Reborn in 2014: A One-Man Tycoon

Meng Chuan's reluctance to use Starlink satellites to monitor observers is not unfounded.

When Meng Chuan was returning to Earth from Mars, the starship suddenly lost contact with the Earth command center.

It was caused by interference from the observer's signal.

The observers' activities in Antarctica went completely undetected by satellites from multiple countries.

Only Professor Van der Sar detected the anomaly using the most primitive astronomical telescope.

These two points are sufficient to demonstrate that the observers have a thorough understanding of Earth's satellite system.

It can even easily conceal its own traces.

If Shadow Butterfly were to rashly use Starlink to observe, not only would it fail to uncover the truth, but it might also alert the enemy.

The observed individuals knew that Meng Chuan had begun to suspect them.

“Establish a dedicated astronomical observation department.”

Meng Chuan instructed Ying Die:

"Find a group of trustworthy astronomers, not necessarily the top ones, but they must be absolutely reliable, preferably people from within our Green Gang."

"Let them set up observation points in the North and South Poles and high mountains near the equator, using only manually adjusted astronomical telescopes without any network equipment."

Yingdie immediately obeyed and left.

Meng Chuan's guess had startled her.

Moreover, the more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

Therefore, Shadow Butterfly is also quite eager.

Three days later, more than forty temporary observation points were secretly set up around the world.

Telescopes have been set up next to the research station on the edge of the Antarctic ice sheet.

Windbreaks have been erected in the permafrost zone within the Arctic Circle.

Observation points were also set up on Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, which is crossed by the equator, and the Andes Mountains in South America.

At each location, two members of the Green Gang worked in shifts around the clock with an astronomer to record all unusual lights and shadows.

A dozen days later, the first batch of observation reports were delivered to Meng Chuan.

"The white light was captured by observation points in both the Antarctic and the Arctic. The frequency was consistent with Professor Van der Sar's description, flashing once every three hours and lasting about ten minutes each time."

Yingdie pointed solemnly to the hand-drawn star map on the report:

"The most crucial point is the equatorial zone—the same light clusters have appeared over the African savanna and at the edge of the Amazon rainforest, only for shorter durations, as if they were moving rapidly."

Light and shadow appeared in all three places that Meng Chuan suspected.

This seems to bring us one step closer to the truth that Meng Chuan suspected.

Meng Chuan's finger pointed to the label "African Savannah":

Is there anything unusual about the tribes here?

It may be difficult to conduct research in such desolate places as the Antarctic and the Arctic.

However, there are people living near the equator.

Although many of them exist in the form of tribes.

But at least there are people around, and we can communicate and exchange ideas.

There have been several missing persons cases.

Yingdie retrieved a local police record:

“Three Maasai hunters went out to track lions and never returned. The people in the tribe thought they had been attacked by wild animals and didn’t take it seriously—such things are all too common on the grasslands.”

Police forces are also stationed in these areas.

However, the police's management of the tribe is very lax.

Many tribes are even autonomous.

Even if the police have a missing person report, they generally won't start an investigation.

Meng Chuan fell silent.

The hunter's disappearance may be a coincidence.

However, considering the observers' need for "large mammals" and the timing of the light clusters' appearance, this coincidence seems far too frequent.

"What about Professor Van der Sar?"

Meng Chuan asked.

"We checked all his communication records, including private letters and academic emails, and found nothing unusual."

Yingdie shook her head:

“He even complained on astronomy forums that ‘nobody believed my findings,’ which makes it seem unlikely that he had any connection with observers.”

If there was some secret deal between him and the observer.

He wouldn't have made such remarks publicly on the forum.

Just then, a faint light suddenly appeared on the Stardust controller in Shadow Butterfly's hand—it was the Observer.

Each time the observer tries to contact Meng Chuan, the ring on Ying Die's hand glows.

After a moment's hesitation, Meng Chuan decided to travel to outer space with Ying Die on the Stardust.

"Representatives of Earth's civilization, the samples we need have not yet been delivered."

The observer's voice was tinged with obvious impatience:

"Fifty humans, and an equal number of large mammals—lions, elephants, buffalo—are all acceptable. Our patience is limited."

Meng Chuan pinched the bridge of his nose.

Death row inmates can also be "coordinated" from within the prison system.

But large mammals, especially those that the observers have specified, are large species that are "powerful".

Moreover, most of them are protected animals.

Even if he could use the Green Gang's resources to hunt privately.

How can dozens of elephants and lions be transported onto a starship and then delivered to a transit station without being noticed?

This cannot be hidden from the monitoring systems of various countries.

"Fifty human samples can be provided initially, and they are already en route."

Meng Chuan tried to keep his tone steady:

"But large mammals... Earth's laws protect them strictly, and I need time."

Meng Chuan's words were not entirely an excuse.

Once the observers obtain the memories of those death row inmates, they should know that what Meng Chuan said is true.

"The efficiency is too low."

The observer's voice turned colder:

"To expedite the process, we can provide a 'space transport ship'—capacity sufficient to carry one hundred large creatures, and capable of stealth so it cannot be detected by Earth's radar."

Clearly, the observers have gained some understanding of Earth's laws.

He could help Meng Chuan resolve any of his concerns.

A 3D model of the transport ship immediately popped up on the communicator screen:

It is entirely silver-gray, shaped like a flat willow leaf, and marked with "load capacity 500 tons" and "optical stealth".

Meng Chuan's heart skipped a beat.

Stealth transport ships—Meng Chuan desperately needs these.

Although the Stardust is fast, it is still too small.

With it, samples can be transported silently.

In the future, Meng Chuan could also secretly transport large quantities of supplies to Mars.

Instead of having to apply for approval every time a starship is launched, as is the case now.

Of course, Meng Chuan was even more aware that this was the observer's way of "pressuring for payment."

They gave Meng Chuan convenience, so they would never tolerate any further delays.

"As soon as possible."

Meng Chuan slowly opened his mouth:

"I will send the first batch of mammals to the transit station within a week."

After the communication was interrupted, Meng Chuan and Ying Die returned to Earth.

But Yingdie looked at Meng Chuan with concern:

"Are you really going hunting?"

Protecting animals is nothing to the Shadow Butterfly.

What the Shadow Butterfly was more worried about was that the observer's plan would succeed.

"No need to hunt."

Meng Chuan's gaze fell on the map of the African savanna:

“Among the Maasai tribes, there must be domesticated bison, camels, and even hyenas. Find a reason to ‘buy’ a batch.”

"But……"

Yingdie was about to say something more.

But Meng Chuan raised his hand to interrupt:

"No buts, we can't refuse right now. Unless..."