LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 164: Chapter 163
The pressure on governments around the world was mounting. Ability users were destabilizing entire regions, and the rise of powerful individuals like Phoenix and Eze left many governments scrambling for solutions. Various nations had attempted to develop their own exosuits to protect soldiers and law enforcement against these superhuman forces, but each attempt ended in failure.
From Japan to Russia, the results were disastrous. The suits were either too weak to withstand the energy output of the ability users or collapsed under the strain of their own weight. The need for better technology was clear, and desperation drove many governments to seek out PowerGen.
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Max sat at his desk, a growing number of requests from foreign governments in his inbox.
"We can't keep up with the demand," one of his engineers said, shaking his head as he went over the latest orders. "Everyone wants a piece of what we're building here. But we don't have enough production lines to meet all of these requests."
Max smiled, looking over the proposals. "Then it's time we expanded internationally. Set up new production facilities in strategic locations. If governments want our tech, we'll sell it to them—but on our terms."
The plan was simple: leverage the chaos created by ability users to drive PowerGen's growth. Countries like Brazil, India, and even the United States were eager to buy the company's beam weapons and defense tech. With these deals, PowerGen could become the most dominant player in the global arms market.
The situation, however, demanded caution. Governments were not only looking for advanced technology but were also vying for exclusivity. Max held a meeting with his top advisors to discuss their next move.
"We need to be selective," Max said, his tone firm. "Selling to everyone will backfire. Focus on partnerships with stable governments and regions with high strategic value. Offer tiered access to our tech. The most advanced versions will only go to our trusted allies."
"Won't that anger the others?" an advisor asked.
Max nodded. "It might. But if they want the best, they'll need to prove their loyalty. Let's use their desperation to solidify long-term contracts."
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Meanwhile, Alex had given Eva new instructions: focus on refining the energy beam weapon technology and the development of a shielding system that could protect against the energy outbursts of ability users. Her collaboration with PowerGen's research team would be vital.
"Eva," Alex said, leaning back in his chair, "I want you to integrate with the PowerGen team directly. Work with them on refining the energy shields and beam weapons. We need to protect ordinary people from the destructive power of these abilities."
"Understood," Eva responded in her usual precise tone. "I've already identified several key improvements that will optimize beam weapon efficiency. Additionally, I'm working on prototype energy shields based on resonance harmonics to deflect or absorb energy waves."
"Good. While you focus on that, I'll handle the suit development," Alex replied.
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In Cognichip Space, Alex stood before a holographic model of the exosuit. He had already perfected the material—an alloy strong enough to withstand Phoenix's fire and durable enough to handle extreme energy outputs from various ability users. The next challenge was designing the suit's architecture to ensure maximum protection without sacrificing mobility.
The key to the suit's success lay in balancing two critical factors: energy absorption and dispersion. Phoenix's raw energy output was so intense that a suit had to not only survive the initial impact but also find a way to channel that energy away from the user.
Alex's plan involved layering different materials within the suit to create an insulating barrier that could absorb the energy and redistribute it throughout the suit's structure. The outer layer would consist of the newly developed composite material—a blend of carbon nanotubes and graphene, reinforced by a rare earth element capable of withstanding extreme temperatures.
Beneath that, Alex envisioned a network of energy-conducting fibers that would absorb excess energy and feed it into a central capacitor. The capacitor would then disperse the energy safely through a network of thermal regulators along the suit's body, preventing any localized heat build-up that could damage the user.
"The problem with most suits," Alex muttered, "is that they don't distribute energy evenly. They rely too much on trying to block the attack outright. But if we treat the suit like a conductor, it'll absorb the energy, spread it out, and render it harmless."
He continued to tweak the suit's internal structure, adjusting the positioning of energy regulators and testing different configurations in the Cognichip Space. Each simulation brought new data, showing him exactly how much energy the suit could absorb and how it handled different types of attacks—heat, force, and electromagnetic pulses.
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As Alex refined his designs, the world outside continued to descend into chaos. Ability users were growing bolder, carving out territories and challenging government forces.
In South America, a powerful ability user known as "La Reina" had emerged, seizing control of several cities with her ability to manipulate minds. Government forces tried to fight back, but their conventional weapons were useless against her powers.
In Africa, Eze's rule was becoming more solidified. His kingdom grew daily, and no one dared challenge him. His earth-based powers allowed him to create massive fortresses, and his followers believed he was invincible.
Meanwhile, Phoenix continued to reign in the U.S., torching entire towns that defied him. His goal of creating a sovereign state for ability users was starting to take shape, and he had begun gathering other powerful figures to his cause.
Governments around the world were struggling to maintain control. Reports of new ability users appearing after life-and-death situations only fueled the chaos. Daredevils tempted fate, hoping to trigger their own awakenings, while crime syndicates used ability users to bolster their influence and power.
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In a high-level meeting at NATO headquarters, leaders discussed the ongoing crisis and the role of emerging technologies in combating ability users.
"We need to secure exclusive rights to PowerGen's latest tech," a senior official from Germany said. "If they start selling to rogue states, it'll only make matters worse."
"But how do we ensure that?" asked a representative from France. "We can't control the global market, and PowerGen is a private entity."
The U.S. representative leaned forward. "Then we bring them under contract. Offer them incentives—tax breaks, government grants, you name it. But we need their allegiance."
The room fell silent as the weight of the situation settled in. The fight against ability users was no longer just about containing chaos—it was about maintaining sovereignty in a rapidly changing world.
With PowerGen's technology as the centerpiece of their plans, governments began drafting a global strategy, one that could either unite them against the rising threat or plunge the world into further disarray.
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Eva's Report
"Alex," Eva's voice echoed in Cognichip Space, "I've completed the first set of upgrades for the energy beam weapon. We've increased the weapon's range and energy efficiency by 23%. Additionally, I've begun work on the energy shield prototypes. They're designed to deflect energy-based attacks by generating a resonant frequency that cancels out the incoming waveforms."
"Perfect," Alex replied. "Keep working with the PowerGen team. I'll send over the new suit designs once I finish refining the energy dispersal system."
"Very well," Eva responded. "On another note, I've started preparations for upgrading my home server to a quantum architecture. This will allow me to process far more complex calculations and simulations at a significantly faster rate."
Alex smiled. "Good. We're going to need that processing power sooner rather than later."