Annie carefully examined the technical blueprint for the T3 Phoenix-class Heavy Carrier Starship sent to her by Commander Zhao Chen, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
"Lilith, after completing all production tasks for this quarter, how much funding and resources do we have left?" Zhao Chen asked Secretary Officer Lilith beside him.
Lilith was now primarily in charge of the Fierce Dragon Fleet's finances and resources, essentially acting as Zhao Chen's steward.
Secretary Officer Lilith quickly pulled up the relevant data: "According to the original statistics, by the end of this quarter—around the end of this month—we will have approximately 1.8 billion Star Coins left in our account.
However, since Red Eyes refused our 1.5 billion Star Coin commission, our current total funds amount to 3.3 billion."
Three point three billion Star Coins—still quite substantial.
Zhao Chen turned to Annie beside him: "Annie, I need you to immediately draft a construction plan for the next three months based on my requirements.
I have two more starship designs ready for production!"
"Two more?" Annie stared at Commander Zhao Chen in disbelief. Then, through their private communication channel, she received two more starship technical blueprints.
T3 Forge-class Heavy Star Industrial Ship!
It was actually a T3-level interstellar industrial ship!
If they could build a dozen or so of these, the Fierce Dragon Fleet's starship production capacity would skyrocket.
Immediately after, when she saw the prefix of the next starship, Annie was stunned.
T4...
Annie gasped, looking at Commander Zhao Chen in disbelief: "T... T... T4... 4... 4!"
Zhao Chen had anticipated this reaction from Annie.
Lilith beside him also cast a surprised glance. Had she heard correctly? Did she just hear "T4"?
"This T4 Revenant-class Clone Starship belongs to T4 technology and includes clone technology, which is strictly prohibited from research and development by the Galactic Alliance.
Therefore, the construction of this starship must be kept confidential... preferably built in the Lion King Star System, and the project name must also be classified.
Regarding the modules related to clone technology, Annie, you must personally oversee them to ensure maximum secrecy.
Within our Fierce Dragon Fleet, only five people—including you, Lilith, Charlotte, my sister Zhao Wan'er, and myself—have the authority to know about this!" Zhao Chen spoke with a very serious expression.
Lilith nodded in understanding: "Regarding confidentiality, I will coordinate with Chief Engineer Annie to ensure it is properly handled."
Clone technology... if the Stellar Glory Empire found out Zhao Chen was researching it, and had even succeeded, it would undoubtedly bring catastrophic disaster.
Although she didn't know exactly what this T4 Revenant-class Clone Starship of the commander's was all about, it would certainly make the Stellar Glory Empire raise its blade against Zhao Chen.
At that point, even the Chu Family might not be able to protect him.
"I understand," Annie nodded earnestly.
"Let's discuss now and roughly outline the construction plan for the final quarter of this year.
We'll establish the general direction first, then you can develop detailed plans based on the actual situation," Zhao Chen said.
Under Zhao Chen's arrangement, the three of them began working overtime.
Soon, an outline of the construction plan for the next quarter was drafted.
First, it was necessary to clarify the current production capacity of the Fierce Dragon Fleet.
Thirty T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ships, along with industrial factories in the Fierce Dragon Star System and the Lion King Star System responsible for mid-to-low-end construction tasks.
First, the thirty T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ships would be tasked with constructing T3 Forge-class Heavy Star Industrial Ships.
It was estimated that two T3 Forge-class Heavy Star Industrial Ships could be completed and launched each month, allowing the Fierce Dragon Fleet to possess a total of six T3 Forge-class Heavy Star Industrial Ships by the end of the year.
The gradually completed T3 Forge-class Heavy Star Industrial Ships would each undertake their own production tasks.
In summary, by the end of the year, one T3 Phoenix-class Heavy Carrier Starship, eighteen T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruisers, and three T3 Phantom Sting-class Light Interstellar Stealth Bombers would be completed.
Finally, by the end of the year, the five active T3 Forge-class Heavy Star Industrial Ships would simultaneously begin construction of the T4 Revenant-class Clone Starship, which was expected to be completed by mid-next year.
Apart from the T4 Revenant-class Clone Starship, the entire production plan was projected to require an investment of 700 million Star Coins.
Starting from the following year, the monthly production task for the T4 Revenant-class Clone Starship alone would require an investment of at least 1.5 billion Star Coins!
In short.
The production tasks at this stage would allow Zhao Chen to expand his fleet with one T3 Phoenix-class Heavy Carrier Starship, six T3 Forge-class Heavy Star Industrial Ships, three T3 Phantom Sting-class Light Interstellar Stealth Bombers, and eighteen T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruisers.
The reason for constructing so many T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruisers was primarily due to the lack of suitable escort starships for the current carrier starship.
Using T2 Black Rhino-class Interstellar Heavy Assault Frigates would feel like small ships protecting a large vessel.
The former is over a hundred meters long, while the latter is nearly five kilometers long!
It's uncertain who would be protecting whom.
Thus, the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser would temporarily take on this escort mission.
"The entire construction plan is feasible. Our available resources and raw materials are relatively sufficient.
However, in the first half of next year, constructing the T4 Revenant-class Clone Starship will require 10 billion Star Coins' worth of raw materials. The funding gap is an issue.
Additionally, even if we secure the funds, sourcing such a massive amount of raw materials will be another problem to solve," Secretary Officer Lilith analyzed at this point.
Zhao Chen nodded but said, "We'll deal with next year's issues when the time comes. For now, we need to address the immediate problems.
I plan to gradually phase out T2 Starships as reserve vessels starting next year. Those T2 Starships will then be responsible for patrol and defense duties in the Fierce Dragon Star System and the Lion King Star System."
Secretary Officer Lilith understood the commander's intention.
This was in preparation for fully equipping the Fierce Dragon Fleet with T3-class starships.
"But there's a significant gap in starship types. Our fleet is too specialized," Annie interjected.
"I'll find a way to address the gap in T3 interstellar warship types," Zhao Chen said.
Annie blinked, staring at Zhao Chen's head. "Commander, you're not planning to come up with T3-level interstellar frigates, stellar destroyers, and interstellar battleships later, are you?"
Zhao Chen smiled without saying a word.
"What exactly is inside your head? Lend it to me for research sometime," Annie stared at Zhao Chen's head with a rather interested expression.
Zhao Chen shot Annie a glare. If she weren't out of reach right now, daring to act so boldly, he would have given her head a good "loving iron fist rub" from both sides of her skull.
"Anyway, the outline of the construction plan has been finalized. It's up to you all to arrange the details now," Zhao Chen said, once again becoming the hands-off boss after delegating these matters.
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