Chapter 127: The Base Vehicle

Glancing at the mission log, Su Wu noticed that the 15-day timer for the Border Exploration mission continued ticking down, even though he hadn't officially accepted it. Realizing he couldn't exploit a loophole to extend the time limit, he promptly activated the mission, allowing the 50% disaster multiplier bonus to take effect immediately.

Over the next few days, Su Wu pushed his manufacturing center and three engineering robots to full capacity, dedicating all resources to constructing the base vehicle. To expedite production, he also enlisted workers from the Qingning Shelter and Zhou Xiwu's large-scale shelter to help manufacture less critical components.

Thanks to this nearly all-out effort, Su Wu completed a prototype of the base vehicle on the fourth day. Although he called it a "base vehicle," its design resembled a land train consisting of three interconnected carriages. Each carriage was roughly the size of a large bus, about 2.5 meters wide and 10 meters long. The two-story structure stood nearly 6 meters tall, with a tracked undercarriage for enhanced off-road mobility.

Due to its massive size, the final assembly had to take place above ground at the farmhouse ruins. This arrangement meant Su Wu could only access the base vehicle by piloting his micro mech to the surface—a somewhat cumbersome process.

August 4th, Midday. After enjoying a hearty lunch prepared by Chen Xin, Su Wu prepared to depart, bidding farewell to the sisters.

"If anything happens, contact me through the official satellite network," Su Wu instructed. "Keep handling things in the shelter as usual. And if you detect any signs of the officials preparing to use force, launch a tactical nuclear missile at the outskirts of Official Shelter No. 1. If that doesn't deter them, target their assembled forces and switch the shelter to full lockdown mode."

"Your safety is more important than anything else."

Su Wu handed the sisters four micro mech missiles, their potency enough to threaten even the most powerful factions. With such a deterrent, even the boldest adversaries would think twice before attacking.

"Can't I go with you, Master?" Chen Yue asked, her voice tinged with sadness. Since moving into the shelter, she had spent the most time with Su Wu, growing deeply attached to him. The thought of separation left her feeling downcast and reluctant.

"It's too dangerous outside," Su Wu replied, gently patting her head. "Next time—when it's safer, we'll go together."

He smiled reassuringly at Chen Xin, then climbed into his micro mech. Under their watchful eyes, Su Wu piloted the mech to the surface and entered the first carriage of the base vehicle.

The cockpit, located on the second floor of the first carriage, was outfitted with an array of electronic buttons and screens, resembling the bridge of a futuristic spaceship. The high-tech setup exuded a strong sci-fi vibe, though actual operation was remarkably straightforward.

With the assistance of the onboard AI, Su Wu could control the massive vehicle with simple voice commands or manual input via the steering wheel.

"Let's go," Su Wu commanded.

After a quick systems check, he activated the engine. The base vehicle rumbled softly as it began moving, leaving the farmhouse ruins and heading toward the nearby highway.

"Current cruising speed: 30 kilometers per hour," the AI reported. "Terrain radar scan operational. Road conditions within 150 meters: clear."

Listening to the AI's updates, Su Wu felt his initial tension ease. Seated in the elevated cockpit with its expansive view, he realized that piloting the base vehicle wasn't so different from managing the shelter's underground control center. Both provided a secure, enclosed space—only now, his shelter could move.

After setting the navigation route, Su Wu delegated driving to the onboard AI and began exploring the vehicle's other features with growing curiosity.

The base vehicle had cost Su Wu approximately 80 survival points, primarily invested in three key areas: defense, battery capacity, and AI systems.

Defense: The vehicle was reinforced for structural integrity, heat insulation, and radiation protection. Battery: A colossal 100,000-kWh energy cell provided ample power for long-range travel and onboard systems. AI Systems: Modeled after the shelter's central AI, the vehicle's intelligence rivaled that of its stationary counterpart.

These upgrades ensured the base vehicle's safety, endurance, and functionality. Other aspects, such as comfort or aesthetics, were secondary and not heavily prioritized.

The base vehicle's three carriages were each designed for specialized purposes.

First Carriage - Living Quarters: This section housed Su Wu's sleeping area, a storage bay for the micro mech, food supplies, water tanks, a small laboratory, and a weapons cache.

Second Carriage - Maintenance Hub: Equipped with one engineering robot, two construction robots, a small excavator, and a transport vehicle, this section served as a mobile workshop. It allowed for emergency repairs and specialized tasks outside the base vehicle.

Third Carriage - Combat Unit: This section contained a drone swarm for aerial operations, a ground combat unit, a hidden rocket launcher, and a 20mm quad-barrel turret. The firepower matched the vehicle's imposing size, capable of repelling most threats.

Together, these features ensured the base vehicle could handle a wide range of challenges, from extreme weather to hostile encounters. And if any unforeseen needs arose, Su Wu's remaining 20 survival points provided the flexibility to adapt on the fly.

As the vehicle cruised steadily along the highway, Su Wu felt an undeniable sense of satisfaction. It was a mobile fortress, uniquely tailored to his needs and ambitions. For Su Wu, this wasn't just a means to complete the mission—it was a declaration of his

capability to conquer even the harshest environments.

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