Zhang Wei returned to the station after a long day of scouring for useful equipment. As he made his way through the back alleys, something caught his eye—a piece of machinery lying in the dirt. He bent down to inspect it, his heart racing when he recognized what it was: a damaged Tactical AI System.
It was clearly in worse shape than the Basic AIs he'd purchased earlier, its casing scratched and dirty, wires sticking out at odd angles. But he could see the potential in it.
"Ding!"
System Notification: Found: Damaged Tactical AI System. Functionality: Tactical decision-making and battlefield management.
This was exactly what he needed. A Tactical AI could enhance the performance of his frigates and improve their operational efficiency. Without hesitation, he pulled it out of the debris and tucked it into his inventory.
"System, can we fix this?" Zhang Wei asked, hopeful.
"Ding!"
System Notification: Repair possible. Cost: 3,000 yuan. Estimated time: 24 hours.
"Do it." Zhang Wei mentally approved the repair cost. He knew the value of having a Tactical AI would far outweigh the expense.
The next day, while the Tactical AI was being repaired, Zhang Wei decided to explore further. He wandered through the old shipyard and stumbled upon a pile of rusty equipment. Among the debris, he found launchable chains, which had been used in the past to drag damaged ships for repair. They looked old and weathered but were still functional.
"Perfect!" Zhang Wei exclaimed, pulling out a few lengths of the chains. This was exactly what he needed to add some versatility to his frigates.
He hurried back to his frigate, ready to enhance its capabilities. Once inside, he began the installation of the chains, using the system to assist him with the process.
"System, let's mount these chains on the frigate equipped with the Tactical AI."
"Ding!"
System Notification: Chains installed. Total chains: 4 units.
With the chains now securely attached, Zhang Wei set up the program for the Tactical AI.
"Program the Tactical AI to automatically launch the chains if any damaged ships are detected within a certain range," he instructed.
"Ding!"
System Notification: Program set: Tactical AI will scan for damaged ships and deploy chains for recovery if needed.
The Tactical AI was finally repaired, and Zhang Wei felt a surge of excitement. He placed it on the upgraded frigate, now equipped with four launchable chains.
"Alright, let's see what you can do," he muttered, activating the AI interface. A holographic display flickered to life, showcasing the AI's capabilities.
"Good to have you onboard," he said to the Tactical AI, and the screen flashed a friendly acknowledgment.
With his frigate now equipped for various missions, Zhang Wei couldn't help but imagine the possibilities. He had created a powerful asset that could salvage damaged ships and enhance his growing fleet.
As he reviewed his fleet's status, Zhang Wei noted:
Fleet Overview:
Frigates:2 (Basic AI)1 (Upgraded with Tactical AI and Launchable Chains)
Current Operations:
The Tactical AI was now actively scanning the area around Station 12, ready to identify and recover any damaged ships. Zhang Wei felt a rush of excitement—his tactical edge had just expanded significantly.
Inventory Update:
Stella Mark I Rocket Motor: 15 unitsStellar Assault Rifle: 32 unitsOutdated Assault Rifles: 23 unitsSubmachine Guns: 47 unitsRifles: 26 unitsEnergy-based Rifles: 6 units (repair in progress)Boarding Bots: 9 units (repair in progress)Energy Packs: 12 units (recharging in progress)Rusty Charger: 1 unit (requires repair)Tactical AI System: 1 unit (installed on Frigate 1)Launchable Chains: 4 units (installed on Frigate 1)
Final Balance: 262,900 yuan
With a smile of satisfaction on his face, Zhang Wei knew he was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. He had turned a rundown fleet into a potential powerhouse. His efforts to salvage and upgrade his ships were beginning to pay off, and he was eager to see what opportunities would arise in the coming weeks as he awaited his escort mission.
This was only the beginning. With each new enhancement and every successful venture, he felt more confident in his ability to take care of his sister and build a future for both of them.