43: Chapter 43 The Birth of the First "Golden Crow"
Xihe Base, Core Manufacturing Workshop.
Time seemed infinitely stretched here, yet also accelerated. Beneath the enormous dome, the usual clamor was replaced by a near-stagnant, extreme focus. All noise was swallowed by specially designed sound-absorbing materials, leaving only the low hum of the ventilation system and the almost imperceptible whirring of precision instruments.
At the very center of the workshop, a massive and complex metal structure had taken shape. Like a slumbering behemoth, its streamlined silver shell reflected a cold light under shadowless lamps. Countless pipes and cables of varying thicknesses, resembling blood vessels and neural networks, were tightly wound and connected to it. This was the main body of the "Golden Crow" demonstration reactor — the "womb" that would contain the miniature sun.
At this moment, all focus converged on the component about to be hoisted into its final position within the reactor core — the plasma confinement vessel.
It was not a simple container. Its inner wall, treated with a nanoscale coating, was smooth as a mirror yet concealed the miracle of withstanding temperatures of hundreds of millions of degrees and intense neutron irradiation. Intricate superconducting magnetic field coils were wound around it with millimeter-perfect precision, forming an invisible cage to restrain the violent plasma. Thousands of sensor probes, like the most sensitive nerve endings, stood ready to monitor the slightest internal changes.
This was the crystallization of Patriot X's material technology, precision manufacturing processes, and the efforts of countless engineers of the Dragon Nation — the true soul of the "Golden Crow."
Chief Engineer Wang stood before the command console, a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead, but his hand holding the walkie-talkie was steady as a rock. Behind him were the heads of various subsystems, each holding their breath, their eyes fixed on the monitoring screens before them. Elder Chen and Long Zhantian also stood in the observation area. Elder Chen's fists were unconsciously clenched, while Long Zhantian stood like a statue, only the faint flicker in his eyes betraying his inner turmoil.
"Final self-check!" Chief Engineer Wang's voice echoed through the silent workshop via the loudspeaker.
"Magnetic coil group, impedance normal, insulation test passed!"
"Cooling circuit, pressure constant, no leaks!"
"Vacuum system, ultimate vacuum level meets design standards!"
"Sensor array, all online, signal reception good!"
...
A series of reports — "normal," "passed" — sounded like the most pleasing notes. With each announcement, the weight in everyone's hearts seemed to lift a little.
"Begin hoisting!" Chief Engineer Wang took a deep breath and issued the final order.
Above the workshop, the massive, micron-precision intelligent gantry crane slowly activated. With astonishing steadiness, its enormous arm moved the vessel, the culmination of countless efforts, precisely and gently towards the open gap in the main body of the demonstration reactor — a gap that seemed to await the return of its heart.
Millimeter... centimeter...
Time stretched to infinity in this moment. Everyone looked up, their eyes following the slowly moving silver giant, their hearts seemingly suspended in mid-air. The air was thick with a peculiar scent of machine oil, ozone, and nervous sweat.
Not a single collision, not a single anomalous sound. When the confinement vessel perfectly mated with the main structure, a series of crisp *clicks* from the internal locks echoed. The entire workshop fell into an eerie silence.
One second, two seconds...
"Docking complete! All interfaces confirmed locked! Deviation value... zero!" The monitor nearly shouted the words, his voice distorted with extreme excitement.
*Hum—!*
After a brief silence, a massive wave of sound erupted! Applause, cheers, even suppressed sobs instantly filled the workshop! Many hugged each other, pounding each other's backs, letting tears flow freely. Chief Engineer Wang slumped back in his chair, closed his eyes, and let out a long, long sigh, releasing the tension that had built up over months.
Success! The first, and most critical, core component of the "Golden Crow" was perfectly born and installed!
Elder Chen strode forward, tightly grasping Chief Engineer Wang's hand, tears streaming down his aged face. "You've worked hard! Old Wang, you've all worked hard! You've made history!"
Long Zhantian looked at the perfectly fitted vessel, a hint of relieved smile finally appearing on his stern face. He spoke softly into his miniature microphone, "All security units, be advised. Core component installation successful. Maintain highest alert level. Repeat, maintain highest."
This was not merely the installation of a component. It signified that the hardware foundation of the "Golden Crow" demonstration reactor was now solidly in place. The most formidable chasm on the road to "ignition" had been crossed!
Meanwhile, in a city rental apartment, the system's prompt sounded clearly once more in Lin Mo's mind:
["Golden Crow" demonstration reactor core component manufacturing and integration complete.]
[Significant increase in influence on civilization's energy progression. Reward: Points × 1000.]
[Current total points: 2980.]
[Urgent Mission 'Establish Primary Civilization Early Warning and Defense Consensus' completion progress: +15%.]
Looking at the generous point reward and the significantly advanced mission progress, Lin Mo knew the most crucial step had been taken. The points and technology he now possessed were sufficient to support his next move — an action more direct and requiring even greater courage.
"The shell of the 'sun' has been forged. Next, it's time to infuse it with a soul and let the world witness its radiance." He looked at the complete "Golden Crow" technical specifications within the system, his gaze becoming resolute.