Doomsday: I Build an Infinite Train.

Chapter 377 The action begins

“Zhou Mingyuan’s faction is very nervous now. Although the situation is under control, the underground city’s actions have attracted the attention of some people. Regarding the plan to break the curtain, a lot of new candidates have been added to the shortlist. After checking, they are all the children or relatives of those officials.”

"Tell Su Jin to cancel the political review. Anyone who fails the Starry Sky Physical Fitness Test and the Personality Test will be eliminated, regardless of their name."

Just as Chu Zhaonan hung up the communicator in his office, a knock sounded at the door. A man in military uniform with a calm and sharp gaze walked in. Chu Zhaonan did not turn around, but his tone was already somewhat stern.

“You should be preparing on the Far Starship of the Vanguard Project right now, not here.”

General Chu Jing took off his hat and looked at his father's back. He had come here with two questions: one about the Vanguard Project and the other about the boarding list.

But seeing that figure from behind, he gave up on asking the second question, because he knew his father and himself, and knew what kind of answer he would get, and he didn't want to hear that answer.

"Dad, the vanguard fleet is ready. We have two shield-breaking plans, and only the second one is left."

Chu Zhaonan nodded without speaking. He and his son were used to expressing themselves through silence, which seemed to convey more information than words.

"You guessed right. The Dark Corrosion Cells discovered in the Crimson World have the same survival structure for both superpowers and invasions. If we dig deeper, we have a real chance to solve the problems of Dark Invasion and drinking water. This is the right direction. And I'm saying that the Phoenix Council can do it."

“I know they can do it,” Chu Zhaonan said calmly.

"Can we give them a chance, Dad? I'm talking about everyone else, everyone. I've been thinking about this all night, and I hesitated again when I saw you just now. I know that asking you this question now, as the captain of the vanguard fleet, will disappoint you. I remember when you appointed me as the person in charge of the Broken Curtain Project, you asked me if I understood your decision. I said: I understand, but my hesitation shows that I am not yet able to truly understand from your perspective. That must have been a huge pressure and a difficult choice, a million times more painful than facing the fact that 'the Chairman's son is the first to flee.' But Dad, if we can solve the problem of the Dark Invasion, and give the whole world a few hundred more days, wouldn't things be different?"

"Perhaps, but the logic is contradictory."

Chu Zhaonan's voice softened, and he patiently said, "Do you remember when you first entered the Naval Academy, you came back and told me about the theories you had learned?"

"The key to a submarine's victory lies in the silence before it strikes," Chu Jing replied.

“Yes.” Chu Zhaonan nodded: “The Dark Invasion is a toxin, and the Giant Curtain of Heaven is a barrier. When you discover that the insects have developed drug resistance and can even break glass containers, what will you do?”

"Dad, thank you. I'm so sorry you had to say all this to me."

After Chu Jing finished speaking, he fell silent. As the person in charge of the Broken Curtain Project, he knew that only by standing in his father's shoes could he say these words with the right mindset, and only then could he stop waiting for the dawn of hope and gamble everything with the most decisive means.

He glanced at Chu Zhaonan's straight back, then looked away and prepared to put his military cap back on and leave.

"and many more."

Chu Zhaonan called out to him. Chu Jing turned around and saw his father pointing to a tea table in the corner of the study that had never been used since it was placed there. He said, "Since you've already prepared this, why don't you stay and have some tea with me?"

This was perhaps the most peaceful evening Chu Zhaonan had experienced since settling into the underground city on the day of the apocalypse. He and his father brewed a pot of tea and, unusually, chatted about family matters. Later, Chu Zhaonan talked about his original ideas for interstellar colonization in the Federation, and Chu Jing also talked a lot about the fleet. They discussed the significance of civilizations venturing into distant stars, and even talked about speculations about the higher dimensions of the Dark Civilization, as well as whether humanity would have the feasibility of launching a counterattack against Blue Star in the future.

Throughout the process, Chu Zhaonan felt a long-lost sense of exhilaration. The tea in his cup never cooled down. He watched as the military insignia on Chu Jing's military cap, which he had placed neatly on the table, shone brightly under the study's lamplight. In that golden glow, he seemed to see a massive fleet of millions of human embryos and tens of thousands of young people riding towards the stars, heading towards the golden rays of the sun. Countless space thrusters created a trail of azure flames, carrying all hope and the seeds of civilization, heading towards the distant stars.

……

In Jinhai, a fierce wind swept in at night, and the air of the dilapidated city was filled with the smell of decay.

From higher up, one can still faintly see the lights of some survivor convoy camps shining against the dark city skyline, but these lights are shrouded in endless darkness and hordes of zombies. High walls and fences surround the industrial area. Here at the Ring Train Factory, thousands of people are stationed. Inside the factory, thousands of manufacturing robots and engineering teams are working hard to build an unfinished standard interstellar train hull.

On the main bridge of the Sky Train, several key members of Silent City and the Infinite Alliance gathered. The air was heavy and desolate, as if a dark cloud was hanging over everyone's heads.

Lin Xian didn't want to spread negative emotions, so he only invited Shi Diyuan, Ning Jing, Monica, Qian Dele, KIKI, Chen Sixuan, Director Ding, and of course, Jian Xuwei, his new collaborator.

On the Silent City side, only Shinji Mochizuki and Shun Sensou were present.

“So now it’s not just a matter of Dawn City and the Crimson World cooperating, but their actions could very well cause a huge upheaval in Star Abyss.” Monica was the first to break the silence. Her face was stern, and her tone was nonchalant, but a hint of heaviness could be detected in her expression.

"What will happen?" Chen Sixuan asked.

“Is that even a question? Didn’t we run into each other in Ejin?” KIKI said with a serious expression, floating in the air with her arms crossed.

“But this is just speculation, and it may not necessarily happen.” Ning Jing stood in the crowd and said, “What I mean is, if Xingyuan or the strange entity were to experience any riots or extreme changes, it would have already happened, wouldn’t it?”

“I admire your optimism, Miss Ning, but I must say something discouraging.” Qian Suxun fiddled with something on a computer, then opened a holographic projection and said, “Since the dawn of the universe, the changes in the Star Abyss have never been regular. According to the detailed observation data from the Phoenix Society and our investigation in Silent City, in just over a hundred days, more than 3000 changes have occurred in the six Star Abysses in the Asia-Pacific region alone. Of course, most of them are only extremely minor changes, but it is enough to show that all our current understanding and observations of the Star Abyss are inaccurate. The anomaly in Star Abyss No. 5 is also man-made, which has accelerated the process of global polar night. How can you think that the Star Abyss won’t become even more extreme?”

“Yes, numerous experiments and conclusions have proven that darkness is also ‘adapting’ to the process of destroying us. The evolution of the strange entities, their hunting of human settlements, and the dark’s hunting all indicate that this threat is not static, but rather responds to humanity and humanity’s own behavior.” Ding Junyi explained calmly, her hands in her pockets, “Extending this to cosmological theory and the Fermi Paradox, ‘silence’ is the best survival strategy between civilizations. The reason why humanity has survived to the 1% might be because of this asymmetry of intentions. Therefore, once we open communication with the darkness, things will inevitably develop in a worse direction.”

"Damn it, I thought Dawn City was colluding with the Crimson World to fight against the Phoenix Society and make political gains by seizing territory. I never expected it to be like this!" Shi Diyuan cursed, his face full of disbelief.

"It's not a conflict."

Jian Xuwei then said, "Whether it is the original Federation or the current Dawn City, the high-level officials are always divided into factions. It is just that the apocalypse caused the alignment and disintegration of the survival ideologies among them. The Federation cannot be completely regarded as an interest group. For example, the faction led by Zhou Mingyuan has the power to implement various high-pressure policies and interest networks in Dawn City. It can be said that Dawn City is actually in Zhou Mingyuan's hands. During my time in Dawn City, I have basically never seen Chu Zhaonan. The garrison's main fleet, the research department, and the Seraphim Department are all in Chu Zhaonan's hands. It is very likely that this Vanguard Project is just a plan of Chu Zhaonan's faction."

Lin Xian looked at Mochizuki Shinji, who had his eyes closed, and asked, "What do you think?"

Shinji Mochizuki slowly opened his eyes and calmly said, "Ye Lan is right. There is no way to stop the Crimson World from using mycelium technology on the Dark Corruption Cells. The Phoenix Society came with this worst-case scenario in mind. From this point of view, Ye Lan is indeed a pessimist, but also a wise and decisive leader."

“That’s not what I’m asking,” Lin Xian said. “I’m referring to the Vanguard Project’s attempt to break through the Heavenly Curtain, and what the potential consequences would be if the mycelium and the dark creatures were to communicate.”

"I think you've asked the wrong question." Shinji Mochizuki looked at Lin Xian: "Shouldn't you be asking when the Vanguard Project and the communication between the Dark Corruption Cells might happen?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes turned to the two of them.

Lin Xian paused for a moment upon hearing this, then immediately understood what Mochizuki Shinji meant: "You mean, they will definitely happen at the same time, and Dawn City might even put pressure on the Crimson World to prevent it from activating the Dark Corruption Cells ahead of schedule?!"

"Bingo!" Shinji Mochizuki smiled calmly.

"Therefore, I believe that Phoenix's decision to have you assist in controlling the central defense system of Dawn City indicates that the Crimson World is deeply cooperating with this Vanguard Project."

"The Phoenix Society is not only worried about Zhou Mingyuan, but also about Dawn City falling into the hands of the Crimson World." Lin Xian sighed, "It seems the Phoenix Society definitely has more accurate intelligence. This matter is much more serious than we thought."

"So the Iron Guard Brigade at Yongcheng Port has already been deployed," Shinji Mochizuki said.

“Besides that, the Phoenix Society must have used other forces as well.” Chen Sixuan frowned and said, “There are millions of people in Dawn City. If something goes wrong, one Iron Guard Brigade can’t hold them off.”

Lin Xian shook his head: "The Phoenix Society doesn't intend to defend it, it just wants to move all these people away. Now that the 578 Star Abyss has been merged, Dawn City doesn't have much time left."

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, the Phoenix Order's postman has arrived in Silent City," Shinji Mochizuki said. "Just now, I need to go and greet him. If nothing unexpected happens, I already know why they're looking for me."

"What is it?"

As Shinji Mochizuki walked away, he said, "My Silent Castle can hold 50 people."

"Hey……"

Lin Xian was speechless. He was preparing to rush to Dawn City overnight and was thinking of asking Shinji Mochizuki for a transport ship, but the guy just left.

Not long after Shinji Mochizuki and Shun Sensaku left, a crisp knocking sound suddenly rang out from outside the mechanical door of the main bridge. Lin Xian was a little puzzled. Who would knock before entering such a mechanical gate? Then, a timid figure appeared on the screen next to the automatic door. Lin Xian looked and saw that it was Shiori.

Chi~
The automatic door opened quickly, and Shiori stood nervously at the doorway: "Sorry, I'm here to provide backup."

Lin Xian pointed to the button outside the door: "Actually, you can press here to open the door."

"Um, I know you're in a meeting, so..." Shiori's voice sounded soft and gentle as she looked at the room full of people and quickly said, "Is now a convenient time?"

"What kind of support?" Lin Xian immediately perked up upon hearing this.

Shiori stood up straight with her feet together and said, "...It's me. Shinji asked me to come into the city with you."

"Huh?" Lin Xian's eyes widened: "No..."

"There's also a 'Swordfish' transport ship. Oh, and the space-based weapon you requested has already been delivered to the platform next to the Infinity."

Lin Xian immediately breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this: "This guy really is..."

He glanced at Shiori in front of him, smiled, and then said in a friendly manner, "Going to Dawn City may be quite dangerous, unlike the strange entities. I need to tell you this in advance. However, you are very welcome to join us."

Shiori sensed Lin Xian's friendliness and quickly said nervously, "Thank you, I'm not scared, if... you hadn't been watching me like that..."

Lin Xian frowned. He had sensed before that this girl was not afraid of the dead or strange beings, but she was a little afraid of being stared at. Her personality was strange but also a little cute.

However, he didn't say anything, and after shifting his gaze, he invited Shiori to the main bridge.

Now that they had a vehicle, the group needed to discuss their plan of action. "The gates of Dawn City are equipped with sophisticated surveillance and detection systems, and you are currently a key wanted person by the Federation, so trying to sneak in by wearing power armor or other means won't work," Jian Xuwei said at this moment.

"Then it seems you have another way, Chairwoman Jian." Lin Xian looked at her.

Jian Xuwei said directly, "You're right. Although the Federation's system seems strict on the surface, there are actually many ways to enter the city."

"Then let's not delay. If I'm not mistaken, Jiang Yun will come to pick us up."

"Yes."

"Lin Xian," Chen Sixuan said at this moment, "Should we bring more people along?"

"No need. There are too many people around. We'll be accompanied by NAUF members once we enter the city." Lin Xian checked the time: "Same as usual. Teacher Chen and Brother Shi will keep an eye on things here. Sister Jing, Qian Dele, Monica, KIKI, and Shiori will come with me. We'll also bring Brother Huo along."

“Me too,” Jian Xuwei said calmly.

“Right, I almost forgot about your Silver Star,” Lin Xian said.

“That’s not my main concern,” Jian Xuwei said. “The situation inside the city is very complicated. My team is there, and Jiang Yun and I can help you control the entire city’s defense network.”

Lin Xian nodded: "That makes sense."

“Okay, then let’s leave it at that.” Qian Dele stood up from the stool with a flourish and put on his sunglasses: “Ah, Star City, no, Dawn City, I’m finally going back to this unforgettable night city.”

"What, missing your old life of revelry?" Monica replied with a smile.

"I don't like a life of debauchery and vulgarity. I pursue an artistic life, you understand?" Qian Dele tightened his floral suit, raising his neck with an air of arrogance.

"Lin Xian."

As everyone prepared to depart, Chen Sixuan called out to Lin Xian in the passageway: "Why won't you let me go with you? My identity should make it easier for me to move around, right? It's been so long and you're still guarding the car?"

"We're not guarding the wagons now, we're guarding the city."

"Defend the city?"

“Yes.” Lin Xian looked at her and said seriously, “Infinite, United Train, Sky Train, and Silent City are all in Jinhai, Phoenix will be in Qingbo, and the Iron Guard Brigade is approaching from the east. The situation may suddenly escalate, but we are surrounded by three Star Abysses. Once a crisis occurs, we must be fully prepared.”

Chen Sixuan looked somewhat surprised upon hearing this, then her gaze shifted, and she took a deep breath and nodded.
"I understand. You can leave this to me."

"Ah."

With Jian Xuwei absent, Shi Diyuan needed to oversee the defenses of the industrial zone, and Shinji Mochizuki's Silent City and the Phoenix Society had other plans for action. Therefore, Lin Xian had no choice but to leave Chen Sixuan behind, along with the thousands of people inside and outside the city and this Sky Train.

At this moment, a 'Swordfish' transport ship was docked in the square. It is a small transport aircraft with extremely high speed.

Lin Xian arrived at the platform where the Infinite was docked and saw from afar two terrifying devices that looked like large rockets lying horizontally on the side of the platform. They were placed on a special launch towing frame and covered with a rainproof cloth.

"Finally, I see this thing."

Lin Xian hurried over, and the closer he got, the bigger the thing became. The diameter of the rocket exceeded the width of the Infinity train, and its length was over 70 meters. It was like a large intercontinental ballistic missile. But Lin Xian knew that as a directional restraint weapon, this thing was far more lethal than an intercontinental ballistic missile in some respects. Moreover, after it deformed in the air, it resembled the hilt of a sharp sword, which was truly awe-inspiring.

"What is this?" KIKI asked as she followed.

"The Hyperion Directional Restraint Cannon was given to me by Shinji Mochizuki," Lin Xian said.

“Space-based weapon, he’s really generous.” Jian Xuwei walked up in surprise. “The value of this one is enough to arm a medium-sized convoy of two thousand people. Now, this type of weapon is a secret weapon used by large organizations like Dawn City and Phoenix Society to deal with S-class enemies. The benefits of high-energy focusing are more valuable than the nuclear chain reaction.”

"As expected of First Mate Jian, he is very knowledgeable."

Jian Xuwei glanced at him and whispered, "If you don't mind, please call me Jian Xuwei."

"Didn't you want to be the first mate?"

“Yes, but I don’t like the first mate, and I don’t like the name either,” Jian Xuwei said seriously.

"And what about Chairman Jian?"

"what ever."

"Yes, First Mate Jian."

"..."

Lin Xian glanced at Shiori, who had followed behind him, and said with a smile, "Please thank Shinji Mochizuki for me."

Shiori nodded and then stepped back behind Kiki.

"When do we leave?" Monica asked as she walked up.

Lin Xian glanced at the Hyperion Directional Restraint Cannon in front of him, then checked the time, and said sternly, "Assemble on the transport ship in 20 minutes!"

Cengceng!

Inside a vast loading plant, arcs of electricity flickered as a Hyperion Directional Confinement Cannon was slowly dragged into the void gate of the Black Star Forge by electromagnetic force. Then, Lin Xian opened the Mechanical Heart panel and remembered that the Doomsday Train had already been completely devoured.

[Successfully devoured! Mechanical Source Points +500, Mechanical Devouring Skill Proficiency +200!]

"Before, a single power core could increase the value by 700, but now all of these dozen or so trains are only worth 500. Dude, do you want me to build all of them Star Devourer ships or aircraft carriers?"

Lin Xian looked at the mechanical source points he had harvested and sighed helplessly. However, he was glad that he had only spent an hour on this devouring process, which was automated. Thinking about it this way, he felt a little better.

Thinking of this, Lin Xian immediately activated all five construction sequences!
"The 'Rayfalcon 2000' X100 is my main model!"

"Let's start with an X50 from 'Thunder Prison,' and the scale will explode!"

"The 'Destroyer' is too extreme. Let's build 20 units first; they might be useful in a critical moment."

"Ice Blast 166, never mind, I don't need this for now."

"Iron Rain," this is good, large ramming bullets, X50.

"The Iron Curtain must be upgraded to X50, and physical shields are essential..."

"Now my mechanical construction proficiency will skyrocket."

Woo~
Inside the Black Star Forge, Lin Xian watched as the five construction sequences went into full operation, the countdown refreshed simultaneously, and all the decomposed materials were being used passively at this moment. He couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

With this automated production line, Lin Xian's manufacturing efficiency has seen an epic increase. At this rate, as long as he has enough materials, he can manufacture hundreds of drones a day. In this way, building a mechanical army is not a dream.

In addition to drones, Lin Xian also plans to manufacture heavy armored mechs like Qian Su Xun's and robots like Dancer No. 1 for combat, with greater power and size, and most importantly, higher intelligence and better response capabilities.

"With so many drones to build, I need a capable AI assistant, right, Grace?"

[Your thinking is absolutely correct! In scenarios involving large-scale drone deployments, a powerful AI assistant is indeed the core central hub. Would you like me to provide a comprehensive solution for drone swarming and AI collaboration?]

After being completely overwritten, Grace is now a pure AI. Although she has undergone deep learning of the current global crisis environment through data import from KIKI, she no longer has a personal language when communicating with Lin Xian. Her responses sound like very cold AI.

"So your previous sense of humor wasn't due to the programming... Well, then, you're just a pure mechanical AI."

After saying that, Lin Xian raised his hand and waved it, opening the spatial gate of the Black Star Forge and sucking Grace inside.

He quickly checked the time and strode out of the factory.

On the plaza, KIKI, Jian Xuwei, Shiori, Qian Dele, Monica, and Lu Xingchen were all fully armed and ready. Soon, an arc of light from a thruster flashed above the industrial zone, heading towards Dawn City.

In the Silent City Cloud District, Senju Shun watched Lin Xian's transport ship depart on the surveillance footage and said to Mochizuki Shinji, "Lin has already started his operation. He's a very swift person."

Shinji Mochizuki, his expression solemn, his hands tucked into his sleeves, looked at the layout of Dawn City on the holographic map and spoke.
“I am very interested in the Phoenix Society’s plan. Xun, notify all personnel.”

"Prepare to re-separate City Two!"

(End of this chapter)