Chapter 604: Sortie Team Returns

In the following days, the Purifiers were remodeling Laffey and others' Ship Equipment while teaching Hai Lun Na remodeling knowledge; they didn't stir up any news, instead the Gangqu became lively over these two days.

That day Qin Ge was chatting with Tiancheng in the office when the telephone on the desk suddenly rang.

Qin Ge picked it up, and Benson's voice came through: "Commander, I saw the Sortie team returning from the lighthouse, and it looks like the flag flying is ours, the White Eagle's."

"Okay, I got it, Benson, thanks for the notice; I'll head to the port to welcome them right away," Qin Ge said with a smile.

"Hehe, Commander, do you need me to accompany you?" Benson asked.

"Thank you for the kindness, but I don't need it for now; you keep playing," Qin Ge said with a smile.

"Oh, okay."

After hanging up, Qin Ge saw Tiancheng's doubtful gaze: "My lord, are we preparing to go to the port? Is the Sortie team coming back?"

Qin Ge nodded: "Just now, Benson, who was manning the lighthouse, called me and said the White Eagle's Sortie team will be back shortly."

"Hehe, their return at this time indicates the Wisdom Cube's combat data collection is nearly complete; it seems our Gangqu will gain another research shipgirl." Tiancheng smiled.

Qin Ge chuckled: "Indeed, and White Eagle's progress is about the same as the other factions, so I estimate the other factions will also return in a day or two; then we'll go to Mingshi to purchase some Wisdom Cubes, and our Gangqu will gain five fully trained research shipgirls."

This is another strong assurance for our Gangqu as we prepare to face the Sirens' Siren Tide.

"Indeed, the Monarch and Emperor Frederick are indeed powerful; I believe the other research shipgirls' strength won't be much weaker than those two, and with their addition, our Gangqu can finally stand on equal footing with the other factions in strength." Tiancheng smiled.

Qin Ge nodded: "Ha, so let's go welcome them."

"Mm."

The two put down their work, accompanied each other, and walked toward the Gangqu dock.

After waiting a while at the dock, a Command Ship slowly entered the inner harbor from the outer harbor and soon moored at the Gangqu dock.

Seeing Qin Ge and Tiancheng standing on the dock to welcome them, after the ship steadied, several figures leapt lightly from the ship and walked toward Qin Ge.

"Welcome back, Baltimore, Cleveland, San Diego, Bunker Hill, Washington." Qin Ge said to everyone.

"Commander good, Tiancheng good." The Baltimore group smiled.

"You've worked hard on the way; the earlier heavy rain didn't affect you much, right?" Qin Ge asked.

"No, that's fine; we're already very used to such weather. Moreover, whenever we encounter a storm, Cleveland gets very excited." Baltimore laughed.

"Huh?" Upon hearing Baltimore say that, Qin Ge turned his gaze toward Cleveland.

Cleveland, a bit embarrassed, said: "Um, Commander, actually it's not as amazing as Baltimore said; don't you think the sea knight in the storm looks quite dashing?"

Qin Ge chuckled: "Indeed, the sight of charging across the sea in a raging storm is indeed handsome. But although it's handsome, we still need to pay attention to our own safety."

"I know, Commander." Cleveland quickly replied, then took out a pulsing purplish-red Cube from the Ship Equipment space and handed it to Qin Ge with both hands: "Commander, the research Cube's combat data collection is complete; we can summon anytime."

Qin Ge received it with both hands; upon touching the Cube, he instantly felt an emotion emanating from it—excitement and exhilaration.

He gently stroked the Cube and smiled: "I know you're already somewhat impatient, and I too am eager to summon you.

However, before summoning you, we still need to do some preparations, so please wait a moment."

When Qin Ge finished speaking softly, the purplish-red glowing research Cube's light gradually faded, becoming tranquil.

"Wow, amazing. When we hold the Wisdom Cube, it keeps flashing light, but the Commander just said one sentence and it stopped flashing—so impressive." San Diego exclaimed, moving close to Qin Ge, and the others also looked astonished.

Qin Ge laughed: "This might be the special connection between me and these research Cubes; since Sakura Empire, when I first touched the Monarch's research Cube, it's been like this."

And originally I should have gone with you, but considering this time the research Cube's combat data collection is enormous; if I went back and forth, I don't know when it would finish, but if I followed a squad, it would be unfair to the others, so I had to do it this way.

"Oh oh, no problem." Baltimore laughed: "The Commander needs to stay in Gangqu to oversee things, so we can handle these matters. Moreover, for the Sortie, we don't feel tired; on the contrary, we can fight freely at sea, which is also quite enjoyable."

"What Baltimore said is correct; for us, battle is more like a pleasure. By the way, when we returned, within radar range we also saw several other fleets of our Gangqu; we believe they'll arrive soon." Washington said to Qin Ge.

Qin Ge chuckled: "When I learned you were coming back, I thought they'd be soon too, but I didn't expect it to be today as well; it looks like we'll be spending the coming time at the dock."

"Hehe, since there's nothing else coming up, why don't we keep the Commander company at the dock while waiting, and have him tell us about any interesting recent events in Gangqu?" Cleveland laughed.

"That's fine, but you've been fighting out there for so long—is it really okay not to rest?" Qin Ge asked.

"No problem, we are shipgirls after all." Cleveland laughed.

Qin Ge nodded and began speaking to them about the recent major battle in Gangqu and the Purifiers, etc.

"Huh, I never expected so much to happen while we were away; the Purifiers actually came to our Gangqu and even settled there?" Baltimore said with astonishment.

"Yeah." Qin Ge smiled and nodded: "Currently we are in a ceasefire phase, and the Purifiers' arrival lets us better understand the Sirens' advanced humanoid command units; moreover, she is now teaching Hai Lun Na about remodeling knowledge."

"Aside from the previous big battle wasting some Emergency Repair Tools, overall the Purifiers' coming is still very beneficial for our Gangqu."

"Mm, that's true."