Considering the armed forces of Thousand Stars Commerce Alliance, on Xing Zhuo's indication, once targeted Bai E... after thinking, if there hadn't been a war of might, how could those in Thousand Stars Commerce Alliance heed Bai E's orders without reservation? 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Perhaps the sacrifice for the war of might was the Pirate King?

"He did indeed die." Bai E nodded.

"Then that makes sense." Catherine continued analyzing, "So Blood Claw is currently in a period of expansion and chaos; they just rid themselves of former superior constraints, eager to consolidate territory and accumulate wealth. During this time, their vigilance toward the outside world might be high, but internally not so stable. Moreover, to seize the heritage left by Salvador, they might deploy portions of elite forces to partake in farther galactic struggles, leaving the forces on Mine Star possibly not the strongest."

Bai E listened to all the intelligence, silently moving outside the shack, gazing toward the direction of the Black Steel Mine.

The sandstorms persisted, but he seemed to hear cries of enslavement and oppression from there, and saw there minerals, equipment, ships they urgently needed...

And, a flag-worthy sacrifice to consolidate mine star morale and proclaim "New Bauhinia" as not merely an empty talk—the first trophy.

"Prepare, please." Bai E's voice was calm. "Victor, you stay here, protect the mining area, and consider organizing some willing miners to assist; they won't need to fight, just handle the subsequent reception and transportation."

"Catherine, get me a mecha."

Catherine's eyes sharpened, "The mecha is in the transport ship and can be called upon anytime."

"Then let's depart." Bai E walked out first.

"Guys!" Victor went among the miners to clap and call loudly, "We're heading to fight pirates! Who wants to join us!"