Chapter 1, Pirates

The attendant curiously scrutinized the individual. He should be quite tall; although seated, he maintained a straight posture. He appeared to be around thirty years old, with blonde hair and brown eyes. His straight nose resembled a sculpted feature, yet his eyes bore a weariness that belied his age. He was dressed in a blue, semi-fitted top and blue trousers, looking very capable. Based on the well-informed experience of the attendant, this was likely the captain of a private cargo spaceship.

The waiter remained silent, which was quite telling. Angela smiled and took out a gold coin, placing it on the table. Although the new alliance had been using new currency for quite some time, this shiny yellow item was still very popular on the black market. The waiter still showed no intention of speaking, merely wiping the table with a white cloth. Angela added a second gold coin, but it was still ineffective. Finally, he took out a pack of cigarettes and placed it next to the coins.

The capital, Blue Star, is as prosperous as ever, showing no signs of the shadows cast by war. The sunlight remains brilliant, warming the people in the city, with only the enormous warships hovering in the sky, casting patches of shadow on the ground like clouds.

Finally, this Abani actually alarmed Marshal Fashir. Marshal Fashir personally issued an order, commanding the alliance's most elite Red Berets to eliminate this group of pirates

At this moment, the distant sound of cannon fire suddenly echoed, one shot, two shots, three shots, followed by the noise of people in uproar

"Just one day," that person said, appearing quite relaxed, "after replenishing the water and food, I will leave"

"How long will you stay on Blue Star?" the quarantine officer asked

At that moment, the communicator on Angela's wrist emitted a beep

Indeed, the conversation continued under the supervision of General Mohan Is. A fleet of Red Berets was dispatched to the commercial shipping lanes to carry out this mission. Initially, the Red Berets believed that Albani would behave this time, but no one expected that Albani would act out of character, launching an unexpectedly bold and aggressive attack on the completely unprepared Red Beret fleet. The once proud and arrogant Red Berets were caught off guard and disoriented. By the time they managed to react, Albani had already escaped far away. This battle further enhanced Albani's reputation, and now, on Blue Star, everyone speaks of it with trepidation.

"Authentic, produced on Earth," Angela said. The attendant's eyes sparkled as he wiped the table, deftly sliding both the gold coins and cigarettes into his pocket.

"Who says the government has not taken measures?" the host said

The host nodded slightly, indicating understanding, and said: "Then, sir, you must know this person, Abani, right?"

One day ... ... the quarantine officer lowered his head to take notes, "What is the captain's name?"

Finally, Angela spotted an outdoor café on the street. After a moment's thought, she walked over. Several small tables were arranged neatly on the sidewalk, each adorned with a colorful umbrella to shield from the sun, creating a very pleasant sight. There were not many people; only a couple was nestled together, with two glasses of pink drinks in front of them, and an elderly man was engrossed in reading a newspaper. Angela chose a seat close to the street and sat down, watching the passersby with great interest. There were not many people; only a couple was nestled together, with two glasses of pink drinks in front of them, and an elderly man was engrossed in reading a newspaper. Angela chose a seat close to the street and sat down, watching the passersby with great interest.

The discussion must begin with that war. It was the classic battle in which the human fleet, led by Marshal Fashir, who was then a Lieutenant General, completely defeated the invading extraterrestrial race.

"I have heard a little about this," Angela said, lifting her cup and gently blowing on it. "There are many fascinating rumors about the pirate Abani, but I have never witnessed them myself"

"Then why doesn't the government take action?" Angela asked

This is no ordinary warship

Perhaps, the host said, "But perhaps it is true. The most elite fleet of the new alliance is not actually the Red Berets. It is said that there is an entire squadron of such super battleships, directly commanded by Marshal Fashier, which never appear in populated areas. There are rumors that these battleships have been defending the most critical star systems, the coordinates of which are highly classified. There, super battleships are continuously being constructed... Most of the military supplies are transported to those star systems, as revealed by a military transport ship captain who let it slip while drunk here." There are rumors that these battleships have been defending the most critical star systems, the coordinates of which are highly classified. There, super battleships are continuously being constructed... Most of the military supplies are transported to those star systems, as revealed by a military transport ship captain who let it slip while drunk here.

This is why there are so many private cargo spacecrafts" Angela interjected, lighting another cigarette. The attendant noticed that she was smoking high-quality tobacco, clearly indicating that the captain of this private cargo spacecraft was very wealthy

"What is so special about this pirate?" Angela asked casually while sipping her tea

Due to the emergence of Abani, the military committee was compelled to take the matter seriously. The attendant continued, "It is said that in order to thoroughly and efficiently eliminate the entire Abani pirate group, as well as to eliminate the threat to commercial shipping routes, a super battleship has been dispatched for this mission. That is the Lancelot. Do you see those people?" The attendant pointed to the crowd outside and said, "They are all going to catch a glimpse of the Lancelot, you know, no one has truly seen that legendary battleship before.

"Lancelot..." Angela squinted and said, "The Round Table Knight Lancelot... he actually killed his own lord..."

Captain, the cargo has been unloaded and the supplies have been replenished

Oh, sir, that expression of yours seems to suggest that you are unaware that the Lancelot is an incredibly remarkable and *illustrated* matter. From the tone of your voice, it appears that you have come from a very distant place...

Angela shrugged her shoulders, "What exactly has this pirate done? The information we receive is always quite vague; all we know is that a pirate has appeared in the central shipping lanes, causing widespread panic."

Oh. The quarantine officer crawled in to take a look and raised the scanner in hand. The scanner emitted a beam of red light and produced a low humming sound

"I will be right there, sir." The attendant bowed courteously and disappeared. When he reappeared, he was holding a tray with a cup of steaming green tea, its fragrance wafting gently.

A waiter in a clean white uniform promptly appeared, wearing a professional smile, standing beside Angela

Angela stood up and gazed into the distance, but saw nothing; she could only hear the joyful clamor of the people. It seemed that the people of Blue Star had placed all their hopes on this miraculous warship

"Yes, Lancelot." Angela gently tapped her fingers on the table and asked, "What is the relationship between this Lancelot and the pirate Abani?"

This is merely a legend, Angela said淡淡地.

Today is the day of the Lancelot | Lady Voyage, sir, the attendant said respectfully

It is said that, "The attendant said softly, 'During the decisive battle with the alien races, there was a remarkably powerful warship that participated in the fight and played a decisive role. This warship seems capable of moving swiftly from one place to another, completely unbound by the limitations of space, which is quite unimaginable, isn't it? Moreover, its firepower is unmatched by any other warship; it is rumored that this warship can easily overpower an entire fleet of regular warships. However, in reality, no one has ever truly seen this warship; we have only heard some rumors from retired veterans, and the newly formed government does not acknowledge the existence of such a warship. It has always been shrouded in a mysterious aura.'"

"Same as usual, exempt from inspection, regular goods," a crew member said casually while standing at the door

"Tea," Angela said, "preferably green tea, no sugar."

He strolled leisurely with his hands in his pockets, passing through the busy unloading dock where numerous spaceships were docked. Personnel moved back and forth, creating a scene of bustling activity. Upon exiting the dock, he arrived at a flat and wide street, with sunlight pouring down, making it a very warm and comfortable afternoon. The street was quite crowded, with men and women dressed in various outfits jostling against each other. Such a lively scene was rarely seen, and Angela quickly glanced around, noticing that the crowd was surging towards the nearby military port, as if a grand ball were taking place there. Clearly, he was quite familiar with this area, having been here more than once. He casually navigated through one street after another; the complex roads did not cause him to hesitate. At this moment, he seemed to have no particular destination, merely wandering about. Two military policemen approached him, marching with the distinctive gait of soldiers. Angela did not look at them and continued walking at a leisurely pace until the two military policemen disappeared behind him. Soon, at the street corner, another pair of military policemen appeared, patrolling back and forth on another street.

"Cargo spaceship number 021 - 1134, what goods?" The quarantine officer, with the cargo manifest tucked under his arm and a scanner in hand, inquired.

These precious materials were brazenly sold on the black market, resulting in a substantial profit. From then on, Abani's reputation grew increasingly prominent, and his audacity expanded as he continuously attacked military merchant ships, even manipulating the entire black market trade. If he wished, he could double the prices, causing significant damage to the economic order of the Alliance

"Yes, it is indeed the renowned pirate Abani," the host said

I heard that, "Angela said slowly, "the red beret is the most formidable fleet of the Alliance tasked with special missions, used to sweep away the remnants of alien races.

Yes. The host swallowed hard and continued, "Initially, it was a competition among cargo ships for resources, which escalated into armed conflicts, ultimately leading to the emergence of professional pirates dedicated to robbery. Originally, pirates were as numerous as the stars, and most merchant ships formed convoys to bolster their defenses, leaving pirates with only the occasional opportunity to target isolated cargo ships. However, later on, a pirate emerged, known as the Abani pirate. " Originally, pirates were as numerous as the stars, and most merchant ships formed convoys to bolster their defenses, leaving pirates with only the occasional opportunity to target isolated cargo ships. However, later on, a pirate emerged, known as the Abani pirate. "

"He is a pirate," Angela said

"What is it?" Angela asked curiously

"It is truly terrifying..." Angela murmured

Oh, sir," the host revealed that indifferent expression again, "Fortunately, you have not encountered him. It is said that anyone who has seen the pirate Abani has been ruthlessly killed by him, never leaving a single survivor.

"It really is a headache," Angela said sympathetically

"The relationship has grown," the host said mysteriously, "the Lancelot is a newly constructed warship"

Abani is not only cruel but also quite cunning. Initially, the government dispatched a regular fleet to hunt him down, but Abani suddenly vanished without a trace. He then reappeared in another location, this time not robbing merchant ships, but plundering a planetary supply depot. By the time the fleet arrived, he had already hidden himself away. Thus, he engaged in a game of hide-and-seek with the government’s regular forces, leaving the fleet utterly helpless against him

There are indeed many secrets of humanity, Angela murmured

He attacked the military merchant ship and looted the military supplies, killing all the officers and soldiers in the same manner, without even blinking an eye

"The Lancelot has set sail," the host said

"Are you saying ... ... ?" Angela pondered for a moment and said, "Pirate Abani ?"

Soon after the Lancelot departed from the military dock, a small spacecraft also left Blue Star, heading into the distance

"What is it?" Angela opened the communicator

"This is the Lancelot," the host said

Is there anything else that needs to be declared? the quarantine officer asked

"I beg your pardon, what did you say?" the host asked in surprise

I hope they can hang that pirate Abani. The attendant placed his hand over his brow, looking out, "Just like our ancestors hanged the pirates at sea before, hanging them high on the mast of the ship"

There is no way, the quarantine officer said, looking down at the scanner's records, "The times are tough." The scanner finished its work, the green light flashing, everything was normal.

Oh? Angela asked, "Is there any difference?"

"Lancelot?" Angela seemed somewhat curious, "I apologize for my ignorance, is the Lancelot a spaceship?"

"I certainly do not know," Angela said with a slight smile, looking up at the attendant, "I just arrived here today, having just disembarked."

Angela ... ... the quarantine officer murmured, noting it down. Finally, he concluded the routine inspection and closed the record book

I am aware of this. Angela nodded slightly, patiently listening as the host continued: "After the war, the original two alliances, namely the Os Alliance and the Dulles Alliance, were unable to rebuild the government, as the despicable race had caused immense destruction. Therefore, a new alliance was established on the ruins to address the aftermath of the war. Due to the extreme complexity and chaos of the situation, the new government barely formulated new policies and a constitution, hoping to re-establish a new order for humanity in the short term. However, these efforts did not yield good results; the scarcity of resources was paramount. On one hand, the military was significantly weakened after the war and needed to recuperate, while on the other hand, the economy required reconstruction due to the devastation. Both aspects demanded a large amount of supplies, and goods that were once commonplace had become scarce."

"I will be back soon," Angela said, turning around and smiling at the host, "Thank you, I must be on my way now; life is not easy these days"

Angela nodded and watched the quarantine officer leave. The conveyor belt extended to the bottom of the spaceship, beginning to transport the cargo, and everything appeared to be going smoothly. Angela briefly instructed the crew and then leisurely left the spaceship, stepping onto the land of Blue Star

"Wishing you good luck," the host said, "and may you never encounter pirates"

A tall silhouette appeared in the narrow passage, with a cigarette dangling from his mouth, the glowing tip flickering. The passage was somewhat dim, making it difficult to discern his features

The gentleman was unaware of what had happened today? The host noticed Angela's curiosity and politely and warmly inquired.

"I see no mystery here," Angela said with a bitter smile, shaking her head. "Since an entire fleet of warships cannot deal with Abani, what use can this one warship possibly have?"

"Angela," the captain said, extinguishing his cigarette and carelessly tossing it onto the filthy floor

Angela shook her head and remained silent. After a while, she said, "What is the name of the ship that is about to embark on the maiden voyage... what was it called again?" It seemed that Angela had forgotten the name of that ship.

Welcome to Blue Star, you may now disembark, gentlemen

"What else do you think there could be?" that person said, "In this day and age, it's quite difficult to obtain controlled items. Is it really necessary to be this tense?"

The new alliance was established on March 1, 5 years ago

The host donned a solemn expression, as if about to reveal a great secret. His profession's tricks often captivated the bored tea guests, making them listen with immense interest to his boasts, which was something he greatly enjoyed.

Indeed. However, problems soon arose. The government issued a regulation order, first requisitioning these supplies for military reinforcements, which resulted in a flourishing black market and soaring prices. Many cargo ship captains, in pursuit of profit, eagerly engaged in this business; however, another type of trade quickly emerged.

There are so many people today, Angela remarked, either intentionally or unintentionally, her eyes fixed on the street, where individuals continuously walked away into the distance, as if they all shared a common purpose, heading in the same direction

A small transport ship appeared on the horizon, flying lightly like a beautiful little bird. Judging by its precise trajectory, the captain of this ship must be an experienced hand, possessing a strong will and a quick mind. The spacecraft soon entered the blind landing corridor, landing steadily at the control dock, and under the guidance of the pilot, it came to a stop at the boarding bridge. Once it was stable, the airlock of the spacecraft opened with a hissing sound. Quarantine officials boarded the ship.

Abani is notorious for his brutality; his methods of robbing merchant ships are quite sensational. He first unloads all the cargo, then ties up all the crew members, shoots the captain in the head, and finally blows up the merchant ship along with the crew using explosives. He quickly established a reputation among pirates, leaving a terrifying shadow in the minds of merchants. More and more pirates gathered around Abani, forming the largest pirate group. If this alone were not frightening enough, in the end, Abani felt the time was ripe and actually did something that other pirates would not even dare to imagine.

"It is indeed very far..." Angela said with a smile, "It takes several months to get here. The changes on Blue Star are indeed significant, and currently, the information is far less developed than it was before the war..."