A Grandmaster

Sure enough, Professor Chi continued, "I compared the technological systems we have a relatively thorough grasp of from the Kushan Civilization. They are highly similar to the Trader Emergency Coalition's technological system—more so than that of the Terran Empire, which the Wraith fighter belongs to. In other words, we can analyze and integrate the Trader Emergency Coalition's technology very efficiently. And there's one more crucial point..."

Chi Jianjun adjusted his reading glasses. "The Trader Emergency Coalition's tech tree is more comprehensive. They possess a whole range of functional structures and spacecraft, including fixed defense turrets, space hangar platforms, and planetary fortresses. They even have enormous Titan warships. If we can fully analyze this civilization's technology, we'll have the confidence to contend with the Galactic Republic's potential threats."

Tang Xiao nodded. "So during this gap before the Wraith fighter is completed, we'll mainly rely on upgraded Blade fighters and these Hammer-class light frigates to protect ourselves?"

"That's right. The Blade fighter upgrades have been completed, the design has been finalized, and the production lines have been adjusted. They're now being manufactured according to Qi Jian's requirements. The upgraded fighter is 8.6 meters long, equipped with a compact fusion engine, a basic energy shield, an infrared laser cannon, and two Gemini missiles. Unnecessary armor has been removed, so it can barely hold its own in battle."

Chi Jianjun continued, "As for the Hammer-class light frigate modification plan, aside from replacing the Electromagnetic Cannon turrets with infrared lasers, we rejected the proposal to install Gemini missiles. We're planning to add a plasma bomb to this frigate type."

"Have you finished analyzing the plasma bomb technology?" Tang Xiao asked.

"Not yet. It was originally a weapon used by bombers specifically designed to attack large warships in the Kushan Civilization. We don't think there's any need for such bombers, but their weapon systems are quite good. These plasma bombs travel relatively slowly, but they deal extremely high damage to shields. The Hammer-class frigate is also just the right size to accommodate such a high-energy-consumption weapon system," Chi Jianjun said. "This weapons modification plan was formulated specifically for the incoming Hammerhead-class cruiser."

Chi Jianjun then took out two design blueprints. Tang Xiao recognized one of them immediately and blurted out, "Isn't this an SCV?"

A Terran worker unit from StarCraft!

"That's right. The T-280 Space Construction Vehicle is a general-purpose engineering mech. It stands twelve feet tall and can carry out the vast majority of construction and engineering tasks. The mechanized engineering exoskeletons currently used by our colony are no longer suitable. This SCV can even work in space, making it an excellent piece of engineering equipment," Chi Jianjun said.

"Furthermore, the SCV is also a product of the Terran Empire. Since we've already accumulated some experience with Terran manufacturing processes while researching the Wraith fighter, SCV development will progress much faster," he added.

"What about this one?" Tang Xiao asked, pointing to the other blueprint.

"An engineering ship used by the Trader Emergency Coalition. It can also construct most space structures with high efficiency. They also have heavy engineering ships capable of building even larger space structures. Their whole system is very well developed," Chi Jianjun said.

Tang Xiao nodded. Once the Wraith fighter entered service and the security situation was temporarily eased, he needed to devote more effort to civilian welfare and development. Developing and putting SCVs and engineering ships into production would make colony construction far more convenient. The colony's greatest developmental bottleneck was currently construction, which had kept its population stuck at around six to seven thousand.

Among the many problems constraining the colony's strength, infrastructure was the most important. Even population was not much of an issue. There were a full five billion embryos in the Cryo-embryo vault, and they could all mature within ten years. They could also find a reliable intelligent robot in the technology database to deal with it.

But there were no shortcuts for infrastructure. It had to be built step by step.

Professor Chi Jianjun had keenly identified this point and immediately decided to launch the SCV and engineering ship projects!

"There's one more thing. The Kushan Civilization's technology database also contains a stealth fighter. Its stealth capabilities are somewhat limited, but we can still use it as a shortcut to give the Wraith fighter stealth capabilities as soon as possible." Chi Jianjun concluded, "Together with the Blue-UV Laser weapons we're currently exploring, these are the Research Department's main priorities. Our existing manpower and equipment are basically sufficient. Put more resources into the colony."

After saying that, he spoke no further. He gave a simple salute, then led Dr. Feng Yongwang and the others back to work.

Tang Xiao nearly teared up when he saw Professor Chi like this. Where was the old man who had once run into his dormitory half-naked, clutching his clothes, screaming for help, and taken over his bed? Now he possessed the bearing of a seasoned old professor, every inch a grandmaster!

Not only had he organized the current research direction with perfect clarity, but he had also integrated their existing resources to the fullest extent, identifying the most urgent research priorities and preventing the Fourth Civilization's resources from being wasted excessively.

Unlike those researchers who talked about nothing but resources, Professor Chi's vision was focused directly on the bigger picture!

No wonder he was a Master Class talent. No wonder he was a national treasure! With someone like him helping, the Fourth Civilization's revival was just around the corner. Unfortunately, he was only willing to work for him for five years.

Tang Xiao could not help but sigh. What kind of great nation could produce such a grandmaster...

Meanwhile, on Tatooine, at the edge of Hutt Space on the other side of the Milky Way Galaxy, a major battle was about to erupt.

Boom!! An explosion erupted at the entrance of a spaceport in Mos Eisley. The spaceport was a circular tower over twenty meters tall, with six berths for spacecraft and room to dock medium-sized ships around one hundred meters long. It was one of the larger spaceports on Tatooine.

Many people did not know that a secret elevator was hidden in the middle of this tower. It was specifically used to transport concealed contraband and smuggled goods, such as spice that could induce excitement and hallucinations.

But today, this spaceport came under attack!

Before the smoke from the explosion had even cleared, a gang of vicious Bosa rushed inside. The Nikto mercenaries guarding the spaceport hurried out to resist. Some took blaster rifles and hid behind cover, while several others charged straight toward the rapid-fire blaster machine guns mounted on elevated platforms.