novelnext Chapter 412: Dignity
Chapter 412: Dignity
In his century-long previous life, Leo had not only experienced the convenience and efficiency brought by the peak of human industrialization—
He had also been forced to start from zero, attempting to smelt and refine nuclear fuel, and even assemble the corresponding products, all under extreme urgency, high pressure, and hostile conditions.
So now, hammering machinery inside the cave was something he could handle. And this time, he had an even better helper—
Namely, this bulky, oversized, improvised industrial robot.
The robot was something he and Dr. Toomes had modified together. It looked bloated, but once unfolded, it was essentially a miniature smelting plant.
The robot pulled out one large module after another, then used motors and assembly rigs to link them into a small production line.
Ore would be crushed into powder, placed into a chemical dissolving chamber, uranium extracted through an arc furnace, and the high-temperature product then fed into an electromagnetic isotope separation chamber.
Most of the batteries from the first batch of supplies had been stuffed into this robot.
But even that energy wasn't really enough to let it smelt and refine for long periods.
So, the machine also carried a reactor furnace that could directly take uranium ore as fuel—
Crude, but useful.
The only issue was, when the robot was running as a smelter and assembly plant, Leo was left short-handed for doing anything else.
The only other assistant at his side was the Tanzanian Minister of Mining.
Leo fed more ore into the furnace, then looked over at the minister:
"I want to make this clear to you first: because the equipment is somewhat crude, the whole process will further raise radiation levels inside the mine—especially for workers near this machine.
Your protective gear won't stop it. You'll develop radiation sickness—maybe mild, maybe severe. But either way, there will be consequences."
Radiation sickness?ic accelerators in series, would give the radioactive plasma immense thrust, firing it at near-sonic speed.
It was a plasma cannon based on the design principles of the Centaur mecha's artillery, but mounted with a nuclear battery. The shots were smaller, cooler, but much faster—
And radioactive.
This first version wasn't spectacular on paper. Manufacturing limits meant plenty of safety hazards remained. But its killing power against robots would be immense.
"Hopefully I'll only have to use it once."
As Leo spoke, he attached the 1.5-meter, 22.5mm barrel to the robot's chest. In the chest cavity, glowing faintly, were nuclear energy conduits—
Power converging from the limbs, into the chest.
With the tools stripped away, the robot itself became a mobile artillery platform.
"Mr. Lee." Mos, his face covered in dirt, suddenly spoke. "But if we rely on you to handle those Americans, what's the difference?"
"First of all, this is our shared victory."
Leo replied while moving the robot forward, step by heavy step.
"Second, do you have children?"
"One is three, the other six."
"Unless your children are addicted to oil, we have plenty of technologies to ensure they grow up healthy."
Mos collapsed onto the ground, then suddenly burst out laughing.
"You're right, sir. It is a little different."
The robot trudged toward the cave mouth, the 1.5-meter electromagnetic barrel beginning to charge.
The fission reaction in the core roared to life, and as the high-pressure container came online, the conduits shone ever brighter.
Looking at the familiar feedback data streaming across the systems, Leo suddenly felt a wave of disorientation.
He hadn't expected he'd have to return to his old profession.
Bzzzzzz—
The barrel lit up, a ball of superheated radioactive plasma chambered inside—
"One more thing. I'm going to name this weapon... 'Tanzania.'"
"Hah..." Mos laughed. "Can we use this engineering robot's name instead? I don't want our country's name stamped onto a weapon."
Leo looked genuinely surprised, though his steps didn't slow.
"That's fine."
BOOM!