21st century Goguryeo

Chapter 40

October 24th, 2017 11:00

Choongbook Chungju-si 17th Fighter Wing underground research facility X-1 lab (Alien spacecraft lab)

Namgoong-won was working on connecting a powerline from the X-20 lab on the 8th floor to the X-1 lab with other researchers from another department. To increase Hocula’s operating capacity, they were trying to supply the alien spacecraft with power from the plasma superprotonic generator that was running smoothly for four days.

“Researcher Namgoong, everything is connected on this end.”

“Yes, Chief Huh. I’m on it.”

“Researcher Ki? How are things on your end?”

“We have just finished and are in the final stages of connecting.”

“Then everyone, please step back from the power connector line.”

Namgoong-won ran a final diagnostic with Hocula on the connection between the generator and spacecraft along with the current status of the spacecraft.

“Hocula, how is the connectivity with the power line?”

“Power line connection ideal.”

“All right, then I’ll start supplying the power.”

“Chief Huh, please supply the power.”

“Okay.”

Chief researcher Huh Sang-won, who was standing by in the 8th floor X-20 lab, pressed the power supply button under Namgoong-won’s request. In a flash, the superprotonic plasma generator supplied power to the alien spacecraft via the connector line. The power output was at 100MWh.

“Hocula main system operating capacity at 35% and increasing.”

“Hocula main system operating capacity at 41% and increasing.”

“Hocula main system operating capacity at 51% and steady.”

“Hocula, can’t you increase the capacity anymore?”

“51% is the limit at the current power supply.”

“Fine. If there’s no other choice, I will look for a different method.”

Namgoong-won’s laptop screen showed a 3D model of the alien spacecraft, each graph and chart was dancing around and showing stats. A moment later, a grey color representing the first floor of the spacecraft turned light yellow.

“Ship’s first floor being reactivated. 70%... 80%... 90%... 100% reactivation complete. Namgoong-won, authorized to use all of the first floor’s facilities.”

“Oh, good. What is on the first floor?”

“All information will be sent to you via data.”

“Thanks.”

Namgoong-won heard something move from inside the ship. He put down his laptop and ran towards the ship’s entrance. Namgoong-won followed the pathway connected to the main stairway and became wide-eyed upon entering the first room.

“Wow, this is amazing!”

Racks popped out from the three walls in the first room, holding various rare equipment. One of the things that stood out were the four large pieces of weaponry hanging from the rack. Since the Splithians were so tall, the weapon was at least 1.5m in length. Namgoong-won could not help but cry out in amazement as he held up the weapon carefully to find that it was lighter than he expected, with the exterior resembling a K-11 compound rifle. As he took various stances and checked the weapon, Namgoong-won pressed a button on the right upper side of the trigger. In response, a small whirring indicated activation as a small monitor screen lit up where the sights should have been, displaying various unrecognizable images and stats.

‘So this is the weaponry the Splithians use! Oh, wait... now is not the time,’ he thought.

Namgoong-won brought out the radio on his hip and called over Chief researcher Huh Sang-won.

“Chief Huh, please contact the public-address booth and announce Dr. Lee and all the other mechanical engineering researchers to gather in the X-1 lab.”

“Okay. Did you find something interesting?”

“After you make the announcement, you should come along too. When you’re here, you won’t help but be surprised. Hahaha.”

A moment later, Dr. Lee Su-jin along with several other researchers arrived and could not hold their awe when they saw the Splithian equipment. As a mechanical engineer, Chief researcher Lee Dong-won seemed like a child discovering a new world. The 12 types of 52 different equipment collected that day were at least two centuries ahead of human technology; it was a historical moment where they became a foundation for the future Korean military equipment.

* * *

October 24th, 2017 18:50

Choongbook Chungju-si 17th Fighter Wing main hall rest area.

After a long time, Namgoong-won came out from the damp underground research facility and sat on the bench in the main hall. Holding Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin, he watched the sunset and whispered in her ear, “Assistant Manager Lee.”

“What is it?”

“Do you know why I work so hard even in areas that I am not even familiar with?”

“Isn’t it because you like it?”

“It is fun, but I was thinking maybe there could be a way to return to the past with the alien technology...”

“The past? Like a time machine?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

After asking, Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin finally understood Namgoong-won’s intentions.

“Ah, sorry.”

“No, it’s fine. Why should you be sorry?”

“You want to go back to how things were, don’t you?”

“Nowadays, it feels more like I am focused on research not sleeping. Such thoughts never leave my mind.”

“You miss your parents?”

Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin stroked Namgoong-won’s head when he answered sheepishly and hugged him. After a while, she wiped the tears from his eyes and whispered.

“No need to be sad. I will make you happy including your parent’s worth!”

“Thank you.”

* * *

October 25th, 2017 09:30

Choongbook Chungju-si 17th Fighter Wing outdoors firing range.

Various researchers and the commander of the 17th Fighter Wing were all gathered in the outdoor firing range to test out some of the Splithian equipment they had acquired yesterday. Namgoong-won had obtained various data about the equipment from Hocula and made an instruction manual which he distributed. The Military Police agents practiced operating the equipment; they got into position, preparing to test-fire the weapon one dubbed ‘laser rifle’.

Length:1.48m

Weight: 3.5kg

Output modes: Low power, High power

Firing modes: single, rapid-fire

Magazine: Plasma battery pack reload method

Output capacity: Low power 1000 rounds, 20 rounds in High power based on a single plasma battery pack.

The Military Police Agent set the rifle to low power and aimed at the 5 stacked 10mm steel plates and pulled the trigger.

Whirl... Bang!

With a faint sound, the red light left the muzzle and hit its target. The rifle went through the first two stacked 10mm plates. Its high firepower would have made its target not recognize that they’ve been hit.

A moment later, the Military Police agent set the rifle to level 2 ‘high power mode’ and pulled the trigger while aiming at the 20 stacked 10mm plates.

Woosh... Bang!

With a louder noise compared to the low power mode, a thicker red light hit the steel plates. Twelve of the 10mm plates were shot through. From this, it could destroy a light armored vehicle.

Clap clap clap!

The sound of applause came from all directions. Commander Oh Suk-Myung of the 17th Fighter Wing, who was watching silently, smiled and praised the performance multiple times.

“This is the first time in my whole military career a personal rifle has shown a power like this. I look forward to the day our soldiers will be equipped with such weapons.”

“Commander, I would starve myself to save time for work if that means we can have this weapon be available to all of our soldiers as soon as possible.”

Head researcher Lee Dong-won from the Agency for Defense Development, who lead the testing today, responded to the commander confidently. The equipment being put under 3 hours of testing was given to the ADD researchers, who made the goal of making researching and developing a weapon based on the equipment within the next two years.

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