Chapter 147
Gideon needs no introduction; he possesses both seniority and competence, a veteran of the Atlas Rapid Reaction Force's frontline field operations. He is truly a key figure.
Mitchell, well, there's not much to say. He's a veteran, but he's a bit of a go-getter and lacks his own opinions.
"Russell... Director?"
For no apparent reason, Ilona felt a sudden unease and a sense of oppression.
Vera's glimpse was unforgettable.
Meeting those unfathomable indigo eyes and that enigmatic smile, she felt somewhat at a loss.
"Nothing."
Vera smiled.
"A battlefield rose who is just as capable as any man, I am happy for your achievements in the rapid reaction force."
She casually patted Ilona on the shoulder.
"Keep up the good work. If I get the chance, I'll get you a custom-made exoskeleton."
After saying that, Vera walked past her without giving her another glance.
"Director."
Gideon clenched his fist and pounded his chest in a salute.
Not noticing any other hidden meaning, he half-jokingly pointed at himself and said, "Is there one for me?"
"Of course. When I went to the headquarters in New Baghdad."
As she spoke, Vera tilted her head slightly to look at Mitchell on the operating table to her left, who was getting off the bed while moving his left hand after the calibration was completed.
"The prosthetic's neural connections are perfect, just like the original limbs. But I suggest you calibrate them frequently."
Although compared to the Cyberpunk, replacing an arm is a minor surgery, it still took Vera half an hour because it involved sorting out the nervous system.
In particular, it is necessary to impart the skills and experience of implanting prosthetic bodies to the two assistants and to film instructional videos.
Fortunately, the 'hidden door' has been installed.
Vera's gaze was deep and unsettling.
She wasn't as easily fooled or lenient as Ains. In her eyes, there was no question of guilt without a doubt, and she wouldn't convict someone before they committed a crime. She wasn't even the CEO yet, but once someone committed a crime, there was no option to let them off the hook.
"Clear."
Mitchell, who was still getting used to his new arm, nodded in agreement.
Squeak--
Without saying anything more, Vera walked to a locker with a combination locker, tapped her fingertip to enter the password, and picked out two medical kits and a small cylinder resembling an asthma inhaler.
"Combat Stimulant Type 1 Pneumatic Spray, a flexible combat stimulant. It can temporarily enhance your nerve conduction; you can think of it as a special drug specifically for prosthetic shooting."
Vera tossed the medical kit containing the special medicine to Mitchell. "Take a breath, then go get tested. Special warheads are provided there."
She waved to her two assistant technicians to follow her and collect data.
Thanks.
Without hesitation, Mitchell inhaled Kinlichi, "Hoo..."
After Zhao Vera nodded, she put away the medical kit containing the special medicine and walked out of the Operating Room.
Click click click.
He picked up his EXO exoskeleton with his right hand and, as he walked, raised his left prosthetic arm. With a thought, the specially reinforced and thickened carbon fiber and ceramic polymer composite shell structure of the [Projectile Launch System] bulged outwards in an interlocking motion, just like the elytra of a beetle moving during courtship.
"Holy crap!"
A gasp of surprise.
It's the Joker (codename).
The clown, who had already prepared the virtual training simulation program and was on his way to notify the R&D department, bumped into Mitchell and his group at the door. His eyes immediately fell on their left arm.
"Don't get agitated, Joker. Do you want to cut off your hand to get a prosthetic?"
Gideon, wearing a knitted hat, turned her head to the side while making sarcastic remarks.
Although he couldn't help but glance at Mitchell, who was clenching his fist, making a final check, and moving his prosthetic left arm.
Click, click, the artificial skin on the inside of its forearm contracts and bulges outward along with the precise mechanical structure of the internal indentation.
It's fine if it doesn't move, but once it moves—
"Damn, it's like Transformers. It's making me want to get in on the action. Combat Cyber Body, what a great name. But Mitchell, don't get too cocky."
"Ilona? Hmm, what's wrong? You seem distracted."
The sounds and footsteps gradually faded into the distance.
The gate closed again.
In the quiet room, Vera looked away and picked up her PDA tablet.
Didi.
"Alright, Professor Ains, the gift of kindness has been given. Before we return to New Baghdad, let's talk about the development strategies of the Humanoid Robotics Department and the Service Robotics Department."
146
Chapter 146 I will bring Arasaka's 'advanced' management experience to Atlas.
[Business Planning]
From: Vera Adelheid Russell.
Recipient: Jonathan Irons.
Title: Flesh and Blood are Weak, Machinery is Resilient
Humanity's future depends on the machines we use today.
Content: The necessity of establishing two major manufacturing industry departments: the Humanoid Robotics Department and the Service Robotics Department.
If we were to point out the Equilibrium and critical weaknesses in Atlas Copco's current technology development,
Vera's answer was—intelligent control.
It's not that there aren't any, but that they're not good enough.
Perhaps compared to its contemporaries in Call of Duty XI, Atlas's technological level is still far ahead, but in Vera's view, this is a cripple.
EXO mechanical exoskeleton, AST Battle Mech, T-540 self-propelled tank, T-740 hover tank...
Atlas products, although all equipped with low-intelligence AI auxiliary plug-ins, such as the EXO exoskeleton, have specially implanted encryption programs that bind the wearer to the bio-suit, which cannot be removed by maintenance personnel other than the wearer and the rescue personnel.
However, the application methods are somewhat crude, the encryption program is insufficient, the friend-or-foe identification system is too sluggish, the management is somewhat chaotic, and there is no vertically unified programming.
The specific manifestations, including but not limited to, are:
After the pilot of one of our deployed AST Battle Mech is killed, enemy personnel can easily break through the personnel protection pod and seize control.
Without any pilot identification procedures or firewall decryption steps, the AST Battle Mech was easily restarted, and it even maintained contact with AST Battle Mech's internal combat LAN.
The intranet lacks sufficient control over company assets, such as exoskeletons, unmanned equipment, and prosthetics, as well as the ability to implement real-time administrative orders.
The database is slow to grasp and make macro-adjustments regarding the current status and benefits of company employees, distinguishing between those currently employed, dismissed, and retired.
Regarding the aforementioned defects and shortcomings, as well as potential future problems.
Vera naturally had to shoulder the responsibility.
As a shareholder of Atlas, the director of the R&D department, and the Chief engineer in charge of weapons development, her main focus now is on identifying and addressing shortcomings.
After she officially takes office as the director of the R&D department in mid-2058, these lax situations must be completely reversed!
Previously, Vera's rank was not high enough, or the departments under her jurisdiction were not closely related to the above areas, so she could have an indirect influence, but there was no reason for her to directly intervene.
She is now Board Member.
Ains has already relinquished power.
The time is ripe to make great strides.
She will bring Arasaka's 'advanced' management experience to Atlas.
Yes, partially.
"These are my humble thoughts on the future of the company's manufacturing business. Although their listing will inevitably face criticism from unions and other groups. Professor Ains."
Vera clapped her hands and looked at the PDA tablet screen in her hand, at the handsome and imposing face with deep forehead wrinkles and nasolabial folds.
"This is not some simplistic fantasy, Vera."
Ains' deep voice came through the speaker.
"Humanoid Robotics Department..."
He murmured the name of one of the two major industrial divisions that Vera's plan was to establish.
"Military robots, replacing flesh-and-blood humans with Intellitron... This is indeed an effective measure to reduce human casualties. If the 1954 Korean War had been a war of robots, Will might not have... No, the White House and the Pentagon are blind to this. They will only launch larger-scale wars to promote their 'democracy,' causing fathers to lose their sons. This is a tragedy that violates the laws of nature and is being repeated time and time again!"
A voice suddenly filled with excitement.
"Call..."
A deep breath.
After a moment of silence, Ains' voice, now calm again, rang out.
"I'm sorry, Vera, you must be embarrassed. Go ahead and do it. I believe in you. Only through innovation can we ensure the survival and prosperity of humanity. Only by making Atlas stronger can we change more people..."
"As for the criticism from the outside world?"
Ains' voice took on a laughing tone.
"Do you still remember our Atlas creed?"
Tilting her head, Vera paused for a moment, then replied with a smile, "We are pioneers who forge ahead."
Pioneers are those who achieve extraordinary feats and require extraordinary individuals. Those who attempt things ahead of their time will inevitably face setbacks and be misunderstood.
"Good. I unilaterally approve the establishment of the Humanoid Robotics Department and the Service Robotics Department, initially under your R&D department. I look forward to your results... Hmm?"
In the footage, it appears that an assistant approaches to offer a reminder. After nodding, Ains looks back at the camera and says, "I will review your proposal in detail tonight... but the most important thing right now is the New Baghdad headquarters you designed for Atlas."
He pointed at Vera, emphasized the priorities, and then hung up the call with a smile.
Dudu.
Vera put down the PDA tablet in her hand, and the faint smile on her lips quickly disappeared.
"New Baghdad".
The fact that the mission priority was still the New Baghdad headquarters was not unexpected for her...
It's no surprise that Ains values New Baghdad headquarters more.
Geographically, once Atlas establishes the New Baghdad, it will be able to deter the Middle East and solidify its control over the Persian Gulf, the Caspian Sea, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Suez Canal without much difficulty. This suggests that Ains himself is more optimistic about achieving a breakthrough on the World Island than about achieving a breakthrough directly in North America.
But the future is unpredictable, and who can say for sure? Who knows if Ains will be abandoned by his confidants once again, and turn on them and go crazy after being betrayed?
In a silent whisper, Vera looked at the holographic monitor on the control panel.
At the firing range, Mitchell was constantly testing the Projectile Launch System, while Gideon and the Joker were chatting enthusiastically.
Ilona simply stood against the wall, occasionally chiming in with a word or two.
Vera's gaze lingered on Mitchell.
At this moment, ripples of light and shadow were spreading across her retina...
The outline of the figure that appeared was herself, with a silver clover brooch on her collar, looking at her.