Chapter 256 (1/2)

Hilda and Vimm were pinned to the spot for almost 30 seconds. They only came out of their daze after Hao Ren kept waving at them. If Hilda knew little about who Hao Ren was, then Vimm was as clueless as a man trying to buy his wife underwear; to him, what he had heard did not feel like a hallucination, but more like a story from The Arabian Nights.

“Did you say… a planet?” Vimm looked at this mysterious stranger. “You are giving it to us? You are able to move one billion people at one go? I-I do not know if I have understood it correctly.”

Vimm’s response was not unexpected. Hao Ren nodded earnestly, and explained, “That’s exactly what I’m going do, no doubt about it. But first thing’s first, let me make it clear: due to some reasons, the planet is not free, it will be leased to you—just a matter of formality. You can freely utilise the resources on the planet as I’m going to transfer as much of the usage rights as possible from me to you. After all, I will have little use for it. You will live as visitors until you are able to develop your own hyperdrive technology to explore and find your own colony in another planet. You can then claim that planet as your own and stay as a legitimate resident. However, the fleet isn’t free. Nonetheless, I believe you can afford the fare.”

Hilda kept nodding as she listened. As most things were just a formality, the few restrictions were nothing compared to what Hao Ren had done for the Aerymian elves to escape from their present predicament. But as the ruler of Aerym, she had to be cautious. “Very well Hao Ren, what is the price?”

“Like I’ve just said, you have to leave everything here behind, which may be difficult for you. And then you’ll have to pay the fleet.” Hao Ren spread his hands. “It’s a civilian moving company, they aren’t doing it for free. Their condition is that they’ll take over the floating islands and large equipment that you have to leave behind. These things may be worth some money in the secondary and black market. They will probably be enough to cover the fare for moving a billion of your people to another universe. It’s a ‘friend’s price’ though. The transport guy agreed to the barter payment only because he knows me as a friend.”

Hilda opened her eyes in surprise. “That is all?”

“Is there any problem?” Nearby, Vivian chimed in, “You’ll have more than enough land and resources in your new home. While there are only a billion of you, the new planet should be just nice. Keeping the floating islands is pointless.”

“I do not intend to keep them. Just that, I never expected anyone would want them.” Hilda was embarrased. “I thought these were just junk in the eyes of developed nations…”

The MDT chimed in, “Do not think that way. Even junk have their worth. It depends on how you use them. Of course, for civilisations capable of interstellar travel, the floating islands themselves are not worth a thing. These space fragments are available everywhere, but what’s valuable are the equipment on the islands—the equipment you made. In certain markets, there is a demand for it. Depletion of resources has catapulted the development of your recyling and eco-dome technologies. Such equipment are prized not in highly developed but young civilisations. As they are just leaping into space with their so-so technology, they are keen to acquire these low-cost, ready-built equipment.”

“You sound like a pro.” Hao Ren glanced at the MDT, surprised.

“I’ve just learned from the database that the pan-universe economic sphere is an interesting subject. The junk in Aerym can be modified and turned into low-cost components by professional restorers. Then,they can be assembled and repackaged into other compatible secondhand equipment before being sold to some rookie civilisation. It’s a big business. Perhaps, you may see the shadow of Dawnbreak Island in some corner of the galaxy some day. The universe is a big place, people would do anything for a living. Junk that cannot be recycled and reused will be sent into the furnace, or become collector’s items among interstellar scholars and enthusiasts. Let me quote a saying from Fairy Void Consortium, ‘Nothing made by an intelligent race goes to waste’—it’s become the holy grail of all interstellar profiteers.”

Hao Ren thought for a moment, then said, “…Let’s not talk about that for now. How much have I been shortchanged by the 883 captain?”

“Not much, just as much as he can take from a broad-minded business acquaintance,” the MDT sounded indifferent as it spoke. “Strictly speaking, he’s just profitting from Aerymian elves. He’s a businessman, don’t expect him to be as noble as Y’zaks.”

Hao Ren was speechless.

Hilda got the drift. She quickly said, “That’s alright. I will not be able to take those things along after all…”

Since the party in question had no objection, there was nothing else Hao Ren could say. But he now had a deeper understanding of the vast universe. He also learned the fact that there were bound to be imbalances in the technological progression of civilisations: Aerymian elves had been stuck in their home star system, but it was the fault of the environment; they excelled in every other aspect such as recycling and artificial ecosystem technologies, which were of interstellar standards. All they needed was a hyperdrive, and they would spread like wildflowers in the universe.