774 Chapter 774 Nano Particles
Shinari, with a newfound resolve buoyed by her conversation with Salamander, turned to her officers, instructing them to prepare a ship for immediate departure. "I'm visiting Aldred," she announced, her tone brooking no argument.
Aldred's flagship, a testament to the Celestial Platoon's technological might and strategic dominance, floated in the vastness of space.
Within, amidst a room aglow with holographic displays and illuminated screens, Aldred sat in contemplation. The star map before him was a network of potential moves and countermoves, demonic planets marked in red, their armadas represented by moving icons, and the blueprints of enemy strongholds and bases detailed in precise, geometric lines.
He was a picture of calculated serenity, indulging in grapes, meats, and wines, a rare moment of leisure amidst the chaos of war. Each piece of information on the screens was absorbed, analyzed, and turned over in his strategic mind, even as he savored the taste of his meal.
The door to his chamber opened without warning, and Shinari stepped in, her presence a stark contrast to the opulence of Aldred's surroundings. Aldred looked up, not at all surprised by her sudden appearance, a knowing smile spreading across his face.
"Shinari, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Aldred's voice was warm, welcoming, the tone of an old friend rather than a wartime leader.
"I've come for some grapes," Shinari quipped, her eyes twinkling with humor despite the weight of her earlier frustrations. She moved closer, taking in the array of screens with a practiced eye. "And perhaps to steal some of your calm amidst this storm."
Aldred chuckled, extending a hand toward a bowl of grapes. "You're welcome to both. But I suspect there's more on your mind than fruit and wine."
Shinari sighed, accepting the offered grapes and taking a moment to gather her thoughts. "The contributors are wavering, Aldred. Fear of Zelthrax's rumored weapon is spreading, and it's causing a rift. We're planning a summit, a demonstration of our capabilities. Salamander's cooking up something special."
Aldred's expression turned serious, the gravity of the situation settling over him. "Fear can be a more formidable enemy than any demonic armada. But you're taking the right steps, Shinari. If anyone can turn this tide, it's you and Salamander."
"You praised us too much. Every single one of us worked really hard. I am sure that we won't be able to hold on for so long without their efforts as well. But what about you? What are all these?" She gestured to the screens, each depicting a different facet of the war.
Aldred leaned back, his gaze sweeping over the displays. "Planning, always planning. The war is a game of chess on a cosmic scale. Each move must be calculated, each strategy meticulously crafted."
Shinari took a moment to observe Aldred, noticing the slight tension in his shoulders, the way his eyes lingered on certain screens. "You've always been ten steps ahead, Aldred. But even you need to rest, to step back and look at the bigger picture."
Aldred met her gaze, the bond of their long friendship allowing words to pass unspoken between them. "Perhaps you're right. But for now, there's work to be done. Tell me more about this summit. How can I assist?"
Shinari shook her head gently, her expression one of resolute determination mixed with a touch of affection. "Salamander has it under control, Aldred. I don't want to add more to your plate. You have enough to contend with as it is," she said, her voice carrying a warmth that spoke volumes of their deep-seated camaraderie.
Aldred, recognizing the unyielding nature of her stance, did not press further.
He knew Shinari well enough to understand that she would reach out for help without hesitation if the situation truly demanded it. "Alright, Shinari. But remember, my resources—like my advice—are always at your disposal, should you need them."
Shinari offered a grateful nod, acknowledging his support. "I know, and I appreciate it more than you can imagine. Just keep the wine chilled for our next meeting," she quipped, lightening the mood with her characteristic humor.
The room was filled with a comfortable silence for a moment, as both leaders allowed themselves a brief respite from the relentless pressures of their roles.
Aldred's gaze returned to the screens, his mind undoubtedly weaving through the myriad strategies and scenarios displayed before him. Shinari watched him, her thoughts momentarily wandering to the countless battles they had faced together, each victory hard-won through sacrifice and determination.
As Shinari and Aldred's meeting drew to a close, the silence of the chamber was punctuated by the unmistakable sound of the door mechanism engaging once again. This time, the visitor was Salamander. "I come to show you something I have been working on."
Aldred, his interest piqued, offered Salamander a nod of acknowledgment. "You always work on something, Salamander. What is it this time?" he inquired, his tone a mixture of amusement and genuine curiosity.
Salamander's lips curved into a knowing smile, his eyes gleaming with the promise of unveiled secrets. "Remember when you told me about the forge planet? And the thing about the metallic bricks suddenly turning into particles and devoured a monster?" His voice was laden with excitement, a rare display of emotion from the typically reserved engineer.
"What about them?"
"Well," Salamander began, his excitement barely contained, "I made something similar." With a dramatic flourish, he produced a glass box from the folds of his coat, revealing dark particles moving unstably inside, their motion erratic yet mesmerizing.
Shinari, drawn by the revelation, stepped closer to examine the glass box. The particles within seemed to dance with an inner life, shifting and swirling in patterns that defied simple explanation.
"I call them the Nano Particles."
Aldred, ever the tactician, regarded the glass box with a mixture of wonder and caution. "How similar are we talking?" he asked, his mind racing through potential applications and the ethical implications of such power.
Salamander placed the box on the table, allowing both Shinari and Aldred a closer look. "This isn't just an imitation of what you saw. It's an evolution," he explained, his voice steady with confidence. "These particles can be programmed to target specific materials, dissolve obstacles, or even act as a defensive mechanism. The potential applications are… vast."
Aldred, however, remained contemplative, his sense of responsibility weighing heavily on him. "And the risks?" he asked, his voice low. "Such power must come with consequences."
Salamander's expression sobered at the question. "There are always risks, Aldred. But I've implemented fail-safes, controls to prevent misuse or unintended consequences. Still, it will require careful handling."
The room fell into a thoughtful silence, each leader considering the potential of Salamander's creation. The implications were far-reaching, offering not just a new weapon in their arsenal but also posing questions about the nature of power and its responsible use.
Finally, Shinari broke the silence, her voice resolute. "We need to test it, under controlled conditions. See its capabilities for ourselves before we even think of deploying it."
"I already ran the test countless times. You know me. I won't show you anything unless I've tested it.
Aldred chuckled. "Then I only have one request. Show me what it can do."
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