Looking at the old friend who walked down from the open hatch, Chu Guang also stretched out his right hand with a smile on his face.

"Fortunately! Mr. Li, it's been a long time! ”

Standing in front of him at this moment is Li Changkong, the manager of the construction department of the ideal group.

As one of the representatives sent to Dawning City by the Enterprise Aid Alliance, Chu Guang hadn't seen him for a while since the war in Luoxia Province ended.

For a long time, the foreign affairs exchanges between the Council and the Alliance have been handled by the staff of the General Management Department and Yi Chuan of the Overseas Business Department.

Li Changkong's visit to the southern sea area this time is not the enterprise council, but the oldest "king of infrastructure" among the five major enterprise groups - Ideal Group.

At that time, the infrastructure of Ideal City was built by Ideal Group. As for the transformation of property management and operation and maintenance, it will be after the completion of Ideal City.

As for the purpose of Li Changkong's visit, it is naturally to inspect the "trackless space elevator" project proposed by the alliance at the meeting of the Adhesive Community.

It takes a lot of energy to keep Ideal City running, and this work happens to be part of the business of Ideal Group.

If the stable shipping route from the surface to outer space can be reopened, or even the Earth-Moon flight that has been suspended for two centuries can be resumed, it will undoubtedly fundamentally solve the hidden danger of energy depletion that Ideal City may face in the future.

It is precisely for this reason that from the moment the alliance proposed this plan, the ideal group has shown extraordinary interest.

When he heard that the alliance had joined hands with the South China Sea Alliance to carry out site selection work in the southern seas, the chairman of the Ideal Group immediately sent an application to Shu Yu, the alliance's ambassador to the Ideal City, to go to the southern sea areas for on-the-spot inspection.

Seeing that the local tyrants of Ideal City were so interested in their plans, Chu Guang was naturally happy to hear about it, and immediately asked Shuyu to approve their application, and even personally sat on the Conch Submarine Mother to greet him.

Standing on the sturdy steel deck, Li Changkong glanced around, his surprised eyes half shocked and half admired.

Unbelievable.

That once dilapidated settlement with nothing but hope has now completed such an incredible project!

Although the Ideal City is located on the coastline and has the resources to exploit the ocean, it is not outstanding in shipbuilding technology, at least not as good as their aviation equipment.

It's not hard to see why this happens.

After all, in the era of prosperity, the focus of the development of the People's Federation has been shifting to outer space, and the logistics and manufacturing industries on the surface are also moving more or less towards the four major industrial areas near the space elevator.

Under this general trend, the market share of rail transportation and air transportation has ushered in high growth, while sea transportation is actually stagnant or even shrinking.

Coupled with the restricted development strategy of marine resources adopted by the People's Federation of People in order to protect the marine ecological environment, the navigation technology of human civilization has not actually developed significantly in more than a century of the prosperous era, and the ecology of the entire industry has basically maintained the same appearance as it was in the early era of prosperity.

Even if some ships have made progress in materials and power sources, most of them are driven by other high-growth industries and are led by the nose and passively moving forward.

To a large extent, Ideal City inherits the attributes of the era of the People's Union, although it is not a pedantic continuation of the environmental protection policy of the People's Union, but the investment in marine equipment is much lower than that in other fields.

At least none of the five major groups regard marine engineering and navigation equipment manufacturing as their main business.

It is precisely because of this that Li Changkong's heart is so shocked.

Although in Chu Guang's view, the strategic significance of the "Overlord" transport plane is much greater than that of the "Conch" submarine, but in Li Changkong's eyes, it is diametrically opposite.

This thing is so amazing compared to the planes of the Alliance!

"It's amazing...... A mobile airport that can be dived, did you design that? ”

Looking at Li Changkong's fuss, Chu Guang smiled and said.

"I don't dare to be, to be precise, it is a work that we have done together with the people of the South China Sea Alliance."

It's really touching to think about.

Once upon a time, he was also so fussy when he saw the company's Trailblazer.

Now the two sides have exchanged positions, but it is the manufacturing industry of the alliance that has opened the eyes of enterprises.

"It's incredible......"

Looking at the flat deck under his feet, and then at the tall bridge, Li Changkong still had a calm expression, and looked at Chu Guang in confusion and asked.

"How did you keep our ship from climbing onto the deck after months at sea with barnacles and oysters?"

This was not a secret worth hiding either, Chu Guang said in a casual tone.

"Psychic interference devices can be used not only to repel xenomorphs, but also to some of the more intractable shellfish."

Li Changkong had a sudden expression on his face.

"I see."

Although he is not a professional, there is something about this alternative approach.

"It's even more incredible to come," Chu Guang smiled faintly and continued, "Come with me, I'll take you to the cabin to have a look." ”

With that, he walked in front, and together with the guards beside him, he took Li Changkong and his party to the direction of the bridge.

The entrance to the cabin was just below the bridge, and the group stood on the elevator, which, with a slight movement, quickly descended to the interior of the submarine.

I saw that in that wide space, more than 20 alliance carrier-based planes were parked in a column.

Among them, there are vertical take-off and landing transport aircraft such as Viper, fixed-wing aircraft such as "Lightning" and "Thunder", and even "Yunfly" ornithopter imported from Ideal City.

The guide rails of the electromagnetic ejection are directly connected to the hatch with the nose upturned up, and a straight trunk guide rail is connected to several branch rails connected to the fixed-wing carrier-based aircraft.

In the event of a battle, the Conch submarine can immediately project all the aviation equipment stored in the cabin into the air after ascending, form an air attack formation in a very short time, and use the outer deck runway to provide a transit springboard for the land-based air fleet.

In addition to those aviation equipment, the ammunition reserves within the submarine are equally impressive.

I saw that on the missile rack next to the guide rail, there were missiles of different models stuffed to the brim.

Judging from the quantity alone, with the current ammunition reserves of this submarine, it is more than enough to meet the consumption of the three battles!

And not only that, in the mezzanine of the dome of that spacious space, there are also folding "king crab" amphibious engineering armor pillows waiting.

When not in use, they sit quietly on the charging pile and hang up.

As soon as the deployment order is given, they can be hoisted on the inner deck by a robotic arm fixed to the rails, and can be exited by a special buffer passage.

From the moment he entered the cabin, Li Changkong's heart was shocked.

It's a moving sea fortress!

And it's the kind that can dive at any time!

However, what Chu Guang wanted to take him to visit was not how abundant the alliance's martial arts were, but something else, so he took him reluctantly and walked straight to the observation cabin located at the front of the submarine.

On the way to the observation cabin, Li Changkong seemed to finally remember why he came here, looked at Chu Guang who was walking on the side and asked.

"Speaking of which, how is your site selection going? Is it still going well? ”

Chu Guang said with a smile.

"The site selection was last week, and now it has entered the experimental demonstration stage."

Li Changkong looked at him in surprise and said in surprise.

"The site selection is done? So fast? ”

He originally thought that the alliance would wait until the discussions at the Adhesive Community meeting had a result, and at least get some investment before starting the next stage of work, but he did not expect that the project had already advanced to the stage of experimental demonstration.

This efficiency is no one!

Not at all surprised by Li Changkong's surprise, Chu Guang stopped at the door of the observation cabin, glanced out of the wide panoramic window and continued.

"We think that there is no precedent for such a trackless elevator as a matter of no precedent to discuss and not be able to achieve results, and we can only know if we can try it."

Regardless of whether or not it can finally get the support of the Adhesive Community, the alliance will move forward with the project as planned.

Not only because of the threat of "celestial man", but also because the future of human civilization is there.

The legacy of the Heirs Union alone is not enough to get out of the wasteland.

If it wants to truly end the Wasteland Era and keep the flame of civilization burning, the Alliance must face the problems left over from the era of the Human Union.

Rebuilding the space elevator was only part of his plan, and there couldn't be a better time to do it.

Of course, although he will continue to do it regardless of whether there is support or not, it would be good if he could get some "investment".

After all, the more forces that can be concentrated on this kind of project of the century, whether from the perspective of politics or from the perspective of brainstorming, the higher the probability of ultimate success.

Putting away the surprise in his heart, Li Changkong calmed down, looked at Chu Guang and continued to ask.

"I agree with you. But...... From a practical point of view, how do you plan to deal with the garbage floating in orbit? It's an astronomical-level wreckage, and it can't solve this problem, let alone a space elevator, and it's a problem to launch a spacecraft up there. ”

It's not like companies haven't tried to launch spacecraft into outer space, but they've basically crossed low-Earth orbit and become part of the garbage.

It's just garbage.

There is also an automated defense device with a long standby cruise in orbit, which can identify foreign intruders.

Although the Enterprise has cracked a few of these orbital weapons, it is still a drop in the ocean in front of the wreckage of the astronomical digital level.

Compared with whether the idea of "trackless elevator" can be realized, he is more concerned about this more realistic issue.

Not surprised by Li Changkong's question, Chu Guang said fluently.

"We've thought about the issue you mentioned, and we're thinking about using the 'gravity well' to remove the trash from the track."

"Gravity well?" Li Changkong frowned slightly, with a confused expression on his face.

Chu Guang continued.

"The gravity well I am talking about is not a gravity well in nature, but an artificial gravity well, which simply uses graviton manipulation technology to interfere with the gravitational field of the earth itself, creating a downward depression in a specific area of the 'well'-shaped graviton channel, and guiding the orbital garbage moving to the area to actively fall to the area we designate."

Li Changkong stared at Chu Guang in confusion for a long time before he spoke.

"Can this be done?"

He was simply unheard of!

Chu Guang smiled embarrassedly and said.

"We are actually in the conceptual stage, just like the 'trackless elevator', and I am afraid that there is still a lot of difficulty in the specific implementation. After all, the graviton-related technology we have is too limited, and the only 'prototype' was captured from the Legion. ”

Graviton-related technology is a relatively cutting-edge technology even in the era of prosperity, but its application scenarios are not at all.

For example, the most classic FTL engine, the hyperspace shipping lanes between massive celestial bodies, as well as anti-gravity technology and even bias shield technology, etc., are in fact achieved through the manipulation of gravitons.

Although the current manufacturing level of the alliance has risen to a new level with the help of the manufacturing center on the B7 floor, it has only reached the level of being able to make a biased shield, and it is still difficult to reproduce the "frigate core" on the Iron Heart, let alone interfere with the gravitational field of the Great Celestial Body, which is comparable to the black technology of "forbidden spell-level magic".

To be honest, when the experts of the scientific expedition team proposed this idea to him, he couldn't help but wonder if the expert's head was broken.

Before that, Chu Guang was actually more inclined to the brain holes on the forum-

That is, launch N rockets into low-earth orbit and throw some large nets into the sky, just like flying a kite, how many nets can be reached. Every once in a while, I shoot a rocket to get things back, and just like that, little by little, the garbage is transported to the ground.

Although the method given by the experts of the scientific expedition team sounded more convenient than this method of moving mountains, the theoretical part was too difficult for him to understand.

However, hesitation was hesitation, and Chu Guang finally did not make the mistake of a layman commanding an insider, and handed over the argument to the experts of the scientific expedition group.

At present, the preliminary opinion given by the Yin side is that "the feasibility of technology is realized, but the difficulty of realization is probably not small", and there is no direct veto of this possibility.

Li Changkong was obviously stunned by this whimsical idea, and was silent for a long time before he smiled awkwardly and said.

"This ...... It's really beyond my knowledge, I'm afraid I'll have to go back and consult the professors at Yunjian University. But I really didn't expect that you have even considered such a special method, and it seems that Mr. Chu Guang is indeed very optimistic about the prospects of outer space development. ”

Chu Guang said with a faint smile.

"Of course, I believe I don't need to tell you the meaning behind this."

Li Changkong sighed and said.

"That being said, our board is actually more focused on the interests of our feet."

Chu Guang continued softly.

"There's nothing wrong with focusing on the interests of your feet, and you can go further if you take the road under your feet, but in my opinion, you have actually developed the land under your feet very well. In that case, why not magnify your ambitions? You obviously have this ability, so why stick to a small ideal city. ”

Hearing this, Li Changkong's eyebrows couldn't help twitching.

"Is Ideal City still small?"

He felt that this guy was somewhat floating.

Although he admits that Dawning City is developing well, it is a bit arrogant to compare it with Ideal City.

However, Chu didn't give him any face, and continued unceremoniously.

"It's small, and it's not just you, including our alliance, and even the legions that span half of the continent, compared to the territory of the Human Federation era, it's a drop in the bucket. In fact, if you want me to say, you can make the business a little bigger, such as ...... How about opening a branch in Ideal City 5 light-years away? ”

Li Changkong was stunned, but he forgot about his previous unhappiness.

“…… Five light years away? ”

"That's right."

Chu Guang nodded and continued in a gentle tone.

"Farther away than the second south gate...... Don't you have the coordinates of the New World at the core of your colony ships? When we're done dealing with the troubles on the planet beneath our feet, sooner or later we'll have to continue what we didn't do before. ”

Li Changkong said with a smile.

"That kind of thing is too far away."

Chu Guang shook his head and said.

"It's not that far off, and we can start preparing for that day now. I think that the reason why your parents turned around back was probably not to let their descendants be trapped on this hopeless planet forever, they should have believed that new hope could be born here, and believed that you could set off again, so they turned back without hesitation. ”

In fact, it is not appropriate for him to say this, after all, those people are the ancestors of Ideal City, not his ancestors.

It's just that Chu Guang doesn't know why, when he talks about the stories of those people, although he has admiration in his heart, he doesn't have the slightest sense of awe, and even easily brings them into their perspective and thinks from their point of view.

This is somewhat self-righteous.

However, he said it naturally.

Maybe it's because I'm an outsider.

When he talks about that history, it's as if he's telling an ordinary story, as if he's telling a story in a game.

Li Changkong looked at him in a daze, and after a long while, he said with a faint smile.

“…… Perhaps. ”

The residents of Ideal City are not afraid of being mentioned and commented on by others, and they are not as sensitive as the Legion.

However, with that indifferent expression, it was obvious that he didn't take the cake painted by Chu Guang to heart.

However, what Li Changkong didn't know was that the speech that did not make any waves in his heart inadvertently planted a seed in his heart.

It is true that the construction machines of the Ideal Group have been parked in the warehouse for too long, so long that those equipment are almost rusty.

Once the Ideal Group had created incredible miracles in the wasteland, now they had to tinker with the foundations of their predecessors.

Although he was only a manager of the Ministry of Construction, he did not fail to look forward to the great work of his predecessors two centuries ago.

Chu Guang had a sentence that spoke to his heart.

The reason why the Zhiyuan colony ship turned around in the first place was by no means to let its descendants be trapped on this planet all the time and become moldy.

They must have believed that their descendants would be able to pick up their unfinished mission again one day in the future, so they chose to turn back without hesitation to save those who still had hope of saving.

If you think about it......

The flatbread hanging five light years away actually smells quite good.

"I'm interested in your proposal, though...... Can you show me something practical? Following Chu Guang's line of sight and casting his gaze out of the panoramic window, Li Changkong looked at the endless sea level and continued, "The surprise you mentioned to me on the phone...... Is it just the Conch? ”

Before coming here, he had a phone conversation with Chu Guang, and Chu Guang promised him on the phone that he would surprise him when he received him.

He was looking forward to it, especially now that he learned that the Coalition had advanced the project to the experimental demonstration stage.

Standing in the observation pod, however, he saw nothing.

Although the Conch was amazing from an engineering point of view, he didn't come here to learn about the Alliance's maritime power.

The Council may be interested, but that has nothing to do with the purpose of his trip.

"Of course not. As for the surprise I mentioned, you'll find out later. Chu Guang smiled mysteriously, then looked at the captain who was following him closely, and ordered, "Prepare to dive!" ”

After receiving Chu Guang's order, the captain immediately stood up straight and gave a military salute cleanly.

"Yes!"

The captain who received the order took off the walkie-talkie hanging on his shoulder and gave the command in a sonorous and powerful manner.

"Dive the whole ship!"

At the same time as the order was given, the majestic steel body pushed through the waves and slowly sank into the sea level.

Looking at the panoramic window that sank into the sea, Li Changkong suddenly remembered that his plane was still on the tarmac, and hurriedly looked at Chu Guang and said.

"My plane—"

"Don't worry," knowing what he was worried about, Chu Guang gave him a reassuring look, "We've already helped you get the plane in." ”

The apron itself was a lifting platform, and when they stood on the elevator just now, the transport plane that looked like a "Viper" sank into the cabin with them.

Hearing this, Li Changkong finally calmed down and set his eyes on the panoramic window.

At this moment, the picture that caught his eye made him stunned in place.

I saw that in the blue depths, the flickering arcs were like "elves" dancing under the surface of the sea.

A majestic alloy structure was surrounded by countless glittering "spirits" in the center, and the metal structures that extended outward gradually gathered and formed with the flickering light.

Li Changkong's eyes widened in surprise, and he just wanted to ask Chu Guang, who was standing next to him, what this thing was, but the latter seemed to see the surprise in his eyes, and waved his hand at the captain beside him.

The captain immediately understood, and ordered his men to turn on the searchlight at the front of the submarine.

As the milky white light lit up, the entire pitch-black space was illuminated, and it was only then that Li Changkong could see clearly what the flickering elf was.

I saw a manta ray-shaped machine with huge pectoral fins, surrounding a construction site under construction.

The flickering light was the cryogenic arc of electricity emitted from the welding equipment above them.

Under the flicker of the arc, metal tubes and plates are quickly welded to the pre-assembled metal skeleton.

Around the metal skeleton, there are many crab-shaped mechanical bodies that are busy doing more detailed work on behalf of the "manta rays".

“…… The guy who looks like a manta ray is called an electric ray, and it is an underwater automatic welding unmanned boat that we developed not long ago, and I forgot which company's product it is. Those crabs are the 'crab type' that we have improved based on the 'cockroach' engineering armor, you are engaged in engineering, you should have heard of it. ”

Li Changkong nodded stunned, and sighed heartily after a moment.

"Awesome."

Although the company is not lacking in innovation, the terrifying speed of innovation of the alliance has really opened his eyes.

It's just going fast!

Not even a snowball can describe this speed!

While some of this is due to the Corporation, it is clear that everything here has nothing to do with the Corporation, and is entirely created by the Coalition's Vault dwellers and the Wastelanders.

His heart is not only incredulous, but also admired from the heart.

These people are truly remarkable.

Over the past two centuries, Ideal City has done nothing more than a repetition of an era of prosperity, not a step forward.

However, a coalition of survivors who had only been born for a few years had the courage to challenge the heights they never dared to think of - to build a new Tower of Babel that had never been seen in the era of prosperity!

No wonder the Council is so upset about favoring them!

With these torch-carrying men walking in front, even the lazy residents of Ideal City can't help but take a step forward.

Including yourself –

That's why I'm here!

Looking at the man in front of him, Li Changkong suddenly saw an unimagined possibility from him.

If it were him, maybe there really would be hope to put an end to this wasteland!

“…… Before I came here, I actually had some doubts in my mind, including but not limited to hesitating to rebuild the space elevator at this point in time. ”

After a pause, Li Changkong looked at Chu Guang and continued in a serious tone.

"But after seeing what I saw, I was only ashamed of my previous doubts."

"Calculating the value of this project in terms of return on assets is an insult to it, and this is a project that can open up a new era!"

"As you said, if we can really rebuild the bridge between the surface and space, maybe we will one day really be able to regain all the territory of the Human Union Era."

"This magnificent monument should have the names of the citizens of Ideal City on it, please use our power as well!"

That impassioned statement made Chu Guang embarrassed, and he almost couldn't hold back his old face from blushing.

However, he is also an old fritter now, and he has long developed a face like a city wall.

Looking at those sincere eyes, Chu Guang solemnly held Li Changkong's outstretched right hand and shook it heavily.

"I have to say thank you to all the survivors who have united, and are uniting!"

"Thank you for joining us!"

"I assure you that our names will all be engraved on this immortal monument!"

(End of chapter)