The Empire begins with the Fourth Scourge.

Chapter 2724 Cooperation
2724. Cooperation

Cassian-Andor sighed and said, “A chance to make money? Lucian. Do you know that even the most vicious space pirates wouldn’t choose to operate in the North these days? Not only is there war everywhere here, but there are also Geth everywhere. I’ve heard no fewer than twenty rumors about so-and-so accidentally encountering Geth and then disappearing without a trace, ship and all.”

"So you're on the planet Datal, not deep in the North." The holographic projection showed only shadows and Lucien's slightly aged voice: "But I must tell you, this mission was indeed incredibly dangerous."

“Let me guess, you’ve discovered a treasure vault guarded by Geth?” Cassian-Andor said with a wry smile.

"You're right about the treasure vault, but compared to Geth, this target is much easier," Lucian said. "But don't think it'll be easy."

Cassian-Andor scrutinized the information displayed on the screen, his expression growing grave. "Planet Scipio? You want to rob Planet Scipio? Are you insane, Lucian! Even the main fleet of the Dawn Kingdom wouldn't dare to lay a finger on Planet Scipio!"

"The bad news is, you're right, this matter is indeed connected to the Kingdom of Dawn. As for the good news..." Lucian's tone sounded very serious as well. "We didn't rob the treasury of Planet Scipio, but rather a fleet transporting precious metals."

Three days later, this fleet will secretly travel from the outer reaches of Planet Scipio via a seasonal hyperspace route called 'Lacasto' to Planet Algol—the administrative center of the Interstellar Banking Association. The Kingdom of Dawn has provided us with intelligence and dispatched agents for this operation, and they also hope we can provide assistance. The reward is all the supplies on board this fleet.

“Cooperating with the Kingdom of Dawn? That’s too dangerous,” Cassian-Andor said, shaking his head. “Besides, isn’t cooperating with them something the ‘Leader’ has always opposed?”

"The situation is changing, Ando. Since Yawen's declaration, the Kingdom of Dawn is no longer considered our enemy; the Galactic Empire is," Lusen said. "However, there's one thing I can tell you for your consideration—the person who facilitated this cooperation wasn't the leader, but Borsk-Felia."

“That Bosa man…” Cassian-Ando’s face darkened.

Borsk-Felia represents a significant force within the rebel alliance—the Bosas—and their intelligence network. He has consistently wielded considerable influence within the rebel group and has a long history of conflict with figures like Mon Mosma.

His intelligence has never been wrong, but this time, the involvement of the Kingdom of Dawn still makes people uneasy.

“Can I refuse?” Cassian-Ando asked.

"I'm sorry, no. When you heard about this mission, I assumed you would join, which is why I told you the whole mission details right away," Lucien Rael said coldly.

Although the second half of the sentence was not stated directly, the meaning was very clear—if he refused, then in order to keep the secret, he would become a hidden danger that had to be eliminated.

Ando fell silent.

Lucien-Rayle's tone softened somewhat as he continued, "The Alliance desperately needs these funds, and also needs to divert the attention of Imperial intelligence. After all, we've lost far too many men in the Imperial heartland since the Uguio campaign."

"And what about the Kingdom of Dawn?" Ando asked.

"What they need isn't funding, but chaos. I have a feeling they might have designs on the First Star System's army; after all, capturing Bilblin was a major strategic victory, and they'd probably want to press their advantage," Lucien replied.

Ando sighed again and said, "So, what do you need me to do?"

"The team for this operation has been assembled and is training on the planet Datar. Your mission is to make contact with the people from the Kingdom of Dawn," Lucian said.

"Who is the contact person?" Ando asked.

All I know is that she's a beautiful woman.

"Ah, now I'm somewhat looking forward to it."

“You shouldn’t have any expectations, but rather be extremely careful.” Luxem-Rein’s expression was grave. He sent a set of coordinates through his terminal and then cut off the communication. “Hehehe, you see, I’m quite confident that we will have a pleasant collaboration.” A pleasant laugh came from behind him.

When Luxem-Rayle turned around, he saw a woman in her early thirties, with a beautiful face, lounging lazily on the sofa. Her long, wavy blonde hair fell down, but it still couldn't completely cover her large breasts.

But faced with such a breathtaking sight, Lucien Rael remained unmoved. He said coldly, "Who would have thought that the niece of the Vice Minister of the Imperial Interior is actually a spy for the Kingdom of Dawn... Such a high rank is quite an honor, Miss Sorea... Ah no, I think I should call you... 'White Lotus'."

Upon hearing this, the woman's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her charming smile, gently tossing her hair. "Mr. Rael, although I don't know where you got this name from, but... if you continue like this, you'll die."

“Your Kingdom of Dawn isn’t a monolithic entity either, so don’t get too cocky,” Luxen-Rael said coldly. “Borsk-Felia’s agreement to this cooperation doesn’t mean I agree. Cassian-Andor is nothing more than a pawn that can be discarded at any time. If I decide to terminate the cooperation, Miss White Lotus, you won’t be able to leave.”

"Don't do that, you scared me to death." Bai Lian chuckled as she stood up, went to Lu Sen's side, and affectionately took his arm. "Wouldn't it be better if I begged for forgiveness? I'd do anything..."

“Then do what you promised and take those two hundred tons of rare alloy.” Lucien-Rayle snorted and pushed her away.

He had already seen through her; beneath that alluring exterior lurked a venomous snake, lurking in wait.

Bai Lian's smile faded, and she turned to walk towards the door, tossing out a sentence, "Don't worry, our best agents have arrived. This fleet is ours for the taking."

The door opened, and two ghost agents entered, flanking her on either side, before leaving.

Luxem-Rayle's expression was rather unpleasant, for this was his territory, and the guards around it should have been Rebel Alliance fighters. The two Ghost agents had simply swaggered in, their meaning crystal clear.

……

On the planet Datal, Cassian Andor piloted his spaceship, following the coordinates sent by Luxen, and arrived at a desolate desert. The withered yellow sand and rocks gave the place an aura of death.

Ando unbuckled his seatbelt, stood up from the driver's seat, stretched, and checked the scan data outside the cabin. Nothing was there; there was absolutely no sign of life. As for the contact person? Not even a shadow of them could be seen.

“Kerri? Who’s Kerri? Why is that name so on your mind?” A pleasant voice came from beside me without warning.

Cassian-Andor reacted extremely quickly, jumping up and instantly drawing his pistol, aiming it in that direction.

However, a cold hand reached out from behind him, pressed down on his shoulder, and shoved him back into his seat. Cold sweat trickled down Ando's forehead. He knew that if the other person wanted to kill him, he would already be a corpse.

A barely perceptible flash of lightning suddenly streaked across his face, and a slender figure slowly appeared, sitting on the control panel.

This was a woman wearing a tight-fitting combat suit. Her long golden hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her slender and beautiful figure was perfectly outlined by the tight-fitting suit. Ando couldn't help but take a few more glances.

"How did you get in?" Despite his observation, Ando knew that this woman could kill him at any moment.

“I jumped on while you were landing. Then I hacked through the maintenance hatch and climbed in.” The woman chewed on something, then blew out a large pink bubble, which popped with a pop. She tilted her head, winked at Ando, ​​and said with a hint of mockery, “This thing’s security system is as useless as the rocks here.”

"Jump" up? This is a spaceship! Ando's lips twitched, and he roared inwardly, but he still dared not make a move.

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Nova, an agent of the Kingdom of Dawn, and also the contact person for this operation." Nova smiled and extended her hand, while asking curiously, "Um, who is Kelly?"

“She’s my sister.” Ando’s expression darkened.