MTLNOVEL Chapter 101: Chapter 101: The Most Expensive Free Thing
Chapter 101: The Most Expensive Free Thing
Li Ang: "Oh? Tell me more."
"Orbital Aviation initially agreed that each company would contribute half the cost to build the spaceport. However, when it came to aviation technology, they demanded Yoru Corporation pay extra to buy their patented technologies."
"After all, collaboration between engineers from both companies could risk exposing core technological information. So, Orbital Aviation decided to sell the technology directly to Yoru Corporation."
"But the cost of these technologies is almost enough for Yoru Corporation to build another spaceport. That's why the two companies have been at an impasse."
Lucius was being completely honest with Li Ang, even revealing the inside story of the spaceport stalemate—something unknown to outsiders.
"Mr. Li Ang, if LA Corporation takes over the spaceport, you'll still have to spend a fortune buying patents from Orbital Aviation. It's simply not worth it!"
Indeed, no company acts as a charity without seeking profit. The spaceport debacle boiled down to a dogfight between two corporate giants.
The European Space Agency (ESA) had hoped to extract more money fromYoru Corporation, but Yoru Corporation simply flipped the table, deciding that if it couldn't be resolved, no one would proceed.
"Mr. Mayor, thank you for the reminder, but I will still rebuild the spaceport. Even Arasaka is building a mass driver on the Moon to play with space-based weaponry. My LA Corporation has to keep up with the trend," Li Ang replied calmly.
He fully understood why Orbital Aviation had sold him the rights to the spaceport at a bargain price—it was just a ploy to hook LA Corporation into buying their exorbitantly priced after-sales services.
The most expensive things often come disguised as free.
Building rocket launch sites and aerospace bases requires professional aerospace engineers. Without core aviation technology, no company could independently complete a spaceport project.
This gave Orbital Aviation confidence. They believed that the newly acquired LA Corporation would eventually have no choice but to come crawling back to them for help with the construction.
When that time came, they could legally extort LA Corporation for large sums of money. And through subsequent services, the ESA could slowly drain Li Ang's coffers.
Orbital Aviation's plans seemed perfect, but who said they were the only ones capable of building a spaceport? There was another group with the expertise—perhaps even superior to the ESA's!
"Mr. Li Ang, I don't understand why you're so eager to throw money at those greedy Europeans in the ESA. In the aerospace sector, they can charge you as much as they like," Lucius continued to advise earnestly.
He genuinely saw Li Ang as a friend, valuing their relationship beyond mere profit.
"Mr. Mayor, I've never planned to rely on Orbital Aviation's engineers to build the spaceport," Li Ang replied, clearly pleased with Lucius' concern for him.
"Don't joke around. Apart from Orbital Aviation, who else can build a rocket launch site? If you try to save a little money now, you'll end up paying dearly later," Lucius retorted.
"Have you ever heard of the High Knights, Mr. Mayor?"
Li Ang's words stunned Lucius. He never expected Li Ang to turn to that group!
Lucius, of course, knew about the High Knights.
Technically speaking, they weren't pure Earthlings. They were "new humans" who had lived in space colonies since birth.
Their parents were aerospace scientists, and under their influence, the High Knights grew up with exceptional intelligence and remarkable learning abilities.
Having never experienced Earth's changing seasons or the gentle breeze of its mountains and oceans, their minds were wholly focused on space exploration rather than Earthly matters.
This made the High Knights masters in aerospace engineering, colonization, and space station construction—leaders in every related field.
"Mr. Mayor, would you doubt the ability of the High Knights, who can build mass drivers, to construct a simple spaceport?" Li Ang asked with a faint smile.
Mass drivers, originally developed for lunar colonies, were rocket-launching devices intended for transport between Earth and the Moon. While they were primarily envisioned for cargo transport or lunar tourism, the Europeans had another idea.
One day, these Europeans realized they could use the mass driver to launch something else—like a rock hundreds of meters wide—at North America to warn the military and Arasaka Corporation to cease hostilities.
In short, a mass driver could act as a space-based weapon, capable of hurling city-destroying asteroids.
To the ESA, the mass driver was a strategic deterrent far surpassing conventional nuclear weapons. This gave the European conglomerates the confidence to face down any challengers.
Beyond the ESA and Orbital Aviation, the High Knights were the only group capable of wielding this powerful technology.
"My God... Mr. Li Ang, you never cease to amaze me. I just hope you can convince the High Knights—they're not as easy to deal with as Earthlings," Lucius admitted, marveling at Li Ang's unconventional thinking.
Unable to find suitable collaborators on Earth, Li Ang had set his sights on space.
"Mr. Mayor, your job now is to help me smooth things over with Yoru Corporation and secure the remaining rights to the spaceport," Li Ang instructed.
"As long as the terms are reasonable, money is not an issue. If Yoru Corporation wants something else, they can have their CEO discuss it with me."
Li Ang's lengthy conversation with Lucius had one clear goal: to secure full control over the spaceport. He would not allow anyone else to share its resources.
"Understood. Don't worry; I'll handle it. Expect good news from me," Lucius promised.
With that, the two hung up simultaneously, their coordination almost instinctual.
Li Ang had grown accustomed to seeking Lucius' help, leveraging his authority to secure exclusive rights for LA Corporation.
In turn, Lucius relied on LA Corporation's influence to climb the political ladder. Their mutual exchange of benefits only strengthened their partnership over time.