Apocalypse Survival: Starting with a Shelter

The more Su Wu analyzed the bandit attack, the more discontent he became with the combat capabilities of his construction robots. However, this was a limitation rooted in their hardware and structural design—issues that couldn't be resolved without completely rebuilding them.

"This time, I was lucky. Next time, I might not be."

Closing the review, Su Wu exhaled deeply. The pressure and sense of urgency from this unexpected incident pushed him to the realization that he needed a more specialized armed force to counter the growing threat of human adversaries in a collapsing world.

Yet, how to implement such a force presented a challenge. It needed to be cost-effective while maintaining overwhelming combat superiority. Otherwise, it would lack justification.

After pondering for over ten minutes, Su Wu's focus landed on drones.

Among the supplies he recently procured from the official shelter were various commercial drone models, including the most expensive: the K2-series agricultural drone.

As a mass-produced commercial model, the K2-series had many obvious shortcomings. Its body, composed mainly of plastic and thin metal sheets, offered virtually no defense— even a thrown rock could bring it down. Its standard motor and poor cooling system restricted it to functioning in temperatures below 65°C. Its maximum speed was a sluggish 3 meters per second, and it could only ascend to 200 meters—slower than a running adult.

Yet, these drawbacks were eclipsed by two exceptional advantages: it was an aerial platform, and it had a payload capacity of 50 kilograms.

These two strengths gave the K2-series agricultural drone immense modification potential. Its ability to traverse terrain and obstacles effortlessly, combined with its capacity to carry substantial payloads, made it an ideal platform for dominating a battlefield with firepower.

"This will do."

Having decided, Su Wu directed a construction robot to retrieve the two K2-series agricultural drones from storage and deliver them to the manufacturing center. Once there, he scanned, modeled, and created a highly detailed 3D blueprint to facilitate customization and upgrades.

"The primary function should be long-range bombardment. At least 40 kilograms of its payload must be reserved for explosives."

Firepower trumps all. Against any opponent, a single salvo of explosives could guarantee battlefield supremacy.

For explosives, Su Wu had recently acquired hundreds of tons of fertilizer and chemicals from the official shelter. Extracting the necessary components for crafting explosives would be straightforward. While not as high-quality as the military-grade gunpowder he obtained from the "Heavy Knight," the materials were more than adequate for bomb-making.

With this goal in mind, the design process became clear. Su Wu opted for rocket-propelled projectiles over traditional dropped bombs, sacrificing some payload capacity for significantly greater accuracy and range. Each drone could carry five rockets, each weighing 8.5 kilograms, leaving 7.5 kilograms for auxiliary equipment.

The remaining payload would be used for enhancements:

1. Advanced cooling systems to allow operation in temperatures up to 85°C.

2. Waterproofing and smoke filtration systems to enable navigation through rain and thick smoke.

3. Structural reinforcements to help the drone recover balance and continue flying even after sustaining damage.

These upgrades, designed and tested through AI simulations, were then fabricated by engineering robots and integrated into the K2-series drones.

After hours of meticulous work, two modified K2-series agricultural drones, equipped with rocket launchers, stood ready in the manufacturing center. They were formally incorporated into the shelter's combat system as aerial firepower platforms.

"Finally, a proper fighting force."

Su Wu gazed at the console screen, where icons representing the drones gleamed. A wave of satisfaction and relief washed over him. This was only the beginning, and there was plenty of room for expansion.

Thinking ahead, Su Wu drafted another design: deployable shooting platforms.

Each shooting platform consisted of:

An assault rifle,

A large ammo box,

A camera with infrared capability,

A 360-degree rotating base,

A miniature computer.

Weighing just 40 kilograms, the platforms could fold into compact metal cases for transportation. The modified drones, after expending their rockets, could air-drop these platforms to designated locations. Once deployed, the platforms would unfold autonomously and begin attacking designated targets, either independently or under AI control.

In addition to field deployment, these platforms could serve as stationary defenses for the surface farmhouse and critical locations within the shelter.

"The drones are the first line of defense. The shooting platforms form the second. Lastly, the construction and engineering robots, armed with automatic rifles, will be the third line."

"With this setup, only a fully equipped military force could threaten the shelter."

Satisfied, Su Wu tested the drones. He watched through the screen as one fired a rocket, which soared over 200 meters to strike a distant hilltop with precision. Pleased with the result, Su Wu concluded the day's work.

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Over the next few days, everything proceeded smoothly.

The large transport truck tirelessly ferried the purchased supplies from the official shelter to Su Wu's farmhouse shelter. Construction robots sorted the materials, storing them in designated areas: manufacturing center warehouses, life support storage, or the livestock factory on the third underground level. Durable materials like cement were stacked in surface sheds or the farmhouse itself.

With ample resources, Su Wu swiftly completed the livestock factory. The purchased fish fry, fertilized chicken and duck eggs, and other supplies were successfully housed. In the adjacent feed cultivation area, countless hydroponic racks were sown with seeds, awaiting germination.

As workload demands increased, Su Wu spent 15 survival points to add three more construction robots to his workforce.

By the end of the second month, the shelter boasted seven construction robots, a growing agricultural sector, and budding signs of prosperity.