Chapter 128: Aircraft Carrier

The idea of adding a weapons system had crossed Zhong Shenxiu’s mind before.

Indeed, if their base were equipped with a proper defensive weapons system, its security would significantly improve, skyrocketing in effectiveness.

But that only applied to minor skirmishes between personnel.

If the Shield Agency truly discovered their location, they would simply launch missiles and bomb it to rubble. No amount of weapons could defend against that.

Moreover, installing a weapons system would undoubtedly delay Zhong Shenxiu’s construction of the spatial gem detection device. This was no longer a case of “sharpening the axe to cut firewood better.” It was more like halfway sharpening the axe, then suddenly deciding to dig a hole and plant trees instead.

How could that not slow down progress?

This was simply unacceptable to Zhong Shenxiu at present.

“I don’t think it’s necessary to build a weapons system for now,” Zhong Shenxiu said after weighing the pros and cons, rejecting Ivan’s suggestion.

Ivan’s face fell a little at the words. After all, muskets and cannons were the romance of every man!

Seeing this, Zhong Shenxiu explained, “For now, there’s no need to worry about the base’s security. As long as we operate with strict confidentiality as our top priority, there will be no risk of exposure.

“Besides, we have Wanda and Peter—two superpowered individuals guarding this base. If it’s just small fries, they can handle it easily. And if it’s a major threat, no weapons system would suffice anyway.”

Ivan nodded slowly, as if understanding. Then he said, “Alright, we’ll save it for the next upgrade. I’ve designed many weapons blueprints during my free time these days, and it feels a shame not to build them.”

“Next upgrade?” Zhong Shenxiu smiled faintly. “There won’t be a next upgrade.”

“Huh? Why not?” Ivan was puzzled.

This upgrade was all about quickly constructing an automated workshop, so many steps were skipped in the interest of time.

Besides, a proper research and development base should constantly be renovated and upgraded. That was the natural path.

Zhong Shenxiu replied, “Relax, I don’t mean what you think.”

He then glanced around the dust-covered base. Ivan followed his gaze, but still didn’t grasp his meaning.

After a moment, Zhong Shenxiu said, “Do you really want to stay holed up in this underground bunker forever?”

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope appeared in Ivan’s eyes. “Boss, could it be that you…”

“Exactly,” Zhong Shenxiu nodded. “Once we find the Cosmic Cube, our next step will be to move bases.”

The idea of changing bases had always been on Zhong Shenxiu’s mind.

First, this secret base was originally left behind by Hyde. Though well concealed, Zhong Shenxiu couldn’t guarantee no one else knew about it.

Therefore, such a base with inherent security risks was only a temporary stronghold, never meant for permanent use.

Also, while underground hiding was good for secrecy, it imposed many limitations on development. So, moving to a new base was a definite plan for Zhong Shenxiu—just after obtaining the spatial gem.

“Move bases? Boss, do you have a suitable location in mind? We should discuss this carefully—traffic, power distribution, land purchase, and so on all require preparation,” Ivan said after some thought.

Zhong Shenxiu shook his head mysteriously. “Why must we choose a fixed location?”

“How can we not choose a location...” Ivan’s eyes suddenly widened in surprise as he exclaimed, “Boss, you mean to build a mobile base!?”

“Well, it would be mobile, but without camouflage, security would be weaker. Plus, size would be limited...” Ivan muttered thoughtfully.

Zhong Shenxiu, however, pointed to the ceiling. “Ivan, look bigger. What if the base were an aircraft carrier flying in the sky?”

An aircraft carrier flying in the sky! Ivan’s eyes nearly popped out in shock.

Boss really dared to dream big…

Once his shock subsided, Ivan looked a little troubled. “Putting aside whether we can build an aircraft carrier, the energy issue is huge. Relying solely on the arc reactor…”

He immediately rushed over to the computer and started furiously typing, as if calculating something.

Looking at the screen full of numbers, the old Zhong Shenxiu would have been lost, thinking it all incomprehensible. But now, after gaining the Iron Heart from Tony Stark, Zhong Shenxiu’s technological weaknesses had been instantly remedied.

He understood now and knew what Ivan was doing.

Ivan was calculating energy consumption.

His method was somewhat crude, and even if accurate, the margin of error might exceed ten percent.

“You should use 0.53 for t; it’s better,” Zhong Shenxiu advised.

Ivan paused, then looked at the number Zhong Shenxiu mentioned. The small “t” was inconspicuous among the sea of digits, but when Ivan plugged in 0.53, he found the overall error in the formula dropped by at least one whole percentage point!

Ivan glanced back at Zhong Shenxiu in astonishment, silently wondering when the boss had acquired such skill.

Not long after, Ivan finished his calculations and recited the results silently. Then he turned to Zhong Shenxiu and said,

“If we want a normal-sized aircraft carrier flying, powered solely by the arc reactor… it’s difficult. Current technology mostly relies on nuclear power. Not because the arc reactor is less efficient, but nuclear engines weigh less for the same power output.”

“I know. But if we can boost the arc reactor’s efficiency by more than thirty percent, wouldn’t that solve the problem?” Zhong Shenxiu smiled.

How did the boss know that?

Ivan was surprised to hear the exact 30% figure—it was what he had just calculated.

Could it be that the boss truly understood everything now?

“Yes, you’re very smart, boss,” Ivan said, flattering him.

Then his eyes suddenly brightened. “Do you have a way to increase the arc reactor’s efficiency by 30%?”

“Yes,” Zhong Shenxiu nodded. Searching his mind for Tony Stark’s knowledge about the arc reactor, he said plainly, “Double its rotational speed.”

“Double?” Ivan’s hopeful expression froze.

Previously, Zhong Shenxiu had suggested increasing the speed by 30%, which already significantly improved efficiency. But now, suddenly doubling the speed left Ivan puzzled.

Higher speed doesn’t always mean better efficiency!

Ivan’s earlier surprise was because the 30% increase hit the sweet spot for maximum gains.

Doubling the speed outright might actually reduce efficiency compared to the original.

Zhong Shenxiu caught Ivan’s change in expression and said, “I’m not finished. At the same time, have the anti-energy pass through an ionized plasma conduit, maintaining a rate ratio of 1.7 to 1.”

Upon hearing this, Ivan’s complexion returned to normal.

He hadn’t tried this method before.

Whether it works or not was another matter—he hadn’t experimented with altering the anti-energy pathway much.

Whether the arc reactor would even function properly after such fundamental changes was uncertain—this was an innovative modification beyond the standard template.

Seeing the boss’s seriousness, it didn’t seem like nonsense just to amuse him.

Ivan thought to himself, “I’ll give it a try.”