49: Chapter 49 Electromagnetic Pulse Rifle

Not only Yan Tianhao, but Zheng Jun also widened his eyes, glancing at the classmate Yan beside him who was still picking his ears.

"Brother Yan, we just heard the words 'Aerospace Aircraft Carrier,' right?"

Yan Tianhao stopped picking his ear and nodded vigorously.

"Damn, that's just too epic!"

Zheng Jun's loud exclamation made the driver shudder, causing the military jeep to swerve sharply, changing two lanes before slowly stabilizing.

"In the future, don't be so easily startled. That was close; your shout nearly finished us off."

Chu Ge said with lingering fear.

"That's right, it's the 'Aerospace Aircraft Carrier' from the Interstellar Fleet, also including several frigates and transport ships. In the end, it will conduct interstellar exploration in a mixed formation mode."

Chu Ge had already finalized the matter for them.

After finishing, he ignored them again and went back to dozing off.

"But, but, I want to join the 'Aerospace Aircraft Carrier' project too."

Zheng Jun said sorrowfully in his heart.

Yan Tianhao looked at Zheng Jun's constipated expression and felt a surge of smugness.

More than 20 minutes later, Chu Ge and his group returned to the Research Institute.

"You two, follow me. I'll take you to the lab to meet some people."

"Yes, Academician Chu."

Zheng Jun and Yan Tianhao automatically fell in step behind Chu Ge, one on the left and one on the right, like personal bodyguards.

Ordnance Research Institute Individual Equipment Weapons Experimental Center.

Li Gang was carefully assembling the newly arrived modules. With a series of 'click, click, click' sounds, a few minutes later, a uniquely designed new rifle appeared before everyone.

The entire Electromagnetic Pulse Rifle was matte gray. The barrel was integrated with the receiver. The rear of the receiver featured a stockless design, only with an attached telescoping adjustable component for users to adjust according to their preferred firing posture.

The front of the receiver housing eliminated the ejection port, forming a fully enclosed structure, though slightly thicker than the front section, likely due to the integration of the high-energy battery and oscillator.

The top featured a composite rail system, not yet fitted with an optic. From a distance, if the front barrel were retracted and the bottom trigger removed, the entire gun would look like an elongated rectangle.

"Group Leader, this gun looks awesome just by its appearance."

"No kidding. Look who designed it? Academician Chu, alright? He treats powered armor like child's play. Something like this probably just came to him with a casual thought."

A team member beside him said with a face full of admiration.

Li Gang was about to turn around and give a thumbs-up when he caught sight of Academician Chu leading two young people who looked like students into the room.

"Academician Chu, over here!"

Li Gang hurriedly greeted, his demeanor enthusiastic.

Chu Ge tended to get drowsy in vehicles and was still a bit listless. Just then, he saw the large device in Li Gang's hands and immediately perked up.

"Is this the preliminary prototype of the Electromagnetic Pulse Rifle?"

"Yes, Academician Chu. The most critical modules are installed. The optic still needs your decision; rails are reserved. Based on our data calculations over the past few days for the caseless ammunition, we selected a 10mm caliber."

"The Research Institute originally designed the new rifle with a 7.62mm caliber. Therefore, new molds need to be made for us, so progress might be slightly delayed. Samples should arrive tomorrow, allowing the Electromagnetic Pulse Rifle to be basically finalized by then."

After speaking, Li Gang confidently patted the rifle body.

"Hmm, use a green laser-electric hybrid sight for the optic. The collimated laser facilitates our side's concentrated fire on targets, and green lasers perform better than red dot sights in low-light, poor-visibility environments. The electric sight is to provide target designation for infantry supporting heavy firepower."

"Later improvements can be made based on the first-generation firearm, such as adding various new auxiliary kits, grenade launchers, and the like."

"Yes!"

"Oh, right. Later, contact Wang Yun and tell her to have the commander of the 224th Brigade send a few people tomorrow to verify this gun's performance."

"If the military finds no issues, it can be archived, reported, and their ordnance factory can be informed to finalize the design for trial production."

Chu Ge gave clear and concise instructions for Li Gang's next steps, without any hesitation, as if reading from a pre-written script.

Though in essence, it was similar, except the scriptwriter was the Military-Industrial System.

"Zheng Jun, come here. This is Group Leader Li Gang of the individual equipment systems research team. You'll be following him from now on."

Chu Ge turned and roused Zheng Jun, who was mentally communing with the Electromagnetic Pulse Rifle.

"Oh, oh, okay, Academician Chu."

While replying to Chu Ge, Zheng Jun walked up to Li Gang.

"Reporting, Group Leader Li. My name is Zheng Jun, a quantum physics graduate student from Tsinghua University in Beijing. Please guide me well in the future."

"Oh, a fellow alumnus! Come, come, no need for formalities among alumni. I actually have a topic I need to discuss with you."

"..."

Chu Ge watched as the two quickly became familiar and gathered together, engaged in a lively and enthusiastic discussion, feeling a sense of gratification in his heart.

The academic atmosphere at the Ordnance Research Institute had always been excellent. He hoped they could spark a romance—ahem, a hardworking spark.

Forget it, better not disturb their passion. Chu Ge patted Yan Tianhao's shoulder, and the two walked out side by side.

"Academician Chu, is that new rifle also your masterpiece?"

"Hmm, just a small test of skill, haha!"

"Academician Chu, there's a rather corny saying; I'm not sure if I should say it?"

Yan Tianhao fidgeted.

"Hmm? Go ahead."

"It's just... you're so amazing, does your mom know?"

"She probably doesn't. However, she does know about my girlfriend, haha."

"..."

Yan Tianhao instantly wanted to take back his words. Right, forgot about that. Regarding Academician Chu's romantic fortune, colleagues at the institute had already given him the inside scoop.

Having a girlfriend like that, if it were me, I guess whether my mom knew other things or not wouldn't matter.

"Tianhao, let's set aside the 'amazing' talk for now. I just want to say, people should look forward. Whether you believe it or not, the former me might have been far worse off than you."

"You study astrophysics. You should know the evolutionary process of a star's life—from obscurity to radiant brilliance, then to fading dimness."

"The final dimness has several outcomes: one, collapsing to a certain point, achieving self-redemption, becoming a supernova or the beginning of another star; another, continuing to collapse until becoming a neutron star or black hole, which represents true dark power."

"For people, it's the same principle. Stand where you are and exert your maximum energy there. After shining brilliantly, staying true to yourBeginner, you might then step into another life cycle. Otherwise, what awaits you might be a bottomless abyss."

After speaking, Chu Ge took a deep look at Yan Tianhao. Whether one is a prodigy or an ordinary person, some opportunities still require a bit of spiritual insight...

"Report to me tomorrow morning!"

After saying this, Chu Ge turned and left directly, leaving Yan Tianhao still in a daze. He watched Chu Ge; the setting sun stretched his shadow very, very long...