Shadows of the Deep Space
Chapter 555 - 346 Dark Forest (Five in One)

Chapter 555: Chapter 346 Dark Forest (Five in One)

The next morning.

Inside the Emperor’s Central Control Room.

Vickers Major General sat in the command chair, holding a steaming cup of coffee, and gently took a sip.

Colonel Zhou Quan walked up to Vickers and spoke.

"General, do you want to rest for a while? I can keep an eye on things here."

"No need, we are now within the territory of the Dark Star Empire, and trouble could arise at any moment. It’s safer if I personally keep watch."

Vickers Major General declined Colonel Zhou Quan’s kind offer.

"Alright."

Colonel Zhou Quan, hearing Vickers say this, did not persuade further.

At that moment, Lieutenant Zhou Yuelin, looking at the alert popping up on the scanning device, immediately reported to Vickers Major General.

"General, the scanner has detected 3 searching ships, located at our 7 o’clock, 11 o’clock, and 2 o’clock directions!"

"Carefully avoid them, the Empire’s talons are unusually sharp."

Vickers issued the order in a grave tone.

"Yes!"

Zhou Yuelin nodded in response.

In the starry sky, the disguised Emperor continuously adjusted its course, dodging these searching minions.

Because the ship was covered in a mechanical octopus disguise, the Emperor could not travel very fast.

Therefore, each evasion took a little bit of time.

Zhou Yuelin and the other operators, each of their nerves tensed up. Although they knew that under normal circumstances, the enemy ships couldn’t detect them, they were still afraid of making any slips.

Fortunately, they managed to shake them off without any mishaps.

But before Zhou Yuelin and the others could sigh in relief, a red alert suddenly popped up on the operation screen.

"Warning: Ahead is the Dark Star Empire, Lekega Space Monitoring Checkpoint."

Zhou Yuelin quickly activated the optical device to observe.

In the starry space ahead, scattered like black gemstones, were mechanical monitoring devices intermittently flashing red lights.

At the center of the checkpoint was a small monitoring fortress.

Zhou Yuelin hurriedly reported to Vickers.

"General, ahead is the Lekega Space Monitoring Checkpoint, equipped with standard YCS-01 monitoring devices, within the cloaking range."

"Understood, pass through carefully, don’t blow our cover!"

Vickers instructed Zhou Yuelin.

"Understood!"

Zhou Yuelin responded solemnly.

...

Inside the control room of the Lekega Space Monitoring Fortress.

A man dressed in a Dark Star Empire Lieutenant uniform, his face full of pockmarks and with a large nose, sighed as he looked at the monitoring screen.

"Staying in this god-forsaken place is depressing. I wonder when there will be a chance for promotion and heroism!"

"Heroism? At this shoddy checkpoint, if we really find something, they’ll wipe us out with one strike, and we’ll lose our lives! Listen, Derda, forget those fantasies. Come over, have a drink, and eat some meat. That’s the real deal."

A middle-aged man with slightly white hair and a big nose set up a simple table with three dishes of meat and a bottle of industrial liquor on it.

"Coming, Chen Qi."

Derda walked over and sat down.

Chen Qi hastily poured a drink for Derda.

"Let me tell you, staying here isn’t bad. Although it’s a bit lonely, at least it’s safe. We don’t have to be sent to the front lines, constantly in fear. These days, being able to live peacefully is quite good."

Derda took the drink, looked at the starry sky outside the window, and downed it in one gulp, then said with deep emotion.

"Ah~ I know, but isn’t it a bit regretful? Wasting the best years of my life here. Do you know I’ve been guarding this wretched checkpoint for over thirty years, it’s almost driving me neurotic!"

"Only thirty years? I’ve been here for over fifty years."

Chen Qi replied with a smile.

"Ah, when will these days end, huh?"

Suddenly looking puzzled, Derda spoke as he gazed at the starry sky outside.

"What’s the matter?"

Chen Qi asked, puzzled.

"Something’s not right. Why are there a few stars missing? There should be seven visible."

Derda furrowed his brow as he spoke in confusion.

"Let me have a look!"

Chen Qi came over to look and said.

"It’s seven; no problem at all. Are you seeing things?"

"How could I be seeing things? I’ve been sitting here for so many years. Could it be I’m really having a nervous breakdown? I need to see a doctor."

Derda said worriedly.

"See a doctor? Just have a couple more drinks and sleep it off. You’ll be fine in the morning! Seeing a doctor doesn’t cost money? With your meager salary, don’t you need to support a family?"

"You’re right; have a couple more drinks and sleep it off."

....

Inside the Emperor’s Central Control Room.

Zhou Yuelin took a deep breath and reported to General Vickers.

"General, we have successfully passed the checkpoint without being detected."

"Hmm, continue moving forward!"

Vickers said in a heavy voice.

...

At this moment, in the distant starry sky, a swordfish-shaped 3rd-class battleship, 5 kilometers long, was rapidly moving.

Inside the central control room.

A nonchalant, somewhat ruggedly handsome man sat in his chair, his feet propped up on the console, boasting in high spirits.

"As long as we find the trace of the Federation’s troops, our days of glory will come. I could not only get promoted three levels directly, but the Empire would shower us with rewards, and the beauties would follow."

"Matko, stop daydreaming. The Federation is most likely to attack the Main Star of the Star Lords from 30 to 36 near the defensive line. Everyone is searching in that area, who would come here near the borderline like us? Could it be that the Federation’s troops come in only to leave right away?"