Star Wars: Empire of the Eternal Star

{Chapter: 10 Research Project}

The CF/A-17 Ghost Fighter stands as the mainstay of the Terran Empire's aerial forces in the world of StarCraft, proving its worth in countless battles against both the enigmatic Protoss and the relentless Zerg. Designed for versatility, the fighter is capable of engaging enemies both within planetary atmospheres and in the cold, unforgiving void of space, making it an indispensable asset in warfare.

However, as Leo eagerly examined the current schematics, he quickly realized that the version of the CF/A-17 Phantom Fighter available for research and production was merely an early-stage prototype—a model that lacked its later refinements. One of its most notable shortcomings was the absence of a pulse laser system, preventing it from effectively executing ground-based attack missions. This limitation, while frustrating, did not diminish the fighter's overall strategic importance.

Despite this drawback, there was no denying the Ghost Fighter's excellence. It had already been battle-tested in the conflicts between the Terrans, Protoss, and Zerg, proving itself to be a formidable combat machine. As later models emerged, the Ghost Fighter evolved, incorporating stealth technology, transforming it into a truly lethal assassin of the skies. With its advanced cloaking systems, it became a nightmare for enemy fleets, capable of striking unseen before vanishing into the darkness of space once more.

Yet, there was a significant challenge. Although the mothership's current technological framework was based on the "Eclipse Armada" system, the development and construction of a Ghost Fighter required overcoming the barriers between two entirely different technological paradigms—that of Eclipse Armada and StarCraft. Such a feat was not merely a question of research but of revolutionizing entire engineering principles to integrate foreign technology into their existing systems.

Still, Leo was undeterred. He firmly believed that no obstacle was insurmountable. The Ghost Fighter was a human-engineered masterpiece, and given enough time, his team could decipher its complexities. The necessary resources for analysis and reverse engineering were within their grasp—what they needed now was a dedicated research team to bring this vision to life.

Engineering Research Initiative

Seeing that Leo had already made up his mind, Qi Jian, his loyal subordinate, wisely chose not to press the matter further. As an officer, his duty was to provide insights and raise concerns, ensuring that all possible risks were considered. But once Leo had issued his decision, there was nothing left for Qi Jian to do but follow orders.

Wasting no time, Leo reached out to Daphne Clement, one of his trusted specialists, and asked, "We have a modular Engineering Institute in the mothership's storage, correct? How extensive is it?"

Clement promptly responded, "Yes, Administrator. Due to the high-risk nature of engineering research and the significant space required for large-scale experiments, the mothership carries a specialized modular scientific research space station. This facility can accommodate up to twenty top-tier experts, providing them with the necessary environment to conduct advanced research."

Leo nodded in approval. "Good. Issue the orders to the engineering department—have them begin construction of this research station immediately. I want it operational within the day."

"Understood, sir!" Clement affirmed without hesitation.

Recruiting the Research Experts

With the necessary facilities being prepared, Leo turned his attention to staffing. He accessed the mothership's figures awakening database, searching through the elite personnel stored within. His fingers danced over the console, navigating through countless names and specializations until he located three engineering experts whose skills matched the project's requirements.

The trio, consisting of two women and one man, were awakened from stasis and summoned to the bridge. They arrived swiftly, standing at attention before Leo. Their expressions were professional, their postures rigid with discipline. The leading female expert, a composed woman with sharp eyes and a confident demeanor, stepped forward.

"Greetings, Administrator. My name is Guan Yan. I specialize in energetics." She motioned to her colleagues. "This is Dr. Frag Yangon, an authority in mechanics, and this is Dr. Yong Jin, a renowned expert in materials science."

Leo wasted no time with pleasantries. "We have two urgent research priorities," he stated firmly. "First, we need a breakthrough in infrared laser weaponry. Second, we must analyze and develop the CF/A-17 Phantom Fighter. I will provide all necessary resources to ensure these projects succeed. What do you require?"

Guan Yan considered his words for a moment before responding. "For the infrared laser weapons project, I will require a dedicated physics laboratory and at least twenty personnel specializing in advanced physics research." She then turned to her colleague. "Dr. Frag, what do you make of the fighter schematics?"

Dr. Frag Yangon adjusted his glasses as he carefully examined the data on his console. His brow furrowed as he scrutinized the foreign technology. Finally, he let out a sigh. "The Ghost Fighter's systems are vastly different from ours. While integrating them isn't impossible, it will be a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. Dr. Jin and I will begin preliminary assessments, but initially, we will require five mechanical specialists. Once we gain more understanding, we will submit further requests for personnel and materials."

Leo nodded, his mind already calculating the necessary logistics. "And how long do you estimate for completion?"

Guan Yan responded first. "If we have all necessary resources, we should be able to complete infrared laser weaponry research within a month."

Frag Yangon, however, was more cautious. "The Ghost Fighter, however, is another story. Even with fully detailed schematics, we estimate it will take at least one year before we can produce a usable prototype. If we had a master-level expert guiding us, this timeframe might be reduced."

Leo met their gazes with unwavering determination. "You will have my full support in terms of personnel, materials, and funding. I trust in your expertise. Begin immediately."

Yong Jin smiled tactfully. "Administrator, we should be the ones thanking you for this opportunity. We will not let you down."

Guan Yan was already drafting a list of requirements, her screen filling with an ever-growing list of necessary materials.

Leo, despite his outward composure, felt an ache deep inside. Scientific research was an insatiable beast, consuming vast amounts of resources. Just as his colony had begun stabilizing and gathering supplies, he was about to pour every last bit of it into research.

Yet, if he wanted technological superiority, this sacrifice was unavoidable.

---

Somewhere in the Western Territories of the Model Sector, a Corellian YT-1000 light freighter emerged from hyperspace.

At the pilot's seat, a weary human man in his thirties, known as Quinto, rubbed his eyes and grumbled, "After this job, I swear I'm taking a three-day nap with a bottle of Corellian wine."

Beside him, his co-pilot—his lover, Felasi—chuckled. "You dream too big, love. Corellia isn't for the likes of us. I prefer the freedom out here." She leaned over, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead.

Before they could exchange more words, a furious shout erupted from the rear cabin. The woman looked back and immediately screamed, "Oh my God! The hyperspace diverter is not responding! How could this happen?!" She frantically operated on the console, but it was of no use.

A Rodian stormed into the cockpit, his green skin gleaming under the dim lights. "We might be screwed, folks."

"Well, now we can only pray that we don't get torn apart when we leave hyperspace." Spade spread his hands, sat on the ground and accepted his fate.

"The hyperspace diverter protects us from being torn apart by physical phenomena when we leave hyperspace. If this thing malfunctions, we won't be able to start a hyperspace jump. So, now, if it's not our great luck that something goes wrong during the jump, then..." Quinto didn't finish his words before the spaceship left hyperspace.

Farrasi turned pale as she saw warning lights flashing. "Oh no… we're in serious trouble."

A heartbeat later, the ship lurched violently, dropping out of hyperspace.

And before them, a monstrous crescent-shaped battleship loomed in the void.

If one looks from outside, one will see that the spacecraft appears from nothing in outer space almost instantly.

After a violent tremor, they finally stabilized the spacecraft. Quinto looked at the huge monster in front of him and murmured, "That's man-made..."

"The Spirit of Karaya...what is this thing!!" Farrasi was stunned by the horrifying scene before her. Farrasi's voice trembled.

From their viewport, all they could see was an endless wall of metal stretching across the void.

On the radar, they could see a huge crescent-shaped spaceship slowly moving in the planet's synchronous orbit. The spaceship was so huge that when they looked through the porthole of their YT-1000 light spaceship, they could only see an endless metal wall.

They had stumbled upon something far beyond their understanding.

*****

[Attached Easter Egg Chapter 1: Corellia YT-1000 Light Cargo Ship]

[Attached Easter Egg Chapter 2: Rodians]

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