"Don't worry, I won't sell you out, but resources are limited, and everyone on the train must work. Moreover, no one can board the train without my permission from now on."
Su Huan reminded meaningfully.
In the last life, Qi Xiaobai had adopted many apocalypse orphans.
He could accept Master Eight Saint Mother, but only within the scope of his permission, to stabilize the team's mood.
He didn't want a well-armed train to turn into a mobile orphanage.
"Alright, let's talk about what we need to do next." Su Huan clapped his hands to capture everyone's attention.
"We will stay here until tomorrow morning, then go to the steel plant to get some steel to reinforce the train."
Su Huan's gaze settled on Yu Jing, "I need you to come up with an initial design plan for the train transformation, covering all carriages. The goal is to withstand large-scale zombie tides, while also reserving space for weapon installation later on."
Yu Jing lowered her head in thought.
Su Huan frowned, "Is it doable?"
Yu Yue looked nervously at her daughter.
"No, I've already made a round this morning and have an initial renovation plan, which should meet your goals."
Yu Jing met Su Huan's gaze, her phoenix eyes shimmering brightly.
Su Huan was pleased in his heart, but kept his expression neutral, "Let's hear it."
Yu Jing cleared her throat, "The main steel plate thickness of the train head is between 15-25mm, the front collision area can reach 20-25mm, the sides 15-20, and the roof about 15mm. It looks thick, but this old-style A3 carbon steel doesn't have strong impact resistance."
"Generally, carbon-based organisms can't stop a moving train, but since it's the apocalypse, we have to consider the most extreme situations. Suppose an elephant appeared on the tracks, the current locomotive would definitely suffer damage if it collided, and if hitting the side steel plate, it could even tear."
"This morning we welded 30° inclined steel plates, which can push away track obstacles and low-level zombies, but it's far from enough. I think the train head should have a battering angle."
"Encountering evolution beasts like blood hounds can also be blasted away!"
Yu Jing clenched her fist, gesturing a ramming motion, clearly impressed by the blood hound from this morning.
"Then regarding the carriage reinforcement."
"The actual thickness of old green carriages is only about 3-5mm, including the side walls, mostly 3mm, the rest is insulation and lining, which needs significant reinforcement. I suggest welding 1.2cm steel plates."
"Then add a honeycomb buffer layer inside for increased thickness. Although it will take up considerable space, the train's safety far outweighs its payload."
"There are too many windows on the carriage. For storage-type carriages, I suggest sealing them with steel plates. For those needing daylight, make transparent barriers with explosion-proof netting, but all car windows must have an additional layer of 10mm steel inside to prevent interior light leakage."
In his mind, Su Huan imagined Yu Jing's plan, many points coinciding with his thoughts.
The phrase "safety above payload" resonated greatly with him.
"This is a very good consideration. How about the roof and connection bridge parts, give a brief explanation."
Yu Jing took a sip of cola and continued, "The idea for the carriage roof is offense over defense. Currently, the car body is already high due to the air conditioning, even ordinary cars are 4.8m tall, like small city walls."
"I plan to build a connection bridge from the second level of Car Two, the sightseeing car, leading to the carriage tops behind, creating a combat platform."
"That's the general idea."
Her words were concise and straightforward.
No shyness or hesitation, just like in an interview, showcasing her expertise and strengths perfectly.
Most importantly, Yu Jing wasn't just talking; she produced a sheet of paper filled with dense calculations.
It listed the material dimensions needed for armoring all the carriages.
1.25m×2.5m standard steel plates, totaling three thousand pieces.
Although it's just a rough estimate, it was enough to inspire awe.
Su Huan looked at the confident Yu Jing, his gaze admiring, with no intention of hiding it.
"The overall design is fine. I have two points to add. First, apart from the battering angle, I hope to include a de-weeding function. Have you noticed a new type of red mutant plant growing on the ground?"
"I suspect this plant might spread everywhere in the future, and if it grows on the tracks, it'll greatly slow down the train's progress."
"Secondly, the roof must be thickened. You've already seen today's blood hounds, a height of four or five meters is nothing to evolution beasts, the rooftop combat platform plan can remain, but the carriage roof must be strengthened."
"That's the first phase of the armed train plan, does anyone have anything to add?"
Su Huan asked.
Yu Jing had said a lot in one breath, now she was lost in thought, not answering.
The young man hesitated for a moment, looked around, and seeing no one else talking, he spoke up, "If it's to block zombies, why not add some spikes on the sides of the train?"
"Spike areas are too small, they're prone to breaking. They have a strong visual effect but aren't practical against zombies who don't feel pain. However, welding some steel bars would help prevent climbing and serve as protection bars."
Though Yu Jing seemed distracted, she immediately provided professional feedback.
Su Huan encouraged, "Xiaoba's suggestion is good. I'm very curious about your ability, how large an area of metal can you manipulate?"
Hearing this question, everyone turned to Qi Xiaobai.
Only to see a spoon on the wall floating into the air, without any external force.
"My ability is called Metal Manipulation, I can influence all metals through the energy in my body, including levitation like this and... flight."
Su Huan's lip curled a little.
Indeed, a truly enviable talent.
In the last life, Su Huan suspected Xiaoba's ability was "Metal Manipulation", otherwise it wouldn't be possible to manipulate metal so skillfully.
He had also seen other "manipulators", but their core traits were only "metal affinity" and "fire affinity".
Metal Manipulation, such a high-level ability, though it could be facilitated later through gene agents, had a very low probability.
The spoon smoothly circled the carriage, then returned to the front of the crowd.
"In this mode, the heavier the metal, the more energy it consumes. If it's to alter..." The metal spoon gradually thinned, its wooden handle automatically fell off and was placed on the table by the metal shard, "the energy consumed is affected by the metal's hardness, the harder the metal, the more energy it takes to alter it."
"Similarly, complex operations will also consume a significant amount of energy, but I've never tested my ability's limits either."
Qi Xiaobai gave a simple summary, allowing everyone to have a clear impression of his power.