Chapter 362: Half the Alliance fleets!

Three weeks later, in the Endaro Star Region, approximately one warp away from the borders.

Xia Fei listened to Charlies comprehensive report, then responded. The headquarters relocation plan has been a huge success. The next step will be to bring the R&D and the administrative offices into the capital ring, but you must remember that Harris should never be anywhere near the capital, or any of the bustling metropolises around it, for that matter. I cant tell you the reason for this, but just do as Ive instructed, and everything will be fine.

Charlie nodded. Dont worry. Harris will continue to stay in the research center here on Earth and will only keep contact with the research branch in the capital ring through the interplanetary internet. Oh, right. Whats the use of those two large crates that you left behind before you left Earth?

Xia Fei chuckled. Thats the final guarantee Im leaving the company right before my departure. Theyre completely filled with very valuable ores called Purple Hearts of Spirit. If the company runs into any crisis while Im away during this time, and theres an urgent need for funds, you may sell whatevers inside. As for how to complete the transaction, I suggest getting old man Qin Mang or Uncle Thuram to help you with it.

Charlie replied, Dont worry; with us keeping an eye on things here in the company, nothing will go wrong. As for the militarys request for us to set up a branch near Deklein Star Region, have you given the plan any thought?

Earth was situated in the far reaches of the Pan-human Alliance, making transportation hardly convenient. After all, the Pan-human Alliance covered a large expanse of space, and even the fastest warship would take more than two months to travel to and fro, not to mention a cumbersome cargo ship.

The military is hoping that Quantum Holdings will establish a branch closer to the capital ring in order to cut down on time and logistic costs when transporting the products.

Xia Fei gave the matter some thought. Actually, establishing a branch in a star region nearer the capital ring is part of my plan. The military has merely requested us to do this a year earlier than I expected. We cant forever stay on Earth and never move outward; since the military is willing to provide us with the land, lets seize this opportunity to mark out the land and slowly develop it after.

Charlie nodded. I know what you mean. You want us to complete the infrastructure on Earth first before thinking of moving to other planets. Ill get the construction department to get the lay of the land and have the foundations all ready before we bring in the proper machinery and workers, so we can immediately start production.

Xia Fei chuckled. Thats indeed my intention. I havent explicitly instructed you this whole time because I wouldnt be remaining in the Alliance for long, so youll have to make your decisions from here onward.

Charlie was momentarily stunned before he recovered. Dont worry. Well continue to give it our two hundred percent so that Quantum Holdings can continue developing and growing at astounding rates, like before.

Xia Fei nodded. I trust that you will. My ships about to enter a wormhole, and the next jump will have me appearing out in the Wild Star Region. Theres no interplanetary internet there, so well use the Black Bat radar to continue communications.

Xia Fei turned off the screen and stood before the command deck, broadcasting across the entire fleet.

A crew of over ten thousand lifted their heads to look at the projected screen. This was the first time Xia Fei was wearing that navy-blue captains uniform, with his head held high, like a battle-tested general.

His hair was peppery grey, which made him look a bit older than he was, and his eyes withheld a piercing gaze which looked capable of seeing through the hearts of men.

Clearing his throat, Xia Fei addressed everyone in a deep and slightly hoarse voice. A good day, everyone. This is a broadcast across all channels; I am from Quantum Holdings, Xia Fei, the first fleet commander of this voyage.

After a brief pause, Xia Fei continued. Several minutes after, well be leaving the Pan-human Alliance territory and entering the Wild Star Region, and in a weeks time from then, well be venturing into the unknown space that makes up the insectoid territory. Unfortunately, I dont have any guarantee on what we will come across or meet when we enter their territory or even what may happen. Thats because no human has ever set foot in that foreign part of the universe before. We, and two other fleets from the Alliance, are the vanguardsthe first humans in our history to ever do this.

This is, of course, a great honor, but its also a heavy responsibility.

As the fleet commander of this historic endeavor, what I want to tell everyone right now is take this time to call your family, loved ones, and friends while you still have the chance. Give them a call or an email, for theres no telling when the next time you can contact them on the interplanetary internet is, or if youll ever have the opportunity to do so in the future.

This is the end of this broadcast across all channels; I wish everyone good luck.

Though Xia Fei had hardly given a speech using magnificent words, nor did it invoke any strong fervor in anyone who listened, it nevertheless caused this crew, who had been gathered for the fleet at the last minute from far away, to give him a rousing applause.

Giving their loved ones a call was a very simple yet kind order. It was just that the words carried a sort of unspoken melancholia in them, which could not help but make people sigh in woe.

With a light tap of his fingers, Xia Fei composed a short email but hesitated if he should send it.

It was only at the last second right before the Impaler entered the wormhole did Xia Fei finally tap and send it out into the ether.

Avril, Im leaving. Dont miss me.

Fifty-eight hours later.

Xia Fei, were already very close to that Thanatos-class carrier, only three jumps away from reaching it. Phantom peered out a window.

Xia Fei nodded. I know, but now isnt the best time. Even if I can obtain the warship after beating that Black Star Phantom Bat, I cant possibly take it along with me. The insectoids may not allow me to p