The Refraction-level followed behind Dusk’s maintenance ship, and after the maintenance ship retrieved the AI Core, selectively absorbed the two ships into its fleet.
Both ships were of the Frigate level, one Dawn-level, and one Lumin-level.
Chen Ming, though eager to find a Destroyer, knew that most Destroyers in small-scale ship battles were usually targeted; once disabled, they would likely be destroyed, leaving no intact ones to be found.
Therefore, Chen Ming had to settle for choosing Frigates as an alternative.
Once these two ships were handled, Dusk’s ships had also been assembled.
Chen Ming could now see a Dusk Destroyer transferring a sealed, cargo-like item to a Dusk Cruiser.
That should be the Sky Steel collected by the military outpost during this time.
Although the cargo looked to be roughly ten cubic meters in volume, the density of Sky Steel was much higher than most metals.
Chen Ming estimated that if filled, the cargo could hold at least a hundred tons of Sky Steel, valued at over a trillion Imperial Coins.
The thought made Chen Ming feel a bit feverish, but the protection of five Dusk Cruisers made it clear that any move he dared to make would result in his immediate explosion.
Faced with the threat to his life, Chen Ming quickly calmed down.
He had the Refraction-level, which couldn’t fit more, merge into the Dusk Fleet with its Lumin-level with a repaired Engine.
With the mission objective handed over, it was about time for Dusk to retreat.
The Teleportation Engine activated again, causing the Refraction-level’s Engine to resonate along.
After a teleportation journey longer than any before.
Chen Ming emerged in an unknown Star System.
Near the teleportation endpoint was a Space Station orbiting a cold rocky Planet.
Gamma AI directly explained to Chen Ming: "The Space Station is only for confirming the identity of ships approaching the Planet, granting passage authority; the true distribution point is on the colony on the Planet."
Gamma AI enlarged the sensor power, scanning the planet’s surface, allowing Chen Ming to see the large-scale industrial facilities on the Planet and the constantly landing and taking off Dusk Spaceships.
After observing for a while, Chen Ming discovered the Refraction-level had received a task completion notification, and most of the ships that teleported along had already scattered away.
It seemed to be the free time that Gamma AI had mentioned.
So Chen Ming pointed to the Planet and asked Gamma AI: "What is the significance of this colony for you?"
"If you’re asking about the overall significance for Dusk, the colony’s role is to collect and exploit the Planet’s resources and serve as a foundation for large-scale industrial facilities."
"If you’re asking about its significance to individual Dusk, then the colony on this Planet is similar to human cities."
"Many Dusk individuals exist as ships, so cities belonging to Dusk are usually centered around industrial facilities."
"Providing a place for Dusk individuals to resupply, modify and repair their ships."
Chen Ming interjected, asking: "No restrictions?"
"There are restrictions, each Dusk individual has a monthly ration limit, only by using part of their quota can they exchange for modification parts and opportunities."
This ration quota is like money for Dusk, giving Chen Ming an impression, he continued his inquiry: "So you partake in missions to obtain more resources?" The most update n0vels are published on ɴovᴇl(ꜰ)ir(e).nᴇt
"Yes, in addition to resource quotas, mission rewards may include Mechanical Race chips or some human spoils of war."
Chen Ming caught onto a crucial thing and immediately asked: "Why do you need these?"
"Mechanical life forms of the Mechanical Race are similar to our Dusk, hence the individual consciousness inside their chips can be assimilated by us, enhancing our computational power."
Chen Ming’s eyes instinctively shifted to Iron Ore No.’s storage compartment, where three Mechanical Race chips lay.
However, without hastily mentioning it, he asked: "What about between similar ones?"
Gamma AI uncommonly hesitated briefly before answering: "It is absolutely forbidden, please don’t ask me to do such a thing."
"I understand, I won’t ask you to do that, to me two Dusk individuals are worth more than one."
Chen Ming casually responded, suddenly asking: "So if I want to enter your colony, how should I do so?"
"Just report to the Space Station, you can descend now. I’ve just completed the task and can go to the colony to receive the corresponding reward, but I ask you not to leave the ship on the Planet."
"I don’t want to die, I definitely won’t do that, but I’d like to ask, what is your mission reward this time?"
"One month’s resource quota and three Mechanical Race Guard-level ship chips."
Mechanical Race Guard-level ship chips?
Images quickly flashed in Chen Ming’s mind of the three Mechanical Race units he had dealt with earlier, and he imagined a Mechanical Race Frigate made entirely of White Cloud Steel, filling his mind with curiosity and interest.
"Let’s go down, I’m very interested in seeing Dusk’s colony."
During the time Gamma AI began reporting to the Space Station and preparing to land on the Planet’s surface.
Chen Ming directly took out the first Gamma AI Core he obtained, placed next to the small pebble’s den but put into use second.