By noon, Thunder Horse Organization’s first BZ15-20 Infantry Fighting Vehicle was ready for production.
The six-wheel-drive transport vehicle could fit fifteen soldiers and was equipped with 30mm machine guns, a stationary Hellbound One-soldier Cannon and a heavy machine gun. It weighed a hefty twenty tonnes, using Thunder Horse’s proudly self-produced reactive armor and defense system. All of this meant that it looked like something straight out of a movie.
Aside from the numerical model, it was also given a name, the Sweeper.
The current ZSL-92 infantry fighting vehicles weighed around eighteen tonnes and were also a six-wheel-drive. It could fit three operators and nine soldiers. It held a 12.7mm machine gun. These widely-used vehicles were produced according to Russia’s BPM1 model. China Industrial Group’s newer TYPEX models were also improvised versions of the said Russian model. After all, there was a large difference between Russian technology in this aspect and that of the Western world and Japan.
The birth of the Sweeper filled in the gaps of the country’s current military vehicle. Although the technology was from Rheinmetall AG, Xia Lei was able to refine it via his own methods after acquiring some technology. The improved technology was much stronger, much more practical and much more sophisticated than the ones before! Even though Sweeper was birthed using their technology as its foundation, it was evidently better than all Rheinmetall AG models in every single aspect!
Regarding the vehicle capacity, regular military vehicles would only be able to fit thirteen passengers while Sweeper, on the other hand, would be able to contain fifteen. The number was also not inclusive of its three operators. The slight increase in weight was in exchange for better value.
Next, its firepower. Although China Industrial Group’s TYPEX models were equipped with 30mm machine guns too, the Sweeper had the addition of a stationary Hellbound One-soldier Cannon. The cannon was a formidable one with enough power under its hood to demolish a tank. Under normal circumstances, a military vehicle would be an easy target for tanks but the Sweeper would be able to rectify the situation. In war, there was no way a tank would dare to underestimate the destruction a Hellbound One-soldier Cannon could bring. Not to mention, the cannon was also fortified through special research specifically for the Sweeper!
Lastly, its defense system. Aside from its reactive armor that responds to cartridges and missiles, it was also completed with jamming bombs, a detonation system and protection from tank missiles. The Sweeper’s ridiculously strong firepower and its defense was the equivalent of a golden shield-donning Wushu master. As soon as it sets foot into the battlefield, it would be able to turn the tide of war!
Rumble Rumble…
With the roar of its engine, Thunder Horse Organization’s first Infantry Fighting Vehicle exited the garage to the shooting range. Xia Lei was the vehicle’s first driver, while Sylvia and Annina naturally became his co-operators. The ladies sat on each side of the vehicle, the left operator was in charge of the defense system while the right controlled the firepower system.
There was certainly no need for control over the firepower and defense system as this was merely a test drive. As soon as the Sweeper was about to leave the garage, the two ladies had invited themselves to watch Xia Lei operate it.
Evidently, Xia Lei was very excited. He began to push the vehicle to its limits He accelerated abruptly to let Sweeper dash through the tracks, testing the limits of its engine. As its speed came to its peak, he floored the brakes into an emergency stop. The unannounced halt had the ladies pressed against his back, allowing four soft but flattened German breasts to poke through the fabric of his shirt. This… was more euphoric than driving a military vehicle.
“Was this on purpose?” Annina landed a light fist on Xia Lei. “Lukas, you’re always so naughty.”
In private, she and Sylvia loved to refer Xia Lei as Lukas.
“And who said you could leave your work stations?” laughed Xia Lei.
Daringly, Sylvia wrapped her arms around Xia Lei’s neck from behind. “Lukas, did you see it? Sweeper’s peak velocity was at a hundred kilometers per hour! This is the fastest a wheeled military vehicle could go and we’re driving a track-mounted vehicle! I believe that Sweeper might be one of the world’s most advanced vehicles!”
Xia Lei was unaware of the possibility but one thing’s for sure, he was beyond delighted by the Sweeper’s amazing propulsion! China Industrial Group’s TYPEX, which was also track-mounted, could only reach seventy kilometers per hour. In comparison, it was ten kilometers per hour behind that of the regular peak of American and European models, which ranged about eighty kilometers per hour at its fastest. With that being said, Thunder Horse’s Sweeper had gone beyond the limits of the American and European models by an astonishing twenty kilometers per hour!
This was a gigantic success! An unprecedented achievement that was accomplished under his leadership with help from Annina and Sylvia!
In the past, the Western hemisphere was steps ahead of China in every field, especially in the realm of military technology. Now, there was at least something that the Thunder Horse Organization was able to overtake them. This was most definitely just the beginning, but if they had pushed on with the momentum, Thunder Horse Organization would surely be exceedingly advanced in more fields than the West. Judging from this perspective, the development of Xia Lei and his organization was a threat to the West, particularly to the Americans. The latter’s urge to get rid of him was no surprise to anyone.
“Say, what would you like as a reward?” Xia Lei was on cloud nine. He was feeling bold and generous.
“Oh, Lukas, I don’t need a reward, you’ve given me enough. But if you insist, I think you should give it to Sylvia instead,” rejected Annina.
“No, no, no.” Sylvia waved her hands vehemently. “I’m good, I don’t need any reward.”
“You both deserve it. How could I not reward you for your hard work?”
Sylvia came forward to kiss him on the cheek. She whispered in his ear, “If you really want to do something for me, how about staying the night with me?”
Ah, a hint for intimacy.
Perplexed, Xia Lei wasn’t sure how this was a reward for them as it seemed more of a service for him. Thunder Horse and himself had benefited from their efforts, so to offer an incentive was only natural. How could he be so rude as to accept their ‘service’? Though Sylvia had put it that way, was there really anyone who wouldn’t want money? It wasn’t easy to obtain such a talent, Xia Lei didn’t want to disappoint and lose her.
“How about this? I’ll give each of you five million euros as a reward. Sylvia, since I built Annina a house, why don’t you pick a location and I’ll build one for you too?”
“Really?” Sylvia was touched. “Then I shall buy a plot of land beside Annina’s property, I’d like to be her neighbor.”
“That’s great!” said Xia Lei with a smile. “That way I’ll get to visit you both in one shot when I visit Germany.”
Annina pecked his cheek. A sweet smile appeared on her face. “Our home is your home.”
Giggles and laughter filled the air as the Sweeper moved around the shooting range.
Under Xia Lei’s control, it was able to demonstrate its perplexing maneuvering. Though the Sweeper was twenty tonnes, it was incredibly agile!
Next, they put the vehicle’s firepower to the test. The rapid-fire of the machine gun and deafening bombings of the Hellbound One-soldier Cannon along with the jamming bomb’s piercing high-pitched noise filled the air. It was one hell of a terrifying sight to behold as fire washed over the field like a roaring wave.
In the shooting range, all relevant employees of Thunder Horse Organization gathered to witness the results of their efforts. Smiles were plastered on their face, they worked as they spoke excitedly about the Sweeper.
“Ah man, I can’t believe we produced the Sweeper! I’m sure it is the world’s most advanced fighting vehicle!”
“What I’m trying to say is that Director Xia might be the only one in this world who could create a vehicle like this. The technology behind Sweeper is about fifteen years ahead of the newer Western models!”
“Don’t forget to praise Annina and Sylvia. Without them, this wouldn’t have happened!”
“I guess only a man like Director Xia can subdue two German ladies. I can’t think of anyone who could do the same.”
“Hahaha, you’re so funny. You can’t even handle two Chinese girls and here you are thinking of two European damsels. No regular men can handle the stamina of these ladies in the sheets.”
“What the hell are you guys talking about? It’s still working hours! But... I really do have to agree with that, hahaha!”
“Tonight, I bet that the two will appear again on Director Xia’s bed.”
“So what? I’m sure he’ll show them what Chinese men are really capable of.”
They laughed and hollered.
By four in the afternoon, there came an end to Sweeper’s test-drive.
“Director Xia.” Yelena’s voice rang through the communicator. “Mister Yu and Mister Song are waiting for you in your office. Do you wish to see them?”
“I’ll be there right away,” replied Xia Lei. Ending the exchange. He then turned his head to face the two other women in the vehicle. “We’ll continue the test tomorrow, let’s call it a day now. You both should go get some well-deserved rest.”
“Alright, we’ll wait for you at home.” The ladies gave him a peck on each side of his cheek.
Standing by the windows in the Thunder Horse Military Factory office, Yu Shanhe stared long and hard in the direction of the shooting range. His face was expressionless, cold and hard as stone.
Song Baicheng came to his side. “Officer Yu, the deadline is approaching fast but I’m concerned about the kid’s attitude towards this. Based on our discussion last night, I think…”
Yu Shanhe interrupted him. “That he wouldn’t agree? If he doesn’t, I’ll make him. Who does he think he is? This dumb kid really thinks no one could handle him, but he’s really just a mere fish in what is a very very big ocean.”
Song Baicheng slowly replied, “Officer Yu, Mister Ling said…”
Yu Shanhe glared at Song Baicheng sharply.
The latter immediately went silent. He knew what it meant. Xia Lei’s blonde secretary was still in the office and they’d be in trouble if she heard it.
At this very moment, two vehicles entered the factory compound through its main gate. It looked very much like a vehicle from the future. The warm golden rays of the setting sun shone on the battle machines, turning the sight akin to that of an oil painting.
“I knew that Thunder Horse was preparing for a vehicle production but I didn’t know its product would manifest so soon,” commented a stunned Yu Shanhe.
“Yeah, their pace is extremely fast. It wasn’t too long ago that I heard they hadn’t even made the engine but now we’re already looking at the vehicle? Damn, they would be unbeatable with progress like this.”
Yu Shanhe furrowed his brows. He was doing this for the sake of the domestic military industry interest and the goal was to suppress Xia Lei and his organization. There was no progress on his side but Xia Lei, on the other hand, was thriving at a terrifying speed. With an infantry vehicle already in the testing phase, a tank would surely not be far off.