Chapter 49: Contact
The standards of the second-generation frigate have almost doubled in all aspects, but its speed and evasion are slightly reduced.
The most notable improvement was the number of turrets it could mount. If equipped with small electromagnetic cannons, it could install six at once, doubling the firepower density compared to the first-generation warship!
“How much will the modification cost?” Lin Zhichen asked, his heart racing. With double the firepower, the second-generation frigate’s combat capability could easily defeat twice the number of same-tier enemy ships, equivalent to the combat power of three first-generation warships.
“1,200 energy credits!” Dr. Will stated a price that made his heart race. “If you want to upgrade to the third generation, add another 2,400 energy credits!”
“That price is comparable to a cruiser!” Lin Ke gasped, shuddering at the cost of upgrading the ship.
Although the third-generation frigate’s number of turrets would double again, allowing it to equip 12 small turrets simultaneously, the high cost meant it had no advantage when facing cruisers—cruisers were equipped with large turrets!
The attack capability of large turrets against warships far exceeded that of small and medium turrets. This gap couldn’t be bridged by quantity alone.
“Doctor, can the upgrades only go up to the third generation?” Lin Zhichen asked, pondering as he looked at the third holographic image.
“Yes, currently the maximum is the third generation,” Dr. Will shrugged. “There might be a fourth or fifth generation, but what’s the point? It’s still just a frigate.”
Above frigates were destroyers, above destroyers were cruisers, and above cruisers were battleships. With so many grades of warships, why focus on the most basic ones?
“In your estimation, how far can a frigate be upgraded?” Lin Zhichen pressed on.
“I estimate that the maximum potential is level 5, with up to 48 small turrets. Sir, such an upgrade is not worth the cost,” Dr. Will thought for a moment before concluding. “For that, we would need to spend 18,000 energy credits, which is enough to build a battleship.”
Hearing this price, everyone’s hearts skipped a beat. Using the cost of building a battleship to create a “monster” with a large number of small turrets?
“Doctor, if we push the frigate template to this level, how long would it take?” Lin Zhichen asked.
“If you insist, about a month,” Dr. Will pondered. “We should thank NZT-50; our researchers have made significant progress during this period. Otherwise, it would take at least three months.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Zhichen opened the personal panels of the dozen or so NPC assistants in the lab and found that their main skills had already reached the expert level.
Clearly, Dr. Will had overestimated the effects of NZT-50. A monthly dose was not enough to cause a qualitative change in such a short time. The rapid improvement of these NPC assistants was due to his own talent, but there was no need to mention that.
“Very well, Doctor. If upgrading the warship requires progressing level by level, then I need to take the blueprints for the first two upgrades now,” Lin Zhichen said.
“No problem,” Dr. Will instructed the cartographer, “It’s up to you now.”
The newly hired warship pilot finally returned to his old profession. He took the holographic computer and quickly input some information.
The group was very patient. The value of these strategic NPCs was immeasurable, and having the opportunity to observe them was naturally not something to be impatient about.
Dr. Will had already completed the most labor-intensive design work. The cartographer only needed to output it and use his skills to turn it into a blueprint, which didn’t take long. Just an hour and a half later, a blueprint emitting a rich white glow appeared in Lin Zhichen’s hand.
“Seagull-class Frigate II (Upgrade) Blueprint (White)
Activation Effect: Allows the selected Seagull-class Frigate I to be upgraded and modified upon activation.
Cost: 200 Universal Alloy”
200 Universal Alloy is approximately 900 energy credits, and with other components, the total cost is about 1,200 energy credits.
Lin Zhichen glanced at the blueprint and put it away. He looked at the still-busy cartographer and asked, “Doctor, is there a modification plan for the pirate raiding craft?”
Dr. Will activated another holographic projection, displaying a new ship—the pirate raiding craft:
“The design philosophy of the pirate raiding craft is completely different from that of the frigate. It focuses more on speed while relatively neglecting hull strength. Even if it continues to be upgraded, its hull strength will still be weaker than that of a same-tier frigate.
Conversely, its speed and evasion capabilities surpass those of same-tier frigates.”
Lin Zhichen nodded. “We will likely capture more pirate ships in the future. When you have time, you can optimize and upgrade it to the second generation. Anything beyond that is unnecessary.”
“I understand,” Dr. Will nodded.
After an hour and a half, the group finally left the lab.
“Big brother, the speed of drawing blueprints is really slow. With this efficiency, how can we manage if the upgrade and modification involve tens of thousands of ships?” Lin Ke asked, puzzled.
“Perhaps there are other skills to accelerate the generation of blueprints, or maybe the number of cartographers is inherently a limiting factor, which is why all major forces have an insatiable demand for them,” Lin Zhichen said with a faint smile, clearly in a good mood.
“Once the carrier is ready, we’ll sweep through the asteroid belt. I estimate the number of our mercenary group will increase several times over!”
“Big brother, aren’t we going to upgrade the ‘Qinyuan’ first?” Lin Ke asked.
Lin Zhichen shook his head. “No, at this stage, the carrier is the most critical.”
After bidding farewell to the others, he returned to the penthouse and lay down on the lounge chair. He activated his holographic wristband and began to make a call.
It didn’t take long; within just a few breaths, the communicator connected.
“It’s rare for you to contact me,” Liu Manjun’s graceful figure appeared in the holographic image, a hint of blush on her charming face, clearly in a good mood.
“Busy?” Lin Zhichen asked.
The holographic image showed her sitting in the captain’s chair of the command cabin, evidently on a long voyage.
“Yes, I took on a military mission to clear out NPC fleets in the dark star region,” Liu Manjun said simply. “These are tasks that large mercenary groups will encounter. If you want to advance the legion, you often have to help the Federation expand its territory.”
“So mercenary groups aspiring to advance to legions will take on these types of missions to gather intelligence on the dark star region as early as possible.”
“I see,” Lin Zhichen mused. He then asked, “Interested in a Quark Light Spear?”
“You actually have a Quark Light Spear?” Liu Manjun was quite surprised, her slightly parted lips exuding a unique charm. “Where did you get it?”