Seventeen Kites

Chapter 387: Revised - 385 Weapon-Grade Nuclear Material

Chapter 387: Revised: Chapter 385 Weapon-Grade Nuclear Material


What the helicopter brought to Chen Xin was not something strange, but the radioactive element materials he had previously requested from the research institution.


However, the radioactive element materials Chen Xin asked for this time were different from those previously used to make the Isotope Thermoelectric Battery, as these were a batch of weapons-grade enriched uranium with a uranium-235 content of over 90%.


Moreover, the quantity transported by the helicopter was already sufficient to make a hundred-kiloton tactical nuclear bomb.


If it were before the disaster or under normal circumstances, it would be impossible for the country to hand over so much weapons-grade enriched uranium to an individual. Even nuclear weapon experts would require strict supervision to come into contact with these nuclear materials.


But times have changed, and Chen Xin has already demonstrated his value to the country, shown his ability to utilize these nuclear materials, and provided legitimate reasons for using this weapons-grade enriched uranium, so the country agreed to deliver the weapons-grade enriched uranium to him.


Even so, along with this batch of nuclear materials came another order, which was handed over directly to the Special Forces Commander in front of Chen Xin.


The order required the Special Forces to monitor Chen Xin’s use of these nuclear materials while protecting him. If any loss or leakage occurred, the Special Forces would control the situation at all costs.


Although the order did not specifically target Chen Xin, he could still hear from it that if he really intended to use these nuclear materials for something malicious, the Special Forces soldiers originally protecting him would turn their guns on him.


Chen Xin didn’t mind this situation. After all, this was the material capable of making a hundred-kiloton tactical nuclear weapon. Even if Chen Xin didn’t plan to make a big explosion, just triggering a fission reaction could result in the next Chernobyl or Fukushima.


In such a high-risk situation, having the Special Forces as a safety valve to restrain Chen Xin was a normal procedure. No matter how much the country trusted an individual, necessary safety measures would still be in place.


As for why Chen Xin needed this weapons-grade nuclear material, it was because he wanted to create a small, high-output nuclear fusion reactor.


If you’re familiar with the Gundam series settings, you might immediately understand that the so-called nuclear fusion reactor is the power source for Gundams.


Theoretically, such a thing is possible to create, but technically it is not easily achievable. Otherwise, small nuclear reactors wouldn’t be so difficult to develop, and controlled nuclear fusion would not still be in the theoretical improvement stage.


However, this wasn’t a problem for Chen Xin. He had enough confidence to create what he needed.


As for why he was surprised at the list of delivered items, it was because, along with these nuclear materials, a batch of special supplies was also brought.


Frozen and preserved fresh vegetables, fruits, beef, lamb, as well as milk and eggs...


Before the disaster, these items wouldn’t have been considered overly extravagant, though they were of high quality and generally not accessible to ordinary people.


But in the current environment, these items appear very luxurious and precious.


Especially the beef and lamb. When people might be starving, where would there be food to feed the cattle and sheep? Even if the cattle and sheep could only eat grass, obtaining large quantities of fodder in the current environment is also unrealistic.


This shows that these supplies were indeed specially provided.


"These supplies are the benefits Comrade Chen Xin should enjoy. The contributions you’ve made to the country are not something that just a little food can commend. These items are merely to ensure you can eat well and have more energy to contribute to the country," the pilot said, evidently briefed before coming, and explained to Chen Xin.


Hearing the pilot’s words, Chen Xin found it a bit exaggerated, but after scratching his head, he happily accepted these items.


As the pilot said, it was just a small amount of food, and compared to having an entire Special Forces unit protecting him, it really wasn’t much.


Moreover, considering the contributions Chen Xin was making to the country now, enjoying these things was entirely reasonable and arguably deserved even better.


Therefore, he accepted them with peace of mind and asked the political commissar of the Special Forces standing nearby to help him store these items.


As for the nuclear materials sent along with the supplies, they needed to be handled more seriously. Although the radiation dosage was minimal before the weapons-grade enriched uranium began a chain reaction, allowing for direct contact without protection, both transportation and storage required extra caution.


The Special Forces Commander even called in a combat team specifically to guard the nuclear materials’ security. The heavy machine gun and small-caliber cannon mounted on the Exoskeleton of the heavy weapon operator made Chen Xin’s eyelids twitch.


These heavy weapons, originally meant for anti-vehicle use, were now equipped solo thanks to the Exoskeleton, and were capable of being used on people—was that really acceptable?


As Chen Xin watched these Special Forces soldiers transport the nuclear materials away, the pilot came over to Chen Xin and said, "Comrade Chen Xin, there’s another matter I’d like to ask for your help with, would you mind?"


"What is it?" Chen Xin turned to the pilot, curious about what he wanted.


"Here’s the situation, our aircraft is being used to test new air filters. You improved this item previously, and this time we flew over to test the new air filters’ performance, so we wanted to see if you think there are areas that still need improvement." The pilot said, pointing to the engine intake of the Z-20 helicopter, where the new air filter was installed.


Upon hearing this, Chen Xin raised an eyebrow and nodded, "No problem, but I’ll need to dismantle it. Will this affect your mission?"


"No, no, our mission is to test the new air filter’s effectiveness and deliver these items to you, Comrade Chen Xin. There’s no strict timeframe for the return flight," the pilot explained hurriedly when he heard Chen Xin was willing to help, "Also, if necessary, we can contact higher-ups through the communication device to explain the situation and ensure the mission won’t be delayed."


"Alright, give me a moment. I’ll go get some tools." Seeing the pilot’s response, Chen Xin didn’t say anything more, instead, he returned to his office to put on his Power Armor.


Wearing the Power Armor, Chen Xin walked to the Z-20, pointed at the engine intake, and said to the pilot beside him, "Come over and lend a hand. I need to take it down first."


With that, he opened the mechanical arm and began dismantling the air filter attached to the engine intake of the Z-20.