Chapter 671: 665 You Are Responsible
Chapter 671: 665 You Are Responsible
Chapter 671: Chapter 665 You Are Responsible
About twenty hours later, Jasmine Davis made contact with her own massive spacecraft, a warship. Compared to the vessel she used to pick up Finn Lewis, this one was not only larger in size, but also stronger in terms of armor and weapons.
However, according to the data transmitted by surveillance satellites continuously deployed by small spacecraft along the way, the enemy had obviously adjusted their course, knowing that Finn and his group had changed their original route. The distance between the two parties was constantly decreasing, but according to Luna Starfield’s calculation, the chance of Finn and his group successfully rendezvousing with Jasmine’s spacecraft was now at 98%.
The crew of the enemy spacecraft didn’t seem to be elite, but being chased by such a large fleet was a significant pressure for anyone. A single warship was not enough to counter the enemy, let alone the fact that there were seven second-class warships in the enemy’s fleet! Not to mention the other large cruisers and supply ships numbering in the dozens.
Whilst it seemed that the enemy had divided their forces, with some slower spacecraft falling behind the fleet, based on the current number of spacecrafts, Luna Starfield concluded that the pirates chasing them constituted more than just one group. Two of the largest pirate gangs in interstellar spaces, the Grim Shade and the Devil, appeared to be involved.
“Your Highness, according to the intelligence I’ve gathered, these warships do not represent the full power of these two pirate gangs. They likely have arrangements elsewhere. Redglow Star falls under the jurisdiction of the Carl Family, a four-star noble family. Their territory lies on the edges of the non-federation-controlled zone. Due to Carlton Star Zone’s unique location containing three second-class dangerous star systems and one third-class dangerous star system, there are only two ways out of this star zone. If I’m not mistaken, Commander Davis has chosen one of these two routes,” Luna quickly presented the data for both parties.
“Do you have any good suggestions?” Finn, feeling a headache coming on, asked.
Jasmine turned to glance at Finn and said, “Who exactly are you to warrant such relentless pursuit from them? The amount of funds the two pirate gangs are exhausting to target you is not a small number.”
“That would depend on whose perspective you’re taking. To those pulling the strings behind them, the funds they’re shelling out wouldn’t seem that hefty,” Finn shook his head slightly.
“If the enemy has surveillance set up along the necessary routes to exit the star system, our chances of escaping do not exceed 3%. Additionally, once we rendezvous with Commander Davis’s spacecraft, while we won’t immediately be caught by the enemy, our success rate of safely reaching your territory – with my assistance – can increase to 70%. However, your territories are devoid of any defensive capabilities,” Luna uttered the words that Finn dreaded the most.
Yes, what good would returning to his territories do? Those who were pursuing them weren’t part of any official forces. Official forces would fear the auditing bureau and would dare not enter, but why would these pirates exist? Their existence was justified for some reason. Finn wasn’t the newcomer to the Galactic Federation anymore, and naturally, he knew that these pirates had pillaged many planets.
The auditing bureau had no way to control their existence. After all, in some sense, the bureau did not have the power or obligation to actively attack these pirates. Since the bureau was an organization, it had its own rules. These rules were rigid but defined the bureau’s actions.
In theory, eliminating pirates was not the auditing bureau’s task. That task belonged to the various clans. The auditing bureau also wasn’t obligated to protect the territories of these clans. This meant that if these clans couldn’t eliminate the pirates, then neither could the auditing bureau. The same applied even to the royal family.
Finn clearly understood Luna’s point. Even if these pirates failed to capture Finn this time, there would be no use in him running back home. The Earth was insignificant to these pirates. Its combat capability was probably not even a five; it was practically zero.
“If we simply run about in space, considering the scale of the enemy’s deployment, our chances of escape aren’t very high, as our supplies aren’t unlimited. According to the data of Commander Davis’s ship, our supplies will last a maximum of six to eight months,” Luna added another cutting point.
“Alright, it seems that our situation is not very positive,” Finn uttered, feeling frustrated.
“We need to talk,” Jasmine said, remaining silent for a long time after listening to Luna’s instructions, before quickly addressing Finn.
Finn hesitated for a moment before nodding and following Jasmine. Once they were inside a cabin not far from the command center and had closed the door, Jasmine looked directly at Finn and said, “You have to take responsibility.”
Finn almost bit his tongue hearing this. No matter how you interpreted it, it was a loaded statement. But before Finn could answer, Jasmine quickly said, “Even though we’re pirates, at least we have no conflict with you. Moreover, I saved you. This time, it was you who asked for my help, and the trouble we’ve attracted is also due to you. Hence, you have to take responsibility for us.”
“I understand. If you want to leave, once we exit here, you certainly can. The auditing bureau will come to receive you, but similarly, you can imagine what would happen to us,” Jasmine said, staring intensely at Finn.
Finn was silent for a moment. Indeed, what Jasmine said was the truth. It didn’t matter what occupation Jasmine was in, to Finn, her crew had done them a kindness. The trouble they’re in was all because of Finn, and as Jasmine said, Finn could leave if he wanted to. They couldn’t stop him.
As long as Finn was out in space, all he’d need to do was notify the auditing bureau, and they’d come pick him up, but the auditing bureau wouldn’t care about Jasmine and her crew. If they left, Jasmine and her crew’s fate would be doomed, considering the tight-fisted man, those pirates definitely would not show mercy.
Finn could leave, but the people in Jasmine’s ship surely wouldn’t survive.
“Alright, I understand. I’ll think of a way,” Finn replied after some thought.
“I hope you have a good plan. It looks like your territory is not safe either,” Jasmine said with a bitter smile.
“Indeed it’s not accessible, but don’t worry. If I don’t die, then you won’t die either,” Finn made a promise after some thought. As for the situation on Earth, even though Finn knew the ruthless man was aware of Earth’s coordinates, he wasn’t worried. To that man, Earth was a huge treasure, one that he wouldn’t abandon easily.
Moreover, as long as Finn doesn’t return, those pirates wouldn’t go to Earth. There was no wealth to speak of there, and besides, it had already been designated as someone’s personal territory. Finn, as a discouraged royal member, had no deterrence, but the Rochefort Clan most definitely did.