Just then, the flight announcement sounded, and over eighty percent of the people in the shop stood up to head to the gate. Dylan Smith stubbornly stuck to Brian Clark as they entered together. There were several thousand people taking this flight. Brian Clark didn’t choose first class or third class, but instead opted for the middle class cabin. Unexpectedly, Dylan Smith also chose the middle class, and even went out of his way to swap seats with someone to sit next to Brian Clark. Even inside the cabin, Dylan Smith showed no intention of taking off his sunglasses.

Brian Clark had a feeling that this journey wouldn’t go so smoothly.

Chapter 7 Robbery

The seats were arranged in rows of three. Dylan Smith sat on Brian Clark’s right, and on Brian Clark’s left was a teenager about his age.

After sitting down, the teenager squirmed in his seat for a while, seeming a bit anxious. Seeing Brian Clark frowning slightly, he forced a smile and said, “Hey man, no need to be nervous. The passenger ship routes departing from planet X-C100 are all precisely calculated. They’re different from those of other planets’ ships—the safety factor is dozens of times higher. The chance of encountering abnormal magnetic fields is less than 0.01%, and the odds of running into space pirates are even lower. Plus, X-C100 flights are all under special legal protection…”

Listening to the teenager’s mostly self-reassuring chatter, Brian Clark caught a glimpse of the slight smirk on Dylan Smith’s lips, and couldn’t help but feel that this guy’s smile was a bit mischievous.

After the passenger ship entered warp speed, the conversations gradually died down. The passengers needed to focus more on suppressing the discomfort that came with this state, while Brian Clark simply closed his eyes, reclined his seat, pulled up his blanket, and started to sleep.

Dylan Smith found Brian Clark’s reaction amusing. This little guy sure could sleep soundly—seems like he’s used to it. Both his physical and mental resilience were impressive.

Little did he know, this was actually Brian Clark’s first time sleeping during warp travel. However, even in sleep, every hair on Brian Clark’s body was alert to his surroundings, especially to any hint of killing intent. Even the slightest trace would wake him instantly.

However, before Brian Clark had slept for long, a sudden jolt startled him awake.

“Electromagnetic interference and a barrier field are affecting the helm’s control. The pulse drive isn’t functioning properly either. The system won’t be able to hold out much longer under these conditions. The passenger ship is dropping out of warp,” Dylan Smith calmly analyzed the situation. “I’d guess it’s deliberate external interference. If I’m not mistaken, we’ve run into space pirates.”

At the mention of “electromagnetic interference and barrier field,” the teenager next to Brian Clark turned deathly pale with fright. And Dylan Smith’s next words—“space pirates”—were an unbearable blow for him, and the poor kid promptly fainted.

Dylan Smith spoke quietly, so only the three of them could hear, but the other passengers were all making their own guesses, united by a sense of panic.

Another violent jolt, the crackle of electricity, and then a deep, arrogant voice echoed throughout the entire ship.

“Sorry, dear passengers, but we’re taking over this ship for now. If you don’t want to die, stay in your seats. The guns in our hands don’t negotiate. Oh, and by the way, I don’t like noise. Anyone who screams will get to join the debris floating in space.”

Space pirates!

For a moment, the cabin was filled with anxious, rapid breathing and sobs.

Brian Clark analyzed the situation in his mind: since these pirates dared to hijack a passenger ship from X-C100, they must have planned meticulously, evaded the security patrols, and managed to take down all the ship’s guards in a short time without causing any major commotion or explosions. This alone suggested that there was a ninety percent chance they had accomplices already on board. Moreover, due to the special legal protections, wantonly killing passengers on a transit planet’s ship would result in brutal military pursuit. Judging by the pirate’s tone, for now, they probably wouldn’t harm the passengers. The guards were likely only temporarily incapacitated. Still, nothing was certain—pirates were pirates, after all. Who knew if they might shoot you just because they didn’t like your face?

Glancing at the relaxed Dylan Smith beside him, legs crossed and swaying, Brian Clark felt sure this had something to do with that guy. Sigh, he was just collateral damage. But more than anything, Brian Clark was curious—what exactly was this A-level gene guy up to?

Before long, a dozen or so pirates wearing ferocious masks and carrying guns came in, heading straight for Dylan Smith, pointing their weapons directly at him.

“Get up. Come with us!”

Dylan Smith was quite cooperative, spreading his arms and opening his fingers to show he had no intention of resisting.

“Oh, right,” Dylan Smith turned back to Brian Clark after taking a couple of steps and said, “Hey man, keep an eye on my food for me. I haven’t finished that box of compressed wraps yet.”

Brian Clark’s eyebrow twitched. Damn! Are we that close? What does it matter to me if you haven’t finished your wraps? Besides, who in their right mind would bother to steal your half-eaten wrap with obvious bite marks in a situation like this? Clearly, you’re trying to drag me into this!

Sure enough, the lead pirate pointed his gun at Brian Clark: “Take him too!”

Brian Clark had no doubt that behind those sunglasses, Dylan Smith’s eyes were full of a fox-like grin.