Apocalypse Survival: Starting with a Shelter

The improvised vehicles, if deployed alone, would likely break down after traveling only a short distance. Even if they reached their destination, their clumsy movements would severely hamper work efficiency.

However, with the Mineral Type-1 Transport Vehicle, enhanced by survival points, serving as the command center, and a dedicated electric power transport vehicle nearby to replenish their energy, these shortcomings could be mitigated.

In such a setup, the improvised vehicles could achieve performance levels close to their original design specifications.

"Actually, a vehicle enhanced with survival points has an intelligent chip whose performance is far beyond what is required for self-navigation. It can easily command other vehicles while managing its own operations," Su Wu reflected.

"If the other vehicles are of the same model and tasked with similar jobs, the computational demands on the command vehicle's chip are further reduced."

These two factors combined formed the foundation of a cluster unit: one vehicle commanding several others for collaborative work.

In the tactical mode of the control interface, Su Wu observed the distribution of computational resources.

The Mineral Type-1 Transport Vehicle, acting as the command center, allocated about 15% of its chip's computational power to manage the cluster.

10% was used for its own operations, and each subordinate vehicle was assigned 1-2% of the remaining capacity.

While the current load seemed minimal, this was because the cluster was simply driving along a highway toward the Lime Shelter, a relatively simple task. During more intensive operations, such as mountain excavation, computational demands would soar based on the same proportions.

In extreme cases, the shelter's AI might need to provide remote computational support to ensure successful operations.

That said, such situations would be rare. The enhanced Mineral Type-1 Transport Vehicle was more than capable of handling most scenarios independently.

A stable command network was essential for relaying instructions to all subordinate units.

This capability was anchored in the Mineral Type-1 Transport Vehicle's robust communication device. While it lacked the range of survival-point-enhanced long-range systems that could connect to the shelter from 25 kilometers away, it was virtually flawless within a 1-kilometer radius.

For short-range tasks, even the current levels of radiation on the surface posed no interference.

Another major challenge was energy. The highest-quality first-generation solid-state batteries Su Wu could produce couldn't sustain a single vehicle for extended operations.

This was where the Electric Power Transport Vehicle came into play, allowing the cluster unit to operate over long distances and complete work assignments.

The Electric Power Transport Vehicle had its drawbacks, however—primarily its cost. Packing 54 cubic meters of batteries, even older models, represented a fortune in pre-apocalypse terms.

Still, since it didn't require survival points, Su Wu was less concerned. Resources could be traded with other shelters or scavenged from the ruins of Jianghe City, making them easier to replenish than survival points.

After a 7.5-kilometer trip to verify the stability of the command network, the mining cluster unit reached its destination. Survivors at the Lime Shelter assisted with resupplying materials—mainly pre-fabricated steel plates, cables, and rebar.

These supplies were loaded into the open cargo bed of the Mineral Type-1 Transport Vehicle for the next stage of the mission.

The resupply process took nearly an hour. Despite the use of tools, the survivors weren't machines, so loading the materials required significant effort.

Meanwhile, the Electric Power Transport Vehicle used the downtime to recharge, increasing its energy reserves to over 3,000 kWh.

The mining cluster unit, now consisting of eight vehicles—including one Mineral Type-1 Transport Vehicle, one Electric Power Transport Vehicle, and six small excavators—set off toward the distant mountains.

Their objective was to carve out a path to a small limestone quarry hidden in the hills.

The task, though still challenging, had been simplified by the aftermath of the earthquake. The quake had destroyed much of the once-daunting cliffs and filled the narrow ravines with debris.

Although this meant more earth and rock had to be excavated, and the route would be more winding, it eliminated the need for the dangerous work of hanging scaffolds and drilling into cliffs. The reduced need for steel and materials brought the cost down to an almost surprising level—a rare silver lining from the disaster.

The mining cluster progressed steadily into the mountains. Once they left the 15-kilometer radius covered by the shelter's communication tower, a pre-laid monitoring network—mostly intact despite the earthquake—took over, ensuring continuous communication.

[Mining Cluster Has Reached the Destination.]

[Activating Construction Mode.]

[Survey Drone Launched.]

[Plotting Construction Route.]

[Phase 1 Construction Route Confirmed.]

[Detected: High Rock Hardness.]

[Small Excavators Switching Drill Heads.]

Upon arrival, the cluster began its work. The shelter's AI only intervened briefly during the initial survey and route planning. The rest of the tasks—ranging from switching tools to executing the excavation—were managed entirely by the mining cluster itself.

The Mineral Type-1 Transport Vehicle demonstrated its capability as the command hub of the cluster, reducing the need for direct supervision from the shelter.

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