flstandardbreds Chapter 1155
Chapter 1155
"Wind speeds in the core area may exceed level 12." The old researcher's voice was heavy: "The temperature during the hot rain will remain above 50°C, and may even exceed 55°C."
The density of salt spray will continue to increase, forming a high-concentration salt spray zone.
In this environment, any living organism exposed outdoors would be instantly burned, metal equipment would corrode rapidly, and electrical systems would be extremely prone to short circuits.
Captain Chen's face grew increasingly grim. He said in a deep voice, "Everyone, don't panic. Our fortress is made of boiling point alloy. Its strength and heat insulation have undergone rigorous testing. It will definitely be able to withstand this salt spray."
"Boiling point alloys do have superior performance, but they are not a panacea." The old researcher shook his head: "Prolonged exposure to high temperatures above 60°C and high concentrations of salt spray will cause fatigue cracks at the weld joints of the alloy due to thermal expansion and contraction. Although they will not completely break in the short term, they will seriously affect the structural stability."
Furthermore, salt spray can penetrate the circuit interfaces of external devices, forming a conductive layer that could potentially cause short circuits, leading to the malfunction of cooling and communication systems.
"So what should we do now?" Captain Chen asked calmly.
The veteran researcher remained silent for a moment, then finally shook his head, his tone helpless:
"There's nothing we can do right now. With gale-force winds of level 12 or higher and high concentrations of salt spray, anyone going outside would be doomed. Repair and reinforcement work is simply impossible."
We can only wait until the storm's core has passed and the wind speed and salt spray concentration have decreased before we can organize personnel for emergency repairs.
"Wait?" Captain Ma stood to the side, looking out the window at the chaotic world shrouded in gale-force winds and salt fog, and said in a low voice:
"This is also an opportunity to test how sturdy our mid-air fortress really is. If we can't even withstand a storm like this, then we won't escape the same fate when we encounter more severe natural disasters in the future."
Captain Chen didn't speak, but stared intently out the window.
He knew Captain Ma was telling the truth; in the apocalypse, only a sufficiently strong fortress could become a safe haven for survivors.
But he was even more aware that the cost of this storm could be devastating; the fortress's external equipment and wall structure could be severely damaged, and there could even be casualties.
"Where will the eye of a Category 12 storm form?" Captain Chen suddenly asked, his eyes fixed on the veteran researcher. "If we can avoid the eye of the storm, our losses may be minimized."
The veteran researcher gave a wry smile and shook his head: "Captain, I really can't explain it. The formation of thermal convective storms is inherently unpredictable, and with the added influence of seafloor crustal activity, the location of the eye of the storm can change at any time."
We lack sufficient equipment to monitor real-time changes in airflow; we can only make predictions based on existing data, making it impossible to accurately determine the location of the eye of the storm.
Captain Chen sighed softly and didn't press the matter further.
He knew that the veteran researcher had done his best, and that making such a prediction under such extreme conditions was already very difficult.
His gaze slowly shifted, no longer looking at the sea outside the window, but towards the third floor of the fortress—the area where Zhou Shuwan and Zhang Jia lived.
If only Dr. Zhou were here right now.
Captain Chen thought to himself.
Zhou Shuwan's perception is extraordinary, and she can often sense danger in advance. Perhaps she can use her perception to determine the approximate location of the eye of the storm, or even detect some anomalies that monitoring equipment cannot capture.
And that child named Xiao Sheng.
Captain Chen's mind conjured up the image of that quiet, dark-eyed little boy.
However, it's too dangerous outside.
Captain Chen quickly dismissed his idea.
With gale-force winds of level 12, hot rain exceeding 50°C, and high concentrations of salt spray, such an environment would be difficult for even an adult wearing heavy protective gear to survive, let alone a child.
He couldn't let Zhou Shuwan and Xiao Sheng take risks based on his own speculation; that would be irresponsible towards their lives.
"Notify all areas and reiterate the protective requirements." Captain Chen withdrew his gaze, his tone becoming calm and firm again: "Have everyone use wet towels to seal the gaps in doors and windows to minimize the seepage of salt spray; turn off all non-essential electrical equipment to prevent short circuits from causing fires."
"Understood!" Lieutenant Yun immediately turned around and began to relay the orders through the loudspeaker.
In the apocalypse, these old-fashioned horns, which can produce a loud sound with just two batteries, are their best means of communication.
At this moment, in a room on the third floor of the fortress, Zhang Jia was carefully wiping the gaps in the doors and windows with a damp towel.
Salt spray had seeped into the room through the gaps in the protective panels, filling the air with a pungent, salty smell that stung the skin.
"The salt fog is getting thicker." Tao Zheng frowned and used plastic sheeting and strips of cloth to seal the doors and windows to improve their airtightness.
Zhang Jia nodded, his heart filled with anxiety.
They had all experienced salt spray disasters and knew how terrible it was.
"Xiao Sheng, are you alright?" Zhang Jia turned to look at Xiao Sheng sitting in the corner. He was wearing an air-conditioned suit and sitting there quietly, his eyes still fixed on the window, seemingly oblivious to the salt mist in the air.
Xiao Sheng looked up at her, didn't say anything, but just nodded slightly.
His gaze remained fixed on the window, as if he could see through the thick salt fog and howling wind to everything outside.
Zhang Jia walked to his side, squatted down, and said softly, "Xiao Sheng, salt spray is dangerous. It can burn your skin and corrode things. Stay in the room and don't move around. Don't go near the doors or windows, okay?"
Xiao Sheng blinked his bright black eyes, looked at Zhang Jia's worried face, and slowly nodded.
Zhang Jia felt a warmth in her heart and patted his head: "Don't be afraid, we'll be alright. Everything will be fine once the storm passes."
However, no sooner had she finished speaking than an even more violent tremor suddenly struck.