45: Chapter 45 Individual Exoskeleton Powered Armor

The tracks of Black Iron crushed the gravel on the Gobi Desert.

Inside the train, however, it was a scene of bustling activity.

A day had passed since that skirmish with the "Mechanicus Cult".

Lin Xiao kept his promise and gave Xiao Ai, the genius girl he had rescued, a home.

Of course, this came with a price.

The price was that Xiao Ai was directly appointed as the head of the newly established "Equipment Department," with a rank equal to Luo Yao's "Information Department."

In Lin Xiao's words, this was called making the best use of everything.

At this moment, in the S-Class weapon workshop located in the middle of the train, there was a clanging sound.

"Perfect! This hydraulic transmission ratio is simply art!"

Xiao Ai was hunched over the precision lathe, her big eyes fixed intently on the part in her hands, drool almost dripping down.

She had already washed the thick engine oil off her face.

She had changed into a pair of work shorts and a tight white camisole that Lin Xiao had specifically asked Shen Man to find for her.

Although she was not as plump and mature as Shen Man, nor as full of strength as Zhao Xiaotang.

Her slender waist and her skin, slightly pale yet delicate from long-term survival in harsh environments, exuded a pitiable, sickly beauty.

Especially when she bent over to study the blueprints, the two thin straps seemed as if they would snap at any moment, and the beautifully shaped, though not large, curves of her chest were faintly visible, causing Lin Xiao, who was inspecting the work from the side, to steal a few extra glances.

This little girl, she's actually quite well-endowed once cleaned up.

"Boss... oh no, Squad Leader!"

Xiao Ai suddenly turned around, holding a transparent data pad emitting a faint blue light, and ran excitedly to Lin Xiao.

She ran too fast, tripped, and threw herself directly into Lin Xiao's arms.

"Ouch!"

Lin Xiao instinctively reached out to catch her, his large hand firmly supporting her slender waist.

It felt soft, with a hint of the warmth characteristic of a young girl.

"So rash, what's the rush?"

Lin Xiao teased with a smile, not in a hurry to push her away, but instead took the opportunity to gently pat her perky buttocks.

"Feels good."

Xiao Ai's face flushed red instantly, like a frightened little rabbit.

She scrambled out of Lin Xiao's arms in a panic, stuttering, "S-sorry Squad Leader, I... I was too excited."

Although she was a tech geek, she wasn't stupid. Having struggled in this wasteland, she naturally understood the control a powerful man had over women.

What's more, this man not only saved her life but also gave her the top-tier laboratory she had dreamed of her whole life.

Forget about patting her butt; even if he asked her to surrender herself right now, she would probably only hesitate for a second before lying down obediently.

"Alright, let's talk business."

Lin Xiao put aside his joking mood, his gaze falling on the data pad in her hand.

"This is the damaged blueprint Luo Yao cracked from that pre-war terminal yesterday. Did you understand it?"

"I understood it! Not only did I understand it, but I also completed it!"

Mentioning her professional field, Xiao Ai instantly returned to that fanatical state.

She activated her A-rank talent — [Mechanical Resonance].

This talent allowed her to intuitively perceive the pros and cons of the internal structure of any mechanical blueprint or part upon contact, and to perform millions of simulated optimizations in her mind.

This was the reason she could cobble together a burst-fire machine gun from a pile of junk.

"Squad Leader, you would never guess what this is!"

Xiao Ai pointed to the 3D wireframe of a humanoid mech on the data pad, which was full of violent aesthetics.

"This is the prototype of a top-secret pre-war military project, codenamed 'Ares' — [Individual Exoskeleton Power Armor]!"

"Individual power armor?"

Lin Xiao's eyes lit up instantly.

As a man, who doesn't have a dream of piloting a mech?

"Yes!"

Xiao Ai danced with excitement, her camisole trembling with her movements.

"Although this blueprint was 30% incomplete, I used my talent, combined with some exoskeleton transmission technology we captured from the Mechanicus Cult, to perfect it!"

"As long as there are enough materials, I can totally build it right here in this S-Class workshop!"

Lin Xiao looked at the blueprint, his mind already conjuring images of Su Qingqian and Zhao Xiaotang wearing this mech, slaughtering their way through a zombie horde.

"What materials do you need?"

He asked immediately, his tone tinged with eagerness.

"The main body of the armor needs extremely high-strength lightweight alloy, otherwise it would be too heavy for an individual to bear."

Xiao Ai counted on her fingers.

"No problem."

Lin Xiao waved his hand.

"When we looted the underground warehouse of the Black Stone City Chamber of Commerce earlier, I collected a large batch of S-Class material 'TC4 Titanium Alloy Armor Plates', which will come in handy."

"That's great!"

Xiao Ai's eyes brightened even more.

"Then we only have one, and also the most core problem left."

Her tone became somewhat serious.

"What problem?"

"Energy."

Xiao Ai pointed to an empty slot on the back of the mech in the blueprint.

"Although this exoskeleton is an individual version, it integrates extremely energy-consuming systems like fire support, kinetic enhancement, and even short-range hover jets."

"Ordinary mutant creature crystal cores simply cannot provide this kind of huge, instantaneous burst of energy."

"Even the crystal core of that Level 3 Tyrant you killed earlier could only sustain it for ten minutes of high-intensity combat before the core shattered from energy overload."

Xiao Ai sighed.

"Without a suitable miniature high-energy power source, this is just a pile of good-looking scrap metal."

Lin Xiao fell silent.

Indeed, one couldn't exactly have everyone carrying a nuclear reactor as big as the one in the front of Black Iron to a fight, right?

What would that make them? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

Just when Lin Xiao was feeling a bit regretful.

The bell of midnight chimed quietly in his mind.

[Ding! Midnight has passed, Day 8 check-in initiated.]

[Detected that the host is currently in a state of 'extreme thirst for energy'...]

[Matching the most suitable reward for you...]

Lin Xiao's heart rate accelerated instantly.

System Daddy, please don't let me down!

"Check-in!"

He roared in his heart.

[Ding! Check-in successful!]

[Congratulations host, Luck Critical Hit triggered!]

[Obtained SSS-rank rare technology component: 'Miniature Cold Nuclear Reactor (Individual Version)' × 3!]

[Description: The final individual product of the top-secret pre-war 'Helios Project'. It is only the size of a fist but contains fusion energy comparable to a small star. It can provide near-infinite power support for individual armor. Note: Extremely dangerous, do not dismantle at will.]

"Holy crap!!!"

Lin Xiao couldn't help but curse in the workshop.

This system is even more considerate than a thoughtful little padded jacket!

Whatever he lacked, it provided!

And it gave him three at once!

Is this damn thing a mind reader?

"Squad Leader? What's wrong?"

Xiao Ai was startled by Lin Xiao's sudden outburst and tugged on his shirt corner timidly.

Lin Xiao didn't speak.

He took a deep breath, calming his excited mood.

Then, as if performing magic, he flipped his hands in mid-air.

Three delicate metal spheres, emitting a faint blue light and only the size of a fist, appeared in his broad palms.

The surface of the metal spheres was covered with extremely complex micro-circuit patterns, and blue energy flowed faintly at the core, just like three beating hearts.

"Is this the energy you were talking about?"

Lin Xiao extended his hand to Xiao Ai, a wild, arrogant smile curling on his lips.

Xiao Ai was stunned.

She stared blankly at the three metal spheres emitting a charming luster, even forgetting to breathe.

Her talent [Mechanical Resonance] was sounding a frantic alarm.

The energy contained within these three little things was so terrifying that it made her tremble!

"Th-this is..."

Xiao Ai tremblingly reached out her hands, wanting to touch them, but didn't dare to.

"Miniature Cold Nuclear Reactor, individual version."

Lin Xiao spat out the words calmly, but they hit Xiao Ai's heart like a heavy hammer.

"Oh my god..."

Xiao Ai knelt directly on the ground.

This wasn't an exaggeration; it was an instinctive pilgrimage as a top-tier mechanic facing the pinnacle creation of human technology.

"Squad Leader... wh-where on earth did you get these things from?"

She looked up, gazing at Lin Xiao, her eyes filled with not just admiration, but also a trace of awe.

This man not only possessed this invincible train but could also casually produce such artifacts that, even before the war, existed only in legends!

Was he truly a god descended to earth?

"Don't ask what you shouldn't."

Lin Xiao didn't explain the existence of the system; maintaining mystery was one of his secrets to ruling this team.

He carefully placed the three reactors on the workbench.

"The blueprints are here, there's enough titanium alloy, and now I've even provided the power source for you."

Lin Xiao leaned down, his hands resting on the workbench, his highly aggressive gaze fixed intently on Xiao Ai's delicate face.

"Now, I am giving you your first official mission."

"Three days."

"I only give you three days."

"I want to see three perfect Individual Exoskeleton Power Armors placed in front of me."

"Can you do it?"

Lin Xiao's voice was low and filled with pressure.

Xiao Ai's breath hitched under his gaze.

But as a tech fanatic, this challenge didn't make her retreat; instead, it ignited all her fighting spirit.

She stood up abruptly. Because the movement was too violent, one of the straps of her camisole slipped off, revealing a large expanse of snow-white skin, but she was completely unaware.

"Yes!"

Xiao Ai's voice was exceptionally loud and resolute.

"As long as the materials are enough, let alone three days, I can cobble it out for you in two and a half days!"

"Good!"

Lin Xiao patted her shoulder with satisfaction.

"I'll talk to Shen Man. For these three days, apart from sleeping, someone will specifically attend to your food and needs."

"You just go ahead and do it."

"If it's done well, there will be a heavy reward."

While speaking, Lin Xiao reached out very naturally and helped her pull the slipped strap back onto her shoulder.

His fingertips inadvertently brushed across the delicate skin below her collarbone, causing Xiao Ai to tremble slightly.

"Th-thank you, Squad Leader."

Xiao Ai lowered her head, blushing, but feeling as sweet as if she had eaten honey.

This boss is not only handsome, strong, and provides top-tier equipment, but he even helps people pull up their straps.

This is simply a god-like boss in the wasteland!

Work hard! Must work hard!

...

After leaving the weapon workshop.

Lin Xiao went straight to the training carriage at the back of the train.

As soon as he pushed the door open, he heard a loud "bang".

Followed by the sound of sand pouring down like a waterfall.

"Phew... is the quality of this sandbag too poor?"

Zhao Xiaotang was wearing a sports vest that had already been soaked with sweat, looking helplessly at the specially made heavy sandbag in front of her that she had punched through.

Crystal clear sweat droplets hung on her bronze skin, her abdominal muscles rising and falling with her heavy breathing, her whole body exuding a wild and fatal attraction.

And on the other side of the training room.

Su Qingqian was sitting cross-legged on a huge ice pillar, her eyes slightly closed.

The Tang sword "water cutter" was laid horizontally across her knees, with wisps of cold air surrounding the blade, as if even the surrounding air was about to be frozen.

Hearing the door open, she slowly opened her eyes, and a heart-stopping icy blue light flashed in her originally pitch-black pupils.

"Squad Leader?"

Both women stopped what they were doing and looked at Lin Xiao, who had walked in.

"It seems you two have been training very hard these past few days."

Lin Xiao looked at these two, his most capable warriors, and nodded with satisfaction.

After these few days of life-and-death battles and continuous modification by genetic agents, the strength of both of them had steadily entered the peak of Level 1 mutants, and there was even a faint trend of breaking through to Level 2.

But this was not enough.

Facing those mechanized legions with heavy firepower, or higher-level mutant creatures, relying solely on flesh and blood would sooner or later lead to suffering.

"I asked you to stop because there is an important matter to announce."

Lin Xiao walked between the two, his expression becoming serious.

"For these few days, you might need to temporarily stop your regular training."

"Huh? Why?"

Zhao Xiaotang was impatient and immediately refused.

"Squad Leader, I feel like my strength has increased again recently, and I was just looking to find a few high-level zombies to practice on. How can I stop training?"

Although Su Qingqian didn't speak, her eyes also showed confusion.

"Because..."

Lin Xiao curled his lips into a mysterious smile.

"Ordinary training can no longer adapt to the new power you are about to possess."

He paused, looking at their curious gazes, and said word by word.

"Three days later."

"I will equip you with the ultimate weapon of pre-war top-secret status —"

"[Individual Exoskeleton Power Armor]!"

"What?!"

Even the usually calm Su Qingqian couldn't help but exclaim at this moment.

Although she didn't know much about technology, Luo Yao was always lecturing them about how awesome pre-war technology was.

Something like power armor, which only existed in science fiction movies, was actually going to become their equipment?

"Squad Leader... ar-are you serious?"

Zhao Xiaotang was so excited that she couldn't even speak clearly.

"If I wear that thing, can I punch the head of that Level 3 crocodile off with one blow?!"

"Punching a crocodile's head off is nothing."

Lin Xiao smiled proudly.

"With the drive of the nuclear micro-reactor, plus the defense of titanium alloy."

"Once you wear it, you will be humanoid Gundams."

"Let alone Level 3 mutant beasts, even if that Mechanicus Cult legion came again, you two alone could slaughter them all!"

Hearing this.

Zhao Xiaotang was trembling with excitement; she turned around suddenly and threw a heavy punch at the wall.

"Boom!"

A deep punch mark was left on the thickened steel plate wall.

"Awesome! I've been dying to experience what it's like to be a Gundam!"

Su Qingqian took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock in her heart.

She lowered her head silently, gently wiping the Tang sword on her knees with a silk scarf.

The cold blade reflected her cold, clear face, but her eyes were burning with unprecedented anticipation and fighting spirit.

She wanted to become stronger.

Only by becoming stronger could she always stand by his side in this apocalypse and cut through thorns for him.

"For these three days, you don't need to do anything else."

Lin Xiao instructed finally.

"Go to Luo Yao, and enter the 'Inception' virtual training room."

"I have already asked her to write a simulation program for the operation of the power armor."

"I want you to turn those operating instructions into muscle memory in your dreams within three days!"

"When the real armor is built..."

Lin Xiao's gaze became incredibly sharp.

"I want you to be able to immediately become the most terrifying killing weapons on the battlefield!"

"Yes! Conductor!"

The two women replied in unison, their voices filled with desire for the new power.

A major equipment upgrade that would change the power landscape of Black Iron was about to begin.

And those self-righteous hunters on this wasteland would soon realize what a true dimensional strike meant.