Armed Train in the Apocalypse

”Leaving the tracks?”

”Hiss...”

The experts exchanged glances, finding it even more challenging than discussing quantum levitation.

Vice President Deng hesitated for a moment and said, ”If the train doesn’t run on tracks, it can only be fitted with tracks, but don’t expect to maintain over one hundred kilometers per hour; even exceeding sixty might be difficult.”

”Sixty?” Su Huan was a bit surprised, not because it was too little, but because it exceeded his expectations by so much; he had even prepared for just thirty. ”What about the load? Can it maintain the armed train’s current weight?”

If speed was lost, then weight became the last line of defense for the armed train.

A great flood rushes in, and without tens of thousands of tons, it’s all in vain.

”Weight is not an issue; the current weight of the armed train is just over ten thousand tons, spread over fifty-five wagons. If we enlarge the track’s ground contact area, the load capacity could easily double.”

Vice President Deng adjusted his glasses and said seriously.

Finally hearing some good news, Su Huan also breathed a sigh of relief, then handed the discussion over to Director Xu.

He would connect with the manufacturing base about specific goals.

The experts had just eased up when they heard about the dense and whimsical modification goals introduced by Director Xu, causing them to hold their breath again.

With Su Huan no longer in direct charge, several experts found the courage to raise questions.

Director Xu and Professor Ma answered in turn.

Xiaozhao opened a 300-inch spliced large screen at the back, projecting some detailed images of the armed train.

Initially, everyone was a bit reserved, but gradually they were captivated by the imaginative modifications.

A group of elders with an average age of over fifty began a lively discussion.

”Can we install some mechanical arms outside the wagons, like those on space stations, to serve as cranes and perform some auxiliary tasks?”

”We must consider the factors of Evolution Beasts and zombies; in face of such terrifying brute strength, a mechanical arm is no different from a twig.”

”Then make them foldable; they can be retracted onto the train body and deployed into the ground to stabilize the train body in certain situations. Now the train has two stories, with a height exceeding six meters, so balance needs to be considered.”

”Solving the balance issue is simple; since we’ve added tracks, why not widen the entire train body to solve the balance issue and expand interior space?”

”What about the tunnel width limits?”

”Past Qingchuan, there aren’t many mountains, so we don’t need to consider width and height limits.”

”Moreover, with tracks, we can go directly on the highway. Width limits? Just crash through them with this thick armor!”

Vice President Deng, a round-faced elder, said excitedly.

It was clear he had been daring in his youth.

”Ahem...”

Director Xu lightly cleared his throat, interrupting the intense atmosphere. He arranged his materials before him and said, ”The idea of mechanical arms is great, but currently, we need to address the conversion of the train to a ship.”

”Converting to a ship isn’t difficult. I remember Chairman Wan has a ship parts manufacturing plant in Shun’an, right?”

Vice President Deng asked.

Wan Hao, who had been silent, nodded. ”We specialize in propulsion system parts and can bring them over anytime if needed.”

”But it’s not as simple as converting to a ship; from the description, it feels more like converting to a submarine,” one expert suddenly said.

Everyone looked at the description again.

”Indeed, facing floods over ten meters deep, staying in the carriage for over thirty days, my goodness, an underwater train is like the sci-fi stories I read as a child.”

The factory director joked.

Seeing Su Huan sitting cross-legged with a smile, everyone laughed heartily, lightening the mood significantly.

Research is not something achieved under pressure, and those present were seasoned veterans who understood without being pushed.

A more relaxed atmosphere might spark even better ideas.

After all, as the one who ultimately benefits, why not enjoy it?

Vice President Deng took the lead, quickly listing a few challenges in converting to a ship.

The first is sealing and corrosion resistance.

The second is internal circulation.

The third is the propulsion system.

The fourth is positioning.

The fifth is security.

Su Huan listened with interest; each item had its intricacies once broken down.

Take internal circulation, for instance.

If the floodwaters did not recede soon, the train would need to remain submerged.

The most direct issue is oxygen consumption.

However, the train doesn’t need to worry about energy, which solves this problem easily.

Just carry a sufficient number of oxygen generators.

Then add something like the ”LiOH filter,” which Su Huan understood to purify carbon dioxide.

Anaerobic digestion tanks for processing kitchen waste could convert it into methane.

Non-biodegradable garbage could be compacted and stored in isolation chambers, to be discarded once above water.

An air circulation system and a temperature control system are also necessary.

They even considered the issue of using the restroom, proposing a vacuum toilet plus an incineration treatment solution.

Positioning involves a detection and positioning system in the water.

After all, the turbulent floodwaters are murky, and relying on visual observation is unreliable.

Traditional detection methods were disrupted by the universal energy.

Fortunately, evolution solved many problems. What machines and science couldn’t resolve were left to Evolvers and universal energy, like the mutated plants in wagons 7 and 8, providing ample oxygen and serving as a backup for oxygen generators.

Time silently slipped into the evening, and outside, heavy rain continued to pour, clouds pressing the night deeper, with only the faint glow of guard posts visible.

The excited people in the meeting room were oblivious.