Chapter 66 - It is a hero.
There were four main warship construction firms: Gaia, Amarr, Caldari and Mittal. Their total warship output accounted for almost sixty percent of the Pan-Human Alliance spaceships.
Most territories would not make their own warships and would, instead, directly purchase them from the four firms, doing just some small-scale modifications to these purchases thereafter. After all, the design and cost control of warships for the big four were the best in the business, and buying the finished products would be much cheaper than building them from scratch.
However, there were also territories that would buy a few special models from the big four for safety reasons or to fulfill certain specialized tasks.
This naval-issue Hookbill frigate was one such special model, not cutting cost by utilizing a complete triple-titanium plate as its hull, along with extensive improvements to its structure, armor, shields, and internal electronic systems.
Compared to the usual Eagle-class, this Hookbill frigate had a thirty-percent increased performance rating in terms of attack, defense, and mobility!
In other words, this naval-issue Hookbill frigate represented the technological pinnacle of frigates manufactured in this era and was considered the king of all frigates!
Xia Fei could not resist walking over to that spaceship and touching that cold exterior with his hand.
This spaceship was smaller than the standard Eagle-class frigate, appearing to be a lot more rugged, which only added to its aggressive look.
Porter was stunned, appearing to be somewhat excited, but he did not say a word.
Xia Fei shook his head in regret and sighed. “It’s such a pity. Such a spaceship ought to be out in the boundless stars or wreaking havoc out on a battlefield, not here in your factory.”
Porter made his way to the warship and ran his fingers through the stars carved on the metallic hull, muttering to himself, “Ought to be out on a battlefield?”
He looked on the left and right side of the warship before deeply sighing. “Indeed, a top-grade frigate like this is hard to come by, but it’s just too bad its internal parts have all been ruined and can no longer take flight anymore.”
Xia Fei nodded. “Indeed, it is a real pity. Why don’t you repair it? I do believe that, given your skills, you can restore this naval-issue Hookbill frigate back to its past glory.”
Porter’s eyes momentarily flashed but very soon dimmed. “It’s not that simple. This is a top-tier, custom-made frigate. All its components are pretty much built to order, and it’s very hard to find replacement parts.”
Xia Fei smiled. “Maestro Porter, how will you know if you don’t give it a shot?”
Porter patted the fuselage twice fitfully. “Come, let’s share a drink or two in my office.”
The three men headed in the direction of the workshop, and Xia Fei could not resist giving that Hookbill frigate a few more glances. “Could it really not be repaired?”
“Do you really want that spaceship?” suddenly asked Porter.
“But of course. Only a fool would not like such a top-notch frigate,” Xia Fei spoke frankly, not at all disguising the love he had for the spaceship.
Porter took the sausages that Sonny had brought over and cut pieces of them onto a plate before retrieving some glasses to pour out three portions of ale. The three men shared a meal at a small round table and consumed the sausages with ale in hand.
The ale contained a high alcoholic content, and Xia Fei could feel it burning as it washed down his gullet. He was not used to such a stiff drink, so he could only take a mouthful at a time.
Porter took a vintage tablet from a nearby desk, pulling out an image of Xia Fei and Chen Dong’s fight, and handed it to Xia Fei.
“Are you this Xia Fei?” asked Porter as he took a big swig of his ale.
Xia Fei chuckled politely and returned the tablet to the old man. “How did you find out?”
Porter tossed the tablet back onto the desk and answered, “Your eyes glowed when you began talking about that naval-issue, Eagle-class frigate, and that’s when I knew for sure that you’re actually that fella who had that big fight with Chen Dong for twenty-one days straight. Both of you shared that same look of determination.”
Sonny was fighting a cold war inside him, nearly losing his grip on the ale in his hand as he sputtered, “You’re THAT Xia Fei?”
Xia Fei smiled and nodded, not denying the fact.
“Do you know that my mom loves you to death? She said that you’re the most cunning and resolute young man she has ever laid her eyes on. She’ll definitely beat me to death if she ever finds out I’m earning your money!” cried Sonny very solemnly.
‘Cunning? That doesn’t seem to be a positive assessment.’ Xia Fei could not help but laugh. “Relax, as long you don’t tell your mother about me, and I keep mum about it either, she won’t ever find out.”
Porter poured another glass for himself and finished it at one go.
“If you want, you can take that Hookbill off my hands, but I can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to repair it,” Porter slowly said, the tone in his voice hiding a hint of sadness.
Xia Fei was delighted hearing this, asking, “Uncle Porter, are you really willing to sell that spaceship to me?”
Porter sighed. “That spaceship was left to me by my best friend.I was originally unwilling to part with it, but I gave your words some thought. Truly, that spaceship should not be left in my small factory but should continue soaring through space, instead.
“Though that spaceship is from a bygone era, its armor and structure are still as good as new. In fact, it is even sturdier than the new ones. As long as you are able to repair it, it can still be considered as a top-grade frigate in this universe!” proudly proclaimed Porter.
Xia Fei nodded vigorously. “I definitely believe that. Just what components does it still lack?”
Porter saw that steely determination in Xia Fei’s eyes and broke out into a smile. He took that vintage tablet from the desk and handed it to Xia Fei once more. “Take a look for yourself.”
Xia Fei stared at the screen for a moment before taking a sharp intake of breath. “Oh, my god!”