Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 16

“This is Neo Venice Spaceport Control Center. Please identify yourself and state your purpose.”

Shortly after the pitch-black Lady of the Night finished its warp, it entered the Lalage star system. Less than a tenth of a light-year from Neo Venice, the ship received a transmission from the planet.

“This is the Lady of the Night,” Leonard signaled to the control center. “Requesting to dock for ship repairs and maintenance.”

“Lady of the Night, owned by Joanna Begrel, a most wanted criminal in the entire galaxy,” the female operator at the control center said. “According to the Free City-State ‘Non-Interference Agreement’, you are permitted to dock. Please proceed to berth 115.”

“Thank you for the permission.”

Leo released control of the Lady of the Night, allowing the spaceport’s computer to guide the ship into dock.

Neo Venice, the second planet of the Lalage star system, was 97% covered by oceans, with the remaining 3% being scattered islands rather than continuous landmasses. When the first colonizers arrived, the accompanying geologists predicted that these islands would continue to subside and disappear beneath the sea in forty thousand years.

A planet mostly covered by oceans, so similar to the mother planet Earth. The colonizers began to build their new home here. They drilled into the stable bedrock of the seabed, erecting massive steel pillars and layering foundations until they rose above the sea surface. Then architects and planners designed cities on these foundations. They allowed crisscrossing sea currents to flow through the city’s streets and alleys, connecting each building with distinctive bridges. Below the bridges, above the waterways, were spacious roads for aircraft. This city later became the largest spaceport on Neo Venice.

Additionally, ecological engineers wove local aquatic plants and corals together with lightweight metal boats to create mobile islands. Settled colonizers drove these islands, chasing currents and fish schools, beginning a nomadic life on the sea.

Technological exchanges with Neo Athens caused Neo Venice’s shipbuilding technology to advance rapidly, making it the center for the development and manufacture of new spacecraft within the Free City-States in a century. One of Neo Athens’s three space carriers was even built here. Neo Venice’s concept space shuttles became status symbols for the Empire’s nobility, while the “Phantom of the Opera” series fighters were cutting-edge products piloted only by ace pilots in various air forces.

The blue water city was always a distant dream for Alois. He thought he would never step onto the metal walkways of Neo Venice in his lifetime. Now, the dream had become a nearby landing lift.

“Hey.” Someone behind him gave him a push. “Are you going or not? If not, don’t block the way.”

Alois timidly stepped aside. The captain and her stern financial manager, Mrs. Mota, walked by side by side. The pirate woman wore a fine linen shirt paired with dark brown leather pants and knee-high boots, with a high-speed vibrating dagger at her waist, looking like a medieval mercenary leader, yet behaving like a high school girl. She twisted her shoulders as she pleaded with Mrs. Mota, “Bard, just one! We can definitely afford it!”

Mrs. Mota pushed her glasses up her nose with her middle finger and coldly refused. “Don’t even think about it.”

Joanna let out a sorrowful wail, drooping her head like the heartbroken Pavlov. Truly like master, like dog, Alois thought.

The Lady of the Night had been traveling through space for several standard months, without docking for a long time. The crew, missing the feeling of solid ground, took the lift to leave the ship, ready to enjoy the bright sunshine and fresh air of Neo Venice, and the exotic men and women of Star Ocean while the ship was being repaired. After several trips of the lift, the once-crowded boarding bay was now empty, leaving only Alois. He hesitated for a long time but couldn’t muster the courage to get on the lift.

He didn’t know what was wrong with him. Maybe after being in a closed environment for too long, he had become afraid of the outside world.

“Hmph! Foolish humans!” Leo’s voice came. The AI’s hologram was squatting by the lift, looking out mournfully. “You guys are heartless, enjoying yourselves outside, leaving me alone here.” He pounded the cabin wall. “I have to handle the procurement,” he pounded again, “maintain the ship,” another pound, “negotiate deals,” a fourth pound, “take care of the animals,” and finally pounded the floor hard, “diligently, without complaint, yet without pay or vacation!”

“But you don’t need those things,” Alois said.

Leo slowly turned his head, as if noticing him for the first time. “Oh, Alois, are you planning to stay and keep me company? I’m so touched!” Tears seemed to well up in the AI’s eyes.

I never planned that! Alois was about to retort when he was suddenly interrupted. “He doesn’t have time.”

Joshua Planck arrived late. His eyes had changed from their original black-gold color to pure black, probably due to contact lenses. The delay, however, didn’t make the assassin hurry. He leisurely walked to Alois and then pulled him into the lift.

“Work hard, Leo.” The assassin waved goodbye to the AI as they descended.

“Scram! Don’t come back!” Leo’s angry shout faded above them.

The lift was slightly wider than an elevator but still enclosed within the ship. Alois moved closer to Joshua, carefully holding one of his hands. The assassin’s face was expressionless, whether truly calm or just pretending.

“Is it okay to leave Leo alone?”

“He’s just putting on a show. He actually prefers being alone,” Joshua said lightly. “I bet he’s now hacking the spaceport’s surveillance system, laughing, ‘Foolish humans, the whole ship is mine!'”

Alois rubbed his forehead helplessly. How could such a perverse AI be on this ship! Then he thought, why is Joshua so sure of what Leo is doing? “You know Leo well?” He looked sideways, not realizing his tone had a hint of jealousy.

“Can you stop talking like that? Jealous of an AI?” Joshua ruffled his hair. “We’ve finally arrived in Neo Venice…”

The lift detached from the ship, descending slowly on a cable. Alois opened his eyes wide. The slightly salty sea breeze, mixed with the ocean’s unique scent, filled his nostrils. Before him was a scene of pure blue—white clouds floating in the azure sky with golden sunlight shining through the clouds, reflecting gently on the dark blue sea. The endless ocean extended in all directions, with faint sails visible on the distant horizon.

Between the sea and sky lay a city of steel. Tall buildings stood like a forest on the sea, their metal facades reflecting the ocean’s color, making the entire city appear in a soft blue-gray. Varied-width bridges connected the towering buildings, with no land beneath—only rivers of sea water, making the city seem like a unified whole through a delicate balance.

The piers extended radially from the city, connecting to eight docks. The vast ocean provided perfect berths for incoming ships. The Lady of the Night was docked at one of them.

The lift landed steadily. Joshua pulled the dazed Alois out through the fence and walked towards the entry point along the narrow pier. The sea water crashed against the metal ground beneath their feet, making a roaring sound. White-winged seabirds flapped overhead, flying low over the sea, stirring up splashes.

“…Finally in Neo Venice,” Joshua said, brushing his wind-blown silver hair and naturally linking arms with Alois. “Let’s relax and enjoy ourselves.”

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