Super Mothership
“Ah? Oh! Sorry, Elder Yu—I spaced out for a moment. It’s just that… this scene is a bit unsettling,” Karl said as he snapped back to his senses.
“Hehe! We weren’t used to it at first either, but you’ll get used to it. As long as the Boss is around, no matter how dangerous our experiments are, there are zero casualties,” Elder Yu chuckled as he patted Karl on the shoulder.
As long as the Boss is around…
“Elder Yu, I sincerely want to ask you a question,” Karl said after a moment of silence, as if finally making up his mind.
“Of course, go ahead. Helping new employees get up to speed quickly is part of my responsibility,” Elder Yu replied gently.
“I’ve only just joined the Cloud Research Institute. Aren’t you worried that I might leak these confidential materials? You know… that would be very dangerous,” Karl said cautiously.
Elder Yu didn’t seem surprised. He simply smiled meaningfully.
“Dangerous? No, we don’t think you’re dangerous at all.
What’s dangerous is the human heart—not a pure researcher like you.”
“But… I’m human too. I have my own selfish motives,” Karl said bluntly.
“Of course. Everyone has selfish motives—I’m no exception. But the impartial AI has already evaluated yours, and it’s well within our acceptable range. Would you like to hear her personal evaluation of you?”
“Uh… her personal evaluation of me?”
“Of course!”
Elder Yu activated a holographic projection. A figure appeared in the light—dressed in office attire, wearing frameless glasses.
The AI glanced at Karl, then opened a folder labeled “Karl.”
“Karl, new member of the Cloud Research Institute. Specializes in astrophysics and has unique insights into wormhole models… After the news of his joining spreads, there is a 99.9% probability that people will speculate the Ghost Captain’s next research focus will shift toward wormhole technology. This is expected to significantly benefit related concept stocks.
As a result, more than a dozen stocks—including ‘Galactic Space Development Co.,’ ‘Faster-Than-Light Express,’ and ‘Texas Insect Farming’—have been upgraded to a ‘strong buy’ rating…”
Karl: “……”
He looked at Elder Yu with an extremely strange expression.
This was the “impartial” AI’s personal evaluation of him?
It sounded more like a stock analyst’s report!
And what the heck was “Texas Insect Farming”? How was that even a wormhole-related stock?!
Elder Yu was also sweating. The first half sounded normal enough—how did it suddenly take such a bizarre turn?
He had heard the AI had recently gotten obsessed with stock trading to earn meal money, but he never imagined even recruiting a new employee would be interpreted as insider information…
“Wait! Wait!” Elder Yu quickly interrupted. “Not this one. Is there a version that’s less… ‘personal’?”
“Oh!” The AI nodded and flipped to the last page of the file.
“Karl, new member of the Cloud Research Institute. Specializes in astrophysics and has unique insights into wormhole models.
Father is a dentist, mother is a psychiatrist. Born into a typical middle-class family. Happy childhood, no history of bullying, no childhood psychological trauma, no bad habits.
Likes cats; an experienced cat owner. Has raised two children. Psychological evaluation: ‘healthy.’ Gentle personality, no anti-human or anti-social tendencies.
Displayed outstanding performance during the rehearsal of the large-scale disaster documentary ‘End of Humanity.’ Overall evaluation… Lawful Good! Meets the basic requirements for a core research worker.”
Karl stood there, listening blankly to the AI’s evaluation.
So this was how they saw his “profile”? It was fair enough, but…
“Just based on an evaluation like this, you’re confident I won’t leak secrets?”
The AI shook her head.
“Of course not. Member screening is only the first step. For potential leaks, we also have follow-up punishment and containment measures.
According to the confidentiality agreement signed by all researchers, once an internal member is found leaking secrets, they will be immediately dismissed, permanently banned from employment, and blacklisted. They will also lose access to all Ghost-tech products and have their Infinite Coin assets frozen.
If highly dangerous advanced technology is leaked and results in a high-energy crisis on Earth, the leaker will bear legal responsibility depending on the level of damage caused.
Finally, if absolutely necessary, with the Captain’s authorization, we will activate the highest-level ‘Threat Elimination Protocol.’”
“What is the highest-level ‘Threat Elimination Protocol’?” Karl asked, confused.
“The so-called highest-level ‘Threat Elimination Protocol’ means that when the spread of dangerous technology cannot be determined, we adopt a ‘better to kill wrongly than let one go’ principle.
All individuals who may have been involved, may possess it, or may pose a future threat will be designated as elimination targets.
Methods of elimination include, but are not limited to, ‘exile to Pluto’ and ‘physical eradication’…”
“Gulp~” Karl swallowed nervously.
So that means… if he were to leak the data of that “bomb,” even the slightest slip-up would result in the best-case scenario for the White House being collective exile to Pluto?
Given the level of technology the Ghost Captain had demonstrated, he had no doubt they were fully capable of doing that.
Those politicians… were really dancing on the edge of death…
“Phew~ Now I can finally relax!” Karl let out a breath of relief and smiled again.
Elder Yu and the AI exchanged glances, sharing a subtle, satisfied “pleasant cooperation” look.
Elder Yu cleared his throat.
“Ahem! Mr. Karl, the Boss has just sent back a partial design blueprint for a ‘Wormhole Expansion Device.’
Your next task is to use it as a foundation to reverse-engineer the theoretical model for wormhole charging and expansion, laying the groundwork for opening the interstellar gateway for Earth’s civilization! A heavy responsibility lies ahead!”
“What? A ‘Wormhole Expansion Device’?!” Karl’s eyes widened.
They can even get something like that?!
Wait! If they already have this, why don’t they even have the corresponding theoretical model yet?
What kind of logic is that? Chicken first, then egg? But without the egg, where did the chicken come from?
“I—I guarantee I’ll complete the task!” Karl’s voice trembled with excitement.
“Mm! I have high expectations for you!”
Even after Elder Yu left, Karl was still overwhelmed with excitement.
Just as he was about to fully immerse himself in intense research work, he faintly overheard a conversation between Elder Yu and the AI nearby…
“So, you’re saying the stocks of ‘Galactic Space Development Co.’ and ‘Faster-Than-Light Express’ are going to rise soon? Is that true?” Elder Yu’s voice was very low.
“As a representative of big data—and a veteran stock trader—I guarantee there’s over a 99% probability!”
“Then what does ‘Texas Insect Farming’ have to do with this market trend?”
“When Obama was elected president, Aucma hit consecutive limit-ups, BOE Technology surged; when events like 618 or Double 11 shopping festivals approach, stocks move; when Ma Yili had a scandal, Yili shares dropped; when rumors spread about ‘Milk Tea Sister’ breaking up, Tianze Information kept falling…
Sometimes stocks drop for no reason at all, and sometimes they skyrocket just because of ‘poetry and distant dreams.’ There’s nothing investors can’t imagine—even if you can’t!
So in the end, big data is secondary—the key is imagination!”
“Hmm… makes sense… Well then, help me buy 1,000 shares of ‘Texas Insect Farming’!”
“Sure! Private fund, small-scale business. As per the rules, I take a 20% cut of the profits.”
“I… deal!”
Karl: “……”
TL Note- Trading....
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