Space Odyssey from Abandoned Mining Space Station

Chapter 669: Chapter 203: Early Stage of War_4

Chen Ming currently has less than 20 billion in funds.

This will barely sustain the construction of a second temporary outpost and the supply for two temporary outposts for three to four months at most.

Of course, this doesn’t include the regular income that Chen Ming is yet to receive.

His patent on the Superspace Teleportation Engine and the recent business with the pirates, which has been quite popular, can extend this by a month or two.

If the second batch of patent fees for antimatter comes through, that could sustain him even longer.

But Chen Ming is not sure when that will arrive.

Thus, when increasing revenue is not easy.

Cutting costs is also a good option.

Therefore, Chen Ming said decisively, ”That’s easy enough.”

As long as they pay, he can strip the Mechanical Race bare.

After all, due to the Mechanical Race’s own spiritual energy network, he can’t fully control the entire Mechanical Race.

He finds it easier to manipulate the Mechanical Race than to trick Dusk.

”As for the other combat tasks, generally speaking, I don’t get involved, but if you’re willing to provide a spaceship, I’m more than happy to help out.”

Bai Quan smiled but didn’t directly respond to Chen Ming’s remark.

Instead, he took out a contract that seemed to have been drafted long ago and handed it to Chen Ming, saying, ”See if there’s any issue.”

”If there isn’t, let’s sign it.”

Chen Ming briefly looked over it; the contract’s content matched what Bai Quan described.

He would serve as a temporary tactical advisor, without a military rank, nor forced to join the military.

But he would enjoy the same benefits as a Colonel-level officer while having the obligations of a regular person.

One must know that above Colonel is Major General.

This treatment is definitely not trivial.

However, Chen Ming felt like something seemed to be missing.

But before he could ask, Bai Quan spoke first: ”The policy benefits and discounts during your actual bulk procurement aren’t easily put into writing, but they will exist. I can personally guarantee that.”

Chen Ming held back his words.

After thinking for a bit, he said, ”That’s fine.”

After confirming there were no other issues with the contract, Chen Ming promptly signed his name.

Bai Quan, holding the contract with a smile, said to Chen Ming, ”In a few days, a certificate will be mailed to Wu An, remember to sign for it.”

”So I want to confirm once again; can the Mechanical Race you control infiltrate the original Mechanical Race?”

Chen Ming shook his head: ”Honestly, there’s no way, the Mechanical Race is even more troublesome than Dusk.”

”Each unit of Dusk is different; once I control them, as long as I don’t give abnormal orders, they won’t appear different from other Dusk.”

”But the units of the Mechanical Race I control will all be deemed as abnormal sub-units, like aliens in the eyes of the Mechanical Race.”

Chen Ming’s serious answer made Bai Quan ponder for a moment, then he asked, ”How does the Mechanical Race determine if a fellow unit is abnormal? Can the ’identity markers’ of the Mechanical Race you control be modified to achieve this?”

Chen Ming really hadn’t thought about this question before.

After all, the Mechanical Race he controls directly breaks away from the Mechanical Race’s own hive network.

This isn’t about whether they’re recognized; it’s about the Mechanical Race not needing recognition to spot abnormalities on the abnormal sub-units.

So Chen Ming could only respond vaguely, ”This might be quite esoteric, I can’t be fully sure.”

Bai Quan, trying to reassure Chen Ming, said, ”No worries, generally, any Psychic officially joining the Empire’s forces has a think tank behind them.”

”Specialized people help think about spiritual energy expansion directions, and they can also help think about and test spiritual energy limits and usage methods.”

”As long as you can roughly understand the principle, someone will help you find a solution.”

”Although you’re not officially joining, you definitely won’t lack what you need.”

Chen Ming didn’t feel happy about Bai Quan’s offer to arrange help; instead, he slightly frowned.

Bai Quan, astutely aware of this, and having interacted with Wu An recently, quickly understood Chen Ming’s concern, saying, ”I’ve talked about your Spiritual Ability Association theory.”

”Saying Psychics should develop naturally, but we generally believe this is for those with potential.”

”In fact, more Psychics should undergo systematic learning; the earlier they start, the higher their eventual achievement compared to figuring it out themselves.”

”Of course, you definitely have potential, are a genius, so we certainly respect your opinion, and won’t conduct actual spiritual energy tests.”

”Our people will only provide some suggestions based on your explanations.”

”If anyone oversteps, you can tell me directly, and I’ll stop it immediately.”

Chen Ming nodded and said, ”Do you have any researchers of the Mechanical Race, preferably with some understanding of spiritual energy? It might be easier to discuss certain things with them.”

”I’ll arrange it immediately, but since I am not at the headquarters now, deploying personnel might take a day.”

”I’m not in a hurry, I think you might be more anxious.”

”True.”

Bai Quan showed a slightly embarrassed or helpless expression.

”Let’s start with yesterday’s topic; we’ll help you analyze your battle with Cheng Xinghe.”