Chapter 1129 - 319: Plunder_4
From the feeling of Chen Ming’s recent battle with the Mechanical Race cruiser, their combat power hasn’t diminished at all.
They definitely weren’t teleported here.
There must be a base of theirs nearby.
At this moment, Chen Ming suddenly thought about the common colonial expansion methods used by the Empire, Mechanical Race, and Dusk.
The method is to first find a suitable star system to serve as the core of the future star realm.
Then start expanding from this core to the surrounding areas.
It’s very possible that a temporary base of the Mechanical Race exists in a nearby star system, which is their core for development.
It’s crucial to know that the Mechanical Race’s attack on Chen Ming’s fleet was thoroughly prepared, taking into account various complex situations and having a variety of preparatory measures.
If considering the premise that the Mechanical Race’s fleet came for development, then it’s understandable why they brought a cruiser equipped with exploration ship equipment.
Moreover, equipment to block teleportation engines, something that is typically not used, unless blocking an entire star system, making it hard to completely block the whereabouts of a cruiser.
But if this equipment to block teleportation engines is used for self-protection, preventing any cruiser daring to approach or attack the base from teleporting away, it becomes very valuable.
It conveniently explains why the fleet attacking Chen Ming would have such an item.
And Chen Ming, through the Mechanical Race hive network that he controls, subtly perceives the Mechanical Race’s hive network from the individual Mechanical Race beings he just captured.
Chen Ming can vaguely sense that the source of the hive network is not far away.
Considering all these factors, Chen Ming feels the actual situation should be quite close to his guess.
As for why the Mechanical Race does this...
Chen Ming can confidently say that the Mechanical Race does not know exactly what he is transporting into the Empire.
But they do know that anything transported from outside the Empire into the Empire can’t be trivial.
If they could seize it and verify what it is, that would be best, as it’s a gain to damage the Empire’s fleet regardless.
Give it a try.
Once they ascertain what is being transported, they can decide whether to continue attacking Chen Ming’s fleet.
If the Mechanical Race isn’t foolish, they should quickly discover the special nature of the energy crystal crabs and will definitely try to transport them away first.
Simultaneously preparing to attack Chen Ming’s fleet again.
Though Chen Ming surely won’t give the Mechanical Race that chance.
But the Mechanical Race has already achieved their initial goal of seizing the cargo bay.
The cargo bay contains living energy crystal crabs.
Although a few cargo bays hold energy crystal crabs transformed by Chen Ming with bugs, disposing of these energy crystal crabs is not difficult.
However, there are also several cargo bays containing ordinary energy crystal crabs.
If ordinary energy crystal crabs are taken, the Mechanical Race might discover the special characteristics of the energy crystals.
Once they cultivate a new generation of energy crystal crabs, it could lead to numerous troublesome issues.
Chen Ming suddenly realized the gravity of the situation anew.
If the Mechanical Race truly develops a technology to mass-produce energy crystals, the Empire could suffer deeply in the war against the Mechanical Race.
The Mechanical Race absolutely can’t be allowed to take the energy crystal crabs.
He must resolve the matter thoroughly.
It probably won’t be too difficult.
Since Chen Ming has confirmed a Mechanical Race base must exist nearby.
The Mechanical Race will surely transport the cargo bay there.
He needs to get to the Mechanical Race base.
Destroy the base and reclaim the cargo bay.
Previously, he fled because there were too many Mechanical Race members, and he only had one rocket.
This time, he plans to launch a proactive attack.
Nonetheless, before Chen Ming truly attacks the Mechanical Race, he has another consideration.
Whether a conflict with the Mechanical Race will lead to a premature full-scale war between the Empire and Mechanical Race.
He just wants to gain some benefits from the war, along with benefiting those around him, and carry out some research, not really drag himself into the mire of war.
He must understand the consequences of his actions before he proceeds.
Thus, Chen Ming immediately called Bai Quan.