Chapter 147: Towards Deep Space
An hour later, a player arrived at the space station's main control room to report the scavenging results to the Executive Officer.
Perhaps due to their hasty escape, besides a considerable amount of Helium-3 fuel, Apollo's people also left behind approximately 350 kilograms of Mass Effect Zero Element. Together with what was found at the lunar mine previously, the total amounted to 550 kilograms.
According to the Mage's calculations, as long as large vessels like the industrial ship and transport planes didn't fly too frequently, these 550 kilograms of zero element would be enough for 30 fighters to patrol within the star system for at least 5 to 6 weeks.
Compared to Mass Effect Zero Element, the more urgently needed resource currently was Warp Zero Element.
Without this rare material, the efficiency of both scientific expeditions and troop deployments would be significantly reduced.
If a space journey exceeded one week, it would be difficult for players, except for those with “special backgrounds” like Loulan, to adapt to a life where they couldn't roam around or level up.
Regarding weapon spoils, players found missile launchers that had not yet been loaded with ammunition, as well as hundreds of missiles in storage. Eight of these had their warheads removed, presumably having been fitted with nuclear warheads previously.
With Cangyuan's current technological level, producing thermonuclear warheads was no longer technically difficult.
However, according to the structure of a tri-stage bomb, detonating the thermonuclear charge still required high-concentration fissionable materials, namely Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239.
There were no corresponding mineral deposits in the Desert. According to the remote sensing images previously obtained from the Mechanical Hive, the nearest uranium mine was over 3000 kilometers south of Devil Mountain, currently covered by dozens of meters of glassy material.
Hmm...
Lu Yuan looked at the distant sun outside the window and took a deep breath.
Three months into the “game,” it was finally considered to have fully entered the second phase, and Cangyuan's development goals had significantly shifted from before.
Besides the main quests given by the system, there were four most important tasks ahead.
First, securing Oasis City and quickly converting its resources and population into corporate strength.
Second, building a fleet and, in conjunction with carrier-based aircraft, establishing a complete space defense system.
Third, exploring and mapping, and quickly contacting Star Alliance forces willing to trade with Cangyuan to acquire relatively hard-to-get intelligence and scarce resources.
According to Lao Yu, there was a faction within the Star Alliance called the “Free Merchants Guild” that was very keen on seeking new trading partners.
This faction was composed of dozens of large and small interstellar merchant fleets, living on their ship convoys, operating under a corporate or nomadic tribal system, with no fixed territory.
Finally, and the longest-term plan Lu Yuan could think of, was to establish contact with the New Hope or Elysium space stations.
Making a diplomatic gesture was secondary; the key was to establish roots in these two Star Alliance hubs, setting up branch companies or offices.
Afterward, commercial spies would be dispatched to acquire zero element exploration technology.
Only by mastering this technology would Cangyuan truly be an independent and self-reliant Star Sea power, free from external constraints.
“Take the spoils and head home first,” Lu Yuan told the reporting player. “This current station doesn't require us to station troops.”
Back on the transport plane, he saw the slaves drinking hot water and heartily eating rice balls and packaged steaks, their faces finally regaining some color.
With the players' patient explanations and video demonstrations, they finally believed that those who took them were not another group of villains, but a good company named Cangyuan, and they understood that they were not being resold but were going home.
Lu Yuan called Caoyuan aside.
“These people have lived in the space station for a long time; they must have overheard conversations between Apollo employees.”
“You mean—”
“Since they like our food, why not persuade them to stay in the camp for a few more days before returning home, or directly offer them a suitable job, and during that time, ask them if they heard anything interesting.”
“Understood!”
Inside Oasis City, night fell.
Ye Xing had initially thought that showing the video for one night was profitable, and two nights would be a huge gain. Now, it seemed he had thought too much.
How could there be a second night?
As soon as the sun set, the various video halls in the city were crowded with people.
They were all there to purchase the special medicine, thinking that the “black market dealer” selling the medicine would appear again tonight. They had started staking out the places before dark, and then more and more people gathered, forming a dense, dark mass, blocking many road sections.
Seeing this situation, Ye Xing knew there was no need to try. He didn't go over to book the whole place, play the video tape, and then become the most dazzling guy in the crowd.
A little thought would tell him that the city's security officers must also be watching these places, perhaps disguised as civilians, mingling among them.
According to the inquiries made by Cheng Lei's subordinates, security officers and city guards had already rushed into video halls this morning, confiscated video tapes, and asked about the appearance of the people who had booked the whole place last night.
A few clever owners had foreseen that the tapes would be confiscated by the authorities but were reluctant to give up the “ratings” effect, so they hid them in advance. As a result, they were beaten after being discovered.
The situation quickly became tense, but it didn't matter.
Overall, this was a good thing.
The goal of the first phase of the mission was to spread the news. Last night's results were unexpectedly good, exceeding the mission's requirements, meaning the Executive Officer's plan could enter the second phase ahead of schedule.
Fili, the city gate guard who had previously helped Cheng Lei feign ignorance, was now also among the crowd seeking the medicine, looking around.
Cheng Lei, with a changed hairstyle, wearing a mask, and with her coat collar turned up, saw Fili and walked over with her head down, “Fili, come with me.”
Seeing Cheng Lei, Fili's pupils contracted, and he barely managed to suppress the urge to shout her name aloud.
“Sister Lei—” He tried his best to lower his voice, “The medicine, you guys brought it into the city, right?”
“Don't speak, come.”
Fili quickly followed her into a dark alley.
“This is for your dad. Thanks for your help earlier.”
Cheng Lei turned, and on her open palm was a box of capsules, 10 tablets.
“Thank you! Thank you, Sister Lei!”
Fili was about to take it, but Cheng Lei closed her palm again.
“I'm not finished yet. If you want the medicine, you'll have to help me later.”
“What help?”
“Right where we're standing now, you figure out a way. Come meet me here every day at 2 AM. I need information on the city guard's internal operations.”
“Sister Lei, this—”
“Fili, you must help me with this. This is what you owe this city! I know deep down, you understand this better than anyone.”
Without waiting for his agreement, she handed the medicine to Fili.
Fili, with the medicine in hand, immediately ran home.
“Oh, so this is the miracle medicine everyone's talking about!” His mother was very happy.
“You bought it so quickly?” His bedridden father sat up. “You didn't use any underhanded methods, did you?”
“No, Dad—I'm very honest!”
“Really? I heard many people are fighting over this medicine—how did you get it? Did you pay extra? Then the money I gave you before wouldn't be enough, right? How much is the difference?”
“No difference—I, I was just lucky. I happened to stake out the person, and I'm strong, so I squeezed in.”
Lying without batting an eye, Fili thought.
“Oh…”
His father knew he wasn't telling the truth but didn't ask further.
Knock knock knock!
Just then, someone knocked on the door, and Fili immediately trembled all over.
“Mom! Quickly hide the medicine!”
“Huh?”
His mother hadn't reacted yet. His father, who had also been a city guard, snatched the medicine box from her hand, and then Fili went to open the door.
Standing outside was his colleague.
“Fili, gather at 5 AM tomorrow. It's a direct order from the City Lord, don't be late! I'm leaving!”
“Wait!” Fili grabbed him.
“What's the specific mission?”
“What else could it be? Investigating Cangyuan's evil medicine, and catching their spies!”
