socalfunplaces Chapter 464 Metal Tube
Chapter 464 Metal Tube
Chapter 464 Metal Tube
The parliament building was so large that François could not possibly walk around it all.
Right now, Agent Eck is leading François into a courtyard.
Walk through a small orange grove and pass a marble sculpture surrounded by a fountain.
Ike finally said, "We're here."
Ahead was an open space.
Several somewhat damaged stone gates stand in the open space, giving them a rather "classical" feel.
It is said that the city of Parliament has been a center of power since ancient times, and this Parliament building was rebuilt on the site of the ruins.
As a result, some of the historical sites have been preserved to this day.
In the center of the open space, Councilor Zhuo De was leading several men in different outfits around a table.
François recognized one of the garments; it was a federal officer's uniform.
What are they discussing? Why bring François here?
François dared not ask a question, and Officer Ike simply waited by.
It wasn't until Councilor Zhuo De happened to turn around and notice their presence that he smiled and waved:
"Oh! You've arrived, come on over."
Eck bowed, and François quickly followed suit.
Then, the two approached each other.
Upon closer inspection, François could see that there was a pile of brass parts on the table.
These people are probably discussing some amazing technology within the Council City.
In fact, François was not surprised by this.
It's not surprising that Agent Ike is a clockwork fanatic, and his direct superior, Councilor Zold, also has a penchant for clockwork-like technologies.
However, François didn't quite understand why he was here.
One of the men, wearing a thick coat over a long white robe, said:
"This invention is truly amazing; it's enough to change an era."
The officer said, "If it can be mass-produced, we martial artists will be completely replaced."
Unfortunately, it still has obvious flaws.
As Councilor Tsoh spoke, he grasped a long brass tube in his hand and held it to his eyes, "It has a very high accident rate and will backfire on the user. Obviously, this is only an early design."
The man in white said, "Councilor, since that's the case, we should immediately urge that scholar to improve the design as soon as possible. You know that technology only has one enemy, and that is time!"
"Of course I understand that only the first person to acquire the technology can maximize its advantages, but the problem is, the person who designed it has now been kidnapped—"
At this point, Congressman Tracy suddenly glanced at François.
François immediately understood why he had been brought here.
Ah, Mr. Leo may have really taken something incredible with him!
The officer said, "Even so, we must expedite technological upgrades, whether by bringing back the developers or forming a new research team." Upon hearing this, Zhuo De looked at the officer.
"Even if you say it will leave you martial artists without food?"
"I am not just a warrior, but also an officer," the man said. "Weapons have led the times, and weapons are the tools of war. Every war in any era requires tactics to maximize one's own advantages. Tactics are designed by commanders, so I, as an officer, am irreplaceable."
"You remain calm, which is what I admire most about you," Zhuo De nodded.
"Thank you for your praise, Congressman Zoldy," the officer said with a slight bow, "but I hope you will take my advice into consideration. You know, the Federation is facing war, and the war is progressing far below expectations."
"We considered everything, but we didn't take the weather into account," Zhuo De nodded. "Although the weather in the war zone isn't too bad, logistical transport is indeed hampered, and it's likely that the soldiers on the front lines will have difficulty getting sufficient supplies from the local area."
The man in white shrugged: "Swabawa has a large population, but they are all poorer than the last. I have two Swabawa students who came here emaciated. They said their families are starving. How can our soldiers possibly plunder anything from people who have nothing?"
The officer said, "But we still underestimated the tenacity of the Swabawas. Their unique tactics have caused great trouble for the front lines. Advances on the southern front are difficult, and we have lost contact on the northern front. Something must come to turn the tide of the war."
"And this weapon will be hope," Congressman Zold said, looking at the officer. "General Fiedler, is that what you mean?"
Fied nodded.
Representative Zorde added, "But as I said, the current equipment is far from meeting the safety standards for direct deployment, and the life of any federal citizen is precious."
"Therefore, the design should be improved immediately," the man in white said. "And Congressman Zhuo De, with the current national strength and production efficiency of the Federation, as long as the design blueprints and raw materials are in place, one-tenth of the soldiers can be equipped with the new equipment in half a month."
"A special forces unit that makes up a significant portion of the force," the officer added, "is poised to completely change the course of the war!"
Councilor Zhuo De did not answer, but instead stretched the long tube in his hand forward.
The nozzle was aimed at a black bull tied to a broken post.
Congressman Zhuo De lightly moved his finger. "Bang!"
A loud bang nearly made François fall to the ground in fright.
Then came the black bull's heart-wrenching screams.
The black bull charged wildly, seemingly forgetting the shackles around its neck.
François soon discovered that the black bull was bleeding—
As blood continued to drain, the black bull gradually calmed down.
François immediately realized that the metal tube was a weapon.
It was this that severely injured the black bull!
Just as François was feeling incredulous, Congressman Tracy said:
"I heard what you said, and I will consider it. Now, you may all leave—François, you stay."
Upon hearing this, François felt a sudden sense of unease, especially when he saw that Congressman Troude was still holding that brass pipe that reflected the blinding sunlight.
However, he only dared to do as the councilor expected.
After everyone left, the old gentleman looked at François:
"I think you already know why I asked you to come here, right?"
François nodded.
"Hmm—I've already obtained your statement. Actually, I'm willing to believe you; you're not an accomplice in the prison break."
"Thank you, Congressman Tak—"
"—But," But Zode interrupted François, "this matter is not entirely my responsibility."
François opened his mouth slightly, anxiously awaiting the next pronouncement from Zorde.
"As you know, I am just one of the federal congressmen, and my responsibility is to handle matters related to domestic technology."
"The businessman's case originally involved energy-related issues, and the senator in charge of that area happened to be out of town at the moment, so he was only temporarily detained. Therefore, I must give him an explanation."
Upon hearing this, François unconsciously swallowed.
"But you're also a technically skilled person, and I know your talent. You're putting me in a difficult position—therefore, I can only compromise."
Congressman Tracy turned around and patted François twice on the shoulder. "You will be sent to that congressman as a supporter—".
"Remember, François, your fate will rest in the hands of that congressman—..."