Chapter 483: Reaction (2/2)
Allowing the students to return and bring their families along was Shang's idea. Shang explained in detail to Ye Chong the reasoning behind it. There must be many family members for all these students, and it may seem like a larger burden on their escape plan. However, it was the only way to persuade the students to leave with him. Besides, if they encountered any danger, the students would naturally fight with all they got to protect their families. On the other hand, the starship was large enough to accommodate everyone with room to spare, requiring no further effort from Ye Chong.
Shang concluded that it was an all-benefits-and-no-harm bargain.
Ye Chong mused over his reasoning, realizing that there was a lot of thought was put into this seemingly generous offer. Shang and Mu are truly very different!
”Let me reintroduce myself. I am Group 24's instructor, Shen Ruxue. I think that we're going to be partners in the foreseeable future.” Shen Ruxue finally composed herself, and realized that she did not know this instructor's name, only referring to him as Number 231. In fact, the Research Consortium did not require real names and information in order to be hired. This was a norm in Gray Valley. There were no countries in Gray Valley, and territorial boundaries were many and complicated. It was too easy to forge an identity.
”Jay!” Ye Chong replied to Shen Ruxue with his fake name that Shang had conjured up for him. Ye Chong did not feel guilty at all for lying about his name. It was becoming second nature.
Shen Ruxue asked straightforwardly, ”Do you have a plan?”
Shen Ruxue's skin was tanned, probably due to prolonged outdoor activity. Her body was all muscles and no fat, and her fitting combat uniform traced her curves clearly. She had short and clear cut hair, a sharp chin and arching eyebrows. Upon closer inspection, he found that this female mech pilot actually refreshing, with perfectly balanced facial features.
The now calm Shen Ruxue looked honest and open, lacking the typical shyness found in other women. She smiled when she noticed Ye Chong's gaze on her, unannoyed by it. She could see that this Jay guy was not leering at her.
Ye Chong found himself impressed by her a little more. He had always been very choosy with his comrades. So far, the only ones that he acknowledged as comrades were Mu, Shang and Rui Bing.
Rui Bing … That training garb, white as snow, the girl who sat high and straight …
Ye Chong quickly gathered his thoughts and replied calmly, ”I have many.”
”Many?” Shen Ruxue looked surprised. She studied the reserved man beside her, and could not see anything unusual about him. She was about to ask him some more when Jay closed his eyes and sat down. Shen Ruxue hesitated before joining him on the floor.
Ye Chong was conversing with Shang.
”Ye, I've checked all the starships in the docking zone. Today, there are a total of 125 starships scheduled for departure. 16 of them are large-sized starhips. Six of these are already filled up with goods. Two of them carry maintenance parts, while the other four carry goods including energy cells. Our main options are these four starships.”
Shang paused, unable to hide his excitement. He was always more interested in these kind of activities.
”These four starships are not too heavily guarded. However, the one called Haskel has the weakest security. Hence, this will be our main target.”
Ye Chong listened closely, taking in every detail.
”Haskel will leave at 2250, but her crew will assemble at 1900. Our operation must be carried out before 1900. Ye, I will first hack into their control photon processor to take over their starship systems. I believe this operation will not too difficult for you, but there are a few things to keep in mind. To avoid causing any damage to the starship, I think it's better if you don't attack with mechs. Haskel's crew will keep the starship flying, so their safety is of the highest priority.”
Ye Chong thought through Shang's plan and did not see any obivious holes. They decided to go ahead with the operation.
By then, some of the students had already returned with their families. Since they were brought to the training camp so abruptly, they looked mostly confused and afraid. The families discussed amongst themselves in bafflement. Most of them looked at Ye Chong doubtfully.
Xi Qing was from Crysound City, so he was the first to come back. He brought not only his family members, but also his good friend White. White himself had no surviving family members since his parents died two years ago.
Xi Qing settled his family down before rushing back to Ye Chong, panting. White remembered Number 231 as a failed instructor, and could not believe that the front line had lost. He was only here because of his friend. In fact, he believed that all this trouble was some trick played by the failed instructor.
”Instructor, what do we do next?” He had hurried to and from his home, and could barely catch his breath. However, deep down, he was feeling excited. Shen Ruxue was now looking at Xi Qing.
Ye Chong opened his eyes, took a glance at Xi Qing, then dropped a bombshell, ”We're hijacking a ship.”