"I apologize for not informing you earlier. There's been a military lockdown near Node Star recently, with stray bullets flying all over the flight paths, making it difficult for our transport ships to leave. Therefore, the delivery period has been postponed. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause."
Jiang Ye quickly asked, "Then when is the next delivery expected?"
"We apologize, sir, but we cannot provide an exact time for the next delivery. However, we will deliver your goods as soon as the situation permits. If you are unwilling to wait, you may also choose a refund."
"No, no, please come as soon as possible," Jiang Ye said urgently.
How could he possibly get a refund?
If he got a refund, he'd lose his chance to contact his girlfriend.
Hanging up the phone, Jiang Ye fell into deep worry.
The situation on Node Star was not optimistic. Even the delivery ships couldn't leave, and the flight paths were filled with stray bullets. It was practically the front line of a war zone. The Mill people might land on Node Star at any moment.
However, Cen Yemeng's father was so rich and influential, he should at least be able to guarantee his precious daughter's safety.
Jiang Ye sighed and walked into the bathroom, turning on the shower.
While lathering his hair, he suddenly realized he had forgotten to take off his pants. His pajama bottoms were completely soaked, feeling heavy.
He opened the bathroom door and tossed the wet pants outside.
The phone on his desk was buzzing incessantly, sounding quite urgent.
Jiang Ye ignored it and closed the bathroom door to continue washing.
Just as he finished washing his hair once, a figure suddenly lunged at the semi-transparent bathroom door, banging on it frantically!
Jiang Ye jumped back in shock, instinctively covering himself. He thought, "Where did this assassin come from, being so despicable? Attacking me when I'm naked?"
"Commander! Big trouble! Urgent military intelligence!" Liu Jizi shouted anxiously.
"You go out first!" Jiang Ye said angrily. "I'll tell you when you can come in!"
Liu Jizi froze, turned, and left, stomping his feet resentfully. "You wouldn't answer my calls!"
Jiang Ye didn't bother to dry himself. He quickly threw on a bathrobe and rushed out of the bathroom. "Come in!"
Liu Jizi burst through the office door and ran in, his face looking like the place was on fire. "Satellites have detected four high-heat signatures!"
Jiang Ye strode to his desk and clicked rapidly, bringing up the holographic projection.
The entire planet hovered on the desk, with four red dots blinking.
Three of the red dots were on the adjacent continent, separated by only a few dozen kilometers.
The fourth red dot was on a different continent, many landmasses away, at a considerable distance.
"The area of these heat sources is about two thousand square meters. They were discovered half an hour ago. It took a little time to confirm, and then they were reported immediately," Liu Jizi said, his face flushed.
"Mobilize the troops," Jiang Ye said calmly. "Deploy both existing frigates. I'll be at the naval port in twenty minutes. Have the destroyers been built?"
"No, the destroyers are still installing weapon modules," Liu Jizi shook his head. "I'll go send the message now."
"Go, don't panic," Jiang Ye nodded with composure.
Liu Jizi ran off again, nearly losing his high heels.
Jiang Ye shook his head helplessly. This young secretary still lacked experience.
He ate something, changed into warm snow camouflage, got into his car, and drove straight to the naval port.
From a distance, he could see two massive frigates standing tall in the sea.
The sky was filled with flapping aircraft; hundreds were visible, and the roaring sound filled the entire naval port. Numerous military aircraft were converging from all directions, circling in the air, awaiting air traffic control instructions to land on the frigates and be stowed in the weapon bays.
Pairs of spider-like armored vehicles were also active, along with large numbers of soldiers rushing to assemble, carrying huge backpacks, and checking their equipment under the command of officers.
Jiang Ye got out of the car and walked through the chaotic crowd. The soldiers around him snapped to attention and saluted. Jiang Ye returned their salutes unhurriedly, appearing calm and composed, as if inspecting routine training.
Many junior officers had been flustered and at a loss. Seeing Jiang Ye so calm, they suddenly felt relieved, and for a moment, it seemed like this mission wasn't such a big deal. The soldiers checking their equipment were no longer in a panic, and their movements quickly returned to the rhythm of their daily training.
Jiang Ye went directly aboard the number one ship and entered the captain's cabin.
The screens displayed various information. Of the hundreds of modules in the armory, most were initially gray, indicating no weapons. Within minutes, the grays turned green one by one as various types of weapons were deployed.
Jiang Ye clicked on the screen and issued commands:
"All units, check your equipment and personnel. Report any issues immediately."
"There's no need to panic excessively. These few minutes don't matter. Ensure all tasks are done properly. Once we set sail, we cannot return to port casually until the mission is complete."
The officers of each unit replied with "Received."
Jiang Ye clicked on another screen and began drafting the combat plan.
Although this model of frigate was technologically quite outdated for this era, it was still far more intelligent than ancient vessels. Especially its combat system, which was incredibly smart.
Jiang Ye marked the three high-heat signatures on the adjacent continent, and a large amount of data immediately appeared on the screen, finally displaying three recommended routes:
[Most Energy-Efficient Route] [Fastest Route] [Route Closest to Land]
Clicking on [Fastest Route], a clear orange trajectory was marked on the nautical chart.
Exit the naval port, proceed straight ahead, enter the high-speed current, then head north along the current, and finally approach the coast of the third continent.
The entire journey would take approximately four hours.
Upon arrival at the destination, all three high-heat zones would be within missile strike range.
The closest high-heat zone could even be seen with binoculars from the ship and could be hit with an electromagnetic cannon.
In the lower right corner, there was a [Combat Assistant] button. Jiang Ye didn't know what it was for and reached out to click it.
The holographic projector popped open with a "snap."
A virtual female officer appeared, wearing a white naval dress uniform, with a beautiful face.
"I am your combat assistant!" the female officer saluted, grinning, revealing a row of white teeth.
Jiang Ye was shocked. "This feature exists?"
What was this called… a ship girl?
"What's your name?" Jiang Ye asked.
"My name is 001. You can also rename me," 001 replied.
"Is the other ship called 002?" Jiang Ye pointed to the other frigate outside the window.
"The other ship is also me. The two ships are already networked," 001 smiled again.
"What are your functions?" Jiang Ye asked.
"You can issue commands to me via voice, obtain the information you desire, and control these two ships through me," 001 blinked. "I am very intelligent, possibly more intelligent than you in some aspects."
Jiang Ye scratched his head. "Alright, you stay on standby. I'll call you if I need anything."
"Don't you want me to analyze this mission for you?" 001 asked instead.
"You can," Jiang Ye stared at her with great interest.
"The one-way voyage takes four hours. The weather will be fair within those four hours, but the return journey may encounter strong winds and rough seas. No threats have been detected in the sea area so far. The route you chose is far from reefs and whirlpools, and there are no giant creatures. The only problem is, I don't know your specific combat objective? What exactly is at the three attack locations?"