150: Chapter 150 Port Kurzog

One day later, September 9th, Tuesday.

0:05 AM.

Heavy rain poured down.

"Team Leader, we have arrived at the waters off Kurzog Port. According to the information, the medium-sized freighter numbered P-31522 has not yet departed."

"Understood."

Kano did not turn her head to look at the adjutant speaking to her, but instead looked at the dim port in the distance.

According to radio information, a problem with the power transformation system due to the rain tonight caused the port to temporarily shut down its lighting system.

She glanced behind her; no one had fallen behind.

"Everyone, surround them, go ashore at the pier, and inspect all vessels."

"Yes, Team Leader!"

The Ship Girl squad fanned out and approached Kurzog Port.

While Kano was investigating the shipping information, the logistics personnel finally discovered that the sailing Logic of these unremarkable vessels purchased by various city-states was incredibly bizarre.

Especially this one at Kurzog Port; it showed it was about to depart, but its destination was an Imperial port in an area with a name similar to a certain Federation seaport.

The two sides had only kept Oronia and another city across the gulf as open ports.

This was also a problem with the logistics department; they failed to notice the anomaly. Though it was also related to the logistics department always being short-staffed; no matter who works 007, such small, inconspicuous oversights are deliberately ignored.

Before long, the group was less than five kilometers from the pier.

"Team Leader, look!"

A medium-sized ocean-going vessel slowly left the port without lights, heading towards the open sea.

"Close in, check the model. If it's the target, board immediately and take control of the personnel on board," Kano ordered.

She wasn't a police officer; her current mission was to ensure the predetermined objectives were completed.

After confirming the target of the operation, Kano immediately issued the boarding command.

The Ship Girls activated their rigging and jumped onto the deck, immediately turning on high-intensity searchlights.

"Don't move!"

"Drop your weapons!"

"Ship Girl Bureau, official business!"

Within dozens of seconds, the entire deck was under control. Several Destroyer Ship Girls, carrying blades and led by a Heavy Cruiser Ship Girl, jumped directly onto the bridge, smashing the glass to enter.

Four or five people were left to control the personnel on deck, while the others went to secure the key compartments of the ship.

"Team Leader, these sailors, they..."

A Ship Girl suddenly shouted, "They're all from the local Coast Guard!"

"Mm, I see."

Kano's face showed no joy or sorrow. She watched the bridge flash occasionally, then return to silence after a short while, before walking along the cabin towards the bridge.

The middle-aged captain was dragged out of the captain's cabin with his clothes in disarray, hands tied behind his back, and pressed to the ground, gnashing his teeth.

"What are you doing? I'm warning you, this is trea—ugh!"

Kano kicked the captain in the stomach, knocking him to the ground.

"I ask, you answer. Understood?"

She still had no expression.

"Pah! You wretched women!... Just wait to be impeached!"

"Oh, are you finished?" Kano said expressionlessly, glancing at the other Ship Girls—they were all her old colleagues; what hadn't they heard before?

Naturally, their expressions didn't change. Kano repeated, "I ask, you answer, or you die. Understood?"

"I won't answer anything!"

*Bang!*

Kano put away her prized revolver and looked at the panicked first mate beside her. "I ask, you answer. Understood?"

"Un... Understood!" The first mate's face was deathly pale.

As expected, this ship was transporting xia people.

As for the destination, it wasn't an Imperial port either.

It was the open sea, the unknown vast ocean.

It wasn't just one ship each time; there were over a dozen ships departing from various southern ports.

This transport had been going on for over a decade. After being away from the port for a while, the navy would help, escorting the sailors off the cruise ship and onto Destroyers.

The ship easily transported over a hundred xia people who were still unaware of their fate—or perhaps they knew they were doomed but were completely defenseless.

That was enough.

"Tina, fire the red flare."

"Yes."

The Ship Girl called Tina took out a flare gun.

*Bang!*

As the red light rose, Kano watched as brilliant lights flared up around the quiet Kurzog Port.

The local Ship Girl Bureau had mobilized, silently surrounding the port, controlling the personnel inside, setting up checkpoints, and preventing the local military and police from approaching.

Kano redeployed her rigging, leaving a few people to guard the ship and a few to intercept warships, while the others followed her into the port.

The local Ship Girl Bureau would handle the interrogations; what they needed to do was determine the routes of these ships.

Sirens came from outside the port, followed by the sound of rapid-fire cannons.

Warning shots.

No one dared to bet on whether these usually soft and sweet Ship Girls would actually open fire.

Stepping onto the pier with a blank expression, she looked at the panicked dockworkers being driven back to their dormitories in the corner.

And those groveling managers who didn't dare make a sound, tremblingly leading the Ship Girls from the information department to the office area.

She took out her watch.

0:32.

She'd broken her promise; it was almost the fourth day.

About fifteen minutes later, Kano obtained the route maps.

Once a year, fifteen ships at a time.

Five ships headed due south. Four had already departed and might not be interceptable now.

Five ships headed southwest, towards the Empire. Most were likely beyond saving; even if intercepted by the Empire, the xia people on board would not meet a good end.

Five ships headed southeast, but since they were close to the core area on the west side of the continent, there was a high probability they could be intercepted directly.

She had the local Ship Girl Bureau use the teleportation array to immediately transmit the nautical charts back to the General Bureau, then Kano turned and walked toward the pier gates.

By now, several mechs were perched on the surrounding rooftops—they looked like the latest elite models.

In front of the blockaded gates, several Battleship Ship Girls were in a standoff with a full squad of infantry.

A high-ranking officer stood between the two sides, attempting to communicate.

"Long time no see, Vice Admiral Andres. Sorry to interrupt your leisure time with your mistress." Kano passed several Ship Girls and stood before the officer.

"Deputy Director Kano?..." The officer was stunned, then his face darkened. "I hope you can provide an explanation for this attack on the port."

"Explanation?" Kano tilted her head. Vice Admiral Andres had never seen this usually cheerful and seemingly gullible Deputy Director with such a blank expression. "Just consider it as us looking for evidence of violations of Federal law."

"Even so, the Ship Girl Bureau has no right to do this," Vice Admiral Andres barked. "I will report today's events in full to the Grand Duke and submit them to the Eden Council to file an appeal against the Ship Girl Bureau."

"An appeal? Heh..." Only then did the corners of Kano's mouth curl up slightly. The lights still on outside the port shone on Kano's peaked cap, casting a shadow over the upper half of her face.

She raised her hand, placing her index finger to her lips. "You don't really think you can actually control us, do you?"

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