Chapter 362: Day 780 (2) – Super Weapon, We Need A Name!

Chapter 362: Day 780 (2) – Super Weapon, We Need A Name!

“That is the containment issue. So it seems like an engineering problem. That you will solve eventually.”

“Hopefully. I make no promises in this line of work. I am a medical doctor not an engineer. I oversee the design team and look at things holistically. But it isn’t simple or easy.”

“What about directionality?” I asked.

“Now you are getting into the other headache. The system cannons make it so easy. Just shove in points and a crafting crystal, instant beam. But the cost is even more gut clenching.” I nodded at this. It really was from the numbers I had looked at. “So now we are entering an entirely new problem.”

“The thing with containment, it is one thing to contain the blast and direct it out an opening. It is another thing to make that blast into a beam. How do we turn a crafting crystal into a beam?” I thought about that question and there was no clear answer.

“I can make cannons and bombs all day. But this is something that needs to shoot across at least a mile. That means I need to turn that energy into beam energy. And there is no beam type if you hadn’t noticed.”

“How does one turn fire or electricity into a beam?”

“What about mirrors and using light energy?” I asked.

“The opposite of light is shadow. How does one make a shadow beam? Shadow doesn’t reflect, and I was told we needed an annihilation beam. That means two beams combining into one.”

“What about a long tube so the energy has only one way to go out?” I asked.

“Our first idea. Make an actual cannon instead of those upsized rods the system gives. But energy isn’t like a cannonball. It bounces around and played with the opening and everything else. Every time the energy bursts out of the end as an explosion or shotgun. But that isn’t a beam.”

I didn’t have any more ideas off the top of my head. “I see the problem now.”

“Indeed. It is a nightmare. We are trying different enchanting combinations and designs, but nothing gives a beam property. I have tried working out what a beam skill does and even got one myself. But it just is too complex to work backwards from. Whatever the system is doing, it is structuring the energy in just the right way and drawing it in. The number of types that go into a beam and their usage is beyond complex.”

“And the beam cannons?” I asked.

“I have looked, but the same issue. It isn’t really hidden, but I got the Sense stat and had it upgraded to two thousand. Even then, I can’t tell anything.” Good thing I didn’t volunteer, I would have looked like an idiot, since I had the same Sense stat.

“So, containment and directionality,” I muttered.

“Yes, the two biggest holdups from Clarissa’s beam of doom plan. Just to check, you sure it is absolutely necessary?”The origin of this chapter's debut can be traced to N0v3l--B1n.

“I am afraid so Doctor Katz. The Divine Empress has stats that boggle the mind and other advantages. Anything less than multiple annihilation beams on her position won’t work.”

“Well, then we are going to be bunkering down for a while. Because we are three years out from a prototype if we are lucky. And that is if we are incredibly lucky.”

“You won’t have a breakthrough tomorrow?” I asked.

“Where the material is unwilling, flesh might provide the answer. We need to win Doctor Katz. Otherwise we are all dead.”

“I will not compromise my principles, Champion Michael. We are not the evil empire as you put it. If we do the exact same things, how are we any different?”

“I won’t make a throne of screaming heads?” I pointed out. The good doctor opened his mouth and then closed it before speaking again.

“Alright, fair point. A throne of screaming heads is...I don’t know what to even say. You aren’t making it up, and it wasn’t like one head?”

“Heads doctor, plural. They were screaming. Their eyes were moving. They had tongues. If we lose, we are going into a throne just like that. You, me, Clarissa.”

“I understand, but I won’t become evil to fight evil Champion Michael. You can find someone else.”

“I won’t threaten you, but we are on the brink of annihilation doctor. Anything that can give us an edge against the Divine Empress.”

“History is filled with examples of bad decisions just like that. Where people wanted to do anything to win.”

“Yes, and victors write history. Look into and consider bioresearch.”

“I will, but no promises,” the good doctor replied and I nodded. That was the best compromise I could ask for and he couldn’t be replaced unfortunately. If it was a time of peace and there was no Divine Empress, I would have gotten rid of him as my chief researcher. But I guess it was good to not have a crazy person in that position.

Why did being sane and careful have to come with ethics? “So, there is one more thing you need to work on as well.”

“What is it?” the good doctor asked tiredly. I smiled, since I knew what would lighten the mood.

“A name. You are designing a super weapon. Like the atomic bomb, or the Death Star. All good super weapons have unique names.” The good doctor grinned a bit at that.

“I will admit a few have crossed my mind. But naming it before it is finished is bad luck. Once it is working, I will pick out a name, don’t you worry. Katz Hyper Cannon, has a nice ring to it, but I will need to think on it a lot more.”

“Well, it needs a good sounding acronym. KHC sounds like a fast-food chain. Katz Focused Cannon, KFC? It turns people into fried chickens?” I suggested.

“Hmm, you might be onto something there. I am glad you are still around. I was worried you know. Clarissa was too, but she has a hard time saying things like that.”

“Thanks doctor. I am glad you made it out as well. Hopefully we have many years of peace once we defeat the Divine Empress. Or perhaps she is permanently missing,” I replied.

“Not thinking of using the super weapon on the rest of your enemies?” Doctor Katz asked.

“Pinning them down is the hard part. And don’t ask. It is top secret, need to know.” The good doctor gave me a look.

“I suspect it is something horrible that I will disagree with. Did you steal her child or something?” I kept my face still, but something must have given me away. “I see. I won’t ask what I don’t want you to confirm.”