章 47: Overcoming Mountain and Underwater Obstacles

In the mountains, the miners and their comrades were locked in a battle with the unforgiving terrain and the stubborn rock formations. Realizing that their current approach was taking too long and wearing out their tools at an alarming rate, they decided to call upon the coalition's engineers for help.

The engineers, led by Zhao Yi, arrived at the mining site with a fresh perspective. They studied the rock composition and came up with a new plan. Instead of relying solely on brute force with explosives and basic tools, they designed a series of drilling rigs that could bore into the rock more precisely.

Using the materials available on-site and those brought from the settlements, they constructed these rigs. The rigs were powered by a combination of the coalition's existing energy sources and some makeshift generators they assembled. With the new drilling rigs in action, the miners were able to make more efficient progress. The holes drilled were then filled with small, controlled charges that would break the rock into manageable pieces without causing large-scale rockslides.

To deal with the ever-present danger of rockslides, the fighters worked with the engineers to build protective barriers around the mining areas. These barriers were made from the tough composite material that had been developed earlier, reinforced with metal beams salvaged from old structures. They also set up early warning systems that could detect vibrations and alert the team in case of an impending slide, giving them enough time to take cover.

Over time, the miners were able to extract significant amounts of the valuable minerals. They carefully sorted and packed the ores to be transported back to the settlements. The geologists continued to explore the mountain range, mapping out other potential mining sites for future expeditions.

Meanwhile, in the underwater realm, the diving team faced their own set of hurdles but refused to be deterred. The strong currents were tamed to some extent by the use of specialized anchors and ropes that the fishermen had contributed. These were strategically placed around the entrance of the caves to create a more stable area for the divers to operate from.

To improve visibility, the team developed a new type of underwater light that was brighter and had a wider beam. They also worked on a system of mirrors and reflectors that could be placed along the way to guide them back in case the regular markers were lost in the murky water.

When it came to the unstable structures within the caves, the archaeologists and divers worked together to assess each one carefully before approaching. They used sonar technology, modified by Zhao Yi to work better underwater, to create detailed maps of the interiors of the caves. This allowed them to identify the weakest points and avoid them as much as possible.

If a structure looked particularly precarious, they would use underwater drones to explore it first. These drones were equipped with cameras and sensors that could gather information without putting the divers at risk. Based on the data collected, they decided which areas were safe to salvage from and which should be left alone for now.

As a result of their meticulous efforts, the diving team began to make remarkable discoveries. They found chests filled with jewels and precious metals that had once been part of the cargo of the sunken ships. There were also ancient artifacts, including pottery and weapons, that provided valuable insights into the maritime history before the apocalypse.

Back at the main settlements, the first shipments of minerals from the mountains and the treasures from the underwater caves arrived. The sight of these new resources brought a sense of excitement and hope. The coalition's blacksmiths and craftsmen were eager to get to work with the minerals, envisioning the creation of stronger tools and more beautiful ornaments.

The archaeologists shared the stories behind the underwater artifacts with the community, further fueling everyone's interest in the past. The coalition leaders saw this as a sign of the success of their exploration efforts and began planning for even more expeditions, knowing that each new discovery would contribute to building a more prosperous and knowledge-rich post-apocalyptic society.

However, they also knew that with every new venture came new risks and challenges that they would need to face head-on. But with the determination and unity that had become the hallmarks of the coalition, they were confident in their ability to overcome whatever lay ahead.