Chapter 264: The Prototype of the Mother Nest and the Recovered Samples
Chapter 264 The prototype of the mother nest and the recovered samples
”What is that?”
On the half-collapsed pedestrian bridge.
The commander of the spring, wearing a gas mask and a heavy cavalry exoskeleton, held a telescope in his hand and stared at the 100-story building opposite.
The street was filled with gray-green mist, and it was not clear what was too far away.
But even so, he could still clearly see that in the middle of the 100-story building, there was a circle of dark red marks faintly crawling.
According to the mark on the VM map, the name of this 100-story building is “New Era Data Center”, and there is also a subway station nearby named after it.
I think it should have been a very lively place more than 200 years ago. The
three little players standing next to him also took out their telescopes and looked at the tall building opposite.
The battlefield atmosphere group muttered.
”It seems to be the 41st floor.”
My darkest heart moved.
”Could it be that mother nest?”
The battlefield atmosphere group looked at the newbies in the team.
”You are agile, why don’t you go over and take a look.”
Zhang Hai immediately said unhappily.
”No! It’s obvious that you’re going to die! I won’t go. If you want to go, go by yourself.”
I’m the darkest, shaking my head and sighing.
”This class of newcomers is too cowardly.”
Zhang Hai rolled his eyes: “What the hell are you pretending to be? You’re only one version earlier than me. Aren’t you embarrassed?”
I’m the darkest: “#@%!”
The commander of the fountain opened the VM and read it in a low voice according to the description information in the database.
”The mutated incubator is dark red, the spore release rate increases, and the surrounding slime mold species will spontaneously move closer to the incubator. Some of them will actively enter the incubator and become nutrients for the incubator to continue to expand the fungal blanket…” There are
indeed many gnawers wandering on the street.
Although there is no obvious sign that they are all moving in the direction of the incubator, they are indeed abnormally wandering on the street in broad daylight.
The gray-green mist around them is probably caused by the spore cloud!
With a flash of excitement in his eyes, the commander of the fountain immediately set a mark on the map and took a photo of the building with the headset hanging around his neck.
Photo in hand!
”Done!”
After a short wait, the signal light of the VM flickered slightly, and the seal of task completion was stamped in the task bar.
Not only Quanshui, but the other three players in the team also received the reminder of task completion.
”Damn, I can get 100 silver coins by taking a photo?!” Zhang Hai’s eyes bulged out.
There are also 100 contribution points!
This money is too easy to make!
Although he is a player who practices both life profession and combat profession, he mainly sells ramen at the north gate.
Today, I saw the version update and became a hunter profession on a whim. I casually formed a team of passers-by, but I didn’t expect the task income to be so high!
A bowl of ramen costs 5 silver coins. After deducting the cost of 2 silver coins, he has to make 34 bowls of ramen to earn so many silver coins!
After discovering this busy point, Zhang Hai couldn’t help but sigh in his heart.
The income of these combat profession players is too high!
Sure enough, the price of ramen has to increase!
The little players next to me were completely unaware and were still grinning.
I smiled and said, “I understand. The version answer is camera!”
Battlefield Atmosphere Group: “Damn, your understanding is a bit enterprise-level!”
Zhang Hai looked at Brother Quanshui excitedly.
”Brother, what’s next? Are there any follow-up tasks?”
The Battlefield Atmosphere Group had already opened the safety of the rifle and looked at the gnawer wandering on the opposite street, eager to try.
”What? Do you want to go in and take a look?”
Quanshui shook his head and said.
”The task didn’t say anything, it just showed that you can choose to wait in place, and reinforcements are coming from the outpost… The estimated arrival time is one hour later.”
Zhang Hai: “Damn? So long?”
Battlefield Atmosphere Group: “It’s already fast. Now you can move directly from the B3 tunnel to the Garden Street subway station. Before, you had to walk completely on your own two legs, and it took one or two hours just to walk to Bette Street!” Commander Quanshui
checked the task bar.
”There is another resource point search mission nearby, the coordinates are an office building 230m away, one hour should be enough… Let’s finish the branch first and come back and wait, how about that?”
I am the darkest: “Ok!”
Battlefield atmosphere group: “I have no objection.”
The commander of the fountain waved his hand.
”Okay, let’s go!”
…
In fact, it didn’t take an hour at all.
Whether it was the branch search for resource points or the reinforcements from several kilometers away.
But what the commander of the fountain didn’t expect was that the lineup of reinforcements was unexpectedly luxurious.
Not only the manager wearing azure power armor, but even Miss Heya, who usually stayed at home, came with them.
Standing on the half-collapsed overpass, Heya took a glance and made a judgment in a positive tone.
”It can’t be wrong… The fungal blanket has expanded to the outside of the building. If the fungal blanket formed by these slime molds continues to expand, they will develop into a new mother nest in a month at the latest.”
Chu Guang glanced at Heya.
”Is it okay for you not to bring a gas mask?”
”It doesn’t matter,” Heya said with a normal look, “This level of spore cloud is just a little dust to me.”
Okay.
Bionic organs are really convenient.
Chu Guang couldn’t help thinking that he would get one for himself when he had the chance.
Standing on the other side of Chu Guang, Vanus, wearing an orange chemical protective suit and a gas mask, also stared at the building in front of him.
After thinking for a while, he said.
”I suggest blowing up the building.”
Chu Guang looked at him and asked.
”Will blowing up the building solve the problem of the incubator?”
Vanus said concisely.
”Not necessarily, but it will make complex problems simpler!”
”Slime molds have poor survival ability in open spaces. Except for a few natural caves, it is almost impossible to see gnawers in the wild. If you want to completely eradicate the hidden dangers brought by the proliferation of slime molds, you have to completely clean up these concrete garbage.”
After a pause, Vanus added.
”We did this in the west of the continent!”
Heya looked at him in surprise, having never heard of such a crazy thing.
”This is too crazy… Have you considered the chain reaction that may occur by doing this?”
Blowing up a high-rise building is not as simple as talking.
These are concrete buildings that have survived nuclear explosions and have been strong for two centuries. You can imagine how strong they are.
Even if enough explosives are prepared to completely blow up the load-bearing structure, the reinforced concrete blocks that fall down are unlikely to break into slag like tofu blocks, but are more likely to form a “three-dimensional maze” tens of meters high and hundreds of meters long.
This may make the situation more complicated!
At least before the building was blown up, both the safety passage and the elevator shaft could reach the 41st floor directly.
Vanus’s expression was indifferent to Heya’s surprise.
”First, we are blasting large areas. Secondly, we certainly won’t just leave it alone after detonating the explosives.”
”After the blasting, we will bombard with heavy artillery, drop incendiary bombs with airships, and send out our clone soldiers… until the source of infection is completely destroyed.”
”Not only these concrete garbage, but also those paralyzed underground transportation networks and drainage systems, we will also blast and demolish them.”
Heya couldn’t help but say: “Maybe you just buried the problem in an invisible place.”
Vanus shrugged.
”Maybe, I’m just providing a solution. This work has been going on for two centuries, at least in the areas where these strategies have been implemented, the effect is pretty good.”
There is no need for such high-density housing in the wasteland, and the population concentration effect obtained in exchange for huge maintenance costs is worthless here.
At least in Vanus’s eyes, the only difference between these useless things and garbage is that the latter can at least be recycled.
And these high-rise buildings, after recycling the usable resources inside, are left with endless troubles.
Heya looked at Chu Guang.
”I don’t recommend blowing up the entire building, unless you are 100% sure that you can completely clear the slime mold inside by blowing up the building, otherwise the complex environment may make the problem more difficult.”
”In short, no matter what choice you make in the end, please provide me with at least one test tube sample! I need to figure out the biological process of these mutant slime molds from the incubator to the mother nest, which is crucial! It can help us understand our enemies!”
Chu Guang did not give Heya’s answer immediately, but looked at the “chief contractor” of the outpost base next to him – Daoxialiuren.
Among all the players, he probably knows the most about engineering.
”How many kilograms of explosives are needed to blow up this kind of building?”
Daoxialiuren frowned and thought for a long time, then said.
”1.1 tons of T, 3,500 detonators should be enough.”
Chu Guang was slightly moved.
”So many?”
Daoxialiuren said with a wry smile.
”This is a conservative estimate… the actual amount of explosives needed may be even higher.”
Hundred-story buildings are everywhere in Qingquan City, and they are often five or six hundred meters or even a thousand meters high. Especially in the direction of the city center, entire urban areas are buried in the clouds. If you pick any building out and put it in reality, it can easily beat the world’s tallest building.
Of course, Daoxialiuren also admitted that there is no comparison between games and reality. Only fools would go to the virtual world to find 100% reality, even if most operators would promote it that way.
However, assuming that the physics engine of “Wasteland OL” is professional enough, he will analyze it from a professional perspective. If such a high-rise building wants to withstand earthquakes and other possible natural disasters, not only will the strength of the cement be two levels higher than that of the cement in reality, but the amount of steel invested is probably an astronomical figure.
While Daoxialiuren was calculating in his mind, Chu Guang was also doing some calculations in his mind.
1.1 tons of explosives can make 3,000 100mm shells!
Too expensive!
And this is still a conservative estimate…
If it is blown up into a dangerous building, it will be a time bomb if it is left here half-collapsed.
On the contrary, if players are sent to carry out targeted elimination of the mutant incubator on the 41st floor, the cost may be only some active substances, thousands of bullets and a few liters of fuel.
Thinking of this, Chu Guang immediately made a decision and issued a task through VM.
[Main goal: destroy the slime mold incubator on the 41st floor of the “New Era Data Center”! ]
[Secondary goal: collect mutant samples! ]
After the task was issued, Chu Guang looked at the little players on the side.
”We now have enough clues to prove that the spore cloud gathered in this area was released from the 41st floor of the New Era Data Center.”
”In order to prevent the fungal blanket from further expanding and posing a greater threat in the area, we need to completely eliminate it before the wave arrives!”
”This task is critical. It is related to whether we can deal with the threat of the wave more calmly, and we only have one week left.”
”I need you to solve this problem within a week!”
Hearing the serious and urgent tone of the manager, the faces of the players such as the fountain commander were not nervous at all, but full of excitement.
A time-limited mission?
And it’s a main storyline mission!
Isn’t this much more interesting than doing daily side quests!
”Don’t worry, sir, administrator!”
The commander of the fountain excitedly raised his right fist and knocked on the front armor of the six-style heavy cavalry exoskeleton. “For the revival of the People’s Union! For the peace of the northern suburbs! We will definitely live up to our mission!”
This guy said all the good words, and the other players couldn’t think of the right words for a while. The battlefield atmosphere group suddenly had an idea and followed up with a sentence.
”Me too!”
Wo Zuihei, Zhang Hai and the players who followed from the outpost base also hurriedly followed suit.
”+1!”
”Me too!”
Chu Guang was very happy that these players had such awareness, and a smile of approval appeared on his face.
”Yeah.”
”The future of all of us is in your hands!”
…
After the mission was released, the strategy operation started soon!
There were a total of 20 players participating in the operation, and the captain was Commander Fountain Water, who had the highest proficiency in the “Command” skill.
The supplies needed were quickly transported from the warehouse on Bet Street to the target location by two-headed bulls. After
getting the blueprint of the building from the scientific expedition team, Brother Fountain Water did not start immediately. Instead, after fully observing the surrounding terrain, he divided the 20 people including himself into four five-person teams, ABCD, and formulated a thorough battle plan!
”Group A will serve as the vanguard, with the Battlefield Man from the Agility Department as the team leader, and I am the darkest from the Perception Department as the deputy team leader. Go directly to the 43rd floor from the elevator shaft, enter the room on the left side of the exit, blast the floor with explosives, and push down to the 42nd floor – directly above the incubator!”
”Your mission is the most critical.”
”I need you to deploy explosives directly above the mother nest, blow down the ceiling above its head, and then dump the pre-prepared fuel to physically kill the slime mold in the incubator!”
Hearing the mission they were responsible for, the Battlefield Atmosphere Group clenched their fists excitedly.
”Exciting!”
Commander Fountain Water continued to look at other teams.
”Your mission is equally important.”
”Group B will serve as the reserve team, with Kakarot, the awakener of the power system, as the team leader, and will cooperate with Group A to enter the building to fight.”
”If Group A fails, you will take their place.”
Kakarot carried the light machine gun on his shoulder and grinned.
”Got it!”
Izumi looked at the player next to him and continued.
”Group C will serve as the cover team, and the captain will be Lao Wang next door. Your mission is to clear the aliens from outside the building to the elevator area inside the building, to guard the butts of Group AB, and to cover their evacuation after the operation is over. Or, in the event of an accident, to recover their equipment and VM.”
”Group D will serve as the support team. I will lead the team myself to another building on the east side of the building, and set up four 20mm anti-tank rifles near the 40th floor to provide you with fire support from outside the battlefield!”
”That’s all!”
Commander Izumi was very satisfied with his plan.
Formulating a thorough action plan is what he is best at.
However, at this moment, I’m the darkest suddenly spoke.
”Wait a minute, why are you standing outside the battlefield again? Are you an awakener?”
Zhang Hai couldn’t help but complain.
”That’s right! You’re wearing power armor, how can you be so embarrassed?”
The other players also came back to their senses.
Yeah.
Why did this guy squeeze himself into the back row again?
The commander of the fountain blushed and argued.
”What power armor? This is called an exoskeleton! Do you know what an exoskeleton is? And I’m an intelligence type. Is there any problem with commanding from the rear?”
Is there anything wrong?
Nothing wrong at all!
The battlefield atmosphere group wearing the Miner I rolled their eyes and loaded the LD-47j with a drum in their hands.
”Okay, don’t explain, hurry up.”
After being a teammate for so long, he has long been accustomed to this old coin.
Complaints aside.
It’s still reassuring to have a reliable commander.
The teams began to act step by step. Team D encountered a little trouble on the way to the support point, but still reached the target location within half an hour.
Commander Quanshui calmly said in the communication channel after instructing the team members to set up the anti-tank rifles by the French windows.
”Team D is in place! Other teams start to move!”
Three neat responses came from the communication channel.
”Received!”
The three teams on standby under the overpass immediately started to move.
The five players in the cover group spread out in front of the team, skillfully raised their rifles, and shot the gnawers blocking their way with a single shot. The gunshots
echoing in the street quickly attracted the attention of other gnawers. Those bloodthirsty beasts quickly turned their eyes to this side and rushed up like wild dogs.
Gunshots rang out in the street!
The battle was about to start!
The creeper lurking in the ruins locked its scarlet eyes on the people on the street and let out a dangerous growl.
It seemed to have found an opportunity to attack, and it roared and suddenly rushed out from under the ruins.
If it were an ordinary mercenary team, it would probably have been caught off guard by this beast. However, it was not facing ordinary people, but a group of players with rich combat experience!
Just as the head emerged from the corner of the street, a thunderous explosion sounded from the waist of the tall building on the east side.
The 20mm muzzle sprayed flames, and four thick tracers fell from the sky.
Two high-explosive shells hit the monster’s side, and two armor-piercing incendiary shells hit the monster’s back and shoulder respectively.
”Ka–!”
A shrill roar echoed in the street, and the crawler that had just emerged stumbled and fell to the side.
The battlefield guy immediately seized the opportunity, raised his rifle and fired a burst of bullets at the beast’s head, then freed his right hand and gave a thumbs up to the building behind him.
”Well done!”
The four teams cooperated very well.
In just three minutes, hundreds of gnawers on the street had been cleared. The three newbies waiting under the overpass received the task and ran forward with supplies.
Sending supplies once gives 10 silver coins and 10 contribution points.
Although there is no chance to shoot, it is nice to go up and feel the atmosphere of the battlefield.
Whether it is the benefits or the fun, this task is much more enjoyable than chopping trees!
Looking at the players who have advanced to the downstairs of the building, Vanus couldn’t help but say with a surprised expression on his face.
”Are all the residents in your shelter soldiers?”
This is not the first time he has had such an idea.
But the drone aerial footage I saw on the screen several times before is far inferior to the visual impact of being on the scene now.
Looking at the flickering fire in the main entrance of the building, Chu Guang said in a relaxed tone.
”Some are, some are not, but it doesn’t matter. The battlefield is the best teacher. No matter whether their starting point is 1 or 0, they have the opportunity to become 10 here.”
At the beginning, the players also rushed in a swarm, but soon found that the AI of some “monsters” had morale settings. Dividing into groups to conduct tactical penetration of the weak links of the defense line would be more effective than simply charging.
Later, in addition to tactical interspersion, they also learned fire support, alternating cover, splitting and encircling, and using different types of tactics for different types of enemies.
Here, even the dumbest person should know what to do next time after dying once.
Vanus’s expression was slightly dumbfounded.
He always felt…
How could this theory be so similar to the clone tactics he learned in the military academy?
What about the battle damage?
Don’t you need to consider it?
When did the blue coat become so tough!
Vanus was puzzled.
Heya, who was standing aside, didn’t care much about these details. Her pretty face was full of excitement, but this had nothing to do with the battle situation itself, but her guess was verified.
”Sure enough, my guess is correct!”
”The increase in the spore content in the air will make the fruiting body more aggressive, and the spore cloud formed will weaken the restriction of light on the movement ability of the fruiting body!”
”It’s unbelievable!”
Chu Guang’s heart moved slightly.
”If you use incendiary bombs to clear the spores in the area-”
Vanus shook his head and said.
”The fuel consumed will be an astronomical figure, and it will only treat the symptoms but not the root cause. Only by nipping off the source can we fundamentally end the wave…”
The gunfire in the distance has basically stopped, and the aliens on the first floor of the building have been completely eliminated.
The newbies serving as the logistics team delivered the second wave of ammunition to the front line, and the three teams that entered the building have arrived at the elevator shaft.
There are still two loud explosions to victory.
Vanus looked away from the VM and looked up to the south.
That was the direction of the city center.
There should have been a blue sky behind the steel jungle, but now it was swallowed by a gray-green cloud. From a distance, it looked like a sea of fog with no end in sight.
After a pause, he continued.
”Otherwise it will be like this, and it will happen again every one or two years.”
…
At the same time, in the Boulder City, more than ten kilometers away, the sharp and piercing sound of alarm bells echoed above the streets, as if it came from the giant wall.
Yaya, who was picking and choosing in the grocery store, was startled by the sudden alarm and quickly looked at the street outside the window.
There was a commotion among the pedestrians on the street, and many people quickened their pace. Several militiamen passed by the street, and seemed to be shouting something to the pedestrians.
Putting the glass bottle in his hand back on the shelf, Teng Teng also tiptoed to look outside, but couldn’t see clearly, so he asked in a low voice.
”What happened?”
Yaya swallowed.
”I don’t know.”
Xu Shun, who was standing aside, was more nervous than the two of them, and his hands were unconsciously in his pockets.
Noticing the reactions of several customers, the old lady sitting behind the counter smiled and spoke in a slow voice.
”Is this your first time here?”
Xu Shun, who was standing aside, nodded and asked immediately.
”Excuse me, what’s going on outside? Is there something wrong?”
”I guess so, but there’s nothing to panic about, it’s just a wave… This isn’t the first time.”
Reaching out her trembling hands, the old woman picked up the bronze glasses on the table and put them on, then skillfully took out three gas masks from under the counter and placed them on the table.
With a kind smile on her face, she continued.
”Gas masks, 100% new, only 20 chips for a set.”
”If you don’t want to get sick, you’d better buy one and wear it.”
(End of this chapter)
