Chapter 17: Satan? Vampire?

Half an hour later…

Mechanical exoskeleton?

Portable hydrogen battery?

MA5B design drawings?

Where did all this cutting-edge technology come from?

Wang Zhaofeng, along with the five young researchers observing nearby, had all these questions in their minds.

Although the data between the various research institutes were not interconnected, everyone still had a rough understanding of each other's work, so when Sui Bian displayed the mechanical exoskeleton and the MA5B, this group of researchers was utterly astonished.

At this moment.

Wang Zhaofeng, with cold sweat beading on his forehead, once again raised his hand to adjust his glasses, looked at the content displayed on the screen, and said to Sui Bian:

"With these… Umbrella will completely secure the top position in the arms industry… Mr. Sui, may I ask once more… which research institute did these come from? Or rather, whose achievement is this? I'd like to meet the person behind them."

"Sorry, Doctor." Sui Bian still shook his head and said: "I'm sorry, but I cannot disclose the source of this information, and I also need you, Doctor, to reverse-engineer its core technology."

"This… ah… okay." Wang Zhaofeng looked dejected.

As a genius, Wang Zhaofeng naturally wanted to meet the person—or people—who designed this cutting-edge technology; it was a case of kindred spirits recognizing each other.

But…

The mechanical exoskeleton, the hydrogen battery that powers it, and the MA5B design schematics were all exchanged by Sui Bian from the system.

So the genius that Wang Zhaofeng wanted to meet was actually the system.

He paused.

"Doctor." Sui Bian continued to Wang Zhaofeng: "With the mother nest's existing equipment and machine tools, can we independently produce the mechanical exoskeleton and the MA5B?"

"No problem at all." Wang Zhaofeng replied without even thinking: "But we need sufficient funding and resources, and initially we still need to explore and adapt; we estimate we can start production in the latter half of this month."

However, Mr. Sui, the output of the hydrogen battery will be low, after all this already exceeds our current technology; as for the mechanical exoskeleton and the MA5B, there won't be major issues,

"Mid-to-late June… hmm…" Sui Bian frowned slightly.

"It's taking longer than expected, but that's fine." He sighed inwardly, then relaxed his brow and said:

"Alright, Doctor, in your opinion, can this hydrogen battery be used in the powered armor or electromagnetic cannon you designed?"

"Not for now." This time Wang Zhaofeng shook his head, then explained to Sui Bian: "The powered armor and electromagnetic cannon I designed consume enormous amounts of energy; the mechanical exoskeleton is on a completely different level from them."

But this hydrogen battery and mechanical exoskeleton have given me many new ideas; I will overturn all previous progress and redesign an armor for elite soldiers.

As for the portable electromagnetic cannon…

"Unless we master micro-scale nuclear fission or fusion technology, it's basically impossible to achieve, but I will try to fully grasp the hydrogen battery technology and blaze a new trail from it."

"Thank you for the trouble, Doctor." Sui Bian said sincerely.

"That's only right; initially Umbrella helped me escape American control, but I have some things I'd like to say to you privately, Mr. Sui—would you do me the honor?" Wang Zhaofeng said with a light laugh.

"Of course."

Afterward, the two left the workshop and came to a corner at the end of the passageway.

Just seeing Wang Zhaofeng's solemn expression, he said: "Mr. Sui, once these epoch-making pieces of equipment enter the market, they will overturn the entire world's order."

As Einstein once said, "I don't know what weapons will be used in World War III, but I know that the weapons of World War IV will surely be sticks and stones."

The company also has deep cooperation with the United States; if this rogue‑like nation obtains high‑tech equipment, it will surely make the whole Earth shrouded in smog and haze.

So, Mr. Sui, I hope that as the company's sole Chinese director, you can as much as possible delay the decision to sell arms to the United States.

?

He paused.

Sui Bian solemnly said to Wang Zhaofeng: "Doctor, you can rest assured on this point: the technology you just saw does not belong to Umbrella; in a sense, it belongs only to me."

In other words, as long as you put the mass production of these equipments on the agenda, only the mother nest will have the capability to produce cutting‑edge individual weapons.

?!

Wang Zhaofeng stared, stunned, as if Sui Bian's answer far exceeded his expectations.

Without waiting for Wang Zhaofeng to voice his confusion, Sui Bian continued: "Doctor, the ultimate goal of these weapons and this technology is humanity's survival; the threats existing in this world far exceed what you can imagine, so we must prepare in advance."

"Threats beyond imagination? What could they be?" Wang Zhaofeng said, utterly puzzled.

In the doctor's view, the greatest threat to humanity is humanity itself.

Greed, desire, violence and other vices are not only manifested in individuals; they can also rise to the national level, as exemplified by the United States.

"Hehe." Sui Bian chuckled and said: "Who knows? It could be vampires? Or maybe Satan? I'm not sure either."

??

Satan?

Vampire?

"How is that possible?!" As a steadfast atheist, Wang Zhaofeng immediately denied it.

"Just treat it as a joke." Sui Bian shrugged indifferently, then once again adopted a solemn expression and said:

"Doctor, as long as the USS obtains the latest individual weapons, Umbrella will no longer be as it was before; it will become a company centered on humanity's future."

"Hmm… given your position, Mr. Sui, there's indeed no need to deceive me; hmm… alright, I'll hurry to complete the mass production of the mechanical exoskeleton and the MA5B rifle." Wang Zhaofeng nodded.

"Thank you for your trust, Doctor; I will also arrange an assistant (Bai Hou) to provide your department with ample funding—just let me know what you need."

(End of chapter)