Youden arrived at the metal gate in carr after three days of travel, with four guards holding powerful rifles, at attention. Noting the man's presence, they quickly saluted before opening the gate for the carr to pass through. Once inside, they hastily closed them, and returned to position, refusing to let anyone come through. But Youden knew as even as secure at the premise was, it was so secluded that only a few members knew about the location. The infamous Saputa Laboratory of Science, or rather the Youdenia Laboratory of Enrichment as it was now called, was where their greatest experiments were conducted. Who needed that smaller location on that small island, when more important creations could be formed here?
Regardless, the carr finally lurched to the front, as Youden gotten out of the vehicle. He was greeted with six more guards, who greeted his arrival with a quick salute before opening the doors for him to enter. Inside was grand, as everything was polished and chrome, much thanks to the condition of what remained of the Saputan army left the place as. It wasn't much work to clear up, as Youden continued to make his way towards the center room, which he had to pass multiple rooms to get into.
Once inside, he was granted access to a large metal clearing, with various scientists working around the clock to create the most valuable objects needed for their nation to succeed. Whether it was machinery or weapons, it didn't matter to him, as long as it got the job done. Making his way through, many of the scientists noted his arrival, and quickly returned a salute before heading back to work. His head scientist, Lina, had finally noticed his arrival, as she was directing a group of scientists on a task, as she quickly saluted him.
"Sir, I didn't know you were coming here today. I would have had the place cleaned up!" she was cheerful at his presence.
"That doesn't matter. Anyway, I need a new weapon. One of extreme devastation."
"Um, what type of weapon sir? We have plenty of weapons that have such power." she was a bit confused.
"A weapon that can annihilate entire cities with one attack." Youden said with no hesitation.
The air was still, as some of the scientists actually gasped at the thought. An entire weapon that could destroy nations with a single blow. How powerful did it have to be in order to do something of that magnitude?
"Um, sir. Are you sure that you need something that powerful?" Lina was tense.
"We will begin our conquest against the world within the upcoming months, and I rather not start until I have such weapon. If there's nothing that we have yet, I would like to research into the matter at this very instant. Nothing else matters until this is created."
The room remained silent, with only a few murmurs here and there. Youden's own ambitions were often ludicrous as the requirements for their advancements were getting more and more demanding, barely able to keep up. But this, this might have been too much.
"Lina, it's time." a quirky scientist broke the void with his voice.
"Not now, it's not-" Lina began to berate.
"Wait now, this could be big. Go on, please." Youden was intrigued.
With fondness, the scientist scurried away, as the rest of them in the room looked with worry. Why did they have such looks, Youden seemed interested. In mere moments, the scientist returned in excitement, holding a small vial filled with some white powder.
"Sir, after examining one of the obsolete supercannon, I analyzed one of the powders that was used with it. If you weren't aware, it's simply known as energized dust, although its actual name is much longer."
"Go on." Youden didn't feel like waiting.
"Anyway, this dust used in those cannons, their molecular structure allows for them to accelerate in a pressurized vacuum once ignited. However, it's not pure."
"You're saying that it's not pure?"
"Not at all, but when made under certain conditions, it can be enriched. In this small vial, I have one gram of this enriched energized dust, or EED for short. Let me show a demonstration." the scientist began to move towards a glass chamber.
"Terrence, I don't think this is safe to do." Lina began to warn him.
"Lina, I'm watching this. Let him finish." Youden continued to watch.
The man brought out a small iron ball, as he filled it up completely, before closing it tightly. Making sure the instruments were in working condition, he placed the ball on a heating pad, before exiting the room.
"It only accelerates and explodes at nineteen-hundred degrees and higher, but I set the pad to heat up to that temperature relatively quickly." Terrence almost laughed with excitement.
Youden watched as the man pressed a button, with the pad heating quickly. Nothing had happened yet, as the ball began to glow quickly.
"Here it goes!" the scientist grinned.
Youden stood back, as the ball shined brightly, before a vivid light blinded the room. Everyone turned around and covered their eyes, before a loud explosion vibrated across the room, dropping unsecured material onto the floor. Youden waited a few more moments, before turning back around to stare at the sight.
The material within the chamber was nowhere to be seen, as the glass itself had multiple cracks despite being extremely thick. He watched as Terrence finally turned around and walked towards one of the outside machines before pumping his fists in the air.
"It measured 0.2 kilotons of energy, with only one gram!"
"I see. It appears we have what we need after all. I want a working prototype as soon as possible. We will wish upon the world to pay dearly for what they've done to us. Let's get such a weapon done." Youden roared with approval, with Lina watching with a sense of worry.