Chen Ming wanted to ask Old Wu about modifying the spaceshipâs factory data.
The main reason is that spaceships that are officially released from the factory usually have a small device that stores the vesselâs identification code, installed inside the spaceship, and directly connected to the shipâs transponder.
The spaceship identification code is similar to a vehicle identification number, and itâs the most critical way to identify a spaceship.
Normally, when the spaceshipâs transponder is on, it broadcasts its legitimate identity to the outside world and sends out the identification code, which is confidential data.
Only guards from Space Stations or colonies have the authority to read it.
This is used to quickly determine the situation of the spaceship and the identity of the pilot in case of illegal acts.
If itâs in a star system where there are official space stations and colonies, the transponder must be kept on at all times, otherwise, a patrol teamâs spaceship will soon come to investigate.
Even if the transponder is off, they have the technical ability to forcibly read the spaceshipâs data through professional methods.
This is specialized knowledge in the field of electronic warfare of battleships.
Chen Ming has some understanding, but he is merely a maintenance master at the Mining Space Station, and these things are not within his field of knowledge.
Therefore, although Chen Ming knows how to erase an identification code, he still cannot forge a fake spaceship identification code.
If Chen Ming wants to go to a prosperous star system in the future, itâs impossible to wander around with a spaceship that has no identification code.
So he has to ask Old Wu about this aspect because heâs definitely the expert in this regard.
Furthermore, Chen Ming also planned to ask about modifying the spaceshipâs appearance for the same reason.
If only he could modify the Iron Ore No. so much that its original owner wouldnât recognize it, on what grounds could the military recognize it as a Mining Space Stationâs ship?
If it werenât because Chen Ming didnât see options for appearance modifications, he would have already started finding a solution himself, without needing to inquire if the repair factoryâs equipment could be rented from Old Wu.
Of course, Chen Ming also knows that there are many ships of the same model and appearance out there, and appearance can only be a reference, not decisive identification evidence.
But Chen Ming thinks itâs better to avoid such issues whenever possible.
In short, as long as he can tackle these two aspects.
With significant changes in both the identification code and appearance, the Iron Ore No. will no longer be the Iron Ore No.
The chance of the military tracing the ship back to him would be very small.
As for the third inquiry about the price of a depreciated spaceship.
This is Chen Mingâs backup plan.
Although the chance of Iron Ore No. being discovered is very small, itâs not zero.
If thereâs any trace of someone tracking the Iron Ore No., Chen Ming has to switch ships and escape.
However, the cost of a new spaceship is obviously beyond Chen Mingâs reach.
So, a secondhand depreciated spaceship suits his current situation very well.
Chen Ming doesnât have a moral scruple, nor does he care if people have died on the spaceship, or if it was stolen.
After all, his maintenance skills could make any spaceship look as good as new, indistinguishable from factory condition.
Although depreciated spaceships do not depreciate as unfavorably as weapons, their prices donât drop dramatically, but at least to Chen Ming, this is more cost-effective than buying a brand new spaceship.
However, this plan is somewhat unstable.
Because Chen Ming temporarily plans to stay at the Pirate Space Station for about one to two years.
If he doesnât earn enough money during this period, heâll have to move this idea to the next star system.
Although Chen Ming wants to stay longer, eventually, heâll need to take off his protective suit, exposing his face, which is only a matter of time.
And the Space Station is definitely somewhat connected to a Military Outpost.
So the longer he stays at the Pirate Space Station, the more likely his face is to appear in peopleâs memories, increasing the risk of his identity being exposed.
To be safe, he canât stay too long in any star system near a Military Outpost to avoid anyone discovering his situation.
While Chen Ming was deep in thought, the elevator had reached the docking bay doors.
The repair factory was right in front of him.
As Chen Ming entered the repair factory, he happened to see four or five maintenance masters walking over from the core city of the Space Station, seemingly just starting their shift.
However, Chen Ming didnât see Old Wu among them.
Moreover, after wandering around the repair factory a bit, he didnât find Old Wu slacking off in any corner.
So Chen Ming directly approached a maintenance master on duty at the repair factory, and under the same disdainful gaze he received from Old Wu yesterday, he asked, "Iâm looking for Wu Pingâan, is he here?"
The maintenance master looked at Chen Ming with some surprise and replied, "Wu Pingâan disappeared last night, canât be reached. Do you know him?"
"I do know him..."
Before Chen Ming could finish his sentence, he noticed that the maintenance master seemed to have seen something behind him, and his expression suddenly changed, seemingly a bit nervous.
Chen Ming immediately turned around and saw a person also wearing a maintenance masterâs uniform, but with a noticeably different demeanor from an ordinary maintenance master, walking towards him.
He waved his hand, signaling the maintenance master chatting with Chen Ming to get back to his work, and then said to Chen Ming, "Youâre also looking for Wu Pingâan? If you see him, please tell him that thereâs a ton of work at the factory waiting for him, and he should come over quickly."
Chen Ming suddenly realized who this person was; it must be Old Wuâs boss, the repair factory manager.
Chen Ming immediately agreed, while expressing interest in work, he asked, "What kind of work?"