"No one managed to escape thirty years ago? Why did the military block the Star System without considering the mining rights purchased by Sinda Corporation?"
"And, what exactly is the purpose of the military outpost within the Star System?"
"These are indeed significant questions."
Old Wu scratched his head and said, "Oh, then what is that outpost used for?"
"To mine Sky Steel."
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
The factory directorâs reaction was even more intense than Old Wuâs. Although he knew the military outpost there had been attacked before, that was the extent of his knowledge.
So after hearing Chen Mingâs words, he stood up abruptly, supporting himself on the desk in disbelief, and asked, "Xiao Mu, are you sure?"
Chen Ming replied with utmost seriousness, "Iâm sure."
"In the orbital path of the gas giant planet, there are Altrulan space fish. I personally witnessed Duskâs fleet raiding their outpost, stealing their stored Sky Steel, and capturing several space fish."
"I believe the authorities did not investigate the presence of space fish when selling the mining rights. Later, when the Space Station opened up for operation, the military discovered the space fishâs existence earlier, and they chose underhanded means to seize them."
"Iâm not sure if the facts align with my theory, but I canât think of any other reason to explain this situation."
"The company wouldnât just leave Sky Steel unattended, right?"
The factory director sat back down and said, "Definitely not."
Chen Ming was not surprised by this result, after all, he used to work at Sinda Corporation.
"But after all, itâs been thirty years, so now I just want to know the companyâs current stance on the matter. Director, you should know why Iâm doing this."
The factory director nodded and said, "I understand. If the company wants to reclaim the Space Station, then youâre the best bargaining chip and asset. But if the company wants to reconcile with the military or has already done so, then you are a major thorn in their side."
"Thatâs truly..."
The director let out a long sigh and said, "I donât know the companyâs overall stance, but at least thereâs some good news. Most of us at the Space Station are quite dissatisfied with the military, especially considering how they broke their promises before."
"As for the companyâs stance... this is a significant issue, and I must consult with my superiors."
"Not the director, no, I need to find someone who can fundamentally influence the policies of both our Space Station and the company."
"Yes, that should work, but it might take some time."
Old Wu suddenly chimed in, asking, "Old Lu, can you still get in touch with such a person?"
"How do you think I got this position as director?"
Chen Ming pushed Old Wu aside and asked, "How long will this probably take?"
"Three or four days at least, and even then, I canât guarantee the outcome."
"But you donât need to worry too much. As long as no one specifically checks up on you, you can continue to stay on the Space Station under that false identity of Mu Shuikong."
"I wonât make any mistakes on my end, but itâs best for you to keep wearing the Protective Suit until the result comes out, just like before."
Receiving this delay wasnât out of Chen Mingâs expectations.
He had already started planning alternative routes in case his efforts within Sinda Corporation didnât pan out.
Even if things didnât work out, it wouldnât mean he had to put all his eggs in one basket.
Chen Ming nodded gratefully to the director and said, "I understand, then Iâll trouble you with it. Iâd like to take a couple of days off to go out."
The director didnât expect Chen Ming to suddenly shift the topic from the conspiracy between the military and Sinda Corporation to requesting leave, and after a brief pause, asked, "Where are you going?"
"To the Star Realm Government, to collect bounties on a few pirates."
"Pirate bounties, oh, youâre looking to get a license on your own, arenât you? Then regarding this leave..."
The director slightly bowed his head in thought.
He actually didnât want to approve Chen Mingâs leave.
Because he could tell that everything Chen Ming had said was true.
If the company genuinely lost out on the Space Station matter and couldnât reclaim it, that would mean Chen Ming is very valuable to the company.
If something unexpected happens to him while out, the loss to Sinda Corporation would be irretrievable.
But the director couldnât ascertain the companyâs stance.
Because within Sinda Corporation, there had been two factions for many years.
One faction advocated for self-development without any interference from external forces.
The other advocated for proactively maintaining good relations with the military or government to secure better treatment and preferential policies.
The former was known as the Company Faction, while the latter, due to the companyâs main product being ships and the ease of forming connections with the military, was known as the Military Faction.
The two factions would undoubtedly have drastically different attitudes towards Chen Ming, making it hard to say whether the company would protect him.
Moreover, not just the company, there might be some issues at the Space Station too,
though the Space Station has always paid a protection fee to the military, in exchange for protection against external forces like the Dusk Mechanical Race when attacked.
However, the people at the Space Station are mostly part of the Company Faction, generally holding a lukewarm attitude towards the military, especially given their previous breach of promises.
But the director couldnât guarantee that there werenât any members of the Military Faction within the Space Station.
Keeping Chen Ming at the Space Station does carry a certain amount of risk.