Armored train in the apocalypse

Chapter 122 Data Collector

Xiao Zhao didn't let anyone down either. She not only participated in the entire production process, but was also very familiar with every step and detail. She could answer any question Su Huan asked.

He's willing to give such an outstanding young man more opportunities.

Based on Xiao Zhao's explanation, Su Huan quickly gained a comprehensive understanding of the information hub built by Professor Ma and others.

They used 5250 25TB hard drives, assembled 70 hard drive enclosures, and built a 100PB database, but a problem arose.

Not counting the displays and drones, this database alone consumes over 5000 kWh of electricity per day, comparable to a small factory, while the two hydrogen-powered trains beneath them have a total power consumption of only 440 kWh.

There's only one way to turn this thing on at full power: the train conductor has to do nothing but sit here all day like a power bank.

But that is impossible.

So Professor Ma and his team did some research and divided the database into large and small sections, then took turns using them, with one of the students who had awakened the power provider responsible for supplying power to ensure the database's normal operation.

Furthermore, the armed train doesn't need 100pb of storage right now; we'll figure out a solution when we need it later.

The subsequent construction of the information hub revolved entirely around this database, which is the carriage 11 that Su Huan just saw.

However, the information hub currently has limited functionality. The software and hardware are still under construction. They have simply rebuilt the circuitry to enable internal communication and added some monitoring equipment inside and outside the vehicle.

For example, Liang Kuan previously noticed an unusual noise from the front of the car, but didn't have time to check it. Now he can easily check it directly through the added camera.

There's also the refrigerator in Wanxing that monitors the quantity of gene-generating agents, checks the connection status of the carriage bridge, and the storage compartment on the second floor...

In addition, there are various warning measures, such as monitoring the condition of all the windows in the vehicle. If a window is suddenly broken, a warning will be issued immediately.

Watching Xiao Zhao constantly switch between cameras, Su Huan felt increasingly satisfied.

While many things were trivial before the apocalypse, they were major breakthroughs for him, who started from scratch.

These things either exist or they don't; you can't rush them.

Without Professor Ma and his team, even if Su Huan were driven to his death, he still wouldn't have been able to build the database, modify the drones, or even successfully implement the long-planned vehicle-wide monitoring system after their arrival.

Although the functions are still very basic at the moment, with this foundation, they can be gradually upgraded later.

There is always hope.

After checking the progress, Su Huan didn't hold back his praise, "The current results are good, I'm very satisfied."

The busy students around them breathed a sigh of relief at that moment, and even their steps became much lighter.

Professor Ma, who was standing to the side, was not so nervous, but he also showed a relieved smile upon hearing this.

"Next, I have one more thing to tell you, which is to make a railway track detector. The drone on the front of the train is very good; it can detect problems two or three hundred meters in advance."

Su Huan then continued.

Xiao Zhao's expression turned serious. She immediately took out her tablet to record the requirements and then asked, "Besides detecting roadblocks and broken tracks, are there any other requirements for this detector? Does it need to monitor the buildings, vehicles, and mountains on both sides of the road in detail?"

Su Huan nodded in satisfaction. This kid has a great ability to apply what he's learned to other situations; no wonder Professor Ma was willing to give him a chance.

“What you just said can be added appropriately, but I only have one urgent need right now.” Su Huan held up a finger in front of his eyes, his expression calm, “Minesweeper.”

……

Old Liu put the piece of steel in his hand aside; this was the second piece he had made that day.

Nowadays, there is a severe shortage of train manufacturers, and almost all manufacturers are constantly developing new materials by hand, including train attendants like him who have a regular job.

But he only needs to produce one standard Tier 1 light armor piece each day; he spends the rest of his time repairing vehicles.

Although time is tight, it's not a bad thing. As long as there's work to do, there's food to eat. And if there's always work to do, it proves that the train is developing normally, so he can always have food to eat.

Work a day, eat a day.

Be practical.

I got up and tidied my bag, putting in a few frequently used tools. Then I took out my glass, poured a little boiling water to rinse the tea stains at the bottom, poured it out, poured in a small packet of black tea, filled it with boiling water, screwed on the lid, and hung it on my waist.

This hot water is naturally a perk for the crew; as long as he stays on the train for a day, his food, drink, and lodging are all provided.

They also have a salary, but not as much as the third brother, and it is only paid on a points-based system, paid weekly based on the completion of work, for a total of 5 points.

You can exchange it for some daily necessities.

He replaced everything with tea leaves.

Before starting work each day, I would brew a cup of tea, not put it in my bag, but hang it on my waist, and walk through the back of the train with a jingling sound.

All eyes in the car were on him.

Even if those passengers can find a lot of good stuff outside, who wouldn't envy him for just a cup of tea?
To be honest, although life is a bit tight now, he feels it's much better than before the apocalypse.

The food smells good, the tea smells good, and I even have the energy to work.

After brewing the tea, I looked at the table and saw a list already placed there.

This list is usually handwritten by Lao Hu, the translator, who assigns them tasks for the next day every evening after dinner.

His large, thick fingers ran over the list.

"Lu Xiao's team vehicle repair x1, fire truck routine maintenance x3..."

'Lu Xiao is really taking on missions very frequently; I wonder how many points he's earned.'

Despite thinking this way, Lao Liu wasn't particularly envious; people are different. Some are ambitious and willing to climb the ladder, but there are plenty of people like him who prefer stability.

Old Liu casually stuffed the list into his bag and hummed a little tune as he walked to the back.

I walked through carriage 16, greeted a few familiar workers, and then walked to the back amidst envious and jealous glances.

The passengers in the back carriages had just returned, and one by one they were shaking off their raincoats and checking their belongings. They were still soaked and disheveled, and before they could even wipe off the moisture, they started queuing up at the front to hand in their tickets. By the time they finished, their clothes were completely soaked.

"Borrowed, borrowed."

Old Liu shouted as he squeezed through the crowd.

He didn't care if the acid rain got on his body. After all, he was an evolved being. As long as he didn't stay in the acid rain for a long time, this kind of corrosion was nothing to him.

These passengers weren't as composed as the workers before them; some stared at him coldly, while others approached him with fawning expressions, asking all sorts of questions.

It's like a displaced person looking at a landlord's farmhand with envy, jealousy, and a hint of resentment that's hard to suppress.

But Lao Liu didn't care. As long as he was in the car, no one dared to lay a finger on him.

Seats on the bus are already scarce, and nobody wants to be kicked off unless they're desperate.

Moreover, given the train conductor's personality, if you cause trouble, it's hard to say whether your legs or your head will get off the train first.

After passing through more than a dozen carriages, Lao Liu saw two familiar faces. He couldn't say he knew them both, but they had boarded the train in the last couple of days.

One was in his twenties and always carried a hiking backpack, never putting it down even in the car. The other was around thirty, with a stubble beard, a gold ring on his left hand, and always wearing a raincoat over his clothes; Old Liu had never seen him take it off.

However, their behavior was not unusual in a carriage with more than a thousand people.

The reason Lao Liu remembered these two people was because they paid for three days' worth of transportation at once.

And unlike other passengers, they didn't desperately try to squeeze to the front of the carriage.

The two of them squatted quietly in the back carriage.

I exchanged a few words with them, and they seemed to be in good spirits, but I never saw them socialize with the people around them.

They didn't even bother to inquire about the train's condition.

This is quite strange.

After he left, the two exchanged a glance, and the younger man, with an air of experience, comforted the young man wearing the ring, "Don't be nervous, just collect the data normally."

The man twirled the ring on his hand and said with a wry smile, "I'm just a little nervous about carrying out a mission in another faction for the first time."

"You've seen it these past few days, the armed train basically doesn't control the passengers in the back. The main members and activities are concentrated in the front carriages. As long as we don't show our faces, even the evolved beings won't be able to find us."

……

"What's going on with those two people? Doesn't the train conductor care?"

Jiang Rong leaned against a fire truck, folding her raincoat as she asked in confusion.

Although she could dry the moisture directly, she still needed to take on a recharging mission later and couldn't afford to waste energy.

Lu Xiao rubbed his stubble-covered chin, lost in thought. "I spoke to the train conductor last time, but he told us to leave those two alone. I guess they're up to something big."

The sound of a door opening behind them interrupted their conversation.

Turning around, they saw it was Old Liu, and the two were relieved.

Since the other party is a car mechanic, we've had quite a bit of contact with each other, so we have some kind of acquaintance.

"Old Liu is here."

Lu Xiao greeted him with a smile.

"I heard you need your car repaired. What happened today?"

Old Liu circled his pickup truck, his brow furrowing.

Lu Xiao crossed his arms and smacked his lips. "What else could it be? The front of the car, of course. It's wrecked again. You better fix it properly this time. We're old friends, after all."

"Nonsense! I don't make any money working for you. Do you think I want to keep fixing things for you?"

Seeing that Lao Liu was a little anxious, Lu Xiao chuckled.

Old Liu pulled out his tools and muttered, "If it weren't for the train upgrades ahead, and the shortage of steel everywhere, I could have used that material on you too. It would be absolutely sturdy. Right now, we can only make do with some ordinary materials..."

"Could you add a ram and some blast-proof netting to my windows so that zombies don't keep climbing on them? It's disgusting to look at."

"Okay, okay..."

Old Liu started repairing the car.

Interrupted like this, neither of them intended to continue their previous conversation.

A short while later, Xiao Ma arrived with his brothers.

After this period of experience, Xiao Ma's student restlessness has diminished considerably, and he has developed a sense of composure.

As long as Miao Qi is not around, he is the second-in-command in the team.

"Brother Xiao, this time we got three Tier 1 evolved beasts. We'll exchange them for a sniper rifle for your wife."

(End of this chapter)