Chapter Nine: I Want a Spaceship!

Tang Xiao quickly scrolled through the list of legendary figures, only to find that most were inaccessible. However, a few names remained visible.

"What's the situation with these visible names? Can they be awakened?" Tang Xiao asked.

[They cannot be awakened directly. According to the protocols established before they entered the mothership's hibernation pods, they pledge their loyalty to you. However, for individuals of this caliber, the binding force of such an oath is difficult to guarantee. Therefore, before you awaken them, you can negotiate with them while they are in a semi-conscious state. If they are interested in the terms you offer, they will be willing to be awakened and serve you.]

"So, the ones whose names I can see are the ones who might be satisfied by my terms?" Tang Xiao looked at those renowned names, feeling a sense of trepidation.

These people were all pulled from films, television, and games; every name was written with countless legends and stories! So this is what legendary figures are like! Then, what kind of terrifying individuals inhabit the tiers represented by the two question marks that followed?

[Correct. Furthermore, if the negotiation fails, they would rather sleep forever than serve you. However, if we have fully met their conditions, we can awaken them directly without the need for negotiation, though the conditions they demand are often extremely harsh,] the Master Brain added.

Tang Xiao nodded. Suddenly, one name caught his eye, and his gaze sharpened. If he were to oppose Palpatine, perhaps this person could do it! Even if any random marine on the deck could physically kill him, this man truly possessed the ability to stir up storms within the political landscape of the Galactic Republic.

But... this person was too dangerous. There was no loyalty, no conviction, no justice; for him, there was only power, profit, and ambition.

Everything was a transaction.

Yet, only such a person could stand against Palpatine... and even then, Tang Xiao dared not make any promises.

He was the one! When the time was right, he would speak with him and see if he was willing to emerge and offer his help. As for the consequences? Who cared about that?

Right now, he had only one goal—war!

With the Clone Wars likely 10 to 30 years away, he had to prepare for war during this window! Only then could he hope to survive the conflict that would soon engulf the entire galaxy.

Beyond that, he could cast everything else aside.

Closing the page on legendary figures, Tang Xiao felt cold sweat trickling down his back.

This feeling was completely different from watching them on screen or controlling them in a game. Compared to these individuals, who stood at the absolute pinnacle of their respective worlds, the capital Tang Xiao held to oppose them was far too thin.

No wonder the Master Brain waited until he had awakened before granting him the authority to wake these people.

Awakened? Tang Xiao leaned back in his chair, raised his hand toward a cup of tea on the table, and focused his mind. Sure enough, the cup began to rise, lifted by an invisible force toward him!

Tang Xiao felt a surge of joy, but the cup clattered to the floor, shattering into pieces.

"I should probably just wake up some janitors..." Tang Xiao looked at the spilled tea and the busy crew on the bridge, shaking his head.

In any case, this mysterious power must be the Force—a unique energy within the Star Wars universe. It was a supernatural and omnipresent force, all-encompassing and omnipotent.

In this world, those who used the light side of the Force were Jedi, while those who used the dark side were Sith Lords. Essentially, the people buzzing around with lightsabers in the movies were these two factions.

The epic war between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire had been a clash between the light and dark sides of the Force. Ultimately, the Jedi Order, representing the light, had triumphed, and the Sith Lords were thoroughly eradicated, forced to operate only in the unknown shadows.

So, I have the Force now, too. Tang Xiao sensed the power, and the shards of the teacup on the floor were lifted one by one, flying steadily toward the trash can.

Then, they all clattered onto the floor around the trash can.

"Administrator." Qi Jian approached Tang Xiao, who was still playing with the shards, and offered his sincere congratulations. "Congratulations, Administrator, for mastering this mysterious and powerful force."

"Do you need something?" Tang Xiao asked.

"Yes. Our General Staff has just completed a proposal regarding our current military strength. Please take a look." Qi Jian sent a data packet to the screen in front of Tang Xiao.

Tang Xiao looked at the plan and the data on the screen. "Give me the conclusion first."

Qi Jian nodded. "Our most urgent priority is to improve the mothership's defensive capabilities. Relying solely on the Blade-class fighters is far from enough; to put it bluntly, they are just sealed iron boxes with cannons and a pair of engines. We need a stronger starfighter. Since the production lines inside the mothership can produce fighters directly, we can temporarily save the time and resources required to build a space dock."

Tang Xiao gestured for him to continue.

"We hope to begin the research and development of the Blade II-class fighter as soon as possible, have the research department decode its technology, and retrofit the production lines to begin manufacturing. Additionally, we need to start research on infrared laser weapons to upgrade the armament systems of the Blade IIs," Qi Jian said, pulling up the data for the fighter.

Tang Xiao looked at the design; he recognized it as a fighter from *Homeworld 2*. It was indeed an upgrade to the current Blade-class, with smoother lines and better handling, but the firepower remained as weak as ever—only a single six-barreled electromagnetic cannon.

No wonder Qi Jian also requested research into infrared laser weapons; this was early-game laser technology from *Stellaris*, and it was indeed very practical for the time being.

However, after reviewing the data, Tang Xiao shook his head. He knew exactly what kind of opponents he would soon face. The minor combat improvement offered by the Blade II would be a drop in the bucket.

Based on his knowledge of the Star Wars universe, the Galactic Republic's main fighter should be the ARC-170 heavy starfighter. Against such a craft, the Blade-class or even the Blade II would be nothing more than flies waiting to be swatted.

He thought for a moment and said, "I will immediately establish a physics research department to begin work on infrared laser weapons."

"And what about the Blade II fighter?" Qi Jian asked.

"The combat improvement from that fighter is limited. For now, increase the production of the current Blade-class fighters to 100, and wait for the infrared laser weapon retrofit. That is our mission objective for now," Tang Xiao stated.

"But the reliability and combat capability of the Blade-class are far from ideal. If a conflict breaks out, many pilots will sacrifice themselves in vain!" Qi Jian tried to argue.

"Would they not die in vain flying the Blade II? We need a more powerful fighter! Ideally, one capable of operating within an atmosphere. The enemies we are about to face are far more powerful than we imagine!" Tang Xiao waved his hand to cut him off. "You must understand, we have no time or resources to waste on too many transitional products!"

In fact, he had already chosen the next fighter model he intended to research.

CF/A-17!

The Wraith!

From *StarCraft*!