54: The Titan changed the rules of war

"Please put on your visitor passes, everyone," Emerald said, distributing silver wristbands. "These are your temporary access permits and also your safety guarantee."

The moment everyone put on their wristbands, a blue light scanned their irises, and personal information and visiting permissions appeared on the bands.

At the building's entrance, twelve Warriors stood in perfect formation. Their appearance was almost identical to fully armed soldiers.

Emerald smiled and introduced them to the delegation: "This is our latest research and development, the 'Xingtian' tactical exoskeleton system. It features a fully enclosed design, providing comprehensive protection for soldiers."

Mark Williams narrowed his eyes, carefully scrutinizing the two-meter-tall black armor. The exoskeleton's surface was as smooth as a mirror, with no visible seams, as if it were a single, molded work of art.

"The level of protection..." Mark muttered softly, "I'm afraid only anti-material rifles would be effective."

Ivan Petrov, Commander of the Northern Steel Federation's special forces, suddenly stepped forward: "Let me see your joint design!" He reached out to touch the elbow of the nearest exoskeleton.

Just as his fingers were about to touch the armor, there was a mechanical click!

The Warrior's optical lens on its faceplate instantly turned from blue to red, and dangerous red light glowed from the armor's seams. Even more terrifying, its movement speed was completely beyond that of a human, and a cold mechanical voice rang out: "Warning! Unauthorized contact!"

Everyone present gasped. This was not an exoskeleton at all, but a fully armed combat robot!

All twelve Warriors simultaneously entered combat mode. Pulse rifles sprang from their back armor, precisely fitting into their mechanical hands. Their movements were so fast they left afterimages, and in the blink of an eye, they completed their combat formation. The twelve pulse rifles rose with astonishing synchronization, their muzzles all locked onto Ivan's forehead.

"I suggest not testing the security system's reaction speed," Emerald's voice was still elegant, but carried a cold warning. "These children are set to Level 3 alert status. Next time, they will fire directly."

Sato, the Self-Defense Forces representative, felt his legs go weak. He had personally witnessed one of the Warriors' fingers deform and extend, transforming from standard five fingers into three tactical claws, their tips glinting with the blue light of high-frequency vibration weapons.

Emma Wilson of the Fog City Islands Military Intelligence Department turned pale: "My God! They aren't wearable equipment at all; they're complete combat robots!"

General Zhao, from the Eastern Union's Equipment Department, stared intently at the robots' fluid tactical movements. Every single movement was precise, without a hint of tremor, completely surpassing the limits of human soldiers. Even more terrifying, when two of the Warriors defended back-to-back, their back armor actually extended a small, rotatable machine gun.

General Leclerc of the Champs Elysees Federation Foreign Legion suddenly realized his tactical dagger was missing. The Warrior standing next to him was playfully toying with the small knife with its mechanical fingers, its movements as agile as a professional magician.

"Security-type bionic robots, codenamed 'Warrior'," Emerald introduced. "Each one's combat capability is equivalent to a special forces squad."

This statement caused the expressions of several military representatives present to subtly change.

"Jesus Christ..." Mark said in a voice only the SIA agent next to him could hear, "Their movements are too perfect, their posture even more natural than our most elite special forces. If these robots, no, these devils, can truly fight as she says..."

James Coleman, the Royal Air Force representative for the Fog City Islands and also a Military Intelligence agent, quietly activated the miniature camera and communicator hidden in his collar, though he didn't know why it hadn't been detected by the security scanner.

"Sir," he reported to London via encrypted communication, "I recommend re-evaluating Titan's military threat level. These robots alone are enough to easily conquer any small nation."

Sato's cold sweat had already soaked through his shirt. As an expert in robotics, he noticed that the Warrior's fingers could perform intricate tactical gestures, meaning they could engage in complex coordinated operations.

Even more terrifying, when Emerald mentioned "special forces squad," one of the Warriors' small machine gun turrets on its back suddenly aimed at him, as if... as if mocking humanity's overestimation of itself.

Retired Colonel Pierre of the Champs Elysees Federation Foreign Legion stared intently at these Warriors. The killing intent emanating from these robots was stronger than any human soldier he had ever encountered. He didn't understand why robots would make him perceive killing intent, but for him, a veteran of seventeen overseas operations, the uncontrollable trembling of his fingers was now an objective reality.

General Zhao appeared calm, but the hand clasped behind his back was white-knuckled. As the head of the Equipment Development Department, he knew all too well what this level of combat robot signified.

It meant that traditional infantry would completely exit the stage of history, and that the rules of the battlefield would be completely rewritten. What shocked him even more was that the Warriors' tactical positions clearly referenced the latest tactical manuals of domestic forces, with two of them even maintaining a standard "three-point-one-line" alert posture.

Emerald took in everyone's reactions, a barely perceptible curve forming at the corner of her lips: "Now, please follow me into the central hall. Please note, any unauthorized photography will trigger the security system's special response procedures."

No sooner had she finished speaking than a wisp of smoke suddenly emerged from a miniature camera belonging to a "reporter" in the delegation. At the same time, all the Warriors uniformly turned their heads in that direction, their fingers already on their triggers.

The air instantly solidified. Everyone had only one thought: Titan's information technology had completely surpassed the entire Blue Star.

Upon entering the hall, the delegation was led to a gigantic elevator.

"This is our lift platform," Emerald explained. "The ascent takes about 90 seconds. You can rest for a moment."

When the elevator started, an even more astonishing scene appeared. The surrounding walls gradually became transparent, revealing a 360-degree panoramic view of the city.

The elevator doors slid open silently, and the delegation members stepped into a hemispherical conference hall. The entire space presented a futuristic silver-white tone, with data-stream-like light patterns flowing across the walls.

At the center of the hall was a circular platform twenty meters in diameter, surrounded by tiered seating. Emerald guided the national representatives to their seats, and a holographic display screen rose in front of each seat, automatically switching to the corresponding country's language.

"Welcome to the core exhibition area of Titan Industrial City," Emerald stood at the center of the platform, her violet gown shimmering under the soft lights. "Today, we will showcase some of Titan Group's technological achievements."

It was then that everyone realized that from the airport onwards, what had appeared before them and guided their movements had always been a holographic projection. This projection was so realistic that they unconsciously overlooked the issue.

Of course, it was also possible they were too stunned to think clearly.

She gently raised her hand, and countless light points suddenly projected from the hall's dome, coalescing into a giant holographic Blue Star on the central platform.

"First, the area of greatest interest to everyone," Emerald's voice fell, and the Blue Star projection switched to a 3D anatomical diagram of a Warrior robot.

The mechanical structure slowly rotated in the air, with each component labeled with parameters:

Armor Material: Nanocomposite material, density 4g/cm³, armor-piercing resistance equivalent to 300mm homogeneous steel

Power Core: Solid-state power battery, combat endurance 48 hours

Combat Module: Can carry 7 standard weapon systems, switching time 0.3 seconds

Mark Williams suddenly stood up: "Is the armor thickness data wrong? 300mm equivalent protection? Wouldn't that mean even anti-material sniper rifles are..."

"Mr. Williams," Emerald interrupted with a smile, "Please calm down. Titan never makes mistakes in its products."

The hall fell silent; everyone realized the terrifying implications of this data. Such a light material, yet with protective capabilities comparable to an armored vehicle or even a regular tank.

The projection switched, displaying a model of a futuristic city.

"This is our new city system designed for the Emerald Principality," Emerald pointed to several highlights:

Sixth-generation Communication Base Station: Latency around 0.02 milliseconds, immune to all current non-experimental interference methods.

Vertical Farm: A 1-hectare farm can meet the daily fruit and vegetable needs of 50,000 people.

Medical Center: Equipped with medical pods, capable of performing 90% of surgical operations via nanorobots.

Sato suddenly raised his hand: "May I ask about the clinical data for this medical pod?"

"1,273 surgeries have been completed in the Emerald Principality, with a 100% success rate. It has excellent effects on various organic lesions, including cancer," Emerald brought up a holographic recording showing a local farmer undergoing heart surgery. "From admission to discharge, the entire process took 17 minutes."

In the recording, the patient walked out of the operating room himself.

"Of course, for colds, fevers, headaches, organ loss, and sudden large open wounds, doctors are still more reliable."

More stunning demonstrations followed.

A miniature nuclear power plant appeared on the platform.

"The 'Candle Dragon' small reactor, single unit power 1500 megawatts," Emerald's voice carried pride. "Three units can meet all the energy needs of a medium-sized city. Furthermore, the 'Candle Dragon' uses the latest technology, so even if it's bombed into a ruin, a nuclear accident will not occur."

Rogozov, Minister of Energy for the Northern Steel Federation, looked considerably more relaxed. He had just been calculating whether uranium ore would be sufficient as a bargaining chip, but now the technology displayed by Titan directly made uranium ore an essential commodity.

The holographic image switched to a demonstration of a transportation system:

Sky Rail Train: Supplemental to elevated systems, running tracks can be mounted below elevated roads.

Vacuum Tube Freight: Underground logistics network with a speed of 1200 kilometers per hour.

Hovercar: Small, low-altitude transport device, maximum altitude 1000 meters.

.......

Jackie Joffrey, Minister of Transport for the Fog City Islands, couldn't help but ask: "These technologies... when will they be commercialized?"

"Some are already in use," Emerald tapped the control panel, and the screen switched to real-time monitoring of Mandala New City. "For example, the aerial transportation system here."

While the representatives were still immersed in shock, everyone's holographic screen suddenly refreshed, displaying a product list:

Product Name — Unit Price (USD Billion) — Minimum Order Quantity — Delivery Period

Candle Dragon Nuclear Power Plant — 80 — 1 unit — 2 years

Nano Medical Center — 12 — 5 sets — 2 months

Vacuum Tube Freight — 1 — 100 kilometers — 2 years

Not seeing Warriors and holographic technology on the list, the national representatives were somewhat disappointed. However, they soon realized that while holography might be an option, Warriors were Titan's foundation, and it was impossible for them to be sold so easily.

Leclerc, Minister of Economy for the Champs Elysees Federation, suddenly stood up: "This price... it's outrageous! A set of medical equipment for 1.2 billion?"

Emerald calmly brought up another set of data: "According to WHO statistics, the Champs Elysees Federation's annual expenditure on cardiovascular diseases is 21.3 billion US dollars. Our medical center can reduce that number by 80%."

The hall fell silent again.

As the representatives discussed in low voices, Lin Mo noticed several unusual details:

Three members of the Nova United States delegation seemed to be communicating using some kind of encrypted gestures; experts from the Northern Steel Federation were secretly recording technical parameters, their wristwatches clearly spy devices; the East Ocean representative constantly adjusted his glasses, and abnormal data streams reflected on the lenses.

Even stranger, Emerald seemed to ignore these small actions. And, during security checks, they hadn't been detected like that Nova United States representative.

"Next is the free Q&A session," Emerald's words brought the hall back to silence. "Each representative can ask one question."

Mark, National Defense Advisor for the Nova United States: "Will combat robots be sold in the future? If so, to which countries?"

Emerald: "The Warrior is currently in a relatively confidential stage, but it will be sold in the near future, though only to sovereign nations that pass strict scrutiny."

Rogozov of North Steel: "How will the nuclear power plant's fuel be obtained?"

Emerald: "I think this should be an opportunity for your country, shouldn't it?"

Sato, East Ocean Minister: "Is technology transfer possible?"

Emerald smiled: "We only sell products, not patents."

Zhao Zhigang, Equipment Department of the Eastern Union: "Does that robot have actual combat data?"

This question suddenly tensed the atmosphere in the hall.

Emerald gently clapped her hands, and the holographic screen switched to a video:

On the screen, twelve Warrior robots were fighting in a forest. Their movements were as fast as ghosts, and every burst from their electromagnetic rifles was a precise headshot. Most chillingly, when attacked by an RPG, they completely ignored it; one Warrior even slapped the RPG away.

The top right corner of the video displayed the time: Seven months ago, location: Northern Mountains of the Emerald Principality.

"This is live combat footage of a crackdown on a telecom fraud group," Emerald said lightly. "It took 7 minutes, with zero casualties."

General Zhao's expression became extremely solemn; he knew all too well the significance of this video. This was not just a demonstration, but a deterrent to all major military powers.

When the meeting ended and the representatives walked out in a daze, Emerald suddenly called out softly to Lin Mo, who was walking at the very end.

"Please give this to the highest-ranking member of your delegation," she handed him a silver USB drive. "My boss said the Eastern Federation would be interested in this."