Chapter 1021: Let That Guy Take All the Credit

Chapter 1021: This Guy Took All the Glory for Himself

In the central control bridge of the low-orbit defense platform, heads were practically pressing through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"Holy crap!"

"A starship!!!"

"Damn... Old Night Ten actually brought that thing back?!"

"Tch, still calling him 'Old Night Ten'!"

"Exactly! Time changes everything—"

"I heard he even brought back a Gaians!"

"Exciting!"

"What are you so excited about? What's it got to do with you?"

"Come on! Can't a guy be curious what they look like?"

"Hey, 'Wasteland OL' might as well be renamed. The open beta should just be called 'Starfield OL.'"

"Shh! Don't let the dog planners hear that!"

The crowd crammed against the windows were all Alliance players.

Among them were members of the Burning Legion, other regiments, and even solo players without any affiliation.

Welcoming the return of the Orion-class missile cruiser was a limited-time event on the server recently; anyone who signed up could participate.

Of course.

With such a limited-time event, it was almost predictable that everyone would sign up.

Yet the bridge, barely a few hundred square meters, couldn't possibly hold that many people.

Moreover, standing in the "audience seats" weren't just Alliance folks, but also representatives from various wasteland survivor factions—like the Academy, the Corporation, the South Sea Alliance, and even the Eastern Empire.

As the saying goes, joy shared is joy doubled. What fun was it to admire such a massive starship behind closed doors?

It wasn't just Night Ten who was eager to show off; Chu Guang had the same need.

Standing behind the crowd of players, watching the dark, packed throng by the windows, Fang Chang couldn't help but remark.

"I can already picture the grin he'll have, barely able to keep his mouth shut."

"Haha, no help for it—he really did show us all up this time."

Old Bai patted Fang Chang's shoulder with a laugh, his gaze drifting toward the deep cosmos beyond.

From here, looking toward the synchronous orbit, you couldn't actually see the starship.

But that familiar face seemed to have already flown before them.

He could even hear the guy's unrestrained laughter.

Maybe that was psionics, too.

Standing nearby, Edge Wading let out a sigh.

"Never thought... you all took a collective fall, and in the end, it was the most unreliable one who turned things around."

"Unreliable? Not really," Wind said, rubbing his nose with a faint smile. "It's just that Fang Chang usually calls the shots. Not just him—Old Bai and I have gotten used to coasting along."

"Haha, seems about right," Old Bai chuckled.

This time, Fang Chang felt a bit embarrassed. He cleared his throat lightly.

"Actually, I'm not surprised he pulled it off. That guy's luck is extraordinary... Remember the Steel Heart incident? Same kind of situation—he was the only one who survived."

Spring Commander whistled, teasing.

"Just luck?"

Fang Chang shrugged.

"Of course, and perception."

Old Bai: "Hahaha, hilarious!"

While the group was joking around, a few small D-level researchers from the Academy were looking at the noisy bunch with disdain, but dared not say a word.

No reason other than.

These guys were overflowing with martial virtue, and their reputation in the wasteland was formidable.

Still, though they wouldn't dare a direct confrontation, that didn't stop them from muttering behind their backs.

"Do they really expect to see a starship in synchronous orbit with the naked eye?"

"Foolish wastelanders, heh."

"But speaking of which... I heard one of them has mastered psionics and can communicate with comrades five light-years away?"

"Nonsense," a D-level researcher scoffed, glancing sideways at his E-level colleague. "Believe everything you hear?"

The E-level researcher blinked, scratching the back of his head.

"Then... what about that morphogenetic field? The higher-ups have already started research projects on it. Surely that's not nonsense either?"

"That one sounds a bit more plausible."

"...Aren't they the same thing?"

"..."

Besides complaining about the Alliance vault dwellers blocking the entire floor-to-ceiling window, some researchers wore expressions full of envy.

That envy wasn't entirely directed at the starship itself, but also at this "low-orbit defense platform."

Though the Academy possessed countless technologies from the pre-war era, very few could be realized in practice; most were stored in databases.

The main reason was that most creations of the Prosperity Era relied on an intricate, dazzling industrial chain, which the wasteland obviously lacked.

In fact, not just the Academy—even the Alliance or the Corporation could hardly replicate the prosperity of the Human Alliance era.

Yet the Alliance had accomplished something no one else had.

They used the legacy of the Prosperity Era to create a different kind of prosperity.

If the Prosperity Era was a utopia for the people of the old age, then the New Era was undoubtedly a utopia for the wastelanders.

They had forged a future of their own...

Unlike those gossiping "small D-levels," Yang Kai, a B-level researcher, remained much calmer.

Because of his work, he often traveled between Alliance territory and Academy territory, including the Science Committee's special zones, so he was quite used to the players' behavior.

Seeing Yang Kai's expressionless face, the man standing beside him chuckled softly.

"Congratulations—your apprentice is safe and sound... and conservatively, she'll probably be promoted to B-level this time."

Few people could train a B-level researcher before retirement.

After all, Academy researchers usually retired at 50.

Even Yang Kai, who was himself a young and accomplished researcher, had taken nearly 20 years to go from apprentice to B-level, let alone his students.

Yet no one expected that the accident would happen when everyone was least prepared.

A minor E-level researcher shot up to C-level at an incredible, rocket-like speed, and soon after becoming C-level, he encountered major events like the "Death Agent" and "Orion."

In the academy's century-and-a-half history, such a case was utterly unprecedented.

"As long as you're safe, that's what matters," Yang Kai replied with a restrained expression to the congratulations from a colleague beside him.

The man laughed heartily.

"Yes, as long as you're safe."

Yang Kai glanced at him, said nothing, but inwardly began to ponder.

This person was no ordinary figure—he was Qi Liu, the director of the Investigation Department, one of the academy's four major departments!

Although Yang Kai was not a researcher in the Investigation Department, in the academy's strict hierarchy, A-level was already the father of everyone except the Chief Technology Officer and Doctor Conclusion.

Only the directors of the four major departments and retired directors held this rank!

Though based on his record, Yang Kai had met the criteria for promotion to quasi-A-level, the so-called A- level.

But even a quasi-A-level still differed significantly from a true A-level in terms of authority and status.

However, compared to his own restraint, Qi Liu showed no excessive condescension; instead, he was surprisingly approachable.

Yang Kai was momentarily uncertain, unable to figure out what this big shot was up to.

Qi Liu, however, smiled warmly at him and suddenly changed the subject.

"Speaking of which, there's a recent rumor in the academy. I wonder if Mr. Yang has heard of it."

Yang Kai was slightly taken aback and replied cautiously.

"I've been on field missions with the Alliance lately, so I'm not too clear on what's happening back home... I'd appreciate it if Mr. Qi could enlighten me."

Qi Liu raised an eyebrow in slight surprise, then continued with a smile.

"It's just a rumor, and I'm only mentioning it casually. Don't take it too seriously..."

He paused and went on.

"There's talk that the esteemed Doctor Conclusion approached our Chief Technology Officer, suggesting the establishment of a separate department based on the four major ones, dedicated to researching the void, dimensional theory, and the precursor civilization that left this universe, and merging the morphogenetic field-related projects into it."

Yang Kai's eyes widened in astonishment upon hearing this.

His shock wasn't entirely due to the rumor Director Qi mentioned, but rather because it came from Director Qi himself...

Could this even be called a rumor anymore?!

Above the four directors was the Chief Technology Officer—who else could have told him but the Chief Technology Officer himself?!

Looking at Director Qi's meaningful smile, Yang Kai was too stunned to speak.

Perhaps it wasn't just his disciple who would make history; he, as the mentor, might also bask in the glory and make history along the way...

"Typically, quasi-A-level is the reserve director for the four departments. The promotion process usually involves first being placed in a deputy role for training, then taking over when the previous director retires... But this newly created department doesn't quite fit the old method."

"The deputy director of our Investigation Department is quite interested, but I'm waiting for him to hand over his work. If I send him away, who will take over for me? Besides, the ruins of this precursor civilization are different from those of the Human Federation... We haven't even seen what psionics look like, have we? I can't very well shamelessly tell the other directors that this job is ours."

"So I recommended you to the organization... Your research team is probably the closest to the 'morphogenetic field' anyway."

Qi Liu said with a smile, gently patting the stunned Yang Kai on the shoulder.

"Congratulations in advance, Director Yang... If nothing unexpected happens, the four major departments will soon become five!"

While Yang Kai was still speechless with shock, Jiang Xuezhou, aboard the Orion missile cruiser, was also sneezing incessantly.

Watching her sniffle continuously, Ye Shi wanted to take off her helmet to help her wipe her nose, but fearing she might hit him, he could only sympathetically hand her a tissue.

"Are you catching a cold?"

Jiang Xuezhou shook her head vigorously, turned to blow her nose, then turned back to stare at him seriously.

"Ye Shi..."

Feeling the earnest gaze through the dark helmet visor, Ye Shi was momentarily taken aback.

"What's wrong?"

Jiang Xuezhou hesitated for a moment, then whispered.

"When we disembark later, could you say you're the captain... Or let's swap, and I'll transfer the captaincy to you."

Ye Shi was baffled.

"Why?"

Jiang Xuezhou murmured.

"Didn't you say you'd take this ship to the edge of the universe with me? I... I'm afraid that after we go back, my mentor will find out I'm the captain and take the ship away from me."

Ye Shi nearly choked on his own saliva and coughed.

"I don't think the academy would be that petty."

In the past, when he criticized the academy for being narrow-minded, Jiang Xuezhou would argue with him. Why was she badmouthing herself now?

Well, things were different before.

Back then, they had nothing, but now they actually had a starship!

That was what the academy craved most.

Seeing Jiang Xuezhou's nervous expression, Ye Shi couldn't help but marvel at how realistic this game was—even the stubbornness was so authentic.

Though the academy's tsunderes would always bristle like stepped-on tails at certain jabs from wastelanders, when it came down to it, they were well aware of their own institution's flaws.

"That's a starship! A missile cruiser from the Human Federation Aerospace Force! And a fully intact one! Do you know what that means?"

"What does it mean..." Ye Shi muttered guiltily. "The ship's already this battered—they wouldn't use it as a colony ship, would they?"

"Hard to say," Jiang Xuezhou said seriously. "Its hyperdrive still works, and it's the only functional hyperdrive in the solar system."

Her earnest expression warmed Ye Shi's heart.

It was clear she had already come to see this as their future little home, her loyalties quietly shifting toward him, no longer parroting the academy's rhetoric all the time.

Did this count as a successful conquest?

"I'm being serious with you—what are you grinning about!"

Seeing Ye Shi's lips curl up, Jiang Xuezhou raised her eyebrows and pinched his waist in annoyance.

"Haha, I just think you look cute when you're all nervous..."

Seeing Jiang Xuezhou about to explode, Ye Shi decisively stopped teasing and continued in a half-serious tone.

"So, shall we not go back? Elope right now?"

Ye Shi felt the hand on his waist freeze.

Xuezhou, standing before him, was silent for a moment, then muttered softly.

"...It is not entirely out of the question."

Only...

To depart without bidding farewell to her family was, after all, a lingering regret.

Moreover, acting in such a manner might very well place her master in a precarious position.

Though in an academy where human affection ran thin, the bond between tutor and student was less a matter of nurturing gratitude and more of mutual exploitation and shared success, her mentor had treated her reasonably well; the mercy of being left alive was, at the very least, a debt owed.

Beholding her conflicted countenance, Ye Shi smiled and reached out to stroke her perfectly rounded helmet.

"That you would consider my plight so deeply moves me... yet I shall not force you into so agonizing a dilemma."

To expect that merely transferring the captaincy to him would resolve the crisis was far too naive.

To speak in jest, if the Academy coveted this prize, it was by no means certain that Brother Guang did not covet it as well.

Jiang Xuezhou raised her gaze to meet his, her eyes brimming halfway with astonishment, and halfway with profound emotion.

"Ye Shi..."

Ye Shi offered her a gentle smile.

"Be at ease. We shall depart accompanied by the blessings of all others... leave it to me."

The Alliance would never permit the Academy to possess this starship; Jiang Xuezhou’s anxieties were entirely superfluous.

Conversely, neither the Academy nor the Enterprise would ever allow the Alliance to hold sole dominion over a weapon of such extraordinary proportions—especially one capable of maneuvering so fluidly between the Solar System and foreign constellations.

Trust possessed its boundaries, and a weapon of this caliber had already breached them.

No one could guarantee that the hundred thousand missiles drifting overhead would not one day be pointed at their own bosoms.

In this manner, a space for manipulation opened regarding the starship.

Prior to his return voyage from Alpha Centauri, Ye Shi had already devised a solution to this dilemma within his heart.

Simultaneously with the announcement of the discovery of planet Gaia and the secrets of the Pioneer civilization, he would issue an initiative to summon volunteers from the wasteland, embarking together aboard the Orion toward outer systems beyond the Solar System to seek the footprints of the Pioneers.

This grand design would be proclaimed the moment his feet touched the soil of Earth, and executed immediately following the resolution of the Celestial Crisis!

Under the banner of exploring the ruins of the Pioneer civilization, with volunteers from all factions jointly piloting the Orion into the deep void beyond the Solar System—this was the finest conception he could fathom, short of dismantling the vessel entirely, and it was also the most plausible.

In any event, retaining a weapon that defied standard measures within the Solar System remained a latent peril; for any single faction to obtain it would fray the nerves of all others. Rather than inflating the cost of mutual trust, it was far better to simply cast it out into the wilderness of exploration.

Furthermore, it would be an expedition conducted under the open supervision of personnel from every faction.

They would periodically report their trajectory and uncovered clues to the scientific research institutions on Earth, receiving technological assistance in return—a triumph of mutual benefit for all parties involved.

For the great survivor factions, they could ensure the vessel remained under the collective governance of human civilization, while gleaning more exoplanetary data and Pioneer clues through the exploration of extraterrestrial realms.

As time marched onward and the aerospace industrial capabilities of human civilization matured, this extraordinary power would naturally wax and wane in relative terms, ceasing to be so terribly beyond measure.

Gazing upon Ye Shi’s countenance of absolute certainty, Jiang Xuezhou gave a firm nod, took his hand, and boarded the research vessel.

Dora and the Little Koala followed closely behind the pair, settling into their seats with distinct emotions swirling in their breasts.

Meanwhile, within the browsing chamber of Shelter 404.

Watching the research vessel slowly close in upon the near-Earth orbit defense platform through the holographic display, the corners of Chu Guang’s mouth curled into a faint, subtle smile.

In truth, for a fleeting moment, he had wondered if that lad Ye Shi might play at cleverness and simply elope with his little paramour.

After all, the fellow had seriously debated the technical feasibility of elopement upon the forums, and a certain user IDed as [Thunderbolt Dharma King Professor Yang] had even offered a number of self-styled, half-baked stratagems with great solemnity.

Yet it appeared the boy was no fool, having dutifully guided the vessel back home.

In truth, the fellow had absolutely no cause for anxiety; he, Chu, was no tyrannical patriarch who stripped away everything save the pots and pans.

Though he had spoken incessantly of harvesting his players like leeks since the very opening of the server, he had never truly laid hands upon the treasures held by his players—at most, during the days when everyone was destitute, he had settled certain "dungeon spoils" that were utterly useless to the players as quest items, converting them into silver coins.

But had anyone truly suffered a loss?

Facts proved that not a single soul had been wronged.

The Alliance had never mistreated anyone who had contributed their strength to the collective cause.

Thus it had been in the past, and thus it remained today.

At that moment, Chu Guang recalled something, setting down his teacup with a laugh.

"Xiao Qi, speaking of which, would it not be somewhat unseemly to welcome them empty-handed?"

Perched upon the pen holder, Xiao Qi blinked in surprise.

"Eh? Preparing a gift now? But... will there be enough time?"

Chu Guang smiled mysteriously.

"My meaning is, perhaps you could dispatch a server-wide announcement or the like—something akin to a hidden quest cleared, a world boss slain, and casually welcome the Orion back to the ranks, greeting the Aerospace Forces of the Human Union upon their homecoming."

There was no malice intended.

He simply wished to tease Ye Shi, to frighten the lad a little by awarding him a commemorative banner.

In passing, it would also help deflect the envy surrounding the boy.

The lad had monopolized all the glory for himself; over the past two days, the official forums had nearly transformed into a bargain-slashing marketplace, where every refresh revealed calls to "give him a cut," as though the game were unplayable unless this fellow were nerfed.

"Oh—"

Beholding the deep meaning behind her master's smile, Xiao Qi let out a prolonged, sudden realization of an "aww," before her own countenance twisted into a mischievous smirk.

"Hehehe... as expected of Master, how wicked!"

Looking at Xiao Qi who understood him in an instant, Chu Guang nodded with a smile, his eyes filled with commendation.

Truly worthy of his Xiao Qi!

"Do not forget to grant him a limited title and reputation rewards as well, just to make him happy."

Since the starship had already been promised to him, there was no need to speak of mere coin within the quest rewards.

That would be far too vulgar!

Naturally, there was no need to mention the starship either.

If that fellow truly possessed any wit, he would naturally deduce how to retain it.