Path to Becoming the Greatest Space Mercenary - Chapter 432

Chapter 432: Chapter 432 Goodbye Azade, Hello Storren Corp. Shipyards
“I see. And did you every meet any of them?” Avery’s mother asked.

There was a tension in her voice, but Mercedes did not seem to pick up on this.

Instead, her mind already seemed to be wandering as she thought back to many years ago.

“Huh, oh, no. I’m definitely not the sociable type. It’s been a long time since I’ve made any public appearances, and I don’t believe I ever even attended a conference with any of those four researchers, let alone talked with them. My preference is to be alone and research what I’m interested.”

After receiving this answer, Serena carefully looked over Doctor Raiti for a few more seconds, before her demeanor began to relax.

It seemed that she had decided that this woman had not been involved in the experiments that had been done on her and many other children.

“That’s good. Everyone I named was working on something highly illegal many years ago. I just wanted to make sure that my son was not hiring someone that was really a criminal in hiding.”

“Oh, is that so. I didn’t know about that. I suppose things like that do happen.” Mercedes said with a clear lack of interest.

Doctors and researchers engaging in illegal activity was hardly an uncommon occurrence across the galaxy.

There were plenty that could not get their research approved or lacked funding that would resort to any means to continue their work.

“I’m out here simply because I like to be left alone. When I started making breakthroughs in my fields of study, so many people came to pester me to work for them. It became too much of a bother, so I became a recluse out here in the Coccaro System.”

Avery’s mother asked a few more questions, but she seemed mostly satisfied that Doctor Raiti was merely a bit eccentric and not a true threat to her son.

“Now, since I answered your queries. How about you provide something for me.” Mercedes said, an almost fanatical look in her eyes.

“Right now, I only have a few thigs on me, so I can only collect a few samples. But would you mind letting me have some of your blood, saliva, and a swab from the inside of your mouth.”

At some point Mercedes had pulled out a few sealed test tubes and a syringe.

She was looking at Serena like she had just discovered a very rare sample and was almost frothing at the mouth.

The unknown changes going on with Avery’s body were incredibly fascinating to her. She had never seen anything like it before.

Of course, that meant that his parentage and ancestry were of interest to her as well.

From their conversation already, Mercedes felt like Serena knew something. So, she was not going to miss this chance to collect some research materials.

For a moment, Avery’s mother flashed back to her time living in that faciality and being poked and prodded several times a week.

Maybe this woman might not have been a part of the organization that had done such horrible experiments, but in the future, she could become a danger to Avery.

In her right hand, a small bead of red energy began to form as she prepared an attack.

However, before she did anything rash, she dissipated her power and shook her head.

‘Avery’s an adult now and he told me that he has already accepted her as part of his crew. I’ve already cleared up my worries, so I should trust his judgment. Perhaps she’ll even be able to help him somehow.’ Serena thought as she calmed down.

She then politely refused Doctor Raiti’s requests and fled back onto the Dauntless to avoid any other interactions with the zealous doctor.

“Such a shame. I could have really gotten a headstart on my research.”

Mercedes sighed and looked deflated after Serena’s refusal. She had been so close to getting one step further in the current subject that plagued her mind.

“Don’t worry, I’m planning to uphold my end of our deal. Once we’ve gotten settled on the new ship, I’ll let you do a full checkup on me.” Avery said, patting Doctor Raiti on the head comfortingly.

When he said this, her mood visibly improved immediately, and she looked up at him and smiled brightly.

Truthfully, Avery felt a shiver go up his spine, but he figured that everything would be fine. At least he hoped it would.

After getting Mercedes and her luggage onboard the Dauntless, Avery set off to return to Azade.

He had left Kasandra and Jasmine behind to get everything ready for their departure when he picked up his mother.

The only thing left for him to do was drop his mom back off and give his regards to Regina.

‘I’m a bit worried about something happening to my mom and dad again, but Regina should be able to keep them safe.’ Avery thought as he touched down on Azade.

As his mom was exited the Dauntless, Doctor Raiti tried to plead for samples from her again, but Serena just ran away. Considering her past, this was likely the best outcome as far as Avery was concerned.

“Let’s go. I need to introduce you to the others. You’ve only met Kasandra and Jasmine before after all.”

Avery brought Mercedes with him and followed the directions of the person from the chancellor’s estate that had come to get him.

Soon he was brought to a large room where his team was holding a farewell banquet. This was an unexpected treat that Regina had planned for them, and Avery had no reason to refuse.

Before anything else, he went around introducing Mercedes to everyone. She was going to be their group’s doctor going forward, so it was best that everyone at least recognized her.

Fortunately, she grew interested in Ezra and Olivia, specifically the physical augmentation the two of them had received.

This gave Avery a chance to leave her behind and head over to where Kasandra, Jasmine, and Regina were waiting.

“I see that you’ve picked up our new doctor. She was not too much trouble, was she?” Kasandra asked once Avery had sat down.

“No everything worked out fine. I figure that she’ll enjoy herself plenty once she’s onboard the carrier ship.”

Avery left out the part where his mother questioned Doctor Raiti, but Kasandra and Jasmine figured that something must had happened.

His mother had wanted to talk to them as well to make sure that they were not trying to take advantage of her son.

“You should be grateful that I’m letting her go with you. I normally would not let someone as talented as her leave the system so easily. It’s only because having a skilled doctor will help if Jasmine ever gets injured or sick.” Regina said, her face looking a bit flushed.

She had obviously been drinking a bit much, as she was clinging to her daughter far more than usual and the professional appearance she normally maintained had disappeared.

With everything that had gone on, she needed to destress as well. That was possibly another reason she was throwing this banquet for them.

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect Jasmine with my life. She is my wife after all.”

For around another hour and a half, Avery and his team indulged in the free food and drinks that had been provided by Regina.

In the end, Jasmine’s mother had clung to her and tearily begged her not to go, but Ciphilolia dragged her away to sobber up.

After that, Avery’s team headed to their respective vessel and prepared to launch.

It was finally time for them to leave Azade and resume their job as mercenaries.

…

Coming out of hyperspace, the display on the Dauntless was immediately filled with what looked like a giant wall of ships.

Avery’s team had just entered the Kalvis System, where Storren. Corp’s main shipyards were located.

Even from the edge of the system where they currently were, Avery could see tens of thousands of vessels at different stages of construction being made.

“I can see now why they’re considered to be one of the top three ship manufacturers in the Dramid Alliance. Just reading the statistics doesn’t really do this justice.” Jasmine said, gazing at the scene before them in awe.

There were so many stations and dry docks that it was hard to focus on one thing.

Avery was naturally looking for a particular craft though. And eventually, his eyes landed on his carrier ship that was currently held in place in one of the largest of Storren Corp.’s dry docks where they conducted some of the largest ships in the Dramid Alliance.

Immediately he zoomed in on what on the surface looked like one of Storren Corp.’s more popular cargo vessels.

Even from a glance, it was a bit bulkier than the standard model thanks to the added armor plating and compartments that concealed the weaponry. Still, this would not give away the craft’s true ability. It just appeared to be a more heavily armored cargo vessel than usual.

“We’re receiving a transmission. It’s from Ardesen.”

“Put him through. No doubt he wants to show us the masterpiece he’s been working on himself.”