Chapter 1427 — The Call
Blade of Dawn · Page 1 of 5
In light of Tarronde's particular circumstances and the practical problems of production cycles, Gao Yang devised an adjustment plan to downgrade and retrofit the Gorgon aerial platforms. In Rebecca's eyes, the "Gorgon Lite" that emerged from this downgrade was a far cry from the original, but to Gao Yang, even after such reductions, the Gorgon platform was more than sufficient to serve as a communications node in Tarronde—indeed, it was "more than" sufficient to an excessive degree.
After all, it was only meant to be a communications node—the fact that a communications node came equipped with anti-aircraft guns, alloy armor, and small aircraft landing pads was already absurd enough...
"Once these Gorgon platforms are in position, communications between Tarronde and the Loren Continent will be fully restored, and only then can our alliance truly be said to have 'become one,'" Gao Yang said with a light sigh, a trace of relaxation and pleasure on his face as he addressed Rebecca, who was bent over studying the documents. "Besides, we stand to profit from the Tarronde order as well, which should go some way toward offsetting the enormous expenditures of building the Dust Dawn and the standard-model Gorgon fortresses..."
At that he couldn't help but laugh, and in his mind's eye rose the image of a certain great-xN granddaughter who had lately worn a perpetually aggrieved expression. "And with this, Hedy will finally be able to get a good night's sleep."
"Uh..." No sooner had Gao Yang finished speaking than Rebecca's face took on a somewhat hesitant expression. The girl scratched at her hair and spoke with a hint of nervousness. "Actually, I was just about to tell you—the Magical Energy Technology Department came up with some new ideas after studying the test data from the Dust Dawn and the Gorgon. We're planning to build a batch of ultra-high-altitude anti-gravity platforms and set up several semi-permanent planetary and atmospheric monitoring stations above the mana turbulence layer, to be used for research..."
Here she visibly faltered, and after a quick glance at Gao Yang's expression she hurried to explain: "You see, we really are lacking in that area of research. Sure, every nation has its observatories and astrological societies and the like for studying planets and weather, but we've never built research facilities in an ultra-high-altitude environment. If we'd had something like this earlier, then never mind the research benefits—even the Embershadow cultists out in the wastelands wouldn't have been able to hide their movements from us from the very start... uh, and also..."
Rebecca racked her brains for some more persuasive reason to make the Xuanmai Sect support her "spending plan," but before she could finish, Gao Yang's voice came from across the desk: "That is indeed very appealing—go back and draft a complete proposal, and I'll go over it with the experts from your technology department to see how exactly it should be done."
"You agree?" Rebecca's eyes went wide with delight on the spot, and the next instant an uncontrollable grin spread across her face. "Awesome!!"
"Hold off on the 'awesome' for now. I only said we can look into it—the plan can't be approved until the value of such semi-permanent platforms is confirmed." Gao Yang glanced at the already-elated Rebecca; but though he said this, the girl had clearly stopped listening. Evidently, from her understanding of the Xuanmai Sect, she already knew the matter was all but certain. Seeing this, Gao Yang could only give a helpless sigh and think to himself that this silly doe really was Hedy's lifelong nemesis...
He had barely finished this silent lament when a measured set of footsteps came down the corridor, followed at once by a knock at the door and Hedy's voice entering the room: "Ancestor, is now a convenient time?"