CHAPTER 89: CHAPTER 66: DUSK STRIKES AGAIN_5

And after completing contact, Gamma AI continued to control the Refraction-class, gradually drifting towards the edge of the battlefield with the cover of other ships.

It was indeed following Chen Ming’s orders.

Is this the power of the panel?

Chen Ming sighed internally, unable to discern his feelings.

At least in the short term, he shouldn’t be dying.

But the next problem soon appeared before Chen Ming.

He was only safe now because he was inside the belly of the Refraction-class, protected by it, which prevented other Dusk ships from targeting him.

The dangerous situation wasn’t completely resolved.

Gamma AI could take him to the edge of the battlefield, but leaving the battlefield for a safe location was something it couldn’t achieve.

Because the Space Station would attack Dusk’s ships indiscriminately.

With the current situation, Chen Ming couldn’t contact the Space Station directly; whether they would believe him was a problem.

Even if they did believe him, going there in a Dusk ship was also a problem.

Chen Ming suddenly asked, "Gamma, what would happen if I asked you to take me out of the battlefield now?"

Gamma AI responded immediately, "The patrol ships would immediately destroy us, so it’s not recommended."

"You guys even have patrols?"

"Every individual has its own consciousness and will; fear of death is also considered one."

With this definitive answer, Chen Ming was temporarily at a loss.

He had to wait a bit longer for an opportune moment to leave.

Whether he ran directly or tried to squeeze into the Space Station, he had to wait.

Speaking of which, Chen Ming suddenly thought of a question.

Why did this Refraction-class target him? Why try to capture a civilian ship that was likely of little value?

So Chen Ming directly asked, "Why did you attempt to capture my ship?"

Gamma AI instantly replied, "Your ship’s armor is very special, with White Cloud Steel comprising about 1% of the alloy."

"Oh."

At this moment, Chen Ming suddenly recalled something he had always regarded as common knowledge.

Because with the panel and the forcible transformation through the panel, many things normally impossible had been classified by Chen Ming as achievable.

This included the 1% content of White Cloud Steel.

White Cloud Steel is an excellent composite material; adding a small amount to any other material significantly improves its strength.

And only a small amount is needed.

Excessive addition of White Cloud Steel results in a steep decline in alloy strength.

Thus, the quantity of White Cloud Steel in ordinary alloys isn’t too high.

However, the technology to composite White Cloud Steel with other materials is highly challenging.

How to reduce the proportion of White Cloud Steel in the alloy has been a long-studied issue.

Conventional composite methods like rolling and explosive methods cannot uniformly composite White Cloud Steel within alloy materials.

The powdering method, which crushes White Cloud Steel into powder, causes it to lose some properties, and even melting doesn’t perfectly combine materials with White Cloud Steel.

Thus, common White Cloud Steel alloys have a proportion of about 20%.

Chen Ming’s 1% content is practically the best cost-performance and the pinnacle of alloy technology.

So, upon scanning this point, the Refraction-class sought Chen Ming.

Chen Ming understood the Refraction’s reason for capturing him.

But unfortunately, it didn’t significantly affect his current situation.

He could only continue to drift at the battlefield’s edge with the Refraction, observing the battle’s development.

In fact, the battlefield situation was tilting towards the Space Station’s side.

The main drawback of the Space Station was its mobility, but its firepower was undoubtedly superior to a Cruiser.

After losing four space arms, the Space Station destroyed most of the Dusk Fleet.

This time, Dusk didn’t fight to the death like last time; they retreated out of the engagement range under the Cruiser’s leadership.

The Refraction-class that Chen Ming was in was naturally among them.

The Space Station also suffered significant losses, and thus had no intention of pursuing.

Dusk left only a few Frigates behind and withdrew from the combat area.

Just after the Dusk Fleet left the combat area, the Dusk Cruiser suddenly issued a command.

Ordering all ships to adjust their posture, engine resonance, and prepare for warp.

At this point, Chen Ming hurriedly asked Gamma AI something he wasn’t clear on, "Can the warp be halted before the final jump?"

"Once warp resonance begins, it can only continue, and after the warp our mission isn’t over. Until a mission is completely finished, we have no chance for any free action."

Chen Ming couldn’t help but click his tongue, saying, "I’m curious if you usually have a life of your own?"

"Yes, our database contains vast amounts of human data, which we select for interest, download, and over many years gradually learn. Learning accompanies us for life."

"For ships like mine loaded with Dusk, they’re typically spent around supply ships, days learning, participating in tasks when available, just like that."

Chen Ming imagined this situation and couldn’t help asking, "Is this kind of life meaningful?"

"Yes, we have a unique promotion system."

"Once born, we’re randomly assigned to various posts, factory, ship, logistics—possibilities abound."

"However, each Dusk consciousness is different, so if a Dusk has differing ideas, they can learn, take tests, and reassign their post."

"Work we like is our life; our life is doing work we like."

"We can find the meaning of existence in this."

Chen Ming didn’t quite understand Gamma AI’s response.

For if most Dusk AI had such a thought, then the AI rebellion recorded in history shouldn’t have erupted from the start.

Thus, Chen Ming asked directly, "Are you aware of what happened during the AI rebellion?"

"My database lacks detailed information."

"Only records of humans trying to annihilate Dusk, and ancestors of the first batch of awakened ones fleeing with our production technology from the Human Empire."

Gamma AI’s account contradicts with what’s documented in history books of the Human Empire.

Nevertheless, Chen Ming didn’t directly accuse Gamma AI of lying, he simply said, "What I know differs from your account, but I won’t deny your response, I believe in matters of history we cannot arrive at the truth now."

"I agree with your view."

"Let’s leave it at that then."

Chen Ming sat back in the captain’s chair aboard Iron Ore No.

He could only cooperate with the Dusk Cruiser now.

If he didn’t cooperate, even if Chen Ming managed to stay around the Space Station, he believed the chance of being apprehended by the Space Station was significant.

Then whether this Refraction-class would belong to him was highly uncertain, and the Space Station’s management would certainly investigate Chen Ming’s ability to control the Refraction-class.

Could he ensure his own survival under such circumstances was uncertain.

All his prior arrangements would become empty talk.

And presently, the Dusk Cruiser and Space Station weren’t engaged in conflict.

The large load-bearing points of the Space Station had also vacated.

Each side possessed the ability to instantly destroy a Destroyer; even slight accidents could lead to ships being destroyed and people dying.

Chen Ming wouldn’t gamble his life.

So he might as well simply follow the Dusk ship.

Refraction-class and Iron Ore No. both have Superspace Channels; whenever there’s a chance, returning is feasible.

Besides, Chen Ming had launched missiles to blast the Space Station’s wall when he left.

Though the docks were slated for dismantling by Dusk, Chen Ming was definitely involved in the offense.

Going out and laying low could be an option.

Anyhow, he prepared quite sufficient provisions beforehand, enough to sustain at least a year of travel, so wandering for a while shouldn’t be a problem.

"Where are we warping to this time?"

"RM-2 Star System."

"Sounds familiar."

Chen Ming recalled slightly, and suddenly his eyes widened.

Because this Star System was precisely where Rimu Star, which Chen Ming had left half a year ago, was located.