Chapter 304: Cold Calculations and Cosmic Ambitions

Sir, confirm that the Space Exploration Company’s computer room has been completely destroyed and that all 22 armed robots stationed there have been eliminated.

Du Qiu, after listening to Star Ocean’s report, said, “This time, learn from our last mistake. Your scanning program must sweep every computer on this planet!”

“Whether they’re online or offline, you must use infiltrators and even carbon nanobots to connect to them, ensuring the scan is complete,” he instructed.

“There must be no duplicate copies!”

Star Ocean replied, “Rest assured, I’ll scan every computer worldwide to ensure no duplicates slip through.”

Without further comment, Du Qiu turned his attention to the rapidly advancing research on consciousness uploading devices.

Although the nuclear crisis was unexpectedly squashed by Dream Technology, its shadow still loomed over nations around the globe.

The nuclear threat triggered by an AI rebellion has left the world with a lingering fear of robots.

Nations have since reexamined their strategic nuclear forces, realizing that systems must be offline and launch procedures made more manual and cumbersome.

In other words, since everyone knows these weapons are meant only for deterrence, there’s no need for them to be too easily activated.

This time, the weapons were AI-controlled—but what if terrorists got hold of them next?

Only by making the use of nuclear weapons complex can we prevent their misuse.

Of course, the global dream of nuclear disarmament remains a distant hope. Even after this major nuclear crisis, nuclear powers have no plans to dismantle their arsenals.

It was no surprise that disappointed citizens turned their gaze to Dream Technology.

Especially among scientists who admired Dream Technology’s cutting-edge innovations—and the lure of living in space was simply irresistible.

Coincidentally, following the nuclear crisis, Dream Technology launched a worldwide recruitment drive that instantly set the academic community abuzz.

Initially, Dream Technology accepted everyone, but when interview centers became overcrowded, the requirements were immediately raised from a Master’s degree to a Doctorate.

Governments around the world have thrown their support behind Dream Technology’s recruitment efforts.

Beyond offering enticing new space cooperation projects, there were ulterior motives at play.

Many applicants were in fact government plants, with nations hoping to infiltrate Dream Technology.

Du Qiu wasn’t concerned about the infiltration; under Ning Shuangshuang’s leadership, Dream Technology’s Security Department has sealed every loophole.

Coupled with Star Ocean’s formidable intelligence capabilities, any attempt to plant moles within Dream Technology is simply impossible.

The so-called ‘nails’ sent by various countries have mostly been repurposed as experimental specimens in biological research, making a positive contribution to humanity.

Without that, Kawanohoroharu’s rapid progress wouldn’t have attracted Du Qiu’s attention.

As for the new space project with various nations, it’s the long-planned Mars Real Estate Project.

Dream Technology has established a new Space Real Estate Company, specializing in the sale and maintenance of Mars living bases targeted at governments and major conglomerates.

As long as these governments are willing to trade various resources—or even the genes of their citizens—they can order a Mars living base from the company.

This time, Liu Sichen from the Public Relations Department skipped a press conference and instead invited ambassadors from the Tanga Federation to a special presentation.

During the presentation, 3D holographic projection technology showcased a Mars living base capable of accommodating 300,000 people.

This fully constructed base on Mars was detailed—from its external location and environmental conditions to its internal facilities.

It immediately captured the keen attention of the ambassadors.

Remarkably, Dream Technology has already undertaken massive development on Mars while we can only gaze at the red planet longingly.

Especially for leading space-tech nations, the technological gap between them and Dream Technology feels like an unbridgeable chasm.

The Ambassador from Rus country was the first to speak, “President Liu, if we purchase such a Mars base, how long before it’s put into service? And how will our people land on Mars?”

Liu Sichen, smiling broadly, replied, “Since these are Mars properties, they’re sold like off-plan real estate.

Once you’ve paid, the delivery time depends on our construction pace—which is determined by the order in which reservations were made. Those who booked early will receive their bases sooner, while later orders will have to wait.”

After all, our construction capacity is limited and cannot cater to too many clients at once.

As for how you get to and from the base, that’s part of an additional service I’m about to explain.

Dream Technology’s Space Transportation Service Company will launch regular flights between Mars and Earth, currently planned at one flight per week.

Take a look at this: the Swan-class planetary landing spacecraft that shuttles passengers between the two worlds.

As Liu Sichen spoke, his assistant Wen Siqing had already projected an image of the Swan-class landing craft.

Wen Siqing then briefly introduced the interior of the Swan-class and outlined its ticket pricing.

The round-trip ticket between Mars and Earth is tentatively priced at 2,800 Gene Coins per person.

Since Unified Bank launched the Gene Coin, its value has been remarkably stable over the past few months—the bank’s exchange board even shows one Gene Coin equaling 15 dollars, though trading remains scarce.

On the black market, however, one Gene Coin has been speculated to fetch as much as 50 dollars.

The Ambassador from India asked, “Could the Mars living base be made larger? Perhaps it could house one million people or more—our country’s large population might require extra capacity.”

Liu Sichen replied, “Standard bases accommodate 300,000 people. For a larger capacity, an additional customization fee applies. The exact cost depends on the number of people, with a maximum of one million.”

I’m sure you understand that Mars’s harsh environment makes it unsuitable for overcrowded habitats; a larger base would exponentially complicate support systems.

The Ambassador from England raised his hand and asked, “Why can’t your company offer lunar bases? They would be closer to Earth.”

Liu Sichen responded, “Scientific factors are at work here. Mars’s environment is much more suited for colonization than the Moon.

Besides, Dream Technology plans to transform the Moon into a fortress defending Earth. As a military stronghold, it isn’t meant for civilian habitation.”

The Ambassador from Gaul immediately asked, “Are you saying that Dream Technology has already occupied the Moon, barring other nations from landing there?”

Liu Sichen shook his head and replied, “Not at all. The Moon belongs to all of humanity, although Dream Technology is part of that global community.

We simply believe that the Moon is best used as a military fortress for Earth’s defense, and we will deploy necessary military measures within our designated area to ensure Earth’s safety.

Remember, there are aliens out there—we simply cannot afford not to be prepared.”

Liu Sichen’s mention of aliens immediately set off a murmur among the ambassadors.

The Ambassador from Germanic Europe raised his hand and asked, “President Liu, are you implying that Dream Technology has encountered aliens?”

Liu Sichen shook his head and said, “We haven’t seen any, but we do know that the Americans unearthed a small alien spaceship from underground back in the 1940s. I suppose the Americans might have seen one.”

At that, everyone present turned to look at the two ambassadors representing the northern and southern sides.

One was the former American Ambassador to the Tanga Federation, now representing the Northern Government, while the other was a newly appointed representative from the Southern Government, starting afresh with a new delegation.