After a long while, just as the atmosphere in the venue grew increasingly tense and impatient.
Finally, Fred stopped moving after pressing the final confirmation key.
"Alright, restart it now."
Fred's calm voice echoed through the venue at that moment.
"Y-yes!"
Heinline had just finished stabilizing the Power Reactor, sweat still clinging to his cheeks, looking somewhat disheveled.
His eyes also revealed a glimmer of hope amidst the unease.
If this succeeded, he couldn't even imagine what kind of high evaluation his superior would receive.
He would likely truly become a top-tier figure in the PLANT scientific research community.
After all, such a dramatic turnaround, filled with theatrical developments, was itself an important channel for creating heroes.
The gazes of others—whether mocking or anxious—were all focused on Fred and the massive Battleship.
No one knew what the outcome of this attempt would be.
But regardless of success or failure, this was the final opportunity.
If it failed, they would naturally have to wait for the next test, which would take at least a month.
If it succeeded, Fred, at the center of everyone's attention, would see his prestige among the researchers skyrocket instantly.
Even the previous voices of doubt would vanish.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, various data streams reappeared on the large screen.
"System restart complete."
"Power Reactor, reignition!"
Heinline took a deep breath and immediately pressed his finger on the ignition button.
A familiar roar echoed through the control room.
This time, they skipped the previous preliminary steps and went straight to the catapult phase.
"Test sequence initiated. Catapulting Unit Zero, 3…2…1… Catapult!"
Starting with Unit Zero, everyone's hearts rose to their throats.
Whether hoping for Fred's success or failure, they couldn't help but feel tense as the moment of truth approached.
Starting with Unit Zero, catapult after catapult quickly brought them to Unit Four, which had failed last time.
"Engine output stable!"
Within seconds of Heinline's announcement, the tension in the venue reached its peak.
Jiuer, watching this scene, also unconsciously clenched her fists.
Time passed minute by minute, and as the system continued to function normally, the outcome of the test gradually became clear.
"Succeeded?"
Heinline muttered in confusion as he looked at the data before him.
He didn't dare confirm it, afraid he might accidentally jinx it.
Everyone else shared the same thought.
As a result, aside from the roar of the engines, the venue fell into an eerie silence.
This silence persisted until Fred's voice broke it.
"Catapult functioning normally. Proceed with docking test."
Fred's voice sounded no different from before.
But once it rang out, it triggered thunderous applause in the venue.
The applause mainly came from the materials group.
After all, Fred had directly helped them solve a problem.
If the responsibility had been pinned on them, the blame for this error would have fallen squarely on their shoulders.
A pay cut would have been the least of their worries.
Now, seeing Fred truly turn the tide, their previous tension and fear instantly transformed into gratitude and respect for him.
So much so that their applause at this moment was even more vigorous than usual.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him their savior.
Those who remained silent for various reasons were only a minority, and soon the hall was filled with thunderous applause.
This time, even Jiuer stood up and applauded in Fred's direction.
Her clapping was rather elegant, likely not producing much sound.
But her attitude was clear—it was an obvious acknowledgment of Fred and his team.
No matter how reluctant others were to admit it, they had no choice but to accept it.
As for Fred himself, he graciously nodded in acknowledgment to the applauding crowd around him.
The atmosphere was jubilant, with most gazes directed toward Fred now carrying a shared, fervent admiration.
Watching this scene, VV felt as though his molars were about to be ground to dust.
This young man, who hadn't even given him a proper glance from the start and appeared so youthful, had actually succeeded in developing the engine for the new battleship.
He himself was only a deputy director, yet this director who seemed to come out of nowhere had created something so extraordinary?
Just thinking about it made him unable to stay calm.
How was he supposed to compete now?
Might as well just give up.
With Fred here, would he truly be valued in this place?
Just as VV was despairing, the director of the weapons division beside him, while overjoyed, also noticed VV's reaction and soon furrowed his brow slightly.
This young man didn't seem convinced.
Instead, he appeared to be taking a dangerous path.
Thinking this, the director sighed inwardly but said nothing.
At this point, saying anything could backfire.
Moreover, he had already given this young talent many opportunities.
But the other had always been arrogant, relying on his talent.
He was indeed a genius among Coordinators.
But such a temperament was unlikely to lead to success.
In this director's view, a true genius was someone like Fred on the stage.
Talented, seemingly hardworking, even amiable, and always composed.
That was the temperament a true genius should possess.
Compared to him, VV, who could fly into a rage just because Fred didn't look at him, was still far too immature.
Just as the director was making plans for his deputy, the group behind Thomas, who had earlier dismissed Fred as just a kid, now wore expressions as if they had eaten something foul.
This young man they had verbally belittled had actually succeeded.
And it happened not long after they had just mocked him.
It made their earlier words seem utterly foolish, or rather, everything they had said from the start until now.
As for Thomas, he merely swept a calm glance over the group before looking away.
They had learned their lesson, and more importantly, PLANT now truly possessed its first battleship.
Just thinking about this made Thomas even more excited.
Although everyone had their own thoughts, this state didn't last long. Soon, the remaining minor tests, such as landing procedures, were also smoothly completed.
Time had quietly passed for the greater part of the day.
Yet at this moment, no one in the arena felt weary; instead, most grew increasingly excited.
"All tests have concluded."
Fred's calm voice announced the successful completion of the trial.
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