Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!-Chapter 966 - 676: Solution (2)
The atmosphere in the command center was heavy.
The development that had just gotten on track was abruptly cut off.
The output of the Mine Star itself was limited, relying on the transfusion from Golden Swallow to quickly improve livelihoods and build infrastructure.
Now that the transfusion has stopped, the reserves are visibly depleting, many construction projects are forced to pause, and the flames of hope that had just ignited feel as if they've been doused with cold water.
"We can't keep wasting time like this," Catherine bit her lip, "Our reserves won't last long. And if this high-pressure environment continues, morale will disperse."
Under the oppression of the spaceship overhead, some miners who had just joined have begun to show signs of anxiety and wavering.
They fear that the hard-won "good days" are just a temporary illusion, worrying that eventually the Mine Star would become a sacrificial pawn in the power struggle of major nations.
"What about taking the initiative?" Victor looked at Bai E, "Catch them off guard and focus our strength to raid their flagship? If we can capture or heavily damage their commander..."
"The risks are too high," Catherine shook her head and analyzed, "The opposing fleet is a complete border patrol fleet, well-trained, and their vigilance won't be low. We only have three main ships, and their performance may not even match the opposing standard warships. If the stealth attack fails and they catch us, not only could we suffer a miserable defeat militarily, but we would also completely lose the media high ground — from 'defending our homeland' to 'actively attacking another country's military as thugs.' At that time, Huowali could rightfully launch a full-scale offensive, even sanctioning us with other nations in the alliance."
Proactively attacking holds little chance of success and will lose the high moral ground.
"Then what do we do? Just wait around?" Victor was a bit frustrated.
The silent Black Beast suddenly spoke: "Perhaps... we can find some 'external aid'."
Everyone's gaze turned to her.
Black Beast crossed her arms, leaning against the wall, with a sharp and wild intelligence unique to those who live in the gray areas: "Regular army against regular army, we can't fight, nor can we afford to. But the universe is huge, and it's not just national fleets out there. There are some jobs, some people who are better at this, and... they don't care much about 'status'."
"You're suggesting... pirates?" Catherine's eyes flickered.
Given Black Beast's background, her words inevitably led people to connect her to her past profession.
"No, mercenaries. Or more precisely, interstellar security companies, or 'private military contractors,'" Black Beast nodded, "I know a reliable one. They take on a wide range of jobs, from escort, transportation, planetary defense to... some 'special operations' not convenient for official intervention. Their reputation is good, as long as the payment is sufficient, or the terms are agreed upon, they dare to take on jobs and complete them. When I was a pirate, I often ran into them; if they took action, our jobs were hard to accomplish."
"Which one?" Bai E asked.
"'Dusk,' have you heard of them?" Black Beast mentioned a name.
Catherine pondered slightly: "I have some impression. Known for their significant presence in the border Star Domain and pirate-infested areas, supposedly complex background, but with a high mission completion rate and quite expensive fees. Would they... take on a job clearly opposing a country's regular military?"
"Under normal circumstances, they might not; the risks are too high, potentially causing a mess," Black Beast shrugged, "But now, circumstances are 'abnormal.' Huowali Fleet is surrounded here without proper reason or grounds, perhaps even feeling insecure themselves. I suspect their backing might be... whether certain factions within Huowali, or people like Tu Ge, specifically targeting times when the alliance is overwhelmed and too busy to focus on this area to pressure and seize the advantage."
"That's right," Catherine nodded with a solemn expression, "I've also heard some rumors from previous channels... the Bug Race fleet seems to have some new movements recently. They're not staying put but moving toward nearby human-inhabited planets. Although this message is under wraps, those who should know definitely know. What does this imply? That the alliance, and countries like Huowali, their attention and main fleets are likely drawn or even lured away by the Bug Race! The fleet blockading us now might very well be their limit and possibly acting privately!"
This analysis revitalized the spirits within the command center.
If this is true, the Huowali Fleet itself is also under immense pressure.
They don't dare to truly start a full-scale war, fearing losses, post-conflict accountability from the alliance, and most of all, fear the Bug Race stealing their homeland.
They only wish to use minimal cost — blockade and intimidation — to compel Bai E to comply.
"So, if we can muster a sufficiently substantial mercenary force to break or disrupt their blockade, letting them see that forcibly seizing us incurs a cost far exceeding expectations, they will likely choose to relent or seek other dignified solutions," Catherine elaborated further.
"Yes," Black Beast nodded, "Whether 'Dusk' dares to take the job depending on if we can convince them of two points: First, we possess or have potential to pay; second, the Huowali Fleet doesn't dare or can't afford indiscriminate fighting. This requires negotiation."
Everyone's gaze focused again on Bai E.
Bai E pondered for a moment.
Black Beast's analysis made sense.
The behavior of the Huowali Fleet was inherently suspicious; encircling but not attacking, more akin to some extreme pressure blackmail.
The opponent has concerns, which is a flaw that can be exploited.
"Contact them," Bai E decided, "Black Beast, this task is yours to complete. Request any support you need directly. Catherine, cooperate with her, we need to show them our 'potential' — the trade contracts of Golden Swallow, our preliminary integration of the Mine Star, future development plans, and even... the Bauhinia Republic's possible legal position in the Star Alliance, can all be used as bargaining chips."
He looked at Xu Ruoguang: "The Seventh Legion maintains maximum alert, defensive formations must not be disordered. Meanwhile, have the people below strengthen appeasement and propaganda to the miners, assuring them that the blockade is temporary, we have ways to resolve it, and to stay calm."
"Yes!" Everyone responded in unison. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞
Black Beast took the order and immediately began preparations to contact "Dusk."
This required secret communication channels and reliable intermediaries, fortunately, she had mingled in the pirate and gray zone circles for years, and had her own connections.
Meanwhile, in the distant starry sky, within the flagship "Iron Curtain Judge" of Huowali United States' second border patrol fleet, the atmosphere was equally tense.
Admiral Glen stood with his hands behind his back, staring at the tactical screen firmly locking on Mine Star, without a hint of relaxation on his face.
The lieutenant beside him quietly reported: "General, the transport ships of Golden Swallow Trading Company have been driven away. The external passage to the target planet has been completely cut off. Based on our monitoring, their internal reserves are estimated to last for three to four weeks maximum. Additionally, we've intercepted some of their internal encrypted communication fragments, decoded ones show they are trying to seek external help, possibly... mercenaries."
"Mercenaries?" Glen frowned, "Which company dares to intervene in disputes between sovereign nations?"
"Still unclear, the communication is very secret. But... if it's one of those top-tier, they might dare," the lieutenant spoke cautiously, "After all, our current mission... has not received formal authorization from the alliance."
This was Glen's current biggest concern.
Tu Ge returned to Huowali with the "injustice" claim from Gray Ridge Mine and the report on Bai E as an unstable factor, indeed attracting interest from certain factions within the country — especially the military and some expansionist forces.
