In Gundam form, it could also serve as a heavy weapon for landing operations. As long as it was not a base's heavy defensive cannon, army weapons would find it hard to destroy this big guy!
By logic, the Transformers born from a pirate raider should have been inferior in attributes, but it seemed the AllSpark had directly optimized the mechanical body, causing this newly born Transformer to far surpass the raider in key attributes like offense, defense, and speed, even leaving standard frigates far behind.
It could also devour alloy to grow. He really wanted to see what kind of combat power a complete Transformer possessed! Wu Tianyi praised.
I reckon it won't be any weaker than a second-generation destroyer, perhaps even stronger.
The AllSpark's effect exceeded my imagination; it's simply perfect. Lin Zhichen praised. If there are no new instance worlds next month, I'm ready to take out a psionic warship and convert it into a Transformer to see what the effect is.
Wei Peng and the others looked at each other in dismay, temporarily not knowing what to say.
Without a doubt, using a precious psionic warship for experiments was extremely wasteful, but if psionic warships could be mass-produced, even in smaller numbers, it would still be acceptable.
However, Lin Zhichen's wish fell through. A new month arrived, the Gate of Time and Space refreshed once more, and a new instance world took shape.
Red Alert?!
Inside the pirate base, he looked in surprise at what was displayed on the panel, momentarily not knowing what to say.
Saying it was useful—well, it was a complete set of Planetary Era technology trees after all. But saying it was useless was also correct, because it was now the Space Age. The army was completely cannon fodder, the navy used starships, and fighters were used on planets, unable to even fly into space.
Yet no matter what, it still had some use, because soldiers with special functions were quite attractive.
Red Alert was a game, set roughly in the post-WWII era of US-Soviet hegemony, where both sides launched a series of battles for world hegemony.
The game was not lacking in black tech, such as the time machine developed by the great scientist Einstein, the Transdimensional Assault Team capable of transdimensional movement, and Yuri who could control people's minds.
Soon, as a half-creator god, Lin Zhichen harvested a massive haul, obtaining the architectural and creation blueprints for all expansions across the entire Red Alert.
The Chronosphere is gone? Is it because time is irreversible? Flipping through the stack of blueprints he acquired, he regretfully discovered that a crucial piece of black tech was missing. Then, in the clone barracks, the icon of a troop type appeared before his eyes:
Hyperspace Assault Trooper? Is this a variant of the Transdimensional Assault Team?
Roughly browsing through it, Lin Zhichen found that he had still underestimated this instance. Although he failed to obtain genius scientists like Yuri or Einstein, the special troop types present in Red Alert could also greatly enrich the Meteor Mercenary Group's roster.
Yet if he wanted to acquire the recruitment rights for these NPC soldiers, he first had to secure a life planet in order to build a cloning factory. According to the requirements of the barracks blueprint, this type of building could not be constructed inside a space base.
Another one that's temporarily useless. He put away his harvest with a hint of regret, yet felt not the least bit worried about it going unused.
Life planets were indeed extremely rare, but the universe was so vast, and the areas occupied by civilized worlds accounted for only a tiny fraction. In the dark starry skies, there was no telling how many life planets were hidden in the dark, waiting for him to discover them.
It's time to start a new journey. Looking at the fleet radar display, the buyer's fleet finally arrived fashionably late a month later.
After a simple handover, the Meteor Mercenary Group, with a fleet expanded twofold, once more embarked on a tour of the asteroid belt.
It was not until half a year later that this slightly lengthy journey came to a close. At this point, from departure to finish, the Meteor Mercenary Group's travels had not even covered a quarter of the entire asteroid belt, yet they were forced to announce a hasty end to the journey.
As for the reason—
Lin Zhichen looked at the fleet channel, where the number of warships had reached a scale of three hundred, and then looked at the personnel filling the ships to capacity, falling momentarily speechless.
Big Brother, the NPC population we've gathered along this way numbers a full ten thousand. Even though we acquired a few more small transport ships, they're still a drop in the bucket. What's more, food is running short; at most a month and we'll run out of rations! Wu Tianyi said earnestly:
Before we came, none of us expected these pirate NPCs to be complete spineless cowards. Just a little scare and they all surrendered. If we don't get a base going soon, I'm afraid we won't be able to feed all these people!
Not long ago, my chief of staff also called me, tactfully telling me to send more missions to the Mercenary Guild—
Lin Zhichen rubbed his temples:
Needless to say, it's because we've been farming military merits too fiercely, and the Federal military is somewhat dissatisfied.
Though they said they would provide support, soaring in rank as fast as the Meteor Mercenary Group was something that happened nowhere else in the Solar System. Once the tour around the Solar System was finished, the mercenary group would probably reach Level 5 and prepare to promote to a legion. Clearly, this ran counter to the original intentions of the Federal military.
Then let's slow down, Big Brother. We're almost stuffed to bursting. Wu Tianyi smiled bitterly.
By this time, both he and Wei Peng had completed their psionic awakenings, and their personal professional levels had also advanced to master-level. Combat was never lacking in the asteroid belt, and mind resonance had allowed him to acquire a massive amount of fleet combat experience in a short period, naturally causing his skills to grow rapidly.
Then let's go back. We'll rest up a bit, and then we should set about taking Dakan's base. Lin Zhichen agreed.
Although this asteroid belt journey was not completed, the harvest far exceeded expectations. Not only did they gain an elite fleet, but they also secured seed capital of over ten thousand energy coins. Moving forward, whatever they chose to do, their existing resources would be sufficient.
Name: Meteor Nature: Mercenary Commander: Lin Zhichen Level: 4 Military Merit: 181 Mission Completion Rate: 100% Headcount: 400/400 Warships: Psionic Frigate * 1, Transformer Frigate * 7, Frigate * 2, Destroyer * 3, Pirate Raider * 210, Pirate Gunboat * 70, Pirate Pursuit Cruiser * 20, Small Military Transport Ship * 5 Garrison: Earth Special Products: NZT-5 40,000 pills/day, Blazing Star Radiance 40 locations/day Evaluation: A greenhorn just starting out!
The massive fleet sailed imposingly toward Earth.
The movement of such a huge fleet, with its destination pointing straight at Earth, immediately alarmed the Earth Defense Directorate. A few minutes later, a brand new call came into Qinyuan.
Your Excellency Commander, I hope I haven't interrupted your triumphant enthusiasm. Chief of Staff Catalia's figure appeared in the holographic projection, clear astonishment and a bitter smile on his face.
I'm very glad to see you, my chief of staff. Lin Zhichen responded with a chuckle: What? Is it another protest from the Mercenary Guild?
Of course not. In fact, Your Excellency Commander, if Meteor's promotion hadn't been a bit too fast, I wouldn't have bothered you.
Catalia's mouth twitched:
It's just that Your Excellency, isn't your commotion a bit too grand with such a grand display?
The lads in my fleet have been fighting hard for over half a year. It's time for them to have a good rest. Lin Zhichen said nonchalantly:
Rest assured, I have no intention of becoming a professional pirate. We're just resting and regrouping, and the fleet will set out again very soon.
May I ask where you are planning to go? Catalia asked helplessly. Given the current situation in the Solar System, the scale of this Meteor fleet was not much smaller than a defense fleet.
The Dakan System. Lin Zhichen replied. There was nothing to hide about this.
I understand, Your Excellency Commander. In view of the limited berthing space at the starport, your fleet can only stay for a maximum of half a month. Catalia reminded him:
This is also the meaning of the Earth Defense Directorate.
It seems we've caused quite a bit of trouble for many people. Lin Zhichen shrugged: Alright, half a month it is.
Thank you for your understanding. Catalia breathed a sigh of relief.
The communication ended.
Hehe, it seems everyone isn't very welcoming to us. Lin Zhichen looked toward the others and smiled.
Big Brother, this is only to be expected. Wu Tianyi said helplessly: Over the past half year, we've sold off seven or eight pirate bases. Quite a few consortia and families have expressed dissatisfaction.
A bunch of scum who just can't stand to see others do well. Wei Peng snorted coldly.
Alright, once we've all rested on Earth, we'll get ready to set out for the Dakan System! Lin Zhichen concluded.
More than twenty days later, the fleet arrived at the Earth Starport. Flying cars shuttled back and forth to pick them up, and the group finally set foot on Earth.
Home really is the most comfortable. Wei Peng stretched lazily, his entire body cracking audibly.
Following his psionic awakening, he quickly acquired his first psionic combat skill and was promoted to elite status—currently the only elite-tier army general in the Meteor Mercenary Group, and even the entire Solar System.
Big Brother, the NPCs we harvested need to be reorganized over this half-month period. The crew members will remain unchanged; it's mainly the lifestyle and auxiliary professions, as well as the equipment for the army soldiers, which we must consider as soon as possible. Wu Tianyi reported immediately as he watched the NPCs loaded into the flying cars disembark one after another and form neat rows.
The army matters can be left for Dapeng to worry about. As for the secondary professions, I'll leave them to you. Get them settled as quickly as possible; we still have things to do next. Lin Zhichen reminded him.
Understood, Big Brother. Wu Tianyi nodded.
Returning to the penthouse villa, Lin Zhichen lay on the bed and checked the construction cost of a battleship.
He had acquired a battleship blueprint last time and never had the chance to use it, so he would check it out this time—
Uh, still no chance.
The average market price of a battleship is around 13,000 energy coins. Lin Zhichen's face turned dark as he read:
Does this mean I can't even afford to build a single battleship?!
Flipping through briefly, he found that large fleets were truly not something a foundation-lacking force like the Meteor Mercenary Group could afford to play with. As a weapon meant for decisive battles, battleships were not even open for purchase to mercenary groups below Level 5. Only he, acting as a fleet commander, had the authorization to acquire them—yet the price remained an insurmountable chasm.
The Meteor Mercenary Group needs a solid base. This thought arose in his mind once again.
As a base, it not only needed to be able to handle daily maintenance for the fleet, but it also had to establish a standard set of industrial systems. As long as it kept upgrading, sooner or later it would acquire the qualifications to produce warships.
In fact, this was the primary reason why major legions were able to possess tens of thousands of starships. If they really had to buy all of them, no amount of money would be enough to fill this huge abyss!
A life planet would be best, even if it's a bit subpar, I'll accept it.
Wild thoughts swirled endlessly in his mind as he gradually drifted into deep sleep.
After months of consecutive battles day after day, even he felt a trace of exhaustion.
Yet Lin Zhichen still did not sleep well. Soon, his holographic bracelet chimed with a call, startling him awake.
Frowning slightly, he activated the holographic bracelet, and a delicate figure appeared on it.
Are you seeing that I'm sleeping alone and feeling too lonely, so you're planning to come comfort me? Lin Zhichen said sleepily.
A dog's mouth can't spit out ivory. Liu Manyun frowned slightly, yet took in his condition: Fighting bitterly for over half a year, you've grown quite capable.
You knew? Lin Zhichen said nonchalantly. Needless to say, this woman must have learned of his movements through the Earth Star Net.
Before you continue