Chapter 348: Verifying New Technology
Akira's figure appeared once again in the core laboratory of the Night City workshop, without the slightest pause.
He directly connected to the city's data network, his massive stream of consciousness instantly accessing the virtual assembly hall of the "Council of Three Sages."
The holographic projection of the black-haired youth stood quietly by the round table, as the images of Yorinobu Arasaka, Johnny Silverhand, and the Administrator "Kei Arasaka" materialized alongside him.
"Magos." Yorinobu nodded slightly. He still wore his gray work clothes, but his demeanor was much steadier than before, his eyes carrying a sense of pragmatism born from handling concrete affairs.
"Status report," Akira's projection spoke, his voice steady, cutting straight to the point.
The "Administrator's" data stream calmly reported first: "The city's foundational systems are operating smoothly. Since the Tokyo incident and our display of force, external pressure has significantly decreased.
Militech has voluntarily withdrawn its three outposts in the border sectors.
The banking groups under the European Economic Community have recently expressed their intention, through unofficial channels, to hold dialogues regarding 'potential future cooperation.' There is currently no threat of large-scale armed conflict."
Johnny Silverhand scoffed, crossing his arms. A mocking smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth beneath his aviators: "Those corporate bastards know fear now! With five steel giants standing in the city, who the hell would dare make a move?
If you ask me, we should take this chance to chop off all the claws they've extended over the years!"
Yorinobu took over the conversation, his tone more prudent: "The deterrent effect is indeed remarkable. However, internal problems still persist. The old gang factions underwent reorganization after the collapse of authority, and new small groups are constantly emerging. Friction and sporadic violent incidents in the lower-level sectors have not decreased.
Although the strict rationing system guarantees basic survival, a sense of oppression remains, especially for the younger generation accustomed to 'freedom.'
We need to give them a visible, better vision of the future, not just fear."
Akira listened quietly, the data stream of his optical lenses flowing silently among the three of them.
After a moment, he spoke: "Deterrence is a temporary cornerstone; development is the long-term guarantee. Energy is the prerequisite for all of this."
His projection raised a hand, and a complex and precise blue structural diagram unfolded in the center of the round table. It was the design model of a large-scale plasma reactor, its scale far exceeding any existing power generation facility in Night City.
"I have decided to construct a large-scale plasma reactor in Night City," Akira's voice brooked no argument. "It will provide stable, clean, and powerful energy for the entire city, completely solving the current power shortage problem, and reserving ample capacity for future development."
Yorinobu carefully examined the structural diagram, a flash of amazement in his eyes: "Such massive energy output... This is enough to support several times the entire current energy consumption of Night City."
"It's not just for power supply," Akira added. Beside the reactor model, another, more peculiar device schematic lit up. "The reactor's core energy will be prioritized to drive the test operation of a 'Matter Replication System'."
"A replicator?" Johnny raised an eyebrow. The term was somewhat unfamiliar to him, but its literal meaning was enough to pique his interest. "Can it copy things? Food? Weapons?"
"Theoretically, any non-living object with a complete atomic structure record in the database," Akira explained, his tone like stating a physical law. "From basic food, drinking water, and medical supplies to standardized tools and components. This will fundamentally change the city's material production and distribution model."
The "Administrator" Kei Arasaka calmly interjected with an analysis: "According to preliminary simulations, if this technology can operate stably, it could gradually replace existing synthetic food factories and parts of low-level manufacturing. It would significantly elevate the efficiency and quality of material supply, and reduce logistics costs and management complexity. I recommend prioritizing the establishment of a rare element database."
Yorinobu took a deep breath. He instantly realized the immense potential hidden within this—not only in solving survival issues, but also in breaking resource monopolies and truly reshaping the social structure: "This... This is indeed a game-changing technology."
"You are responsible for the project's site selection, preliminary foundation engineering, and the recruitment and coordination of local personnel." Akira's gaze swept over the three of them. "The 'Administrator' will provide engineering planning and resource dispatch. Yorinobu will handle communications with the remaining municipal departments and communities. Johnny..." He looked at Silverhand. "Ensure the voices of the lower class are heard to avoid the project triggering unnecessary conflict."
"Hah, a supervisor gig? Fine. As long as it makes life a little easier for the chooms scraping by in the gutters, I'll take the job," Johnny grinned.
"I will personally deploy the core technical components. The engineering project commences immediately." Akira issued his final order, leaving no room for the three to discuss.
Akira's will translated into the most highly efficient action directives.
Massive engineering equipment and a preliminarily trained workforce, coordinated by the "Council of Three Sages" and guarded by the Skitarii, began assembling in a relatively empty old industrial zone on the edge of the city.
Foundation excavation and reinforcement work quickly unfolded. The core components of the reactor also began arriving on-site via the dimensional teleporter from the Warhammer world.
However, Akira did not stay long in Night City.
After confirming that the reactor project had launched according to plan and that all preliminary work was advancing in an orderly manner, he left Mann's squad in Night City, tasking them with the daily defense of the workshop and the perimeter security of the reactor construction site.
Subsequently, Akira returned alone to that Death World in the Warhammer universe via the dimensional teleporter.
To him, Night City's plasma reactor and replicator were certainly important—an indispensable step in securing the rear and accumulating resources.
But the complexity and importance of these two technologies no longer required him to invest his main energy into supervising them.
What he truly cared about was another, even more subversive technology—the "Genesis Device" he had brought back from the Star Trek universe.
This technology could create life out of nothingness; its principles already approached the limits of current physical laws.
The Death World base had a closed environment, completely isolated from the outside world, and was under his absolute control—making it the ideal location to test such high-risk technology.
He planned to verify this technology here, cautiously and step by step.
Starting first with the reorganization of simple, non-living matter, then attempting to synthesize complex organic molecules, and even the most foundational life matter.
The entire process required strictly recording data, figuring out the limits of the technology, how much energy it needed to consume, and the unknown dangers it might bring.
This research was to lay a solid technical foundation for potential large-scale matter creation and ecological terraforming in the future.
Just as Night City was beginning its energy upgrade, a series of secret experiments aimed at mastering the principles of "creation" were already prepared to launch in the Death World laboratory.