Chapter 321.1: Airdropping Management Personnel, H-1 Dragonfly's Maiden Flight

"A controlled fusion reactor relic discovered in West Continent City?!"

Upon receiving this news from Chu Guang, Yin Fang immediately gasped in shock.

Chu Guang nodded. "We've gathered information from reliable sources regarding the approximate location of the reactor. The intelligence seems highly credible."

Suppressing his surprise, Yin Fang pondered for a moment before speaking. "... A backup fusion reactor for the underground transportation network? That's quite a remarkable piece of information. However, even if it's an intact fusion reactor, it hasn't been operational for over 200 years. Repairing it... Won't be an easy task, I'm afraid."

"And, most importantly, how do you plan to address the fuel issue?" Yin Fang eventually sighed.

Conventional fusion reactors and the fusion reactors in shelters had fundamental differences. These differences were not only in terms of fuel rod size but also in the design philosophy of the entire system.

One served as a substitute for public facilities, while the other was the energy core of a permanent installation. The former pursued energy utilisation efficiency, while the latter prioritised durability.

Even if it had been shut down for over a century or two, the reactor in the shelter could still be restarted after inserting fuel rods.

But for a conventional reactor... After being shut down for several decades, chances were that it would not be able to restart properly.

Apart from restarting the reactor, there was an even more critical issue, the reactor fuel.

For 80% of the controllable fusion reactors in the federation, they used third-generation controllable fusion technology that involved a fusion reaction between 2 Helium-3 isotopes. This process released a substantial amount of energy without producing any neutrons.

However, there comes the problem.

To mine Helium-3 on a large scale, there were only 2 choices.

𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Either go to Mercury or to the Moon.

Both options were rather impractical for the current stage of the New Alliance.

After listening to Yin Fang's concerns, Chu Guang pondered for a moment before saying, "No need to worry about repairing the reactor. According to intelligence from the frontlines, Shelter 101 in West Continent City is already engaged in repair work on that reactor. Apparently, the residents of those shelters possess the relevant technology for reactor repair... Or they might be experts in this field themselves."

Yin Fang nodded. "Your speculation is reasonable."

After a pause, Chu Guang continued. "Based on the same reasons, there is no need to worry too much about the fuel situation either. Since they believed repairing the reactor was necessary, it is highly probable that they have already acquired the fuel required to start the reactor, or... At the very least, they have obtained the coordinates of the fuel."

Yin Fang's eyes lit up. "That makes sense. If they can’t resolve the fuel issue, fixing the reactor would be in vain. If I were in their position, I wouldn’t bother with the effort either."

"So, the key then is to establish contact with Shelter 101," Chu Guang's face brightened with a smile. "If we manage to drive out the marauders from West Continent City and properly settle the local survivors, we should be able to gain their trust."

Although the doors of Shelter 101 had closed again, they were likely to have maintained observation capabilities on the surface to determine the next opening time.

However, the specific means of observation were unknown. Each shelter's situation was quite different.

Just as Chu Guang was contemplating how to make contact with them, Yin Fang suddenly poured cold water on him. "... That being said, I think you should not be too optimistic."

Chu Guang looked at him. "Why?"

Yin Fang shrugged and continued, "Having dealt with the blue coats, I know they're a stubborn and difficult bunch to communicate with. If they decide that the current surface conditions are unsuitable for rebuilding their homes, they might just dive into nurturing cabins and lie low until the next century before resuming work."

Seemingly realising that he had fired off a barrage of criticism and included his own boss in the splash zone, Yin Fang quickly added, "Of course, I’m not talking about you... You’re an exception."

Hearing this, Chu Guang couldn't help but chuckle, "No worries, even if you include me in that, I don’t mind."

After a pause, he continued, "Difficulty in communication is indeed a problem, but we still have to give it a try."

After all, it was a controlled fusion reactor.

Even if the remaining fuel reserves could only last 20 years, or even 10 years, it could still save the New Alliance a significant amount of development time.

Players from the old era and the blue coats with core technology could each solve a portion of the development problems in their respective fields.

But to achieve a breakthrough, it ultimately still relied on the legacy of the era of the Federation of People.

Leaving the Scientific Expedition Team's office, Chu Guang took the elevator down to level B4 and returned to the sofa in the browsing room.

In about 10 minutes, Chu Guang edited a document on the computer regarding the reinforcement plan and issued instructions to various departments. "The first batch of rescue supplies will mainly consist of food, medicine, and a small number of weapons. The airdrop plan will be executed by Steel Plant 81’s H-1 'Dragonfly' project team."

"Additionally, the New Alliance will establish a temporary office in West Continent City's Hope Town to conduct population counts, register household information, distribute supplies, and provide assistance to survivors."

It was not just supplies. They also needed to airdrop a few management personnel. Since Hope Town had become a part of the Alliance, they could not neglect them.

This included training guerrilla teams, rebuilding management systems, taking over logistics matters, and more... These tasks would commence once the aid supplies arrived.

As for the selection of personnel for the office...

Chu Guang pondered for a moment.

This person should ideally have a thorough understanding of West Continent City and possess a certain level of experience in settling and managing displaced people.

Most importantly, they needed to firmly maintain the stance of the New Alliance, without being influenced by pre-existing social connections.

Considering these factors, Chu Guang suddenly thought of a suitable candidate.

...

North of Dawn City, in The Home of Refugees apartment complex.

Since taking over more than 600 survivors from Bluestone County, the space, which had not been abundant to begin with, was now packed to the brim.

To address the shortage of manpower, the logistics department had recruited from the displaced population a group of survivors, who were literate and had some management experience to serve as assistant managers.

As the leader of the West Continent City refugees, Ma Ban naturally ended up being recruited into the team of assistant managers and was trained as a reserve talent.

Ma Ban had been working diligently the entire time.

It was not just because many of the accepted refugees were his fellow settlers, but also because he yearned to integrate into the New Alliance collective through his job.

They were a group of homeless people. The fact that the New Alliance was willing to accept them was their sole reliance.

Even if the Bonechewer Clan was defeated, they could not return to West Continent City. There was no longer a place for them there.

However, what Ma Ban had not anticipated was that he had only been in the position of assistant manager at The Home of Refugees for less than 2 months when he received a transfer order from the logistics department.

Moreover, it was a transfer order concerning his hometown.

"... They want me to be the director of the Alliance's office in Hope Town?" Ma Ban was left dumbfounded after hearing the words from Luca.

Observing Ma Ban's expression of astonishment, Luca nodded and spoke with a serious tone. "This is the administrator's decision."

Ma Ban could not help but ask, "I understand it's the administrator's order, but why... Why me?"

Luca continued, "The administrator said you have a sufficient understanding of West Continent City's situation. He needs a manager who is well-acquainted with the local conditions to represent the New Alliance's efforts there."

Hearing this, a bitter smile crept onto Ma Ban's face. "I do indeed understand the situation in West Continent City, but... My relationship with the West Continent City resistance organisation is far from good."

If their relationship had been good, he would not have led his people southward as refugees.

Seeing through Ma Ban's concerns, Charlie continued, "You don't need to worry about that. From now on, you're representing the New Alliance, not just yourself and your people. We'll send people to assist you in your work. You only need to follow our instructions and carry out the tasks of aiding and resettling the survivors."

Upon hearing that the New Alliance would provide assistance, Ma Ban finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Understanding was one thing, but if the people there did not cooperate with him, understanding their situation would be in vain.

Now, there was only 1 question left.

"The road to West Continent City has been blocked off, right? How am I supposed to go back?"

Although there was Lion Fang in Bluestone County before, the road from West Continent City to Clearspring City was not completely blocked back then. It was still possible to sneak through the forest outside the county at night.

It was impossible to do so now.

Pinewood Forest Valley had turned into the frontline, with trenches covering both sides of the highlands. Trying to slip past the marauders under their noses was nothing short of a dream.

Luca smiled and said, "No need to worry about that, we've prepared an airplane for you."

"Airplane?"

Ma Ban was puzzled, and a sense of unease suddenly crept into his heart.

He didn’t need to feel uneasy for long.

As Luca uttered the next sentence, his premonition quickly turned into reality. "That's right, you'll be flying over West Continent City with the latest equipment from the New Alliance, the H-1. The elite members of the Guardian Corps will accompany you for a parachute jump."

Upon hearing this, Ma Ban was taken aback. "Wait, I've never jumped..."

As if anticipating what he would say, Luca gave him a reassuring smile and patted his shoulder to comfort him. "Don't worry, the Guardian Corps are trusted by the administrator. They are professionally trained paratroopers. You don't need to worry about the landing. You just need to follow orders and set off with your luggage and appointment letter!"

"???"

...