Charlotte fell silent after Zhao Chen's words.
She raised her wrist and activated the handheld terminal, accessing Blizzard Zero's internal data through her newly granted authority.
Seconds passed.
Then her eyes widened.
She turned slowly to look at Zhao Chen, disbelief plain on her face. "These statistics… are they real?"
"Of course," Zhao Chen said proudly, like a child showing off a prized toy. "So? What do you think?"
Charlotte's expression hardened into something grave. "If this data is accurate… then in a T2-class duel, this ship would be nearly undefeated."
Undefeated.
A terrifying evaluation.
If Zhao Wan'er or Li Wei heard this, they would undoubtedly laugh it off. How could a vessel cobbled together from three aging wrecks earn such praise?
"Let's do a trial voyage," Zhao Chen said after a brief pause. "You assign the crew positions."
He scratched his nose awkwardly. "I'm… short on funds. Consider this trial your familiarization and training period. I need you to master this ship as quickly as possible."
Charlotte nodded. "Then I need to review the crew roster."
"It's already in your access permissions."
She opened the list.
One hundred names appeared.
Her former subordinates.
Charlotte's gaze softened, guilt flickering through her eyes.
"These are all experienced personnel," she said quietly. "And Blizzard Zero is still technically a T2-class ship. With three to five hours of operation, they'll be combat-ready."
Zhao Chen smiled in satisfaction.
Half a day later, the crew was rested and Blizzard Zero fully prepared.
Charlotte submitted a detailed personnel deployment plan. "Fifty crew members are sufficient to operate the ship. The rest will act as reserves and rotate through positions."
"Good," Zhao Chen said. "This won't be my last ship."
He continued issuing orders. "I've rented a berth at the academy starport. The workshop lease is about to expire.
"I've used my remaining funds to purchase bedding and daily necessities. From now on, this ship is your home.
"As for supplies…"
He paused, feeling a dull ache in his chest.
"I'll find a solution."
Supporting a hundred crew members with almost no money left was… grim.
A star lord reduced to counting meals.
Charlotte accepted the orders without comment, fully slipping into her role.
Zhao Chen leaned back in the captain's chair, gazing at the aging bridge.
One day.
He would command a true T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser.
"This is your living arrangement," Charlotte said, addressing the assembled half-orc crew. "Five per cabin.
"Two meals per day. Report to the dining area on schedule.
"All posts operate on a three-shift rotation."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
One female orc raised her hand hesitantly. "General… do we really have to fight for a human?"
The unease was shared by many.
Charlotte stepped forward.
"You were once my soldiers," she said firmly. "Because of my failure, you fell into this fate.
"If you still trust me, then trust my judgment now."
She took a breath.
"Captain Zhao Chen has promised us three years.
"Three years of service—and then freedom."
She raised her head, eyes burning. "I swear upon the honor of the White Tiger Clan. I will bring you back."
The orc warriors straightened, their hesitation slowly replaced by resolve.
From the bridge, Zhao Chen watched the scene through the surveillance feeds.
Charlotte fought for freedom—not loyalty.
And that was exactly why he trusted her.
The workshop was cleared.
The navigation channel opened.
'Blizzard Zero, clearance granted. Enter Branch Channel D13.'
Zhao Chen sat upright.
"Depart."
Charlotte relayed the command crisply. "Engines online. Entering D13."
The half-orc crew moved with disciplined efficiency, still unfamiliar but steady.
Minutes later, Blizzard Zero slipped free of the North Star Academy's interstellar city.
The bridge remained sealed, external visuals projected through layered displays.
Stars filled the screens.
Zhao Chen felt his heartbeat quicken.
This was it.
His ship.
The universe.
"Captain," Charlotte reported, "trial sequence 29 ready. Orders?"
"Begin."
"Heading zero-seven-one, bearing two-nine-nine. Engine output thirty percent. Speed thirty knots."
Blizzard Zero surged forward.
"Maintain heading. Full power."
"Speed one hundred knots."
This was the final test—maximum output, maximum stress.
Charlotte watched the data intently.
One minute.
Three.
Five.
Ten.
"Engine systems normal."
"Hull integrity stable."
"Navigation steady."
Report after report flowed in.
Three hours later, Charlotte finally exhaled.
She stood and saluted. "Report, Captain. All twenty-nine trial programs completed successfully."
Zhao Chen smiled.
"Return."
He leaned back slightly.
"I think someone is about to be beaten—and they don't even know it yet."