Chapter 924: Fengrao Starport (1)

Dormitory area of Fengrao Starport.

Weike opened his three eyes, his pale purple fingers sliding across the metal nightstand to turn off the ringing alarm clock.

"Weike, you're already awake?" a muffled voice came from the lower bunk, carrying obvious sleepiness.

"As always, Kern."

Weike sat up from the bed while answering, stretching his shoulders.

Kern poked his furry head out from the edge of the bed, his amber eyes half-squinted.

"I dreamed of the grasslands of my hometown."

"Sounds much more pleasant than the Starport's alarms."

Weike put on his gray basic uniform, the material a synthetic fiber with micro-self-cleaning functions.

As an important hub in the Seventh Star Sector of the Southern Theater of the Fengqi Star Alliance, Fengrao Starport never truly sleeps, but it was relatively quiet at this time.

Five minutes later, Weike and Kern walked out of the dormitory area, joining the gradually growing stream of people.

The early morning shift change is always the most orderly chaos in the Starport; night shift personnel drag their exhausted bodies back to the dorms, while they, the day shift personnel, begin their day's work.

The corridor was wide enough to accommodate ten people walking side by side, and the ceiling was five meters high, designed to accommodate the height requirements of different races.

A group of tall Sarahan passed by Weike, their blue scales shimmering under the lights; on the other side was a squad of stocky Stone-born, their skin like granite, making heavy footsteps as they walked.

"Did you see the announcement? A diplomatic mission is arriving today."

Kern nudged Weike with his elbow; his hometown was a planet with higher gravity, so despite being in the standard gravity zone of the Starport, he maintained a slightly forward-leaning walking posture.

Weike nodded, his Third Eye turning unconsciously toward the direction of the Central Plaza announcement screen.

"Fengrao Starport Command requires all personnel to maintain the highest professional standards."

"Meaning, don't cause trouble."

Kahn sneered, revealing his fangs.

As a warrior from the Keso, Kern had wolf-like facial features and thick fur, but in Fengrao Starport, this phenomenon was not rare.

The two passed through three security gates; every time they passed one, their identity chips were automatically scanned.

After the final door, the Seventh Main Dock of Fengrao Starport appeared before them.

Even after working here for three standard years, Weike still felt a hint of shock every time he saw the Main Dock.

Under the massive dome, dozens of berths were arranged in an orderly fashion; some were docked with standard military starships, while others were civilian cargo ships.

In the distance, an interstellar passenger liner was slowly docking, its streamlined hull decorated with alien emblems—presumably the ship carrying the diplomatic mission arriving today.

"Weike, Kern, Seventh Patrol Team, D-2 Zone."

The duty officer handed Weike and his partner a Data Pad at the entrance, which displayed the details of today's Task.

"Understood, officer."

Weike's gaze swept across the Data Pad to ensure no important information was missed.

Kern took his equipment bag and skillfully checked the standard rations and emergency items inside.

Afterward, the two walked toward the designated equipment area to collect today's weapons.

"D Zone again; there isn't even a spot where you can see the Central Plaza."

"Safety first, entertainment second."

Weike quoted a common Starport slogan, adjusting the collar of his uniform.

The D-2 Zone is located on the southwest side of the Starport, primarily an area for storage and auxiliary facilities.

The corridors here are relatively narrow, and the lighting is more utilitarian.

"I heard there was an attempted smuggling case in E Zone yesterday."

Kern activated his patrol Recorder and said to Weike.

"Spices, from the Weima Star Region. The two individuals involved have already been detained."

Kern shook his head and said.

"Always spices. I don't understand why so many races are obsessed with this powder."

"Because most races have a demand for stimulating flavors; it's huge profit."

The two walked for a while, chatting idly.

Patrol work is like this most of the time.

Two years ago, when Weike had just graduated from the New Recruit Training Camp and was assigned here, he had worried that life in Fengrao Starport would be too chaotic.

After all, this is an important dual-use port for military and civilian purposes, with tens of thousands of people of different races coming and going every day.

But in reality, the Starport operates in an orderly manner under strict rules.

"Wait."

Weike suddenly raised his hand, his Third Eye capturing a trace of an unusual heat signal.

Kern immediately entered a state of alert.

"What's the situation?"

Weike pointed to a row of cargo crates on the right.

"Third row, second crate, abnormal heat signal."

The two approached slowly, adopting a standard tactical formation.

"Come out, identify yourself!"

Kern shouted in the common language, his voice echoing in the warehouse.

After a brief silence, a rustling sound came from behind the cargo crate, and then a small figure walked out.

It was a Gelik child, no more than eight standard years old, his feather-like outer skin trembling slightly.

"I, I'm lost."

The child said in not-very-fluent Common, their large eyes moving back and forth between us and our weapons.

Weike lowered his Rifle and asked.

"What is your name? Which tour group do you belong to?"

"Zhanku, I came with my parents; they went to handle the paperwork and told me to wait, but I saw a flash-bug and then..."

Kern relaxed and reported the situation through his Communication Device: "Lost child found in Sector D-2, Gelik, named Zhanku, requesting to contact their guardians."

Weike handed the little one a standard protein bar.

"Eat, you must be hungry. Remember to stay with your parents next time; the Starport is large and it's easy to get lost."

The child took the food and began to gnaw on it.

However, ten minutes later, an anxious Gelik couple was brought to Weike and his partner's location by a guidance robot.

The Gelik father said in the tremolo unique to their race.

"Thank you, officers. He disappeared the moment we turned around; this place is too big."

"The Starport is indeed easy to lose one's way in. I suggest you pick up a tracking bracelet at an information kiosk; it only costs 2 Bode Coin."

Watching the backs of the family of three as they left, Kern chuckled.

"I remember when I was a child, I also got lost at the space station in my hometown. But back then, there weren't any friendly soldiers like you to find me."

"Because you hid in a trash compactor?"

Weike asked with a raised eyebrow. Kern had told this story before.

"Hey, that was a perfect hiding spot!"

Kern protested, a smile-like expression appearing on his furry face.

The two continued their patrol, handling a few routine matters.

Giving directions, mediating a minor trade dispute, and reporting a malfunctioning cleaning robot.

At noon, the two returned to the rest area to change shifts.