Apocalypse Survival: Starting with a Shelter

"The shelter's computational power is now at 5.2 units, nearing its preset maximum."

"With this load, the micro mech has become a critical computation hub. It can't be sent out easily anymore."

"If anything happens to the micro mech, all rescue operations will fail due to lack of computational support."

In the underground control center on the second level of the Farmyard Shelter, Su Wu noticed the steep rise in energy consumption by the artificial intelligence system, feeling a clear sense of pressure.

His shelter was now operating at full capacity. Any additional unforeseen complications would leave him with no resources to handle them.

Besides the AI's computational strain, the four towering communication towers on the surface had also become critically important. Should any of them fail, it would disrupt the rescue teams' operations, potentially causing catastrophic consequences.

"We can dispatch a few construction robots and a pack of machine dogs to guard the communication towers."

"Also, at this stage, regular production can be set aside. We should mobilize some of the population from the shelters under my control to help with rescue operations and material transfers."

There were too many places needing assistance.

In addition to evacuating survivors, Su Wu wanted to recover as many resources as possible. The rescue teams made up of transport trucks and spider robots clearly weren't enough to meet these high demands.

Thus, Su Wu turned his attention to the tens of thousands of people living in his controlled shelters.

These people wouldn't consume AI resources and could act autonomously. Although their individual efficiency was low, their sheer numbers could make up for it.

After issuing mobilization and rescue organization orders to his shelters, Su Wu shifted his focus to the manufacturing center.

Organizing manpower was only one part of the solution. To be effective, they needed proper tools. Sending unprepared people into the rain and floodwaters would be pointless—they wouldn't be able to accomplish anything.

"Raincoats, life vests, and ropes are plentiful in the shelter's warehouses. No need to worry about those."

"The real problem is transportation tools. Off-road vehicles and buses are useless in these conditions."

"Given the current environment, the best and simplest tools would probably be kayaks."

Scanning the inventory of various shelter warehouses and assessing the city's conditions using his rebuilt surface monitoring network, Su Wu quickly identified the ideal vehicle: the kayak.

In terms of safety, kayaks weren't the best choice.

In the relentless rain and fierce floodwaters, they posed a significant risk of fatal accidents.

But kayaks were simple in structure and easy to produce. Combined with the existing stock in the shelters, they were currently the best and most easily scalable transportation option.

"This will have to do."

After a few seconds of deliberation, Su Wu made his decision.

He understood that this decision would inevitably cost many lives in the coming hours or days. It was, in essence, a transaction where lives were exchanged for resources and the survival of other shelter residents.

But as long as the outcome benefited Su Wu and the majority, it was worth it.

Even so, Su Wu still sought to minimize losses where possible.

After assigning the task of manufacturing 200 kayaks, he turned his attention to the mobile base vehicle parked on the surface of the Farmyard Shelter.

This massive steel behemoth, heavily reinforced with survival points, had accompanied him on a journey of over 2,700 kilometers. Since then, it had remained idle.

Now, it could be repurposed and modified to serve as a key rescue asset.

"There's no time for extensive modifications or adding more carriages."

"However, its waterproofing is already excellent, and its defenses are formidable."

"Even in the most hazardous waters, it can anchor itself securely to the riverbed and serve as a temporary underwater fortress."

"Right now, it only needs some adjustments to its exits to allow it to interface with transport truck carriages and transfer survivors or supplies onboard."

Examining the vehicle's schematics, Su Wu quickly devised a modification plan.

The mobile base could unfold into a spacious metal facility at any time.

By removing unnecessary equipment, such as living quarters behind the cockpit and the weapons and lab equipment in the second and third carriages, it could free up enough space to temporarily accommodate thousands of people or store thousands of tons of supplies.

This would dramatically improve rescue efficiency, potentially saving countless lives.

Additionally, since the vehicle used a train-like modular design, it could indefinitely add more carriages.

After making initial modifications and deploying the vehicle for rescue missions, Su Wu could continue manufacturing additional carriages in the center, ensuring it could carry even more people and materials without disrupting its operations.

"Let's go with this plan."

Half an hour later, under the dark, rain-soaked sky of the Gobi Desert, three construction robots and numerous auxiliary robots completed the initial modifications to the base vehicle.

Each of its three carriages was equipped with an external interface. Simultaneously, the internal equipment, except for the cockpit, was entirely stripped out, leaving it almost empty.

"It's ready to deploy."

Su Wu, who had been closely monitoring the progress, immediately activated the base vehicle as soon as the modifications were complete.

He directed it toward the northern ruins of Jianghe City, where the flooding was most severe.

In some areas, the water depth had already reached six meters.