Chapter 6127 Acquisition Order.

Chapter 6127 Acquisition Order.

Now that Ves decided to take it slow, there was not much he could do to advance Saint Isobel Kotin's recovery process.

Developing a powerful new cybernetic body for her that not only incorporated the latest technologies in human augmentation, but also complemented her fire domain as perfectly as possible was extremely complicated.

At the very least, the Larkinson Biotech Institute did not have enough first-class biotech experts with the relevant expertise in its employ.

Vice Director Maria Abselon thoroughly explained all of the lengths the LBI had to go through in order to complete this ambitious project.

"We cannot develop the right capabilities by hiring individual biotech researchers from the Terran Alliance and other first-rate states." She explained. "Those who are available for hire are usually junior scientists. They are absolutely not qualified to build a new body for an ace pilot, especially one that has exhibited numerous complications and abnormalities. We need to obtain the services of a large, experienced and knowledgeable R&D team. There is only one way for us to acquire such a team in the timespan that you have designated."

"Acquisition." Ves stated.

"Correct, sir. The LBI in its current state does not have the capabilities to work on this project, but there are many first-class biotech research institutions that possess superior qualifications. We only need to look for a small to medium-sized institution that is willing to accept our offer. Once we acquire the entire organization and recruit the majority of researchers, we should be able to develop an advanced cybernetic body for Saint Isobel. In addition, we can also develop and implant a range of first-class augmentations for the rest of our clansmen. This is an enduring benefit to the clan. We no longer need to turn to third parties in order to improve the capabilities of our own personnel."

Ves' physical projection directed a knowing look at the vice director. He understood her game. Her arguments were valid, but she most definitely had more selfish motives in mind.

The LBI had always been regarded as one of the foremost research institutions under the Larkinson Clan.

The sudden rise of the T Institute affected its interests. The biotech researchers had to put more effort into competing for funding, personnel and resources.

When Gloriana took over as the director of the Design Department, she pushed the clan into founding a bunch of other R&D institutes. Now that 4 more organizations had arisen that focused on developing a lot of cool new stuff, the LBI's primacy came under threat!

In order to ensure that the biotech researchers continued to enjoy a priority in funding and so on, they urgently needed to increase their value in the eyes of the clan. What better way to do so than to be able to develop and install genuine first-class augmentations?

Ves could not even refute the necessity of such an acquisition. The Larkinson Clan or at least its Premier Branch was moving up in society. The inability to augment its own first-raters was an embarrassment and a sign that the clan's foundation was not strong enough.

The clan could only gain a stronger footing in first-class society by developing a certain degree of self-sufficiency in this aspect.

"How much?"

"At least 100 billion MTA credits."

"That much?!"

"We are not looking to acquire hundreds of biotech researchers alone." Maria Abselon patiently explained. "We are also trying to buy out entire libraries and databases that contain the sum of knowledge, research results and successful product designs of that research institution. As long as the know-how is competitive enough, you will find that paying billions of MTA credits is a reasonable sacrifice."

Ves accepted the argument, but he was still hesitant about spending all of that money.

The woman adopted a reluctant expression.

"What is it, vice director?"

"We... are not entirely certain that the Ebony Everchanger is as inert as it appears. As you know, Venerable Joshua is particularly sensitive towards signs of life. While he was assigned to guard the Ebony Everchanger, he warned us that he feels that the wooden construct is still alive and conscious. In fact, he fears that this captured prize may not be as harmless as it seems."

Ves immediately grew serious. "Does Joshua suspect that the Ebony Everchanger secretly hides the remaining consciousness of the Emperor Tree?"

"We cannot rule out this possibility. For now, we have decided to put it under heavy guard. At least one active expert mech and an entire mech company must remain on standby at all times. It is highly doubtful that the Emperor Tree can wield the strength that he has shown at his height when he was still complete, but that does not mean we can afford to lower our guard. We cannot let this matter persist. It was only because Saint Isobel's dramatic breakthrough and physical deterioration attracted all of our attention that we neglected to address the Ebony Everchanger."

"I need to take a look at it myself." Ves decided. "It is best if I can examine it in person. Observing it by remote is not good enough."

"Do you require us to ship it over to your location at Diandi Base?"

"Yes. I need you to send over the intact Ebony Everchanger as well as any intact remains of the other two ebony mechs. In addition to that, I would like to get my hands on whatever remains are left of the tree heart. It doesn't matter if much of it has burned into ash. My personal assistant will make sure to send the fastest possible starship to ship these goods over. The sooner I get my hands on them, the better."

"We shall prepare the goods for shipment right away. However, do take into account that our research on the Emperor Tree will be hindered if we send away all of the ebony wooden remains."

"I will allow the LBI to retain enough samples of ebony wood to conduct further research. I trust you to determine the most appropriate proportion of materials to hold back." Ves decided. "Before you send all of these goods over, I would still like to examine it by remote through a special method. Tell me when it is Venerable Joshua's turn to guard the immobilized Ebony Everchanger. I can examine the captured wooden construct more closely through one of my works."

Ves looked forward to examining the Ebony Everchanger. The ebony wooden mechs had made a strong impression on him. They were the perfect template to use for the development of his first Woodsap mech!

He also wanted to find out whether the Emperor Tree was still alive. Was the Ebony Everchanger its clone as well as a backup measure in case its main body perished?

If this was the case, then the Larkinsons definitely picked up a bargain by capturing the Ebony Everchanger intact!

Ves could do so much with the spirituality of the Emperor Tree. The calamity tree's performance during the last two engagements made a strong impression.

Right now, Ves couldn't help but think that the most brilliant way to upgrade the original Everchanger was to merge the living mech with the Ebony Everchanger!

It would be even better if Ves was able to salvage and make use of the Emperor Tree's spiritual remnant as well. This would augment the performance of the new ebony wood-based additions.

More importantly, the ingredient could also be used to grant the Everchanger a powerful affinity for the wood element!

All of this took time, though. Ves was far from ready to design an upgrade for the Everchanger.

He still needed to upgrade the Elegant Rage first.

The results of upgrading Venerable Lanie's mech would provide valuable empirical data which could be used to refine his upgrade plans for Venerable Joshua's machine!