Chapter 397 The Twelve Black Boxes and the Messenger from the Desert

   While Chu Guang was talking to Mother of Death Claw, Heya was standing by the side.

   After the one-to-one communication was over, she finally found a chance to get into the topic, took a deep breath, and walked forward to introduce herself.

   "Hello, I am a researcher of the Alliance, from Vault 117, mainly engaged in life science research..."

   Seeing the amber pupils looking at her, Heya had a slightly embarrassed expression on her face, and continued speaking quickly.

   "What's going on with you is… surprising. I'll periodically… er, draw a little blood from you, mostly for your health—"

"It's for the experiment, but it doesn't matter. This body is not my property. It is the crystallization of the wisdom of hundreds of thousands of researchers." Take it away."

  He Ya breathed a sigh of relief, and hurriedly continued.

   "…Thanks, I won't hurt you."

  Although she couldn't wait to figure out the mysteries of this guy before coming here, but taking an intelligent creature that can speak human language as an experimental subject still made her somewhat complicated.

  It's great that the other party is willing to cooperate.

  Averting her eyes from Heya, Mother of Death Claw looked at Chu Guang.

   "If I continue to inject serum, my body will continue to grow, and theoretically I can live forever... But the space here can no longer accommodate me. I plan to stop injecting. This body theoretically still has 47 years of life span."

"Now that the traitors are dead, the authority of Vault 79 has been transferred to you, and my confusion has been answered. I can accompany you for another 47 years. When you recover the research results from me, I plan to act like a normal Like the last bit of time in my life.”

   Chu Guang nodded.

"that is your freedom."

  Mother of Death Claw smiled.

   "What about you? What are you going to do next?"

   Chu Guang looked around.

   "I'm going to visit here and take a look at the black box in your warehouse by the way."

  The latter is the key.

  Twelve black boxes.

   That's more black boxes than he's seen in the past year combined.

   "Black Box..."

  Mother of Death Claw had a dazed expression on her face, as if she remembered something from a long time ago, "Speaking of which, there are still a few black boxes here... how many are there?"

  Chu Guang: "Twelve, I just checked through the camera... By the way, have you never used it?"

"It may have been used a long time ago, when I was a human being. As for now, those things are useless to me, but I still remember their functions..." Mother of Death Claw said with a faint smile, "If you don't mind, I can introduce you."

   Chu Guang nodded.

   "Trouble."

  …

  The functions of the black box are clearly written in the user manual.

   Not only the black box is a fool's operation, but even the user manual is the same.

  After all, the original intention of the design of the whole set of equipment is based on the worst assumption that "the survivors of the wasteland era have completely forgotten the text and the original culture". Even monkeys or gorillas can think about using it after seeing it.

  From this point of view, the introduction seems redundant.

  However, since the previous manager offered to serve as a "product introduction", Chu Guang naturally would not refuse.

  It has a bionics chip installed in its brain, which, like VM, can be used as a terminal to connect to the shelter system.

  Chu Guang gave it a hummingbird drone, and then followed it with Heya to the warehouse of the shelter.

  The alien species on the way to the warehouse has been emptied.

  Moving along the stairs to the bottom floor of the building, Chu Guang quickly saw the twelve black boxes with different areas in a room of hundreds of square meters.

  The smallest of them is only the size of a suitcase and can be picked up with one hand.

  The biggest one can't be called a box at all, it directly occupies a quarter of the room, and the whole is a detachable workshop!

   It was the biggest guy who shocked Chu Guang the most.

  When he finished reading the instructions in the user manual, he couldn't help but let out an exclamation.

   "...portable reactor?!"

  The hummingbird drone floated gently to the side of the black box, and the sound of rotten wood rubbing came from the VM.

   "That's right, to be precise, it's the 'Hippo-2' portable reactor, which is an advanced version of the 'Hippo-1' in your power armor."

   "Generally speaking, this type of reactor is used on power armor, but it is not uncommon to use it on ground vehicles and low-altitude aircraft."

  Chu Guang swallowed subconsciously, with excitement in his eyes.

   The core component of the power armor is its portable reactor.

  Because of the existence of the portable reactor, it can allow users to wear heavy armor comparable to tanks to walk on any terrain, and can be used as a platform for carrying various weapons.

   "Haven't you ever thought of using it?"

  Mother of Death Claw smiled faintly.

"It's okay to use... It's so simple, how do you plan to use it? To create non-existent nuclear fuel out of thin air. Even if the black box for producing nuclear batteries is right in front of you, if you can't get Helium-3, you can only be a Decoration."

   "In my opinion, this is the most useless black box here."

  The energy utilization efficiency of the portable reactor is far lower than that of the fixed reactor in the shelter. It is obviously not cost-effective to remove the fuel rods of the latter and use them as materials for the former.

  Vault 79 didn't use power armor at all for the first fifty years.

   And after the end of the Little Ice Age, power armor gradually lost its meaning to them.

  Extremely powerful life forms are not necessarily mechanical opponents.

  For example, that "Yongshi".

   It is still difficult to kill it with a single power armor. In the end, players still rely on continuous damage and crowd tactics to grind it to death.

  From this perspective, what it says makes sense.

  Calm down from the excitement, Chu Guang nodded, thoughtfully.

  “…really, the lack of access to nuclear fuel is a big problem.”

   "If the Earth-Moon route cannot be restored, or if the pre-war nuclear fuel reserves cannot be obtained, I advise you not to think about it for the time being... just look at other things."

  The hummingbird drone floated to the row of black boxes next to it, and introduced it like a few treasures.

"This is a fire extinguisher... There is nothing to say, but the coolant inside is interesting. You can make the fire extinguisher and remove it to get the coolant out. It can basically be used in chemical energy engines, and it is quite convenient."

   "Over there are 'Champion' brand coffee beans, which can synthesize a kind of coffee beans that only grow on plateaus at an altitude of 1,500 meters. In fact, after hearing the name, you should know which company sponsored this thing..."

  Chu Guang touched his chin with great interest.

   "Yin Fang should be interested."

  Heya had a weird expression on her face, and said in a teasing tone.

   "You guys can enjoy it."

   There was a faint chuckle from the VM.

   "It can't be regarded as enjoyment. Most of the researchers here have the habit of consuming caffeine. I think coffee and tea are normal hobbies... Although it does sound strange to produce this thing through a black box."

"The black box next to it is not so normal. Although it is sponsored by the same company, the ingredients of this product are not only caffeine, but also have a mild addictive effect similar to alcohol...'Champion' brand injection, just need to put it on One injection can be exciting for 12 hours, in order not to affect sleep, we usually use it in the morning.”

  Chu Guang said with a strange expression: "...This is actually a stimulant."

   Picking up the manual and flipping through it, besides the instructions for operating the black box, Chu Guang also found a line of redundant description on it.

  Should be something like a slogan—

  【Use the champion to help you win the championship. 】

   "..."

   Good guy.

It really is!

  Mother of Death Claw said softly: "You can understand it this way. The purpose of our use of it is mainly to ensure that we can maintain 100% concentration in work. But after we become Death Claw, we don't need that thing anymore."

   "That little dose can be metabolized in one breath."

   There are a small amount of supplies in the warehouse.

  Chu Guang walked to the side of the black box, put in 57g of charcoal, 20g of sugar, and 500ml of water in sequence according to the settings in the manual, and then turned on the air inlet and power supply.

  Operating this thing is a bit like alchemy to be honest.

  But you only need to press the switch, and you don’t need seals and spells—if the user is not very particular about the sense of ritual.

  The device starts up quickly.

   A few minutes later, a jet syringe about the length of a **** lay quietly on the outlet of the black box.

  Heya immediately stepped forward to pick it up, held it in her hands and looked at it curiously for a while, and then tied it directly on her arm without thinking about it.

  After closing her eyes and feeling for a while, she spoke.

   "Various physical functions have been slightly improved... In words you can understand, the increase in all attributes is 4-20%, and the duration ranges from 6 to 12 hours."

  Suddenly noticing that Chu Guang was staring at her, He Ya was slightly taken aback, and said a little shyly.

   "...what are you looking at me for?"

  Chu Guang said with a weird expression: "I just didn't expect you to give yourself an injection... Is it really okay to do experiments on yourself directly?"

  Heya was stunned for a moment, and said with a matter-of-fact expression.

   "It doesn't matter... Even if there is a problem, I can metabolize it."

  Chu Guang: "..."

All right.

  The high-tech kidney is really awesome.

  To be honest, Chu Guang was a little envious, but the thought of installing some strange parts on his body always made him feel unnatural.

  Besides, more than 20 points of physical fitness is not bad, maybe you can awaken some incredible abilities in the future.

   Let’s talk about bionic organs and so on when I get old!

   Didn't pay attention to the conversation between the two, the drone suspended in the air continued to float to the next black box.

   "These are the two black boxes sponsored by 'Champion'. The stimulant... let's call it a stimulant. It may be of some use to you."

"The variable temperature blue jacket... You should also have this in your shelters. After all, it is standard equipment for most shelters. There is nothing to say about this. There is also this 'Asteroid Brand' canned meat, which is also nothing to say, although it can be added Protein, but the cans are filled with synthetic meat, each can tastes the same, if you eat too much it will make you sick, you probably won't like it..."

   "That's not necessarily the case. It's the wasteland era now. It's good to be able to eat a bite of meat. My residents are not picky eaters." Picking up the manual, Chu Guang flipped through it with interest, and was more and more surprised.

  Synthesize five cans in one minute!

  As long as the hand speed is fast enough, it will be 5000+ per day. Calculated based on the net content of each can of 480g, the amount of meat produced in a day is equivalent to...

  2400 kg? !

   After calculating this number, Chu Guang was shocked.

  The amount of meat is as good as ten cows!

With only one black box covering an area of ​​less than ten square meters, it perfectly replaces a ranch with an annual output of 3,650 cattle, and covers the entire industrial chain including a series of processes including slaughtering, sterilization, canning, etc. .

  This black technology is really a bit unpopular.

"...Hehe, I know what you're thinking, but I still have to remind you that the black box consumes non-renewable nuclear energy. Whether it's the electricity drawn from the shelter or from the nuclear battery, the energy is not infinite. You can Use it as a supplement to your food source, but it's best not to rely on it completely, or there will be times in the future when you will go hungry."

   After a pause, Mother of Death Claw continued.

   "What I want to introduce to you is the next black box...'Quqi' biscuit, this thing is a bit interesting."

   Walking to the front of the black box where the drone was hovering, Chu Guang tried to start the machine, staring at the packaging bag lying on the discharge port, and asked with interest.

   "Is there anything special about this cookie?"

  Mother of Death Claw said with a chuckle.

   "That's so special... You can try a piece."

  Chu Guang subconsciously looked at Heya.

   Without any hint from him, Heya curiously walked to the outlet of the black box, picked up the biscuit, opened it, and threw a piece into her mouth.

  After chewing for a while, a surprised expression appeared on her face, she threw another piece in her mouth, and muttered.

"…weird smell."

  Chu Guang slightly raised his eyebrows, and stuffed a piece in his mouth. The faint sweetness spread along the taste buds, as if it was just ordinary sucrose. And I don't know what chemical reaction happened, the biscuit is obviously not very hard, but it has a very obvious grainy feel.

   Generally speaking, it tastes very strange, but unexpectedly, it makes people want to have another piece.

   "...It's just an ordinary dessert." Chu Guang gave a short comment and stuffed another biscuit into his mouth.

   "Did you taste dessert?" Heya asked thoughtfully.

   Confused by the tone of the question, just as Chu Guang was asking, Mother of Death Claw spoke slowly.

   "Fun Qi biscuits... It is one of the few hedonic products here, and everyone tastes it differently."

  With an interested expression on her face, Heya thought about it for a while, and then said thoughtfully.

   "I see, it promotes the secretion of pheromones in the brain, and by deceiving taste, touch and other organs, it makes people feel that they are eating their favorite food, right?"

Mother of Death Claw: "I don't want to call it a deception, but it did bring us a lot of comfort in difficult times... For us, many delicacies that have disappeared can only be obtained through this way to remember."

   Simulate a favorite food?

   This sounds less like tasting food and more like tasting "memory".

  Chu Guang looked at Heya.

   "Speaking of which, what did you taste like?"

  Heya replied without hesitation.

   "The liver is a bit like the taste and texture of foie gras. I didn't expect to be able to restore the texture."

  Chu Guang: "..."

   Foie gras-flavored biscuits...

   It's really a unique hobby.

  Heya suddenly looked at him curiously.

   "What about you?"

  Chu Guang thought about this question seriously for a while, before speaking in an uncertain voice after a long time.

   "Hmm...maybe a lollipop."

  Thinking about it carefully, the graininess is indeed the same as the crushed lollipop.

   Heya froze for a moment.

   Seeing her looking at him in surprise, Chu Guang hesitated.

"What's wrong?"

  Heya turned her gaze to the side.

   "It's nothing... I just think that your taste is unexpectedly ordinary? I thought that a special creature like you... I mean awakened people, the food they like will be different from normal people."

   What a strange statement this is.

  Chu Guang laughed out loud, and said as a joke.

   "Shows that I'm an easy-to-satisfy person, which I think is a nice plus during these difficult times."

   "That's right...but I haven't seen you eating candy too often." He Ya still had a bit of confusion on her face.

If she remembers correctly, the most indispensable thing in the shelter is that thing, so much that he not only hangs it in the store to sell to other residents, but even occasionally gives it to the nearby children, which once made her suspect that the shelter is Not a black box hiding lollipops.

   Facing Heya's question, Chu Guang made a helpless expression.

   "Don't ask me, I don't know... If you are curious, just get a few samples and go back and study it."

  This kind of biscuit might be very popular in Ideal City.

  Funny laughter came from the VM.

   "Hehe, don't pay too much attention to this issue... What you liked before may not be what you like now, and when you are in a different mood, the taste may not be the same."

   "Hope it brings you joy, not confusion."

   "Young managers."

  …

In addition to producing portable reactors, cryogenic fire extinguishers, variable temperature blue jackets, "Champion" brand coffee beans and stimulants, "Asteroid" brand synthetic meat cans, and "Fun Qi" brand biscuits, there are many manufacturers that produce various daily necessities black box.

  Although everything has its meaning, in Chu Guang’s view, the most valuable among them is undoubtedly the black box that produces the “Hippo-2” portable reactor and the “Champion” injection.

  Nuclear fuel is not easy to get, but Yin Fang can help to think of a way. With the Portable Reactor, the Alliance has the hope of producing its own power armor!

   Not even just power armor.

  As long as the fuel is secured, it is no problem to build a nuclear-powered tank!

  Who said electromagnetic guns can't be put on the car?

   Isn't this all right?

   As for the "champion" injection, Chu Guang intends to sell it to his little players.

  A buff that enhances all attributes, and it lasts for 12 hours.

  One only sells for 50 silver, so it shouldn’t be expensive, right?

  …

   While Chu Guang was admiring his booty with satisfaction, a group of special guests ushered in far south of Linghu Wetland Park in Qingquan City.

  They led the mutated camels, there were about twenty people, all of them were wrapped in robes and sand-proof turbans on their heads.

  Looking at the oncoming caravan, the two guards standing at the door looked at each other, one of them stepped forward, looked at the leader and said.

   "The front is where the Union Guard is stationed. If you want to go to the commercial street, you have to enter through the north gate of the Wetland Park."

  Take off the turban, Kaliman stepped forward and said respectfully.

   "We are the envoys of the Lion Kingdom, from Luoxia Province... I want to see your manager."

   "The messenger of the lion kingdom?"

  Xu Shun, with a rifle on his back, walked up to him, looked up and down the man with a strange face, and continued.

   "Do you have anything to prove your identity?"

   "This is a letter of appointment written by our Majesty." Kaliman took out a roll of silk from his arms and handed it to the young guard in front of him.

  Xu Shun noticed that the material used to weave this scroll was actually devil silk, and it might have been sold from them.

   But that's not the point.

  Unfolding the scroll, Xu Shun took a rough look.

  The content written on it is roughly that the king of the Lion Kingdom has entrusted all diplomatic affairs of the Lion Kingdom and the No. 9 oasis to the prince named Kaliman in front of him.

  Whether the kingdom exists or not...

  Xu Shun frowned, rolled up the scroll, and returned it to the prince in front of him.

   "...We have not established diplomatic relations with your kingdom, so we cannot verify the authenticity of this letter of appointment, but I have already notified the lord of Dawn City, and he will meet with you later."

   "Where's your manager?" Kaliman asked a little anxiously.

  Before coming here, he heard that the supreme leader of the alliance is a manager, not a city lord.

"The lord is naturally busy with his affairs, and it is impossible to see the guests twenty-four hours a day, but I will report your request to the lord," Xu Shun continued without revealing Chu Guang's itinerary, "now , please come with me first."

  Since the establishment of Dawn City, there have been countless wastelanders claiming to be representatives of one of the forces who have come to ask for an audience. Of course, there are many liars among them.

Xu Shun didn't fully believe the man in front of him, but he still reported his matter to the manager's assistant through VM, and placed his guard next to the guard station, and then took him to the reception room of the Merchant Union , asked the waiter there to pour him a cup of tea.

   After fidgeting and waiting for an hour in the reception room, Kaliman finally met Luca, the lord of Dawn City.

  It was different from the bureaucrats he saw in the city hall of Boulder City.

  The old man with silver-gray hair in front of him seemed to have an earthy smell on his body, and his hands covered with calluses did not look like a civil servant.

   Could it be that he was born as a warrior?

   While speculating in his mind, Kaliman got up from his chair and performed a royal court ceremony for the Lion Kingdom.

   "Dear Dawn City Lord—"

   "Please don't be polite, please sit down, friends from afar."

  After inviting Kaliman to sit down, Luca sat on the sofa opposite him and looked up and down at the slightly younger man.

   "My name is Luka, and I'm the city lord here. I've heard about you from our guard captain. And I also heard that you are coming from the direction of Boulder City?"

  Kariman nodded.

   "Yes, we got there first."

   Luca continued calmly.

   "Have you seen their city lord?"

  Kariman hesitated for a moment, but finally shook his head and answered honestly.

"No…"

  That expression was obviously a mess.

   But this is also expected by Luca.

  The alliance has recently established a foreign ministry, but Jushicheng doesn't even have a department in charge of foreign affairs, so they are not willing to take care of things outside the giant wall.

  If it wasn't for the loan of 200 million chips, if it wasn't for the 400mm main gun that was as powerful as a nuclear weapon, maybe they wouldn't even care about the airship that was about to hit their faces...

   Not surprised by Kaliman's answer, Luka nodded clearly and continued.

  "The manager often teaches us to seek common ground while reserving differences. Although we have different cultures, ideas and beliefs, I don't think this will be an obstacle for us to understand each other...Can you tell me why you are here?"

  Kariman took a deep breath and looked at Luka seriously.

  "The Falcon Kingdom broke their vows before the Spirit of the Sand Sea. They annexed our neighbors with the support of the Legion, and tried to burn the flames of war all over the desert..."

   "We are unable to resist the army of the legion alone, we need your help!"

  (end of this chapter)