Chapter 358: How to Respond

In the laboratory, the atmosphere was tense to the extreme.

The blackboard was densely packed with formulas and data, leaving almost no blank space; over a dozen top scientists stared with bloodshot eyes at their respective calculations and simulation results, no one speaking, only the sound of paper and pens scratching and the hum of electronic equipment.

"Damn it, this set of data still doesn't match." Li Mingyuan slammed the chalk onto the ground; the chalk broke into two pieces and rolled a few times on the floor before stopping.

Dean He hurried over: "What's wrong? Where is the problem?"

Li Mingyuan pointed to a set of equations on the blackboard: "The pressure distribution of the Detonation Lens has a 3% deviation between theoretical calculations and actual tests. If it were ordinary explosives, this deviation could be ignored, but for a Mushroom bomb, 3% means an efficiency loss of over 15%, which is absolutely unacceptable."

"Let me see." Dean He picked up the calculation paper and began to check it carefully, his brows furrowed.

Li Mingyuan did not wait for him and turned to walk toward another blackboard, which was covered with parameters and circuit diagrams for the Detonation System: "Lao Liu, how much has the synchronization error of the Detonation System been reduced to?"

Lao Liu rubbed his eyes wearily: "0.05 milliseconds, it has already reached the theoretical limit."

"Not enough." Li Mingyuan said decisively, "The enemy's Mushroom bomb can reach 0.03 milliseconds; we must be better."

"But this is already the limit of existing technology!" Lao Liu said with some agitation, "Our component precision is just like this, unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless we can get more precise crystal oscillators, but only the Polar Bears have that stuff."

Li Mingyuan fell into deep thought, then suddenly his eyes lit up: "No, we can completely use a multiple redundancy system to reduce the error."

He walked quickly to the blackboard, wiped off a section, and rapidly drew a new circuit diagram: "Look here, we use five independent oscillation systems; each system has its own error, but they are always randomly distributed. If we take the average of these five systems, theoretically we can reduce the error to below 0.02 milliseconds!"

Lao Liu stared at the drawing, his eyes gradually brightening: "This... this should work! I'll go do the experiment right away!"

Just then, Professor Zhang from the safety interlock team walked over hurriedly: "Chief Engineer Li, we have upgraded the safety interlock to seven layers!"

"Seven layers?" Li Mingyuan was somewhat surprised, "Wasn't the original plan five layers?"

Professor Zhang nodded excitedly: "Yes, but we thought of a new safety mechanism—we added environmental sensors and the Dandao Guiji Jiaoyan Xitong. Only when the device is on the predetermined trajectory and reaches the specified altitude and speed can the final two safety locks be disengaged. This way, even if the enemy can steal our Mushroom bomb, they will absolutely be unable to detonate it!"

Li Mingyuan showed a satisfied smile: "Good, very good!"

He looked around the laboratory at this group of scientists who forgot to eat and sleep, and a sense of pride welled up in his heart. In this era, without advanced Computers, without high-precision instruments, relying entirely on manual calculations and repeated experiments, to be able to make such progress in such a short time was simply a miracle.

"Everyone," Li Mingyuan raised his voice, "I know everyone is very tired, but we must race against time. The enemy has issued an ultimatum regarding the Mushroom bomb; we must complete our own Mushroom bomb before they launch a Mushroom Strike!"

Dean He suddenly looked up from his calculations: "Chief Engineer Li, I found where the problem is! The pressure distribution deviation is because the propagation path of the detonation wave is not completely symmetrical! If we change the geometric configuration of the lens, changing the spherical surface to a rotating ellipsoidal surface, theoretically we can completely compensate for this deviation!"

Li Mingyuan's eyes lit up: "Right! A rotating ellipsoidal surface! Why didn't I think of that?"

He immediately ran to Dean He's side, and the two were soon immersed in new calculations.

Time passed minute by minute, and the lights in the laboratory never went out. Everyone knew that they were racing against time, racing against the enemy, and racing against death.

Meanwhile, in a secret conference room at the military industrial base, Minister Zhang, Dean He, Lao Liu, and other high-level officials were holding a critical meeting.

"Intelligence indicates that the enemy already has abnormal activity at their Mushroom bomb base," Minister Zhang said in a low voice, "They are very likely preparing for a Mushroom Strike."

The director of the Military Department looked grave: "They have reached a dead end and will likely go for broke, using a Mushroom bomb to launch a suicide attack on us."

"What response plan do we have?" Dean He asked worriedly.

Just then, Li Mingyuan pushed the door open and entered. He looked exhausted, but his eyes were still sharp.

"Sorry for being late," he apologized simply, then went straight to the point, "Regarding a possible Mushroom Strike by the enemy, I have a response plan."

Everyone's eyes were focused on him.

Li Mingyuan walked to the map: "We can adopt a strategy of 'global interference + aerial interception.' First, we use 'Thor' rocket launchers to conduct a comprehensive strike on the enemy's possible launch bases, interfering with their launch systems and command chains."

He circled several points on the map: "These are the bases where the enemy is most likely to launch that weapon; we must maintain 24-hour monitoring. Once abnormal activity is detected, immediately initiate 'Thor' fire coverage."

"Secondly," Li Mingyuan continued, "we will modify six high-altitude aircraft, equipped with special electronic equipment, to form an electronic interference net. This interference can confuse the Guidance System of the enemy's Mushroom bomb, causing it to deviate from its target."

"Finally, and most importantly," Li Mingyuan pointed to a new design drawing, "we will use modified 'Air Strike-1' Missiles to form an aerial interception net. Once an enemy Mushroom bomb is detected, immediately launch missiles to conduct mid-course interception."

The conference room was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard. This was a bold plan, but it was also full of risks.

"Will this work?" Minister Zhang asked the question in everyone's hearts.

Li Mingyuan nodded firmly: "It will work. The key lies in the early warning system and interception precision. Our 'three-machine radio positioning guidance' system has already proven its accuracy and can absolutely be used for interception missions."

"But what if multiple Mushroom bombs attack at the same time?" the director of the Military Department pressed.

"Then our rocket launchers will need to strike first," Li Mingyuan explained, "destroying most of their launch facilities to keep the threat within our interception capability."

Minister Zhang fell into deep thought, then finally looked up at everyone: "This is our only choice. Immediately activate Chief Engineer Li's contingency plan; all departments must cooperate fully!"

After the meeting ended, the entire military industrial base immediately entered a wartime state.

The R&D team for electronic interference equipment worked day and night, and the engineers modifying the high-altitude aircraft set up simple beds right in the hangar to solve technical problems at any time. The modification of the "Air Strike-1" Missiles was also in full swing, with every screw being repeatedly checked; not the slightest error could be tolerated.

The "Thor" rocket launcher troops also entered the highest state of alert, on standby 24 hours a day, ready at any time to launch a lethal strike on the enemy's Mushroom facilities.