Chapter 40: Playing Weak To Get Away
However, Yuka, Ayoi and Alex didn’t get the nutrient solution they were waiting for.
Five minutes earlier, the Alliance Army contacted Hideki to inform him about Yuka’s abduction by space pirates. Without a moment’s delay, Hideki flew off the barren planet and released a video on the interstellar net, securing the top spot on all websites to ensure its continuous broadcast.
"I am willing to pay a ransom of one billion astracredits," Hideki said, seated firmly on a dark wooden chair, his gaze fixed on the camera, "One billion for each person. But I have three demands: First, I need to speak to Yuka to confirm her safety; second, all three of them must be unharmed; and third, they should have the freedom to move around."
At the end of the video, he left the contact information and earnestly added, "Please call the number if you have any clue. I just want them to return safely."
While the interstellar community marveled at Hideki’s wealth, the space pirates also took notice of the video.
The pirate leader’s expression was unreadable. After pondering for two minutes, he contacted the leader to seek guidance.
The leader instructed, "Follow his demands. But you can only release two of them; keep the boy."
The pirate leader nodded, "Understood."
He ordered a few of his subordinates into the room where Yuka and her companions were held, and had their bindings loosened.
Yuka, understanding that Hideki must have intervened, rubbed her wrists and heard a man in front of her say, "You, stand up and come with us; your father wants to speak to you."
Yuka got up and followed the space pirates to the cockpit, where she was pushed into a chair. The pirate second-in-command glanced at her and dialed Hideki’s private number.