Skyfire Avenue - Chapter 755

Chapter 755

Chapter 755: Poseidon’s Surprise

“I hope you’re able to keep your promises, Admiral . Do whatever you can to protect our home . ” Sylva Austin was no longer concerned with the return of his fleet . There were more important things to consider now . Even if they were absorbed by the East, even if they became beholden to their Alliance, their survival would mean a chance for their family .

Richard saw Lan Qing from a different perspective . He looked so familiar! He looked like that man… the one who… why did they look so similar?

The sounds of footsteps approaching from outside interrupted his thoughts .

“I heard you took the Austin’s fleet?” Lan Jue stepped through the door and called to his brother . He only noticed the other two men after he spoke .

Richard froze, but quickly his face turned dark and angry . This thief was the last man he’d expect to see here . He could see the relation between Lan Qing and Lan Jue right away . If only he had known perhaps he wouldn’t have given his family’s ships up!

Lan Jue cast him a glance, walked over to his brother’s side, then laughed amicably . “We meet again . ”

Lan Jue could almost hear Richard grinding his teeth . “Zhou Qianlin? Where did you kidnap her away to?”

Star Division’s commander heaved a sigh . “Please stop asking pointless questions like that . I’m fairly certain you will never have an opportunity to see her, ever again . ”

Richard paused, and little by little the rage drained from his face . Thi man, standing beside the Eastern Admiral, with an aura no less impressive than Lan Qing’s, made Richard feel just as small . Why did he have to suffer such disgrace? Why was he not given a chance?

His bitterness showed plain on his face . “Is she well?”

Lan Jue scowled . “Not really . ”

“What?” Richard’s anger flared again and he took a step forward . A hand shot out and grabbed Lan Jue by the front of his shirt . Sylva didn’t have an opportunity to stop him .

The Western president was filled with dread . How could he son act so brazenly in their weakest moment? This was their ship – their lives were in the East’s hands .

Richard’s eyes were red as he glared at Lan Jue . “’Not really’? What’s the matter with her?”

When he saw the look in the young man’s eyes some of the distaste Lan Jue bore for Richard melted away . Whatever sort of man he was, he really did care for Qianlin .

“She got hurt trying to protect me . Don’t worry, I’m working on a cure . ” Lan Jue said it like a solemn oath, and made no effort to extricate himself from Richard’s grip .

The Austin successor’s breath was quick and ragged . Eventually he loosened his hold . When he spoke his words were lilted with depression . “Care for her, keep her from harm . I know any chance I had with her is gone, but I still hope for her happiness . ”

“Yeah . I’ll make sure of it . ” Lan Jue nodded resolutely .

Richard stared at him for what felt like a long time . All of a sudden he felt different, something clicked in his mind . It was a moment of maturity, and the animosity he bore for Lan Jue disappeared . So did the flame he carried for Qianlin . Instead, he heard the words of his father echoing in his mind .

Lan Qing had a soldier take the two men away . Only once they were gone did he address his brother . “Weren’t you locked away, preparing? What brings you out?”

Lan Jue smirked . “I’m more or less ready . ”

Lan Qing’s eyes sparkled . “So you mean…”

He nodded . “But I can still hold back . I believe the longer I resist the better the results will be when the time comes . When the Pharmacist broke through there was a surge of incredible energy – I think it was Occisus waking up . It was so powerful it scared the Violet Princess away . When Qianlin and I break through the burst will be twice as potent and I don’t want to waste it . We’re moving in on the aliens now, so this presents a good opportunity . ”

Lan Qing rewarded him with one of his rare smiles . “Good . When you break through we’ll have to find a time to spar . ”

Lan Jue answered with a dark chuckle . “I’m gonna kick your ass . ”

Lan Qing muttered something, a few quiet words, but they wiped the grin from Lan Jue’s face . “Could you not? This is revenge!”

Lan Qing’s reply was indifferent . “It was father’s decision, if you have a problem with it you should speak to him . If you could convince him then you don’t have to worry about the title . ”

“Ruthless! I’m leaving . ” Lan Jue spat the words in irritation and spun around to leave .

“Wait a moment . ” Lan Qing called him back .

“Eh?” When Lan Jue turned back his brother was once more the definition of solemn duty .

“Early reports say things are pretty bad . Aliens have already taken several of the planets around Europa . I’m sure you know what they’re up to . We’re going to face the enemy with only three bastions and few soldiers . But sometimes few soldiers can have its advantages . ”

Lan Jue’s heart jumped . “You think the aliens will underestimate us and rush in?”

The Admiral nodded . “If we came in with seven or eight bastions I’m not sure we’d have a better result than last time . We haven’t done well with direct confrontation . But we’re only bringing three, and I’m sure they’ll know it . ”

“Father said those successive teleportations must have weakened them . At their level, if they get too weak they won’t have the energy necessary to resist the pressure universal protogenia . That would mean their immediate destruction . I imagine they’re more worried than we think . When you’re worried you make quick and stupid decisions, which I suspect they will if they think we’re in an inferior position . If we can confirm that they are beginning the evolution process then we should press the attack . ”

“The problem we’re facing now is uncertainty in how long their evolution takes . That leaves us no choice but to hurry as much as we can . It’s a gamble, but gamble or not it’s the best option . We need intelligence, and I’m sure you know specifically what intelligence we need . If the aliens are distracted, that’s the time to strike . ”

“You’re right,” Lan Jue agreed . “I’ll go . I’ll make every effort to find out what we can . ”

A strange look overcame his brother’s face . “A-Jue, you know I hope this mission of yours isn’t successful . ”

“Huh? Why?” Lan Jue asked, confused .

He explained . “If they’re doing all they can to prevent it, chances are high they are trying to hide their evolution . Prepare to dispatch . I’ve back two plans to formulate, and once they’re ready it’ll be time to act . Hua Li is nearby, we’ll be meeting up with him soon . ”

“Alright!”

The Austin family had left with only a single fleet . However, as one of the most important families in the West their ships were special . They were better equipped and more powerful than standard military vessels . When the money flowed who didn’t want to spend some of it on security? Cost didn’t matter when the results were good and useful . It was as true for their mecha suits as it was for their ships .

The Austin’s ships were equipped with the best Western equipment their money could buy, as well as some choice items from the North . How they got their hands on it, you’d have to ask the Austins .

It didn’t take long to incorporate them into the Eastern legion, especially with the cooperation of their crews . The stronger they were together, the better their chances of success . Six fleets now surrounded Middle Heaven as they continued deeper into Western territory .

A day later they stopped again, though not to intercept . This time they were joining up with friendly forces . A sky-blue bastion ship hung in the darkness of space before them . It was about half the size of An Lun .

Middle Heaven was the largest bastion ever created, and it was only possible because of the molinite discovered in its core . The fact that it was a planet with a lithosphere all its own constituted its size .

Meanwhile the other ship was constructed from some nameless blue material they weren’t familiar with . Lan Qing and Lan Jue both looked at it from the window . After going over the analytics for the ships, they both shared a single thought questioning Hua Li’s modesty .

Just looking at it they could tell it probably had more firepower than the North’s Terminator-class . Its size didn’t seem to affect this . It was also surrounded by four interstellar fleets, each ship coated in the same cobalt blue . Four full fleets!

Everyone always talked about Poseidon Group’s riches, that they were the greatest human family . Lan Qing and his brother didn’t know precisely what that meant until they saw the results of those riches hovering outside their window . Compared to Poseidon Group, the Austin family was hardly worth notice . If Hua Li and his people wanted to take over the West they surely could, so long as the East and North didn’t interfere .

“You sure brought us a pleasant surprise, A-Li!” Lan Jue spoke to the pretty face looking back at them from the screen . Praise was evident in his voice .

Hua Li chuckled . “The Four Divine Horsemen are riding together into battle, we need to make a show of it . This is all of our family’s strength and wealth . And they’re all under your command, big brother 1 . We serve at your command . ”