Colonial Suit

The Mercenary Headquarters values efficiency, so combat missions like Blood瞳's often receive feedback upon completion. Blood瞳's probationary mercenary status was approved long ago. However, a probationary promotion isn't a big deal for the branch, so it wasn't announced.

But for Blood瞳, the probationary mercenary status is extremely important, a qualitative leap from his past. From this moment on, he's a true mercenary, not an affiliated warrior relying on others. He gains greater authority, a more formal status, and greater obligations.

A probationary mercenary can recruit up to two affiliates and about a hundred retainers, hire service personnel freely without restriction, own territory (all expenses borne by themselves), accept higher-level missions, and must accept mandatory summons from the branch when necessary. They must complete one mandatory mission per year to maintain their mercenary status. Most importantly, mercenaries of probationary rank or higher can apply to reside in a specific location and receive unimaginable profit sharing.

For example, Blood瞳's clan head, Hanser, as a Meteor-class, his existence is like a nuclear weapon. So he was even recruited by the branch to become a resident mercenary of a mercenary branch. As long as he nods, 5% of the mercenary branch's annual income will go into his name.

This is an astronomical reward, enough for Hanser to easily maintain the development of a private planet and enjoy an extremely luxurious life.

For probationary mercenaries like Blood瞳, the best development path is to find a low-level civilization's planet to reside on, in order to obtain a share of the planet's profits. Generally, it's enough to cover his expenses.

"Here, this is your certificate. You can return to the T6 branch to file it," Seerwa said with a smile, handing Blood瞳 a chip after seeing his surprised expression.

Blood瞳 silently accepted it, his heart filled with mixed feelings, but on the surface, he maintained his usual indifference.

"Thank you," he said.

"You're welcome. In fact, I should be thanking you. I asked you to participate in this mission, and almost harmed the Gemini siblings. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would have died," Seerwa said naturally, flicking her silver hair.

"The mercenaries of T26 Planet were all out on missions, so the Star Pirates took advantage of the situation. But now we've won a great victory. The Star Pirate Alliance will probably have a hard time reaching in for a long time. By the way, Mr. Blood瞳, are you really not planning to reside here?"

"No. I still can't," Blood瞳 replied regretfully. In fact, he was a little tempted. After learning about the benefits that permanent residence could bring to a probationary mercenary, he understood why Seerwa could support so many people. Compared to Seerwa, this rich woman, he was worse than a beggar.

But this still couldn't make Blood瞳 stay. He had more important things to do.

"Okay. It seems I really can't persuade you," Seerwa shrugged regretfully. "When are you planning to leave?"

"After confirming the reward for this mission," Blood瞳 replied crisply. "I've already asked Shuttle to prepare."

"Oh. You seem to be in a hurry. Okay, then I won't stop you," Seerwa smiled slightly, then suddenly said, "By the way, Mr. Blood瞳, maybe you don't need to take your own shuttle back. Captain Harry's Medusa is still at the spaceport."

"Oh?" Blood瞳 was a little surprised. "Why? I remember he should have left long ago."

"Because he can't find a mercenary to escort him. You know, the mercenaries of T26 Planet are all out on missions. So now you're probably the only one who has the time."

"I see. He's really unlucky," Blood瞳 suddenly understood, and at the same time, he found it a little funny. He didn't expect that after going around in a circle, Old Harry still couldn't leave the spaceport. In the end, he still had to escort him.

But this was good news. Compared to the shuttle, Blood瞳 preferred to pick up a mission along the way. Even if the reward for this mission wasn't high.

Every little bit helps, right?

After saying goodbye to Seerwa, Blood瞳 took a speeder to the dock. Sure enough, Old Harry's Medusa was still docked there. When Old Harry saw Blood瞳 suddenly appear in front of him, his eyes almost welled up with tears.

A savior…

Damn T26 Planet, why are there Star Pirates everywhere… And those mercenaries, why do they have to go out on missions? It's caused me to be stuck at the spaceport for so many days! If it wasn't for having to pass through the Chaotic Starfield on the way back, Old Harry would have wanted to set sail alone. The days of being worried and scared here are a nightmare.

The excited Old Harry directly pulled Blood瞳 into his captain's cabin, and the two exchanged greetings.

In fact, the so-called greetings were generally Blood瞳 listening while he complained. Old Harry told Blood瞳 all the grievances he had suffered during this time. Finally, he smoked a cigar and said to Blood瞳.

"I'm going to have to trouble you this time. I've already applied for the mission from the branch. Please accept it quickly."

"Okay," Blood瞳 nodded with a smile. He had a good relationship with Old Harry. He spoke more casually. "What kind of goods are you transporting this time?"

"A ship of rare creatures unique to T26, as well as some personnel and minerals," Old Harry replied without concealment. "I can make a lot of money if I transport them back. I can also upgrade the Medusa."

"Why not buy a new ship?" Blood瞳 asked.

"Sentimental value… My grandfather's grandfather worked on this ship. I know every screw here. It's like my home. I really can't leave it," Old Harry replied with a wry smile. In fact, with his and his ancestors' savings over the years, he could have bought a new ship long ago. But he just couldn't bear to.

Although the Medusa's cargo hold wasn't large and its armor was weak, its speed was still good. Old Harry planned to use it like this and then hand it over to his son, who was training as a second mate.

"Alright, let's not talk about this." Seeming to feel a little weak, Old Harry waved his hand irritably. "When are you planning to leave?"

"In two more days. The Gemini siblings need to rest," Blood瞳 replied honestly. "Of course, if you're in a hurry, I can ask them to leave immediately. They can rest on your ship."

"No need. What's the difference of two more days?" Old Harry chuckled and took out a metal cigarette case from his pocket. "Look, I got this for you. Very good Cloud Sea cigarettes. I don't think cigars are suitable for you, this stuff suits your temperament."

"What does smoking have to do with temperament?" Blood瞳 didn't know whether to laugh or cry at Old Harry's words, but he still took the cigarette case.

"What do you mean it doesn't matter?" Old Harry glared. "Cigarettes are a prop to set off a man's temperament. Of course, it can also make people relax. I think a cigarette that suits you can make you more confident. More courageous… and it will also make you die faster."

"But it doesn't matter to you, with your physique, the harm of this thing can be completely ignored."

"You really are…" Blood瞳 shook his head speechlessly.

He also discussed the escort matters with Old Harry. Over the next two days, Blood瞳 and the Gemini siblings relaxed well.

Speaking of which, the environment of T26 was very good, and it still retained its original ecological zone. This was rare in the civilizations of the Sixth World. Because of excessive exploitation and the development of civilization, the environments of most Sixth World planets had been severely damaged, and only civilizations with a level of Fifth World or higher would re-emphasize it. T26 Planet was clearly an exception.

In two days, Blood瞳 and the Gemini siblings left their footprints on the beaches, mountains, and jungles of T26. They washed away their fatigue in the breath of nature. Only then did they return to the spaceport and board the long-awaited Medusa.

Blood瞳 didn't say goodbye to Seerwa. Because in his opinion, the gathering and dispersal of mercenaries was too normal. Seerwa was just a partner. She hadn't reached the point of being a companion.

The vast universe…

Blood瞳 was frantically training in the Medusa's gravity room. Just like usual, the only difference was that in addition to Little Bo Xi, there was also Lie Ya as an audience.

Perhaps because of fighting side by side, Lie Ya wasn't so repulsive to the Gemini siblings now. Little Bo Xi leaned lazily on Lie Ya's smooth fur, holding an ice cream in her hand and licking it.

"Lie Ya, you said Blood瞳 is so powerful, is it because he exercises every day?"

"…" Lie Ya didn't answer, just glanced at Little Bo Xi disdainfully. Aren't you talking nonsense? The strength of a beast doesn't come from exercise and fighting, does it come from the sweet and soft thing in your hand?

"Roar…" Lie Ya stretched out its big tongue and unceremoniously rolled away a large piece of ice cream.

"Ah!! You're stealing my ice cream again," Little Bo Xi said angrily, reaching out and giving Lie Ya a burst of hammering. But the strength was very light. Lie Ya narrowed its eyes and enjoyed it, feeling that being with these two little guys wasn't bad.

The human and beast frolicked for a while. Little Bo Xi lazily lay on Lie Ya again. She loved Lie Ya's fur now, it was smooth and warm, and it was extremely comfortable to lie on.

"Lie Ya, be my pet?" Little Bo Xi said with shining eyes.

"Roar." Lie Ya shook its head.

Little Bo Xi tempted again. "If you're my pet, you can eat ice cream every day."

"…" Lie Ya began to hesitate. But at this time, Blood瞳 just smashed a steel pillar with one punch. It immediately shivered in fright and shook its head again.

"Hmph… So boring. You only know how to threaten with violence," Little Bo Xi said unhappily, pouting. The ice cream in her hand accidentally slipped.

"Ah, my hands are dirty." She exclaimed, and then hurriedly cleaned up, but unfortunately, the more she cleaned, the more messy it became. Seeing that it was about to stain her clothes, she suddenly rolled her eyes and pointed behind Lie Ya. "Look… a shooting star!"

Lie Ya turned its head, not knowing why. Suddenly it felt something sticky on its body. It was Little Bo Xi taking advantage of it turning its head to smear its dirty hands on it.

"Roar!!" Lie Ya pounced on Little Bo Xi angrily, and then Little Bo Xi's happy laughter rang out.

At the same time, the door of the gravity room opened, and a crew member ran in.

"Mr. Blood瞳, the captain has asked you to come over!"

"What's wrong?" Blood瞳 stopped training and asked, turning his head.

"It seems…" The crew member's expression was strange. "It seems we've discovered survivors."