58: Chapter 58 Lin Mo's "Toy": Fusion Core Drone
After handing over the virtual maneuvering with the "academic broker" to Su Xiaowan's professional team, Lin Mo refocused all his energy on the design of the "sky patrol" fighter. However, while immersed in the grand aerospace blueprint, a more pressing thought lingered in his heart—personal defense capabilities.
The shadow of the "Dragon Slaying" plan was like the Sword of Damocles. Even in the absolute safety of the underground fortress, Lin Mo knew he could not completely entrust his safety to the protection of others. He needed a "talisman" that truly belonged to him and was as easy to use as his own arm—a piece of equipment that could work wonders at a critical moment.
His gaze swept over the advanced workbench and material reserves in the safe house, and a bold concept gradually took shape—why not use the resources and technology at hand to build a special "toy" for himself?
The core inspiration for this "toy" came from the miniature fusion ignition device he had personally verified, as well as the technical downscaling of the miniaturized propulsion and energy systems from the "sky patrol" fighter design.
He did not use system points to exchange for ready-made equipment, but instead decided to rely entirely on the knowledge he had already mastered and the materials at hand to carry out a creative practice.
First, he used the lightweight, high-strength composite materials based on improved LC-1 composite material stored in the safe house to 3D print several palm-sized, streamlined eight-rotor drone frames. The structure was extremely streamlined yet exceptionally strong.
Next was the power core. Instead of using common batteries, he meticulously modified the design of the previous miniature fusion ignition device, further simplifying and stabilizing it into a miniature fusion energy core only the size of a matchbox, with its output power strictly limited to a safe range. Although the power was not great, it was more than enough to provide near-infinite endurance.
Then, he cleverly integrated miniaturized versions of the "sky patrol" fighter's ion thrusters into the drone's four main rotor arms. Normally, the rotors were driven by electricity, making them silent and efficient; at critical moments, the ion propulsion mode could be activated, bursting with a momentary maneuvering speed and assault capability far exceeding the limits of conventional drones.
Finally, he loaded it with an autonomous control program simplified from the "Xihe Base" AI framework, which possessed basic capabilities for target identification, tracking, obstacle avoidance, and receiving direct commands from Lin Mo's Brainwave Interface (simulated using his enhanced affinity with equipment after system strengthening). The fuselage surface was coated with a special coating featuring wave-absorbing and optical camouflage functions.
A few days later, three drones, entirely matte black with a simple yet futuristic design, hovered quietly on the workbench in front of Lin Mo. They had no weapon mounts and looked harmless to humans and animals alike.
With a slight thought from Lin Mo, one of the drones rose silently as if it had a life of its own, performing a near-perfect hover in the air with a rotor sound so faint it was almost imperceptible. With another thought, the drone instantly activated its ion propulsion, turning into a blurred black shadow that circled the spacious safe house at an astonishing speed, the resulting breeze ruffling the tips of his hair, before finally returning silently to its original position and stopping steadily.
Looking at these three "little toys" that condensed his current technological achievements, a satisfied expression appeared on Lin Mo's face. They did not possess strong offensive power, but their infinite endurance, ultra-high maneuverability, excellent stealth performance, and control that was in sync with his mind were enough to play an unexpected role in reconnaissance, interference, luring enemies, and even self-protection at critical moments.
This was not just a toy; it was the first layer of the active defense net he had woven for himself in the crisis-ridden shadow war.
With a gentle wave of his hand, the three drones flew silently into a specially made storage box next to the workbench like bees returning to their hive, entering standby mode.
Lin Mo turned around, his gaze once again cast upon the massive "sky patrol" fighter on the holographic projection. He now possessed preliminary personal defense measures; next, he must continue to forge that strategic sword for this country, one capable of piercing the sky and guarding the nation's gate.
He did not know that these seemingly unremarkable "little toys" would, in a sudden crisis in the near future, buy him crucial reaction time and let the "shadows" trying to approach him see for the first time a "little surprise" from "Patriot X" that surpassed their understanding.