Chapter 1280: 413. Like an enemy, like a friend
United Bureau’s permanent security forces are of two types.
The first is the Security Guard tasked with guarding the large star gates; they usually station near the star gates and do not leave their posts, hence they are also known as Customs Guards or Star Gate Guards.
The second type is the Mobile guards that move within various star systems, typically consisting of at least one engineering expert, one negotiation expert, and one combat commander, along with 13 interstellar ships.
Six combat escort ships are responsible for anti-missile defense and destroying drones, three battle cruisers handle electronic warfare and anti-jamming operations, three battleships provide firepower output, and one raider ship offers strategic support and heavy reinforcement.
The mobile guard that appeared near the man-made black hole was commanded by Captain Leighton.
He graduated from the Dikaja Federation Space Navy Academy and, after serving five years in the United Bureau, successfully advanced to the rank of captain and acquired his own fleet.
...
Generally, either the formal space navy of the Dikaja Federation or the United Bureau’s security forces would not get involved in players’ affairs.
But this time was different.
The black hole that appeared in the deep space zone of the Lisom Star System had caught the attention of the United Bureau. noveldrama
Moreover, the extraordinary characteristics displayed by this black hole have given many human cosmic powers, including the Dikaja Federation, hope in mankind’s ability to harness the power of black holes.
Therefore, under the guidance of various human cosmic powers, the United Bureau stepped forward and sent Captain Leighton to negotiate with the mysterious individual in the black hole.
Intelligence indicated that the black hole was likely created by an extraordinary individual who possessed magical powers.
The Metal Creation Group had previously provided the United Bureau with a decrypted document.
The content of the document revealed the existence of a highly developed magic civilization within the black hole in the Cane tip seat.
Clues related to magic have emerged in both black holes.
The black hole in the Cane tip seat was huge and intimidating.
Compared to it, the black hole in the Lisom Star System was just a tiny speck.
Given the choice, anyone would pick the smaller black hole that seemed easier to handle.
So, Captain Leighton brought his fleet here.
Joining him were the engineering expert Cam and the negotiation expert Doris.
The latter two did not participate in the fleet’s combat missions but only provided advice in ship maintenance, engineering construction, and public relations.
“Should we follow the Undying’s example and board the escape pods to approach the black hole?”
On the Domic unmanned battleship, Leighton discussed with the two experts in the control room.
Leighton had the typical look of a Federation Man from Dikaja, with a broad forehead, short brown hair, a straight nose bridge, and brown eyes.
His question made both experts appear solemn.
The engineering expert Cam, a middle-aged man with freckles on his face, shook his head repeatedly, advising:
“No, that can’t be done. Even though the black hole isn’t large, it is still a black hole. Its power is enough to tear apart any ship. The Undying might be driving escape pods into it to minimize the loss of ships, banking on their fearlessness of death to daringly rush in. But we can’t do that unless we use clones.”
The negotiation expert Doris, with her rare pale blue long hair and eyes as bright as sapphires, agreed:
“I think so too. We should have some Undying relay our goodwill instead of rushing in recklessly.”
Captain Leighton nodded thoughtfully:
“Then, in the name of the United Bureau’s 11334th Mobile Guard, let us broadcast our cooperation signal to the Undying in this star system.”
The United Bureau’s Security Guard had achieved intelligence automation.
Once Captain Leighton gave the order to the AI Navigator on the ship, the intangible broadcast signal began to spread throughout the star system.
Soon, a few small players who had just left the black hole and returned to the space station received Captain Leighton’s signal.
These signals were translated into Task Information by the Starry Sea Game and displayed on the players’ game interfaces.
Eagerly, they boarded the escape pods provided free of charge by the space station and set off again, warping close to Captain Leighton’s fleet before embarking on his ship.
After a conversation, the small players who were employed as Wizard Apprentices relayed Captain Leighton’s words to the Little Elf Guards in the Magic Academy through the chat functionality among players.
After some time, Noland Lee, who was in the Magic Academy Castle verifying player spies, received a brief message from Captain Leighton.
Captain Leighton’s message was straightforward.
He came on behalf of the United Bureau, intending to purchase information about the black hole from Noland Lee.
If possible, the United Bureau hoped to send a scientific research team to be stationed inside the black hole’s internal space.
Noland Lee noticed that the United Bureau seemed to have a natural goodwill and curiosity towards things related to the Undying.
This wasn’t at all surprising.
The Undying, also known as players, were a group that could achieve things normal non-clone pilots could not.
Just the act of daring to venture into deep-space zones to stop crimes, exterminate rogue drones, or eradicate pirates already set the players far above the average non-clone pilot.
If a place was one the players frequented happily and tirelessly, it was essentially a treasure trove, capable of bringing wealth and benefits.
This had become a common understanding among the United Bureau and many human cosmic powers.