Chapter 10

10. Research Project

The CF/A-17 Ghost Fighter, the main fighter of the Terran Empire from "StarCraft."

Tang Xiao also noticed that the CF/A-17 Ghost Fighter that could currently be researched and manufactured was only the initial model and did not have the pulse laser installed for ground attacks.

However, no matter what, the Ghost Fighter is an excellent fighter that can operate both in the atmosphere and in space, and has been proven in the "StarCraft" storyline during the wars against the Protoss and the Zerg.

Moreover, the later models of this fighter will be equipped with stealth systems, making it a truly terrifying killer—a stealth fighter!

Although the current technology system of the mothership belongs to "Homeworld," to build the Ghost Fighter, the technological and production barriers between "Homeworld" and "StarCraft" must be overcome. However, Tang Xiao believes that this challenge must be overcome!

As a human technology product, the resources required to digest and analyze the technology of the Terran Empire from "StarCraft" should still be within control.

Seeing that the administrator had made up his mind, Qi Jian did not continue to argue. As a subordinate, he needed to present his opinions and concerns and let Tang Xiao make the decision. Now, all he had left was obedience.

Tang Xiao called Daphne Clement and asked, "Is there a modular building for the engineering research institute in the mothership's warehouse? How large is it?"

Clement replied, "Considering the potential dangers of engineering research and the need for large spaces for many experiments, the mothership carries a modular scientific research station. It can accommodate about 20 experts for experiments and research."

"Give the order to the engineering department to start constructing this engineering research station immediately. Ideally, it should be operational today!" Tang Xiao ordered.

"Yes!"

Tang Xiao opened the character awakening database of the mothership and began searching for suitable candidates. Among the elite, he found three engineering experts, awakened them, and called them to the bridge.

The three experts were two women and one man, all around 30 to 40 years old. Upon seeing Tang Xiao, they bowed respectfully. The lead female expert said, "Hello, Administrator. My name is Guan Yan, an energy expert. This is Dr. Feng Yongwang, a mechanical expert, and this is Dr. Qu Xuewen, a materials expert."

Tang Xiao did not mince words and directly assigned them their tasks, "I need to start two research projects simultaneously: one is the infrared laser weapon, and the other is the CF/A-17 Ghost Fighter. What conditions do you need? I will try my best to meet them."

Guan Yan frowned and thought for a moment, "Research on the infrared laser weapon... This requires a physics laboratory. I need at least 20 physics specialists. But this fighter..."

She handed the data to the male expert, "What do you think, Dr. Feng?"

Feng Yongwang, wearing glasses, looked at the Ghost Fighter and shook his head slightly, "There are many technological systems that are different from ours. Although it is not impossible to overcome this challenge, it will take more time. Dr. Qu and I will work together. We can start with a small team of 5 mechanical specialists. I will gradually request more personnel and resources as needed."

"How long will it take?" Tang Xiao asked.

"With the complete data available, the research and application of the infrared laser weapon should be completed within a month," Dr. Guan Yan replied.

"It's hard to say for the Ghost Fighter. Although the data is complete, it will take at least a year to analyze it to the point where we can use and produce it. It would be great if we had a master-level expert to lead our team," Feng Yongwang said.

"I will fully support the personnel and resources. Start the work. Thank you for your hard work," Tang Xiao nodded.

"Don't mention it, Administrator. You are the one steering the ship, and we just need to do our jobs. We should be the ones thanking you," Qu Xuewen, more diplomatic, said with a smile.

"I will list the requirements," Guan Yan said.

Research is always a labor-intensive, time-consuming, and costly activity, no matter where it is... Looking at the long list of materials continuously appearing on the screen, Tang Xiao maintained a smile on the surface, but his heart was bleeding.

The colony had just started to show some improvement and had some material reserves, but now they were all being handed over to the research team.

...

In the outer rim of the galaxy, the Western Frontier, the Modell Sector, hyperspace.

"About to exit hyperspace jump, time to wake up, dear." In a disc-shaped Corellian YT-1000 light freighter, the human woman controlling the ship said to the pilot beside her.

The pilot, a man in his 30s, shook his head and said, "I'm really starting to miss Corellian foam beer. After this job, I need to go home and sleep for at least three days."

"Corellia is not a place for people like us, Quinto. I prefer this life, free and unrestrained," the woman said, walking over and kissing her lover on the forehead.

"That damn machine is acting up again!" A Rodian emerged from the rear compartment, having kicked the machine in frustration.

The Rodian looked like a standing seahorse, with bulging eyes without eyelids and a mouth that extended like a straw. This was a hunting race, and even after joining the Galactic Republic and entering the space age, they mostly worked as bounty hunters.

"What's wrong, Spade?" Quinto turned to ask.

"Ah, nothing major, just that it might kill us. Ferrasi, you should see the 7th indicator light on your left flashing abnormally, right?" the Rodian said irritably.

The woman turned and immediately exclaimed, "Oh no! The hyperspace diverter is not responding! How could this happen?!" She frantically operated the control panel, but to no avail.

"Well, now we can only pray that we won't be torn apart when we exit hyperspace," Spade shrugged and sat on the ground, resigned to his fate.

"The hyperspace diverter protects us from being torn apart by physical phenomena when we exit hyperspace. If this thing malfunctions, we cannot start the hyperspace jump. So, if we didn't have the luck of a lifetime to have a problem during the jump, then..." Quinto didn't finish his sentence as the ship exited hyperspace.

If you were outside, you would see the ship almost instantly appear in the universe.

After a violent shake, they finally stabilized the ship. Quinto looked at the massive object in front of them and muttered, "That was intentional..."

"By the spirits of Kraya... What is this thing?!" Ferrasi was completely stunned by the terrifying sight.

On the radar, a crescent-shaped massive ship was slowly orbiting the planet. The ship was so large that from their YT-1000 light freighter, they could only see an endless metal wall!