Chapter 751: Chapter 593 Explanation (Second Update)

“How could there not be any, didn’t Qian Chengxue also pilot a Mecha for scouting?”

Su Mo replied, not understanding.

“Lord Su Mo, hear me out, Qian Chengxue uses an endurance model, her Mecha’s main body is an insect, and it has wings at the back, primarily relying on Biological Wings for flight, which consumes extremely low energy. The one you have is different, a pure combat type, and moreover, it’s a heavy-class one, totally dependent on the propulsion device on the back for flight, which consumes a lot of energy. Let me put it plainly, Qian Chengxue’s could fly for a year without much of a problem, and most importantly, she’s on a mission assigned by the GT department. Right now, you don’t have any special mission to execute.”

Obic explained to Su Mo, biting the bullet.

“Then the endurance of mine is too short, I just used it for one escort and one battle, after that, I scouted for nearly a month, and then it ran out of energy, it’s definitely the internal power that’s not up to scratch!”

Su Mo replied with a slight frown.

“Lord Su Mo, you can’t think like that, how big is your Mecha, how many tons does it weigh? How much energy does it consume with each movement? That it allowed you to operate for over a month is already quite impressive. Take a close look at Shiris and the others, who else uses a Generation IV Mecha to just run around everywhere? Normally, unless absolutely necessary, you’d never use a Generation IV Mecha, let alone for scouting purposes.”

Obic patiently continued to explain to Su Mo.

“Alright, I got it, but now that there’s no energy left, it still needs to be replaced.”

Su Mo replied, resigned.

Obic, with a pained expression, said to Su Mo, “Lord Su Mo, let me put it this way, the GT department allocates only one set of spare nuclear fuel rods for each Generation IV Mecha. Once they’re used up, that’s it. And even when replacing the spare rods, you’d normally need to submit a written application. You must have a formal reason to be able to get them replaced, it’s not just something you can do whenever you want.”

“Really? You need to apply to change an energy source? Isn’t that making a mountain out of a molehill?”

“You’re wrong to say that, Lord Su Mo. Changing the nuclear fuel rods in a Generation IV Biological Mecha is no small matter. It’s just that you’re an exception because the Mecha is your own, and Lord Spade has specifically instructed us to turn a blind eye regarding your matters; all the approvals that could be granted have been, just to spare you from writing those tedious application forms. Otherwise, under normal circumstances, even people like Rose would need to file reports to use a Generation IV Mecha even once, let alone use it as freely as you do. For changing to a spare set of fuel rods, if it were someone else, without a business reason and without a written application explaining it, they wouldn’t even think about it.”

Obic explained the seriousness of the matter, bit by bit.

“Alright, I understand. Then please help me change to the spare set, but can you get me a better set of fuel rods that last a bit longer?”

Su Mo said, feeling a headache coming on.

“Lord Su Mo, don’t doubt me, I definitely haven’t given you any substandard ones. The nuclear fuel rods everyone’s using are in sets of ten; all produced by the Jikaluo Company from Country O, model HGS-01, and their quality meets standards. But there are indeed better nuclear fuel rods.”

Obic’s eyes suddenly lit up as he spoke.

“Oh? What other types of nuclear fuel rods are there?”

Su Mo asked curiously.

“There are two other models. One is obtained from Batak Planet and the Imprisoned Planet Fortress, containing nuclear fuel of quite high quality, with twice the endurance capacity of the Jikaluo Company’s HGS-01 rods. Another kind is the Generation IV nuclear fuel rods purchased from Star Ring City, with three times the endurance of the basic models. In addition, using the latter two types of nuclear fuel rods has another benefit: the Generation IV Mecha receives a power boost, enhancing its performance.”

Obic, no longer wearing a bitter face, introduced them to Su Mo with anticipation.

“Then just replace it with the best ones.”

Su Mo’s eyes sparkled as he spoke.

“Lord Su Mo, you do realize this comes out of your own pocket? Are you paying by card or with Star Coin exchange tickets?”

Obic asked excitedly.

“Ah, isn’t this supposed to be covered by the GT department?”

Su Mo was a little dazed by what Obic said.

“Lord Su Mo, didn’t the GT department issue you a rulebook? Let me explain then. If your Mecha suffered wear and tear during official duties, not to mention replacing spare energy sources, even if your Mecha is severely damaged, we’ll cover all the costs for free; that’s the Federation Government’s responsibility. However, this is private use, and the nature is different. Let me put it this way, any unnecessary Mecha projects, modifications, or parts replacements must be paid for by you, and that’s the same for everyone,” Obic said.

“How much does it cost?”

Su Mo asked with a headache.

“A set of nuclear fuel rods produced by the Jikaluo Company costs 1 million Star Coins, those scavenged from relics cost 3 million, and those purchased by Star Ring City cost 5 million,” Obic explained with a smile on his face.

Upon hearing the prices, Su Mo was stunned as if struck by a bolt of lightning; only then did he realize the severity of the situation.

“That’s so expensive! You’re not ripping me off, are you?”

“I wouldn’t dare to rip you off. These are the standard prices. Look if you don’t believe me.”

Obic tapped on his tablet a few times, called up the inventory and the price list, and handed it to Su Mo to see.

Looking at the series of zeroes displayed, Su Mo was speechless.

He suddenly felt a pain in his heart. Operating a fourth-generation Mecha wasn’t much different from burning money. All the money he made from working hard up until now probably didn’t even cover the cost of the fuel he used.

“Isn’t this too expensive? Who can afford this? The earnings aren’t even enough to cover the expenses.”

“Lord Su Mo, as I’ve told you, no one uses fourth-generation Mechas for casual scouting. The maintenance costs of a fourth-generation Mecha are extremely high,” Obic said earnestly.

Taking a deep breath, Su Mo finally understood why the Federation only maintained a few fourth-generation Mechas.

With such exorbitant costs, who could afford to maintain them?

Really, when it’s not your money, it doesn’t hurt, but when it comes to spending your own, that’s when you realize how painful it is.

“Obic, let me ask you something. If I run out of this set of spare energy, does that mean I’ll have to pay for the next one myself?” Su Mo asked.

“Yes, and Lord Su Mo, you’d better not be reckless. If an emergency mission requires you and your Mecha doesn’t have energy, we will install a fuel rod as an emergency measure. But afterwards, you’ll face a heavy fine as well as disciplinary action, which would be even more costly,” Obic quickly made it clear to Su Mo, lest he act on an impulse and cause a problem.

“So expensive, who can afford that?”

Su Mo couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions.

“Lord Su Mo, you’re wrong to say that. People like Lord Shiris have frequently used paid services. But they’re not paying out of their own pockets, it’s the tycoons and capitals supporting them who foot the bill. Of course, this isn’t for nothing. This is also why people like Lord Shiris have to do some things in return for them,” Obic said with a smile. Of course, his words also carried a hint of a reminder.