Chapter 20#
Chip#
“What I’m about to show you is definitely not that simple.”
With that, Qu Yan tapped out some code on the keyboard, and in an instant, a fluorescent blue light lit up the pilot’s seat.
Trails of light rapidly spread along the conduits beneath the seat, filling the entire cockpit before converging into a small black box at the back of the cabin.
Dazzled by the visual effects, Ning Feng watched as Qu Yan took a chip the size of a fingernail out of the small black box.
“What’s that?”
“A memory flow chip.”
Qu Yan pressed the chip onto a glass slide, carefully pinching it between two fingers. “It’s specifically used to store memory data from the brain.”
Hearing this, Ning Feng’s eyes widened in shock.
He had heard of this kind of consciousness-transfer device. It was similar to the hard drives of optical computers and was widely used in the medical field. When a patient suffered severe injuries that couldn’t be cured by existing technology, regenerated limbs would be cultivated, and the consciousness flow would be transmitted back into them.
This was the empire’s most advanced memory technology, capable of storing the memory flows of elderly scholars or celebrities into the empire’s database. The neighboring federation had long coveted this technology and frequently sent agents to infiltrate the research institute. According to Yin Beichen, the military caught over a dozen such spies every year.
But the technology had many limitations. The newly regenerated limbs had to be compatible with the original memory flow. As a result, only those who had made outstanding contributions to the empire or were celebrities could enjoy such treatment. People like him, who were neither here nor there, didn’t even qualify to be put on the waiting list.
He never imagined that Qu Yan had actually developed it on his own!
“Of course, it’s still different from the official version.” Seeing the awe and admiration on Ning Feng’s face, Qu Yan adjusted his glasses, a hint of amusement hidden behind the lenses.
This kind of chip had a limited storage duration. It couldn’t be kept for too long and needed to find a carrier—even a non-carbon-based one would do—as soon as possible, otherwise, the memory data risked being lost.
But for Ning Feng, it was already incredibly impressive. Even if it was just a perk for the dead, it was still better than nothing!
Ning Feng comforted himself.
“Speaking of which, you should thank Professor Qu,” Big Beard said, stroking his stubble. “He’s the one who got the upgrade blueprints for the cockpit.”
Hearing this, Ning Feng’s face lit up with joy.
“Way to go, Professor Qu! You’re amazing!” He slapped Qu Yan hard on the back, making him stagger a few steps.
“You think I wanted to?” Qu Yan shot him a glance. “Some people couldn’t stop running around and begging for death every day, so I had to come up with a temporary solution. Otherwise, I’d have to watch you die before I could think of another way.”
“I knew you’d have a plan! You’re the best, bro!” Ning Feng’s brows relaxed, and he flashed a grin, showing a row of white teeth. “Come on, drinks are on me tonight at the bar!”
Good brother.
Qu Yan’s expression froze for a moment, then a self-deprecating smile curled at the corner of his mouth as he let himself be dragged away.
**
It was already past dinner time, and most of the ground personnel had gone back to rest. The spaceport was unusually empty except for the permanent staff.
Ou Jingshan cursed under his breath as he strode quickly toward the tarmac, ignoring the salutes from people around him.
“There’s already way too much to do, and the commander still wants me to go pick up that guy’s car?” He recalled the meeting earlier that day when Yin Beichen had agreed to let a researcher join the team. That sounded easy enough, but he was the one leading the team. In the end, it would just create more trouble for him.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, cursing Ning Feng and Qu Yan up and down.
Just as he was cursing with gusto, a light voice came from behind.
“Captain Ou! Captain Ou! Wait for me!”
Ou Jingshan turned around and saw Qiao Xi running over from a distance, panting and leaning on her knees. With a look of annoyance, he stepped back two paces. “What is it?”
Noticing his movement, Qiao Xi gave an awkward smile, looking a bit embarrassed. “I heard you’re going on a mission to the Nest Star. I’ve already submitted an application to Professor Qu. Um, I… I’d like to go too…”
The burly man’s face immediately darkened. “I can’t decide that.”
Qiao Xi was taken aback, then lowered her head in disappointment. “I’m sorry for troubling you.”
Seeing her back down, Ou Jingshan suddenly felt a bit awkward himself. But right now, any researcher he saw only annoyed him, and he had no desire to comfort anyone. “Just follow orders. Whoever gets assigned is whoever it’ll be.”
Qiao Xi bit her lower lip and let out a dry laugh, changing the subject.
“It’s so late. Are you going out on business?”
“Yeah, I’ve got some things to handle. I still need to pick up Ning Feng’s car.”
Just mentioning it made Ou Jingshan want to swear. Ning Feng’s Dragon II was impounded at the security bureau, which was in the exact opposite direction from where he needed to go. Picking up the car meant a long detour.
What was General Yin thinking?
“Deputy Ning?” Qiao Xi’s eyes lit up, and she immediately stepped forward eagerly. “How about I pick up the car for you?”
“That’s not really appropriate, is it?” Ou Jingshan frowned. It was already late. By the time he finished his business, it would be past midnight. If he had to pick up the car too, it would be dawn by the time he got back.
“It’s fine. Consider it a thank-you for speaking up for me before,” Qiao Xi said sincerely. “Besides, while you’re handling your business, I can take care of the paperwork. It’ll save time.”
Ou Jingshan scratched his head. Since she didn’t mind the trouble, he had no reason to refuse, so he nodded in agreement.
“Thank you, Captain Ou!” Qiao Xi beamed. The light from the distant control tower swept over them, casting a blinding white glare across her lenses.
**
The next day, the sky was barely showing a hint of light. Ning Feng was still sprawled on the bed, sound asleep, with nearly an hour to go before his alarm went off. Suddenly, the communication on his optical computer rang loudly.
“Huh?!” Startled, the man almost threw his alarm clock away. Half-asleep, he answered the call. On the other end, Big Beard’s urgent voice came through, tinged with hesitation.
“Feng Ge, the Dragon II has been picked up.”
“Picked up?” Ning Feng blinked.
Only then did he remember that he’d been so busy he’d completely forgotten his beloved car was still sitting at the security bureau. But he was puzzled—he hadn’t asked anyone to help him with that. Who had brought it back?
“Yeah, could you help me park it in the hangar—”
“No, I mean… well…”
“?”
“There seems to be a problem with its body and engine.”
“…What did you say?”
“Sigh! Anyway, you’d better come see for yourself if you have time.”
After the call ended, Ning Feng sat there in a daze for a moment.
The Dragon II… had a problem?
Damn it! Which blind fool had dared to mess with it!?
A nameless rage surged to his head. Ning Feng shot up, threw on his jacket, and stormed off toward the heavy weapons factory.
Yin Beichen woke up early, washed up, and got dressed. With his long hair loose and no headband, he sat on the edge of the bed, flipping through the latest news.
After waiting a while, he checked his watch and saw it was already past 6:40.
Where was that guy?
He sat for a while longer. Still no sign of the noisy fellow, Yin Beichen opened his optical computer, about to make a call, when a communication came in instead.
He glanced at the channel—it was from the security office. Yin Beichen put it on speaker.
“Go ahead.”
“Commander, Feng Ge and Captain Ou are fighting at the heavy weapons factory!”
“…?”