A Core Ship From The Start

Chapter 174: Chapter 142: Cosmic Pirates_1

As Duanmu Huai’s warship headed towards the signal spot, the girls also gathered around.

“What’s happened, Master?”

“Oh, nothing much, we have located a distress signal. It’s likely that a merchant ship has been attacked by pirates.”

“Huh?”

In light of Duanmu Huai’s explanation, the girls were taken aback. Even Greiya looked at Duanmu Huai in surprise.

“There are…robbers in the universe?”

“What a surprise, wherever there’s wealth and interests, there have always been thieves and robbers.”

Duanmu Huai casually commented, while monitoring the star map.

“Of course, it’s not to exclude the possibility that the Star Thieves intentionally sent out a distress signal, luring nearby fleets into their net, especially with the present chaotic world.”

The reason Duanmu Huai chose this star territory was because it was a bustling trade route near the Holy City. Precisely because of this, various cosmic pirates would frequently attack human trade caravans here. That’s why Duanmu Huai came here, laying in wait. After all, with the Human Empire in its present dire straits, the order amongst the cosmos was virtually nonexistent. Anything could happen.

It didn’t take long before Duanmu Huai and his group arrived at the signal spot. They then saw a massive transport ship being attacked by another battleship. Both of their sizes were comparable to Duanmu Huai’s Queen Glory Class, merely a bit smaller.

Sighting the images of the two warships on the screen, Duanmu Huai was taken aback.

“Yo, there’s gonna be quite a show.”

It’s no wonder that Duanmu Huai said this. The one suffering a brutal beating was actually a bona fide Milky Way Class Armed Cargo Ship, the most commonly used cargo ship in interstellar trade. It seems that this isn’t some trap by the Star Thieves, but simply a case of snagging prey.

On the other hand, the battleship attacking the cargo ship had a quite distinctive appearance. From its glamorous, ostentatious platinum color scheme and the fourteen Macro Cannons lining its flanks, it was apparent that this was a Holy Grail Class Battleship Cruiser.

After all, the Empire is a proponent of multiple turret systems. All their warships adhere to the romantic concept of “More is beautiful, bigger is better”. Even Duanmu Huai’s Queen Glory Class was no exception. Standing by the panoramic windows on the side of the ship, one could see layer upon layer of massive steel Macro Cannons stacked below, their ominous muzzles ever ready to fire and blast the enemy before them into pieces.

The Holy Grail Class is classified as a “High-Speed Heavy Cruiser”. Simply put, it was designed with the concept of building a fast, yet agile and potent heavy cruiser.

Of course, such a good thing hardly comes by. Although the Holy Grail Class was indeed a dream come true, with high speed and high offense, its armor was as strong as paper; it was infamous for its glass cannon effect among battleships. If someone attacked it, it would probably be obliterated instantaneously.

Despite its numerous problems, gamers still loved the Holy Grail Class.

The reason is simple. It’s cool!

After all, ordinary gamers can’t obtain battleships or flagships early on in the game. Therefore, the Holy Grail Class remains one of the highest-grade warships they could acquire during the early stages. Furthermore, high offense and high speed appeal to some gamers. As for its glass armor… well, that can be improved over time.

However, as for Duanmu Huai, it was somewhat of a pity.

“What a pity, they’re humans. If only they were those sprouts.”

Looking at the battlefield before him, Duanmu Huai helplessly shook his head.

“Should we launch an attack, Master?”

At this moment, the Holy Grail Class had entered Duanmu Huai’s range. Mia had already locked onto the target. The moment Duanmu Huai gave the command, she could barrage them with a spear array and blow them sky-high.

However…

“No! It’s such a good piece of equipment, it’d be a shame to destroy it. Prepare the Jumping Torpedoes!! Order the Night Guard team to the launch site. We are boarding them!”

Duanmu Huai issued the orders excitedly, then left the command room, leaving behind a group of bewildered girls who had no idea what Duanmu Huai was planning.

As far as Duanmu Huai was concerned, he had been waiting for this day, for a very long time!

Boarding is the epitome of a man’s romance. Interfleet bombardment is outdated! Not to mention, Duanmu Huai realized that the Holy Grail Class didn’t even have its Void Shield up. This made it the perfect boarding target! In the game, players’ favorite tactic was boarding. After all, what could be more exhilarating than forcefully breaking through the opponent’s defenses, causing chaos within, and finally, making both the opponent’s body and mind surrender to you?

Soon, Duanmu Huai arrived at the torpedo launching site, where several figures in black power armors stood. They were the Night Guards. However, they did not use their original forms; instead, they used a form of soul possession to attach themselves to the power armors of the Star Warriors. This not only ensured their combat capabilities but also negated the possibility of being wiped out. At least if the power armor was breached, they would find it completely empty, and the Night Guards used the opportunity to return directly to the mothership.

Despite the similarities, Duanmu Huai insists on asserting that this situation is completely unrelated to a certain Red Letter Warrior!

“Board the ships, prepare for combat!”

Following Duanmu Huai’s command, the Night Guards in power armors lined up and stepped into the enormous torpedo launching tubes adjacent. Once they were positioned within the torpedoes, a large mechanical restraining device extended, tightly fixing them into place.

The very next moment, several massive torpedoes burst straight from the launcher and shot directly toward the distant Holy Grail Class Battleship Cruiser!!

Perhaps they were too engrossed in their attack against the cargo ship, the Holy Grail Class Cruiser didn’t react until the torpedoes were almost upon it. It tried hastily to change direction and avoid the attack, but it was too late.

The drill-like tips of the torpedoes spun, tearing through the outer hull, and then, the huge, pitch-black cylindrical objects ruthlessly penetrated the ship’s body. Upon the opening at the front, the next moment, a rush of strong warriors surged out, pouncing like hungry wolves toward the core of the battleship.

For Duanmu Huai, the internal structure of such a battleship was as familiar as returning home. He dashed out of the torpedo and strode straight towards the passage that led to the command room.

But……

“Wow, the interior of this ship is so broken.”

Looking at the filthy corridor before him and the floor leaking from all over, Duanmu Huai couldn’t help but lament. He had previously wondered why the other party hadn’t raised their Void Shield, but now it seemed, given the quality of their warship, whether the Void Shield could still be used was a question.

Many places were empty and bare, even areas where machinery was originally installed had been stripped clean – well, it’s not surprising. Ordinary people wouldn’t have a good impression of machinery, and after so many years, they might have forgotten the use of it. Perhaps the Mecha Spirit of this warship had already been destroyed.

The Mecha Spirit is like the artificial AI core of a warship. Normally, it’s tough to control a warship without a Mecha Spirit, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be used without one. Of course, many Mecha Spirits develop higher-level wisdom over the years.

Duanmu Huai’s Queen Glory Class also does not have a Mecha Spirit installed. Most of the equipment is manually operated. He plans to wait until the analysis of Yakon technology is complete and then use their system to upgrade the control of the ship. As for the Mecha Spirit…he’d prefer not to use it if he doesn’t have to.

After all, he didn’t have a Mechanical Priest singing binary hymns to the Mecha Spirit all the time here.

“It’s here!!”

As Duanmu Huai turned another corridor, he heard shouts and chaotic footsteps from the other end. He saw a group of guys in ragged armor, like a bunch of ragtag soldiers, rushing toward him with their guns. Seeing Duanmu Huai and the rest of the jumping squad, they were immediately stunned!

However, the next moment, an unexpected scene occurred.

Those ruthless Cosmic Pirates lost their nerve almost instantly when they faced Duanmu Huai. Most of them dropped their weapons and ran back crying, while the few who remained held their guns with jittery hands. Watching Duanmu Huai stride toward them, they shook like bamboo poles in fear.

[Cosmic Pirate A came into contact with the Fearful Aura]

[Exemption verification in progress…… exemption failed!]

[Cosmic Pirate A has entered a Panic State!]

[Cosmic Pirate C came into contact with the Fearful Aura]

[Exemption verification in progress…… exemption succeeded!]

[Cosmic Pirate B has entered a one-round Trembling State!]n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Hmph!!”

Watching the system prompt in front of his eyes, Duanmu Huai snorted and swiftly averted his gaze. He then swung the War Hammer in his hand, instantly smashing the standing Cosmic Pirates into a pitiful mess smeared on the wall. Duanmu Huai then continued forward, charging toward the command room of the warship.

At this moment, the command room was in chaos.

“What’s going on? Where did these people come from?!”

Looking at the scene on the screen, the Star Thief Leader slammed the table with rage. In fact, he didn’t notice when Duanmu Huai’s battleship approached. If it hadn’t been for the enormous size of the Queen Glory Class, he’d probably not realize what happened even if it hit him on the nose.

What he hadn’t expected even more was that the opponent would use such a strange combat method! They actually stuffed people into torpedoes and directly launched them!

While talking to himself, the Star Thief Leader seemed to realize something. He grabbed a thin figure sitting next to his chair and shackled in chains, lifting him up.

“You idiot! Why didn’t you warn us of the danger! Speak! If you had told us earlier……!”

“Boom!!!”

However, the Star Thief Leader hadn’t finished speaking when the command room door was kicked open. Duanmu Huai strode in with the War Hammer in his hand. His arrival startled the Star Thieves around him. Most of them screamed and ran away in madness, while the rest rolled their eyes, frothed at the mouth, and fainted.

“Your evils deeds end here, scum!”

Duanmu Huai roared, and looked at the Star Thief Leader. Under Duanmu Huai’s ferocious gaze, the Star Thief Leader trembled. Then, looking at Duanmu Huai, he directly – fell to his knees.

“Spare me, oh good sir!!!”