Wasteland Development Diary

Chapter 16: A Small Step for the Company A Giant Leap for New Mankind


Yalong Bay, outside Cave 3.

The fully-dressed operator moved his broad arms.

"Prosthetics normal."

"Exoskeleton normal."

"Muscle suit normal."

"Insulation net consumption normal."

"Life support system normal."

"Tuning complete, requesting sea entry."

Li Mo was about to give the order using the electric cat walkie-talkie but was stopped by the chairman waving his hand.

"The operator's safety must be ensured."

With a serious expression, the chairman continued, "Ordinary people entering the Dead Sea will have their flesh and blood dissolved in a very short time. We need to have enough reliable protection; any accident during testing will most likely be fatal for him."

At Wasteland Development Company, employee safety is a strict bottom line.

This is also the foundation of everyone's peace of mind while working.

Li Mo solemnly assured, "Don't worry, Chairman. This 'Dead Sea Work Uniform' has not only passed procedural simulation tests in Recursive City but also performed well in our Dead Sea field tests, proving to be very stable."

"Allow me to briefly introduce its basic principles and mechanisms."

Li Mo pointed to the two-meter-tall humanoid apparatus by the coast.

"The Dead Sea Work Uniform is composed of five main parts, from outer to inner: prosthetic components, Light Amber ceramic exoskeleton, Light Shoot muscle suit, floating biological insulation net, and the life support system."

The thick outer armor resembles a humanoid can, with the surface made of a tough exterior of Light Amber and metal, reflecting a delicate and bright light under the sun.

It looks like a steel warrior with flexible mechanical fingers at the ends of its thick arms. The specially designed exoskeleton reduces its weight, ensuring a level of operational flexibility.

"First is the outer prosthetic component."

Li Mo pointed at the steel-structured limbs of the work uniform, "Prosthetic technology has been in use for many years, and it's quite mature everywhere. So, we customized it to this size directly. The core idea is to ensure the work uniform provides sufficient protection while also offering flexible movement and the ability to grasp and use tools easily."

"The arms use the 2nd generation 'Veteran Steel Arm,' and the legs use the 1st generation 'Worker Iron Leg.' Although they are not the newest models, they have seen mass use over the last five or six years. Their major advantage is stable performance capable of adapting to various harsh environments."

"The arms and legs connect with our Light Amber ceramic exoskeleton, which is a crucial support for the entire work uniform."

Li Mo tapped the white, smooth material on the work uniform with his finger.

"Previously, Tengu and I had been researching this. After Anaiso joined, he led the design of this skeletal layer."

"In nature, Light Shoot and Light Amber usually coexist in mixed states, with Light Amber being much less abundant. These two materials, compatible with one another, can form connections with metal and are widely used in the Light Imprint Skill."

"Producing Light Amber ceramics is not actually new technology. They are made by further high-temperature processing of Light Amber and adding other materials, which can be produced in large-scale Mechanical Cities. This material is usually used as a substrate for high-precision components, albeit at a high cost."

"It has two significant advantages."

"First, it can withstand high-intensity impacts. Even a B-level Light Burst cannot destroy it. It disperses and greatly absorbs impact energy because Light Amber intrinsically has excellent energy conductivity."

"Second, it has excellent thermal protection features and can withstand both high and low temperatures. The sealed exoskeleton keeps the internal temperature stable, minimally affecting the operator."

After talking at length, Li Mo paused briefly.

The chairman listened intently, occasionally nodding. He touched the work uniform with his right hand, which was covered by an arm sleeve, seeming fascinated.

This is one aspect Li Mo admired about him.

The chairman had already turned the company into a giant capable of suppressing the Legal Front, with seven Light Core employees under him, yet he still maintained a strong curiosity towards new things. He would appreciate anything new, whether it was a type of mushroom or a canned product.

"The third part is the Light Shoot muscle suit beneath the exoskeleton."

Li Mo said, "This was developed by Dr. Wei Wu from the Bone Man Cosmetic Surgery Department of the hospital. It was originally used for adding muscles to Bone Men as a medical aesthetics project. I asked Dr. Wei to help make the Light Shoot muscle layer for the work uniform."

"This muscle layer has a certain level of flexibility and elasticity to protect the operator inside and has excellent radiation isolation properties."

"The fourth part is the floating biological insulation net inside."

"This high-density mesh structure lies beneath the muscle layer, preventing invisible floating organisms from infiltrating through gaps and entering the uniform, thereby posing health hazards to the operator."

"The innermost layer is the life support system led by Silver Seal Alchemist Yuke."

The chairman looked thoughtful, "It's somewhat like a spacesuit."

"You're right. It's modeled after spacesuits from old humanity. We have recorded data of old human spacesuits with detailed parameters, proven to be suitable for normal humans."

Following up, Li Mo said, "The life support system includes an air filter and purifier, processing of liquid and solid waste from the operator, temperature maintenance, and self-oxygen provisioning to ensure stable air supply."

"These five components form the Dead Sea Work Uniform."

"Besides, there are some interchangeable parts. The helmet camera can record work information and feed it back to the data center. The electric cat walkie-talkie allows continuous contact with the rear as long as there's an electric cat and guide net."

The chairman looked at the finished work uniform beside them, "How long is its single charge duration?"

"Using the built-in oxygen, it can last 6-8 hours. However, while walking on the Dead Sea floor, there's actually plenty of oxygen. After filtration, it can be used to sustain normal activity, although for safety, activities shouldn't exceed 24 hours."

"Can an ordinary person operate this suit?"

Li Mo nodded, "Yes, this suit was made for ordinary people, so they can use it after training."

"To ensure they can operate it independently, we've incorporated many safety measures, along with stable prosthetic arms and leg structures to assist walking and activities, reducing the operator's physical strain."

"This suit weighs 310 kilograms. A normal human body cannot support or use that weight, but the prosthetic and exoskeleton assist in handling it."

"While it's not as flexible as the original body, it's highly safe."

The chairman walked to the back of the suit and observed the Light Amber ceramic skeleton on the back, identifying two metal boxes, "Are these... Floating Hearts?"

"Yes."

Li Mo was surprised, "Chairman, you have a keen eye. The suit is powered by two Floating Hearts, ensuring enough strength to support running, carrying, inspecting, or even engaging in self-defense combat against enemies."

"There is also a backup power source, the Stone Shedding. If the energy from the Floating Hearts runs out, the operator can switch to the Stone Shedding power in the lead box through simple operations. Since Stone Shedding power testing has been short, we use the traditional Floating Heart as the main power for safety."

"What's the cost?"

"About 100 Light Seeds per suit. It's not cheap."

"But it's not overly expensive either."

The chairman inquired about some technical details.

Li Mo answered each one.

The chairman seemed relieved, "You've done a solid job, impressive. Application of new technologies doesn't necessarily have to be entirely independent of current systems. Micro innovations and reintegration can sometimes yield unexpectedly great results."

"Going forward, I hope everyone doesn't intentionally avoid using the Light Imprint Skill. This mature technology system should become an important part of our toolset."

Li Mo agreed.

The chairman said, "Let's start the test then."

Li Mo spoke into the walkie-talkie, "Permission granted for sea entry."

The operator responded immediately:

"Mechanical braking system normal, activating work mode."

After a brief calibration, the operator controlled the exoskeleton armor, stepping into the Dead Sea, his large body gradually submerged by the mist.

Li Mo took out an enhanced controller and projected the real-time footage of the suit on the black Light Shoot wall.

Through the helmet camera, the operator could be seen entering the sea floor. Visibility was low, and there was heavy sediment, so they switched to infrared mode to capture heat sources.

The perspective was very steady.

The operator walked underwater for fifteen minutes before retracing his steps.

The broad arms removed the large helmet, revealing a young male face.

Li Mo introduced, "Chairman, this is our operator and company employee, A Zhe."

A Zhe stood upright in a hurry, "Hello, Chairman!"

"Hello, well done."

The chairman asked, "Which department were you in previously?"

"Chairman, I first worked as a Guangtai worker. Later, I was an external assignment from the manufacturing department to Glass Castle for exchange and learning. After returning, I worked as a mechanic in the clothing factory," A Zhe said firmly.

"How did you end up here?"

"I heard they needed volunteers to operate the new suit. I was interested in clothes, and that's why I went to the clothing factory... to wear stylish new clothes and shoes."

The young man blushed slightly, "I never thought this suit would look like this. It shocked me at first, but it's way more stylish than any clothes I've ever seen!"

"Indeed."

The chairman smiled and gave a thumbs up, "This is what real men should wear."

"Precisely! Chairman, you get it!" A Zhe got excited and showed off his mechanical biceps.

"Were you scared about entering the Dead Sea?"

"Yes."

A Zhe replied honestly, "At first, I thought about it for a long time. We tested it first with Bone Men, then with insects and sand rats inside, all of which were safe. But, of course, if anything went wrong, it would be fatal for a human, so I hesitated a lot."

"Ultimately, I decided... I'd be the first ordinary person to enter the Dead Sea and survive! Plus, there's a 100 Light Seeds bonus!"

"So, I took the plunge!"

The chairman couldn't help but smile and told Li Mo, "Good job; incentives must be in place."

Li Mo chuckled, "Given the significant risk involved, the risk and reward need to balance out. This work uniform will surely carve out a place for itself in the world in the future."

"Not just a place..."

The chairman shook his head, "This breaks the common sense that normal humans can't enter the Dead Sea, effectively rewriting history."

"This is a small step for you but a giant leap for all of new humanity."

"This milestone invention will reshape the entire world's structure."

The chairman's unprecedented high praise made Li Mo feel both anxious and exhilarated.

"But we haven't found a profit point yet..."

He feared that higher expectations could lead to bigger disappointments.

"The profit point is there."

The chairman smiled slightly, "They aren't just crucial tools for exploring the Dead Sea; in the future, they'll be essential for ordinary people to enter Mars and the Moon. Now, is there a profit in that?"

Li Mo was taken aback.

Mars mining suits?

So that's what the chairman was thinking!

If that's the case... Indeed, if this suit lets ordinary people mine on Mars, where there are plenty of Light Seed Ores, the 100 Light Seeds cost is negligible!

As expected, the chairman immediately spotted its hidden immense value!

"This name is too modest; we need to change it."

The chairman suggested.

"Please give it a new name."

Li Mo followed up.

All long-time employees knew the chairman loved naming things, and it was best not to speak out of turn at this point.

The chairman thought for a moment, rubbing his chin.

"Let's call it 'Wasteland Armor.'

"Great name! Sounds excellent!"

Li Mo quickly praised.

The chairman smiled, appearing quite pleased.

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