Externally, this set resembled Russian heavy armor, with the only difference being that its protection class was only level four.
On this planet, where battles were infrequent, level four armor was considered a solid argument.
PDF soldiers usually used level three bullets, which could barely penetrate such protection. If you didn't stand in the open under fire and let yourself get a full magazine emptied into you, a single hit from a distance posed no danger.
In addition, the armor could withstand a shot from a lasgun – though only one.
A laser rifle at standard power is comparable in energy to a level four round. The armor held the first shot, but the plate would char, and the second would pass through.
An ordinary person in the target's place would die instantly – their insides would boil from the heat.
Li Qingyu, whose damage was calculated in percentages, had a chance to survive even after the third shot.
The laser resistance could be increased by applying a special coating.
Adding a thermal insulation layer during armor creation slightly increased its resistance, allowing it to withstand two to three hits instead of one.
But Li Qingyu didn't have access to the necessary materials now, and he had to postpone this idea.
The level three workbench also allowed the crafting of level four helmets and masks.
A full set took about eight hours, and the materials cost 1200 units – a very profitable production.
Li Qingyu got carried away with crafting armor and had already made four spare sets. He distributed the excess equipment to his subordinates – now everyone was equipped.
He even created lighter versions of level four for the women – without shoulder pads and groin protection.
Li Qingyu didn't expect them to go into battle. The main thing was that they had a chance to survive an attack, not to die from the first shot, and that he would still have a chance to bring them back to life with a green syringe.
He was training in the sanctuary when there was a knock on the door. Standing at the threshold was Knife, with large bags and bundles.
"Boss, I brought the metal scrap and brass, as you asked. And another two dozen detonators – I bought them from Mr. Nepal."
Knife quickly stopped calling Nepal "boss" and switched to "mister," thereby indicating who he now belonged to.
Li Qingyu nodded and took the materials – they would be useful for making cartridges.
Not counting the weapons issued to Little Joel and the others, he had sixteen homemade guns left, which devoured ammunition without restraint.
The workbench didn't stand idle – the batch was ready, Li Qingyu took the cartridges and immediately started a new cycle.
There were already over five thousand cartridges in storage, but it wasn't enough. To feel confident, he needed at least a hundred thousand of these "candies."
He took the items from Knife and was about to close the door, but he didn't leave, clearly hesitating, about to say something.
"Anything else?"
"Boss, I want to move my mother here."
Knife's mother was only forty, but years at the chemical plant had made her an old woman – she looked sixty.
Knife knew that if she stayed there, she wouldn't last another couple of years. Here, with Li Qingyu, life was safer, and he wanted his mother to live peacefully.
Li Qingyu nodded: "Bring her. Build her a room somewhere in the corridor."
He took out a green syringe and handed it to Knife.
"If she has injuries or chronic illnesses, give her the injection. Most ailments will pass. If not – then there's nothing that can be done."
Knife's eyes filled with moisture, he almost fell to his knees. Clenching his teeth, he exhaled:
"Boss, I want to part with Mr. Nepal on good terms. Give me some weapons and ammunition – I want to repay him for everything he's done for me."
Li Qingyu went into the sanctuary, brought out two assault rifles and five hundred cartridges, and handed them to Knife.
"Here. That's enough to settle any debt. From now on, working for me, forget about sentimentality."
"..."
Scene change. The Fertilizer Gang's base, Nepal the Blacksmith's shop.
Nepal silently looked at the two assault rifles and five hundred cartridges in front of him, then at the bewildered Knife.
He brought him to Li Qingyu with two goals – to strengthen ties and to have an informant, in case he suddenly took off, so he could grab a piece of the pie.
But now it was clear: Knife was taking his mother, bringing a ransom – he was breaking ties!
The merchant was pricked by anger. Gangsters hate defectors. But they fear those who are stronger even more.
Lately, Li Qingyu had been acting boldly: he opened a distillery, hosted the head of the Pure Water Guild and his entourage.
The Cyber Eye gang leader initially wanted to seize production, but upon hearing that Reno himself had visited, he canceled his orders. The people hid in their burrows.
It was said that Li Qingyu was connected to the military, and now, it seemed, also to the Water Guild in the Underhive.
And their production depended on water, which the Guild supplied through pipes. If they wanted to, they could shut it off. Then the chemicals for explosives would become dead cargo.
Reno's visit, though accidental, had created an inviolable aura around Li Qingyu.
Nepal sighed heavily. He had invested too much emotion in this guy to spoil their relationship now. He forced a smile and said:
"It's okay, Knife, go. There's an old Terran saying: 'Man strives upward, as water flows downward.'"
"If you have time – come by. The Fertilizer Gang will always be your home. And if boss Li has joint ventures – remember your brothers, give us some side work."
Knife was touched, he swore he wouldn't forget the gang and would always be a part of it.
But both understood: these were just words. Now Knife's fate was forever tied to Li Qingyu, and he couldn't betray him.
If Nepal suddenly asked him to reveal routes or spy – there would be no answer. It was out of the question.