King Of War: Starting with Arms Dealer

To be honest, Johnny Payne's ability to 'scam money' is pretty mediocre.

However, as someone who benefits from being the big boss, Joe Ga is still willing to lend him a hand.

Joe's external plugin scanner not only covers hardware but also spans internal software.

The only downside is that Joe has the ability to tinker with hardware, but not software.

To upgrade the intelligent combat system, investment in Talus Corporation is a must!

Joe's unmanned airship has significant load-bearing capacity, fully capable of carrying Johnny Payne's designed frontline terminal—even scaling it up.

Active phased array radar, infrared imaging modules, TV/laser ranging modules...

As long as Joe invests in Talus Corporation, all these advanced technologies that even 'Cube Company' can't provide will be available to him, along with an integrated intelligent system to combine them.

Compared to the small size of the so-called frontline command terminal, the unmanned airship can accommodate larger, more powerful advanced modules.

And since it operates at high altitudes, the signal coverage of the frontline terminal is greatly expanded.

What Joe values most isn't just the intelligent assistance system of the frontline terminal or its communication capabilities; after all, these two functionalities can be replaced.

What's truly critical is that this thing is designed for environments with heavy interference.

The original intention of Talus Armor's design was to equip paratroopers, allowing them to air drop deep into enemy territory.

It boasts extraordinarily advanced electronic countermeasure capabilities, ensuring communication in the face of large-scale enemy electronic jamming while interfering with their electronic reconnaissance.

Advanced fourth-generation fighter jets have similar electronic countermeasure capabilities. For example, the European Union's Typhoon fighter jets have built-in 'Spectrum Electronic Countermeasure Systems'.

At this stage, any country equipped with airborne early warning systems can blind second- and third-generation jets in an instant.

This technology not only enhances the combat capabilities of fighter jets but also significantly improves their survivability.

While it might not be entirely appropriate to compare infantry to fighter jets, the reality is that Johnny Payne's design for the Talus Armor revolves around enhancing soldiers' combat capabilities through better digitization.

Enhanced detection capability, more responsive command links, more convenient intelligent auxiliary systems...

Joe has even figured out Johnny Payne's plans for the second generation of Talus Armor.

The sleek 'Sergeant's Armor' is merely a transitional product; its primary purpose is to help soldiers bear the weight of the frontline command terminal.

The second-generation Talus Armor is certain to use flexible armor. With the sensitive command capability of the sensing armor, it would bring robots with higher load capacities into the front lines.

When necessary, soldiers could remotely control robots to enter dangerous zones for operations.

With the sensing armor, frontline soldiers would control robots far more intuitively and precisely than those using remote controls to manage so-called intelligent machine platforms.

As for the third generation, it's likely designed so that soldiers wouldn't even need to go to the front lines, relying solely on robots remotely controlled to complete battles.

Whether the third-generation Talus Armor can succeed, Joe Ga isn't sure...

In fact, without his external plugin, even the second generation would merely be a very expensive toy once developed.

Just like the Zumwalt—everyone knows it represents the future of the navy, but its level of advancement is too much even for the United States Army itself to handle.

Excessive technological advancement led to immature systems, triggering a series of problems that left the US Army exhausted, eventually canceling the project altogether...

The gap between real-world combat needs and scientists' laboratory fantasies is enormous.

Talus Armor is based on soldiers' frontline combat needs, extending development to redefine infantry tactics.

This is precisely why the American military is always so advanced at its core!

Since World War II, they've consistently remained ahead of the world...

Carrier strike groups, ultra-advanced electronic technology, exaggerated precision-guided weaponry...

In the early 90s, on the Iraq battlefield, the Americans shattered the global silence with a battle that crushed everything in its path.

The world's understanding of warfare underwent a paradigm shift because of that war!

Everyone agrees on one thing: the generational gap in weaponry results in overwhelming power differences!

Decades have passed, and while other countries are still trying to figure out modern warfare like blindfolded ducks crossing a river, America continues to push for breakthroughs across multiple fields, attempting to exceed existing norms.

With a colossal scientific foundation and excellent research environment, they foster ambition and creativity in innovation.

This is something accumulated through ongoing success, a process of quantitative change leading to qualitative transformation—something that's hard for other countries to replicate.

Joe doesn't have this problem...

No matter how advanced you are, if I see it, I can have it!

The current Talus flexible armor isn't quite aligned with Joe's needs, so he skipped the wetsuit-like sensing armor, keeping only the flexible exoskeleton.

Then he scanned the helmet controller system, preserving its internal intelligent auxiliary system and making minor adjustments to its appearance with his plugin so it wouldn't stand out, enabling immediate use.

Currently, Joe's favorite part is actually the backpack drone paired with the intelligent auxiliary system, along with the helmet's built-in control system.

This technology not only supports the control of Talus Corporation-designed single-soldier rockets but is also compatible with America's various suicide drones for control and guidance.

In fact, as long as large drones allow open linking, soldiers can remotely control them from the front line to launch missiles for attacks.

Joe deeply understands his situation; unless absolutely necessary, he would never truly rush to the front lines for brutal combat.

His shift in identity and status has pushed his position further back because if he didn't do so, those around him wouldn't feel at ease.

Now that Talus systems are in place, Joe can fully control battle distances between 400–800 meters, using precise shooting capabilities and diversified ranged attacks to provide adequate support for his comrades.

After all, Springblade drones and portable missiles are no challenge for Joe.

Joe isn't particularly skilled at handling business matters; investment decisions and equity transfer issues are left to professional lawyers.

Having obtained what he needs, Joe finalized broad cooperation directions with Johnny Payne before shifting focus from investment discussions to adapting the Talus intelligent auxiliary system with Johnny's assistance...

The New Jersey Farm has a ready-made training ground where Joe invited a few buddies to conduct a series of exercises.

Joe's attention allocation issues still persist; overly complex functionalities remain temporarily out of reach for him, but the backpack drones fit his style and taste perfectly.

The combination of drone detection and the auxiliary system allows him to seemingly operate at cheat-level efficiency in pinpointing enemy locations.

Within his goggles' display system, enemy positions and distances are marked with rectangles based on drone detection—even those hiding behind cover cannot escape.

With Joe's shooting skills, once an enemy is spotted within 400 meters, their lives are practically forfeit.

This highly offensive feature is something Joe grasped very quickly!

Within one night, he had essentially adapted to the exceptionally advanced function.

By midday the next day, prior to departure, Joe had already mastered how to use the helmet to lock onto targets and then launch portable missiles and Springblade drones.

While the precise operations were somewhat distracting, Joe didn't mind...

For upcoming battles, if the precision operations fail, surely broad-scale bombardments would suffice?

For Joe, obtaining Springblade drones is as easy as waving his hand.

Joe has always excelled most at pulling the trigger, and unless absolutely necessary, he won't abandon his natural talents.

Such tactics will still require people like Antar, equipped with big-picture thinking and multitasking capabilities, to lead.

Frontline soldiers can utilize personal drones to gather sufficient battlefield intelligence and relay it to the rear, then, using the Talus frontline terminal, provide precise, timely support firepower to the front line.

This dual-mode of frontline and rear line guidance allows Joe's team to handle the majority of field battles on terrestrial battlefields.

With the Talus system, P.B.'s command system transitions from civilian-grade modification to truly military-grade levels.

At this point, P.B. officially gains electronic countermeasure capabilities, resisting those major players who attempt to sabotage via electronic means.

............

Before boarding a plane to Los Angeles, Joe made over a dozen sets of flexible exoskeletons using his plugin and handed them out to A-Team members.

Meanwhile, C-Team's 'Poison Wolf,' Jack Heinz, and others had already departed on a flight the night before, leaving discussions for after the battle.

The helmet's precision was too high, and the plugin's production speed couldn't keep pace.

Plus, without extended training, sudden use of such equipment in intense combat might become a burden for even elite soldiers.

Thus, Joe decided to postpone the helmet issue...

However, the flexible exoskeletons were already impressive enough to delight everyone!

These units not only alleviate 30% of bodily load but effectively prevent injuries such as joint damage from impacts like falling from heights.

The high-intensity training of special forces places significant strain on their bodies.

Some ailments can be remedied with rest or medication, but issues like meniscus wear-and-tear aren't easily resolved.

The emergence of flexible exoskeletons extends operational lifespans and reduces injury risks, serving as a major blessing for P.B.'s frequently deployed soldiers.

Since this technology involves new materials and highly challenging synthesis processes, its price is extraordinarily steep.

Yet for Joe, this isn't a concern; he always spares no effort in taking care of his people!

Handing out the gear to the group, Joe let them laugh and mess around on the plane before donning his eye mask and sleeping until arriving at Los Angeles.

When the plane landed at a private airport, two brand-new pickups and a bullet-proof Cadillac Escalade were already waiting by the runway.

Once everyone disembarked with their luggage and equipment, Dorian went to handle the handoff with those delivering the vehicles.

After they left, Dorian opened the enclosed bed of one pickup, intending to store the heavy Talus frontline terminal inside, but to his surprise, the truck bed was packed with four Springblade 600 launch boxes, with all available space occupied by cases of Springblade 600 drones.

Seeing Dorian's expression, Joe Ga shrugged and said, "Eric arranged this—his friend really went all out!"

Then, Joe pulled open the pickup's door, directing Dorian to stow the suitcase-sized Talus terminal inside. Looking at 'Dart' and 'Pliers,' he joked, "You two are way too green. Stay 5–8 kilometers behind us during engagement.

The enemy will definitely use signal jamming devices to cut off our external communication; at that point, activate the Talus terminal.

Once contact is confirmed, release Springblades according to our needs.

Pliers can use drones for rear support. And if the situation gets messy, I'll rain down a 'Meteor Shower' on them, hahaha…"