Chapter 73: Ultra-Deluxe Team Configuration
Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Ultra-Deluxe Team Configuration
Soon, five nearly identical motorcycles appeared before the crowd.
Unlike the heavily modified motorcycles commonly seen in the wasteland, these five were free of the usual chaotic assortment of spikes and decorative accessories.
They looked sleeker, with smooth, clean lines that were a refreshing sight.
These motorcycles were also massive, at least twice the size of a typical dirt bike.
But Xisuo’s attention wasn’t captured by the motorcycles, despite their obviously expensive construction.
Because atop the motorcycles sat something far more captivating.
On the motorcycles flanking the center, four riders were clad in full suits of black power armor.
The man in the middle wasn’t in power armor, but he wore a partial-coverage blue exoskeleton.
When Xisuo saw the gear on these five individuals, he couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath.
He’d been wondering just how they had managed to travel over 2,000 kilometers to reach October Town.
Now he understood. Their five-person squad had a staggering four suits of power armor.
This was his first time seeing real power armor, but he had heard countless tales of its legendary might.
Power armor’s full name was Nuclear Power Armor. The armor itself was forged from aerospace-grade titanium alloy. Internally, it was equipped with a life-support system, a cold fusion battery, and a miniature turbine. As long as the cold fusion battery wasn’t depleted, it could supply the armor with a virtually infinite source of power.
A Warrior in power armor could easily lift a small car and smash a huge hole in a concrete wall with a single punch.
When outfitted with various modular weapons, a single suit of power armor could easily slaughter one to two hundred people.
It could even take on powerful mutated creatures with ease, as long as it wasn’t facing a horde.
Normally, a large trade caravan with just one suit of power armor for protection could almost always reach its destination safely, provided they didn’t run into a massive magnetic storm or a beast tide.
Before the Great Cataclysm, power armor was the ace in the hole for every nation’s ground forces, wearable only by the elite of the elite.
This type of power armor was exceptionally valuable even before the Great Cataclysm, to say nothing of the time since.
Every suit of power armor was practically a mobile mountain of gold.
Putting aside its intrinsic value, the cost of the cold fusion batteries it consumed every second was astronomical.
Rumor had it that cold fusion batteries could no longer be manufactured after the Great Cataclysm. Every single one was part of the remaining pre-Cataclysm stockpile.
In other words, their supply was finite and irreplaceable.
Therefore, activating a suit of power armor was tantamount to burning through a massive pile of Gold Coins.
And yet, here were four of these powerful suits of armor. The lineup was so extravagant it bordered on absurd.
’In Xisuo’s view, if not for the fact that the three-meter-tall power armor suits were too large to enter the shelter, this exploration team wouldn’t have needed to hire any outside help whatsoever.’
’A force this powerful could easily flatten any defensive robots or powerful mutated creatures that might be inside the shelter.’
He tore his gaze away from the power armor with difficulty and looked at the man in the blue exoskeleton.
From their formation, it was clear that the four in power armor were not the core of the group. They were more than likely just guards.
The true leader of this exploration team was, without a doubt, the middle-aged man in the blue exoskeleton, standing protected in their midst.
The exoskeleton he wore, while far less valuable than power armor, was much lighter and offered greater flexibility.
Most importantly, exoskeletons were small enough for an ordinary person to wear, allowing access to narrow spaces.
Furthermore, the man was clearly not a combatant. Xisuo could sense a peculiar aura about him.
Unlike the wild, coarse demeanor of most wasteland dwellers, this man’s bearing was remarkably gentle, almost scholarly.
It was an air Xisuo was very familiar with. He’d seen it on Paida Xi, back when he wasn’t having one of his fits.
Clearly, the man had to be a researcher from the Academy, or perhaps someone of even higher rank.
As they observed the five important figures from the Academy, the group from the Academy was scrutinizing them in turn.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Hawkins’s eyes as he looked at the assembled rabble.
He quickly composed himself, however.
He knew that in a backwater like this, which couldn’t even be called the outskirts of a city, gathering this many people on short notice was already impressive enough.
If not for the reputation of the Academy, they probably couldn’t have gathered anyone at all.
Considering the role these people were meant to play, Hawkins put on a benevolent smile.
"First, allow me to introduce myself."
"I am Hawkins, a Level 5 Researcher from the Academy."
"It’s a pleasure to meet all of you here today."
"While I’m sure you are all aware of what we require, I’d like to state it again clearly to avoid any future disputes."
"For this operation, besides the 20 Academy-minted Silver Coins each of you will receive, the Academy will not be taking any of the supplies discovered in the shelter."
"All supplies will be collected, and after we leave the shelter, they will be redistributed based on their respective values."
Hearing Hawkins state the reward with his own mouth, joyous expressions appeared on many faces.
No one doubted the authenticity of a promise made by the Academy.
Hawkins ignored their excitement and continued,
"Now that we’ve covered the rewards, let’s talk about the rules."
"Once the operation begins, everyone must obey Mr. Li Wei’s orders."
As Hawkins finished speaking, a guard in power armor who had been standing to his left stepped forward.
With a PSSSH of a breaking seal, the power armor’s faceplate retracted, revealing a man with a stern, square-jawed face.
Li Wei nodded grimly at the crowd.
"I will be in command of the operation from this point forward. Your full cooperation is expected."
"Violate my orders, and you will be expelled from the team at best. At worst, you will be executed on the spot."
"Furthermore, this operation involves a significant degree of risk."
"So I expect you to be mentally prepared. If you’re just here to coast along and wait for a share of the loot at the end, I advise you to leave now."
"Because if you lack the necessary skills, you will likely lose your life inside the shelter."
"We need people with real abilities. If you’re just here to fill a slot, please leave."