Chapter 1187: Chapter 446: Fundraising (Five-in-One)

“What’s going on?”

“Did I see it wrong? The departure time has been delayed? Is Vice Admiral Su Ming serving as Deputy Commander?”

“Isn’t it enough to have General Xinlad in command? Why add a Deputy Commander?”

…

Many officers discussed animatedly.

Xinlad glanced at the notification without any change in expression, and sternly reprimanded.

“What’s all the noise about? This is an order from the headquarters, and as soldiers, we must follow it unconditionally. It’s our duty!”

“Yes, sir.”

The officers immediately responded with serious expressions.

“Everyone, await the order to set sail.”

After giving his instructions, Xinlad cut off all communications, with a barely noticeable cold glint in his eyes.

At this moment, Naz spoke to Xinlad with indignation.

“General, it’s that Su Ming again, he’s like a jinx. He’s serving as Deputy Commander, won’t that take away a lot of your military achievements?”

“Let it be, he’s Lord Gakels’ favorite.”

Xinlad replied coldly.

“Only you, General, have such tolerance.”

Naz praised Xinlad.

“Enough of that talk, let’s wait patiently.”

Xinlad said solemnly.

“Yes, sir.”

Naz responded respectfully.

…

On the other side, Su Ming and Lord Rhein returned to the Sunlight.

They entered the central control room.

“Officer Su Ming, you’re back.”

Timi and others greeted respectfully.

“Hmm, how’s the resupply?”

Su Ming asked as he sat down in the command chair.

“Resupply is complete, the logistics team from headquarters expedited it for us.”

Onite promptly reported.

“Very good.”

Su Ming nodded slightly in response.

“Officer Su Ming, should we depart now?”

Timi looked at Su Ming and asked.

“Yes, depart, but not alone. We’re to return to the Federation with the main fleet. Let’s first set sail and leave headquarters to rendezvous with the main fleet.”

Su Ming instructed Timi briefly.

“Okay!”

Timi immediately executed the order.

The Level 5 Battleship, Sunlight, activated its anti-gravity system and began to ascend slowly.

Shortly after, Sunlight sailed out of Cosmic Army Headquarters into the outer starry sky.

Then, Timi displayed the optical images of the starry sky ahead, shocking Rhein and the others as they saw the assembled fleet, prompting them to discuss in awe.

“Oh my god, so many ships?”

“Look, isn’t that the Star Destroyer·Thunder Extreme?”

“Wow, wow, look at the ship in the center of the fleet, isn’t that the world’s most luxurious interstellar cruise ship, Moonlight?”

….

Su Ming was also a bit surprised seeing the assembled fleet before him.

So many Level 5 transport ships, how much material is the Cosmic Army Headquarters transporting back this time?

The escort lineup is also quite formidable, with over twenty Level 5 battleships and mother ships, and a leading Star Destroyer, the combat strength is maxed out.

Who could intercept this fleet?

Besides this, Su Ming also noticed several ships painted with flags from various interstellar companies, which were presumably accompanying.

The most striking one was the interstellar cruise ship in the center area.

The entire cruise ship stretched up to 300 kilometers, its hull slightly resembling a turtle, covered in thick blue armor, with a transparent dome on top where a bustling city could be seen inside.

At this moment, Timi spoke up.

“Officer Su Ming, we’ve received a communication request from the Thunder Extreme.”

“Connect it.”

Su Ming instructed Timi.

“Yes!”

Timi input the command to connect the communication.

Admiral Xinlad’s virtual image appeared before Su Ming.

“General.”

Su Ming politely saluted.

“Yes, General Su Ming! Welcome to the escort fleet; it’s getting late. Are you ready? If everything is in order, let’s set off.”

Admiral Xinlad said steadily.

“Alright!”

Su Ming nodded in agreement.

“Relay my order, everyone set sail!”

Xinlad then gave the order to all the ships.

In the starry sky.

The Star Destroyer·Thunder Extreme led the majestic fleet, simultaneously activating the superluminal flight devices.

The starlit sky rippled in waves.

Thunder Extreme first entered subspace, followed by the rest of the fleet in an orderly manner.

Sunlight took up the rear, waiting until all the ships had entered before increasing the power of its superluminal flight devices to enter subspace.

…

Several days later.

In the Thunder Extreme Central Control Room.

Xinlad sat on the command chair, with Naz standing beside him, holding a report and providing updates.

“Sir, this year, the Military Department allocated a total of 82.2 billion Federation Coins to us, just enough to buy eight Fourth Generation Standard Mecha, which is far from enough.”

“How much money do we have left?”

Xinlad frowned and asked.

“We currently have 178.9 billion Federation Coins on hand.”

Naz reported to Xinlad.

“Not enough, this amount can’t do much.”

Xinlad stood up irritably.

To expand his troops, a large number of personnel, weapons, and ships were needed.

All of these required money.

“Sir, the economy is very sluggish right now, and even the Federation Government is short on funds. Acquiring a large amount of money is really difficult.”

Naz replied hesitantly.

“Difficult as it may be, we must find a way.”

Xinlad snorted coldly.

Naz’s eyes flickered with a thought, and excitedly suggested to Xinlad.

“Sir, I do have an idea to raise some money.”

“Speak.”

Xinlad turned to Naz and said.

“During this escort mission, we’re accompanied by many wealthy and noble individuals from Neutral Countries and the Federation. Even if others lack funds, these people are extremely wealthy.”