Chapter 390.2: Ideal City

Expedition for the sake of ideals was just a slogan. Even if they return empty-handed, no one would blame them.

No one expected that the group of dullards would actually find Shelter 0!

It was also because of that that the major groups that once supported the expedition began to adopt an ambiguous stance. The only faction steadfast in supporting the expedition was the Silver Wing Corporate Group.

It wasn't for lofty ideals, but because they invested in building the Pioneer.

The land fortress not only embodied their efforts, but the crew aboard were elite talents nurtured by them.

There was no need to mention anyone else... Luo Yong’s son was on board that fortress...

Although he was casual when he mentioned cloning another son if his actual son died, it was just talk.

Technology could solve many problems, but not all problems could be solved with technology.

Looking at Kang Le sitting on the sofa, Luo Yong said seriously. "I don't expect to convince you with reasoning, let's talk about terms."

Instead of asking about the terms, Kang Le focused on him. "Oh? What do you want me to help you with?"

"In two hours, the data analysis should be completed" Luo Yong glanced at the time on his watch and continued, "By noon, we will submit a proposal to expand the reinforcement scale. We've already gained the support of Long Axe Group; we just need one more vote. I hope you can persuade the Health Luxury Corporate Group's board to support our proposal at the Enterprise's highest board meeting."

Long Axe Group was the largest arms dealer in Ideal City.

Kang Le wasn't surprised that Silver Wing Corporate Group managed to gain their support.

Those arms dealers are eager for heated battles outside, constantly pushing their products with promotions while criticizing the Enterprise's armament capabilities, demanding the expansion of the assault teams.

Although the Enterprise comprised thousands of subsidiaries, each with voting rights in major decisions, since the majority of shares were controlled by five major groups, a proposal supported by three of those giants would undoubtedly pass.

Conversely, if three opposed it... The proposal would fail regardless.

Kang Le thought for a moment, realizing that Luo Yong likely hit a wall with the other two groups before approaching him.

It made sense. The Endpoint Group, specializing in Artificial Intelligence, and the Ideal Corporation, focused on public utilities and urban construction, were indifferent to wasteland affairs.

It seemed like the only faction Luo Yong could persuade was his.

"Increasing reinforcements... Health Luxury Corporate Group can accept equipment provision and financial aid, but that's it. I'm not sure what deal you've struck with the Long Axe Group, but the assault teams are already large enough, and you wouldn't want those war enthusiasts to grow too powerful either, would you?" Kang Le muttered.

Luo Yong's expression remained unchanged. "Our deal with them doesn't involve expanding the assault teams. It concerns other fields."

Kang Le scrutinized him for a moment before nodding slowly. "Fine, I can help you, but I'm just one shareholder on the Health Luxury Corporate Group's board. You can't expect me to persuade everyone with just words."

Luo Yong said nothing, waiting for him to continue with his conditions.

After a brief pause, Kang Le continued, "If you're willing to relax your stance on the proposal involving bionic robots participating in public affairs, I believe they might agree to your request."

Hearing what was said, Luo Yong sighed in relief, a faint smile finally breaking his stern expression. "Deal."

...

Far away in the River Valley Province...

The first rays of light came from the horizon as the residents of Dawn City opened their windows and stepped outside to welcome a new day.

Meanwhile, someone in Shelter 404 had stayed up all night, still buzzing with energy as they sat in front of a uniquely designed computer.

"Unbelievable! Guess what I discovered in that data?!"

Without looking at the person with eye bags making him look more panda-like than a panda, Chu Guang, sitting on the sofa nearby, replied absentmindedly. "What?"

"The order for the Lagrange Space Station Docking Module Modification Project!" Yin Fang yelled in excitement. "I knew it! An independent research facility that possesses a satellite had to be extraordinary!"

The Lagrange Space Station, huh?

That’s pretty impressive.

With the Army pressing closer, Chu Guang couldn’t spare the time to think about such distant matters. He was more concerned about reinforcements from the East Coast.

Still, he quipped, "Are you planning to complete the order for them?"

Yin Fang rolled his eyes. "Are you kidding? That order is over 200 years old! By the time the great war that ended civilization broke out in 2125, the design work was only 50% completed."

Chu Guang raised an eyebrow as he knew that Yin Fang wouldn’t really stop speaking about interesting things like that. "And?"

"And they planned to replace the super telescope on Connection Arm 41 with a two-kilometer-long particle accelerator. We even discovered some technology we can recover from their order specs!”

"There are 12 electromagnetic control technologies and 4 key gas molecular manipulation technologies! Five of them reached the E-level technology, three at the D-level, and two at the C-level!”

Holy shit! C-level Technology?!

There are even two of them!

Chu Guang who initially had no interest in things he couldn’t understand, suddenly sat up straight. A look of shock appeared on his face.

Currently, the New Alliance possessed only two C-level technologies. Solid state hydrogen and A3-type Aerospace Aluminium Alloy.

With what they retrieved, they would instantly double their high-end technology tree and the gains truly exceeded his expectations.

Technology was the foundation of the New Alliance’s development.

For Chu Guang, recovering new technologies was more exciting than seeing his cute minions breaking through to LV20.

"Can you elaborate on those C-level technologies?"

"I was about to." Yin Fang smiled smugly and cleared his throat before he continued, "The first is a synthesis pathway for a 10-anion nitrogen compound used for ejection cushioning airbags. It's similar to our solid hydrogen technology, with extremely high energy density. However, unlike solid hydrogen, stacked nitrogen compounds are naturally unstable. It would be better used to build bombs than batteries."

"The other involves nitrogen molecule control, where a gas manipulation field can be used to create a shield. Your hammer uses a similar technology, so it should be familiar to you. But this tech is energy-intensive. Without a portable reactor, it can only work briefly with chemical batteries and capacitors."

Chu Guang smiled. "That's fine! My shelter residents won't mind. By the way, what about the electromagnetic control technology?"

"Ah, that's related to the particle accelerator. In simple terms, it’s a railgun. Anyway, you won’t be to use it anytime soon... Well... Actually, I don’t know.” Yin Fang paused for a second before he continued, "Once the fusion reactor in West Continent Municipality is reignited, setting up a few particle accelerators to be used as anti-aircraft guns should be feasible."

"The materials needed aren't too hard to gather. That would work much better than your cannons."

HOLY SHIT! A RAILGUN!

Thinking of the Pioneer’s electromagnetic point-defense system, which could intercept everything, Chu Guang got excited.

"Can the particle accelerator be mounted on a tank?"

As if expecting his question, Yin Fang replied instantly while shaking his head, "Don't even think about it. Unless you acquire technology for miniaturizing railguns, this is designed for space stations and requires fusion reactors. No amount of scaling down will fit it on a vehicle."

Fusion technology again...

"Alright, forget I asked." Reining in his excitement, Chu Guang sighed with a touch of regret.

If only the New Alliance could produce fusion reactors...

Anyway, thinking about it seemed pointless. More critical than fusion technology itself was the nuclear fuel required for it.

The nearest Helium-3 harvesting station was on the Moon, 380,000 kilometers away.

Noticing Chu Guang’s dissatisfied expression, Yin Fang couldn’t help but tease, "Be content. These are two C-level technologies we’re talking about! At the Academy, this would be enough credit to promote a D-level prospector to C-level."

"I'm not dissatisfied, just wondering when our reinforcements will arrive."

"That, you'll have to ask the Enterprise. But don't expect too much; they’re not the easiest to deal with." Yin Fang snorted.

Seeing the look on his face whenever he mentioned the Enterprise, Chu Guang suddenly thought of something and asked, "Speaking of which, I've always been curious about something."

"What is it?"

"It seems the Academy and the Enterprise don't get along well?"

Yin Fang pondered seriously for a moment before speaking again. "That's a fair assessment. While I personally don't dislike the Enterprise folks, we do have significant disagreements on some matters."

"Over the development of the ruins?" Chu Guang asked thoughtfully.

Yin Fang chuckled. "That's just the surface. How they use the ruins is up to them. The real disappointment lies in their lack of ambition. Whether it's land or knowledge, you'll find they aren’t particularly eager to progress. As for gathering wealth? Perhaps. But I think their desire for wealth is more about indulgence than ambition."

"You'll see their homes are luxuriously decorated, almost indistinguishable from those in the Prosperity Era. Many wastelanders and old-timers dream of living there forever. But to me, it’s the place furthest from the Prosperity Era."

"The Prosperity Era left us many things. Unused fusion batteries, recyclable waste, and black boxes that turn garbage into treasure. However, all of it will run out. If not today, then tomorrow..."

"When we finish organizing the technologies from the pre-war era, we’ll immediately start exploring new areas, seeking ways to restore this planet's ecology to pre-war conditions."

"As for them, they’re just squandering what little inheritance remains."

Yin Fang paused momentarily.

"Of course, there are some respectable individuals among the Enterprise. Searching for Shelter 0 was a good idea... I remember the Academy also sent an expedition into the desert."

Chu Guang was momentarily stunned. "The Academy also looked for Shelter 0?"

"That was years ago," Yin Fang sighed. "I only remember the team disappearing into the desert. No one mentioned it again afterward."