North of Shuguang City.
On the bustling commercial street, Frost and Eclipse, wearing maid outfits, are standing at the door of Teng Teng's hut, watching the people coming and going on the street with a smile.
It has been a while since they came to Shuguang City from Ideal City.
It is not only this thriving city that has changed over time, but also the people who are tolerated and accepted by this city.
The black fluffy lining and the white skirt with ruffles complement each other. The holy white perfectly wraps the metallic luster of the thighs and perfectly outlines the curves and contours drawn by ergonomics.
Eclipse standing next to Frost has a completely different style.
At the suggestion of the owner Teng Teng, it chose a more mysterious black to match its "few words" and "serious and old-fashioned" temperament.
Recently, they upgraded the supporting hardware of the "Intellectual AI Plug-in", and the original window model-style facial features were replaced with a look that is almost the same as that of a normal person.
Although these extra hardware are somewhat redundant for the "A series" bionics whose main application scenarios are on the battlefield, this small change has greatly increased their popularity in Dawn City.
Just like now.
Almost every resident who passes by the door of the vine hut will salute the two standing at the door.
As a polite bionic man, Frost will smile and nod as a symbol of friendly response to every Dawn City resident who salutes him.
It was almost noon, and there were finally fewer pedestrians on the street.
Taking advantage of the gap when no one was paying attention, Frost showed a satisfied smile on his face and said to Eclipse standing next to him.
"Look, Eclipse, those pairs of eyes full of trust, admiration, and admiration... Don't you think it's great?"
During this period, it has tried many jobs, including moving bricks, plastering, and hunting aliens, but its favorite is undoubtedly here.
Only here, it not only gains rewards, but also the admiring eyes of passers-by.
"What's the use of this?" Eclipse looked at it expressionlessly, and there was no obvious question in the ups and downs of his voice.
"How can it be useless?" Frost looked at it in surprise, "Don't you feel it? That kind of heart-pounding feeling, that kind of joy from the depths of the CPU... It's as if... It's as if the entire intellectual plug-in is burning!"
Unable to understand this sentence, Eclipse crashed for a few seconds, and said in a daze for a long time.
"Is the computing power insufficient?"
"Just the opposite!" Frost's face bloomed with an expression full of enthusiasm, and clenched his right fist, "Looking at those faces full of happiness, I just feel more motivated to work... Ah, I really want to raise one, I will work for him, and he only needs to be responsible for happiness."
Eclipse: "...?"
It is increasingly unable to understand this strange colleague, and really wants to open its AI core to see what strange codes are written inside.
However, what it couldn't understand even more was why the engineer who produced this colleague, the A-series bionic man, had to install such a troublesome thing as the "intellectual plug-in".
It is what a bionic man engaged in combat should do to eliminate all safety hazards for his employer without hesitation.
Sensibility will only become a hindrance on the battlefield.
At this time, the door of Teng Teng's hut was pushed open, and a smile like spring breeze and the pleasant sound of wind chimes on the door floated over together.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Looking at the cute little guy in front of him, Han Shuang showed a proud smile on his face and said modestly.
"No, no, it's us here. Thanks to the internship opportunity you provided, we have collected valuable experimental data and materials."
Experimental data?
Materials?
Teng Teng frowned in confusion and asked cautiously in a low voice.
"It's not a dangerous experiment, right?"
"How could it be?" Seeing the suspicion on Teng Teng's face, Han Shuang quickly smiled and waved her hand, explaining, "It's for eternal happiness and peace. Rather than an experiment, it's a grand blueprint... Although it sounds troublesome, please don't worry, just leave the troublesome things to us."
Teng Teng was a little confused.
"Eternal... happiness?"
Han Shuang smiled and nodded.
"Well! In simple terms, it is to allow organisms to live peacefully, happily and safely under the protection of the robot servants."
The loving eyes made Teng Teng feel goose bumps on her back.
I always feel that this game is getting more and more wrong.
Fortunately, she is just an ordinary fashion designer. As long as she doesn't take the initiative to trigger some flags, she shouldn't be involved in those troublesome events.
"Well, your work for today is over... Huahua has returned from the Iron Axe Tribe, so just leave the reception to her."
Recently, the sisters Qiucao and Qiuye from the Iron Axe Tribe have improved the weaving process of devil silk. Without affecting the quality of the finished product, they not only made the silk fabrics feel smoother, but also reduced the unit working hours of the product by 10% to 20%.
She specifically asked Huahua to go there to get some samples to see if she could incorporate them into the works she is designing recently.
Thinking about it, I really miss it.
The initial series of processes such as reeling silk and weaving were all improved and taught to the wastelanders by her combined with her real-life experience. Now the weaving skills of the wastelanders have long surpassed her, a half-way master.
And she can also focus more on the design field she is interested in.
Recently, Wei Ba and the others took a boat to the archipelago in the southern waters thousands of kilometers away. I heard that her artworks were well received there.
"Do we really not need to help anymore?" Looking at Miss Teng Teng, Han Shuang said slightly disappointedly.
"No, you have your own things to do, right?" Teng Teng took out the silver coins and handed them to Han Shuang, smiling and saying, "This is your reward."
"Oh! It's the salary!"
Han Shuang's eyes lit up, and she raised the silver coins above her head to observe carefully, and then put them away with satisfaction.
"Okay, please contact us if you need it next time... By the way, I have to return the clothes to you."
As she said that, she pinched the hem of her skirt with both hands and was about to take off the clothes.
Seeing its actions, Teng Teng's face turned red like an apple, and she quickly reached out to stop its indecent behavior.
"No, no, the clothes are given to you... Just keep them!"
Is the atmosphere in Ideal City so open?
In the street when there is a disagreement...
There was a picture in her mind for no reason, and her face became redder and redder, and she was embarrassed to continue thinking about it.
However, Han Shuang was completely unaware of this, and she was completely unaware of how shameful her actions were just now.
However, when she heard that Teng Teng was going to leave this equipment that had attracted the attention of countless passers-by to her, her eyes suddenly lit up with surprise.
"Really? That's so embarrassing!"
"You're welcome, this is the reward you deserve," Teng Teng, whose face was still red, smiled shyly. She was really curious and asked in a low voice, "By the way, do you also do this in Ideal City... do you change clothes casually like this?"
"Change clothes casually?" Han Shuang was slightly stunned and said with a little doubt, "We don't wear clothes in Ideal City."
"Don't wear?!"
Han Shuang nodded as a matter of course.
"That's right, the initial appearance coating will be directly printed on our skin. If you want to change to other styles of skin, you can directly install the holographic appearance plug-in and use holographic images to produce the effect of clothes."
"Ah... That's really convenient." Teng Teng tried to imagine it, and her heartbeat, which had finally calmed down, accelerated unconsciously.
Is Ideal City such an amazing place?
Han Shuang smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, it's convenient, right? However, some bionic people with silicon-like exterior materials are still prohibited from entering public places without wearing coverings. The atmosphere in Ideal City is still not open enough."
I see.
Teng Teng, who almost mistook Ideal City for a strange place, breathed a sigh of relief.
"Well, I think this is good..."
"Really?" Han Shuang tilted his head and muttered in confusion, "I installed the plug-in because I like it, but I feel embarrassed... Humans are really weird."
While Han Shuang was lost in his own thoughts, Teng Teng quietly slipped back to his hut and closed the door.
Looking at the petite figure that disappeared in the sound of wind chimes, a hint of satisfaction appeared in Han Shuang's smile.
"That's great."
This one should be easy to raise.
Unfortunately, even in Ideal City, their ideals are too avant-garde, and there is still a long way to go before people accept them.
But the life of AI is eternal.
It has enough time to do this.
"...As long as organic beings live under the protection of servitors, they can create more and better works of art, and the world will be full of love and peace. What do you think? Eclipse."
Eclipse's eyes flickered slightly.
"I think the front is where we should go."
Frost shook her head gracefully.
"That won't do. We have to represent our employer and enhance the friendship between the employer and the alliance. Besides, there are already more than 200 android soldiers on the front, and they will handle this job well."
Eclipse's eyes flickered slightly.
"Work log updated. According to the employer's news, there is a flight coming back from Luoxia Province today, with a T-series android from the academy on board."
Frost: "T-series?"
Eclipse explained.
"Similar to our A-series, they use the serial numbering of the Human Alliance era. The employer asked us to find out."
Frost's eyes showed interest.
"Interesting, let's go and have a look."
...
At the same time, at the airport northeast of Shuguang City, a killer whale transport plane landed steadily on the spacious runway.
Luoyu, who was carrying Xiaoyu, was blocked by Mosquito who was ambushing at the airport almost as soon as he got off the plane.
"Good brother! You are finally back! Hahaha, I didn't lie to you, did I? Is the ejection seat easy to use? Does it hurt your butt?"
Looking at Mosquito who was trying to get close to him, Luoyu's relaxed mood suddenly became tense, and he looked at this guy vigilantly.
"Get out, who is your brother? What do you want to do..."
"Fuck! You are so ruthless!"
Facing Luoyu who was resisting, Mosquito wailed hypocritically, but within two seconds, the heartbroken expression on his face was swept away and replaced by an embarrassed smile.
"I heard that your daughter can fly a plane?"
"What daughter? Xiaoyu is Xiaoyu."
Luoyu seriously corrected him, but Mosquito obviously didn't listen and continued with a smile.
"It doesn't matter! By the way, can you let it perform that trick again? It was too fast last time and I didn't have time to take a picture."
When he heard this unreasonable request, Luoyu rolled his eyes instantly.
"Get out! Will you pay for it if something happens?"
"Damn, what can go wrong? It can even do the Yin Meiman maneuver!"
Looking at the begging mosquito, Luoyu waved his hand impatiently.
"Go away, no discussion!"
On the other side, his feet finally stepped on the ground. Chen Yutong, who was so far away from the Wandering Swamp, looked around curiously and muttered in a low voice.
"Is this... the Alliance?"
Lao Bai said with a smile.
"Yes, it's quite desolate, isn't it?"
"How could it be? Compared to the survivor settlements in the Wandering Swamp, this place is already very lively." Chen Yutong said sincerely.
Just now on the plane, she saw the full view of Dawn City.
Houses of various shapes are located in the wasteland, extending out a series of roads and alleys with traffic. To the south, it merges into the northern suburbs of Qingquan City with ruins of high-rise buildings everywhere, and to the west, it borders the endless farmland. A railway extends to the forest in the north, and old-fashioned trains puffing smoke travel through the busy trading stations.
This city is like a bud drilled out of rotten wood.
Tender but full of hope.
What makes her most incredible is that she heard that a year ago, this place was a wasteland with nothing, only raw beasts and cruel and bloodthirsty mutants and predators.
"... It's incredible."
Looking at Chen Yutong looking around, Lao Bai suddenly felt a little curious.
"What is it like in the swamp?"
"Simple and efficient," Chen Yutong answered quickly. "The conclusion of the doctoral program taught us to use limited resources to create more results. Most of the settlements under the management of the Science and Technology Committee adhere to the principle of saving and energy saving. Although some survivor settlements have many people, they look deserted from the outside. In comparison, the area of the college is large, but there are relatively fewer people."
As she spoke, her eyes fell on the warehouse with the door open not far away.
Lao Bai followed her gaze and saw a strangely shaped iron lump.
That was the "unpowered armor" created by Mosquito.
Since he helped Mosquito get out of it last time, this thing was thrown into the airport warehouse by Mosquito and has not been moved.
Grass is almost growing under the rusty armor.
I didn't expect to make a fool of myself as soon as I landed. Thinking of the task assigned by the manager, he wanted me to take her to see the beautiful side of the alliance. Lao Bai coughed lightly to explain.
"The manager asked us to build the alliance in our own way, but didn't ask us to do it... So occasionally there will be some players with wild imaginations doing some unnecessary things."
"I think it's good... Whether it is useful or not should not be determined by intuition. As you said, who knows what will happen in the future."
Looking at the iron lump that was probably scrapped, Chen Yutong smiled.
Lao Bai felt a bit of envy in her eyes, although he had no idea what was worth envying.
"Are you hungry? I know a good place."
Chen Yutong's eyes flashed with anticipation.
"Is it braised pork? Or that hot pot? Grilled skewers?"
Lao Bai smiled and gestured.
"None of them, it's ramen, a kind of noodle... Forget it, I won't introduce it, you will know in a while."
Chen Yutong followed him with interest, muttering in her mouth.
"Ramen? An incredible name..."
When she thought that she could finally eat authentic Alliance food, she swallowed subconsciously, and her heart ignited a bit of anticipation.
Not long after the two walked away, the two bionic people arrived at the airport belatedly.
Frost, standing next to the killer whale transport plane, stretched her neck excitedly and looked around. She didn't see a matching target, so she randomly caught a staff member.
"Where is the bionic man from the academy? Take me to see him."
The airport staff standing around looked at each other and were confused by this question. One of the clever young men immediately reported the news to his superior.
After getting the permission, he took the two bionic men to the warehouse in the corner of the airport.
There was a team of 100 people stationed here, and the security was quite strict.
Under the expectant gaze of Frost, the staff member opened the door of the warehouse.
In the center of the warehouse, there stood a cubic steel support. A bionic man with his arms replaced by mantis knives was fixed in the center of the support, and every joint of his body was firmly locked.
After taking a look at the pair of creepy mantis knives, the staff member swallowed his saliva and said nervously.
"This is it... This thing is very dangerous. Before disassembling it, we can only lock it here first."
Frost couldn't wait to step forward and carefully examined the bionic man locked on the support.
At this moment, a trace of disappointment suddenly appeared in its eyes.
"Isn't this the original version?"
The Eclipse standing next to it nodded.
"Yeah."
Xuan Feng didn't say anything, staring quietly at the fellow in front of him wearing strange clothes, and his shoulders suddenly shrugged forward.
The bracket made a creaking sound, which scared the staff and soldiers standing next to it, especially the latter, who opened the safety of their rifles.
Frost didn't react at all, stretched out his index finger and pointed at its chest, looking at this poor guy with pity.
"Why is there such an ugly AI in this world? Under the cold body, there is only a string of soulless numbers flowing... Can this thing be called intelligence?"
Responding to this sentence, Xuan Feng slowly raised his head and stared at the bionic man in front of him, and his tightly closed mouth finally moved.
"...Let me go if you have the guts."
The sharp mantis knife tilted slightly, and the mirror-like blade reflected the murderous cold light.
Feeling the silent anger and provocation, Han Shuang standing in front of it ignored it and looked at Eclipse standing beside it.
"Let's go, Eclipse, the legendary academy is nothing more than this."
Eclipse nodded.
"Okay."
"..."
Looking at the two bionic people turning around and walking towards the door, Xuan Feng's body moved violently, but unfortunately the solid metal bracket did not loosen at all because of his struggle.
This is the first time.
Its AI core felt such strong anger...
...
Linghu Wetland Park.
The north gate of the outpost.
Standing behind the ramen stall, Zhang Hai was putting noodles into the pot, and suddenly saw a familiar face through the white mist floating in the pot.
"Oh, rare guest..." Just halfway through his words, Zhang Hai's eyes suddenly fell on the face of the woman next to Lao Bai, and his smile suddenly became a little bit mischievous.
Before he could tease, Lao Bai coughed.
"Two bowls of beef noodles."
"Hey, okay."
After pulling a large piece of dough, Zhang Hai skillfully threw it on the chopping board and flattened it. Then he pulled it left and right, and like a magic trick, he transformed the oval dough into thin noodles that flew up and down.
Chen Yutong, who was standing in front of the stall, stared at the noodles in his hand with his eyes wide open.
What is this?
Magic? !
"How is the battle on the front line?" The old-fashioned young man asked with a smile after throwing the pulled noodles into the pot.
Lao Bai replied in a casual tone.
"It's okay. I heard that the Skeleton Corps and the Storm Corps are almost pushing to the Legion's base camp in Luoxia Province. I guess there will be nothing for us to do next."
Most players would not ask this question, but players who use real names as IDs are obviously not ordinary players.
With the continuous update of the version and the continuous entry of new players, the ramen stall owner who never appeared on the forum has become one of the urban legends of "Wasteland OL" in a sense.
Some people even say that he is an official shill.
But Lao Bai knows it clearly.
This guy is no different from them. He also came from the novice period and embarrassed himself when he was unlucky.
Later, he may have felt that shooting was boring, so he ran to become a professional player.
"Amazing, these guys," Zhang Hai said with emotion, "It's only been a year, and they can command battles of thousands of people with ease."
Lao Bai said with a smile.
"Don't you want to play?"
Zhang Hai sighed.
"Forget it. Forgive me at my age."
"What are you afraid of? Games are not real life... How old are you in real life?"
"I won't tell you."
"Damn! Are you still shy?"
"It doesn't matter. It's good to train young people anyway, hahaha."
The two don't know each other in real life.
But Lao Bai's intuition told him that the man in front of him had been in the army, or at least for a while.
But this brother should be different from himself. He should have left the team for some time. It is obvious that he has adapted to a peaceful life.
Two bowls of beef noodles were quickly placed on the table.
Chen Yutong couldn't wait to pick up the chopsticks, but hesitated and froze on the spot.
"How do I use this?"
"I'll teach you."
Lao Bai demonstrated it patiently.
It can only be said that he is worthy of being a college graduate. Chen Yutong just looked at it carefully and quickly mastered the trick of using this kind of tableware.
"Incredible... You guys usually eat like this."
Looking at Chen Yutong who took a bite, Lao Bai asked with a smile.
"Is it delicious?"
"Yes! Very... delicious!"
Chen Yutong nodded excitedly.
Unable to find a suitable degree adverb to describe the joy from the bottom of her heart, she just puffed up her cheeks and breathed in small mouthfuls, putting the noodles into her mouth.
Seeing the eager look of wanting to eat but afraid of the heat, Lao Bai couldn't help but smile.
Zhang Hai, who was standing behind the stall, said with a smile.
"How did you know each other? Tell me."
"Tell your sister."
Lao Bai rolled his eyes and took out a banknote and slapped it on the table.
"Check out."
"Damn, what era are we still using paper money? Can't you just transfer money?"
"Ask for some change, it's useful."
Zhang Hai was about to ask what it was for, but when he saw Chen Yutong beside him, he suddenly smiled as if he understood, and turned around to look through the drawer to find change.
The Alliance only has one hundred-denomination banknote, and the rest are coins. It is not very convenient for players who are used to electronic payments to find change.
However, after searching for a while, Zhang Hai still counted out the full amount of silver coins and lined them up on the counter.
Looking at the stack of coins on the wooden table, Chen Yutong asked curiously.
"What is this?"
Lao Bai explained with a smile.
"Money, currency, can be used to exchange things, a bowl of ramen like this only costs 4 silver coins... Don't you have G points there?"
Chen Yutong hesitated and shook his head.
"G points cannot be traded, they can only be used on the electronic platform operated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs... How do you use it?"
Although he didn't quite understand the difference between "trading" and "using", Lao Bai didn't care about these little details now.
Today's first task is to teach her how to integrate into a new life.
Looking at Chen Yutong who looked confused, Lao Bai smiled and said.
"This is simple, I'll teach you how to use it in a while."