The Highest Bounty

The federation government had different classifications for star sectors under its jurisdiction. For example, the red star sectors referred to the extremely dangerous areas, the black star sectors referred to areas under the jurisdiction of the interstellar pirates, and lastly, the golden star sectors referred to highly developed star sectors. Meanwhile, gray star sectors represented abandoned star sectors.

 Generally speaking, gray star sectors were areas where there had once been intelligent life. However, for some reason, the amount of intelligent life within the star sector had sharply dropped. Hence, there was no need for the federation government to send people there to manage them anymore.

 In their current condition whereby the network was blocked, Neptune had no way of finding relevant information about this star sector. He could only use the radar system originally installed in the spacecraft to detect the existence of living bodies. Fortunately, the radar on the Kittyhawk Model was a new model made in recent years. Thus, it had the hardware to detect the existence, as well as the specific location, of lifeforms nearby.

 The result of the radar sweep was quickly transmitted back. After seeing the result, Neptune was slightly surprised. Within the detection range, there was a planet with a large population. Although Neptune was a little surprised, he did not have time to investigate further. The presence of a population indicated that there was suitable levels of oxygen and gravity, making it ideal to use as a pitstop. Since Gu Ding only needed a temporary place to rest before they set off again after avoiding the interstellar storm, Neptune quickly chose a place to land.

 As the huge meteorite passed by the planet, Neptune steered the Kittyhawk Model away from the meteorite whilst simultaneously activating the energy barrier, enduring several impacts in the process. Then, the spacecraft finally descended toward the target planet.

 When the spacecraft entered the atmosphere, Neptune tested the composition of the planet’s atmosphere. The test result showed that the oxygen content here was similar to that of Cerule, meaning that Gu Ding could breathe normally.

 As for the gravitational strength, he calculated it against their rate of descent and found it to be about 1.5 times that of the earth. For Gu Ding, whose cell index was close to 20 points, the effect was minimal.

 Under Neptune’s guidance, the spaceship fell quickly into the ocean. This Kittyhawk Model had been completely destroyed as most functions were no longer operational expect for the radar. As for food and water, Gu Ding had cleverly moved them into the escape capsule earlier.

 The enclosed escape capsule popped out of the spaceship and began floating on the surface of the sea. Only now did Neptune finally wake Gu Ding up.

 

Rubbing his sleepy eyes, Gu Ding stretched his body. “That nap was really comfortable, is the interstellar storm gone?”

 “Not yet, the Kittyhawk Model has been completely destroyed. We were brought into the grey star sector by the interstellar storm.” Neptune gave a brief explanation. “I have made a preliminary check on the condition of this planet. It is suitable for human survival and there are also living beings here.”

 “You mean, we broke away from the new route?” Gu Ding did not question Neptune’s decisions. He was more concerned about whether or not he was still on the new route.

 “Yes, this was already the best options. The first wave of meteorite attacks consumed more than 60% of the Kittyhawk Model’s energy. If we did not come here, I am afraid that the Kittyhawk Model would have already been disintegrated. It was torn to pieces. ”

 1“How long will it take to return to the new route?” Gu Ding was most desperate to get back on track.

 “We can wait for the interstellar storm to pass and for the electromagnetic disturbance to disappear. Then, I can send a message and we will await rescue. According to the previous official statement, this interstellar storm will last at least 20 days. Now, 3 days have passed.” Neptune could understand Gu Ding’s mood. However, he could not help the situation.

 “That is to say, there are 17 more days to go…” Gu Ding mumbled. Suddenly his stomach cried out. He woke up after being in the escape capsule for 3 days. He did not feel hungry at first, but now he quickly realized that he needed to replenish himself.

 He took out a toothpaste-like tube of compressed food and squeezed it into his mouth a few times. Then, he chugged some water.

 In the early days of interstellar voyage, many foodstuff would be compressed into a toothpaste-like substance to prevent the food debris from floating about in weightless aircraft. This was because it would be troublesome if it was inhaled into the lungs. Many advanced spaceships were now equipped with a gravity detection system so this kind of problem could be avoided, allowing all kinds of food to be eaten casually. However, back then, Gu Ding could not afford a spaceship with a gravity detection system.

 Gu Ding, who was eating compressed food, suddenly saw that there were fish in the water not far away. He suddenly felt that the food in his mouth was tasteless; He wanted to catch a fish to add to his meal.

 After undressing as he prepared to jump into the water, Gu Ding was suddenly stopped by Neptune. “That fish seems a little weird, please don’t go down yet, I will send you a video I just opened.”

 

Neptune said this while he projected a video of a fish. Neptune himself had detected this as he could detect everything in their surroundings within 100 metres.

 “It seems that this fish should not be eaten…” Gu Ding sighed after watching the video.

 In the video, the fish was about 30 centimetres long and had a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. It seemed to be competing for territory with another fish.

 Soon, the winner was decided. The fish with the slightly longer body bit its opponent’s head and tore it apart. After this, only half of its opponent’s head remained. However, within 10 seconds, its opponent’s body was completely devoured.

 “This fish does not only look ugly, but is also very violent.” Gu Ding could not help but sigh. “Help me check if there are other fish that can be eaten.”

 After this, Neptune pulled out several videos, all of which were of different kinds of fish. Each one looked fiercer than before as Gu Ding slowly lost his appetite.

 After watching these videos, Gu Ding noticed one thing in common, all these fish had mouths filled with sharp teeth. When one was fighting for territory, they would not care if the other was of the same kind. They would fight aggressively until death.

 “Is everything here like this? Are there any kinds of normal fish that can be eaten?” Gu Ding asked helplessly.

 “Do you think those fish can survive in this kind of water?” Neptune asked in reply, “Even if it lived here before, I’m afraid it would have quickly been eaten up by the other fish.”

 “It seems that I can only eat this kind of unseasoned compressed food.” After unsuccessfully finding a side dish to add to his meal, Gu Ding, being a typical foodie, was a little depressed.

 “This planet is a little weird. The number of living beings detected by the radar before numbered in the billions. This star sector is obviously a grey star sector, so technically it should be difficult to find a planet with any living bodies at all.” Neptune was sceptical about this. However, the situation was dire, so he could not be picky after encountering the first inhabitable planet in their 3 days of drifting.

 “Neptune, were those fish just now infected with a virus?” Gu Ding suddenly remembered that a similar situation had occurred in the virology class he had attended in the Military Academy.