Wasteland Survivalist: A Scientific Guide to Post-Apocalyptic Survival

The temporary team of four entered the factory area one after the other.

Bai Lang and his two companions led the way in a pickup truck, while Gu Lang followed on a bicycle.

Considering the possibility of berserkers in the vicinity, Gu Lang hung the air rifle back on the side of his backpack and switched his main weapon to a homemade gun.

"Did you handcraft both of these guns?"

After getting out of the car, Bai Lang saw that Gu Lang had changed his gun and couldn't resist his curiosity.

"I wouldn't dare call it handmade; it's more like a modification."

Although air guns can fire in rapid succession and make little noise, their power is simply not enough.

If a berserker appears later, we'll still have to rely on this shotgun.

Gu Lang subtly invoked external enemies to alleviate internal conflicts and enhance unity.

"We agreed beforehand that in the event of a dangerous situation, I would prioritize the safety of my family."

Bai Lang pointed to his mother and grandmother beside him.

"No problem, of course." Gu Lang nodded in agreement.

This clear statement of bottom lines is the foundation for increasing mutual trust.

Upon opening the workshop door, the first thing you see is a large number of reaction vessels and mixing equipment.

It's more like a petrochemical plant than a textile factory.

The words "Raw Material Workshop" are posted on the wall.

The group walked forward, and in the next workshop, there were a large number of water tanks.

The interior is a solidified gel-like substance, and the text on the wall has changed to "Stretching Workshop".

Continuing forward, we finally saw a huge yarn bobbin that stretched as far as the eye could see.

"Looks like we didn't find any bulletproof vests." Gu Lang was slightly disappointed.

"This is the raw material production area, so it's normal not to find finished products here. Let's look around some more; there should be other production lines."

Bai Lang suggested continuing the search in other parts of the factory area.

Upon reaching the other end of the production line, the group climbed the outdoor steel ladder and entered through the safety passage.

"A non-woven fabric production line! I can already smell the resin."

Bai Lang, who was walking at the front, suddenly took off his mask and shouted.

After passing the large hot press in the lamination and pressing workshop, the assembly workshop came into view.

A mountain of semi-finished products was displayed before everyone.

Most of them are bulletproof helmets and bulletproof plates that are already in the early stages of development.

All that's left before it's finished is the outermost nylon encapsulation.

According to Bai Lang, the soft bulletproof insert is essentially a "super woven fabric" that relies on the toughness of the fibers to "wrap" and "hold" the bullet.

The non-woven fabric used in the soft bulletproof inserts has a special structure. It is made by arranging countless ultra-high-strength fibers in parallel in the same direction and then pressing them together with a special film.

When a bullet hits, this entire sheet of parallel fibers works together to distribute and absorb the enormous impact energy.

If you simply weave or overlap the fibers like you would regular fabric.

Its bulletproof performance will drop sharply, or even become completely ineffective.

"Judging from its shape and size, it should be a soft bulletproof insert used in domestically produced tactical vests."

The small one is the back support plate, and the large one with a lumbar support is the front support plate.

"Look around the back; you should still be able to find the test vests."

Under Bai Lang's guidance, the group found several Type 21 tactical vests in a locker next to the production line.

He tore open the Velcro straps on his tactical vest and inserted the two soft inserts at the front and back.

The shape fit perfectly, and the originally loose vest became upright.

"So that's how bulletproof vests are assembled? This soft insert is actually the vest's lining."

Gu Lang didn't know much about military products, but suddenly he had an epiphany.

"That's right. The soft insert is flexible and can fit the body, providing a large protective area."

It doesn't hinder movement during combat, but if I had to point out a drawback...

That means it has poor protective capabilities; it can only stop shrapnel and pistol bullets, but it can't withstand rifle attacks.

After Bai Lang finished speaking, he tore open a large pocket on the outside of his vest again.

"Look, there's another layer of padded bags here, meant to withstand rifle bullets."

An additional rigid ceramic fiber composite insert must be added; only by combining rigid and flexible inserts can the patient truly be saved.

The group arrived at the finished goods warehouse to continue searching for supplies, but their initial excitement instantly plummeted.

The warehouse had been looted; all the finished bulletproof equipment had disappeared, leaving only empty shelves and cardboard boxes.

"Don't be sad, there are still gains."

Seeing Bai Lang wearing a mask of pain, Gu Lang offered a few words of comfort.

"I didn't see any semi-finished rigid circuit boards on the production line either; I guess they've all been moved away."

"Didn't you say that thing was a ceramic fiber composite board? How can there be a semi-finished product?"

"Bulletproof plates, whether soft or hard, are susceptible to water damage, and their protective capabilities decrease significantly after getting wet. Therefore, they must be wrapped with a layer of waterproof and abrasion-resistant nylon and sealed before use, and the same applies to bulletproof helmets."

"I see there's still a lot of nylon material on the production line. Let's seal it ourselves by hand."

Gu Lang pulled out a sewing kit for repairing tents from his backpack.

"That's all we can do." Bai Lang nodded helplessly.

Over the next few minutes, the two women skillfully wrapped the cut nylon fabric around the soft bulletproof plate.

Like pillowcases, they were sewn together with tight stitches to create bulletproof insert covers.

"It's alright, but the waterproofing isn't great."

Bai Lang picked up a completed socket and examined it.

Seeing that he couldn't be of much help, Gu Lang went outside the workshop and found a corner to relieve himself.

After fastening his belt again, he discovered that the fine spinning factory was right next to the bag factory.

"I just saw a bag factory next door. Should we go there and look for some sealing materials?"

"Wait, what did you just say?"

For some reason, Bai Lang's expression suddenly changed.

"Sealing material, didn't you say it needed to be waterproof?"

"The previous sentence."

"Oh, there's a bag factory next door."

"Don't you find it odd? Why would there be a bag factory next to a bulletproof vest factory?"

"Aren't these all part of the synthetic fiber industry?"

"Haha, I'll take you to find some good stuff."

Bai Lang picked up a tactical vest, turned around and walked outside.

Gu Lang felt a little confused, but he still followed.

"Have you heard about school shootings in the US?" Bai Lang asked with a wicked grin.

"It's said that this used to happen every day, but now that fewer people have died, it doesn't even make the local news."

As they spoke, Bai Lang got into the pickup truck.

Gu Lang also got on his bicycle and chased after them.

Upon arriving at the bag factory's warehouse, Bai Lang opened several boxes covered in English writing and took out a backpack to inspect it.

Gu Lang also unpacked the plastic packaging and examined the dark-colored backpacks, which had no childlike design whatsoever.

It was an empty bag, but it felt surprisingly heavy.

"There's something inside!"

He pulled out a dagger and opened the inner compartment of the backpack.

"Is this a hard bulletproof plate?" Gu Lang exclaimed.

What came into view was a dark, hard, plate-like object.

"That's right!"

Bai Lang excitedly took the power strip and fiddled with it for a few moments.

"It seems they're using the same set of molds to save costs."

He stuffed it into the hard-sided pocket of his tactical vest, and it fit perfectly.

"Bulletproof backpacks! No wonder they set up the factory right next door; this is an export-oriented industrial cluster."

Gu Lang couldn't help but marvel.