Mecha Testing and Ball Lightning

The test began shortly. Because the experiment carried potential risks, the pilot had exited the mecha in advance and engaged its autonomous mode.

A large-caliber electromagnetic railgun was positioned to attack the mecha, with its firepower scaling up progressively until reaching full output power.

The first shot was set at 10% of the railgun's total capacity, yielding a destructive force roughly equivalent to a standard RPG rocket.

The energy shield easily repelled the initial strike. The silver-hued electromagnetic projectile, its tip slightly blackened, dropped to the ground, pinning a few blades of grass beneath it.

For the second shot, the output was increased to 50%, generating an impact comparable to a 155mm howitzer.

The sheer kinetic energy forcefully shoved the mecha back by a centimeter, yet the energy shield held firm. The intense heat generated by high-speed friction with the air scorched the greater part of the projectile's tip. As the warhead clattered to the ground, the lingering heat even caused the grass below to emit wisps of white smoke.

"Is the shield still holding up?" Wang Jing asked the young chief engineer standing nearby, observing the various data metrics displayed on the wall-mounted screen inside the bunker.

"It's holding fine. This level of impact is just the baseline; we've even run computer simulations for resisting the shockwave of a nuclear blast," the young chief engineer replied with confidence.

Following a brief period for recharging and reloading ammunition, the third shell roared out of the barrel. Due to its blistering velocity, a massive ball of fire burst at the muzzle. The high-speed projectile tore violently through the air, causing the warhead to glow with a faint red heat.

Upon detecting the fast-approaching electromagnetic shell, the mecha instantly triggered a proximity warning, diverting all power from the Ark Reactor directly to its energy shield.

After a series of flickers, the energy shield warped and deformed. The red-hot railgun warhead fell to the earth, striking the previous two spent shells with a dull metallic clang.

The mecha fared slightly worse this time; a wisp of blue flame drifted from its chassis, and a long, scorched skid mark was gouged into the ground.

On the bunker's monitor, the mecha's energy shield flashed continuously with sparks, causing the young chief engineer to look somewhat embarrassed.

Wang Jing patted the young man's shoulder in encouragement. "You've already done an exceptional job. The very purpose of initial testing is to expose flaws. You should be glad to uncover them now—at least this way, we aren't relying on soldiers' lives on the battlefield to find out what's wrong."

Heartened by the praise, the young chief engineer looked earnestly at Wang Jing and pledged with unwavering resolve, "Please rest assured, Councilor Wang Jing. I will push the mecha's performance to its absolute limit. This kind of issue will never happen in the next test."

Wang Jing nodded with a satisfied smile. "Good! I look forward to your success."

After attending the mecha trials, Wang Jing returned to his post.

***

After delivering neatly arranged shipping containers to their corresponding dimensions, Wang Jing found himself with some free time. Glancing at the clock, he realized it was already time for lunch.

He flew straight to the entrance of the base's dining hall. It had to be said that the United Government's investment in the new base was truly astronomical; a mere cafeteria looked from the outside like a five-star hotel. Yet once inside, one would discover that any ordinary five-star hotel paled in comparison.

Delicacies from all over the globe could be found here. Boston lobsters and Japanese Kobe beef, staples of high-end dining, were as ubiquitous here as crayfish and everyday pork.

Most importantly, all the food was entirely complimentary, provided one finished everything on the plate without wasting a single morsel.

Operating on such a colossal scale was viable primarily because this served as a transit hub connecting various dimensions. In light of the immense benefits reaped, this level of expenditure was entirely negligible.

Loading his tray with his favorite dishes, Wang Jing found an empty seat and sat down. Just as he was about to dive into the feast before him, a figure slipped into the seat opposite him.

Wang Jing looked up to see Maxwell Dillon, the inventor of the wireless power transmission device.

"Is there something you need, Max?" Wang Jing asked, noticing the engineer's somewhat fidgety expression.

Max cautiously pulled an exquisitely packaged greeting card from beneath the table and pushed it toward Wang Jing. "Councilor Wang Jing, tomorrow is my birthday. I'm hosting a gathering, and I sincerely hope you can attend."

Accepting the card, Wang Jing couldn't help but recall Max's originally tragic destiny. He looked up, smiled warmly at Max, and said sincerely, "Happy birthday, Max. I'll be there tomorrow."

"Thank you, Councilor Wang Jing!" Max beamed with radiant joy upon hearing that Wang Jing would grace his birthday party.

Observing the beaming engineer, Wang Jing probed, "Max, how do you find things here? I mean, what do you think of the people around you?"

Though puzzled by the sudden inquiry, Max answered without missing a beat. "They're wonderful. Everyone here is exceptionally talented, and they're all very pleasant to talk to."

Hearing this, the corners of Wang Jing's mouth twitched slightly. Why did that phrasing sound so familiar?

He quickly dismissed the thought, however, as a specific weapon concept suddenly flashed through his mind—something perhaps only Max could successfully engineer, especially since all the requisite auxiliary technologies were already in place.

"Max, do you know about ball lightning?"

The abrupt question momentarily stunned Max, but he quickly recovered. "Yes, I do. It's a fascinating natural phenomenon."

"Indeed. But its destructive potential is immense, and it can be artificially generated."

***

At this, even with his sluggish reaction time, Max caught on. "Are you asking me to develop this weapon?"

"Precisely. The United Government's understanding of this armament is still a blank slate, as we've lacked a suitable candidate to spearhead its development. Seeing you just now made me realize that you are the absolute best person for the job."

"Really?" Overwhelmed by Wang Jing's high praise, Max asked somewhat flusteredly.

"Of course it's true. Your talent is more than equal to this heavy responsibility."

"I will not let you down!" Energized as if injected with adrenaline, Max bolted excitedly toward his laboratory.

Watching Max's retreating figure, Wang Jing wore a satisfied smile before lowering his gaze to resume his meal.

Just as he buried his head in conquering the food on his plate, a familiar voice drifted from across the table. "Is it really wise to lead him on like that?"

Wang Jing looked up once more to see Ada Wong sitting opposite him, casually crossing her legs.

"What brings you here?"

"I need a word with you." Ada Wong said, lowering her slender, fair legs.

"About what?"

"I'd like you to speak with the research institute and have them craft a combat suit for me."

"No problem. Do you have any specific performance requirements for the suit?"

"Lightweight, bulletproof, and ideally, capable of active camouflage."

"Lightweight and bulletproof are totally doable, but optical camouflage is a bit tricky. As far as I know, the United Government hasn't developed materials capable of achieving true invisibility yet," Wang Jing said with a frown.

"If it's not possible, forget about it," Ada Wong replied, sounding somewhat disappointed.

"Don't lose heart. Who knows, the next dimension we explore might just have the exact combat suit you're looking for. Believe me, the dreams I've experienced hold plenty of tactical gear that will satisfy you," Wang Jing offered consolingly.