Chapter 911: The Dazzling Rotten Stars (Part 1) (Patreon)

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The Large Magellanic Cloud, also known as the Great Magellanic Cloud, is an dwarf galaxy within the Milky Way Galaxy's vast array of satellite galaxies. It is not only one of the most well-known but also the largest in terms of mass, accounting for roughly one-twentieth of the Milky Way Galaxy's mass.

Within this galaxy cluster, the Large Magellanic Cloud stands as the fourth-largest galaxy, surpassed only by the Triangulum Galaxy, Milky Way Galaxy, and the Andromeda Galaxy. Moreover, it serves as the home world of the Kree Empire, one of the three major space empires.

The entirety of the Large Magellanic Cloud has been extensively transformed into military bases by the Kree Empire, with the principal star of the Kree Empire, the Supreme Intelligence, residing within layers of fortifications.

While the Large Magellanic Cloud is typically observed as an irregular galaxy, there are indications of a bar-like structure. Through the lenses of human astronomical telescopes, the Large Magellanic Cloud presents itself as a stunning spindle-shaped light arc. At the center of the brightest nebula situated at the tail end of the Spiral Arm lies the heart of the Kree Empire.

Simultaneously, the Kree Empire boasts over two thousand star ports within the Large Magellanic Nebula, with roughly half serving as military installations for anchoring Kree Empire warships.

However, due to the continuous expansion and colonization efforts over the past millennium, about half of these star ports are now dormant, with only two to three hundred military ports still operating efficiently.

The recorded history of the Kree Empire does not span as long as that of the Skrull Empire. Nevertheless, this has resulted in a dynamic civilization. The majority of Kree individuals possess blue skin, although there are also white-skinned or pink-skinned individuals resulting from mixed-race unions. Nonetheless, blue skin remains the predominant characteristic.

The ruler of the Kree Empire, known as the Supreme Intelligence, is a creation of the Kree civilization, a culmination of knowledge, science, technology, and culture. Presently, the Supreme Intelligence continues to govern the Kree Empire.

Because the highest ruler of this empire is an intelligent entity, the entire race operates at an almost hive-mind level of unity, where one is equivalent to many and many are equivalent to one. All Kree are merely components within the colossal machinery of the Kree Empire, adhering to collective consciousness and striving for the highest purpose of existence.

It is precisely due to this high level of intelligence that the Kree Empire has maintained an extremely tight defense around its home star. The first star port of the Kree Empire was established primarily to defend against extraterrestrial threats.

The Skrulls and the Kree engaged in a millennium-long war, during which both civilizations developed unparalleled interstellar defense technologies. Just like the arms race that once occurred on Earth, both sides reached the pinnacle of attack and defense techniques when it came to each other's star ports.

The first star port of the Kree Empire in the Large Magellanic Cloud is situated at the far end of the Spider Nebula Newborn Stars region.

This densely clustered nebula, shaped like a spider with multiple branching arms, was one of the earliest developed regions of the Kree Empire in the Large Magellanic Cloud.

This beautiful yet rugged nebula has floated through the vast expanse of space for thousands of years, evoking different emotions in each Kree. It is their homeland and a source of pride.

Inside the command room of the first star port, a Kree soldier walked through the corridor. After the scanning device at the door confirmed his identity, the heavy mechanical door opened. He stepped inside, stood at attention with his feet together, and saluted in the traditional Kree military fashion before speaking.

"Commander, the inspection fleet is about to arrive. The welcoming vessels are all prepared. You can board in three minutes, or you can board the welcoming vessel within the next twenty minutes before the airlock closes."

The Kree officer before him was quite young, dressed in a military uniform adorned with shoulder insignia. From the patterns on his shoulder insignia, it was clear that he wasn't a very high-ranking officer. Nevertheless, the Kree soldier held him in great respect.

The young Kree officer nodded and said, "The Commanders of the Accusers Team, representing the will of the Supreme Intelligence, the leaders and vanguard of the Kree Empire, are coming to inspect. We must present ourselves in the best possible light."

The soldier immediately saluted and replied, "Rest assured, Commander. We began refurbishing all the aging facilities at the star port a month ago, upgraded the star port's intelligent reconnaissance systems, and equipped all Kree soldiers with the latest gear. To celebrate the great anniversary of the Accusers Team, we've changed all the weapon and spaceship paint to celebratory patterns."
"By the way, is the military music prepared for the Star Port ready? You know, back in the day, the Accusers Team defeated the formidable Skrull fleet while playing the Kree Empire's martial anthem, making them flee in disarray."

A young Kree officer raised his chin as he paced around in the briefing room. He said, "Hoffman from the Seventh Star Port has been competing with me for the positions of Accusers Team reserve members. Also, another Accusers Team inspection ship has gone to his location."

"I want to seize the opportunity. Just renovating the Star Port and changing its paint won't be enough. I believe that a rousing military anthem can awaken the Accusers Team's memories of glorious times, and that, my friend, is my trump card."

A soldier immediately saluted and said, "I will inform the spaceship right away to play the military music when the inspection fleet arrives."

The young Kree officer nodded in satisfaction and waved his hand, saying, "Go on, I'll change into a new uniform and board the ship shortly to welcome the esteemed Accusers."

In the dark space not far from the Spider Nebula, a bright rift suddenly appeared out of nowhere. It was the spaceship teleporting to the designated location, exhibiting a unique optical phenomenon.

After the rift vanished, a Kree spaceship appeared in space. Fragments of asteroids streaked past the viewport, and two Kree officers stood in the control room. The shorter of the two spoke, "Baitu from the First Star Port and Hoffman from the Seventh Star Port, who do you think has more potential? The Accusers Team is finally getting some fresh blood. Ronan, you were once in their shoes, chosen by the Supreme Intelligence for your exceptional talents, becoming a great Accuser."

"I have more faith in Hoffman," said Ronan, the Kree Accuser, with a sigh. "Baitu is too young, and his behavior is too frivolous. He doesn't embody the efficiency-focused style that the Supreme Intelligence demands. He indulges in pointless activities."

"I agree. In fact, I originally planned to join the fleet on the inspection of the Seventh Star Port. But if it's just you going, Baitu might think we underestimate him. Even if he doesn't make it into the Accusers Team, he could become a fleet commander. I don't want to offend him."

Ronan furrowed his brow and said, "I'm not here to see that kid Baitu. I have no interest in him. I'm more concerned about the First Star Port. It used to be the front line of our strategic defense system."

"Even though the Kree Empire's fleets now span the entire space, we must not relax our defense here."

Ronan began pacing in the room and sighed, "The reason we built the First Star Port in the Spider Nebula in the first place was due to the advantages of this star sector."

"This place has the most supergiant stars in the entire Large Magellanic Cloud, bright, hot, and youthful, providing the best energy support for constructing our defense system."

"For eons, Kree referred to this place as the 'Star Cradle.' Over countless millions of years, it has birthed numerous bright stars, and many nearby galaxies are clearly visible."

"Although the strategic importance of this place has diminished with the expansion of the Kree Empire, we must still guard this Nebula."

"If we lose control here, the defensive system formed by the Spider Nebula and the Dorado Constellation may develop weak points, potentially affecting the Perseus and Sculptor Constellations' border regions."

"More importantly, due to the density and size of the stars here, many advanced Kree Empire defense facilities cannot function properly. To avoid interfering with the stars' normal operation, traps cannot be placed too densely."

Ronan sighed again, saying, "I've been worrying about this all along. This place is the frontline of the Empire's defenses, and it's already more vulnerable than other areas. If we can't find an improvement method, I'll never stop worrying."

The shorter and chubbier officer shook his head and said, "Ronan, you're always like this. Why worry about something that's impossible to happen?"
"Do you think anyone would dare to attack the first star port of the Kree Empire?" The short and stout officer sneered, saying with a hint of disdain, "The entire space knows that the first star port doesn't hold any valuable resources, and its location isn't that crucial. It doesn't pose a significant threat to our core defenses, but this place represents the honor of the Kree, symbolizing the dignity of our nation."

"Anyone who dares to attack here officially declares war on the Kree Empire. They will undoubtedly face the fierce retaliation of the Kree. However, such an attack here won't pose a significant threat to our core defenses."

"In simple terms, this is a complete loss. Provoking the Kree Empire, what benefit does it bring to other civilizations? Even war enthusiast Odin wouldn't engage in such a losing battle."

Ronan nodded in agreement, "That's right. No officer is willing to fight a battle where the investment doesn't justify the returns. Although the old star sector is about saving face, causing trouble here would at least require preparing for the loss of a main fleet."

"But what can be gained from attacking here? Is there anything worth taking? The star port? After coming all the way here, why bother with this old star port?"

The two of them chatted for a while, reminiscing about the good old days. Then Ronan said, "Alright, enough chit-chat. Increase the speed and head straight to the star port. Batu has never been patient."

The stout officer nodded and said to another soldier nearby, "Full speed ahead towards the star port. When the welcoming ship appears in the radar scan range, greet them first."

The soldier obeyed the orders, and in no time, the Kree inspection vessel accelerated rapidly towards the star port.

The distance to the first star port wasn't too far, and after a short flight, the Kree's first star port came into view.

First and foremost, what caught their eyes was a bright supergiant star. On the outermost orbit of the star's gravitational field, there was a star port that was nearly the size and mass of a dwarf planet, floating in the space.

It had an overall spherical shape similar to a planet, except that the upper half of its outer shell was a transparent dome, while the lower half of the base extended in eight directions with docking bays, each bay extending further into docking piers.

This old star port, built in a previous era of the Kree Empire, now appeared somewhat outdated. The colonial-era Kree Empire no longer used these older star ports with more materials and sparser docks.

However, when anyone from that era of the Kree approached this star port, they couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia.

Therefore, before approaching this star port, Ronan deliberately had the spaceship stop. He looked out of the spaceship's window with the best view, gazing at this star port that bore the marks of time, slowly rotating on the orbit of the massive star, like a military medal that had endured the trials of time.

Ronan stood with his hands behind his back in front of the window, sighing, "The prosperity of that era is always nostalgic. I vaguely remember the bustling scene when this star port was packed with spaceships..."

"At that time, streaks of light from spaceship engines converged from afar, like... wait, what's that light?!!"

"Drip—drip—drip! Drip! Drip!"

"Intruders!!! Someone is invading!!! The anti-jump defense system has been activated... My goodness, they didn't jump here; they came straight for us!!!"

"Star port!!! Defend the star port!!! Defend..."

"Boom!!!!!!"

[Read at www.patreon.com/shanefreak, and thanks for the invaluable support!]

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Next Chapter>>Chapter 912: Brilliant Stars Gone Rotten (Part 1)