Chapter 30: Push Up
Under the command of Li Qingsong, the over one thousand Clones who had just completed firearms research and development were joined by approximately 500 others forcibly transferred from elsewhere. In total, over 1,500 Clones were rapidly deployed to various metal foundries and processing plants.
Thus, while still handling their original production tasks, these processing plants, operated by the newly added 1,500-plus Clones, began producing other types of custom-model equipment.
After about two busy days, several hundred pieces of assorted equipment had been built.
Some of the equipment looked like large, square boxes. Others were fitted with multiple drill bits. There were dedicated stamping presses, forging machines, conveyor systems, acid baths, and more.
The Clones worked in concert to move this equipment to a nearby, pre-emptied factory building. There, they began methodically installing and calibrating the machinery.
Meanwhile, the smelting plants, following Li Qingsong’s prior instructions, completed production of various standard-compliant metal materials—alloy steel, copper, tin, and more—and had them transported to the site.
The chemical plants, in turn, produced vast quantities of gunpowder, which was delivered under strict fire safety protocols.
The machinery was installed. The power lines were connected. The raw materials were ready.
The brand-new firearms factory immediately began production.
The Clones used the vast array of equipment to set up a total of 26 production lines.
Aside from one line dedicated to final assembly, the other 25 were all for manufacturing firearm components.
There was a production line dedicated to ammunition. On this line, alloy steel, copper, and tin were processed and cast into standard bullet casings, which were then assembled with primers and filled with gunpowder to complete each round.
They flowed out from the end of the conveyor belt like a steady stream.
At the end of the belt, two Clones used a machine to package the bullets in groups of 80, binding them together with a special plastic material into flat strips.
This way, when the Clones loaded their magazines, they wouldn’t have to press in one bullet at a time. They could simply take a strip of bullets and push them all in at once, completing the task in seconds.
There was also a production line just for magazines.
Here, various metal materials were first machined into small parts, then further assembled and welded. After passing through several stages, with dozens of Clones at work, one standard-issue magazine after another rolled off the line.
The standard magazine’s dimensions were a perfect match for the bullet strips, designed to hold exactly one. They were also compatible with the firearm’s receiver, allowing any magazine to be easily loaded into any gun.
Beyond these, there were production lines for barrels, springs, triggers, and so on.
The dozens of production lines operated in methodical, seamless coordination.
Finally, after undergoing process after process—quenching, acid baths, painting, stamping, casting, and assembly—all the finished components converged on the final production line.
Like tributaries flowing into a great river, a steady stream of different components arrived from their respective conveyor belts.
The Clone at the first station performed the initial assembly, then placed the semi-finished product onto the conveyor belt to be sent to the second Clone.
Another tributary of parts converged at the second Clone’s station. He took a component from this new stream, added it to the partially assembled firearm, and placed it back on the main belt.
The third, the fourth, and all the Clones that followed did the same.
In this way, the assorted components were finally assembled into a complete firearm. After a final inspection by the Clone at the last station, each weapon was placed into a large crate nearby.
The first day of production was spent on installation, calibration, and trial runs.
But even as a mere trial run, the day still yielded 100 firearms, 300 magazines, and 80,000 rounds of ammunition.
A small truck tore onto the scene, decelerating rapidly. Before it even came to a complete stop, the large crate filled with the day’s output was hoisted onto its flatbed by the Clones.
There was no communication, not even eye contact. Like two parts of a precision machine docking, the exchange was seamless. The small truck executed a sharp U-turn and sped off toward the front line once more.
At the frontline reserve base, 100 Clones were already on their feet, waiting.
By now, another 100 Clones had fallen on the battlefield. But Li Qingsong hadn’t immediately sent in reinforcements.
He was waiting for this very moment.
The reinforcements this time would not be melee Clones, but firearm Clones!
The large crate arrived swiftly. As soon as it was opened, 100 Clones queued up. With practiced, natural ease, each took a firearm and three fully loaded magazines before stepping aside.
Within minutes, all 100 Clones were fully equipped.
They held their weapons at the ready, muzzles angled forward, and jogged in neat formation toward the front line.
They moved with the skill and ease of battle-hardened veterans who had trained for this a thousand times over. In truth, this was the first time any of them had ever touched a real firearm.
But it didn’t matter. The firearm experience gleaned from the firing range trials had already been synchronized into their minds by Li Qingsong.
Under the glare of massive floodlights, the brutal battle on the front line raged on.
Massive, hideous birds. Fully armored warriors wielding long blades and spears, fighting to the death.
Clones were constantly being snatched up by the monstrous birds, torn to shreds in a few bites. Sheets of blood rained down, freezing into a slick layer of crimson ice on the battlefield.
But even with the Clones fighting with such reckless abandon, they could only manage to hold the monstrous birds at bay, preventing them from advancing. Repelling them was simply out of the question.
But that didn’t matter now. The guns had arrived!
The 100 Clones rushed to the battlefield, identifying the section of the defensive line that was under the most strain and had suffered the heaviest casualties, and moved in to reinforce it.
The melee Clones swiftly fell back.
A large flock of the monstrous birds sensed the gap in the defense and swarmed forward to exploit it.
But before they could reach the line, 100 Clones—and 100 firearms—opened fire as one.
Mute flowers of flame bloomed across the dark, frozen earth of Ceres. As the muzzles flashed, the 100 firearms spat out an average of 400 rounds per second.
The very same monstrous birds—whose hides the Clones had struggled to even scratch, whose defenses could only be pierced by the combined effort of several warriors—were now riddled with cup-sized holes under the torrent of bullets.
The bullets tore through their defenses and bored deep into their bodies.
The first few birds to bear the brunt of the assault fell in an instant.