Super Mothership
The Gemini Central Administrative Planet, Joint Parliament.
Present in the chamber, besides the influential parliament members, were several specially invited top scientists of the Gemini civilization.
“You are all leading figures in the scientific world. What are your thoughts on this trade list? I mean—can any intelligence on the Ant Empire be inferred from it?” asked Speaker Cruze.
An elderly feathered scholar, long-bearded and frail-looking, cleared his throat.
**“Ahem! Mr. Speaker, honorable members. We have already conducted a preliminary assessment of this list.
The most valuable part, without question, is the scientific category related to the Psionic Energy technology tree!
Based on the enemy’s performance in several wars in the Solar System and nearby star systems, we can roughly deduce that this represents a completely new scientific field, most likely an advanced, previously unknown form of energy technology.
What we can confirm is that it can at least be applied to communications, virtually immune to any interference by our methods. Moreover, we suspect it may even enable cross–Solar System wormhole transmission, allowing ultra-long-distance communication over four light years!
Relying on this technology, the enemy has fought us largely with remote-controlled unmanned machines, achieving near-zero personnel casualties.
On this point alone, Psionic Energy deserves to be called a strategic-level technology.
As for other possible military applications, intelligence is too limited for us to make a judgment.
It is worth noting, however, that their Silver Fleet’s combat power clearly far surpasses that of conventional warships. With our current science, we cannot explain their source of strength—this may very well be a practical product of Psionic Energy technology!”**
“Hmm…” Speaker Cruze nodded, signaling him to continue.
**“Next, let us analyze one of the most representative technological items on the list—the mecha.
The export model called Sword Immortal has already had its critical Psionic communication system removed, replaced instead with ordinary quantum communications.
Its key feature is the use of small-scale magnetic control technology for floating beam cannons, allowing its firepower output to multiply in short bursts.
The drawback is high energy consumption, which affects endurance, and susceptibility to EMP-type electromagnetic pulse attacks.
Overall, the materials are fairly common, and the technological sophistication is not particularly high. It seems to be a mass-produced, expendable standard unit.”**
“Common materials, not very advanced? Then are you saying their mecha technology isn’t superior to ours? But why did they perform better than the Ranger class on the battlefield?” someone asked in doubt.
**“No, when I said their mecha were not advanced, I meant in terms of design and structure. That does not mean their manufacturing capability is on par with ours!
In fact, based on analysis of enemy mecha wreckage, we unanimously believe the Ant Empire’s manufacturing techniques are at least one tier above ours!
We discovered that the wreckage contained mechanical parts of wildly different manufacturing quality, which indicates two distinct production lines.
One low-grade line produced ordinary parts, comparable to our own conventional level.
The other, a high-grade production line, demonstrated astonishing precision—responsible for the mecha’s core components.
The contrast was stark: if the low-end line produced clay figurines, the high-end line produced fine porcelain!
For example, the weapon core component of their floating cannons—the focusing lens. Its effect on weapon power depends entirely on machining precision.
Analysis shows its machining accuracy even surpasses the atomic level!
This results in a massive boost in weapon power—something even the best Gemini equipment cannot achieve.
In terms of high-precision processing, our civilization is at least one full level behind!
That is why their mecha, despite using ordinary materials and seemingly unremarkable science, demonstrate extraordinary combat strength.
Judging from the performance of their elite Silver Mecha, these mass-produced units are far from their true peak level.”**
“So you’re saying that even if we fully understood their mecha’s structure, we still couldn’t replicate them?” Cruze asked.
**“Yes. To be frank, even our Central Mecha Research Institute, using identical materials, could not manufacture floating cannons of equivalent power.
If we attempted to copy them, we would have to resort to far superior alloys, which would sharply increase costs. From a cost-performance perspective, it simply isn’t worthwhile.
In fact, I suspect this is deliberate: they intentionally use ordinary-level science combined with top-tier precision manufacturing to mass-produce expendables, in order to prevent enemy civilizations from extracting real technology from battlefield wreckage.
Because even if you understand the design, you still can’t reproduce it…”** the elder explained confidently.
“So that’s how it is!”
“Cautious indeed.”
“No wonder they are an old, advanced scientific civilization—they leave no loopholes…”
"...."
Whispers of astonishment spread through the chamber.
Some people had originally entertained thoughts of imitation, but after hearing the elder’s words, those ideas were completely extinguished.
Of course, the reason the Sword Immortal mecha had two vastly different standards of component production lines was that certain core parts could not be mass-produced with Nie Yun’s conventional industrial level. They had to be crafted personally by mechanical insects…
The level of precision was, naturally, far beyond what even Gemini could hope to match.
“So then, does this mean these mecha are worth purchasing in bulk?” someone asked.
**“Small-scale procurement is acceptable. This would also help us further understand the combat performance of their mecha. As for the exact quantity, that is for the military to deliberate.
But I must remind everyone: from the extremely low price of the Sword Immortal mecha, we can already see that its cost-performance ratio far surpasses that of our fleet’s standard mecha, the Ranger.
Large-scale procurement may seem profitable, but if the numbers become too high, it could impact our domestic mecha industry.”** Cruze, always more far-sighted, immediately pointed out the hidden danger.
After that, the assembly continued its discussion, focusing on the weapons and technologies listed in the trade agreement.
As for the critical Psionic Energy technology, Gemini was unwilling to exchange its closely guarded wormhole detection technology. Meanwhile, procurement of weaponry was mostly small-scale for research purposes, and was quickly settled.
“Next, let us discuss the most unusual item in this trade… the Energy Crystals!” Cruze said gravely, sweeping his gaze across the room.
At once, everyone’s spirits lifted!
At an exchange rate of 300 to 1—empty crystals for energy crystals—this represented an enormous fortune for Gemini!
Whether to make the exchange, and how much to exchange, would directly influence the parliament’s future finances.
After a brief silence, Cruze continued:
**“Regardless of whether or not we exchange them for Energy Crystals, one thing is certain: empty crystals are a strategic resource for the future!
Therefore, as a first step, we must, in the name of the Parliament, bring all domestic empty crystals under control—so as to prevent opportunists from selling them privately to the Unity of All Things!”**
Cruze’s words made several people in the chamber frown slightly.
In fact, after the negotiation details had leaked, well-connected members of the power elite had already mobilized all their resources to frantically purchase what had previously been dismissed as worthless fuel residue—empty crystals.
In just a short time, the market price of empty crystals had risen dozens of times over—and was still climbing madly!
The vested interests hoping to profit naturally had no desire to see the exchange channel for Energy Crystals monopolized by the Parliament…
“Ahem!” At this moment, a military representative of the Sea Clan coughed deliberately, drawing everyone’s attention.
“I seem to have heard that during the negotiations, the stewards of the Unity of All Things presented a full ton of Energy Crystals on the spot? I think it is necessary to investigate this matter… Surely no one received any personal benefit from the Unity of All Things during the talks?”
Because Arthas had several times tarnished the Sea Clan’s prestige, their impression of him had always been poor. This time, it was obvious the Sea Clan wanted to use the negotiations as an excuse for a little payback.
His words, full of implication, were aimed squarely at Arthas—and just as directly at the Cruze family!
Anyone with a bit of sense could see the connection: the negotiators had been direct scions of the Cruze family, and now Speaker Cruze was pushing to monopolize the rights of Energy Crystal exchange…
Even knowing the truth, many cast Cruze sidelong glances filled with suspicion.
This old fox—could it be that he had already made contact with the Unity of All Things… and was plotting to swallow all the benefits himself?
TL Note- Trade....
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