Darkstone Code-Chapter 850 - 848: A False Alarm

Back at the research institute, Lynch sat in the conference room, listening to the researchers discuss the characteristics of the aircraft.

That is the power of the boss. When he called out the name "aircraft," the Chief Engineer could only praise the name as "a very fitting name, a flying machine, it’s so appropriate," and nothing else.

"I already know these specific parameters, so can anyone tell me, if we mass-produce it on the assembly line, how much can the cost be controlled to?"

Most of these researchers were not well-regarded but competent people whom Lynch poached from major heavy industry companies.

This situation is common in research institutions; clearly, some people have never been in contact with projects being researched at the institute, yet every time results are produced, their names always rank at the top.

On the contrary, those who pushed research progress and made actual contributions to the research find themselves ranked at the bottom.

Is it fair?

Some might think it’s unfair, but it is very fair.

The trajectory of many researchers’ lives goes from school to research institutes, constantly in a research environment without engaging with society.

They wouldn’t know that when they messed up a supposedly mistake-free experiment last week, it caused the director, who is already balding, aggressive internally, and docile externally, heartache for half a day.

Researchers never have to consider how much money they have ruined; they only care about how much further their research progressed, but what they overlook is the core that supports their research — funding.

Lynch found a relatively "less naive" engine engineer to serve as Chief Engineer, whose job, beyond designing, is mainly about management and coordination.

He knows what the true core of a research institute is.

It’s not those seemingly invaluable researchers and their knowledge but how much money the institute can provide for researchers to "squander," to use freely.

As long as there is enough money, with Lynch’s status and fame, what kind of scientist can’t be hired?

Besides the specially trained researchers, there are also many civilian scientists who understand the pain of conducting research without funds. Unlike the pure researchers, they not only manage the allocation of funds and use of resources but also seek investments themselves, making them more approachable.

The Chief Engineer and several evidently more sociable researchers quickly calculated and presented a price Lynch could accept.

"Speaking purely about the engine, we can compress the price to a little over twenty thousand per unit."

As he spoke these words, the Chief Engineer’s heart began to race, and the civilian scientists’ faces turned red with excitement. Five percent of the sales will be their reward. Even at twenty thousand per engine, five percent is one thousand.

Selling one engine gets them a share of one thousand, and selling one hundred engines gets them a share of ten thousand!

In such a large Federation, not to mention military use, selling it to aviation enthusiasts in the Federation and even worldwide means they could probably sell at least a thousand, right?

That’s a million, and each of them can get at least several thousand and possibly tens of thousands. How could such extra income not excite them?

Moreover, this income will continue until this engine is completely phased out from history. The profits here are too large, so large that they felt a little breathless.

Lynch nodded, memorizing the numbers, then asked, "If we use an all-aluminum body with all parts included, what will the cost be?"

The Chief Engineer and researchers calculated again, "Approximately under forty thousand..."

During this period, the prices of many commodities still haven’t surged. For instance, gold has always been rising in price, yet even with the constant price increase, the price per ounce is over fifty Federation Sols per ounce.

Even a ton of gold is just over a million Federation Sols, which is why during this period, vintage stores on the roadside can buy and sell gold products casually.

Aluminum alloy indeed isn’t cheap; compared with cast iron, it’s still less expensive than gold and similar items.

A body priced at over ten thousand with other parts totals under forty thousand, and Lynch’s first thought was that it’s too cheap.

Just as he was about to discuss the cost of additional products that could be priced separately, Austin cleared his throat, "Mr. Lynch, there’s a call for you."

Lynch nodded, excused himself, and left the conference room.

The moment the conference room door closed, uncontrollable smiles spread across the faces of the Chief Engineer and researchers.

For the complete machine, they also get a share of the money; they could already imagine the wonderful future beckoning to them.

Of course, some researchers felt the Chief Engineer’s quoted price was too high.

"Actually, you could give a more accurate quote, not exceeding thirty-five thousand..."

The Chief Engineer was a bit helpless and somewhat impatient, but many tasks still depended on these academically trained researchers, "We have to account for the defect rate..."

The researcher who voiced his opinion was stunned; he felt there was something wrong with what the Chief Engineer said, but he didn’t know where, so he could only keep quiet.

On the other side, Lynch walked into the side room; he was the only person in the room.

The phone was placed on the low coffee table next to the sofa, the receiver set aside, evidently in a connected state.

He walked over, sat down, and picked up the receiver, "This is Lynch..."

Immediately, Mr. Truman’s familiar voice came through on the phone, his tone a bit helpless, "What are you up to again? The Security Committee, Military Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Defense, and Internal Affairs Department are all here. You need to give an explanation, or this time, you’ll really need to watch your back!"

The news that two potentially identical "mass-produced" aircraft appeared outside of Bupen City quickly alerted the Federation leadership; this was not a good time for an airshow.

In the cold weather, those valuable airframes would become more brittle than in summer, making them more likely to break a wing during steep ascents and turns.

It’s unfriendly to pilots too, as the colder temperatures in the air can be unbearable, even causing frostbite.

Moreover, the sensitivity of the word "mass production" quickly led the Ministry of Defense to take the lead in forming a military investigation team to determine if this was an "incident" or a "story."

The safety of Bupen is too important to be compromised.

The Federation had spent twenty years fantasizing about a nonexistent enemy possibly attacking Bupen at any time, which finally served some purpose at this moment.

However, soon news came from the warning zone that it was Lynch’s aircraft research center conducting a test flight of new aircraft, accidentally intruding into the warning zone.

If a regular person claimed they accidentally intruded into the warning zone, they’d be full of it, but if Mr. Lynch said it was accidental, then it surely was.

Though the matter seemed to have come to a conclusion, people’s attention lingered on the word "mass production."

The Gafura people’s "ultra-fast submarines" remain a significant threat to the Federation Navy, with the only current anti-submarine method being vertical surface observation from a high position at a low angle.

Because submarines cannot dive too deep, as metal and structural design do not allow for deep submersion, if you look directly down, your gaze won’t be intercepted by light reflecting off the sea surface, allowing you to see the dark shadow slowly traversing through the water.

Anti-submarine research has become the most crucial task, with anti-submarine reconnaissance balloons being one of the hottest military equipment pieces.

Considering that seawater is primarily composed of water, those military scientists believe you can easily place the balloon’s height over a hundred meters, such as one hundred fifty to two hundred meters, pulled by speedboats for rapid surface anti-submarine reconnaissance.

To be honest... even though the idea is dumb, it still seems like the only viable method at present.

Equipping the balloon observers with devices to slow their fall, they wouldn’t drown immediately in the water and could wait for rescue, so the observers wouldn’t become disposable tools, while also enabling broader anti-submarine reconnaissance areas, which is pretty good!

Though slower and more affected by climate, this is currently the only solution!

Until... today, Lynch’s test flight seems very successful. According to the lieutenant colonel, both aircraft landed smoothly without any incidents, prompting a change in people’s minds.

People are like this; when there’s only one option, even if it’s a mouthful of crap, they’ll swallow it.

But as soon as there’s a choice, even a single alternative, they won’t swallow that mouthful of crap, unless the alternative choice is also a mouthful of crap.

The benefits of the aircraft quickly came to the minds of these individuals.

Efficient, fast, broader range, even penetrating enemy lines, unlike fast-ascending balloons that can only observe within a safe range under suitable climate conditions.

Most importantly, the reason people are more interested in the aircraft is its offensive capability.

They then discussed whether to take this matter out for research.

If asking who has the best relationship with Lynch, it must be Colonel Truman.

This "First Minister," "Military Colonel," "President’s close friend and staff officer" can play a role.

Mr. Truman’s "accountability" coming so quickly was within Lynch’s expectations. He smirked and said, "I apologize deeply for any potential negative impact I might have caused. I indeed did not notice that my pilots ended up flying over the warning zone."

"Fortunately, they returned in time without causing any adverse impact or subsequent incidents. For what has happened, I am willing to take responsibility."

He said it as if he genuinely forgot that he instructed those pilots to fly over the warning zone.

Mr. Truman was silent for a moment, "We need to see your aircraft, and immediately; the President is coming as well."

Others wanting to come, Lynch found completely normal, not surprising at all, except for the President’s intention to visit, which puzzled him a bit.

"Should I know something in advance?"

Mr. Truman sensed the meaning in his words, "Safety measures. If you knew that the President had two special agents pressing his head down as they pushed him into a safe house, you’d understand why he’s curious about what led to him being handled that way!"