The Black Market
This naval-issue Eagle-class frigate once encountered an electromagnetic storm in space, ultimately resulting in the complete destruction of all electronic equipment, thirty percent of its mechanical components, and the loss of four crew members, including my best friend, recalled Porter painfully as he gulped down a large glass of liquor.
Xia Fei nodded and put down the tablet in his hand. No wonder the repair list was so long; it turned out that the electromagnetic storm was the cause of it.
On second thought, the hull of the frigate was still intact after such a terrible storm, and only thirty percent of its mechanical components were damaged, which showed just how sturdy the quality of the ship was.
I wish to begin repairing the ship tomorrow, said Xia Fei firmly as he looked at Porter.
Youve decided? This might cost a lot of money.
Xia Fei smiled. This is a top-of-the-line frigate, and its value is not something that can be measured with money.
Old Porter rubbed his dry eyes and slammed his hand on the table. Good! As long as it can sail across the stars once more, Ill give it another shot!
Potter stood up, walked to the window, and said to the workers in the workshop who were still working nervously, Boateng, stop the repairs on this Incas. Everyone go and get some rest. Tomorrow, we will begin an important task!
Boateng put down the tools in his hand and asked with some doubt, Master, this ship is only ten percent away from being repaired, and it will take at most three days. Why dont we repair it before we begin the next task?
Porter laughed heartily. What are you asking so many questions for? Go and get some rest! We will start work on time tomorrow.
Boateng shook his head and put down his tools before returning to the dormitory with the other workers. Porter sat back in his seat and asked Xia Fei, What are your thoughts on repairing this ship?
Xia Fei secretly communicated with Phantom before saying, I plan to sacrifice the comfort of the ship and focus on improving its performance. I want to equip this ship with a top-of-the-line warp engine, a high-capacity reactor, radar, and fire-control system, too.
If that is the case, the crew capacity of the ship will be greatly reduced. At most, we can reserve two crew cabins for four crew members, and we won't be able to carry too much cargo, said Porter.
In order to replace the larger and more powerful equipment, the original living area and cargo space had to be squeezed out. The naval-issued Kitty Eagle-class originally had five passenger cabins, and each cabin could accommodate two crew members to rest. Together with the captain's cabin, the authorized crew was eleven.
If Xia Fei went all out to improve the ship's performance, it would only be able to accommodate five people, and the cargo space would be reduced by at least half.
Xia Fei chuckled. "It's not like I'm planning on using this ship for smuggling, so why would I need so many members and cargo space?"
To modify a ship, the first thing to do was to determine the overall direction. A ship could be equipped with a wide variety of equipment with different functions, but a ship's space was limited, so it was impossible to install all the equipment that could be used. It was necessary to choose the most suitable equipment according to the purpose of the ship.
After several hours of discussion, Xia Fei and Porter finally decided on the final plan for the modification of the ship, which was the most balanced and efficient plan.
It was already late at night, so Xia Fei decided to stay here for the night and start work with Old Porters and the others the next morning.
After sending Sonny to the shuttle, Xia Fei asked, "Sonny, what's your bank account number?"
Sonny told Xia Fei his bank account number, and Xia Fei nodded. "I'll transfer a million star coins to your account tonight. Buy this shuttle. You'll need to run all over the place during this period of time, so it's not worth it to rent it all the time. Also, buy some good food and wine tomorrow morning. Buy the best; don't be afraid of spending money. According to the rules of my hometown, the workers have to be treated to a cocktail when they start work."
Sonny was stunned, exclaiming in disbelief, "A million star coins?! Heavens, thats too much! "
Xia Fei patted Sonny on the shoulder. "Too much? Actually, it's not much at all. If not for you, how would I have been able to buy such a great warship? Take it for now, and let me know if it's not enough. "
Sonny nodded and left in the shuttle. Old Porters arranged for Xia Fei to stay in an Atlon-class frigate, which was also Xia Fei's request. He wanted to get in touch with the real life of a warship in advance.
The interior of the frigate was not that big, so Xia Fei walked around the ship a few times before returning to the lounge.
There was a porthole in the lounge, and through it, Xia Fei could see that the lights of the factory were still on. A large and muscular figure was pacing back and forth, holding an old-fashioned phone in his hand.
There was no need to guess to know that this was Old Porters. Though the direction of the ship's modifications had been decided, all the parts still needed to be purchased one by one, so he would be very busy tonight.
Xia Fei lit a cigarette and lay down on the somewhat stiff single bed. He took out the virtual reality glasses from his spatial ring and logged into the interplanetary internet.
After transferring a million star coins to Sonny's account, Xia Fei was just about to turn off the computer when a video call request popped up.
Inside the window, a pink rabbit with big ears was gnawing on a carrot, and it was burping.
Xia Fei chuckled. He knew that this must be the weird Avril. With a light tap of his finger, he connected the video call with Avril.
On the screen, Avril had a sleepy look on her face. She was wearing pink pajamas, and her long hair was messily draped over her shoulders.
Covering her mouth with her white hand, Avril yawned as she forced herself to stay awake. Why did you log into the interplanetary internet so late? It's almost daybreak.
That's because it's almost daybreak on your planet, while it's only just getting dark over here. How did you know the moment I logged in? Xia Fei asked with a smile.
Ever since he made Avril cry in a moment of rashness, Xia Fei felt a little apologetic toward this young lady, so he no longer hid from her like before. As long as she wanted to talk to him, Xia Fei would not reject her. Furthermore, he had also changed his login account back to his original one. Anonymous accounts were never safe.
Hmph! Of course. Don't you know who this lady is? I've set up a special setting for you, so I'll know the moment you log in. Avril pouted as she said this.
Xia Fei thought about it. Even so, you don't have to crawl out of bed just to talk to me, do you? Could it be that you have something to say?
Avril walked over to the table and poured herself a glass of water. You haven't talked to me for a few days already, so I wanted to ask if you've managed to buy a spaceship. I heard that there are many bad people in places like warship graveyards, so you should be careful.
Actually, there are good people and bad people everywhere. I met a few decent people here, and I even managed to buy a naval-issued Eagle-class frigate, Xia Fei said excitedly.
Avril was ultimately a girl, so she was not as passionate about things like warships and spaceships as Xia Fei was. She walked over to the computer and tapped on it a few times with her right hand as if she was searching for some information.
After a while, Avril said to Xia Fei, This spaceship isn't bad, but it can only hold eleven people, so it's a little too small. Since you've already bought a spaceship, when do you plan to report to Heaven Execution Training Camp?
Xia Fei chuckled. This spaceship is already broken, so I'm preparing to repair it. It'll probably take another three months before I can leave.
Avril made a cute face at Xia Fei. Just what kind of repairman did you find for it to take three months to repair a frigate?
Xia Fei sternly replied, The repairman is definitely the best, but this is a naval-issued frigate, so there are many parts that are hard to get, so I'll have to do it myself. Besides, I plan to give this spaceship a good makeover. After all, this is my first warship.
Avril disapprovingly asked, What parts are you still missing?
There are a lot of things I'm missing. Basically, aside from the hull, the rest of the ship's parts need to be replaced.
Sigh. Avril shook her head and sighed. If it's so troublesome, I might as well just buy a new one.
This is a naval-issued Eagle-class frigate; you can't even buy one on the market.
It's very simple. Me. Avril suddenly changed her mind halfway through her sentence. I think I should be able to buy one.
Xia Fei lightly shook his head. Nope. Plus, I can use this opportunity to learn how to repair warships. It's also a form of training, and it'll be of great help to me in the future.
Xia Fei was very serious. Avril cupped her chin with both hands and looked at Xia Fei with a smile. Hehe, you're like a different person when you're serious. I think you're more handsome when you're serious; you're a little like my dad.
Xia Fei extended his arms and giggled. Come, let daddy give you a hug.
Avril's head suddenly sank, a look of helplessness on her face. Annoying. No matter how I look at you, you always look like a pervert when you're not serious.
Early in the morning, before the sun had even risen, the workers had already begun their intense work.
The naval-issued Eagle-class frigate was sent into the workshop, and Boateng was leading seven or eight workers to inspect every single part of the ship, dismantling all the damaged parts. This was the first step in modifying a warship: inspection and cleaning.
Xia Fei asked Boateng for a universal modification pliers, rolled up his sleeves, and began working with them in a very serious manner.
The universal modification pliers were 0.5 meters long and weighed more than ten kilograms. It looked like a large wrench, and the upper half was filled with densely packed mechanical structures. This tool was very advanced, and it could be used to dismantle almost any mechanical structure without the need to change tools frequently.
Xia Fei started from the most basic of dismantling screws. He laid down under the fuselage and somewhat clumsily dismantled the pneumatic steering mechanism of the ship.
After a while, Xia Fei finally managed to dismantle the pneumatic valve. He inserted the universal modification pliers into his waist with one hand and walked over to Boateng, using his sleeve to wipe his sweat. What are we going to dismantle next?
That was when a deep voice came from behind him. Bring your bank card and follow me.
Xia Fei turned around and saw Old Porter with his arms crossed in front of his chest, looking at him with a smile.
Heh, Uncle Porter, youre up? Xia Fei walked over to greet the old man. His eyes were bloodshot, and it was obvious that he had not slept well last night in order to plan the repairs and modifications of the ship.
Porter patted Xia Fei on the shoulder with a pair of black, calloused hands. You really do look like a maintenance worker. If you wish to learn, Ill teach you all my skills later, but for now, you need to come with me to the black market.
Black market?
Yes, a place that sells illegal goods. Ive contacted a few old friends last night, and guess what? The control and anti-control equipment have already been found. Ill bring you over to take a look. Porter laughed heartily. Get your bank card ready; these goodies dont come cheap.
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