Chapter 121
Chapter 121
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: Energy Amplifiers and the Golden Troop
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We discussed how to release the energy amplifier device.
At first, we leaned toward finished products, but wary that it would pile on too much work, we pivoted directions.
"Let's subdivide them by output and size."
"For starters, three types should be enough, right?"
"Yes. The most versatile ones ought to cover it."
We could always expand the lineup later.
They'd end up coming to us anyway if they needed more, so we could review requests as they came and approve the sensible ones.
After poring over Fontana's designs for a few more hours, we nailed down the rough outline.
"That's it. We'll wrap here. The rest we can handle step by step with the management team's help."
"Sounds good. Thanks for your hard work."
"You too, President."
"Oh, can I take this energy gun?" She picked up the energy gun with the charge shot function.
A 30% output boost was an impressive feat.
And all with such a simple add-on device.
"Take as many as you want. I whipped it up on a whim when I heard you were coming."
"On a whim? So you could make more right now?"
"......Yeah. As long as it's not too many?"
Fontana looked tense until I named a number, then relaxed.
"For now, just 200...... no, 300."
"Ahh......"
"Too tough?"
"Tough? It's way less than I expected. I figured you'd ask for tens of thousands."
"It's for issuing to the combat crew."
"If you're set on it, I could knock them out by end of day. But you just need them before you head out, right?"
Maybe because of their mercenary past, the combat crew's armaments were all over the place.
Everyone just grabbed whatever gear they liked from wherever.
'Time to standardize on this occasion.'
Personal weapon performance was all about the same anyway.
Better to unify for easier maintenance than breed chaos.
Some had specially modded guns for higher output, but they'd have no complaints with a charge shot added. "......Oh! I still have something to show you."
"More?"
"Yeah. Got a gift left."
Fontana grinned and worked the panel.
Moments later, the entrance slid open, and something tap-danced its way inside.
-Beep! Beep beep!
"R3D3?"
-R3D3 Ver.07, reborn. Pleased to meet you, Master.
I had no idea about the version upgrade, but it seemed a bit flashier.
I shot Fontana a look demanding an explanation.
"......That wasn't my idea."
"I'm not buying it anymore."
She didn't even bother claiming she hadn't tinkered with it further.
R3D3 sidled up, fidgeting, then cloaked into clothing mode and latched onto my outstretched left hand.
I stroked its surface, savoring the familiar sense of wholeness.
"So, what's changed?"
"What else?"
"......Ah. R3D3 too?"
"I loaded it with every bit of that crimson wing compound from the test model. Had to tweak the body too, to handle the output."
-Beep! I'm completely transformed!
I eyed R3D3 again as it boasted proudly.
Slathered in pricey materials, its combat power had always turned heads.
No small frame could spam high-output energy rounds at hundreds per minute otherwise.
"And if my hunch is right, this might work too......"
"......Huh? That?"
"Crimson Cannon."
The word jogged my memory.
Energy amplification was originally crimson tech.
It used massive wings to sustain impossible output from its body volume.
The Crimson Cannon was the same.
Crimson always lit up its wings when firing—worth a test.
"......Hmm. Any space to try it here?"
Fontana grinned. "Follow me."
*
The Crimson Cannon output test happened in the Salmon Lab's underground weapons range.
Handy having a lab dedicated to weapons R&D.
'This......'
I was stunned checking the results.
Amplification efficiency beat expectations.
Calculations from the readings showed at least double.
"......Knew it. Wavelengths match perfectly."
Fontana nodded, scribbling notes furiously.
-Cooling sequence initiated.
Tssshhh!!
R3D3's body encasing my left arm flared like opening scales, steam jetting out fiercely.
Only then did I realize the heat buildup in my arm matched pre-amplification levels.
Incredible.
It doubled the already devastating Crimson Cannon's destructive power in one go.
'Might outgun my battleship's main battery.'
One hell of a shot.
I shook my head and asked Fontana, "Can we push it harder?"
"......Nah, this is the limit here."
"Shame......"
I smacked my lips and reverted my arm.
That test wasn't even my max output.
Call it 10% tops.
Doubled to 20% with amplification.
The range holding up to that indoors was impressive in itself.
"Test it in the field. Plenty of chances ahead."
"True enough. Thanks. This'll help a ton."
"Grateful? Extend my MC usage time then."
"Haha, no can do. Already maxed out."
Pushing further would be greedy.
I checked my left arm—nearly cooled, thanks to the new perk and R3D3.
'The answers are here, alright.'
Salmon Lab's innovations were accelerating.
*
Four days later.
Salmon Lab held a brief press event, inviting reporters and Union reps.
Sudden as it was, their rep drew a big crowd.
Finally, the energy amplifier tech debuted.
The reaction was explosive.
Attendees gawked in disbelief at first, then got floored by the demo.
Just the energy gun I'd seen, but explaining non-weapon uses turned the room into an earthquake.
After unveiling release plans, Q&A hit, and chaos erupted.
No prior leaks meant scattershot questions, but headlines universally marveled at the amplifier tech.
"Had to spring the announcement so suddenly, President?"
I smiled at Fontana, who'd followed me to the space station.
Could've ripened the tech more first, but this drew maximum eyes.
"Not much changes either way. Tough it out."
"......Ugh. You should be the one grinding. Won't see you till next year now?"
"I'll check in regularly. And uh......"
"What?"
I checked the new message sender and shook my head.
"Nah. Got someone impatient. Heading out."
-Creator, I'll take my leave too. Beep!
I boarded ship, waving off Fontana.
Sia was waiting and fell in behind me.
"Ready?"
"All 242 accounted for, me included."
"They like the new-tech cyborg bodies?"
"Yes. Fleet Commander loves hers most."
The overhauled combat crew cyborgs featured Fontana's latest cybernetics.
Needed more data for full potential, but even now, it'd eased old frustrations massively.
Factor in the next-gen bio-armorsuits issued individually, and combat power plus survivability had surged.
"Makes sense. She griped the most."
"Took the techs out drinking last night."
"Check on that tech."
Fleet Commander's tolerance might spell trouble.
Sia chuckled. "Both showed up fine this morning."
"Good. That techer's tagging along?"
"Yes. Two total."
The cybernetics specialist came from the joint lab we'd set up.
Needing field data, they sent tech support plus personnel.
I'd touched base with owner Sahim a few times during.
'Should visit Sahim sometime......'
Life wasn't easy for him or Barton now either.
Probably getting wrung dry.
Sahim keeping his cool amid it all lived up to his rep.
"Captain." Frederick greeted me on the bridge.
"All set for departure."
I took the captain's chair.
The fully prepped battleship headed back to war.
*
Time flew since return.
Dubbed the special forces for hatchery assaults, we bounced battlefield to battlefield nonstop.
Two, three, four—five on busy days—hatcheries per day.
At first, over half the commanders balked at Darmosa's orders, uncooperative.
Stick to their ops, they said.
But attitudes shifted over time.
We hit their assigned hatcheries, plus ones they missed.
Even high-growth ones too dicey for them, we stormed.
Freed up their superhuman units for elsewhere, easing the front—no way they wouldn't warm up.
Plus, zero failures.
Big ones? Called support and cleared anyway. 'Golden Troop.'
Word spread, dubbing our independent unit that.
Likely from the gold butterfly emblem on the ship, but rumor had it we emerged from hatcheries wreathed in brilliant gold—nonsense.
Either way, tired of plain numbers sans official name, I reported it straight: "Golden Troop" became official.
"That's it for today."
"......Yaaawn!"
Roze laced fingers and stretched.
Great haul: five hatcheries cleared.
My hatchery-sensing intuition sharpened daily.
Three months, 200 total—80 in the last alone. Clear progress.
"Casualties?"
"Four light wounds, nothing else."
"Feed 'em well and rest up. Back to Valhalla tomorrow for a day off."
"They'll love that."
First break in nearly ten days.
We shifted crews by hatchery size, but fatigue had maxed.
I asked Sia to prep special menu in the galley, then headed to the bridge.
"......Sleeping."
Merdi lounged in the corner easy chair, backrest tilted, out cold.
Nonstop ops made her grab sleep whenever.
Bridge as key spot always had a superhuman posted; that chair someone placed proved a godsend.
"Mmm......"
Bridge bustle stirred her.
"......Sleep well."
Merdi never used the chair before.
Always ramrod straight, impeccable.
Today, fatigue won; she'd dozed off unaware.
Roze crept close, admiring.
"......What."
Prep noise ramped; Merdi cracked eyes.
Scowling, she scanned around and straightened.
"Sleep well?"
Roze giggled.
Merdi stiffened. "Me? Just closed my eyes a sec."
"Drool here."
I pointed at her mouth; hand rising instinctively, she realized the gag and glared murderously.
"......Ahem. No more ops, so rest in your quarters. Valhalla tomorrow for resupply."