Two months passed in a flash, and it was now the 59th year of the Federal Calendar.
During these two months, the busiest part of the entire Fourth Fleet was the scientific research team led by Dr. Harold Bennett. The team now had over 2,000 members, and multiple SSS-level top-secret projects were proceeding in an orderly manner.
Firstly, the warp drive had undergone over 3,000 short-range warp tests without any incidents, officially concluding the first phase of testing.
Currently, Dr. Harold Bennett was meticulously preparing for the next phase of long-range warp tests, with the target set approximately 1 light-year outside the Epsilon Eridani star system.
After all, the Ochus Empire navigated between star systems entirely through the Star Path, so in the vast space outside the star system, even if the Federation appeared there, it would not be discovered.
Secondly, the gene-enhancement serum also completed its first round of human trials. Although the effects were not as good as those provided to Adrian Vale by the system, they still pleasantly surprised everyone, with an average increase of 120-150\% in various physical attributes and a lifespan extension to 250-300 years.
Finally, the first nuclear fusion reactor had been manufactured and was about to undergo testing. If there were no issues, mass production would begin, ushering humanity into the nuclear fusion era.
Thanks to the industrial robot technology provided by Adrian (officially named second-generation industrial robots within the Federation), once the warp drive, nuclear fusion reactor, or energy shields were finalized for mass production, the entire Fourth Fleet could be refitted within 2-3 years.
"Adrian, you haven't given me a storage card in a long time!"
When Dr. Harold Bennett saw Adrian and Lena Sterling walk into the research center, he immediately approached them and said this with a look of grievance.
Adrian smiled helplessly upon hearing this. What do you mean I haven't given you a storage card in a long time? The way you say it, those who know are fine, but those who don't might think I'm always giving you adult videos.
"Elder Bennett, I just thought you guys were too busy with too many projects right now!"
"Hmm?"
Hearing Adrian's words, it seemed there was a chance. Dr. Harold Bennett's eyes immediately shot out a strong light.
However, Dr. Harold Bennett wasn't staring at Adrian, but rather at Adrian's pants pocket, the pocket from which Adrian had pulled out a storage card five times before.
Seeing where Dr. Harold Bennett's gaze was fixed, Adrian's forehead was covered in black lines.
Alright, I'm scared of you.
"Here!"
Adrian pulled a storage card from his pocket and handed it over.
"Hahaha, I knew you wouldn't disappoint me. What good stuff is it this time? Is it an attacker or a receiver?"
Pfft, attacker or receiver, my foot! Adrian felt that over these two months, Dr. Harold Bennett's changes were increasingly aligning with Dean Malcolm Reid.
"Hmm? Quantum communication? I told you, nothing you bring out is simple. But this is perfect timing, we can test it along with the second phase of the warp drive experiment!"
"Elder Bennett, aren't you going to ask Commander Sterling for people and money?"
"Oh, I almost forgot!"
With that, Dr. Harold Bennett pulled out his communicator and dialed.
Adrian, standing beside him, had a mischievous smile, knowing he would get to hear Elder Bennett's classic line again.
How did Elder Bennett say it the last few times? "I, Dr. Bennett, money! People!" And then he'd hang up.
How domineering!
Unfortunately, before the call connected, Adrian first felt a sharp pain in his waist.
Seeing Adrian's mischievous smile, Lena naturally knew what mischief Adrian was up to, so she directly extended her right hand, pinched Adrian's waist, and twisted it ninety degrees fiercely.
Hiss... Wife, you've learned bad habits, even dangerous moves like this.
"Hello, I, Dr. Bennett..."
"Elder Bennett, you want people and money, right? What has that kid Adrian come up with now?"
Before Dr. Harold Bennett could finish, Admiral Marcus Sterling directly interrupted, which stunned both Adrian and Dr. Harold Bennett.
Admiral Sterling actually interrupted? He actually cut off Dr. Harold Bennett's domineering declaration?
Well, only one person was covering her mouth and snickering on the side, and that was Lena Sterling.
Seeing Lena's expression, Dr. Harold Bennett glared fiercely at Adrian, the meaning clear: control your woman!
"Ahem, Adrian has sorted out the quantum communication technology. I believe you understand the significance of that."
"What? Quantum communication? Alright, I'll immediately arrange for relevant experts to report to you."
After saying that, Admiral Marcus Sterling hung up, leaving Dr. Harold Bennett with a look of disbelief.
Not only did he steal my classic line, but this brat even hung up on me? Who would believe it?
Watching Dr. Harold Bennett in disbelief, Adrian also smiled. Well, his cheap father-in-law really had a moment of dominance.
After settling the quantum communication technology matter, the three went to an observation room. Adrian was there today to watch the first start-up experiment of the nuclear fusion reactor.
Through the huge tempered glass in the observation room, a group of people in white coats could be seen busy around a circular device.
"All circuits checked!"
"Power supply for startup ready!"
"Gravity field confinement device checked!"
"Helium-3 loaded!"
"Pre-startup preparations complete!"
"All personnel, evacuate immediately!"
As various inspection reports continuously came from the observation room, until all checks were complete, Dr. Harold Bennett immediately ordered everyone to evacuate.
Adrian and Lena also came to the observation glass wall, looking down at the device below.
"Start inputting startup energy!"
"Yes, energy is being input. Currently 3\%, circuit conditions are good!"
"37\%, no abnormalities!"
"89\%, no abnormalities!"
"100\%, nuclear fusion reactor startup energy input complete!"
"Start!"
"Yes, nuclear fusion reactor activated!"
When the nuclear fusion reactor started, it instantly consumed the large amount of energy that had just been input. Then, visibly, a faint blue light appeared within the device.
Dr. Harold Bennett was a bit nervous at this moment, his eyes fixed on the nuclear fusion device below.
The only person not nervous at the scene was probably Adrian. A product from the system, would I be afraid of failure? Impossible, alright? Unless Dr. Bennett changed the design or cut corners! But that's still impossible, alright!
As time passed, the blue light in the nuclear fusion device grew brighter and brighter, eventually becoming a bright blue-green light sphere about 1 meter in diameter, emitting dazzling light.
"Report, startup complete, the device is currently running stably!"
"Don't relax, it's not completely successful yet. Immediately measure the output power and start timing!"
"Yes, current output power is 100,000 kilowatts, still increasing rapidly!"
"900,000 kilowatts, still increasing… 3,000,000 kilowatts… 9,800,000 kilowatts."
"Report, output power finally stabilized at 9.8 million kilowatts."
"Good, the output power has reached the design standard. Now we'll see if it can be maintained. Humanity's previous record only lasted over 200 seconds."
There was one final step to complete success: as long as it could be maintained for one hour without any issues, it could be confirmed as problem-free.
This hour was an absolute torment for Dr. Harold Bennett and other project participants. Everyone nervously stared at the data constantly fed back from the testing equipment.
As the timer's chime sounded, announcing that an hour had passed, all the experts felt as if several years had gone by.
"It's a success!"
As one of the experts spoke these three words, and they reached everyone present, the entire laboratory instantly erupted in deafening cheers!
"We succeeded!"