Chapter 687: Chapter 553: The Target (Extra for Silver Alliance Leader Arain) (Part 5)
“Alright, I won’t say much more, just go and handle the procedures, and you can leave,”
Spade told Su Mo.
At that mont, Valifa, who was nearby, spoke up to Su Mo.
“Just go directly, I’ll take care of the procedures for you,” he said.
“Thank you, Lord Valifa, but Lord Valifa…”
Su Mo thought it over and felt that just leaving like this was sowhat improper.
“No need to say more. I know what you want to say. I may be rigid and unsociable, but I’m no fool. I certainly know that not only Daisy and her team did nothing wrong, but they also contributed. However, the Black and White Organization has its principles and norms, so a small punishnt is still necessary. But rest assured, it’s just a minor one. Later, they will be rewarded.”
Seeing that Su Mo wanted to plead further, Valifa simply clarified things outright.
“Thank you, then I will take my leave now,”
upon hearing Valifa’s explanation, Su Mo instantly understood and did not speak further, heading straight out of the interrogation room.
As Spade watched Su Mo leaving, he sighed deeply.
“Ah.”
“What’s wrong?”
Valifa looked at Spade, sowhat surprised.
Spade, feeling a bit sentintal, said, “Such talent, yet not from my Zone E, it’s truly a pity.”
After listening, Valifa also fell silent.
…
In the Black Brilliance’s bridge, Li Ruiqi sat in the command chair, listening to the casualty statistics report from Putmi.
“The latest casualty summary, this incident resulted in 22,421 injured and 2,134 dead. According to feedback from below, there wasn’t much collapse of structures inside the ship. Most casualties were due to inadequate evacuation asures. Normally, this could have been avoided since we had given ample ti.”
Putmi said in a grave tone.
“I see,”
Li Ruiqi sighed as he replied.
“Moreover, these casualties are not the biggest loss. The real heavy loss cos from the personnel left behind.”
Speaking of this, Putmi’s old face twitched. He was almost cursed to death now, as he was the one who issued that fake delay order.
Although anyone thoughtful would realize they shouldn’t bla him, people are emotional creatures. Those who lost their relatives sotis aren’t so rational.
“What’s the exact number?”
Li Ruiqi held his breath, readying himself to face the harsh reality.
“A total of 239,112 people were abandoned, and we can assu all of them are certainly dead. There’s no possibility of survival. As for the transportation ships and various equipnt also lost, they are countless.”
Putmi said, his scalp tingling.
Hearing this number, Li Ruiqi felt a painful constriction in his heart, his expression extrely grim.
“Terribly bad.”
Putmi continued, “Actually, this number is still considered ideal. If we hadn’t extended that two hours, the number of dead would have certainly been several hundred thousand more. Even the personnel from the Military Departnt might not have all made it back safely, so, Mr. Li Ruiqi, you shouldn’t bla yourself. You’ve done well enough.”
“I understand. Has the condolence process for the deceased’s families started yet?”
Li Ruiqi asked, feeling very tight in his chest.
“It has begun, but since it involves too many people, it is expected to take so ti. But rest assured, every person sacrificed will be consoled,”
Putmi stated emphatically.
“Alright, what about the ship?”
Li Ruiqi nodded and asked.
Speaking of the ship, Putmi’s expression darkened even more, and he said despondently, “The situation of the Black Brilliance is now very precarious. Out of the three nuclear fusion power units, Unit 1 has a malfunction due to overload, Unit 2 was penetrated by radiation, and now only Unit 3 is still operating. Additionally, the Energy Barrier is damaged, and nurous other crucial parts are extensively damaged. The repair teams are nearly overwheld.”
“How long will the repairs take?”
Li Ruiqi, rubbing his forehead and feeling a severe headache, asked.
“I’ve asked the maintenance staff, they said if it’s fast, two to three months; if slow, up to half a year. And they advised us not to be too hopeful, as even if it’s forcibly repaired, it won’t be possible to restore it to its peak.”
Putmi explained.
“I’ve understood.”
Li Ruiqi replied with a headache.
“Mr. Li Ruiqi, do you have any good suggestions? This can’t go on! This will definitely delay our original planned schedule. Moreover, we are now deviating from our navigational trajectory, and it’s a bit too late.”
Putmi was very anxious about the current situation.
Li Ruiqi’s expression kept changing. He knew what Putmi was talking about, but he couldn’t change the situation right away.
So Li Ruiqi said to Putmi,
“Putmi, keep an eye on the command center. I need to have a eting with Augustus and others to discuss this.”
“Alright.”
Putmi nodded in agreent.
Shortly after, inside a secluded conference room.
Li Ruiqi, Spade, and Augustus were sitting together.
Li Ruiqi handed out the summarized report to the two.
Spade and Augustus looked at the report, their faces uglier than if their own father had died.
After finishing reading, both of them had ashen faces and couldn’t utter a word.
Li Ruiqi cut to the chase, saying, “Vice Speaker Spade, Vice Speaker Augustus, I won’t beat around the bush. You see the situation. The Black Brilliance is so badly damaged that it will take a long ti to repair. It can’t be fully repaired either. Moreover, with our navigation off course, it’s nearly impossible to reach the Gray Scorpion Star System per our original scheduled ti. It’s too late, and given the state of Black Brilliance, the risk is extrely high.”
“What do you an? Do you want to retreat and return?”
Augustus looked terribly upset.
“I’m just stating the situation, and I’m discussing it with you right now,”
Li Ruiqi calmly replied.
Spade sighed and then said, “Li Ruiqi, what other choices do we have? Just speak openly, there are no outsiders here.”
“We have three options. The first is to return. It’s the most conservative and the safest approach, but the cost is clear—it ans declaring this expedition a failure,”
Li Ruiqi calmly said.
“That won’t do,”
Augustus imdiately rejected the idea.
“The second is to continue the journey, but we face two major risks: Going over ti and Black Brilliance being in poor condition. If we encounter another attack, it could well sink,”
Li Ruiqi continued.
After hearing this, Spade shook his head and said, “Too risky, what’s the third option?”
“Change our destination, find a new target,”
Li Ruiqi said seriously.
“Are you joking? Do you think this is child’s play? Can the destination be changed just like that? And where to, exactly? Searching in the vast Star Sea is like finding a needle in a haystack; wouldn’t we still co back empty-handed?”
Augustus directly challenged him, thinking Li Ruiqi’s last suggestion was ludicrous.
“I understand, so I hope you can discuss it with Mr. Delair to see if there is a target that is relatively close to our current location and has relatively good resources,”
Li Ruiqi said.
“Don’t entertain that fantasy; it’s just impossible. If you think carefully, you’ll know the possibility is too low. Every resource point is extrely precious; Delair is not a god. How could he know so much, and coincidentally it’s close to us too,”
Augustus dismissed the idea in frustration, feeling it was absurd.
Just then, Spade spoke up, “It’s not completely impossible.”
Li Ruiqi and Augustus were both startled and turned to look at Spade.
“Spade, you’re not joking, are you?”
Spade’s eyes flickered with an unusual gleam as he said, “Delair likely won’t provide a new target, but there is a group of people who might, after all, they are the local bosses here.”
Li Ruiqi and Augustus realized what he ant and said in unison.
“Survivors of the Hongji Empire!”
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