Homo Sapiens

Levis ignored Li Qingye’s humblebrag, his eyes filled with excitement as he stared at the large pile of sludge before them.

One hundred kilograms of crude uranium ore contained about 0.8 kilograms of elemental uranium. After the uranium-enriching bacteria removed a portion of the uranium-238, only 75 grams of elemental uranium remained.

Of these 75 grams of elemental uranium, the concentration of uranium-235 was about 7.5%, amounting to roughly 5.6 grams. The rest was uranium-238.

While this concentration might not seem high, to a nuclear physicist like Levis, it was completely off the charts.

After all, the uranium-235 concentration in current civilian-grade nuclear reactors was generally below 5%.

In other words, once processed, the material extracted from this sludge could be used directly as fuel in a nuclear reactor.

This was why Levis was so amazed by the technology—it was cheap, efficient, and incredibly discreet.

Using this method, even a minor, underdeveloped nation like Hongsawaddy, with its poor infrastructure, could produce highly enriched, weapons-grade uranium-235.

The design principles for an atomic bomb could actually be found on many academic nuclear physics websites. Aside from some classified principles behind the hydrogen bomb, the science of other nuclear reactions wasn’t hard to find.

Levis could even design a hydrogen bomb himself.

But that wasn’t the key.

The real key to nuclear weapons was the uranium enrichment technology.

The most efficient industrial-scale uranium enrichment technology today is the centrifuge method. This technique has a high barrier to entry; not only is the investment substantial, but the operation itself is also difficult to conceal.

Why can the major powers so quickly detect nuclear programs in places like Persia and North Korea? It’s because the centrifuge method requires vast cascades of interconnected, ultra-high-speed centrifuges. These facilities not only have a massive footprint but also consume an astonishing amount of electricity.

Large-scale uranium enrichment facilities can be easily spotted via satellite remote sensing.

As for building the facilities inside mountains or underground, that solution isn’t feasible. The sheer scale is too massive for a small nation to afford, and any country capable of such an undertaking wouldn’t need to operate in secret anyway.

Levis was now incredibly excited. He was no pacifist. He had previously been blacklisted by Western academic institutions for publishing pro-nuclear proliferation views while in Luzon.

His philosophy was radical: he believed that only by possessing nuclear weapons could small nations resist the bullying of major powers. Even if they couldn’t build bombs, he argued, they should build numerous nuclear power plants and use them as leverage, forcing the major powers to tread carefully.

When Li Qingye secretly invited him, the man had jumped at the chance.

For the sake of his dream, he had divorced his wife, faked his own death, and come to this small mountain valley in Hongsawaddy.

Today, Levis finally saw hope.

「In the base’s conference room.」

Li Qingye, Kevin, Wu Hu, and Levis were gathered together.

Kevin reported on their current uranium reserves. ”Based on our current stock of crude uranium ore, we can refine 170 kilograms of uranium-235.”

”Dr. Levis, how many atomic bombs can we produce with 170 kilograms of uranium-235?” Li Qingye asked.

Levis thought for a moment. ”If we use a relatively primitive but mature technology, 50 kilograms of uranium-235 can produce one bomb with a 300-kiloton yield. With 170 kilograms, we can make three.”

After hearing this, Li Qingye thought for a moment before making a decision. ”Okay, I understand. Let’s use the mature, older process and start by building three 300-kiloton atomic bombs.”

”Li, how will we test them?” Levis asked with some hesitation. ”After all, I’ve only studied the theoretical framework. I can’t guarantee there won’t be issues in a practical application.”

But Li Qingye shook his head. ”A live-fire test is definitely out of the question anytime soon. What about using laser-focus experiments and a graphite-moderated slow neutron reactor?”

”Laser focus? That could solve some of the problems. I’m already working on a graphite-moderated slow neutron reactor,” Levis said with a sigh. ”It’s just that compared to a live detonation, there might be some discrepancies in the data.”

Li Qingye wasn’t disappointed. ”As long as we can collect data, it’s fine. We’re in no position to confront the major powers head-on right now. We’ll need to stockpile at least a hundred atomic bombs, or develop the hydrogen bomb, before we can conduct a live test.”

”Speaking of hydrogen bombs,” Levis asked, ”can our bio-enrichment process refine heavy water?”

Li Qingye rubbed his chin. ”While I was developing the uranium-enriching bacteria, I discovered over a dozen special gene sequences that can effectively distinguish the minute differences between isotopes. If we adjust the genes and run more tests, we should be able to screen for a fungus suitable for enriching deuterium.”

”In that case, I suggest we build some deuterium enrichment plants. We already have fission-based uranium bombs that can serve as the atomic triggers for fusion.”

Li Qingye turned to Kevin. ”You’ll be in charge of implementation. Use the production of algae and methane as a cover to open a new set of deuterium enrichment plants.”

”Yes, Boss,” Kevin nodded.

「After the meeting.」

Li Qingye remained at the base in Black Tiger Canyon, pondering another issue.

The issue of delivery vehicles.

To establish a credible nuclear deterrent, simply having nuclear bombs wasn’t enough; they also needed powerful long-range delivery vehicles.

In fact, Homo Sapiens Company was already working on this.

For example, their subsidiary, Flying Fish Company, was developing the Typhoon-series of loitering munitions.

Of course, if possible, Li Qingye also wanted Homo Sapiens Company to possess proper intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

He browsed through the technologies on his biological laptop, hoping to find and integrate something from Homo Sapiens Company’s current arsenal that could be applied to ICBMs.

First, the warhead wasn’t a major concern. Although the bombs produced with older techniques had lower fuel-utilization rates than modern ones, their deterrent effect was paradoxically stronger.

After all, the older the process, the more severe the radioactive fallout post-detonation. In a way, this was an advantage that would make any adversary think twice.

Now, the key was the delivery vehicle itself.

’Perhaps…’ An idea suddenly struck him when he came across the Crystal Sponge technology.

Modern ICBMs primarily use two types of fuel: solid fuel and storable liquid fuel.

Solid fuel is used in the vast majority of missiles, while liquid fuel is typically reserved for high-thrust space launch vehicles.

This is primarily because most liquid fuels are either unsuitable for long-term storage or are highly toxic.

However, Homo Sapiens Company’s Crystal Sponge technology could store methane. Once stored, it remained in a solid state at room temperature and pressure for a very long time.

Compared to the missiles and launch vehicles currently in use by other nations, using the Crystal Sponge as a fuel storage medium would significantly lower the requirements for both the manufacturing process and supporting infrastructure.

The more Li Qingye thought about it, the more promising this direction seemed.

He quickly ordered the Hongsawaddy Branch to find a small mountain basin in the northern Kachin State to serve as an R&D base for methane rocket engines.

Of course, this base could also support Homo Sapiens Company’s future aerospace endeavors.

Li Qingye planned to stay in Hongsawaddy for the near future. One reason was to adjust the strategic layout of their various industries, with rocket engines, missiles, and aerospace being the top priorities.

Another reason was to inspect the Hongsawaddy Branch and assess its development.

Upon receiving his directive, the Hongsawaddy Branch moved quickly to carry it out.

This operational efficiency was one of Homo Sapiens Company’s greatest advantages. With no internal bickering or embezzlement, resource utilization was maximized.