Apocalypse Survival: Starting with a Shelter

In the first hour after the battle, Su Wu used remotely operated construction robots to receive two low-profile emissaries who arrived in a truck laden with supplies.

"We've heard that Mr. Su Wu requires a large number of high-performance chips," one of the emissaries began humbly. "Our boss specifically instructed us to deliver 120 A3-grade intelligent chips as a gesture of apology."

The emissary's attitude was reverential, leaving no room for reproach.

In the apocalyptic world, where global industrial systems had nearly ground to a halt, A3-grade intelligent chips—representing the pinnacle of pre-apocalypse manufacturing—were extraordinarily scarce. Each chip, embodying advanced engineering and material science, was irreplaceable. They could power anything from advanced devices to high-performance servers and personal computers, making them immensely valuable. Their worth had only risen after the apocalypse, as they had been classified as strategic resources, prohibited from export even before the collapse of the old world.

The delivery of 120 such chips was no minor offering. Even as compensation, it carried significant weight, enough for Su Wu to consider leniency if requested.

"Is this your shelter's way of seeking reconciliation?" Su Wu asked with a hint of curiosity.

His voice, transmitted through the speakers of the construction robot, carried a mechanical distortion that masked his true sentiments.

"Not at all," the emissary replied quickly. "Our shelter's director, Yan Qingyu, acted entirely on his own, disregarding the counsel of others. This action was never endorsed by the rest of us. Our boss simply hopes for a chance to explain."

The emissaries made their case carefully, explaining their intent and situation in full detail. Su Wu listened patiently, occasionally interjecting with questions.

It was a familiar scenario: a traitor within the enemy camp seeking refuge and favor. Of course, there was also fear of being implicated in Yan Qingyu's folly. Su Wu's recent display of devastating force was not just for show—it had truly struck fear into his adversaries.

"This matter can be resolved," Su Wu said after a brief moment of contemplation. "If necessary, I can even provide some support."

Force was merely a means to an end, not the ultimate goal. If the same outcome could be achieved with less effort, Su Wu had no objections. However, while he was willing to let go of revenge, the cost of forgiveness would not come cheap.

"Additionally, these chips alone won't suffice as compensation," Su Wu added. "Once this matter is settled… let's say you deliver two or three hundred tons of copper ingots as well."

Two or three hundred tons of copper, even before the apocalypse, would have been worth millions. In the current era, such a demand was a clear punitive measure.

Su Wu had no intention of being merciful to those who crossed him. The factions that had previously targeted his hydroponic farm were already marked for retribution, and he was merely waiting for the right moment to act. This incursion, far more egregious, deserved an even harsher response.

After seeing off the visibly anxious emissaries, Su Wu leaned back in his chair, gazing at the control screen displaying the orderly activity in the unloading yard under the AI's supervision.

For a moment, he was lost in thought before sighing quietly.

The world outside was plagued by disasters. The impending radiation storm threatened to make human survival even more challenging. Yet, sheltered underground, humanity continued to vie for power and wealth, seemingly oblivious to the looming catastrophe.

"Human nature," Su Wu muttered to himself.

The greetings from various large shelter leaders were just the beginning.

As time passed, more convoys arrived at the Arid Stone Village, transforming the area into a bustling logistics hub. The delivered goods, initially limited to scrap metal and raw materials, became more tailored to Su Wu's specific needs. With input from Su Wu, the materials now aligned better with his requirements, paving the way for a rapid upgrade of his shelter's capabilities.

This shift in resource allocation heralded a significant development period for Su Wu's operations. With these supplies, he could expand his shelter's industrial strength and even consider confronting official shelters on equal footing. The system's shelter level might also rise as a result of this newfound power.

Beyond the core transactions for radiation detectors, Su Wu also received several extraordinary gifts from the larger shelters. These included high-quality lambs, aerospace-grade alloys, the design blueprint for a first-generation courier drone, and most notably, a blueprint for solid-state batteries.

While the solid-state battery design was a generation or two behind the latest technology, its acquisition was a game-changer. Having this blueprint bridged a critical gap in Su Wu's production capabilities, addressing one of the two major barriers to mass-producing robots and intelligent vehicles.

With high-performance chips becoming accessible through trade, Su Wu's technological challenges were now more manageable than ever.

"This marks the beginning of large-scale expansion," Su Wu mused.

He promptly uploaded the solid-state battery and courier drone blueprints into the AI's database, his excitement palpable. The possibilities for growth and innovation seemed limitless.

However, a glance at his busy manufacturing systems—3D printers and CNC machines running at full capacity, and engineering robots scrambling to repair weapons and replenish ammunition—tempered his enthusiasm.

His shelter's resources were stretched thin. He would have to wait before diving into large-scale production of new technologies.

For now, Su Wu focused on refining the blueprints. Preparing the designs to better suit the apocalyptic environment was a crucial step. Once production systems were less burdened, he could initiate test runs.

Such was the nature of progress. No matter how urgent the need, growth followed a deliberate, step-by-step process.

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