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Chapter 190: Chapter 159: Main Control System (Subscription Requested!)_1
Previously, Tang Qing had thought that the command room was simply a relatively larger room, and he had mentally prepared himself for anything, even robots, aliens, and Saiyans.
But good lord, it’s humongous! If it wasn’t for his good eyesight, he might think it was an never-ending illusion to the naked eye.
This was a huge enclosed room, with a height of tens of meters. Even after looking around, Tang Qing didn’t spot any lights, however, the entire space was as radiant as day.
The floor seemed to be laid with something similar to marble. Black, white, and gray colors intertwine in it, flowing slowly as if alive. Walking on it, ripples would spread outwards. This didn’t surprise him though, as modern technology could already create such stuff. There are many ways to achieve this effect, the most straightforward being that the floor below is made of a touch screen. This simple animation effect would require only a few lines of code.
The ceiling and the distant walls were made of an unknown material, coated with something resembling matte paint. Though it looked like steel, he wouldn’t really think it was. At this system’s level, there were way too many things stronger, more durable and sturdier than steel. All in all, the whole room had an atmosphere of solemnity.
The center of the entire space featured a towering cylindrical platform. The area of the platform was in the thousands of square meters, with a height of tens of meters. Tang Qing was standing on this platform. There were eight staircases descending on all sides of the platform. A circular ’table,’ about one meter wide and connected to the platform, went around it, which was empty.
There were also chairs next to the ’table’ which boasted a flowing metal sheen, making them look pretty badass. They were thick and big, obviously filled with more than just sponge. There were dozens of them. Tang Qing sat on one, shifted his hips; it was really comfortable indeed. Apart from that, he didn’t notice any other special features, not even a single button. He had expected them to be smart chairs.
Looking at the overall space, the way Tang Qing saw it, it was like an emptied location where only tables and chairs had been left behind.
Couldn’t be systems, could they... It’s not that I have to buy the equipment, is it?
This sudden thought flashed across Tang Qing’s mind. Considering that there were only chairs and ’tables’ here, essentially no electronic devices, how could you command anything? Yelling commands? That’s far from funny.
But what about the surroundings of the cylindrical platform?
Tang Qing stood up again, taking a walk around the platform. He saw nothing but the ubiquitous empty ’tables’ and chairs. The quantity was enormous, so much so that he, for the time being, couldn’t even count there were but he knew at least they were in the thousands.
Seeing this stupefied him all over again.
Any rational person knows chairs are for people to sit on.
Then considering the system’s daily charge per person - ten million RMB, that would mean...Good lord, system, you’re not telling me to jam-pack people in here, are you? Where am I supposed to find so many people? And I don’t have that kind of money...and also...
Thinking about this, Tang Qing suddenly stilled, his eyes widening as if he had realized something.
Damn it!
The more Tang Qing thought about it, the more he felt like the system was about to pull off something big.
Looking at the vacant command room, Tang Qing felt somewhat scared. He’d better ask the system. Seriously, couldn’t it be a bit more proactive and make an appearance? It always played hard to get and refused to show itself until summoned.
"System, what’s all this about? Why is there nothing here? Don’t tell me you’re expecting me to buy the office equipment? Don’t mess me around like this," Tang Qing voiced his query aloud, there was no one around to overhear him. To be honest, he has been using his mouth to talk all his life - until now, he’s still not accustomed to mentally communicating with the system.
"The command room equipment has been fully equipped. As the main control system has yet to be activated, none of the devices are functional. Activating the main control system will cost fifty million RMB," the System said, delivering news almost made Tang Qing crumble.
"System, you... I..." Tang Qing was lost for words. This heartless System showed no emotion no matter how much he dared to curse at it, rendering his efforts futile.
Damn it, let’s just accept the reality. Today can be considered my day of financial loss. I can always earn back the money that’s gone. Having come this far, do I have any way out? But really, being extorted and beaten down so blatantly just makes me feel so... I’m not angry. Not yet.
"Just quickly deduct it from my account and activate that main control system of yours," Tang Qing groaned, reclining in the chair with his hands covering his face. His previous calm demeanor had vanished. One way or another, he had spent a sum of two hundred and fifty million RMB without actually doing anything. And who knows what his expenses would be later on.
Let me sit for a while and prepare myself for the slaughter. If my guess just now comes true... then I might as well spend my time drawing circles at a corner of the wall.
"Installation of Combat Dispatch Center main control system... system installation complete... activation command confirmed... all operations confirmed... system activation in progress. Ten, nine, eight... one..." The System began another countdown.
Yet, Tang Qing wasn’t as expectant this time. His previous expectations resulted in an expenditure of two hundred and fifty million RMB. My heart aches. Until a few days ago, he thought he had too much money and nowhere to spend it. Even showed off a bit. But the quick retribution soon followed, leaving me incapable of pretending to be wealthy.
When the System counted down to one, the entire room shook slightly. A red data flow projection extended from the ground to the room’s ceiling, appearing right at the center of the colossal cylindrical platform. The data flowing down wasn’t ones and zeros like the codes displayed on TV, instead, it was some other unknown characters. Moreover, the data flow grew faster and faster to the point Tang Qing could no longer distinguish the characters, leaving only streaks of ’lines’.
One minute later...
"The main control system of the Combat Dispatch Center has been installed. Functional control module is loading and all equipment of the Combat Dispatch Center is expected to be operational in ten minutes." A non-system voice sounded inside his ears, giving Tang Qing a startle. He had thought the main control system would also speak in his mind.
After that voice finished speaking, the red data flow in front turned purple and started to slow down. Other than that, nothing else in the command room seemed to change.
"Eh... System, are you there?" Tang Qing, eyes scanning the rapidly flashing data stream, asked cautiously.
"Commander, how may I be of service?" An emotionless voice responded.
"Can I give you a name? It’s impractical to keep calling you System or that lengthy name of yours," Tang Qing said, annoyed by how long the name was and not wanting to keep repeating it. Moreover, the System, acting all high and mighty, refused to allow him to give it a name. So, he couldn’t possibly call this thing System as well, right?
"Yes, Commander." Another voice answered, so strong that Tang Qing couldn’t pinpoint exactly where it was coming from. Yet, there was no echo in the room. This sound effect processing earned an approving nod.
"Then... I’ll call you Little Two. How does that sound?" Tang Qing said excitedly, resentment brewing ever since towards the System. Since the System wouldn’t let him give it a name, he vented his frustration on this one, thereby achieving some form of psychological balance.
"Renaming the Combat Dispatch Center’s main control system as ’Little Two.’ Please confirm, Commander."
"Confirm," Tang Qing stated.
"Confirmation accepted. Commander, how may I serve you, Little Two?" Little Two responded.
Upon hearing this, Tang Qing felt a wave of relief. Although he couldn’t take advantage of the System, he could lord it over this little thing now. Ah, that’s just the thing. You’re so much like that System, by the way. If I don’t ask, you won’t speak, will you?
