Chapter 263 The prototype of the mother nest and the recovered samples
"What is that?"
On a half-collapsed pedestrian bridge.
Commander Quan Shui, wearing a gas mask and a heavy cavalry exoskeleton, held a telescope in his hand and stared intently at the hundred-story tall building directly opposite.
The streets were filled with gray-green mist, making it difficult to see very far away.
But even so, he could still clearly see a faint circle of dark red traces crawling in the middle of the hundred-story building.
According to the logo on the VM map, the name of this 100-story building is "New Era Data Center", and there is a subway station nearby named after it.
I think that more than two hundred years ago, this place must have been a lively place.
The three little players standing next to him also took out their binoculars and looked at the tall building directly opposite.
The battlefield atmosphere team murmured.
"It seems to be the 41st floor."
My darkest heart moved.
"Could it be the brood nest?"
The battlefield atmosphere team looked at the new guy in the team.
"You are agility type, why don't you go over and have a look."
Zhang Hai immediately said unhappy.
"Don't do it! You're obviously going to die! I won't go, you have to go alone."
I shook my head and sighed.
"This new generation is too timid."
Zhang Hai rolled his eyes: "Why are you pretending to be a wolf with a hammer and a big tail? You are just one version earlier than me. Don't you blush?"
I’m the darkest: “#@%!”
Commander Quan Shui opened the VM, compared it with the description information in the database, and whispered.
"The mutated incubation chamber appears dark red, and the spore release rate increases. The surrounding slime mold heterogeneous species will spontaneously move closer to the incubation chamber, and some of them will actively enter the incubation chamber and become nutrients for the incubation chamber to continue to expand the carpet..."
There are indeed a lot of nibblers wandering the streets.
Although there is no obvious sign that they are moving in the direction of the incubation room, they do wander around the street in broad daylight.
The surrounding gray-green mist is probably caused by some kind of spore cloud!
With a hint of excitement in his eyes, Commander Quanshui immediately set a mark on the map and took a photo of the building with the headset hanging around his neck.
Photos are available!
"Done!"
After waiting for a while, the VM's signal light flashed slightly, and a seal of task completion was stamped in the taskbar.
Not only Quanshui, but the other three players in the team also received reminders that the mission was completed.
"Holy crap, I'll give you 100 silver coins for taking a photo?!" Zhang Hai's eyes bulged.
One hundred more points to contribute!
This money is so good!
Although he is the kind of player who has mastered both the life profession and the combat profession, he mainly sets up a stall at the north gate and cooks ramen.
Today, after seeing the version update, I decided to pick up the hunter profession on a whim, and casually formed a team of passers-by. I didn’t expect the mission benefits to be so high!
A bowl of ramen costs 5 silver coins. After deducting the cost of 2 silver coins, he would have 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 profits of these professional combat players are too high!
Sure enough, the price of ramen needs to be increased!
The little players next to me didn't know it, and they were still smiling playfully.
I gave the darkest smile and said, "I understand, the answer is a camera!"
Battlefield Atmosphere Team: "Damn, your understanding is a bit enterprise-level!"
Zhang Hai looked at Brother Quanshui in high spirits.
"Brother, what's next? Are there any follow-up tasks?"
The battlefield atmosphere team had already turned on the safety of the rifle, looking at the gnawers wandering on the opposite street, eager to try.
"What do you mean? Do you want to go in and take a look?"
Quan Shui shook his head and said.
"The mission is not mentioned. It only shows that you can choose to stay on standby. Reinforcements are arriving from the outpost...the estimated arrival time is one hour later."
Zhang Hai: "Damn? So long?"
Battlefield Atmosphere Team: "It's already fast. Now you can move directly from the B3 tunnel to the Huayuan Street subway station. Before, you had to walk on two legs. Just walking to Beit Street would take an hour or two!"
Commander Quanshui checked the task bar.
"There is also a resource point search mission nearby. The coordinates are for an office building 230 meters away. One hour should be enough... How about we finish the branch line first and then come back?"
I'm the darkest: "Ook!"
Battlefield Atmosphere Group: "I have no objection."
The commander of the spring water waved his hand.
"Okay, let's go!"
…
In fact, it didn't even take an hour.
Whether it is a branch line to search for resource points or reinforcements from several kilometers away.
But what Commander Quan Shui didn't expect was that the reinforcements' lineup was unexpectedly luxurious.
Not only the managers in blue power armor, but also Miss Heya, who usually never leaves home, also came with her.
Standing on the half-collapsed overpass, Heya only took one look and made a firm judgment.
"There's no mistake...the fungus carpet has already expanded to the outside of the building. If the fungus carpet formed by these slime molds is allowed to continue to expand, they will develop into a new mother nest within a month at the latest."
Chu Guang glanced at Heya.
"Is it okay if you don't wear a gas mask?"
"It doesn't matter," Heya said with a normal expression, "A spore cloud of this level is just a bit of dust to me."
All right.
Bionic organs are really convenient.
Chu Guang couldn't help but think that he would be able to do it himself when he had the opportunity.
Standing on the other side of Chu Guang, Vanus, wearing an orange chemical protective suit and a gas mask on his head, was also staring intently at the building in front of him.
After thinking for a while, he said.
"I recommend demolition of the building."
Chu Guang looked at him and asked.
"Can the incubation room be eliminated by blowing up the building?"
Vanus said concisely and concisely.
"Not necessarily, but it will make complex problems simpler!"
"The survival ability of slime molds in open spaces is very poor. Except for a few natural caves, it is almost difficult to see gnawers in the wild. If we want to completely eradicate the hidden dangers caused by slime mold reproduction, we can only completely clean up these concrete garbage."
After a pause, Vanus added something later.
"That's what we do on the west side of the continent!"
She had never heard of such a crazy thing, and Heya looked at him in surprise.
"This is crazy...have you considered the possible ripple effects of this?"
Destroying a tall building is not as simple as talking about it.
These are concrete buildings that have survived nuclear explosions and have stood firm for two centuries. You can imagine their sturdiness.
Taking ten thousand steps back, even if enough explosives are prepared to completely blow up the load-bearing structure, the fallen reinforced concrete blocks are unlikely to break into slag like tofu blocks, but more likely to form a line tens of meters high.
A "three-dimensional maze" hundreds of meters long.
This might make the situation more complicated!
At least before the building is blasted, both the safe passage and the elevator shaft can reach the 41st floor.
Regarding Heya's surprise, Vanus's expression was disapproving.
"First of all, we are conducting concentrated blasting on a large area. Secondly, of course we are not detonating the explosives and then leaving it alone."
"After the blasting, we will bomb with heavy artillery, use airships to drop incendiary bombs, and send out our clone soldiers... until the source of infection is completely destroyed."
"Not only this concrete waste, but also the paralyzed underground transportation network and drainage system, we will also blast and demolish it."
Heya couldn't help but said: "Maybe you just buried the problem where you can't see it."
Vanus shrugged.
"Maybe, I'm just providing a solution. This work has been carried out for two centuries, and at least in the areas where these strategies have been implemented, the results are pretty good."
There is no need for such high-density housing in the wasteland, and the population concentration effect resulting from the huge maintenance costs is worthless here.
At least in Vanus's eyes, the only difference between these unused items and garbage is that the latter can at least be recycled.
And these high-rise buildings, after recycling the available resources inside, are left with endless troubles.
Heya looked at Chu Guang.
"I don't recommend blasting the entire building. Unless you are 100% sure that the slime mold inside can be completely removed by blasting the building, otherwise the complex environment may make the problem more difficult."
"In short, no matter what you choose 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 incubation chamber to the mother nest. This is critical! It can help us understand our
enemy!"
Chu Guang did not give Heya an immediate reply, but looked at the "Chief Contractor" of the outpost beside him.
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?"
The man under the knife frowned and thought for a long time before he spoke.
"1.1 tons of T and 3500 detonators should be enough."
Chu Guang moved slightly.
"so much?"
The man under the knife said with a wry smile.
"This is a conservative estimate...the actual amount of explosives needed may be more."
High-rise buildings with hundreds of stories abound in Qingquan City, often reaching heights of five to six hundred meters or even a thousand meters, especially towards the city center. The entire urban area is burrowed into the clouds. Just pick one up and see the reality.
Here, you can easily hoist the tallest building in the world.
Of course, Swordsman also admits that there is no comparison between games and reality. Only fools will go to the virtual world to find 100% reality, even if most operators will promote it this way.
However, assuming that the physics engine of "Wasteland OL" is professional enough, he analyzed it from a professional perspective. If such high-rise buildings want to withstand earthquakes and other possible natural disasters, not only the strength of the cement will be higher than in reality.
The cement is two levels higher, and the amount of steel invested is probably astronomical.
While Liu Xia was calculating in his mind, Chu Guang was also calculating in his mind.
1.1 tons of explosives can make three thousand 100mm artillery shells!
too expensive!
And this is still a conservative estimate...
If it is blown up into a dangerous building and left here half-collapsed, it is simply a time bomb.
On the contrary, if players are sent to carry out targeted elimination of the mutant incubator on the 41st floor, the price they may pay is only some active materials, thousands of bullets and a few liters of fuel.
Thinking of this, Chu Guang immediately made a decision and issued the task through VM.
[Main goal: Destroy the slime mold incubation room located on the 41st floor of the “New Era Data Center”! 】
[Secondary goal: collect mutation samples!]
After the mission was released, Chu Guang looked at the young 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 carpet from further expanding and posing a greater threat in the area, we need to completely remove it before the wave comes!"
"This task is critical. It is related to whether we can deal with the threat of the wave more calmly, and the time left for us is only one week."
"I need you to solve this problem within a week!"
Hearing the serious and urgent tone of the manager, the faces of Commander Quanshui and other players could not see any nervousness, but instead were filled with excitement.
Time-limited mission?
And it’s also a main plot mission!
This is not much more interesting than doing daily side quests!
"Don't worry, manager!"
Commander Quan Shui excitedly raised his right fist and knocked on the front armor of the six-type heavy cavalry exoskeleton, "For the revival of the People's Federation! For the peace of the northern suburbs! We will definitely fulfill our mission!"
This guy had all the good words to say, and the other players couldn't come up with the right words for a while. The Battlefield Atmosphere Team came up with an idea and added another sentence.
"Me too!"
I was the darkest, Zhang Hai and the players who followed from the outpost also quickly followed suit.
"+1!"
"Me too!"
I am very happy that these players are so aware. A smile of approval appeared on Chu Guang's face.
"Um."
"The future of all of us depends on you!"
…
After the mission is released, the strategy action begins soon!
There are a total of twenty players participating in the operation, and the captain is the Quanshui Commander with the highest "Command" skill.
The needed supplies were quickly transported from the warehouse on Beit Street to the target location by two-headed oxen.
After getting the drawings of the building from the scientific expedition team, Brother Quanshui did not take action immediately. Instead, after fully observing the surrounding terrain, he divided 20 people, including himself, into four five-person teams ABCD and formulated a careful plan.
battle plan!
"Team A serves as the vanguard, with the agility-type warrior as the team leader, and the perception-type I, the Blackest, as the deputy team. They go straight from the elevator shaft to the 43rd floor, enter the room on the left side of the exit, blast the floor with explosives, and push down
Go 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 entire ceiling above its head, and then pour the prepared fuel to physically kill the slime mold in the incubation room!"
Upon hearing about the mission they were responsible for, the battlefield atmosphere team clenched their fists excitedly.
"Stimulate!"
Commander Quanshui continued to look at the other teams.
"Your mission is equally important."
"Group B serves as the reserve team, with Kakarot, the awakened one of the power system, as the squad leader, cooperating with Group A to enter the building to fight."
"If Group A fails, you are responsible for taking their place."
Kakarot put the light machine gun on his shoulder and grinned.
"receive!"
Quan Shui looked at the player next to him and continued.
"Team C serves as the cover team, and the leader is Lao Wang next door. Your mission is to clear out the aliens from outside the building to the elevator inside the building, guard the butt of Team AB, and cover their evacuation after the operation is over. Or, in the event of an accident,
time to recover their equipment and VM."
"Group D serves as the support team. I will personally lead the team 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!"
"above!"
Commander Fountain is very satisfied with his plan.
Formulating careful action plans is what he is best at.
However, at this moment, I suddenly spoke.
"Wait a minute, why are you OB outside the battlefield again? You are also an awakened person, right?"
Zhang Hai couldn't help but complain.
"That's it! You're wearing power armor, are you sorry?"
Other players also came to their senses one after another.
yes.
Why did this guy put himself in the back row again?
Commander Quan Shui blushed and argued.
"What's the power armor? It's called an exoskeleton! Do you know what an exoskeleton is? And I'm from the intelligence system. Is there anything wrong with me sitting in the rear and commanding?"
Is there something wrong?
Nothing wrong with it at all!
The battlefield atmosphere team wearing the Miner I type rolled their eyes and loaded the LD-47j with the drum in their hands.
"Okay, okay, don't explain, just hurry up."
After being a teammate for so long, he has long been used to this old guy.
Complaints are complaints.
It is very reassuring to have a reliable conductor.
Each team began to move step by step. Group D encountered a little trouble on the way to the support point, but still reached the target location within half an hour.
Instructing the team members to place the anti-tank rifles by the floor-to-ceiling windows, Commander Quan Shui calmly spoke over the communication channel.
"Team D is in place! Other teams are starting to take action!"
Three neat responses came from the communication channel.
"receive!"
The three teams waiting under the overpass immediately took action.
The five players who served as the cover team spread out in front of the team, skillfully raised the rifles in their hands, and used burst fire to kill the gnawers blocking the way forward.
The gunshots echoing in the street quickly attracted the attention of other gnawing beasts. The bloodthirsty beasts quickly turned their attention here and rushed forward like wild dogs.
There's gunfire in the streets!
The battle is about to begin!
The crawler lurking in the ruins fixed its scarlet gaze on the people on the street and let out a dangerous growl.
As if it had found an opportunity to strike, it roared and suddenly jumped out from under the ruins.
An ordinary mercenary team would have been caught off guard by this beast. However, what it faced was not ordinary people, but a group of players with rich combat experience!
As soon as the head emerged from the corner of the street, a thunderous roar came from the waist of the tall building on the east side.
The 20mm muzzle sprayed flames, and four long and thick tracers fell from the sky.
Two high-explosive bombs hit the monster's side, and two armor-piercing incendiary bombs hit the monster's back and shoulders respectively.
"Click!"
The shrill roar echoed in the street, and the crawler that had just emerged stumbled to the side.
The warlord immediately seized the opportunity, raised the rifle in his hand and put a scratch on 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 nibblers have been cleared from the street. The three newbies waiting under the overpass received the mission and ran forward with supplies.
Send a supply of 10 silver coins and 10 contribution points.
Although I didn't have a chance to shoot, it was good to go up and feel the atmosphere of the battlefield.
No matter in terms of profit or fun, this task is much more enjoyable than cutting down trees!
Looking at the players who had advanced to the downstairs of the building, Vanus had a surprised expression on his face and couldn't help but say.
"Are all the residents of your shelter military?"
This wasn't the first time he had such an idea.
But the drone aerial shots I saw on the screen several times before were far inferior to the visual impact of being at the scene in person now.
Looking at the flickering firelight inside the main entrance of the building, Chu Guang said in a relaxed tone.
"Some are, some are not, but that doesn't matter. The battlefield is the best teacher. No matter their starting point is 1 or 0, they all have the opportunity to become 10 here."
At first, players rushed in swarm, but soon discovered that some "monsters" AI had morale settings. Dividing into groups to carry out tactical penetration on weak links in the defense would be more effective than a simple charge.
Later, in addition to tactical interleaving, they also learned fire support, alternate cover, segmentation and encirclement, and used different types of tactics against different types of enemies.
Here, no matter how stupid a person is, they should know what to do next time after dying once.
Vanus' expression was slightly dumbfounded.
He always feels...
Why is this theory so similar to the clone tactics he learned in the military academy?
What about battle damage?
Don’t you need to think about it?
Since when did the blue jacket become so tough?
Vanus was puzzled.
Heya, who was standing aside, didn't care much about these details. Her beautiful face was full of excitement, but this had nothing to do with the battle situation itself, but that her suspicion had been verified.
"Sure enough, my guess was correct!"
"The increased spore content in the air will make the fruiting bodies become more aggressive, and the formation of spore clouds will weaken the restriction of light on the movement of the fruiting bodies!"
“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.
"That would consume an astronomical amount of fuel, and it would only treat the symptoms but not the root cause. Only by eliminating the source can we fundamentally end the wave..."
The gunfire in the distance has basically ended, and the alien species on the first floor of the building have been completely eliminated.
Mengxin, who was in charge of the logistics team, sent the second wave of ammunition to the front line. The three teams that entered the building had already arrived at the elevator shaft.
There are still two loud explosions left before victory.
Looking away from the VM, Vanus looked up to the south.
That's the direction to the city center.
Behind the steel jungle, there should have been a blue sky, but now it is swallowed up by a gray-green cloud. From a distance, it looks like an endless sea of mist.
After a pause, he continued.
"Otherwise it will be like this again every one or two years."
…
At the same time, in Boulder City more than ten kilometers away, a sharp and piercing alarm bell echoed above the streets, as if coming from the giant wall.
Crow Crow, who was shopping in the grocery store, was startled by the sudden sound of the alarm bell, and quickly looked towards 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 on the street and seemed to be shouting something at the pedestrians.
Putting the glass bottle in his hand back on the shelf, Teng Teng stood on tiptoes and looked outside, but he couldn't see clearly, so he asked in a low voice.
"what happens?"
Crow Crow swallowed.
"have no idea."
Xu Shun, who was standing aside, was more nervous than the two of them, and his hands had been put in his pockets unconsciously.
Noticing the reactions of several customers, the old woman sitting behind the counter smiled and spoke in a slow voice.
"It must be the first time for some of you to come here."
Xu Shun, who was standing aside, nodded and asked immediately.
"Excuse me, what happened outside? Did something happen?"
"That's right, but there's nothing to panic about. It's just a wave... This isn't the first time."
Stretching out her trembling hands, the old woman picked up the bronze glasses on the table and put them on. Then she skillfully took out three gas masks from under the counter and placed them on the table.
With a genial smile on her face, she continued.
"Gas masks, 100% new, only 20 chips per set."
"If you don't want to get sick, you'd better buy one and wear it."