Early January, Galactic Stellar Calendar 3032 · Fierce Dragon Star System
After more than half a month of round-trip raids, Zhao Chen's Fierce Dragon Fleet declared the surprise attack operation a complete success.
"Finally home," Zhao Chen sat in the captain's chair, gazing at the cosmic scene before him, which in reality looked no different from any other star system.
But knowing that the coordinates were now within the Fierce Dragon Star System, he couldn't help but feel a sense of homecoming.
"Commander, here is the detailed battle report for this engagement," Secretary Officer Lilith reported to Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen looked at the battle report document panel before him.
The most significant expenditure was naturally the deployment of the T2 Lion King-class Heavy Interstellar Missile Ships, consuming a total of 2,500 Lion King-class interstellar missiles, valued at 1.5 million Star Coins.
Next were the costs for replenishing the lost stellar fighters and stellar drones from the T3 Phoenix-class Heavy Carrier Starship, as well as the repair and resupply expenses for the damaged interstellar warships.
In total, the Fierce Dragon Fleet's expenditures for this battle amounted to nearly three million Star Coins.
The spoils brought back included 110,000 slaves and a total of 102 interstellar warships of various models, comprising 62 combat-type T2 interstellar warships and 40 auxiliary-type T2 interstellar warships.
The latter primarily consisted of interstellar transport ships.
Although the operation did not seize a large amount of resources or supplies, the investment and returns were undoubtedly balanced.
The potential value of those 110,000 slaves could be continuously tapped in the future.
"Relocate all these slaves to Dragon Star One. Conduct data collection on them, investigating their races, skills, abilities, and so on.
Those with professional skills can be assigned to corresponding positions based on job requirements. If there are women suitable to become starship crew, they can be enrolled in the Goddess Academy-class Starship for further training.
As for the captured T2 interstellar warships, send them all to the Lion King Star System.
Arrange for the prisoners from the slave merchant fleets to undergo labor reform, providing only the most basic nutrition meals. Those who perform exceptionally well may earn their freedom and receive a better food allowance standard," Zhao Chen instructed.
Dragon Star One was the planet Zhao Chen had secretly arranged for the Dwarves and later for the Bloody Mary Mercenary Corps, which he named "Dragon Star One."
The reason for sending the captured T2 assault warships to the Lion King Star System was primarily to avoid leaving any clues for the Prince Party in the Fierce Dragon Star System. Although the probability of discovery was low, it was always better to err on the side of caution. Moreover, under Zhao Chen's watchful eye, the combat capabilities of these T2 interstellar warships were negligible.
"Understood," Secretary Officer Lilith immediately went to arrange these matters.
"Then notify Annie; I need to discuss future construction plans with her," Zhao Chen said seriously.
The interstellar warship designs in his possession needed to be put into production as soon as possible!
"Yes."
After handling these matters, Zhao Chen let out a long sigh and opened the system interface.
It was a new year, and both the quarterly and annual missions had refreshed.
[Quarterly Mission:
Requirement One: Exchange one combat-type and one auxiliary-type T3 Starship Blueprint each.
Requirement Two: The number of T3 interstellar warships must reach 50.]
The second option wasn't particularly difficult; as long as the production tasks for the Fierce Dragon Fleet proceeded smoothly, it could basically be completed.
The first requirement, however, placed some demands on Zhao Chen's System Points and Task Points.
[Annual Mission:
Requirement One: Possess a Legion-level Starfleet (3,000 interstellar warships), of which 300 must be T3-class starships. (110/3000) (Incomplete)
Requirement Two: Possess a T4 Combat-type Starship. (Incomplete)
Requirement Three: The Average Living Index of the Fierce Dragon Star System must reach "7" or above. (0.6/10)
Requirement Four: Possess the Imperial Nobility Title of Marquis or higher. (Incomplete)
Requirement Five: Possess 20 System Product T3-level technological expertise. (11/20)
Note: Completing any four of these requirements will count as completing the Annual Mission; completing all five will grant an additional reward: a "T5 Starship Technology Blueprint."]
After seeing the requirements of this Annual Mission, Zhao Chen was almost stunned.
There really were a lot of requirements!
But when he saw that line of reminder text, Zhao Chen felt as if struck by lightning!
A T5 starship?
This actually dangled the temptation of a T5-level starship before him!
It was important to know that, up to this point, the three major powers of the Galactic Alliance had only just gained a firm foothold in the field of T4 Technology. Although rumors suggested that all were researching T5-level technology, no T5 starship had officially made an appearance yet.
The situation with the other two factions was unclear.
But Zhao Chen could confirm that the Stellar Glory Empire had definitely not made any major breakthroughs in T5 Technology starships. After all, the Empire only had two models of T4 Interstellar Warships!
The technological foundation was too shallow; even if they had ideas for developing T5-level starships, they lacked the capability.
And now, this reward was placed right before Zhao Chen's eyes.
"What four or five! I, Zhao Chen, have always seen things through from start to finish. Since five tasks have been given to me, I, Zhao Chen, will absolutely complete every single one without leaving any unfinished!" Zhao Chen declared with unwavering determination in his heart.
Analyzing these five mission requirements carefully, they could basically be divided into three levels of difficulty: high, medium, and low.
First, the low difficulty.
"Requirement One"—establishing a Legion-level Starfleet of three thousand interstellar warships, including three hundred T3 interstellar warships—wasn't particularly difficult.
Even without considering overall Combat Capability, if Zhao Chen simply mass-produced T3 Triceratops-class Interstellar Heavy Assault Frigates, he could meet the requirement of three hundred T3 interstellar warships within a few months.
Next were the medium-difficulty tasks.
"Requirement Three"—achieving a living standard index of 7, "Requirement Four"—possessing the title of Marquis or higher, and "Requirement Five"—possessing 20 System Product T3-level technological expertise.
These three fell into the medium difficulty category. While not easy to accomplish, they could be managed with proper planning.
The only high-difficulty task was "Requirement Two."
Requirement Two demanded possessing a T4 Combat-type Starship Technology Blueprint. On the surface, this requirement didn't seem too difficult.
After all, Zhao Chen already possessed several T4 Technologies. The problem lay in its unpredictability.
It all depended on luck, something Zhao Chen couldn't control.
Unless Zhao Chen could upgrade the System Store to T4 Level.
"No matter what, if there's a challenge, we face it; if there's no challenge, we create one!" Zhao Chen clenched his fist, determined to complete this Annual Mission no matter what.
That was a T5 Interstellar Warship, after all.
Just imagine, while others were still smugly flaunting their Tier-4 Interstellar Warships, he could roll out a T5 Interstellar Warship to dominate the scene.
What a sight that would be.
By then, Zhao Chen would likely wield significant influence within the Stellar Glory Empire.
Who would dare provoke him? He could simply drop by in his T5 Interstellar Warship for a "friendly visit."
Now, isn't that impressive?