mesbooks Chapter 901 The Storm Begins
Chapter 901 The Storm Begins
Empress Silverfrost's body trembled slightly.
The King of Blood looked at her expression, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
"Silver Frost Empress, I can help you."
His voice carried a hint of seduction.
"I can guarantee that I will make you stronger."
"Powerful enough to defeat that Lin Qiye..."
Empress Silverfrost's eyes narrowed slightly.
What do you want?
The Blood King chuckled softly.
What do I want?
His gaze fell on the Silver Frost Empress, a greedy glint flashing in his eyes.
"Silverfrost Empress, you should know that we in the Abyss have always been looking for powerful partners."
"If you're willing to join us, I can grant you even greater power."
……
Lin Qiye stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding Grand Tribunal warships.
His voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable authority.
"Disarm all warships."
"The Resisters—"
A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"die."
Those two words were like a chilling wind from the depths of hell, sending a shiver down the spines of all the members of the Grand Inquisition.
"Our lord is mighty!!!"
The war general was the first to react, his voice filled with undisguised fervor.
"My lord, I will personally deal with those who don't know what's good for them!!!"
Lin Qiye nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the surrounded warships.
Inside the flagship command center.
The adjutant's face was ashen, and she trembled violently as she looked out the porthole at the godlike figure.
"Disarm...disarm..."
Her voice was trembling.
"Everyone...disarm..."
Despair shone in her eyes.
They're finished.
It's completely over.
Even Lady Silverfrost was driven away, so what can these people do?
"My lord, are you really going to surrender?"
A female warrior beside him couldn't help but speak, her voice tinged with resentment.
"What else can we do but surrender?"
The adjutant gave a wry smile.
"Do you want to die?"
The goddess of war's expression changed slightly, but she ultimately lowered her head.
She doesn't want to die.
Nobody wants to die.
"Pass down the order..."
The adjutant took a deep breath, his voice tinged with helplessness.
"All warships...disarm."
"Waiting for...receive."
……
Lin Qiye stood with his hands behind his back in the void, looking down at the surrounded fleet, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
The war general stood respectfully behind him, his eyes filled with fanaticism.
"My lord, all the warships of the Great Inquisition have ceased resistance."
His voice was tinged with excitement.
"My subordinates are arranging for personnel to take over."
Lin Qiye nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the black warships floating in the void.
The fleet of the Vega Grand Inquisition, known as the strongest armed force in Vega, boasts three hundred warships and a million elite warriors.
However, at this moment—
They were like a herd of tamed wild beasts, obediently staying in place, waiting to be received.
The escape of the Silver Frost Empress completely shattered their fighting spirit.
"Owner!"
Jiang Yulan's voice came from behind.
She strode over with ten female warriors, her face full of excitement.
"Master, I have finished the inventory."
She stepped forward, her voice carrying a hint of reporting.
"The Grand Inquisition's fleet consists of 372 warships, including 3 flagships, 120 main battleships, and 249 auxiliary ships."
"The fleet has a total of over 1.37 million members! Among them are ten interstellar war god-level powerhouses and over ten thousand martial god-level powerhouses."
Excitement shone in her eyes.
"In addition, a large amount of resources, cultivation techniques, medicines, as well as various types of armor and weapons were seized."
Lin Qiye nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the surrendered warships.
"What happened to those interstellar war god-level beings?"
Jiang Yulan quickly replied, "Reporting to Master, they have all expressed their willingness to surrender, disarm, and await Master's judgment."
A playful glint flashed in Lin Qiye's eyes.
"They know when to back down."
Ji Changyue stepped forward, her voice carrying a hint of respect.
"Master, although those people are willing to surrender, they may not be truly loyal."
A sharp glint flashed in her eyes.
"My subordinates suggest that they be subject to rigorous vetting to ensure their loyalty."
Lin Qiye shook his head slightly.
"There's no need for that."
His voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable authority.
"Since they are willing to surrender, they are the people of their master."
"The master will not mistreat anyone who is willing to submit."
Ji Changyue was slightly taken aback, then revealed a respectful expression.
"Master is wise."
Lin Qiye stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the surrendered fleet.
"Pass down the order: all those who surrender, regardless of their cultivation level, shall be incorporated into Project Spark."
His voice was calm, yet it carried a hint of arrogance.
"As long as they are willing to serve the Spark Project, their master will not mistreat them."
Jiang Yulan and the others responded in unison.
"Yes, Master!"
Their eyes gleamed with a fanatical light.
The master is indeed the master.
He was so magnanimous even towards his enemies.
This is the true spirit of a king.
……
at the same time.
The edge of the Hydra constellation.
The Far Eastern 977 Galaxy.
A huge blue planet floats in the void, its surface covered with a dense cluster of buildings.
That was the largest administrative center in the Far Eastern Galaxy, the Starport Building.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the command center of the Star Harbor Building was extremely tense.
"Report!! Another warship is approaching!!!"
A young operator suddenly stood up, his face ashen.
"The number...the number is at least hundreds!!!"
The command room erupted in uproar.
"What?! Over a hundred?!"
The new commander of the Far East Starport, a burly woman, instantly turned extremely ugly.
Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and her eyes flashed with terror.
"Is it the Silver Frost Empress's fleet again?!"
Her voice was trembling.
Previously, Empress Silverfrost's fleet passed through this area, seizing all the resources, techniques, and potions of Project Starfire, and also carrying out another bloodbath against the high-ranking officials of the Far East 977 star system.
That's how she rose to power.
And now-
Another fleet is coming!
And there were hundreds of them!!!
There shouldn't be any unrest...
"Report! The fleet has entered radar range!"
The operator's voice trembled.
"Fleet insignia...unrecognizable!!"
The Chief Executive's body trembled slightly, and his face turned even paler.
Unrecognized?!
Doesn't that mean this isn't the Silver Frost Empress's fleet?!
Whose could it be?!
"Continue to observe!"
She gritted her teeth, her voice tinged with nervousness.
"Report fleet movements immediately!"
"yes!"
……
Ten minutes later.
The atmosphere inside the command center of the Star Harbor Building was extremely tense.
"Report!! The fleet is 30 minutes away from the Starport building!"
The operator's voice trembled.
"Based on the fleet's size and formation... this is a main fleet!"
"Main fleet?!"
The Chief Executive's face turned deathly pale instantly.
Main fleet!
That's a super fleet consisting of at least a hundred warships!!
A fleet of this size is enough to sweep across the entire Far Eastern galaxy!
She gritted her teeth, her voice hoarse.
"Order all defense systems to enter combat readiness status!!"
"yes!"
……
However, at this moment—
"Report!!"
Another operator suddenly stood up, a look of shock on his face.
"The fleet has sent a communication request!"
The Chief Executive's body trembled slightly.
"Bring him in!"
"yes!"
The communication screen flickered a few times before stabilizing.
A figure slowly appeared on the screen.
It was a woman, radiating a powerful aura—the aura of a space god of war!
The Chief Executive's pupils suddenly contracted.
She recognized that person!
That's Lady Fengwu!
! !
I heard she's already working closely with Lord Lin Qiye!
"Lord Fengwu?!"
The woman's voice held a hint of disbelief.
Lady Fengwu nodded slightly on the communication screen, her voice calm yet conveying a sense of authority.
"Starport Building, prepare to receive our fleet immediately."
The Chief Executive was taken aback.
"We are about to arrive in the Far Eastern Galaxy."
Feng Wu's voice carried a hint of arrogance.
"Order all personnel to prepare for the arrival."
The Chief Executive's expression changed slightly, then he revealed a look of ecstatic joy.
"Lady Fengwu is coming here?!"
Feng Wu nodded slightly.
"That's right."
Her gaze swept over the Chief Executive, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.
"Our master personally led the army to conquer Empress Silverfrost, and has already achieved a great victory."
"The Grand Inquisition's fleet has surrendered in its entirety."
The Chief Executive's pupils suddenly contracted, his face filled with shock.
A resounding victory?!
The Silver Frost Empress's entire fleet surrendered?!
How...how is this possible?!
Empress Silverfrost is an unparalleled powerhouse at the peak of the half-step Human King realm!
It is the most powerful being in Vega!!
How could they possibly be defeated so easily?!
"Lady Fengwu... are you telling the truth?"
Her voice was trembling.
Feng Wu's lips curled up slightly, and a hint of arrogance flashed in her eyes.
When have I ever lied?
Her voice carried a hint of arrogance.
"Empress Silverfrost has been severely injured by her master and is fleeing in a sorry state."
"The Grand Inquisition's fleet is leaderless and has surrendered in its entirety."
"The master is personally escorting these prisoners back to the main star sector."
"And we're here to clean up the mess!"
The Chief Executive's expression changed several times before finally settling into one of ecstatic joy.
"That's great!! That's great!!!"
Although she was nervous inside, she had to show a happy expression on her face!
However, she still felt a little uneasy.
When the Silver Frost Empress's fleet passed through this area, it seized all the resources, techniques, and potions of Project Starfire, and also captured a large number of personnel involved in its execution.
Now Lady Fengwu has brought people here, saying she's here to "clean up the mess"—
Are they here to settle scores with them?
After all, during the arrival of Empress Silverfrost's fleet, the high-ranking officials of the Far East system dutifully cooperated with all of her demands.
Not only did they voluntarily hand over all the information about the Spark Program, but they also helped arrest those "uncooperative" personnel.
Now that someone else has come in, won't these "traitors" be purged?
however--
"rest assured."
Feng Wu's voice came from the communication screen, as if she could see through her thoughts.
"Our master is magnanimous and will not hold you responsible."
"The matter concerning the Silver Frost Empress is not your fault."
The Chief Executive's pupils contracted slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed across his face.
"Lady Fengwu... are you telling the truth?"
Feng Wu nodded slightly.
"Our master said that those who are willing to submit are his subjects."
"A master will not mistreat anyone who is willing to serve him."
"Although you cooperated with Empress Silverfrost before, it was out of necessity, and Master understands that."
"As long as you pledge allegiance to your master from this moment forward, he will forgive and forget your past transgressions."
A gleam of wild joy flashed in the Chief Executive's eyes.
"Thank you, Lady Xie Fengwu! Thank you, Master!"
"Your subordinate will certainly do his utmost to serve his master!"
Feng Wu nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.
"very good."
"You must make all the necessary preparations for our arrival."
"Yes! I understand!"
……
At the same time.
The edge of the Hydra constellation.
The high-ranking officials of all the galaxies, large and small, are busy preparing something.
Because they received a message—
Lin Qiye's personal guards are about to visit various star systems!
"Quick! Quick! Hang all these banners up!"
"Clean this area again!"
"You all better be alert! When the Royal Guard arrives, anyone who embarrasses me will be the first to suffer the consequences!"
Busy figures can be seen everywhere on the major planets of various star systems.
Officials, guards, ordinary citizens... everyone was mobilized.
Some of them had experienced the "purge" of the Silver Frost Empress's fleet and were filled with unease.
But many more people are filled with anticipation.
After all, compared to the oppression and resource plunder brought by the Silver Frost Empress's fleet, Lord Lin Qiye's Spark Plan was the real glimmer of hope that gave the lower-level martial artists a glimmer of hope.
"Quick! Hang this banner upright!"
On the main star of the Far Eastern 977 star system, a middle-aged woman is directing her subordinates to hang up welcome banners.
It was a giant banner, tens of meters long, with large, gleaming gold characters written on it:
"Welcome back in triumph, Lord Lin Qiye's personal guards!"
"A single spark can start a prairie fire, its might shaking all directions!"
"All people revere and bask in the Lord's grace!"
Banners like these are almost everywhere in the city.
Countless civilians spontaneously stood on both sides of the street, waiting for the arrival of the Royal Guard fleet.
Their eyes gleamed with fervor, and their faces were filled with anticipation.
"Have you heard? Empress Silverfrost has been defeated by Lord Lin Qiye!"
"Really? Empress Silverfrost is a peerless powerhouse at the peak of the half-step Human King realm!"
"It's absolutely true! My husband's cousin serves in the fleet, and she saw it with her own eyes!"
"That was a half-step Human King! Yet he was routed by Lord Lin Qiye!"
"Nonsense! Lord Lin Qiye is capable of annihilating a star beast with a single blow! What is a mere Silver Frost Empress compared to that?"
"Yes, yes, yes! Lord Lin Qiye is the true powerhouse! What is the Silver Frost Empress compared to him?"
"Exactly! When they came, they took everything from us! Now they've finally gotten their comeuppance!"
"When the Royal Guard arrives, we must perform well! We must strive to join Project Spark!"
"That's right! Project Spark is the real hope! Lord Lin Qiye is the one who truly cares about us!"
……
at the same time.
The main star region of Hydra.
The High Temple.
Lin Qiye sat upright in the main seat, his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the respectfully kneeling crowd below.
Beside him, ten female war goddesses, including Jiang Yulan, stood quietly, their eyes filled with fervor.
Behind them were hundreds of newly promoted half-step female war goddesses, all of whom were the best of the first beneficiaries of the Spark Program.
"Owner."
Jiang Yulan stepped forward, her voice carrying a hint of reporting.
"Fengwu's fleet has arrived in the Far East star system and is undergoing full takeover."
Lin Qiye nodded slightly.
"What about reception in other galaxies?"
Ji Changyue stepped forward, her voice carrying a hint of respect.
"Reporting to Master, one hundred and twenty-three star systems have completed the reception process so far."
"The remaining galaxies are progressing rapidly and are expected to be completed within a month."
A hint of satisfaction flashed in Lin Qiye's eyes.
"very good."
He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the vast sea of stars in the distance.
"Although the Silver Frost Empress has escaped, everything she left behind will become our spoils of war."
His voice was calm, yet it carried a hint of arrogance.
"The fleet, personnel, and resources of the Vega Grand Inquisition... will all be incorporated into the Spark Program."
A gleam of wild joy flashed in Jiang Yulan's eyes.
"Master is wise!"
She immediately knelt down, her voice filled with respect.
"Your subordinate will certainly do his utmost to manage these spoils of war for his master!"
Yao Suyun also stepped forward, her voice filled with excitement.
"These resources and personnel will greatly enhance our strength!"
Lin Qiye nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the respectfully kneeling crowd below.
"What happened to those interstellar war god-level beings?"
Ji Changyue quickly replied, "Reporting to Master, they have all expressed their willingness to submit, disarm, and await Master's judgment."
A playful glint flashed in Lin Qiye's eyes.
"They know when to back down."
He stood with his hands behind his back, his voice calm yet tinged with arrogance.
"Pass down the order: all those who are willing to submit, regardless of their cultivation level, shall be incorporated into the Spark Project."
"As long as they are willing to serve the Spark Project, their master will not mistreat them."
Jiang Yulan and the others responded in unison.
"Yes, Master!"
Their eyes gleamed with a fanatical light.
The master is indeed the master.
He was so magnanimous even towards his enemies.
This is the true spirit of a king.
……
Auriga Main Star Sector
A magnificent palace floats in the void.
Inside the palace, a burly man sat in the main seat, exuding a powerful aura.
That's the aura of a half-step Human King!
His name is Tenmuro, the master of the Auriga constellation, and he is revered as the Tenmuro-o.
At this moment, he was cultivating with his eyes closed, and golden light slowly surged around his body.
"Report—!!!"
A hurried sound broke the silence in the palace.
A scout strode in and knelt on one knee.
"Reporting to the Lord! Urgent intelligence has arrived from Hydra!!!"
Tianyu slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing in them.
"explain."
The scout took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly.
"Your Majesty, according to our scouts, Hydra... Hydra has a new master!!!"
"What?!"
Tianyu's body trembled slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Has Hydra changed owners?
It's important to know that the War King of Hydra is a half-step Human King level being, whose strength is no weaker than his.
How could it possibly change owners so easily?
"What exactly is the situation?"
He asked in a deep voice.
The scout quickly replied, "According to our reports, the new master's name is Lin Qiye, and he's a powerful figure of unknown origin!"
"Just recently, the Grand Judge of Vega, Empress Silverfrost, led a fleet to Hydra to judge this Lin Qiye!"
"But the result..."
The scout's voice trembled.
"As a result, Empress Silverfrost was defeated by Lin Qiye!!!"
"The Silver Frost Empress has escaped severely injured!!!"
"And the Grand Inquisition's warships have all surrendered!!!"
Tianyu's pupils suddenly contracted, his face filled with shock.
"What did you say?!"
His voice was trembling.
"The Silver Frost Empress has been defeated?!"
Silver Frost Empress!
That was an unparalleled powerhouse at the peak of the half-step Human King realm!
He is only one step away from becoming a true human king!
How could we possibly be defeated?!
"Absolutely true!!!"
The scout nodded quickly.
"Our spies witnessed Empress Silverfrost being utterly defeated by that Lin Qiye!"
"Even the projection of the great emperor was shattered in one blow!!!"
"In the end, Empress Silverfrost had no choice but to burn her life essence and use a divine escape technique to barely escape!!!"
Tianyu's expression became extremely solemn.
The projection of the great emperor has been shattered?!
Just how terrifying is Lin Qiye's strength?!
"Pass down the order!!!"
He stood up abruptly, his voice carrying a hint of seriousness.
"Summon all high-ranking officials immediately! I have urgent matters to discuss!!!"
"yes!!!"
……
The next day.
Inside the core palace of Auriga.
Dozens of powerful interstellar warriors stood respectfully in the hall, their eyes filled with doubt.
Tianyu sat upright in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below.
"Everyone, you must have already heard about the constellation Hydra."
His voice was heavy.
The hall fell silent.
A moment later, a tall female warrior stepped forward, her voice tinged with doubt.
"Your Majesty, what is the background of this Lin Qiye? How could he possibly defeat Empress Silverfrost?"
Tianyu shook his head.
"I don't know either."
A hint of seriousness flashed in his eyes.
"But one thing is certain: Lin Qiye's strength is definitely greater than that of an ordinary half-step Human King..."
"What?!"
The hall erupted in uproar.
Tianyu raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.
"Everyone..."
His voice was heavy.
"His Majesty the Great Emperor has just issued a divine decree. According to my understanding of His Majesty's will, what His Majesty truly desires is to invite this peerless expert to the ancestral star."
His gaze swept over the crowd.
"The reason why Empress Silverfrost was defeated was because she misinterpreted His Majesty's decree, turning 'please' into 'take,' which led to her downfall."
The war gods below looked at each other, but none of them dared to question Tianyu's judgment.
"Your Majesty is wise! Your Majesty is sagacious!"
Tianyu turned to the tall female war goddess.
"Lingyue, I command you to depart immediately for the Mercury constellation and meet Lin Qiye."
His voice was deep.
"You must convey my greetings and invitation, and invite Lin Qiye to the ancestral star with the highest level of courtesy."
The female war goddess named Lingyue frowned slightly, a sense of dissatisfaction rising in her heart.
Ask her to invite a peerless expert who has just defeated a peak half-step human king?
This is practically sending her to her death!
But she also knew that the Emperor's orders were not to be disobeyed. Moreover, behind these orders lay the decree of the Great Emperor…
If she doesn't agree, her fate will probably be even worse than that of the Silver Frost Empress.
Lingyue took a deep breath, suppressing her dissatisfaction, and bowed slightly.
"Yes... Your subordinate obeys."
Her voice carried a hint of helplessness and frustration.
Tianyu seemed to see through her thoughts, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
"Rest assured, I will prepare a sufficient escort fleet for you. You only need to show your sincerity, and if Lin Qiye is truly a smart man, he will naturally understand that going to the ancestral star will be entirely beneficial to him."
Lingyue gritted her teeth and nodded.
"Understood."
The war gods below exchanged glances. Although they each had their own thoughts, seeing that Lingyue had already accepted the order, they said no more.
Tianyu stood up, his gaze falling on the vast sea of stars in the distance.
"Pass down the order: prepare the flagship. Lingyue will depart immediately for Hydra!"
"yes!"
……
Lyra.
In the core region of Lyra, a majestic and elegant palace floats in the void.
Inside the palace, a woman in a light blue dress sat by the window, her gaze fixed on the dazzling sea of stars outside.
Her name is Qin Yin, and she is the mistress of the Lyra constellation, revered as the Lyra Queen.
She is one of the most peace-loving beings in the Galactic Empire, and has always been dedicated to maintaining peace between the constellations.
But at this moment, a solemn light flickered in her eyes.
"You're saying the Silver Frost Empress was defeated?"
Her voice was soft, yet it carried a hint of surprise.
Below, a scout knelt respectfully on the ground.
"My lord, it's true! Our spies confirmed it themselves!"
"That Lin Qiye's strength is unfathomable; even the Silver Frost Empress is no match for him!"
A complex light flashed in Qin Yin's eyes.
The Silver Frost Empress has been defeated...
This is not good news.
If even the Silver Frost Empress is no match for Lin Qiye, then what can she do?
Qin Yin frowned slightly.
"The divine decree of His Majesty the Great Emperor..."
There was a hint of doubt in her voice.
"I have a feeling that things are not so simple; there may be more to the story."
The confidant nodded: "Your Majesty is wise. I also believe that Empress Silverfrost has probably caused a great disaster this time, and now she wants us to clean up her mess."
Qin Yin stood up, her gaze falling on the vast sea of stars outside the window.
"I do not wish to be anyone's pawn."
Her voice was soft, yet it carried a hint of determination.
"If Empress Silverfrost has indeed misinterpreted His Majesty's decree, then this incident may very well trigger even greater turmoil."
She turned around, her gaze sweeping over the people in the hall.
"Pass down the order—Lyra will remain neutral for the time being and will not participate in the actions of either side. I will observe the development of the situation before making a decision."
"If that were truly His Majesty's decree, there would naturally be clearer signals. But for now, I have more faith in my own judgment."
Her gaze deepened.
The war gods below exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
"Our lord is wise!"
Qin Yin sighed, her voice tinged with helplessness.
"Lyra loves peace, but it does not want to be a tool in the hands of others."
She turned around, her gaze falling on the vast sea of stars in the distance.
Let's wait and see.
……
Cygnus Main Star Sector
A magnificent palace floated in the void.
Inside the palace, a woman clad in golden armor sat in the main seat, exuding a powerful aura.
Her name is Jin Yu, she is the master of the Cygnus constellation, and is revered as the Feather Queen.
She is one of the most ambitious beings in the Galactic Empire, and has always wanted to expand her power.
At that moment, her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"You mean Lin Qiye defeated that old hag Yinshuang?"
Her voice carried a hint of excitement.
Below, the scout nodded hurriedly.
"Your Majesty, it's true! According to our spies, Empress Silverfrost has fled back to Vega!!"
A sharp glint flashed in Jin Yu's eyes.
"Pass down the order—"
Her voice carried a hint of excitement.
"Immediately dispatch ten scout teams to ascertain the situation in Vega!"
Below, an advisor respectfully spoke up: "Your Majesty, are you planning to take this opportunity to attack Vega?"
Jin Yu's lips curled up slightly, and a greedy glint flashed in his eyes.
"That old hag, Silverfrost, has been fighting with me for ten thousand years, and has always been one step ahead of me!"
"But now that she's escaped severely wounded, Vega is leaderless—this is a golden opportunity!"
Her gaze swept over the crowd below.
"If we can seize Vega amidst the chaos this time, Cygnus's power will be greatly enhanced!"
The strategist frowned slightly: "Your Majesty, that Lin Qiye..."
Jin Yu waved his hand.
"Let's put Lin Qiye's matter aside for now."
A hint of coldness flashed in her eyes.
"That man was able to defeat Silverfrost; his strength is unfathomable. I will not act rashly before I have ascertained his true capabilities."
She paused, a slight smile playing on her lips.
"First, we need to deal with that old hag, Silverfrost!"
"What I'm most concerned about right now is the resources of Vega!"
Her voice carried a hint of greed.
The generals below nodded in agreement, their faces showing greed.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Jin Yu's lips curled up slightly, and his eyes gleamed with ambition.
"Go."
She stood with her hands behind her back, her voice carrying a hint of arrogance.
"I will be the ultimate winner in this storm."