No Time for Romance

The little saboteurs stepped outside the complex and the cat looked toward the mountains. She shook her head and offered to return to the ship,

"I didn't expect such carelessness from the orcs! There's no need to move. We can use the ship. We'll minimize the operation time."

The boy nodded his head and they hurried to the Claw's parking lot. He ran and compared the security system of the humans and the orcs. In the colony of Europe 9, the m-crystal mining complex was the backbone of existence. The colony grew up around the entrance to the mine. The humans followed habit and put guards on an important site. For the orcs, m-crystal mining was habitual and insignificant. Stopping the complex would not cause global problems. The destruction of the dungeon entrance is an unfortunate nuisance. Orcs will do the work and dig a new entrance to the cave. Polluting the dungeons with dirty explosives? That is a more serious problem. But the orcs don't care about the fate of the slaves. The effects of various exposures can be dealt with. Diversion, in any case, should cause irritation similar to an insect bite. It's a strange mission. On the other hand, things are complicated. Ferin may have sent several squads to the planet Ondokor with missions to carry out various sabotage.

Inside the Claw, the faithful Meowrin was on post. The ship took off quickly and left for the outermost facility.

"We could use the flyer, but it would be more dangerous than flying under the protection of the cloaking field," said Star.

"We're in a hurry for nothing," objected Lee. "Sure it's nice to complete the mission in one night. It'll amount to a couple of hours of running through nine mines. Black, we lose the opportunity to work to a standard. A learning moment is lost. A nighttime quick march is a hard interesting experience. Romance."

"Nothing interesting. Your understanding of romance is human folly. Why bother? We've done our reconnaissance and found out the state of the facility's security. Now we work on a new plan, work fast and go home."

Lee agreed that was a nice option, too. The flight to the new facility didn't take long. The boy sat and planned the option of robbing the mine. One could take a small ship and infiltrate someone else's mine. The team could get the m-crystals and fly away! But then Lee looked at his status,

[Lee Long

Race: Earthman.

Type: Duelist. Mage.

Level: 21. 742500/839800

Strength: 30

Dexterity: 30

Intelligence: 30

Endurance: 30

Health: 268/300

Mana: 300/300

Skill: Appraisal 3 level. Duelist Balance 1 level. Duelist Trophy 1 level. Water Magic 1 level. Healing 6 level. Ice Arrow 1 level. Earth Magic 1 level. Shield 2 level. Air Magic 1 level. Speeding 2 level. Short Blade 4 level. Race Dance 1 level. Mental Hegemony 1 level.

Available Characteristics point: 0

Available skill point: 0]

He loses 10% health per hour! 3 mana heals 5 health points. He needs to do 5 activations and spend 15 mana to restore health. This is no problem for him. But any operation Robbery now looks ridiculous. The cloaking complex can't be installed on a medium transport! Only a small ship can be reliably cloaked and infiltrated unnoticed by space station hardware. But you can't pack a few dozen people into the ship! Half of the team must be water mages, with the task of constantly healing the injured. And why do humans need to steal crystals from orcs? They can dispose of the results of mining in their colonies. It is unknown how many m-crystals the government of Europe 9 is hiding from the Ferin and selling on the side!

The cat's voice interrupted his musings,

"I'm not insisting, I'm suggesting that you think about my offer."

"Star, working with you on the same team is wonderful and interesting. But I'll run into trouble in the colony. That scenario isn't right for me," the boy repeated his answer.

The cat took care of herself and the problems of the tribe. She saw Lee practicing Healing with a knife and immediately suggested: "Why are you wasting your time at the colony hospital? You can work with me, fly in surgeries, and constantly improve your magic skill!"

It was an interesting offer. But Lee immediately saw the disadvantages. He loses his freedom of maneuver! His interests do not coincide with the interests of the young ferin.

She snorted and began to prepare for another run around the night planet.

***

They spent three hours visiting various complexes and finished the job. The black star was pleased. Lee was in a constant state of suspense. He was expecting traps and trouble. But all the mines were guarded the same way. They were not guarded at all! The cat would quickly set the charge and they would make a flight to the new facility. Flying at 1,200 kilometers per hour was good support for the mission.

The saboteurs had mined all the facilities and the cat lifted the Claw over the planet.

"Now there's going to be a big boom," smiled Star.

"Big bada boom," nodded Lee. " You fire it up and fly home."

Ferin activated the detonation of charges and the ship rushed off into space.

Protocols related to the enemy attack began on the planet. The ship maintained radio silence and full camouflage protocols. The claw went into FTL and took the little saboteurs on their way to their home planet.

During the flight back, the cat complained about the old jerks from the Council. They were given a stupid and easy mission! Doing a mission on an alien planet always allows you to work undercover. You can do your job quietly and take advantage of the opportunities of a tourist. The Orcs have little interest or remarkable things to do. But they could visit the Arena in the capital and fight with goblins and young orcs. The orcs have tasty spices and good weapons. They could make useful new acquaintances. Lots of opportunities on an alien planet! They are given a mission involving a lot of noise. After the mines explode, the orcs will start investigating. No opportunity for tourism and entertainment.

Lee understood his girlfriend. Spending five days traveling in the cramped confines of a small ship was not a good time. Even his booty seemed ridiculous compensation. Getting 100,000 credits in five days was too unserious a business. Cracked Bone had already offered him the opportunity to work as a healer. Lee declined but replied that he would be willing to do a private commission if necessary. Performing healing is not a problem. But don't ruin his reputation in the colony.

For the first twenty-four hours of the flight home, the cat was constantly worried about his friend's condition. He calmed her down and kept himself healthy with Healing. Lee realized he could have taken more crystals! If you spend time in constant meditation you can regenerate your mana faster.

"Don't worry about me. I'm fine. We should go hunting. It's been a long time since we've been out on the trail together. We'll find a good target, have some fun, and get a chance to make a good impression on the tribe," the boy suggested. "You're looking to raise your reputation in the eyes of the Council. But the tribe is not aware of the secret missions. You have to pay more attention to the tribe. Then the old cats will calm down."

The cat agreed that was a great suggestion. They'll be sure to go hunting. And she would voice her displeasure to her father. Stupid operation. For inexperienced saboteurs. A humiliating operation and a humbling mistrust.

"Star you're losing your tail again. It's time to get used to it and ignore the fools and envious individuals. They will never take me seriously. A human being is a naked monkey at best. Don't bother the Patriarch. Do your job and do it right. And let the corpses of your enemies float downstream," the boy reassured his girlfriend.

"We're going hunting. Father will give me a new mission. It will be an interesting mission with a chance to show off my sabotage skills and a good chance for fun and tourism," concluded the cat. "You won't be bored in your colony."

"I'm not bored at all at the Mage Academy. Lots of fights in the arena. It's fun."

"I don't enjoy it," snorted the cat. "The tribe has interfered with my development. Did they decide to tie our tails in one knot? Fine and I don't mind. But I will demand respect and trust in return."

Lee Long shook his head. With a girlfriend like that, it would be difficult to conduct one's affairs quietly and often. That could be a problem. But the opportunity to have fun on a new mission is interesting.