After a night of rest, the next day, Ed Hart and the other four boarded their destroyer and then followed Adrian Vale to depart with the 101st Task Force.
"Commander, how do you plan to approach the Ochus Empire for this mission?"
Inside the flagship of the 101st Task Force, Lena Sterling looked at Adrian Vale and asked:
"Indeed, this mission was not as simple as it appeared on the surface, as there was no dialogue mechanism between the Federation and the Ochus Empire, making contact impossible.
If the fleet were to directly head to Jupiter, they might be shot full of holes by the Ochus Empire's defenders the moment they appeared, without even a chance to speak.
Therefore, how to make contact was the key to this mission.
"No need to go to Jupiter. Have all fleets proceed to Area 498."
"Area 498?"
Lena Sterling pulled up the star map of the asteroid belt and moved to Area 498, which was about 4 AU from the Mars base and located between Mars and Jupiter.
However, Area 498 was not a good place; it was where the Fourth Fleet frequently engaged in skirmishes with the Ochus Empire's fleet.
It was somewhat like a border between the two sides.
"Yes, go there. Precisely because it's an area of frequent small-scale skirmishes, we'll have an easier time encountering their fleet there."
Lena Sterling was somewhat confused. What did going there have to do with their mission today?
In that area, both sides opened fire upon sight, with no communication whatsoever.
Even if you encountered the opposing fleet and sent a message, they wouldn't listen to you; they'd just bombard you, right?
"I know what you're thinking. Let me ask you, if you're fighting someone and they're seeing red, how can you get them to calm down and listen to you?"
"Subdue them directly, or demonstrate an absolute difference in strength to make them understand that fighting you will have no good outcome. Are you implying...?" Lena Sterling's eyes widened.
"Hmm, finally understood?"
Adrian looked at Lena Sterling's enlightened expression and nodded in satisfaction.
Lena had a good foundation, but she was rigid, much like Adeline Hart. She still needed a lot of training to move beyond the deputy rank, Adrian thought, looking at her with a hint of appraisal.
"Area 498 is actually somewhat similar to Area 279, where we fought before. The terrain is complex and unsuitable for large fleets to pass through, which is why skirmishes there are always small-scale. Don't you think it's very suitable for our fleet?"
"Perhaps!"
"Alright, there's still a distance of 4 AU. At our speed of 3,000 kilometers per second, it will take nearly 40 hours to arrive. I'm going to the captain's quarters to sleep for a bit. This is in your hands!"
With that, Adrian Vale got up and walked out of the bridge, leaving Lena Sterling somewhat stunned.
"Commander, you're leaving right after we set sail?"
"Alas, precisely because we've just set sail, the first 2 AU of the journey to Area 498 will be safe. Once we reach the latter half, I won't have time to rest, so getting enough sleep is essential. Alright, I'll relieve you in 18 hours."
Adrian stopped, turned to explain, and then left.
Well, that made some sense.
After all, if all his energy was spent on the first half of the journey, and then something went wrong later, it wouldn't be good if the commander made a wrong decision due to fatigue.
Lena Sterling could only comfort herself in this way.
If Adrian Vale knew what Lena Sterling was imagining, he would definitely say she was overthinking it. He was just going to sleep for a bit—no, to train for a bit—because his Evasion Command ability was about to level up.
After all, Adrian's Evasion Command ability was only C, and upgrading to B would significantly improve his overall capabilities.
The journey was uneventful. The fleet had already traveled 2 AU, and at this moment, inside the captain's quarters, Adrian also opened his eyes.
Ding! Congratulations, Host, your Evasion Command ability has improved. Current level is B. Reward: 2% brain development.
Ding! Congratulations, Host, your Mech Command ability has improved. Current level is A. Reward: 2% brain development.
Ding! Congratulations, Host, all abilities have reached B or above, making you a second-rate commander. You have received a hidden reward: Mech Piloting ability. The system's personal ability panel has also been unlocked.
"System, open the attribute panel."
| Attribute Panel | |
|---|---|
| Host | Adrian Vale |
| Strength | 350 |
| Agility | 350 |
| Reaction | 350 |
| Stamina | 350 |
| Spirit | 350 |
| Intelligence | 380 |
| (Normal human attributes are 50-100) | |
| Lifespan | 500 years |
| Brain Development | 24% |
| Command Abilities | Artillery Command (B), Evasion Command (B), Formation Command (A), Mech Command (B). |
| Personal Abilities | Mech Piloting (B) |
| Mission 1 | Accumulate 500 destroyed Ochus Civilization warships. Current: 208/500. (Completion reward: Energy Shield Technology) |
| Mission 2 | Promote military rank to at least Major General. (Completion reward: Basic Gene Enhancement Potion Technology) |
With a 4% increase in brain development, Adrian instantly felt his mind clearer and his thoughts quicker.
"Hmm, very good. I've finally surpassed that girl Lena Sterling. It's absolutely intolerable for someone with a system to have lower brain development than a normal person."
However, before Adrian could celebrate, a sudden influx of information began to pour into his brain, making him feel like his head was about to explode.
Then he remembered that the system had rewarded him with a new ability: Mech Piloting.
Whenever a new ability integrated into his body, the system would directly inject a massive amount of information into Adrian's brain.
This sensation was incredibly intense, and since he hadn't experienced it for over a year, Adrian had almost forgotten about it.
As for why existing abilities upgrading didn't cause this? That was because the system wasn't upgrading Adrian; rather, Adrian was improving them himself through continuous virtual training, so the system didn't need to infuse information.
Three minutes later, after receiving all the information and reviewing the piloting data in his mind, Adrian was confident that his current mech piloting ability could at least rival the Federation's elite mech pilots.
But, he was a commander. What did he need mech piloting ability for?
Ding! Given the Host's dangerous thoughts, the system will provide a special explanation: 'This system is a Commander System, not a Fleet Commander System. Please do not confuse the two, Host.'
Ding! Does the Host believe that a commander of a mech unit is not a commander? Or that they don't need mech piloting ability?
"Alright, you're completely right. My mistake!"
Adrian shook his head and said helplessly, though he admitted that what the system said was perfectly valid.
Moreover, having such a skill was better than not having it, and there were no downsides.
After everything was settled, Adrian Vale returned to the bridge and approached Lena Sterling, who was sitting in the captain's chair. But what did he see?
Adrian's eyes widened at the scene before him.
Lena Sterling had opened a virtual panel and was drawing something, and as she drew, she even subtly smiled!
But this smile was truly stunning, making Adrian recall a line from an ancient poem: "A sight to rival the muses!"
Following Lena Sterling's gaze, he saw what she was drawing.
Adrian Vale's face instantly darkened.