Chapter 297: Disguising (Patreon)

Transformers Begin : Table of Content/Chapter List

XXX-----XXX-----XXX-----XXX

Sitting on an all-terrain vehicle that resembled a four-wheeled beach motorcycle, Sun Cheng swiftly traversed the mountains and trails, occasionally stopping and raising his binoculars to observe the surroundings. His brow furrowed and relaxed intermittently.

When Sun Cheng last returned to the real world and had the whimsical idea of rebuilding Base No. 1, he decided to purchase three abandoned mines in the suburban district of Xixia in the southern capital, acquired from a company called "Hongyuan Group." These three mines were merely low hills, each measuring less than a hundred meters in height, named "Huwangling," "Wu Mingfeng," and "Wangjiang Mountain," respectively.

The main composition of these mountains was limestone, which happened to be a widely used construction material. Thus, when the "Hongyuan Group" acquired them from private owners, their intention was to exploit the nearby mountains for their limestone.

Although the combined area of the three neighboring mountains Sun Cheng acquired was only a little over twenty hectares, not even enough to match the remnants of the Xixia Mountain, their relatively hard composition made them highly suitable for reconstruction.

From the very beginning, he understood that placing Base No. 1 in the southern capital was not a wise choice.

Ever since President Yuchen defeated Yuan Shikai in the early years of the Republic of China, the southern capital had triumphed over the northern capital and reclaimed the position of the national administrative center, which had been lost for several hundred years. It had become the power center of New China. Therefore, locating Base No. 1 within the southern capital's jurisdiction was exceedingly risky.

A mere search on the internet yielded public information indicating the presence of at least one mechanized division and two missile brigade garrisons within the southern capital. It was rumored that an undisclosed scale of artillery units were stationed there as well. Furthermore, the air force had deployed at least two air force divisions within a 200-kilometer radius of the southern capital, making it clear that the southern capital was far from safe.

However, the southern capital was situated within the Yangtze River Delta region, China's most economically prosperous area. Irrespective of the machinery or equipment ordered, it could be conveniently delivered to one's doorstep within a day or two.

Ultimately, it was this aspect that influenced Sun Cheng's decision. Guided by the notion that "the most dangerous place is also the safest," coupled with his lack of desire to cause a commotion in the real world, he purchased three neighboring hills in the rural area of Xixia District, placing Base No. 1 within the jurisdiction of the southern capital.

In retrospect, his considerations at the time were evidently too hasty.

"Clatter..."

A rustling sound emanated from the nearby low bushes. Without needing to turn around, Sun Cheng already knew who was there.

He retracted his binoculars and inquired, "Safeguard, how many groups of reconnaissance robots have you activated? How many inactive groups are left in the base?"

As soon as he spoke, the figure of a leopard-shaped mecha beast, its entire body shimmering with a bright silver luster under the moonlight, swiftly emerged from the dense low bushes covering the mountains.

It was none other than Safeguard!

Safeguard approached him with a leisurely gait, squatting down not far away, its eyes gleaming with agility. "Master, I have activated 434 groups of reconnaissance robots, scattered throughout most areas within a two-kilometer radius of the base. Currently, there are still 140 groups in inventory!"

Nodding, this time Sun Cheng had brought back the enhanced Vengeance and Safeguard from the world of Transformers, entrusting the security of Base No. 1 to Safeguard.

The two-kilometer radius surrounding Base No. 1 had already encompassed all three small hills, originally insignificant in size. Safeguard had certainly fulfilled its duties.

However...

"Only two kilometers?"

Sun Cheng silently calculated in his mind, his gaze involuntarily shifting towards the sky where a bright, crescent moon hung, feeling a weight in his heart.

"There are vulnerabilities everywhere!"

After thinking for a moment, he instructed Safeguard: "For the next half month, control all the industrial robots under your command. Cease all external operations and do not leave Base One. As for the reconnaissance robots you released, recall all of them except those in hidden locations."

"Recall them..."

The light in Safeguard's eyes visibly flickered, and it looked at Sun Cheng. Even its mechanical voice, which should have had no emotional fluctuations, became hurried. "Master, recalling the reconnaissance robots will create vulnerabilities in the base's security everywhere!"

"It's the same with them. The threats from the sky cannot be defended either!"

Sun Cheng shook his head. "It's only temporary. I have purchased some things outside. In the next half month, I will arrange manpower to construct facilities around these three mountains. There will be a large number of humans coming and going here during this time. You cannot reveal yourselves for now..."

Since he was still at the company in the afternoon, he had been contemplating matters regarding Base One.

Sun Cheng had considered many options, including relocating Base One to a more remote and secluded area, as well as constructing fences, surveillance nets, and other facilities around it. He had come up with several plans in total.

In the end, he chose a highly feasible new plan.

Rather than changing the location of Base One, he decided to build and camouflage it there.

Huwangling, Wumingfeng, and Wangjiangshan had a combined area of approximately 27 hectares. Apart from limestone, these three small hills had no economic crops. Sun Cheng had spent a considerable sum to acquire them from Hongyuan Group.

Although anything related to Nandu could be sold at astronomical prices, even three inconspicuous and abandoned hills, everything had to adhere to the objective laws of value. For instance, when Hongyuan Group sold him these three hills, they also included their construction facilities at the foot of the mountains, as well as nearly 10,000 square meters of undeveloped land.

After arriving in the afternoon, Sun Cheng carefully inspected the area, gradually forming a clear plan for the transformation and camouflage of the three hills outside Base One in his mind.

He planned to purchase a large quantity of cement wall panels from a building materials company in the southern city the next day. Preferably, he wanted military-grade cement walls that were tall and thick to encircle the three hills he owned.

This would serve as a "defense line" to shield Base One from prying eyes. At least there would be no need to worry about nearby villagers casually intruding and discovering the secret of Base One.

Additionally, there was the matter of camouflage.

"... The future 'Intelligent Mechanics Laboratory' of Cybertron Technology could be the best camouflage for Base One..."

The promotion of Cybertron Technology was progressing step by step. With the imminent launch of their hard disk products, it was expected that Cybertron Technology would soon experience a terrifying expansion.

At that time, even if Shen Peiyuan from Nangong University wasn't diligently working for him, Sun Cheng would find other means to establish the "Intelligent Mechanics Laboratory."

Originally, he hadn't considered this aspect before, and he hadn't thought about the location of the "Intelligent Mechanics Laboratory."

Now, upon careful consideration, he realized there likely wasn't a better method to camouflage Base One.

"In the future, we'll publicly establish the 'Intelligent Mechanics Laboratory' here while secretly developing the base. That way, the procurement of equipment and raw materials won't be discovered..."

[Read at www.patreon.com/shanefreak, without ads and support the work.]

XXX-----XXX-----XXX-----XXX

Next Chapter >>Chapter 298: The Secret of Space (Part 1)