novelsite Chapter 5 Thunder Matrix
Chapter 5 Thunder Matrix
At 5:50 p.m., in the back room of that Asian grocery store in the Kreuzberg district of Berlin.
Li Ming was more alert than before. He wasn't sitting at the table, but standing in the shadows of the room, holding a small black signal jammer. Seeing Wang Zhengyang enter, he pointed to the door, indicating that Wang Zhengyang should lock it.
Only a dim table lamp was on in the room. On the table sat a heavy aluminum suitcase with a combination lock.
"Mr. Wang, you're right on time." Li Ming's voice was lower than usual. "I've brought the 'goods' you requested. But before the transaction, there are some things we need to clarify."
Wang Zhengyang pulled up a chair and sat down without saying a word, waiting for what would happen next.
"This information comes from the Düsseldorf 'Hessen Dynamics' laboratory, a project that was terminated due to budget cuts." Li Ming stared into Wang Zhengyang's eyes. "Project codename 'Thunder Matrix,' full name 'Transient Electromagnetic Reaction Active Defense System.' It's not traditional explosive reactive armor, but rather utilizes ultra-high power capacitor discharge to generate controllable plasma within the armor's interlayer, interfering with or even prematurely detonating incoming jets."
He took a tablet computer out of his suitcase, unlocked it, and pushed it in front of Wang Zhengyang. The screen displayed design blueprints, screenshots of experimental data, and animations illustrating the principles. Although the key parameters were blurred, Wang Zhengyang immediately recognized its value.
The blueprints show a modular armor plate design, each approximately 0.8 meters by 1.2 meters and 12 centimeters thick. The structure is clearly layered: the outermost layer is a high-hardness ceramic-metal composite panel; the middle layer is an insulating layer and a "reactive matrix" containing millions of micron-sized metal particles; the inner layer contains energy storage units (supercapacitor banks) and high-speed discharge circuitry. Trigger sensors are distributed throughout the panels.
The animation demonstrates the defense process: the instant the high-speed jet or armor-piercing projectile core contacts the panel, sensors identify the threat type and impact point within microseconds, triggering the discharge circuit in the corresponding area. Stored electrical energy is released within nanoseconds, introduced into the reactive matrix through a conductive mesh, causing the metal particles to vaporize and expand instantaneously, forming a localized high-temperature, high-pressure plasma cloud. This plasma cloud interferes with the metal jet, causing it to become unstable, dispersed, and prematurely consume energy, thus significantly reducing penetration depth.
"Data from the laboratory prototype," Li Ming continued, "is that, under ideal conditions, the success rate of defense against RPG-7 armor-piercing rounds exceeds 85%, and the probability of defense against 25mm armor-piercing rounds is about 70%. But the problems are also fatal: each trigger consumes a huge amount of energy, equivalent to the instantaneous electricity consumption of a small community; the energy storage unit takes several minutes to charge; the system weight is three times that of traditional composite armor of the same area; and most importantly, the reliability and lifespan of the high-speed discharge circuit cannot be guaranteed under complex vibration and temperature change environments. Therefore, the military did not adopt it."
Wang Zhengyang's heart pounded steadily and powerfully in his chest, but his thoughts raced. Electromagnetic reactive armor! This was precisely one of the ultimate defensive measures he envisioned for the future "Longyuan" against heavy firepower. Its principle dictated that in a post-apocalyptic world where psionic interference fields paralyzed global power grids and precision electronics, this system would have a 99% chance of becoming a dead weight.
However, there is a 1% possibility—what if his quantum stable field can provide a stable, efficient, and rapid energy supply? What if his mechanical affinity can optimize the structure of the discharge circuit and improve its reliability?
If... if Chen Yishang really does possess the potential to sense or manipulate metal, as rumored in his previous life, then what will happen when this system is combined with his special ability?
"How complete is the data?" Wang Zhengyang asked, his voice steady.
"The complete set of design drawings, material formulas, circuit schematics, control algorithm source code, and laboratory test reports (up to the end of the project) are all here." Li Ming tapped the briefcase. "The seller is an electronics engineer from the previous project team. He also has a few other 'gadgets' that leaked from other labs. The list is here." He handed over another piece of paper, which listed seven or eight project names, all of which were edge technologies related to vehicle protection, energy management, or communications.
"I'll take it." Wang Zhengyang said without hesitation. "The complete 'Thunder Matrix' set, plus everything on this list, if verified, I'll take it all. You can negotiate the price, my conditions remain the same: the transaction will be absolutely confidential, the information is genuine and independently verifiable, and the seller will sign a statement that they will never acknowledge the transaction. Your commission will be calculated at 20% of the total price, plus an additional 5,000 euros in 'risk allowance'."
Li Ming's pupils contracted slightly. A 20% commission plus a risk allowance was a considerable sum. "The seller is asking for a high price, and only wants cash, no electronic transfers."
"Cash is no problem." Wang Zhengyang took a thick brown paper bag from his briefcase and placed it on the table. "Here is a deposit of 20,000 euros. The remainder will be paid in full after the documents are verified. You can arrange the transaction location and time, but security must be guaranteed."
Li Ming picked up the paper bag, didn't count the contents, but weighed it in his hand and nodded. "I'll arrange it. Also, regarding Zhang Yiqiang... there's new information."
"explain."
"He's been having a tight cash flow lately, owing a lot of money to that 'Butcher Hans.' Hans is of Eastern European descent, ruthless, and specializes in lending money at exorbitant interest rates to small business owners with tangible assets but desperately needing cash. Zhang Yiqiang is scrambling to find money to fill the hole." Li Ming paused, "Moreover, he is indeed interested in the new project in Oberhausen. One of his henchmen went to the marshalling yard twice this week, both times after your men left, circling the train and even talking to a cleaner at the station."
Wang Zhengyang's eyes turned slightly cold. The hyenas had caught a whiff.
"What exactly does he want to know?"
"He probably wants to figure out the project's scale, funding sources, and... whether there's an opportunity to get a share," Li Ming analyzed. "Zhang Yiqiang is a local tyrant; his business model is to monopolize 'channels' in specific regions. For a large project like yours, procurement, transportation, and even some 'special' needs are all potential business opportunities in his eyes. He might want to contact you and offer 'services,' or... if he sees you as easy targets, he might use some underhanded tactics."
"Understood." Wang Zhengyang stood up. "Keep an eye on him. Especially the details of his deal with Hans, and the personnel and security patterns at his main warehouses. If he doesn't have enough money, just say so."
"clear."
8 PM, Oberhausen marshalling yard.
Night had completely fallen, and only a few sparse high-mast lights remained on in the marshalling yard, casting long, distorted shadows on the massive cars and tracks. Everyone else had left, except for Wang Zhengyang, who remained beside EIS-7.
He climbed into the train's driver's cab alone. It was pitch black inside, with only a few standby indicator lights on the dashboard emitting a faint red glow. He closed the door, sat down in the driver's seat, and closed his eyes.
The amount of information obtained today is overwhelming. The team is taking shape, surveying data is being collected, the electromagnetic armor blueprint has been obtained, and Zhang Yiqiang's threat is beginning to emerge... He needs to integrate, he needs to plan, and even more so, he needs to... test his limits.
He placed his hands on the cold metal control panel in the driver's cab.
Mechanical affinity fully activated.
His perception was no longer confined to the surface, but spread deep into the train like roots. He followed the electrical conduits of the control panel downwards, entering the intricate jungle of wires inside the car; he expanded outwards along the steel frame, outlining the entire framework of the driver's cab, the engine compartment, and even the rear carriages; he even tried to "touch" the two dormant MAN diesel engines—pistons, crankshafts, turbine blades…
Then, he began to "build" it in his mind.
Based on the actual data measured today, and using the modification plan discussed by Chen Yishang and others as a blueprint, he began to virtually "modify" the train in his mind. A composite anti-collision beam was added to the front of the train, using Q390C steel plates from the list, 18 mm thick, and welded to the original structure with a bevel joint. The length, sequence, and preheating temperature of the welds were precisely simulated in his mind.
The driver's cab features side armor made of 12mm steel plates, with firing and observation ports. The reinforced frame uses a box-type structure and is filled with fireproof and explosion-proof materials. How is welding deformation controlled? How is thermal stress released? What problems might arise from the differences in the coefficients of thermal expansion of different materials?
The explosion-proof layer of the engine compartment uses a double-layer steel plate sandwiched with fireproof ceramic wool. How is heat dissipation ensured? How is it inspected and maintained? How are the pipelines routed?
This is not a simple imagination, but a near-realistic engineering simulation supported by the powerful computing capabilities of the gene engine. Materials mechanics, heat conduction, fluid mechanics, structural dynamics... all sorts of complex physical laws are simplified into computable models that operate in his consciousness space.
Sweat quickly soaked his back and forehead. A sharp, throbbing pain shot through his brain, as if a miniature explosion was occurring inside his skull. But he gritted his teeth and continued forward.
He needs to anticipate all potential problems in advance: structural deformation caused by an incorrect welding sequence, resonance hazards caused by an inappropriate material selection, maintenance difficulties caused by an unreasonable spatial layout...
Time ticked by. The only sound in the driver's cab was his heavy breathing. His body was trembling slightly, a sign of severe mental exhaustion.
He didn't know how much time had passed when he finally struggled to break free from this deep immersion, almost completely exhausted. He slumped in his chair, gasping for breath, his vision blurring.
But in his mind, a crystal-clear three-dimensional model had already taken shape. It was the prototype of the "Longyuan" after its modification, with every structural detail, every connection method, and even the main stress paths and potential weak points clearly imprinted in his memory.
Although we are still a long way from completion, the direction has never been so clear and the path so well defined.
More importantly, after this extreme training that pushed his abilities to the brink of collapse, he clearly felt that the activation level of his gene engine had broken through a significant threshold.
0.38%.
His perception of the train's internal energy state (stress, weak current, heat distribution) had been qualitatively improved, both in terms of sensitivity, scope, multi-threaded processing capabilities, and overall awareness. He even vaguely sensed a very faint but undeniable "resonance" between himself and the train. When he was fully focused, he seemed to be able to "feel" the train's slow, deep "pulse" as a massive metallic living entity.
This is not just a tool, but... the beginning of a deeper connection.
Wang Zhengyang wiped the sweat from his face and slowly stood up, leaning on the control panel. His legs were a little weak, but his eyes shone with an astonishing light.
He walked to the window, gazing at the massive silhouette of the vehicle shrouded in night. The city lights in the distance still shone brightly, but in his eyes, their light seemed as fragile as a candle in the wind.
The seeds have been sown. The gardener is in place. They've even unexpectedly harvested blueprints for a "weapon" that could potentially change the game. And the hyenas lurking in the shadows are beginning to emerge.
The days to come will be a race against time, a test of steel, will, and resolve. He must ensure that this seed of steel takes root and sprouts before chaos descends, growing into the first thorn strong enough to pierce the darkness.
He pushed open the car door and stepped into the cold night wind. His steps were a little unsteady, but each step was taken with unusual firmness.
Behind him, EIS-7 stood silently in the darkness, as if gathering strength for a momentous awakening.