Charlotte fell silent for a moment in response to Zhao Chen's words.
She slipped the handheld terminal onto her wrist and used its authority to access the relevant data on this starship.
What she saw left her stunned.
Wide-eyed, Charlotte looked incredulously at Zhao Chen beside her. "Are these starship data... all real?"
"Of course they're real," Zhao Chen replied, almost like a proud parent showing off their child. "So, what do you think of my starship?"
With a serious expression, Charlotte said, "If the data displayed here is true, then this starship would be nearly unbeatable in T2 starship combat!"
Unbeatable.
What a terrifying assessment.
If Zhao Wan'er and Li Wei heard this, they would surely scoff. How could a starship cobbled together from three broken-down vessels become an unbeatable T2 starship?
What a joke.
"In a moment, we'll head out for a trial voyage. You can assign the starship crew to their positions," Zhao Chen said, scratching his nose awkwardly. "Due to... my current lack of funds, this trial voyage will serve as your familiarization and training phase for the starship.
I hope you can master its operation as quickly as possible."
"May I see the slave list you purchased?" Charlotte asked.
"Sure, you can access it through your authority."
Charlotte opened the list of potential crew members, which included the one hundred beastman slaves.
All of them were Charlotte's companions, which softened her gaze and filled her heart with guilt.
The thought of so many of her people still being prisoners made her deeply uncomfortable.
"Fortunately, these are experienced crew members. And since this is only a T2 starship, they should be able to master its operation in just a few hours and be ready for combat," Charlotte replied.
Zhao Chen smiled with satisfaction.
Half a day later, Charlotte had familiarized herself with the Zero Blizzard, and the other beastman crew members had also finished their preparations.
"This is the list of positions I've assigned to the beastman crew. Operating the Zero Blizzard requires only fifty crew members," Charlotte handed Zhao Chen a roster.
"Assign the extras as backups for various positions. Let them familiarize themselves with the working environment first," Zhao Chen instructed. This was his first starship, but it wouldn't be his last.
These crew members could later be assigned to other starships.
"I've already submitted a departure request to the starport. The rental period for this starship workshop is almost up, so I used what little funds I have left to rent a berth at the Academy's starport.
Once the trial voyage training is complete, we'll return directly to the starport berth.
I've purchased some basic bedding and daily necessities. From now on, you'll live on this starship.
As for other living supplies, I'll figure something out later," Zhao Chen said, feeling a pang of heartache as he spoke.
His account balance was dwindling rapidly.
Now he had to support one hundred beastgirls. He had to find a way to make money.
It was truly pitiful for a starfaring lord to be this poor.
"Understood," Charlotte accepted Zhao Chen's orders, gradually settling into her role.
Zhao Chen sat in the captain's chair, gazing at the old bridge. His heart was resolute—he must possess a genuine T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser!
"This is your living area. Five people per room.
For meals, there are two servings daily. Report to the dining area on time to collect them.
Each workstation operates on a three-shift rotation system, with shifts alternating in turns.
Understood?" Charlotte looked at the one hundred beastman starship crew members before her. This feeling was as if she had returned to the era when she was still fighting in the Rebel Interstellar Fleet.
Half a year had passed, yet it felt like a lifetime ago.
"General... are we really going to fight for that human?" a beastwoman crew member raised her hand and spoke at this moment.
The other beastmen were also in low spirits.
After all, their status as slaves still weighed heavily on them, causing immense mental pressure.
"All of you were once my subordinates. It was due to my incompetence that you have fallen to this state. If you are still willing to trust me, I promise I will restore your freedom.
Captain Zhao Chen has promised that as long as we fight for him for three years, he will grant us our freedom.
At the same time, as long as we achieve meritorious service in battle, he will also help us search for companions who have been sold to the Stellar Glory Empire.
Perhaps you do not trust humans, but... I, Charlotte, am willing to trust that man. So... please trust me. I swear by the honor of the White Tiger Clan that I will bring everyone back!" Charlotte's words and emotions moved the beastman warriors present.
And this scene, including the oath, was witnessed by Zhao Chen on the bridge at this very moment—the bridge had surveillance covering 80% of the starship's areas.
It must be said that Charlotte spoke very bluntly. She was fighting for Zhao Chen now not out of loyalty, but for freedom.
Zhao Chen did not resent this. On the contrary, it was precisely because of this that he chose to trust Charlotte.
It wasn't as if he could just casually buy a slave and have them kneel before him, pledging loyalty. Zhao Chen would actually distrust such a person.
Soon, the previously cluttered starship workshop was completely cleaned out, with everything that could be taken away removed.
At the same time, the navigation channel of the starship workshop was opened.
'Identification... Zero Blizzard... permitted to enter branch line D13 lane.'
Zhao Chen sat in the captain's chair, looking at Deputy Captain Charlotte beside him.
And the dozen or so beastman crew members who had now appeared on the bridge.
"Depart," Zhao Chen said.
Deputy Captain Charlotte relayed the command: "Activate the starship engine, enter branch line D13 lane."
The beastman crew members operated the starship somewhat clumsily, but everything proceeded smoothly nonetheless.
A few minutes later, the Zero Blizzard emerged from a lane of the interstellar city that was the North Star Starship Academy.
The bridge of the Zero Blizzard was fully enclosed, relying on imaging equipment on the outer hull to project several external views of the starship inside the bridge.
Looking at the cosmic scenes appearing on the projection screens before him, Zhao Chen felt a surge of excitement.
He was now sitting on his own starship, sailing through the universe...
"Captain, we will now proceed with twenty-nine trial voyage training exercises. Please issue the command," Deputy Captain Charlotte said, turning to Zhao Chen.
"Begin," Zhao Chen replied.
Having a competent subordinate was truly a blessing—there was no need to handle everything personally.
"Course 071/299, starship engine power output at 30%, speed 30 knots stellar speed." Deputy Captain Charlotte issued the navigation command with great professionalism.
Subsequently, the Zero Blizzard began its first trial voyage training.
...
"Continue on this course, starship engines at full power output, speed 100 knots stellar speed. All compartments within the starship, closely monitor relevant data and report immediately if any abnormalities are detected." Deputy Captain Charlotte was now conducting the final trial voyage training.
Full-speed navigation.
This tested how all aspects of the starship operated under the fastest and most extreme speeds.
This was also what Charlotte was most concerned about regarding this starship. After all, less than a month ago, it had been three separate starships!
One minute…
Three minutes…
Five minutes…
Ten minutes…
"Report, engine system all normal, power supply all normal."
"Report, hull structure all normal."
"Report, navigation stable, no abnormalities detected."
...
Three hours later.
Deputy Captain Charlotte let out a long sigh of relief. She looked at Zhao Chen, straightened her posture, and said, "Report, Captain, all 29 trial voyage training items for the Zero Blizzard have been completed. Awaiting further instructions."
"Return to base," Zhao Chen said with a smile. "I think someone is already getting impatient for a beating."