The projection screen went black.
Lyu, calm as ever, said, "There’s nothing interactive to watch anymore."
Kolev shook his head, eyed Yang Ming’s exclusive chair, and with a mischievous grin, walked over and sat comfortably in it.
"Feinan, move forward three... Oh ho ho, this feels great. It can fly at sub-light speed, can’t it?"
Lyu and 026 were whispering secretively to each other.
An electronic manual appeared in front of Kolev, it was the driving guide for Feinan.
Two Galaxy Time units later.
Yang Ming appeared on Feinan, looking dejected.
The process of wooing Miss Hera hadn’t gone smoothly.
While Kolev was grilling barbecue on the ship, he warmly beckoned Yang Ming to sit down. 026 brought food reserved for the captain.
The track robot serving as the barbecue stand used its battery to provide stable energy for the grill.
"Got yourself another lover?" Kolev asked.
Yang Ming squinted and smiled, various images flashing through his mind.
He had to admit, the experience was indeed novel; Hera, pretending to understand, had a charm entirely different from that of the Living Officer sister.
However, when Yang Ming tried to get serious, Hera would quickly escape his grasp, her slightly nervous expression and confused gaze filled Yang Ming with guilt.
Yet, upon reflection, Yang Ming realized that after taking Hera’s first kiss, it seemed more like... he had been taken advantage of by Hera.
If it weren’t for the opportunity to take advantage of the chaos in the New Federation, Yang Ming really planned to give himself a few months off to spend time with Hera.
It was just too interesting.
Yang Ming asked, "How’s Feinan?"
"Great," Kolev said, "though it might be inappropriate to say this, it’s practically a dream ship tailor-made for piracy! We could use it to rob a Dreadnought!"
Yang Ming laughed and teased, "If we encounter a heavy battleship, we’d have to flee for our lives. Isn’t there a fleet next to the Dreadnought?"
"That’s just an exaggeration," Kolev said, biting into the juicy grilled meat, a reminiscent look on his weathered face, "Tell me about your plan."
"There’s no specific plan yet," Yang Ming said, "just to go to the New Federation, find the tech company we want to steal secrets from, and then engage in some espionage activities."
Kolev couldn’t help but remind, "The New Federation isn’t so easy to deal with; their internet technology is highly advanced. It’s not something you, as an assistant, could easily handle."
"Of course," Yang Ming blinked, "last time, we faced significant resistance."
Kolev glanced around, lowered his voice, and asked, "White Ghost?"
"You’re now a core member of the White Ghost Organization," Yang Ming said, pretending to be serious.
"What?" Kolev’s Adam’s apple bobbed, "This cool? I’m at this age, and I can still become a member of such a super crime organization, that’s just incredible!"
His eyes glowed with intense brightness.
Yang Ming laughed, "If you don’t want to go on an adventure with us, you can continue with your old lady social dance."
"Oh, you reminded me," Kolev asked, "How long are we planning to go this time?"
Yang Ming replied, "Around a month or two. If we’re discovered, we’ll return immediately. At most, it won’t exceed two months."
"Then you can take me with you," Kolev laughed, "Being away from this side for too long will also cause some issues. I really miss the times we went on adventures together."
Yang Ming reminded, "Espionage activities can be very dull, especially when it comes to stealing business secrets."
"Don’t worry," Kolev said, "As long as there’s sailing, I’ll find fun. This time on the surface was too boring! When do we depart?"
"Tomorrow or the day after, you can finish your work."
Yang Ming thought for a moment and calmly said,
"I need to ask my current girlfriend for permission, we’re in a passionate relationship, you know, young women at this stage are usually quite clingy."
"I also need to bid farewell to my ladies one by one," Kolev said, taking a big bite of grilled seafood.
Yang Ming winked at the old man, unbuttoned his shirt, and let his pecs bounce slightly, irritating Kolev to the point of rolling his eyes.
When Yang Ming returned to the transport ship where Hera lived and informed her that he would be leaving for work for a while, Hera’s response was quite indifferent.
"Don’t you feel any reluctance?" Yang Ming asked, puzzled.
"Our relationship at this stage should be as lovers, not spouses," Hera said, "We don’t have to be responsible for each other’s actions, nor do we have to supervise each other’s movements. Where you go doesn’t concern me."
She glanced up at Yang Ming, a hint of confusion in her eyes, "Isn’t that right?"
"Nothing, that’s great, not interfering in each other’s lives," Yang Ming shrugged with open hands, "Then I’ll get ready for my trip, you stay busy."
Yang Ming halted his steps and glanced back.
Hera, with a hair tie in her mouth, let down her tied-up hair, leaned on the table, and calmly pulled down her shirt collar, revealing her right shoulder and collarbone.
"Does it feel anything?" she asked.
"Of course," Yang Ming admitted honestly.
"We can gradually advance our relationship, as long as both of us feel comfortable.
"But I must say, I need to dedicate most of my time to my work because only work and innovation are the only means to realize my life’s value."
"So, if you want to engage in male-female interactions outside, please remember to take precautions, I won’t mind as long as you don’t tell me."
He couldn’t shake the feeling that he had become a third wheel, the third wheel between Hera and her work.
When the agreed departure time came, Yang Ming deliberately delayed for half an hour to create the illusion of a passionate relationship with Miss Hera.
Kolev firmly held the square helm, sitting in the main driver’s seat, with no intention of giving the spot to Yang Ming.
"Captain," the old man asked with a cheerful smile, "please set the course."
"Destination: New Federation border. We have to take a big detour to get there," Yang Ming said, standing with his hands behind his back, speaking slowly, "To save time, we’ll make consecutive jumps, and after entering New Federation territory, we’ll refuel."
"That’s a bit risky," Kolev said, putting on safety goggles in a serious manner, "Let me first try sub-light speed flying!"
Yang Ming asked seriously, "Uh, can your body handle it?"
"Aren’t there any protective devices?" Kolev asked, a bit nervous.
Of course, there were protective devices.
Moments later, Yang Ming, Kolev, and 026 were all enclosed in a colorful bubble. Kolev, eyes shining, pushed the square helm to its limit.
Feinan suddenly accelerated, the wings scything through space, leaving a long contrail, eventually transforming into a flash, heading toward a more distant Star Domain.
If the perception of time were accelerated a few hundred times, one might see Feinan repeatedly returning, almost always laden, in space outside Ilando Star.
The Time Book turned a thick stack forward.