"How are things? Have you seen the assault boat yet?"
Carlos's heart had just sunk because of Miller's situation, when he saw Zhao Yue enter the combat meeting.
Zhao Yue had been preoccupied with the assault boat, and as soon as the emergency meeting there concluded, she immediately inquired about the situation.
"Reporting, Commander, we have located the assault boat, and the advance team is currently investigating it."
Standing before the holographic star map, Zhao Yue gazed at the sleek, black assault boat and murmured, "Beautiful, I didn't expect it to be the latest model."
Carlos nodded and continued to report, "There are no safety issues on the assault boat. Inside the control room, there's an unconscious pirate. The advance team is currently troubleshooting why the assault boat can't fly."
At that moment, the voices of a few other members of the advance team came through.
"We found the reason. There's insufficient energy in the energy room, so it naturally can't start."
"The main energy compartment has been emptied! Only a backup battery remains, maintaining basic system operations."
"It's not just an energy issue; the engines and warp drive in the power system are gone. It looks like they were deliberately removed."
"The weapon room and defense room are also empty. It seems even the surveillance equipment was taken."
The adjutant beside Zhao Yue frowned, "Commander, it seems we've been played."
Zhao Yue hadn't expected the mysterious seller to hollow out the assault boat. She glanced at Carlos.
Could it be that this kid negotiated too aggressively and angered the other party?
Carlos: ...sweating profusely.
"Report, a large quantity of illegal Star Pirates' goods were found in the storage room."
Finally, some good news.
Carlos secretly let out a sigh of relief.
The last area was inspected, and indeed, just as that enthusiastic individual said, they were given the assault boat's frame and the Star Pirates' cargo.
Hearing this result, Carlos felt a bit of regret.
He should have quoted a higher price initially.
However, even though it wasn't exactly as they had envisioned, getting these items for 20 million star coins was still a huge profit.
The spaceship's energy issue wasn't major; they just needed to have the team's logistics bring some backup energy to install.
Other missing systems could also be installed once the assault boat was brought back to headquarters, as they wouldn't directly use the Star Pirates' equipment anyway and would certainly replace it.
It was just a pity he couldn't see the assault boat's power system. He was truly envious of the Star Pirates' spaceship speed. If he could obtain that modification technology, the Patrol Department's efficiency would greatly improve.
Never mind, greed leads to indigestion.
Carlos asked Zhao Yue, "Commander, that seller was quite trustworthy. Should we pay the final balance now?"
Zhao Yue tapped her finger on the table, "Pay it. Remember to also transfer the bonus we discussed earlier to them."
The adjutant leaned over and quietly asked, "Should we track down the seller?"
Zhao Yue shook her head, "No need. The other party did deliver as agreed. They should be someone with a bit of a temper but who keeps their word. We've already gained the assault boat, so it's not good to pursue them and anger them."
She thought for a moment and added, "Also, keep the details of the assault boat transaction confidential. Inform everyone involved in this mission that they are forbidden from disclosing the assault boat's origin."
Carlos and Zhao Yue were in agreement.
Although it was not exactly as they had expected, the other party did keep their promise and delivered the assault boat to them intact.
—In the cave—
Lin Wei Yu looked at the images on the tablet and the notification of the final payment arriving, nodding with satisfaction.
Originally, she had even taken some special measures to prevent the other party from reneging and refusing to pay the final balance.
"Little System, did the Patrol Department track us?"
"No. But even if they did, there's no need to fear! They can't trace this system, and the money paid has already been laundered. They can't trace it."
"That's good. They still have some conscience."
"System, I'm giving you and Beibei 10,000 star coins each from this money. You can spend it yourselves."
"Wow! Does that mean I can shop on StarNet now!"
The System was a bit excited. Although it could also purchase items in the System Store, this time it felt different somehow. Receiving this money made it feel exceptionally happy.
"Yes, if you buy physical goods, remember to encrypt the address."
Lin Wei Yu continued to watch the controller until the patrol team left.
During this time, the System reported no signs of any tracking or searching.
She stroked her chin, then suddenly revealed a cunning smile.
Since the other party was so cooperative, she might as well do them a favor.
"Host, what do you want to do?"
"Send them a small gift~" Lin Wei Yu tapped the control panel thoughtfully, "Didn't we scan the entire system architecture of that assault boat?"
"Yes, this system has already helped the Host scan the assault boat data and archive it."
"This includes design blueprints for 137 subsystems, such as the power system, weapon modules, and navigation core."
Lin Wei Yu pulled up an encrypted file. "Little System, send this blueprint to the patrol team. Just give it to their General Commander and Patrol Team Six Captain."
Little System was a bit puzzled: "For free?"
This was a bit unlike the Host's style.
"Think about it," Lin Wei Yu explained, "These patrol team guys are always playing cat and mouse with the Star Pirates. If their ships are slower than the Star Pirates', how embarrassing would that be?"
"I heard that every year, patrol team members fail to capture Star Pirates because their ships aren't fast enough, and many times they even face retaliation from the Star Pirates. Although I prioritize profit, I respect these people who protect something."
Lin Wei Yu paused, "Besides... we might even do business with them in the future."
The System recalled reports it had seen while browsing StarNet, such as "Patrol Team bravely repels Star Pirate attack, but suffers heavy losses..."
"Understood! The Host is a good person!"
Lin Wei Yu smiled faintly and shook her head, "No, this is called... hmm... strategic customer care."
"It's also our small contribution to combating the Star Pirates."
Although she kept the assault boat's power system, she could still give the patrol team a little help.
After all, in terms of combating Star Pirates, these people in the patrol team truly put in their blood and sweat.
According to the System's investigation, Patrol Team Six was also a relatively clean team.
The System understood that the Host wanted to use the patrol team's hands to retaliate against those Star Pirates, but it also felt that the Host was doing good deeds.
It decided to wholeheartedly approve the Host's decision. Retaliating against the Star Pirates was a good thing!
It was those Star Pirates' fault for provoking the Host; they deserved to be retaliated against.
What if the Host was harmed and in a bad mood, affecting mission output?
Having understood its Host's capabilities, Little System had already decided that it would handle logistics well for the Host so that the Host could focus on the Renaissance.
It even felt that it was truly unfair for the Host to live on this uninhabited planet. It decided to go through its inventory again to see if there were any good things to reward the Host with!
While Lin Wei Yu was conversing with the System, the Federal Interstellar Patrol Team finally installed a new energy core in the assault boat.
The warship that once belonged to the pirates was reactivated, now shining with the light of justice, ready to begin its new mission.