Armored train in the apocalypse

Chapter 257 Departmental Subdivision
"Automatic update failed?"

Su Huan's curious voice came from behind her.

Shu Wei's heart tightened, and her fingers skillfully and naturally switched pages as she explained, "It can only update automatically when connected to Black Kite's network."

"Oh, is that so? I thought it was some secret message."

Su Huan said casually.

Shu Wei used her abilities to suppress the bristling hair on her neck, paused for a moment, and instead of continuing the question, pulled up the notes she had just taken.

"Your handwriting is beautiful, so what did you all say?"

Su Huan pushed the tablet away and said lazily.

"The altar core has a universal energy amplification effect, but it requires a large amount of universal energy. Based on this characteristic, Professor Ma disassembled his newly developed communication equipment..."

Su Huan became interested. "Then use this core to amplify the communication equipment? That's a good idea. Where are we stuck now?"

"It can't be installed."

Shu Wei pursed her lips.

The students around him all had strange expressions on their faces.

Professor Ma acted as if he hadn't heard the two of them talking. His expression was solemn and calm as he examined the complex circuits and polycrystalline materials one by one in a specific order.

"It wasn't a complete failure. There was a brief moment of success, but the equipment overloaded before we could test it. However, I have already discovered some secrets of this world."

Intrigued by the old man's mysterious words, Su Huan looked around, grabbed a toolbox, and sat down on it.

"How specific?"

Professor Ma, holding his pliers, said earnestly, "The old transmission methods such as electromagnetic waves, infrared light, sound waves, and even Bluetooth and Wi-Fi have not disappeared, but have been separated by ubiquitous energy."

Su Huan paused slightly, and Professor Ma's so-called "separation" was not difficult to understand.

It's like two people queuing up. They can chat quietly, but if someone cuts in line, it becomes difficult for them to chat quietly, and they need to speak louder.

If there are more tall people in the middle, it's difficult to have a conversation even if you shout loudly.

But that doesn't mean these two people have disappeared.

Just like Yu Yue's sound wave manipulation, if the sound disappeared out of thin air, her ability would lose its basis for existence.

Those burly men cutting in line are what's known as Pan-Energy.

They fill the air; they are everywhere.

They were the ones who caused the communication disruption.

Therefore, all the new communication devices developed have the influence of ubiquitous energy crystals.

It is not to say that general energy has the function of electromagnetic waves and infrared rays.

Instead, it is a versatile medium interspersed among these old media, and only through them can information be transmitted better and faster.

It's like having a big guy cut in line pass on the message.

"So now it's about finding a frequency to 'communicate' with these omnipotent energies?"

Su Huan asked thoughtfully.

Professor Ma nodded, “Every time we add some general-purpose crystals or other things, the frequency will change. I haven’t figured out the pattern yet, which is why the communication equipment always needs frequent repairs. But give me some time, and I will definitely be able to make the largest communication equipment on the train.”

Professor Ma's tone was confident.

"Hmm, no rush, just take your time."

Once he understood what was going on, Su Huan stood up.

While communication equipment is important, it is not urgent at the moment.

Factory manager Yu Jing and her team take seven or eight days to repair cars, so there's plenty of time for Professor Ma to try.

By the time Su Huan emerged from Professor Ma's lab, it was already noon.

Getting up at five o'clock seems like plenty of time, but in reality, you can't get much done. After handling some major administrative tasks, there's not even enough time left to wander around the various laboratories.

The factory director and Deputy General Manager Deng's workshops are located in sub-47, 48, and 49, directly opposite the bullet workshop. Because the train needs maintenance, they were not combined, and at this moment they are being disassembled and repaired on the side.

A group of train experts led the survivors to dismantle the train in an open area.

Su Huan stood at the window for a while, then asked, "What time is it?"

"12:34".

"What is He Jie doing, inviting the factory director and Vice President Deng to eat dumplings in the dining car?"

"They should be conducting training exercises at the moment, but the exact location is uncertain. Should we send a signal flare to notify them?"

"Then forget it. Notify everyone except the armed forces to go eat dumplings, and invite Li Han too."

"Yes."

Shu Wei gave a crisp reply and turned to leave.

The casual trousers rustled as they rubbed together.

Su Huan watched the woman's retreating figure, then made a gun-like gesture with his fingers and made a feint.

……

It took Su Huan more than 20 years to realize that not everyone likes dumplings.

Just as some people never watch the Spring Festival Gala, dumplings are not a common festive food.

In some ways, its popularity is even lower than that of zongzi (sticky rice dumplings).

To cater to most people's tastes, Yu Yue made three kinds of dumplings this time.

Boiling, frying, and steaming.

It can satisfy the taste buds of almost everyone from south to north.

Su Huan looked at the translucent steamed dumplings in front of him, subtly pushed them aside with the end of his chopsticks, then took a plate of hot boiled dumplings and poured cold water over them.

Yu Jing noticed all these subtle movements and asked casually, "Would you like some chili oil?"

"Okay, I can do it myself."

Su Huan has a unique obsession with dipping sauces.

One spoonful of oyster sauce, one spoonful of minced garlic, two spoonfuls of light soy sauce, and one spoonful of vinegar.

This is a common way of eating at Northern noodle shops.

But Su Huan didn't stop. He added a few drops of sesame oil and a few drops of chili oil before finally stopping.

I picked up a round dumpling with a puppy printed on it, rolled it in the bowl, and stuffed the whole thing into my mouth.

A thin mist rolled out from between the teeth.

With the digestive systems of evolved beings, the temperature of food is no longer a concern.

Even if you eat it raw, it will still be full of energy.

Seeing the train conductor start eating, everyone praised Yu Yue's cooking skills while munching on the steaming dumplings.

After finishing a plate of dumplings, Su Huan looked up.

Yu Yue, holding a bowl of dumpling soup, leaned against the cabinet, gently poking at a succulent plant in a pot with her finger. The plant's thick petals, resembling dog ears, became impatient with Yu Yue's poking and swatted away her hand.

It made the woman smile knowingly.

"That's about enough. Let's eat and chat. You two go first."

Su Huan thought for a moment and decided to have everyone report.

Even though I understand some things, I still need to check them against my own judgment.

Since He Jie and the others weren't there today, their seats were taken by Yu Jing and the others.

Li Han sat at the end, leaning against Xiao Zhao and Huang Hai, looking slightly reserved.

The supervisors looked around and then their gazes fell on Yu Jing. Yu Jing was currently in charge of material manufacturing and assisting the factory manager and others in repairing the train—the most urgent tasks—so she was chosen to go first.

Yu Jing frowned slightly. "The manufacturing team should make some adjustments."

Su Huan was not surprised.

The manufacturing team originally consisted of only three hundred people, which was more than enough to handle the usual daily tasks. After all, the train had just been upgraded and there was no urgent need for materials.

But with projects coming one after another, it's normal to feel overwhelmed.

Fortunately, many survivors came to help, but these new "gatherers" were relatively unfamiliar with using their abilities.

If Wan Xing can collect five kinds of materials from a Tier 1 mutated beast, then these new "collectors" can only collect a maximum of two kinds, and most of the time they can only collect general energy crystals.

The "manufacturers" are similar; they don't even understand the more complex materials.

This direction ultimately requires a foundation of knowledge.

"Do we need to expand?"

Su Huan asked.

Yu Jing shook her head. "No, it needs to be categorized more precisely. The abilities that everyone has evolved so far are too diverse. Although it gives the impression of a hundred flowers blooming, it is not a good thing for the overall production of trains. There are no standards, and it is even difficult to formulate standards."

The factory manager and others were tempted upon hearing this.

"Refined classification..."

Su Huan pondered the words for a moment, then looked at everyone and said, "If you all have this idea, don't beat around the bush with me, just say it."

The leader spoke first, "I'm not too familiar with the others, but I'll talk about our manufacturing group. Although most of us are 'manufacturers' or 'collectors,' there are quite a few differences among us. For example, I'm good at firearms-related things, and the crew members in the bullet workshop are all good at bullet processing and manufacturing. Then, the group that follows Captain Yu is better at material development and integration, and they are a good fit for the research group."

"There is also a group of people who are good at tinkering with various kinds of machinery, such as repairing equipment."

Su Huan looked at Xiao Zhao, "Is this the same situation in the research group?"

Xiao Zhao hesitated for a moment, "The situation in the research group is a bit more complicated. The research group is actually divided according to the laboratories of Team Leader Yu, Factory Director Deng, Deputy General Manager Deng, teachers, and Director Xu, and the differences between each laboratory are even greater..."

"Where is the logistics team?"

Hu put down his chopsticks and pondered, "The logistics team is alright, after all, the logistics team's work is inherently varied."

The giraffe standing behind, eating rice, raised its head, a thoughtful look flashing between its brows.

Before he could figure it out, Bai Lu across from him suddenly said, "The armed forces have the same problem. The soldiers are divided too haphazardly. They should be properly organized according to their evolutionary abilities. The old system of assault troops and gunners is outdated. They should take evolutionary factors like 'gatherers' and 'creators' into account."

Upon hearing this, the leader clapped his hands and shouted, "Train conductor, I have an idea too!"

"explain."

"How about we separate the data collection and form a separate data collection team?"

Everyone turned to look at Su Huan.

Everyone sitting here is a shrewd individual; for the problem mentioned above, each person could come up with more than a dozen solutions.

But apart from these two simpletons, everyone else only pointed out the problems, but never offered any suggestions.

It's not that they're hiding their talents.

The armed train system has always been a one-man show by the train conductor; even suggestions have to take into account the conductor's mood that day.

Doing it right is always more important than doing it well.

"Grouping?"

Su Huan thought for a moment, then shook his head and refused.

He pondered for a moment and said, “I’ll draw a line for you here. I won’t split up the existing crew unless it’s necessary. Splitting them up would never end. However, you can divide each crew into functional departments, like the locomotive and the cultivation compartment, and do some departmental refinement.”

As they were talking, Su Huan seemed to remember something and looked at Hu Shuo, "How many official members does the Armed Train have right now?"

"Even with several additions, it will only amount to 1,200 people."

"The scale can be expanded. We can absorb any survivors outside, up to a maximum of two thousand. By the way, will there be enough people to live there?"

Su Huan asked somewhat uncertainly.

The train's desire to increase its population is not something that can be decided on a whim.

Now that the decision has been made to recruit full-time crew members, all aspects of the configuration must be in place.

If resources are insufficient, training efforts are inadequate, and the treatment they receive is not significantly different from that of the survivors, how can they wholeheartedly serve the train conductor?
Energy, resources, evolutionary materials... even whether the oxygen produced daily by the train sinking to the bottom is enough to meet the demand must be taken into account.

Hu Shuo quickly flipped through the booklet in his hand, "According to the current standards, one carriage has eight rooms, with four people in each room, so a double-decker carriage would have sixty-four people..."

“副16、17、18，19、20、21、22、23目前是武装士兵车厢，正19、20、21、22、23、24、25、26是乘务组人员车厢……”

"The main train can provide fifteen carriages, and the secondary train can provide twenty carriages, which is more than enough for the regular passengers. Survivors are only temporarily staying in the carriages and are not considered."

Su Huan nodded, "Then let's go with this standard. You can coordinate any other issues yourselves."

"Next, I'll talk about our short-term goals."

"After repairing the train, salvage the data center, then head to Xiushui City to obtain the electromagnetic weapons arsenal, and arm the train to the teeth..."

Su Huan looked directly into Shu Wei's light gray eyes and smiled.

"Let's test the mettle of these powerful forces."

"I want to see what comes after the flood, and what comes after the storm."

"I want to experience all the natural disasters in District Twelve and see where the edge of this world is."

"I need trains, personnel, supplies, strength; I need everything you have."

"But this is not a request."

"It's an order."

……

Su Huan leaned back in his chair, and his calm words made the atmosphere at the dinner table heavy as water.

Everyone felt immense pressure.

Even the leader didn't dare to speak up easily.

"Sixty years old is the prime of life when you dare to fight and strive."

Professor Ma smiled and repeated Su Huan's words from back then.

"Ok?"

The factory director, Deputy General Manager Deng, Director Xu, and several other old men were all stunned for a moment.

Then I couldn't help but laugh.

Deputy General Manager Deng said with a smile, "I didn't expect you to be able to tell jokes, Lao Ma. Since the train conductor doesn't treat us like outsiders, even though I'm an old man, I'm also curious about what the apocalypse is all about and what the world has become. So I'll say it: I'll leave this old body to the train conductor!"

Su Huan tilted his head, his gaze deep, "I can't guarantee you won't die, but I can guarantee you'll die a worthy death."

Vice President Deng: "..."

The factory manager's attempt to express his loyalty was choked back by those words.

Director Xu, "It would be great if you could visit me more often..."

Su Huan rolled his eyes.

Although he doesn't need the extra blood, he doesn't like having his blood drawn every day.

Every time I went to Director Xu's place, whether it was for important matters or trivial ones, I would find an excuse to ask him for some bodily fluids.

If you can't draw blood, use something else instead.

The main focus is on one thing, not being picky.

"Did those priests figure it out?"

(End of this chapter)