123: Chapter 123 Field Testing of Laser Grenades

"Xiao Yu, this paint job is quite interesting. Who designed it?"

Chu Ge rubbed his chin, carefully examining the appearance of several mechas. The more he looked, the more he liked them. He felt this color scheme was much more aesthetically pleasing than the solid colors of [Soul Blade].

"Haha, Academician Chu, you really think highly of us. This paint scheme was decided early on by the top brass in the military. As for who designed it, we don't know either."

"Hmm, I think I should change the color of [Soul Blade]. As their leader, it needs to be the best in both capability and appearance. Xiao Yu, what do you think?"

Chu Ge asked Yu Yiyang jokingly.

"Haha, I don't have a say in that. You leaders can just decide. However, I think [Soul Blade] is also very cool. Every time sunlight hits it, there's a faint purple halo. It's particularly mysterious and powerful."

"Come on, you're just biased."

Chu Ge pursed his lips, though he felt the same way.

After speaking, Chu Ge and Yu Yiyang circled the mechas a few more times. After observing the work of several staff members, Chu Ge nodded.

Yu Yiyang took the opportunity to introduce Chu Ge's identity to everyone. Many people on-site hadn't paid much attention to them, but once they knew the newcomer was Chu Ge, they all stood up and applauded.

After a brief exchange with the researchers on-site, Chu Ge left with Yu Yiyang. By the time they finished the tour, it was already noon. Chu Ge checked his watch; it was 12:30.

"Xiao Yu, why haven't our researchers gone to eat yet?"

"Oh, Academician Chu, we operate on a shift system. One group has already gone. This workshop needs to be manned 24/7!"

"I see." Chu Ge nodded.

Yu Yiyang led Chu Ge, Captain Gong, and the others toward the base cafeteria.

Inside the Weapon Experiment Base cafeteria,

Li Gang, Division Commander Wang, and the others hadn't started eating yet. It was clear they were all waiting for Chu Ge's group. When Chu Ge arrived at the table, there were seven or eight home-cooked dishes. Though not a luxurious feast, it looked very hearty at first glance.

"Academician Chu, are you this hardworking at the Research Institute as well? It's almost past lunchtime."

"Talking about our Academician Chu? To tell you the truth, Division Commander Wang, this time is considered early. When it comes to eating, Academician Chu truly 'fishes for three days and dries the nets for two'."

Li Gang hurriedly chimed in, giving Chu Ge a provocative look after speaking.

"That won't do. A man is made of iron and food is his fuel. I'll have to file a small report with your Academician Chen later."

"Hey, you two have only been together for a morning, right? Are the sparks flying this fast? Li Gang, hurry up and eat. Don't you have work this afternoon?"

Chu Ge was speechless and countered Li Gang instead.

"Haha, Academician Chu, this morning we completed the remaining tests for the Electromagnetic Pulse Rifle and the Electromagnetic Kinetic Sniper Rifle. Although the higher-ups have already approved these two rifles and started formal production, I thought it would be better to complete the test data."

"Hmm, there's nothing wrong with that. R&D units should be like this. Test data is very important and needs to be archived. If any problems arise in the future, these original data points will have reference value."

Chu Ge replied to Li Gang while eating. For a new weapon from a military Research Institute, it would be abnormal not to have pre-factory test data.

"Sigh, seeing the performance of the new rifles with Group Leader Li today, I feel like I haven't filed enough reports. I'm convinced. No wonder several military district leaders were fighting tooth and nail for this new equipment. I finally understand today."

After Division Commander Wang Yi separated from Chu Ge and the others, he had decisively gone to find Li Gang's group. Even if he hadn't been allocated the new rifles yet, today's test was right at his doorstep; he felt like he'd be missing something if he didn't go see it.

As it turned out, Division Commander Wang regretted it even more after going. Could he even sleep tonight? He had originally thought the gear in his own hands was pretty impressive, but after watching Li Gang's field tests, he felt he had been too ignorant before.

Chu Ge smiled and shook his head after hearing this.

"What about this afternoon? I noticed there were no Electromagnetic Railguns in the transport plane."

"This afternoon is mainly for testing Laser Grenades. The Electromagnetic Railguns are still on the way and are expected to arrive tomorrow. Do you really think a plane could carry those big guys?"

"Couldn't you bring a small-caliber one?"

Chu Ge naturally knew that a 500mm caliber couldn't be carried, but the "fat girl" should have no problem carrying a 205mm caliber.

"All four calibers have been brought over, Academician Chu. The Weapon Experiment Base is huge, making it perfect for testing these large-caliber heavy cannons. We can just blast away freely, haha."

"Alright, Group Leader Li has a point. However, those things easily have a range of 300km+. You must pay attention to safety then."

"Understood, Academician Chu."

The two finished speaking and began devouring their food. Division Commander Wang listened from the side, stunned. He was considering whether he should have the Army Commander come over to watch the excitement as well.

Tomorrow was the Joint Exercise, and their Army Commander would definitely come to observe. If he heard there was heavy weapon testing here, wouldn't he rush over regardless of everything else? What about the exercise then? Division Commander Wang was momentarily unsure of what to do.

After thinking for a long time, Division Commander Wang decided to tell the truth. With Commander Leng's temper, if he found out that Wang had withheld information, Division Commander Wang felt the Commander would skin him alive. It was better not to invite such trouble.

"Division Commander Wang, didn't see enough this morning? There's a field test for a new type of grenade this afternoon. Do you want to go observe?"

Chu Ge asked with concern, seeing Division Commander Wang Yi's constipated expression.

"I'm going! I must go. Things are already like this anyway."

Division Commander Wang's subtext was: since he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight anyway, he might as well just throw caution to the wind.

"Good. See that, Li Gang? The level of military participation in our new weapon testing is getting higher and higher."

"Haha, Division Commander Wang, although we haven't actually tested the grenades this afternoon before, please trust our Academician Chu. A product of Academician Chu is bound to be a masterpiece."

It was rare for Li Gang to praise Chu Ge to his face, but Chu Ge felt those words sounded strangely familiar.

Everyone finished their meal hurriedly, and Li Gang's group went to prepare for the afternoon's test subjects. Chu Ge and Division Commander Wang sat in the same Military Jeep.

By this time, the Northwest Land had also entered summer. Fortunately, there was no lack of wind here, and the sky was full of clouds, so sitting in the car wasn't unbearable.

Chu Ge and the others waited for a while until Li Gang's group was finally ready. A convoy quickly headed toward the testing grounds.

"Academician Chu, what's there to research about grenades? Our current grenades are already very advanced."

Division Commander Wang thought for a long time and couldn't help but turn to ask Chu Ge.

"I thought so too at first, but this grenade is quite interesting. You'll understand once you see its enemy-damaging mode later. In certain situations, I feel its effect is even better than those electromagnetic rifles."

"Really? Now that you say that, you've successfully piqued my curiosity."

Chu Ge smiled slightly. He was confident that the magnificent explosion effect of the Laser Grenade alone would probably awe Division Commander Wang and the others.