Two Reports
Williams did not say a word. He looked out the window, where the two simulated warship systems were operating at full speed. The white energy shield was in the shape of a sphere, and several hundred pulse lasers were constantly attacking it.
* Bang! *
The pulse lasers only needed a single volley to completely shatter the energy shield system. The energy-shield boosters were maintained at their highest operating state, rapidly repairing the energy shield. Unfortunately, before the energy shield could be completely repaired, another volley of lasers pounced forward and pierced through the energy shield once more.
This cycle repeated itself for fifty-seven hours without a single minute of rest. The lasers destroyed the energy shield, the boosters repaired the energy shield, the lasers destroyed the energy shield again, and the boosters repaired the energy shield again.
Such a high-intensity operation was undoubtedly crazy and cruel. The energy-shield boosters would only be activated when the energy shield was being attacked, and they would be in a dormant state the rest of the time. But now that the energy shield had been completely destroyed, the boosters could not even get a second of rest. They had to maintain the highest operating standards at all times.
The heat accumulated in the machine could not be dissipated, and every single component was undergoing a high-intensity test. This was akin to driving a car on the highway with the gas pedal all the way down. Which would last longer? That kind of operation or a leisurely stroll in the suburbs? Even if the car's engine was outstanding, stable, and outstanding, what about its tires? What about the asphalt? Could they all continue operating at full capacity?
Machinery was a complex collection of systems, composed of countless modules and components. Even the most brilliant machinist could not guarantee that every component could continue operating under the highest load. As time went on, there would always be some components with poor durability that would collapse.
"It looks like the energy-shield boosters will have a hard time passing the level 5 stress test," Williams said.
Just as he finished speaking, a series of dazzling sparks exploded in the laboratory. Yet another energy-shield booster had collapsed, unable to withstand the continuous pressure. The main control computer immediately cut off the power supply, halting the test.
The truth was clear. Five of the six energy-shield boosters had already been destroyed, not meeting Tai's requirement of at least two to complete the test.
Layton sighed and said to Williams, "You really have a crow's mouth. If we're really on the battlefield, I don't wish for your staff headquarters to make too many blunders in your battle plans."
Williams shrugged helplessly and did not say much. His eyes continued to stare at the last remaining energy-shield booster. He saw that the white energy shield was unusually tenacious, struggling to light up after being pierced through time and time again.
The two of them walked over to the sofa in the control center and sat down. Williams took out a box of maple candies and popped two into his mouth, deep in thought. Layton also had a worried look on his face.
Everyone knew that it was not because the energy-shield boosters were not good enough that they could not pass the level 5 stress test, but because Tai's requirements were too harsh. The general equipment required them to be able to withstand level 5 stress, and it would be a miracle if they could pass the test. Not to mention a booster that cost several million each, even top-grade equipment worth several hundred million would not be guaranteed to pass the test.
After a moment of silence, Layton said, "It looks like there's no hope of equipping the entire army with the energy-shield boosters. I wonder when the Upper and Lower Halls will allow the military to send troops to the Death Trio Star Region to quell the rebellion?"
Williams smiled. "You've always wanted to lead your fleet out in the midst of chaos, but I'm afraid you'll be disappointed this time. There won't be a dispatch order in your hands for at least half a year."
Layton was very disappointed, but he was even more confused.
"Why? I've already received orders to raise the navy's combat readiness level to level 2, and we've begun stockpiling supplies at the frontlines. Even the 1147,2158,3069 elite naval combined fleets under my command have begun moving to the frontlines to await further orders, but you're telling me that there won't be a dispatch order for half a year? Since we're not being sent to quell the rebellion, why are they mobilizing their fleets? "
Layton was rather agitated. The crimes of the Pan-Human Alliance were unforgivable in his eyes, so when Williams said that there would be no dispatch for half a year, Layton had been rather anxious.
Williams did not bat an eyelid. "Right now, all the orders the military has received are to put pressure on the tycoons of the Death Trio Star Region, warning them not to go too far and not to assume that the Alliance will ignore their rebellion. As for actually dispatching a fleet to quell the rebellion, that will take a long time. To be honest, half a year is already the fastest I can expect, and it might even drag on for a year or two."
Layton was even more confused. "Is the Alliance just going to let them do whatever they want?"
Williams replied, "Of course not. You don't have a deep understanding of politicians. Not only will sending a large number of troops into the Death Trio Star Region be costly, but it's also very likely to result in a large number of casualties. After all, those tycoons were once part of the Alliance's regular army, so they still have some combat strength.
"The Death Trio Star Region must be reclaimed, but the key is when. Rather than hastily sending a fleet over right now, it's better to wait until they're fighting to the death before cleaning up the mess. This is what politicians are best at. In any case, the lives and deaths of the commoners are not important to them. Since they can spend the least amount of effort to reap the greatest rewards, why wouldn't they do it?"
Layton slammed his hand on the table and cursed.
"These politicians really are ruthless! For us soldiers to have to listen to the orders of these people, how unlucky! "
Williams was silent for a moment before saying, "Actually, there are still some people in the Alliance who want to quell the rebellion as soon as possible, but unfortunately, the vast majority of the commoners don't really care about the situation in the Death Trio Star Region. Perhaps that's just human nature. People will only feel fear when disaster befalls them.
"Only when the rebellion reaches a certain level, or when the military strength of the Death Trio Star Region has been crippled and is no longer a threat to anyone, will the upper and lower houses be able to send troops to quell the rebellion. All we can do is prepare for war and wait."
The energy-shield booster could not pass the stress test, and the rebellion in the Death Trio Star Region could not be quelled. The two five-star generals suddenly felt like heroes who had no place to display their skills, and the atmosphere became somewhat oppressive.
* Crack! *
Williams suddenly bit down on the candy in his mouth and sternly said, "I suddenly thought of an idea. Perhaps we can give it a try."
…
Sean's birthday was getting closer and closer, and the Sunset Villa was getting more and more lively. Every day, there would be a large number of guests arriving from the ends of the earth, and extravagant banquets were being held every night.
Avril was also getting busier and busier, constantly greeting the guests and memorizing their names to avoid any awkwardness, so the time she spent with Xia Fei had also gradually shortened.
Xia Fei was currently staying in a hotel not too far from Avril's house. Every morning, he would accompany Avril for breakfast before returning to his room to busy himself, while Avril would return to Sunset Villa to do her own things.
There was still no news from the military. They had borrowed another batch of energy-shield boosters from Thurams. This time, there were more of them, twelve of the standard and enhanced versions. It seemed like they were still testing them.
Three days before Sean's birthday, Xia Fei finally received a call from Black Abyss's Yawei.
"We've discussed your proposal. We're willing to exchange the permanent control of a star system for a thousand energy-shield boosters," Yawei said in a deep voice. Yawei said in a deep voice. There were dark circles under his eyes. According to the news from the media, the Black Abyss army had already suffered three consecutive defeats in the early stages of the war, losing a large portion of their frontline. It was most likely because of the recent difficulties on the battlefield that he could not sleep at night. Perhaps it was because of this that Xia Fei's proposal was approved.
Yawei changed the topic and said, "But there's a condition. We need to verify the effectiveness of the energy-shield boosters on the battlefield before we can sign the contract."
Xia Fei said, "That's reasonable. I'll personally make a trip to Black Abyss and will arrive in forty-five days. I'll discuss the specific conditions with you in person."
Yawei furrowed his eyebrows. "Can't it be faster? When will the goods arrive? "
Xia Fei smiled. "You know how difficult it is to travel from the Alliance to Black Abyss. Forty-five days is already my fastest speed. If we can come to an agreement, the goods will naturally arrive very soon."
"How soon?"
"Very soon."
Yawei was silent for a while. Clearly, this was not a good time to argue with Xia Fei, for the initiative was in Xia Fei's hands, not his.
"Alright, then. I believe you. Don't disappoint me," Yawei said.
Xia Fei said, "I also hope that your army can hold on for this period of time. We're in the same boat."
Turning off the screen, Phantom asked suspiciously, "Won't they change their mind at the last minute and go back on their word after getting the goods? After all, the Death Trio Star Region is still their territory. "
Xia Fei smiled. "That's all for now. The Alliance will definitely send a fleet to the Death Trio Star Region to quell the rebellion. It's just a matter of time. When the time comes, the Alliance's army will be stationed there. Even if they don't want to abide by the contract, they'll have to look at their master's mood first. That's why I just need to get the best conditions and wait for the day the Alliance reclaims their lost territory.
"Of course, there's a risk in this. If the Alliance really allows them to be completely autonomous and continue to be their local tyrant, there's nothing I can do even if they don't abide by the contract. However, let's think about it from another perspective. The Death Trio Star Region has already experienced a rebellion, so will the Alliance let them do whatever they want? The most likely scenario is that the Alliance will implement limited supervision over the Death Trio Star Region, sending a small portion of their army to be stationed there and continue to enforce the Alliance's laws and policies.
"A contract in a lawless place is just a piece of waste paper, but it's a contract in a place with laws. Even if what I've reached with them right now is just a piece of waste paper, as long as it becomes a contract one day, we'll have achieved our goal."
Phantom nodded. What Xia Fei said made sense. Once the Death Trio Star Region was no longer a lawless place, the contract they had made in the past would be implemented. Even if they had made a contract perfunctorily to appease Xia Fei, it would still be legally binding.
…
Military headquarters. Williams and Layton brought a report to Tai.
"Though an energy-shield booster has passed the level 5 stress test, that's not enough. I'd like to reject Quantum Holdings' A-grade supplier qualification. You don't have any objections, do you?" Tai asked after reading the report.
Williams pulled out a second report from his briefcase and handed it over. "Tai, you should take a look at this report before making your decision."
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