78: Chapter 78 Port Plata

To be honest, if one had to say, the content of the negotiations wasn't that complicated when there was no need for haggling. Therefore, after Li Ming, Fujian, and Veris had determined the general terms, it was ready for stamping.

Oh wait, that's not right. The Horizons Edge doesn't have a seal, or rather, it doesn't even have a distinctive flag or unique emblem yet. They are still using the basic faction identification flags.

However, this didn't pose a serious issue. After Z23 confirmed the agreement contained no hidden pitfalls, Li Ming signed his name.

After a simple farewell dinner, the next day, the envoy group from the Ship Girl General Bureau was ready to embark on their return journey.

"We should be going now, Commander Li Ming. Thank you for your hospitality these past few days." Veris, unusually, took off her glasses. She hadn't taken them off once during public appearances these past few days.

It must be said, glasses truly are a beauty limiter. Li Ming met her gaze for a moment before immediately looking away.

It wasn't a matter of insufficient intimacy. In situations that weren't particularly ambiguous, or when he realized the issue, Li Ming would subconsciously react with avoidance.

Veris smiled, "Commander Li Ming, be more confident."

"Uh, ahaha, is that so?" Li Ming scratched his head, putting on an awkward act, which left Veris somewhat exasperated.

It seems he'll also add using unserious or immature behavior to dodge the issue. Veris thought to herself. For a normal person, this would be a clever move. Thankfully, Truth had anticipated his possible actions in advance.

There was still some time before their flagship started its engines, so Veris planned to continue chatting with him for a while.

A Commander without any thoughts of 'fishing for Ship Girls' was indeed novel to her.

The two walked along the pier, with no official business left to discuss, as all the formal parts had been settled.

Veris could see Li Ming's worries and understood the risks any unforeseen event might bring, beyond the decision he had already made.

"What's wrong? You've made the decision, but you're still worried?" she teased.

But clearly, that wasn't what was on Li Ming's mind.

"No," he said, "I'm thinking about the other companions."

Veris's expression stiffened. Even in his own precarious state, he was still thinking of others?

"Aren't your companions very strong?" she asked, composing her expression.

"Yes, but the problem is..." Li Ming paused, "some of them can't take care of themselves."

"I understand," Veris grasped his meaning. "Do you need me to keep an eye out?"

"Hmm... if it's possible?"

That's what he said, but Li Ming still needed time to compile a list. Furthermore, this matter still required collective decision-making with the others.

Entrusting the task of finding companions to another faction felt unreliable even to Li Ming himself.

He could venture out himself, but entrusting the safety of his companions to others was unacceptable.

Veris seemed to hear Li Ming's inner thoughts and didn't press further.

For her to have reached this point was already Li Ming's "no problem." To ask for more would require first considering if she had enough time to raise Li Ming's "favorability" and "trust."

She sighed inwardly. The task was arduous and the road long.

She hoped her overstepping efforts wouldn't lead to any strange incidents. This matter was indeed somewhat impulsive on her part, to the point where she needed the Director to shoulder some of the responsibility.

But she felt it was all worth it.

A special case worthy of the Ship Girl General Bureau' attention, not because of the forces behind him, but because of the peculiar nature of his interactions with Ship Girls themselves.

This was an almost perfect experimental blueprint. While there were no shortage of "introverted" Commanders, as far as she knew, someone as "abnormal" as him would almost certainly never appear in the Ship Girls' field of vision, and applicants like him would almost inevitably be eliminated.

Ship Girls need companions who will stay by their side for life, not a war machine that "for their sake" could self-destruct at any moment.

This one-size-fits-all approach indeed prevented many tragedies, but...

How many young people were driven away by the examiners' protective yet almost sarcastic words, only to subsequently vanish from everyone's sight?

This was the limitation of the Ship Girl Bureau. They could only protect Ship Girls already born and those who might be born in the future, and they could hardly change anything about the future itself.

"Commander Li Ming, I'm actually quite curious. How do you view Ship Girls as a form of life?"

Li Ming was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

He had once written stories about Ship Girls on paper. Back then, his fictional self in the story had answered like this:

"With emotions, with a sense of self-consciousness... to be honest, I find it hard to comprehend, but I'm willing to see Ship Girls as living beings. It's that simple." Li Ming paused. "In other words, there's no difference between you and me."

"Ah... a very standard answer," Veris was somewhat surprised, but the answer also seemed reasonable. "Then what kind of relationship do you think exists between you and the Ship Girls in your port?"

"Me and them..." Li Ming fell silent for a moment. "They are my family. The moment I saw them, I was prepared to protect them at any cost... but it seems like they've been the ones protecting me all along?"

"No, no, no. You've done very well," Veris interrupted his self-deprecation. It wasn't to comfort him; his performance had already exceeded the scope of mere protection. From this perspective, he was excellent.

The steam whistle of the Federation's battlecruiser sounded, signaling her imminent departure.

After returning, a pile of matters would be waiting for her.

What a pity, the vacation is about to end. Although it seems she hardly rested at all.

Veris activated her rigging and stepped into the water.

Four twin-mounted main gun turrets were adorned with ornate gold trim. The various components of the rigging representing the ship's superstructure and hull were also engraved with various decorations, but Li Ming could tell they were all clearly marks of combat merit.

Judging by the structure, it looked like a battleship, or perhaps a battlecruiser?

"Commander Li Ming, please be prepared!" she said. "After all, the Federation is certainly different from the world you once knew!"

Li Ming shrugged, indicating it was all the same to him.

Veris was momentarily speechless, then chuckled before continuing, "However, although we have signed a series of agreements, it seems you haven't given this port beneath your feet a name yet. That won't do for proper records!"

"You mean I should give this place a name?" Li Ming scratched his head. Seeing her nod in affirmation, he began to think.

Suddenly, he recalled a name from his former world. It might be somewhat inauspicious, but it was indeed a nice-sounding name.

"Let's call it Plata Port!"

God in heaven, Trujillo in the underworld.

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