Segmentum Obscurus, Kronos Star Sector.
Li Feng returned to the bridge, where a tense and silent atmosphere hung in the air. The Navigator old man's seat was empty, and the screen that normally displayed navigation data now showed only a flickering static noise.
First Mate Barbosa stood by the command console, his expression solemn. He had just ordered the Navigator's body to be cremated; the elderly Navigator had suddenly died at the moment of entering the Warp, leaving no premonition.
"First Mate… so… what's the situation now?" Li Feng walked to Barbosa's side and asked in a low voice.
A trace of worry on Barbosa's face, he replied:
"The Navigator suffered severe brain damage the moment we crossed the Warp rift. It seemed to be some kind of psychic shock that directly destroyed his central nervous system. Despite the protection of the Gellar Field, this accident could not be prevented."
Li Feng's heart sank upon hearing this. He now strongly suspected that his own anomaly might have killed the old man. If only he had known, he wouldn't have been so curious to watch how the Navigator worked. Of course, Li Feng didn't know at the moment that the old man had actually died from peeking into Li Feng's true nature... Now, this meant that the warship no longer had a Navigator, and the coordinates for the upcoming Warp journey could not be determined. Without the Navigator's guidance, the warship was likely to get lost in the endless chaos of the Warp.
"Has the cause of the Navigator's sudden death been determined?" Li Feng pressed on, vaguely feeling that things were not simple.
Barbosa shook his head: "The doctor said the possibility of 'Warp Plague' is low, as he didn't show any typical symptoms. Instead, it's more like some external interference or psychic shock directly destroyed his mental barrier… but there's no conclusive evidence at the moment."
Just then, a low hum came from the communication channel, followed by the Sound Array Master's voice entering the bridge:
"Captain, I just detected space fluctuations nearby. According to our intelligence, there is an Othello Family Navigator outpost not far from us. This family has been engaged in Warp navigation for generations. Perhaps we can try to contact them to find a replacement Navigator."
Li Feng's eyes lit up. He was very familiar with the Othello Family's reputation. Wasn't this Kassia's family from "Rogue Trader"?
And in the game, this Kassia was a beauty who combined both beauty and ability, and Kassia had excellent abilities in dealing with dangerous phenomena in the Warp.
However, such families were always mysterious and cautious; obtaining their help usually required a considerable price.
First Mate Barbosa also realized this was the best option at the moment. He turned to look at Li Feng,
"The Othello Family Navigators are indeed capable of handling the current situation, but we must act quickly. There are too many unstable factors in the Warp, and the warship cannot stay here for long."
Li Feng nodded, just about to order contact with the Othello Family, when the communicator rang again, interrupting him.
"Captain, there's another piece of news you need to know," the Sound Array Master continued,
"We detected that there is also a Rogue Trader Dynasty active nearby, the fleet of the Von Valancius Family. They are Rogue Traders known for trade and adventure, with ships spread across multiple Star Sectors, sometimes even interacting with official Imperial fleets."
Good heavens! Li Feng slapped his thigh. Good heavens, was he really catching the beginning of Rogue Trader...? Since fate had brought him here, he would go and see what the situation was.
Li Feng grabbed the intercom and asked: "Master, who is closer to us right now, the two of them?"
"Lord Li Feng, the Von Valerius Dynasty merchant ship is closest to us."
After hearing the Sound Array Master's reply, Li Feng pondered for a moment and immediately made a decision:
"Alright, then let's first contact the Von Valerius Dynasty merchant ship. Since they are closest to us, we can understand the situation as soon as possible. Barbosa, order the warship to adjust course and approach the Von Valerius merchant ship. At the same time, I am preparing to board and make contact with them."
First Mate Barbosa nodded quickly, "Understood, I'll arrange it right away."
He immediately directed the crew on the bridge to adjust the warship's course and notified the transport ship to prepare. The entire bridge instantly became busy, with various commands quickly relayed through the communicators.
As the warship's course adjustment was completed, the outline of the Von Valerius merchant ship gradually appeared on the internal display screen.
This Rogue Trader ship was vastly different in style from an Imperial warship. Its hull lines were elegant, adorned with many ornate gilded carvings, exuding an aura of luxury. The ship was surrounded by a faint shield glow, symbolizing its high-tech protective measures.
Li Feng carefully observed the appearance of the merchant ship, marveling that the Von Valerius Dynasty was indeed extraordinary. Such a ship was not merely a means of transport but more like a work of art floating in the universe. However, compared to his own warship, it was a piece of junk.
"Captain, the other party has received our communication request and is replying," the Sound Array Master reported.
An image of an elegant middle-aged woman with a red bionic eye appeared on the screen. She was dressed in a magnificent white robe with a family crest, her hair styled in a puffy, aristocratic fashion reminiscent of the French Bourbon Dynasty, and her eyes revealed a seasoned shrewdness.
She smiled and nodded to Li Feng. The man before her had come with a fleet and a battleship, indicating his extraordinary status.
"Esteemed Imperial Commander, welcome to the shipping lanes of the Von Valancius Family. I am Theodora Von Valancius, the Matriarch of this Rogue Trader Von Valerius Dynasty, and I am delighted to meet you here."
Her words were gentle, with a hint of aristocratic elegance in her tone, "How may I be of service to you?"
Li Feng nodded, looking at this woman who might die in his office, and replied with a smile:
"Lady Theodora, thank you for receiving me. I am Li Feng, Commander of the Imperial Expeditionary Fleet. We unfortunately encountered an incident during a Warp journey; the warship's Navigator unexpectedly passed away during transit, which currently prevents us from continuing Warp navigation. Therefore, we hope to discuss with your esteemed party whether you can offer some assistance, or guide us to the nearby Othello Family outpost to find a new Navigator."
Theodora Von Valancius frowned slightly, clearly surprised by Li Feng's situation. Her red bionic eye flickered, indicating that she was rapidly analyzing and thinking.
"Lord Li Feng, your situation is indeed tricky. A fleet without a Navigator navigating the Warp is like a blind man crossing a river, very dangerous."
Her tone was calm but cautious: "The Othello Family does have outposts in the nearby Star Sector, and we also have some commercial dealings with them. However, their family has always been cautious, and obtaining help from them would likely require some cost."
Li Feng nodded; he had already prepared himself for this.
"We understand that. Is it possible for your esteemed party to assist us in getting an introduction to the Othello Family, or provide us with some contact information for them? We can exchange some valuable things, such as my friendship and some tangible materials."
Theodora pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded, "Our Von Valancius Family can indeed introduce you. However, our family's resources and time are also precious."
She offered a slight smile: "As Your Excellency mentioned, valuable terms of exchange will make things smoother."
Li Feng knew this was an exchange of interests; merchants never rise early without profit.
He mused for a moment, then continued: "I have many STCs here. Do you want them?"
Theodora's red bionic eye brightened slightly, clearly intrigued by Li Feng's offer, and even by Li Feng himself. She had long noticed the huge mechanical ark in Li Feng's fleet. And Li Feng actually offered STCs in exchange, which showed how wealthy this man's background was.
"That is indeed an attractive proposition, Lord Li Feng."
"Alright, then it's settled. I'll bring my people to your ship shortly, and we can discuss it face-to-face then."
...Terra Imperial Palace Throne Room,
Khan and Russ had moved their office to the Throne Room because it was closer to Father and Father (female)... Of course, it was absolutely not because Captain-General Trajann was there as a beverage and dessert chef.
When Li Feng was in the office, he taught Trajann many recipes for drinks and desserts from that world. These included the Empress and Li Feng's favorite tiramisu, Khan's beloved cheese buns... and Russ's favorite Black Forest cake with liqueur.
At this time, the two children were so depressed by work that Russ's wild smile had disappeared, and Khan would go to the deserted garden every night to curse at the sky.
At this moment, Sanguinius was on a video call with Li Feng. There was a phone stand on the Emperor's Throne holding Sanguinius's phone, allowing her to communicate with Li Feng across the stars through the Psykers burned by the Golden Throne.
On the other side, Celestine held Li Feng's phone. As a Great Daemon, she naturally served as a relay for the Emperor's power, helping Li Feng and Sanguinius communicate.
This couple named their communication method "Shenzhouxing, I think it's good." (Firewood Psykers: Your mom?)
Li Feng: "Anyway, that's how it is. We're currently in the Kronos Star Sector, this expanding Star Sector. Who would have thought the Navigator would suddenly die? On the way, I also ran into the 'Rogue Trader' game I used to play… I'll go meet them in a bit."
Sanguinius: "What are you planning to do? Become a merchant from now on, running trade routes to support me? Alright, just be careful."
Soon the two hung up the phone... Sanguinius also walked to the two children's desks and began "checking homework." Sanguinius immediately became like a mother hen,
"Russ, look at your handwriting, it's like chicken scratch… Look at Chagatai, he can even write regular script and Italian cursive…"
But the more Sanguinius thought about it, the more something felt off. She suddenly remembered that when Li Feng played "Rogue Trader," there were romantic interests… and it was a mutant Navigator, a Death Cult Assassin, and… "What was her name? Eli…"
The two children looked bewildered, not knowing what sudden fit their mother was having… "Mother? What are you saying? What Dongmei?"
"Eli… Eli… Eliette! She's a white sprout! Damn it!"
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