Planet of Sand and Oasis of Iron

Chapter 164 163. We usually call this kind of thing a summit
The way to make money has been pointed out, and staying in the parking area is just a waste of money. After paying another parking fee, Sefer finally made a decision.

After informing everyone in the car (not many people were there), the mobile base slowly started moving out of the crowded temporary parking area. Then it was up to Sefer to perform.

He just sat in his seat and gave Tien a general direction: "Put aside the thoughts of fighting pirates or finding the merchant caravan, and go this way."

It was the exact opposite direction to the Node City, and it wasn't the direction to the Forge Node City either. Seifer's request made her a little confused, and then she suddenly joked:

"Let me think about it. The captain's ambiguous actions...are they because my suggestion wasn't very good, and he's planning to find an open area to throw me out of the car?"

"You're overthinking it. My hunch tells me that this direction could lead to great luck, like encountering a recycling company that's not very discerning."

"So sure? Could it be that you have inside information?"

How should I put it, it’s not entirely an insider… The reward for taking photos was suddenly sent to me just when I was leaving the house.

But it was not the normal freight delivery to the node city, but a mission was issued through the mercenary system.

Escort mission.

The mercenary specifically requested the "Independent Mercenary Red Crossbow", and the reward was only one thousand, which might not even be enough to cover the depreciation.

This kind of designated mission is quite common and can be found occasionally. It is obvious that some companies have different contracts with independent mercenaries.

If the mercenaries themselves have no objections, the support system will naturally not be involved in the subsequent matters. It is only responsible for completing the contracts that have already been signed.

When I told this to Tien, she raised an eyebrow and said, "You're such a confident sponsor, don't worry. It's none of my business. Just remember to pay me."

Judging from her appearance, she is not really interested in salary.

There was only one mobile base moving in the vast desert, and its long track made it almost invisible when viewed from the air.

Dr. Mei suddenly connected the communication: "Is the detection device I gave you earlier useful?"

"It's quite useful, but the flight distance is quite short. Where did the design idea come from?"

"In a vision."

Well, if anything mentioned the anomaly, that was basically the end of the topic. After all, the anomaly's output was truly all-encompassing. Cypher figured he wouldn't be surprised if he woke up one day and found that the battles between mobile bases had evolved from this kind of visual artillery battle.

For example, the mobile base is full of warehouses. The armor plates can be opened at night, and the aircraft and fuselages stored in the warehouse can be quickly ejected.

It's not impossible to attack other mobile bases from a very long distance, right?

"...Then, could it be that you, Doctor, have come up with a new invention?"

"No, I just want you to use it a little more so I can collect data."

But it’s okay, it was a waste of my expectations.

Having Tien continue in this direction, into a rugged stretch of rubble exposed by the earthquake, Cypher went to the lookout.

The heavy cover opened, but the observation tower did not take off this time, because Cypher simply raised his hand and threw the propeller reconnaissance plane out.

The visual connection was completed, and Sefer once again glimpsed the scene of the moonlit night and the desert.

The raging winds had passed, and the various sand dunes had already changed shape without anyone noticing. Occasionally, traces of tracks could be seen on the ground, indicating that vehicles had passed by recently. Seifer hadn't chosen this route casually—this direction was straight ahead, and if there were no navigation errors along the way, he could reach the central node city within two weeks.

Although it’s impossible to go now.

As if fearing that Cypher would be bored, Dr. Mei continued to ask, "By the way, what is the current status of the body you left behind at the Node City?"

"It's still in contact. I went to take a look a while ago, and everything down there is the same as before, except that the flood water flowing down from the ceiling has decreased. I guess it will be completely dry in a while."

Dr. Mei did not ask why Cypher could contact that mechanical body at such a long distance and even when communication was impossible.

As Cypher slowly walked back to the main control cabin, thinking about what to do to kill time, Laika suddenly came into the communication.

"Red Crossbow, did you receive the message?"

"...What news?"

"The Business Federation has jointly announced a request for an investigation and cooperation meeting with the Transformation Agency in the area of the giant anomaly."

And there's this kind of meeting... No, this feels a bit weird.

Seifer immediately opened the mercenary communication network and found that it was already in an uproar. All the "ambitious people" were eager to try, thinking that this was an opportunity to make a lot of money.

Honestly, Sefer still didn't understand. It was just a vision, but before, they had to use a forgery company to grab it. What did it mean that they didn't grab it this time but sat down to hold a meeting instead?

Is it because I can't beat him?
"It's not because we can't defeat them, but because that's the way this desert works. Even a powerful organization like the Reformation Agency wouldn't monopolize a phenomenon of this magnitude."

Leica calmly explained, "A giant anomaly refers to an area where the energy readings of the anomaly far exceed the normal level that can be divided or split into multiple anomaly gates."

"As stable anomaly generating areas, the only ones currently recorded are the Central Node City and the Academy Node City. We don't know about areas deep underground or unexplored, but this one is likely the third known location."

"The giant anomaly area cannot be split apart. If we force it, it's very likely that this strange energy reaction will get out of control. By then, not only this node city, but also the surrounding node cities will be affected..."

It sounds like a super-explosive device capable of altering the terrain. It's true that humans have a connection to explosives. Consciousness was born from a bang, our work involves studying how to make explosions, and our lives are filled with explosions.

Now we have come to another world and seen such a clean and efficient new energy, but it still ends up with explosion.

"...So, should I run away now?"

"No, if the contract is approved, the next step will be to build a joint development zone with commercial alliances as the main body and transformation institutions as shareholders."

Leica passed a document to Cypher: "But... before the 'contract is signed', there will be many things that will affect the proportion of the contract, which means that the process will not be as smooth as you imagined."

Seifer's focus was elsewhere: "You mean, everyone in the business alliance has to come to this node city for a meeting? Security measures and various unexpected situations that may arise at that time..."

"That's right. This is the key point for the mercenaries. Although the people coming this time may not be important figures from the companies, they are definitely their agents."

"These people are equally important. Even the meeting itself is a kind of exposition to show off their military strength and even business achievements."

Cypher understood completely.

Isn't this just an arms expo, plus a meeting to compete for the right to explore for one's own faction, and to confirm each other's development?

It's so familiar. Now all that's missing is a gunshot in the middle of the night, and the important person will be killed!
(End of this chapter)