Chapter 163: Gunsmith
Having Little Aunt do the screening wasn’t a joke.
Nowadays, there are more and more affairs on the Train, and he really needs a secretary-type role.
Yu Jing is impossible; after temporarily replacing for two days, that mouth of hers started complaining. If she had to do chores for him every day, that resentment would flip the Train over.
The other core members: Lin Jin is too green, Liang Kuan is too taciturn, Xiao Ba is too young, Wan Xing is too independent, He Jie is too hot-tempered; none are very suitable.
The Botanical Garden has added dozens of new plants, Huang Hai is already busy with his feet not touching the ground, and if it weren’t for major events, he’s rarely seen in the Dining Car anymore, so that’s even more impossible.
After screening back and forth, only Yu Yue is left.
It’s not like she’s making any major decisions; given her ability to adapt in combat, doing secretary work is more than enough.
……
The Train is too narrow; by that afternoon, the news of the Crew’s changes was known to everyone.
By evening, the formal order had been drafted and issued.
Everyone accepted it very quickly; this is the benefit of small space.
One day is enough for a rule to go from appearing to being implemented.
The Crew also gained four formal Pursers.
Logistics Group: Hu Shuo.
Manufacturing Group: Old Da.
Combat Group: Old Er.
Research Group: Xiao Zhao.
The remaining personnel are grouped by function and assigned to the Level 5 Crew Member system.
Like the armed soldiers Xiao Ba brought back, plus some selected from the Worker Group, making up forty people, assigned to the Combat Group as security personnel for the Armored Train.
Zhang Kai, having no outstanding performance, is among them, but relying on seniority, he obtained Level 3 Crew Member qualification, earning quite a few more points each month than ordinary Crew Members.
The Armored Train supports them; when He Jie, Old San, and other core members mobilize them, they must obey unconditionally, and mission rewards aren’t fixed like for Lu Xiao and the others.
Their reward standards depend on the situation.
When Old Da received the appointment notice, he was sitting in the Bullet Workshop carriage; even now, he’s still a bit incredulous.
Old San making it into the core team was already quite satisfying for them; having been on the Train a long time, the brothers know their own limits— in terms of Evolutionary Talent, no one can compare, and in terms of brains, all three brothers tied together would sell themselves.
The Train Conductor is a bit eccentric, but he really hasn’t shortchanged them; not only food and drink, but any good things up front haven’t left out the three brothers.
Last time that seafood made him shudder at the smell of water.
But he never expected the Crew changes to directly give the two important Purser positions to him and his brother.
“Old Da, no problem, right?”
Hu Shuo confirmed again.
Old Da snapped back to attention, waved his hand, “I understand, cooperate with Yu Team on production manufacturing; it’s all stuff we’re used to, absolutely won’t drop the ball.”
Hu Shuo wrote something in the Booklet, then relaxed, “The Train Conductor means the same; at this stage, we’re just setting levels and personnel first. The work is still the same; we each just manage our own subordinates well.”
Old Da scratched his head, “Mine is fine; there aren’t many Manufacturers and Collectors to begin with. But how to handle Old Er’s side—forty-some people, he has no experience, I’m afraid he’ll mess things up if he can’t manage.”
“No need to worry; us Pursers are just for daily management. Training and missions are led by core members, and currently the four Pursers are temporary. Later, there will be some Level 5 Crew or low tier Pursers to assist in management.”
“Ah, and it has to be split?”
“The Train Conductor said it’s provisional; if it’s enough later, no split, if not enough, we’ll split the Pursers into a few levels too. But don’t spread this news; the Train Conductor only told me to give you managers a heads-up so you have an idea for later adjustments.”
“Alright, got it.”
Watching Hu Shuo leave, Old Da stood up and went to the Car Window side.
The Bullet Workshop carriage is quite a bit more advanced than other armed carriages; even the Car Window and other protections are different, but this Tempered Glass only looks decent pre-Apocalypse.
Against those routinely 12.7mm, 14.5mm or even 80mm+ Cannons, it’s no different from paper.
Eventually, it all has to be changed to Tier 1 Armor, which can defend against 12.7mm Armor-Piercing Rounds, with outstanding effect.
It’s just that Tier 1 Armor requires fusing special Materials, which is really troublesome to make.
The first thing after integrating the Manufacturing Group might be preparing Materials for the Train’s next stage modifications.
Pulling open the Car Window, outside was pitch black, tall Buildings long without lights, like huge tombstones left behind by the Train, Acid Rain splashing on the window frame edges illuminated into threads by the carriage lights.
“What am I even thinking; just work hard steadily.”
He caught a handful of Acid Rain, feeling the slight stinging on his Skin, took a deep breath, and rubbed it fiercely on his face.
Until his face Skin turned red did he lift his head.
This was a new Technique learned after last time being messed with by He Jie; though a bit weird, it refreshes and wakes the mind.
Closing the Car Window, blocking some phototactic flying insects, Old Da walked toward the Bullet Production Line behind.
The Bullet Production Line intercepted from the Steel Council occupies a full three carriages; this time not placed up front, but in the last 3rd, 4th, and 5th carriages; the very last first and second are two Hydrogen Energy Carriages, serving as reverse Train heads.
If it were reloading Bullets, forget three carriages, half a carriage wouldn’t be needed.
But to craft from Bullet Casings, the process is much more complex, including Gunpowder needing dedicated space for production.
Currently, this Production Line is directly under his responsibility.
Just entering, he heard the machines’ humming; a dozen people under Han Qin’s lead were each doing their jobs.
These are all Survivors just joined to the Crew; originally Han Qin didn’t need to come, but under her strong insistence, He Jie reluctantly agreed for her to handle one link in Bullet Manufacturing.
Checking the production status, Old Da grabbed a batch of 5.56mm Bullets and walked to the back.
In the corner at the carriage end, there’s a small Compartment where Old Da moved his Workbench.
Though he’s a Manufacturer, he’s not that passionate about Machinery and gears; that convoluted Mechanical knowledge makes his head spin; if not for Evolution, he wouldn’t look at it for a second.
But for Firearms, he can muster quite a bit of interest.
Which man doesn’t like these hard, violent, loud iron lumps.
On the desk is a disassembled [Enforcer-S1] Tactical Handgun, with a pile of Parts beside; besides the Handgun, there are quite a few from Submachine Guns and Assault Rifles.
He casually tossed a handful of Bullets into the adjacent Metal Box, making clinking sounds.
Old Da sat down, checked his desk to confirm no one touched it, then continued modifying the Tactical Handgun.
“General Energy Erosion” isn’t like Manipulators who can drastically change object shapes; they can only slowly alter object properties, thereby achieving some “deformation” effects.
At first, he just had a sudden idea to modify a Handgun that uses 5.56mm Ammunition.
Result: it blew up the chamber.
He was too lazy to read books; after asking He Jie for basic Firearm knowledge, he started messing around again.
Successively modified Bullets, Gun Barrel rifling, later found directly fusing Materials to increase Gun Body strength was better.
Now various Parts have all been fused with Terror Wolf teeth, strength improved by an order of magnitude.
Since all are Parts he hand-made many times, almost no thinking needed; Old Da assembled a “brand new” Enforcer Tactical Handgun.
The Gun Barrel is much longer than before, Magazine also wider.
Manually scoring grooves on Bullet Heads, then stuffing them one by one into the Magazine.
“Click—”
Looking at the hefty Handgun in hand, a sense of accomplishment welled up; what surprised him more was that a long-dormant Skill unexpectedly awakened one.
lv1 “Mechanical Specialization”
Now his “Mechanical Apprentice” three Skills are complete: lv2 “General Energy Erosion”, lv1 “Mechanical Specialization”, lv1 “Material Manufacturing”.
As long as he levels them to the corresponding grades, he can start preparing to promote Tier 1 “Mechanical Apprentice”.
“Manufacturer” promotion isn’t as complex and dangerous as other fields.
Just need to manufacture one peak work.
Taking out the [Iron Eagle-3] from his waist Gun Holster, swapping in this modified new gun.
Planning to go up front to a second level to test the gun.
Just arriving at Carriage 10, he saw the Train Conductor chatting with Yu Jing, Yu Yue frantically recording with paper and pen behind; this scene puzzled Old Da a bit.
Going up to greet, he reported the Bullet Production Line progress to Su Huan.
But Yu Jing’s gaze fell on his waist.
Her phoenix eyes slightly raised, with a hunter-spotting-prey vibe, “Can I see this gun?”
“No problem.”
Old Da handed over the modified gun.
Yu Jing played with it for a moment, face showing thought, then casually passed it to the interested Su Huan beside.
Compared to Yu Jing, the Train Conductor’s interest in the modified gun came from the gun itself.
This exaggeratedly styled modified gun fit his cognition of Firearms better, or rather, various dangerous and practical modifications were what he was familiar with.
Taking it, inspecting briefly, in three or two moves he disassembled the complete modified gun into a pile of Parts.
“5.56mm Bullets, even with explosive treatment; power is much greater than a 9mm Gunpowder-strengthened version, huh? A Da, you’ve got it.”
Su Huan praised with some surprise.
Old Da chuckled, “Just messing around myself usually; was just about to go test it.”
Su Huan quickly reassembled, aimed at his left hand and loaded, “Bang.”
Blood splattered Old Da’s face.
Yu Yue behind let out a shriek.
Yu Jing just had a flash in her eyes, no surprise; accurately, nothing Su Huan does would surprise her much.
Su Huan shrugged at his mangled palm, considering, “Power is indeed much greater, but recoil is up too; for ordinary people, need to add a compensator.”
“What are you doing! The wound that was just barely healed…”
Yu Yue’s tone rarely carried sternness, putting away paper and pen, taking Bandage from her side Small Bag to bandage Su Huan.
Su Huan shook his hand, “Cell Regeneration” activated; tiny flesh buds visibly gathered, in a breath, the originally flesh-flying palm took shape.
“Don’t panic; just casually testing this recovery ability.”
He said nonchalantly.
Old Da resentfully wiped his face; though he’s an old Passenger, he’s still somewhat unable to accept the Train Conductor’s whims.
Fortunately, the Train Conductor’s mental state is in an unstable constant.
He won’t point the Muzzle at others.
Su Huan wanted to test “Energy Barrier” effect too, but seeing the puffed-up Yu Yue beside, he gave up the dangerous idea.
Tossing the modified gun back to Old Da, he raised a brow, “You’re quite interested in modifying Firearms?”
A Da sighed, “Can’t say super interested, but way better than just synthesizing Materials or repairing Machinery.”
Su Huan nodded in approval, “Then go that direction; first promote Tier 1 ‘Mechanical Apprentice’, Tier 2 has a branch profession called ‘Gunsmith’ that’s quite suitable for you.”
Nearby Yu Jing also perked up with interest, “Specially for modifying Firearms?”
Su Huan wagged a finger, “It’s a profession specially for manufacturing Firearms; of course not limited to guns—theoretically anything that shoots is its domain, from small Caliber Firearms to large Caliber Guns and Cannons; given time, he can hand-make them.”
“How many Evolution branches does ‘Mechanical Apprentice’ have exactly?”
“A ton; it’s the largest Professional System in the Wasteland Lineage.”
Yu Jing swung the Wrench in her hand, hung it on her waist, “Alright, but five sets of Exoskeletons aren’t something to modify in a short time; at least two more days, provided no dealing with those messy things.”
Su Huan pondered, “How many sets now?”
“Two sets: one general-type [Scavenger-I], one with Bionic Suction Cup; originally for your backup, now it has some other use?”
“Mm, find two people; take these two sets and come with me.” Saying that, Su Huan turned to Old Da, “You go continue testing the gun; remember tomorrow morning to sync with Yu Jing on Manufacturing Group matters.”
“Got it.”
Old Da left; Su Huan took Yu Yue and two Crew carrying two sets of Exoskeletons toward the rear carriages.
Carriage 11 is much more complex compared to last time.
Professor Ma and others, to prevent the Database from being destroyed in major battles, designed separate physical protection for the Database, strength even more ridiculous than the Ammunition Depot in his carriage.
Not only protection in place, but also an anti-shock Balance device.
Even if the Train flips, the Database won’t be damaged at all.
Carefully squeezing through the narrow cabinet, Su Huan finally understood how urgent Professor Ma’s expansion experiment mood was.
Arriving at Carriage 12, congestion increased; various large and small Workbenches filled the entire carriage, Monitors and electronic components piled like mountains, the overhead luggage rack turned into crisscrossing bunks, mixed with a dozen students’ personal items.
With a chaotic beauty that makes one want to explore.
Every spot is wisdom of space utilization combined with indispensable life.
Like at some student’s bed head, a device running hot is currently sizzling Luncheon Meat on top, the heat emitted perfectly drawn away by the overhead ventilation equipment.
