Shadows of the Deep Space

Su Ming listened to everyone's discussions and smiled as he spoke to Mia.

"Teacher Mia, let's board the ship first."

"Alright!"

Mia didn't stand on ceremony with Su Ming.

They immediately boarded the ship and entered the slender passage.

Mia touched the metal wall of the passage, her eyes lighting up as she spoke.

"This ship is pretty nice, the craftsmanship is top-notch. Where did you get it?"

"Gakels City Lord gave it to me."

Su Ming replied with a smile.

"No way, is that old guy really that generous? Back when I led a team to support the Abyss of Descent, he only approved a regular Level 5 Battleship for me, and you're getting something this high-end?"

Mia exclaimed after hearing Su Ming's words.

"It's all the same."

Su Ming replied awkwardly.

"Same my foot; you think I can't tell good stuff? Even with my eyes closed, I know this ship was designed by Xi Guang Laboratory."

"Teacher, how could you tell?"

"Just look at the seamless connection between the wall panels. This ship uses seamless joint technology, which requires such extreme craftsmanship. If it's not Xi Guang, then who else could it be? But it's still peculiar; typically, ships of this level are pre-booked as soon as they start construction. How did it end up in your hands? Did those stingy folks suddenly have a change of heart?"

Mia was equally puzzled.

"Hehe, maybe I'm just lucky."

Su Ming chuckled in reply.

"Indeed, quite lucky."

Mia inspected Su Ming and jokingly replied.

"Ahem, enough about that. Let's quickly head to the central control!"

Su Ming coughed awkwardly.

"Alright."

Mia replied cheerfully.

Soon after, Su Ming and Mia entered the central control room.

Timi came over to greet Su Ming.

"Officer Su Ming."

"Timi, let me introduce you. We've now been assigned to the Second Legion·27th Regiment. This is Admiral Mia, who is also our regiment leader."

Su Ming introduced Timi.

"General Mia!"

Timi saluted Mia with respect.

"No need to be so formal."

Mia looked Timi up and down, feeling very satisfied as she said this.

At this moment, Celeste flew over, projecting a virtual image and pouting with a bit of anger as she complained.

"Hmph, you're finally back!"

"Haha, did you miss me?"

Su Ming responded with a smile.

"No, I didn't. You never take me with you."

"It's just that there's too much attention at the headquarters, it's hard to bring you along."

Su Ming explained with a smile to Celeste.

Mia curiously looked at Celeste and exclaimed in surprise.

"Isn't this Celeste? How did you manage to bring her here?"

"She's with me now."

Su Ming explained to Mia with a smile.

"Su Ming, are you sure you're not the Council Chairman's son? Those old guys seem to give you all the good stuff. It's so unfair."

Mia asked in disbelief.

"Ahem, that's not important. When are we setting off? Can you handle the defense line?"

Su Ming quickly changed the subject.

"No rush, let the supporting units go first, and we'll go last. As for the defense line, it's easy. I'll just use my influence; I have plenty of sway here."

Mia replied confidently.

"Alright."

Although Su Ming had some doubts about Mia's words, all he could do now was trust her.

....

A dozen or so hours later.

All the supporting ships had departed. At this time, the Level 5 Battleship·Sunlight slowly departed headquarters, heading towards the defense line.

In the central control room.

Mia sat in the command chair, with Su Ming and Vice Admiral Umtu standing on either side.

At this moment, a prompt appeared on the operating screen.

"Notification: Communication request received from Floating Light Fortress."

Timi immediately reported.

"General Mia, we've received a communications request from the defense fortress."

"Project it over!"

Mia said decisively.

"Yes!"

Timi immediately carried out the operation.

Swish!

A virtual communication image immediately popped up in front of Mia. A burly man with a beard and rough skin, wearing a general's uniform appeared. Seeing Mia in the command chair, he spoke with a frown.

"It's you?"

"That's right, it's me, General Duo Se."

Mia replied cheerfully.

"What are you doing coming over here with a ship? You're not on the combat list!"

Duo Se replied with some irritation.

"I'm not here to fight. I'm under orders from the Commander to familiarize General Su Ming and the others with the Abyss of Descent, to quickly get into combat readiness."

"Heh, is the sun rising in the west?"

"Oh come on, enough with that. Are you letting me through or not?"

Mia responded impatiently.

"Just go!"

Duo Se, not wanting to argue with Mia, simply waved her through.

Mia promptly cut off the communication and excitedly waved her hand.

"Set off!"

"Yes!"

Timi and the others then piloted the Sunlight towards the entrance of the Abyss of Descent.

At this time, Mia began to remind Timi and the others.

"When we enter the Abyss of Descent later, be sure to follow the Federation's charted route and don't deviate too much. Also, don't rely too heavily on the scanning device; use optical devices for observation as much as possible. The inner environment of the Abyss of Descent has quite a bit of interference, and electronic equipment might be limited and unreliable."

"Understood!"

Timi and the others responded, somewhat nervously.

In the starry sky.

The Sunlight edged closer to the Abyss of Descent, and as it got nearer, the entire ship seemed like it was diving headlong into the dark abyss.

The entire ship shook violently, as if it was on the verge of losing control.

For a moment, everyone was alarmed.

At this moment, Mia immediately shouted to Timi.

"Steady the ship, maintain balance as we descend!"