Chapter 10: The Upcoming Meeting
"How did you do it?"
Liwen Shao stared, having already walked around Luke Field three or four times. She used to be a technical expert herself. Although she had lost a lot after moving into business, shifting her focus to running a company, her foundation, basic knowledge, and understanding still remained!
She knew all too well how difficult it was to create a single-pilot neural link system! Even Caitlin Lightcap, the creator of the neural link system, who had relied on her accumulation of knowledge in brain neuroscience and managed to create and improve the system in just a few months, couldn't achieve this. The problem was that a single person's neurons couldn't bear the mental load of controlling a Jaeger. The only solution would be to reduce the size of the Jaeger.
But how could that even be possible?
The size and upgrades of a Jaeger correspond directly to the size and power of a Kaiju. If the Jaeger's size were reduced, many things, many weapons, and even the damage it could inflict on the Kaiju would be greatly reduced.
So, at least a two-person neural link, sharing the mental burden of controlling the Jaeger, was the only viable option. Even ten years later, Jaegers over seventy meters would still require at least two pilots working together. That's why Stacker Pentecost, the only known individual to have single-handedly controlled a damaged Coyote Tango and fought the Kaiju Onibaba for three hours before ultimately winning, enjoying fame and prestige!
Everyone knew that the reason Jaegers couldn't be mass-produced wasn't just due to funding or practical problems, but also because it was extremely hard to find pilots. It wasn't as simple as just putting two random people together and expecting them to operate a Jaeger. It required exceptional mental strength, a strong physical condition, advanced combat skills, and most importantly, absolute trust and synergy between the pilots!
The first few points were manageable, but trust and synergy were the hardest to achieve. Under the neural link system, both pilots could see each other's private memories and secrets—things they didn't want anyone to know. Not everyone could accept someone entering their mind and browsing through their entire life. And if they resisted, it would disrupt the stability of the neural link. This alone eliminated countless potential candidates.
That's why, whether active, retired, or deceased, the relationships between Jaeger pilots were either blood-related—like father and child, siblings—or extremely close, like lovers or comrades-in-arms.
But if a safe single-pilot neural link technology truly appeared, it would immediately double the number of Jaeger pilots available to the PPDC. And all of them would be highly experienced in combat, already possessing the necessary trust and synergy with at least one other pilot!
Over the past three years, Liwen Shao had been repeatedly crushed by Luke Field's advancements to the point of questioning whether she truly had any talent for research. She had completely abandoned research a year ago to focus on raising her daughter, and every time Luke presented a new technology, Shao couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.
But then she remembered that these technologies had all been incorporated into Shao Industries' foundation, and that the rights were shared with Shao Industries. Any bitterness vanished from her heart. Environment could change a person. She was no longer the woman from three years ago, who still had a bit of the scientific spirit left in her. Now, she was a businessman!
"Doctor, the PPDC wants to take the body of the Kaiju, Huo Da," said a woman in a white coat, hurrying over with a phone in hand.
"Reject them," Luke Field said without hesitation. "The Kaiju, Huo Da, was killed by a Jaeger from Shao Industries. Therefore, Shao Industries has the rights to the body and how it is handled."
"That might be problematic," Liwen Shao interjected. "Anything related to the Kaiju falls under PPDC's management and decision-making. If they insist, it could cause some trouble." Although she wanted the Kaiju's body herself, using Luke Field's words, the Kaiju was a treasure, and most organizations thought so too.
Especially the blood—just discovering its first potential use as a powerful fuel propellant material!
Why was Kurtulo able to reach the battlefield so quickly?
It was because they used fuel propellants made from Kaiju blood.
With enough of this propellant, Jaegers wouldn't need at least eight heavy transport helicopters to slowly carry them to the scene. In other words, in responding to Kaiju attacks, the PPDC and the allied nations behind it would have more time and faster support.
This meant a significant reduction in the Kaiju's destructive power and movement speed.
Of course, this was still undisclosed technology. But it was only a matter of time, wasn't it?
At least, after Liwen Shao learned about the potential effects of this technology, she immediately started buying up Kaiju blood on the black market and through the PPDC at high prices. He had stockpiled what was now famously known as Kaiju Blue.
"Give them some money. Treat it as a purchase. After all, Marshal Stacker isn't using the Kaiju's body for pure research anyway. Most of it will be sold off," Luke Field shrugged. "Also, tell Marshal Stacker that I'll be visiting him at the PPDC in a few days to discuss a possible partnership between Shao Industries and the PPDC. I'm sure he's eager to meet me."
"Well, it seems you think the time has come," Liwen Shao said with some emotion. Over the past three years, Luke Field hadn't hidden his intention of using Shao Industries as a stepping stone. From the very beginning of their cooperation, Luke had clearly told her his goal was the PPDC. Of course, Liwen Shao believed Luke wouldn't sever ties with Shao Industries. After all, their relationship had long become inseparable. What benefit would Luke have from cutting ties with Shao Industries, especially when he was a major shareholder and the Chief Technician? Being involved with the PPDC didn't mean Luke had to sever ties with the company.
...
In the following days, Shao Industries obviously attracted more attention, both from outside and from the higher-ups. Liwen Shao was nearly overwhelmed with work, having to explain things to various factions and unveil a batch of Shao Industries technological innovations. This included their unmanned factories, sixth-generation Jaeger development, and the application of Kaiju blood technology.
As she complained to Luke one night, "I'm attending all sorts of meetings, giving speeches for four or five hours at a time. My throat is about to give out!" But Luke could hear the excitement and exhilaration buried in the slightly hoarse voice. Clearly, despite the struggles, Liwen Shao had received some promise or support.
While Liwen Shao was both pained and happy, Marshal Stacker Pentecost at PPDC Headquarters was facing a storm of pressure from the current managing nations behind the PPDC.