"Ahem, she's from the Dwarf race. She's not underage; she's actually older than us. However, Dwarves seem to have an inherently immature psychological age, and combined with their small and slender appearance, they tend to look like children," Zhao Chen explained.
Shen Bing carefully observed the 'little girl' before her. Her ears were slightly pointed, and her head was proportionally a bit larger compared to her body. This indeed matched the descriptions of the interstellar Dwarf race she had read about in books.
"Co... commander... sir...!" Annie only noticed Zhao Chen beside her at that moment and immediately saluted him. She first imitated the Fierce Dragon female crew members by placing her hand over her chest but seemed to feel it wasn't quite right, so she bowed to Zhao Chen instead. Her flustered demeanor made Zhao Chen find her utterly adorable.
"You can't see. Let me help you," Zhao Chen said, placing his hands under Annie's arms and effortlessly lifting the little Dwarf.
Annie's cheeks flushed slightly as she stammered, "N-no... no need... Annie... Annie can wait until there are fewer people... to order..."
"Now that you're here, just go ahead and order quickly," Zhao Chen said with a smile.
Annie glanced at the holographic projection of the day's menu on the counter and hurriedly ordered a Braised chicken set meal. Only then did Zhao Chen set the little Dwarf down.
"Th-thank you... commander... sir..." Annie repeatedly bowed in gratitude, her head bobbing like a rattle drum.
Zhao Chen told Annie to find a seat and wait for her meal, and only then did she leave. Otherwise, it seemed her head might have shaken right off.
Annie found a seat in the farthest corner and skillfully adjusted the chair height to its lowest setting. After sitting down, she raised the chair to a height suitable for the table. She began swinging her short little legs, eagerly awaiting the happiest moment of her day.
Shen Bing and Zhao Chen stared at the little creature for quite a while before snapping back to reality. They exchanged a knowing glance.
"How did you find this Dwarf? I noticed the thing around her neck..." Shen Bing inquired.
"I bought her from the commodity trading network in the Northern Three Star System. Coincidentally, she was one of the people kidnapped and sold by that woman who escaped from a planet. I purchased her," Zhao Chen explained.
Shen Bing looked at Zhao Chen, then at the abundant daily menu. "Why did you set such a high food allowance standard? Even if you're buying these natural ingredients in bulk at low prices and processing them yourself, the monthly cost for the personnel on just this one Carrier Starship alone exceeds a thousand Star Coins! That far surpasses the food allowance standards of 99% of starships!"
Zhao Chen shrugged nonchalantly. "I just want to provide better living conditions for my crew. That way, they can focus more wholeheartedly on fighting for me."
Shen Bing looked at him with astonishment. Did he truly not care about these expenses? His way of thinking was truly out of place in this era.
"Are you done ordering? Let's go wait for our meals over there," Zhao Chen invited Shen Bing to a table to wait.
"What are your plans after graduating from the North Star Starship Military Academy? Joining the Imperial Army?" Zhao Chen asked casually.
Typically, about eighty percent of the talent trained at Starship Military Academies join the Imperial Army to gain experience. After retiring, they usually join various local lord fleets.
Essentially, they belonged to a social class where they didn't have to worry about food or clothing, but achieving great wealth and prosperity depended on their own fate.
"I will never join the Imperial Army," Shen Bing said.
Zhao Chen was somewhat surprised but quickly understood the reason: "Is it because of your parents?"
Shen Bing remained silent.
"Would you be willing to talk to me about your parents?" Zhao Chen asked tentatively.
Shen Bing stayed quiet.
Seeing this, Zhao Chen didn't press further: "Since you don't want to join the Imperial Army, have you considered joining my fleet?"
"Are you inviting me?" Shen Bing looked at Zhao Chen with surprise.
Zhao Chen spread his hands and smiled: "You've seen the strength of my fleet and the benefits it offers.
If you're willing, you can start directly as a Deputy Captain, Starship adjutant, Secretary Officer, or similar positions.
The crew members from your original starship, if qualified, can also join my fleet and enjoy the same treatment.
Of course, this is limited to Female Crew Members; don't ask why."
Shen Bing chuckled and shook her head: "If you want to recruit them, you don't need to go through me. Just talk to them directly, and nine out of ten will follow you."
As she spoke, Shen Bing glanced at the table where her female crew members were seated in the dining hall. The food had already been served.
Each of them ate as if they hadn't eaten in decades, devouring the food without any regard for their appearance.
"What I value is your worth," Zhao Chen pointed at Shen Bing.
Shen Bing remained silent.
"I'll give you time to think, but it won't be too long," Zhao Chen said.
He cherished Shen Bing's talent, but if she wasn't willing, Zhao Chen wouldn't force her.
After all, he would only stay at the North Star Starship Military Academy until the end of this year.
The food arrived, and Shen Bing's portion was a serving of Dumplings.
Shen Bing picked up a Dumpling with her chopsticks, looking at its translucent appearance with a complex expression.
She had heard her grandmother mention Dumplings. Her grandmother had eaten them once as a child—just three Dumplings.
But it was a taste her grandmother could never forget for the rest of her life.
She and her younger sister sat by their grandmother's sickbed, listening to her stories. Her sister vowed that she would make sure their grandmother and older sister could taste that flavor again.
If she joined Zhao Chen's Fierce Dragon Fleet, would her grandmother and sister be able to eat this delicious food?
Shen Bing's resolve wavered.
As she chewed the Dumpling in her mouth, the flavor danced on her taste buds. She had never tasted anything so delicious.
Half a bowl of Dumplings disappeared without her realizing it. She looked up at the opposite seat.
Zhao Chen had already left at some point. Glancing at her other female crew members, some were savoring the taste of the food, while others had red, swollen eyes, as if they had been crying.
Shen Bing pondered thoughtfully.
Zhao Chen returned to the bridge.
"Commander, the battle report for this engagement has been compiled," Secretary officer Lilith stood beside Zhao Chen.
"Go ahead," Zhao Chen said.
"The T2 Queen Bee-class Heavy Carrier Starship consumed 93% of its ammunition and supplies. Stellar Drone losses reached 68%, with all T2 Killer Bee-class Medium Stellar Drones and T2 Hornet-class Heavy Stellar Drones destroyed, leaving only T2 Larval Bee-class Light Stellar Drones remaining.
Additionally, among the five T2 Black Rhinoceros-class interstellar heavy assault frigates, one suffered severe damage to its Starship Armor and will need to Return to port for repairs."
The remaining four ships sustained damage within acceptable limits; even without repairs, they should have no problem returning to base.
They can be repaired on our T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ship, which will significantly reduce the repair costs!
No personnel were killed, though several were injured, but they have already been treated and cared for.
In total, we eliminated one T3 Mechanoid starship and twenty-seven T2 Mechanoid starships." Lilith reported.
Zhao Chen looked at these figures, then glanced at the Interstellar Transport Ship Fleet he had escorted, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "This escort mission really gave me a big surprise. We need an explanation."
Lilith understood the commander's implication—there was something wrong with this mission.