Armed Train in the Apocalypse

Mechanical Testing Laboratory.

”Your ideas are good, but the leap is too large. Although exoskeletons and Power Armor are similar types, their designs are vastly different. You should not abandon the foundational exoskeleton; perhaps it can be compatible. If you reduce the size a little, it can also reduce the attack surface. There’s no need to insist on myoelectric control; electric assistance is enough to achieve your usage targets...”

”For instance, this parameter is quite vague. Male pilots generally weigh more than females, even exceeding over a hundred pounds, and this weight will affect the endurance of the Power Armor and the ammunition it can carry. But that’s not enough; we must also consider the Evolver factor. Evolvers have stronger physical qualities, but their body density will also be higher. These parameters need to be recalculated...”

Having completely integrated into the train, Mr. Zhou explained various issues on the design diagram to Yu Jing and the other.

Even someone as proud as Tan Yunxi listened attentively.

Shortly after, the blank spaces on the design diagram were filled with various component diagrams, densely packed with formulas.

Old Jiang came in and saw this scene but did not disturb them. He put a box on the table and left.

Yu Jing glanced back and noticed that all the crew were eagerly watching the three of them.

Instinctively, she looked up at the clock on the wall and realized it was already time to finish work.

These crew members had been working continuously for thirty hours. They’re tired, and so am I.

Mental labor also consumes physical energy.

Yu Jing simply said, ”Pack up; you can go rest now.”

The crew sighed in relief, packed their things, and quietly dispersed.

Mr. Zhou also stopped his explanation and watched Yu Jing turn over the square wooden box that was a meter by a meter.

One by one, precise parts were placed next to it.

Dean Zhou gazed at the familiar objects, slightly surprised, and approached, ”This seems like...”

Yu Jing looked up, ”Did you make this?”

Dean Zhou nodded, ”You brought them up? These parts have minor defects, and I haven’t had the chance to adjust them.”

”These were exchanged initially, using resources.”

”Oh?”

Dean Zhou was a bit surprised and then frowned, ”These were in my warehouse, how did they...”

As he spoke, Dean Zhou seemed to understand something.

He sighed quietly.

”Someone must have secretly sold them to the train.”

Tan Yunxi had seen such things often, so she quickly pinpointed the truth.

”This is for you.”

Yu Jing finally found what she wanted, dug out a box of self-heating hot pot from the parts, and handed it to Mr. Zhou.

Seeing her surprised expression, Yu Jing calmly said, ”Your salary is normally halved, but you’ve recently performed exceptionally, so I applied for an additional material reward from the logistics team. It’s not much, but, well... it’s quite delicious.”

Mr. Zhou’s eyes showed a hint of gratitude, ”Thank you.”

”No need to thank me, it’s the train’s Rule, exchanging work for survival.”

Dean Zhou had an oval face. Although her skin had become rough from the Storm Zone’s wind and sand, and fine lines appeared at the corners of her eyes, it was clear she was extremely beautiful in her youth, like a warm Ru kiln porcelain—not dazzling, but able to withstand repeated scrutiny.

Unfortunately, she was much older than Su Huan.

”Let’s call it a day; I’m going to get some sleep.”

Yu Jing stopped talking and left directly.

As Dean Zhou was still in a daze, Tan Yunxi waved her small hand, ”Mr. Zhou, I’ve got a dinner date, heading out.”

Watching the girl vanish in an instant, Dean Zhou felt a faint sense of returning to the pre-apocalyptic days.

After a while, Mr. Zhou categorized the parts on the table for repair, then continued researching Power Armor. Only by achieving results could he gain a say on the train and help more students.

...

The train conductor had an extraordinary performance today, completing the recent workload before dawn.

However, this completion can only last until five o’clock tomorrow morning.

Like the resources provided by Black Kite, various checks to confirm, and each item’s destination and use needed his approval, and the projects where these resources would be applied also needed his approval. Progress and results required his inspection; if unsatisfied, he had to provide feedback.

If it’s a Domain completely unfamiliar, Su Huan had to take supplementary lessons.

Yes, supplementary lessons.

Su Huan might not understand the details, but he should have a rough idea of what his people are doing, not relying entirely on ”professionals” to act freely.

Overall, everything happening on the train and what will happen would summarize with the train conductor.

He would gather various forces and plans into one, advancing towards his goal.

Although each crew leader and Shu Wei had helped him share a lot, there were still many decisions he had to make.

’Perhaps a set of staff teams should be established.’

Su Huan thought while heading towards the back carriage.

The dining hall was quiet, with a row of small lights in the corridor, and a spotlight over the sideboard illuminating a tray below, which held a plate of sour and spicy deboned chicken feet, prepared by Yu Yue as his nighttime snack.

Picking up the tray, Su Huan moved back.

Wan Xing had gone to rest, making the night of Carriage No. 3 somewhat eerie.

Various zombie, mutant beast parts hung on the train, with the slow flashing of raising light, creating a maxed-out atmosphere.

Su Huan ate the crunchy, sour, and spicy chicken feet tendon while watching the skinned mutant beasts on the wall with great interest, then after a while, moved back.

Night in the plant corridor had a beauty different from the day, but few could appreciate it.