Galactic Stellar Calendar, October 5, 3031
Over the past few days, the Military Procurement Committee had already finalized several individual military procurement projects.
However, these were all minor projects, ranging in value from a few hundred million to several billion Star Coins.
Compared to today's military procurement project, they were completely insignificant.
A magnificent spherical building served as the official venue for the Military Procurement Conference.
Outside, unmanned flying cars continuously landed at various entrance channels, with dedicated personnel checking the attendees' invitations.
Only those with invitations could participate in today's Military Procurement Conference.
In addition to the attendees, a large number of people who had not secured entry slots waited outside, anticipating the moment the results were announced.
They would immediately approach the winning starship manufacturer. Even if they could only secure a small portion of the manufacturing process, such as producing a single starship module, it would be enough for them to make a substantial profit.
Zhao Chen, Chu Xuan, Zhao Wan'er, Su Lan, and Xue Xiaoxiao arrived together in an unmanned flying car.
Since everyone was acquainted, they had arranged in advance to gather in a private box to participate in the Military Procurement Conference.
"What do you think would happen if the Hurricane Consortium's plan falls through and another starship manufacturer secures this military procurement order?" Xue Xiaoxiao shared her thoughts as they entered the private box. "I really can't stand that Feng Xiao Wei. Just because he's the young master of the Hurricane Consortium, he acts all high and mighty."
Su Lan shook her head. "The chances of that are very low. The Hurricane Consortium's T2 Hyena-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer is undoubtedly the best choice among current T2 interstellar destroyers. Additionally, it has been mass-produced for many years, giving them significant advantages in cost control. The current market price is around 4 million Star Coins, and they could even lower it to 3.5 million Star Coins in a contract with the Imperial Army. The Imperial Army is most likely to choose the T2 Hyena-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer."
Xue Xiaoxiao pouted, clearly unhappy about the situation.
"But there's always a chance for the unexpected in this world. What if the Hurricane Consortium stumbles unexpectedly?" Zhao Chen sat on the sofa, looking as if he was waiting for a good show.
"Let them stumble! Make them stumble!" Xue Xiaoxiao waved her small fists, continuing to pray fervently.
Chu Xuan, watching from the side, found the little girl utterly adorable.
The private box where Zhao Chen and the others were seated featured a large floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the circular venue.
The venue was arranged with higher outer tiers and a lower central area, where a circular platform stood.
All starship manufacturers would present their products on this platform, each allotted a fixed amount of time—such as thirty or twenty minutes.
For simpler military procurement projects, the winning bidder could be decided in a single round.
For larger-scale projects, multiple rounds of discussions might be necessary, continuously narrowing down the best starships from the selection.
On one side of the venue, suspended in mid-air, was a seating area reserved for the Military Procurement Committee.
Originally, the Military Procurement Committee consisted of 100 members, representing one hundred votes.
The highest vote count would win the bid.
However, this year was somewhat special, with a total of 111 votes.
Of these additional 11 votes, one came from the special guest, the Governor of the North Wind; the remaining ten votes belonged to the Little Princess.
Regardless of whether the Little Princess had deep expertise in this field, her status alone ensured that no one dared to question her ten votes.
Moreover, as a member of the royal family, even if she hadn't personally experienced something, she had certainly seen it. Naturally, she had her own insights into starships.
By this time, all seats in the venue were filled.
Members of the Military Procurement Committee began taking their seats one after another, and finally, the Little Princess and the Governor of the North Wind also took their places.
As the host took the stage to announce the start, this single-item Military Procurement Conference, valued at a staggering 40 billion Star Coins, officially began.
"This 09th Single-Item Military Procurement Conference is for the T2 interstellar destroyer procurement project.
Seven T2 interstellar destroyers will participate in the selection. Each party will take the stage to present their product and deliver a 30-minute speech.
Now, let's welcome the first contender." The host quickly moved through the process, getting straight to the point.
The representative of the first starship manufacturer was a middle-aged man. He briskly walked to the center of the stage and used a holographic image to display his T2 interstellar destroyer.
"The T2 Zebra-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer produced by our company employs the most advanced starship core technology currently available, utilizing..."
Zhao Chen took one look and had a general idea.
This one was just here to make up the numbers.
In fact, most of the so-called seven T2 interstellar destroyers were merely here to fill the roster. They knew their chances of being selected were almost nonexistent.
But that didn't stop them from advertising here, did it?
After thirty minutes, the first starship manufacturer stepped down.
Next came the second, the third...
Zhao Chen glanced at the schedule and was somewhat surprised.
Whether by design or coincidence, the Hurricane Consortium's T2 Hyena-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer, the favorite in this procurement, was scheduled to appear last.
Perhaps it was assumed that the T2 Hyena-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer would most likely win the bid, so placing it last gave the other T2 interstellar destroyers a chance to showcase themselves.
And, as luck would have it, the sixth contender to take the stage was none other than Li Yaqi's North Goose Starship Technology Group's T2 Tibetan Mastiff-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer!
This was too interesting.
By the time Li Yaqi finished presenting the various capabilities of the T2 Tibetan Mastiff-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer, everyone present would surely be astonished.
The expressions of the father and two sons from the Hurricane Consortium would undoubtedly be quite a sight.
Zhao Chen's gaze fell on the audience seats closest to the central stage, where the father and two sons of the Hurricane Consortium sat upright, watching the performances of their so-called competitors with confident expressions.
In their eyes, this procurement was undoubtedly already in the bag.
A faint smile curled at the corner of Zhao Chen's lips.
Several hours later.
The host took the stage again: "Next up is the T2 Tibetan Mastiff-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer, produced by the North Goose Starship Technology Group."
North Goose Starship Technology Group.
Upon hearing this name, many in the audience showed expressions of interest.
Because their T1 Wolf Louse-class Medium Starship Destroyer has now become the best-selling model among T1 Interstellar Warships.
Moreover, over the past six months, they have successively launched several excellent interstellar warships.
This has suddenly propelled the North Goose Starship Technology Group into becoming a rising new group within the Stellar Glory Empire, showing momentum reminiscent of the Hurricane Consortium in its heyday.
Li Yaqi, dressed in a long gown, gracefully stepped onto the circular stage.
Under the gaze of everyone, she raised her hand and projected the holographic image of the T2 Tibetan Mastiff-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer.
Next, her performance would become the most spectacular moment of this Military Procurement Conference!
Li Yaqi began to speak, but her words took everyone by surprise.
"Everyone, to provide a more detailed demonstration of the T2 Tibetan Mastiff-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer launched by our group, we have specifically used data from a competing company's interstellar warship. Please take a look."
Afterward, Li Yaqi displayed a model of an entirely black starship along with its relevant data information.
Even so, everyone could recognize at a glance that this so-called "competing company" was none other than the Hurricane Consortium's T2 Hyena-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer!