บท 81: No. 01 and No. 02
"You really won't take it?" General Ross said slowly.
"That's right, I won't take it!"
After saying that, Russell hung up the phone directly.
Although this would undoubtedly make General Ross unhappy, Russell wasn't worried in the least.
If General Ross truly intended to renege on his promise because of this, Russell didn't mind letting him know why he was called the Mad Traveler.
After ending the call, he resumed his previous work.
After some contemplation, he eventually decided to make a call to Bakshi.
When it came to wool, you could shear it once or twice; it was still wool.
While it might not be ideal to keep milking the same sheep, Hydra had deep pockets and probably wouldn't mind too much.
After receiving his call, Bakshi seemed a bit taken aback at first. After about ten seconds of silence, he spoke slowly, "Establishing a military-industrial company shouldn't be a big problem."
At this point, Bakshi paused.
"But meeting all the requirements you mentioned earlier won't be as easy."
Although Bakshi's words were quite tactful, his meaning was clear: this matter was somewhat challenging.
Indeed, Hydra had some resources, but they weren't vast enough to easily establish a large-scale military-industrial company.
Based on Russell's requirements, he didn't just want a military hardware company with research and sales capabilities; he wanted one with integrated manufacturing facilities.
"I know this isn't an easy task, or else I wouldn't have specifically come to you."
"Rest assured, this time I won't let you contribute for nothing!"
"The selling price of the Zaku armor to the military is 120 Million dolar per set. If you're interested, I can sell it to you at cost."
Although Hydra had arranged numerous blonde and black-haired female assistants in the laboratory, up until now, these assistants hadn't accessed any classified information.
Currently, the only people who could access core data in the lab were Russell, Peter, and No. 3.
"What's the cost price?"
Bakshi seemed intrigued.
"80 million."
After Russell finished speaking, Baskhi on the other end of the line fell silent.
80 million?
If the cost of the Zaku armor was 80 million, I'll eat it right now!
Although Bakshi wasn't a scientific researcher, there was one thing he was certain about: the Zaku armor, which sold for 120 Million dollar, definitely didn't cost only 80 million dollar.
If the cost was really 80 million, Russell wouldn't be selling it for just 120 million!
"The price of 80 million is too high. It's difficult for me to convince the leader. Could you offer a more reasonable price?"
Bakshi spoke slowly.
"60 million. That's the lowest price. If you still find it expensive, then forget it, consider this call never happened!"
"60 million... alright, I'll talk to the leader and contact you after I have an answer."
Although the price had only been reduced by 20 million, Bakshi knew that this was likely the most significant concession Russell could make.
After ending the call, Russell leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling.
General Ross was in charge of orders and the front end, while Hydra was responsible for establishing factories and companies.
This arrangement was quite perfect!
Although Hydra hadn't yet agreed to his conditions, he already tacitly assumed they would.
After dealing with these trivial matters, he headed to the laboratory on the second floor.
As soon as he entered the laboratory, he saw No. 3 and Peter working diligently.
He was still lacking four Zaku armors for the military orders.
Until Octopus Creature Military Industries was fully established, he had to rely on No.3 and Peter for now.
After checking the progress of the armor's production, he first encouraged and praised Peter, then took No. 3 to the office on the third floor.
Once No. 3 closed the office door, Russell said to him, "Can you use the spare smart liquid metal to create a second set of Endosymbiotic Battle Armor?"
"Yes, just need to reprogram it!"
No. 3 replied promptly.
"Alright, then use the smart liquid metal to create another set of Endosymbiotic Battle Armor as your everyday body."
After speaking, Russell retrieved a silver-white container from the system space, which was filled with smart liquid metal.
"Let's start now!"
Russell told No. 3.
No. 3 controlled the armor and nodded before going to the massive silver-white cylinder. The armor's fingertip projected data threads like tentacles, connecting to the cylinder.
While No. 3 reprogrammed the creation of the second set of Endosymbiotic Battle Armor, Russell sat back in his chair and patiently waited.
Since acquiring the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor, he hadn't used it much except for flying around New York a few times. Although he didn't currently need it for combat, for him, who still didn't have flight abilities, the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor could be used not just for battle but also as a means of transportation.
In just over ten minutes, No. 3 completed the programming.
Under Russell's gaze, a large mass of smart liquid metal flew out from the silver-white cylinder.
Once out of the container, the liquid metal started to transform rapidly.
In just a few short seconds, the liquid metal had transformed into the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor.
Looking at these two nearly identical sets of Endosymbiotic Battle Armor, Russell pointed to the armor that had just successfully transformed and said to No. 3, "The new one will be called No. 02. The one you're currently using will be No. 01."
"Use No. 02 in your daily activities; I'll use No. 01."
To distinguish between these two sets of nearly identical Endosymbiotic Battle Armor, Russell assigned them new serial numbers.
Endosymbiotic Battle Armor No. 01, Endosymbiotic Battle Armor No. 02!
Not bad!
Decision made!
Although they looked identical on the outside, No. 01 had a few more functionalities than No. 02.
Zaku Form!
No. 01 had an additional Zaku form on its back.
"Understood, sir!"
No. 3 didn't hesitate at all and responded immediately.
While responding to Russell, No. 3 began the data transfer and creation of the duplication program.
The core program of No. 3 would remain in No. 01; after all, it was the accompanying AI for the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor.
After the data transfer was complete, just as No. 3 was about to control its new body, No. 02, to leave the office, Russell's voice sounded again.
"No. 3, give No. 02 a new paint job, mainly in red tones. The specific design is up to you."
"Understood, sir!"
Although No. 3 didn't understand why Russell wanted to add a red paint job to No. 02, since Russell had given the order, it would execute it unconditionally.
Once No. 3 left the office, Russell placed the silver-white container filled with smart liquid metal and the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor No. 01 back into the system space.
Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, it was Saturday.
On this day, Russell hadn't even gotten up yet when he received a call from Tony.
"It's Saturday now. When are you coming over?"
As soon as the call connected, Russell heard Tony's unmistakably excited voice.
"It's only 9 a.m. You don't need to be in such a hurry. I'll be there at 12."
Russell replied with a helpless expression on his face.
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