22: Top technology is everywhere, but we just can't copy it enough

Chapter 22: Top-Tier Technology is Everywhere, I Just Wish I Had More Replication Chances! (Please continue reading)

“I really didn’t expect it to be so fast.”

The arrival time of this weapon equipment at the laboratory was somewhat beyond Lu Ze’s expectations.

He had originally planned to wait until his replication chances increased again next Monday, taking advantage of the opportunity to directly replicate two high-tech items.

“Yes, this batch of equipment already arrived this morning.” Lucy nodded, her mouth not stopping as she continued to eat another blueberry cupcake.

Lu Ze’s eyelids twitched watching her. Fortunately, every time he invited Lucy, it was to eat at the laboratory’s free cafeteria; otherwise, his meager public scholarship allowance probably wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Lucy finished the last pastry in her hand in one bite, then delicately wiped her mouth like a lady: “The Department of Defense brings in a batch of weapon equipment every so often, and this period just happens to be today.”

Although LLNL Laboratory is not a logistics base, as a national-level laboratory, its scientific research capabilities still lead the entire Eagle Nation, and it is also a major developer of national defense technology.

Therefore, the Department of Defense regularly brings in a batch of weapon equipment for maintenance, upgrades, and other procedures, or for testing experiments to refine subsequent improvement plans.

‘Then I’ve really come to the right place!’ Lu Ze was overjoyed upon hearing this. He hadn't come to the wrong place after all. If they regularly brought in batches of weapon equipment, then he would have many more opportunities to replicate in the future.

Controlling the emotions on his face, he asked expressionlessly: “When are we going over?”

“Let’s go this afternoon, the time will be set at…”

Before Lucy could finish speaking, Lu Ze decisively interjected: “Two o’clock in the afternoon!”

Immediately, the two of them exchanged a smile.

Two o’clock in the afternoon was the official start time for LLNL Laboratory, and today happened to be Friday.

In this life, neither of them would ever arrive at the laboratory a second early, and working overtime was also something that would never happen in this life.

In the afternoon, the scorching sun hung high in the sky.

Lu Ze arrived at the laboratory’s main entrance on time: “It’s too hot, isn’t it? Why is it hotter than the south of Da Xia?”

It was not even May, and after standing outside for a few minutes, he felt like he was going to be dehydrated.

Although California’s latitude and longitude were roughly similar to a few southern provinces in Da Xia, Lu Ze always felt that it was somehow sunnier and the perceived temperature was higher here in Eagle Nation.

Lucy walked over at this moment and handed him a bottle of ice-cold Coca-Cola: “It’s normal. The UV radiation in most areas of your Da Xia is within 400, and the southernmost provinces are around 800.”

“The UV radiation in California’s weather, however, exceeds 2000, and during the hottest times in the Bay Area, it can even reach 3000 UV radiation.”

“And your Da Xia only has UV radiation of over 2000 in high-altitude plateau areas of five or six thousand meters.”

Moreover, Da Xia generally has cloudy weather, while here in Eagle Nation, it’s almost always clear skies.

It would be strange if it wasn’t sunny.

Even Lucy herself had to wear a hat and sun-protective clothing when going out.

Lu Ze took the ice-cold Coca-Cola and drank it all in one gulp: “So that’s how it is. No wonder it’s so hot.”

He really hadn’t paid attention to this issue. No wonder the local people in Eagle Nation loved to take sun protection measures as summer approached; otherwise, they wouldn’t dare to go out. It turned out that the UV sunlight here was simply too harsh.

If you don’t take sun protection measures, staying outdoors for a few tens of minutes can make you a shade darker. As for those who say they like to sunbathe, that’s pure nonsense. Who here would dare to sunbathe without sun protection measures? They’d probably get skin cancer in minutes.

Lucy led Lu Ze, walking quickly ahead: “I’ll take you to the maintenance and management center; the weapon equipment is temporarily stored there.”

In this dreadful weather, she really didn’t want to stay outdoors for too long.

The entire LLNL Laboratory’s main experimental area is divided into several zones. The dozens of buildings at the very front of the main entrance are mostly offices for personnel from various sub-research departments or independent R&D project teams.

Further in are some main research experiment sites or scientific research equipment. As for the maintenance center, it is located at the very back of the entire laboratory area, in the most desolate location, occupying an area of over a thousand acres.

Along the way, they passed two rounds of information encryption verification, mainly to prevent strangers from the town from coming here. However, this was not difficult for Lucy; she just swiped her card to pass.

It took them twenty minutes to finally reach their destination.

The entire maintenance center was quiet at the moment; even though it was already working hours, there wasn't a single person in sight.

“This is just the weapon equipment storage area; the actual maintenance, experimental upgrades, and testing areas are in another place.” Lucy chuckled, seemingly having noticed his confusion.

Before him.

The entire factory building was filled with various items, from aircraft and artillery down to ordinary firearms, all neatly arranged. Lu Ze was a bit overwhelmed, not knowing where to look first.

“M1A2 SEP Main Battle Tank!”

“F-16 Fighter Jet!”

“M142 Self-Propelled Howitzer”

Not only these, but the entire factory building almost encompassed all aspects of equipment for the army, navy, and air force, and even many civilian technology items were also displayed here.

Military equipment included the B-1B and B-52 bomber series, as well as the F-15E, F-117, and even the F-20, a fighter jet that was aborted midway through development.

Even his old friend, the F22, was conspicuously placed in a very prominent position, quietly awaiting a new round of maintenance and experimental work.

‘Which one should I choose?’

Lu Ze walked around, stopping frequently, seemingly wanting to carefully appreciate each piece of equipment. He only had one replication chance, so he had to choose carefully.

A certain saying also reflected his mood: “I just hate that I don’t have enough replication chances…”

He wished he could just pack up all the good stuff here and take it away; it seemed like no one wanted these technologies here anyway.

This is what I picked up!

After a while, seeing Lu Ze still circling.

“Which high-tech weapon equipment do you want to interact with?”

Lucy seemed worried that Lu Ze didn’t quite understand and clarified: “Some equipment cannot be thoroughly examined from the inside, while others can.”

For things like the F22, the internal avionics and fire control systems are relatively confidential. Even she didn’t have permission to open the canopy and examine them closely; she could only interact with them from the outside.

However, some were not as strict; Lu Ze could even go inside and start the engine if he wanted to.

However, Lu Ze shook his head: “I haven’t decided yet…”

“Lucy, didn’t you say there was a B-2 Bomber? Why haven’t I seen it?”

He had almost circled the entire factory building, and with the B-2 Bomber’s unique shape, there was no way he could have missed it.

This time, his first choice for the high-tech item he wanted to replicate was that B-2 Spirit Bomber.

Lucy walked next to him and said with a slight apology: “I’m sorry, Lu Ze, that B-2 Bomber seems to have gone on an urgent mission.”

“I only got the news at noon that this maintenance and upgrade mission was canceled and postponed until after the mission is completed.”

“It’s alright, I’m already satisfied just being able to come here.” Lu Ze smiled.

Although he was a bit disappointed internally, after all, he had already taken off his pants, and now she was telling him the B-2 Bomber wasn’t coming?

However, Lucy was already kind enough to bring him to the maintenance center; what was there to blame her for?

This time, he would just choose another high-tech item to replicate. It wasn’t as if he wouldn’t have another chance to replicate the B-2 Bomber in the future.

‘Should I still replicate that F22 this time?’

‘Or the B-1B Bomber, as a substitute for the B-2 Bomber?’

Lu Ze looked around but didn’t find anything particularly valuable.

Just then.

Suddenly, Lu Ze noticed a behemoth in the distance that caught his eye.

This one, it seemed, wasn't bad??