novelraw Chapter 196: Rookies
Chapter 196: Rookies
Another squad's male student nodded in agreement: "Exactly, I'm Zhang Heng from Comet Academy. The frontline situation is complex - more friends mean more paths. It would be best if we could share information or help each other with any troubles."
Seeing this situation, Liu Ziming smiled and clasped his hands toward Sun Wei and Zhang Heng:
"Classmates Sun and Zhang! You're absolutely right! We were all dragged here... uh, selected for training, so we essentially have the same goals!
When we get to that South Cang Fortress place, it'll be unfamiliar territory. Those veteran soldiers probably won't have time for us rookies. If we don't stick together, aren't we just waiting to get bullied?"
His words struck a chord with many people.
Students from several surrounding squads all nodded in agreement.
"Brother Liu is right!"
"That's exactly how it should be!"
"No problem! Let's stay in touch when we get there!"
...The atmosphere suddenly became much more harmonious.
Actually, everyone understood clearly that this kind of temporary alliance was extremely fragile. How much use it would actually be when facing real interests or danger was hard to say.
At least superficially, a consensus had formed.
It eased the tension of being newcomers.
Liu Ziming smoothly exchanged names and academy information with representatives from these squads.
A preliminary network had been established.
...
The plane began descending, and the broadcast sounded.
The large military transport plane landed smoothly at South Cang Fortress's dedicated airport.
The cabin door opened.
A smell of gunpowder instantly rushed into the cabin.
Students from various Awakened academies descended the boarding ladder one by one, curiously and nervously surveying this legendary military fortress.
What met their eyes were various defensive fortifications.
Towering alloy walls.
Faint training commands and mechanical roars came from the distance, the air filled with a tense, murderous atmosphere.
Before they could carefully observe their surroundings,
A middle-aged officer in crisp military uniform strode over.
His skin was dark, with a ferocious scar on his face.
Several fierce-looking soldiers followed behind him.
The officer scanned the group of young Awakened individuals who clearly still carried student immaturity, showing no welcome whatsoever. Instead, he carried undisguised scrutiny and... contempt.
He stood firm.
With his hands behind his back, his voice boomed, instantly overwhelming all the whispering:
"Listen up! Rookies!
I don't care if you're from the damn Five Great Academies or some third-rate college! I don't care if you're geniuses or precious treasures at your academies!
When you come to my South Cang Fortress!
If you're a dragon, you coil up! If you're a tiger, you crouch down!
This isn't your academy's playhouse!
This is a battlefield! The frontline! A place where people can die every second!
Those fancy moves you learned in the academy are worthless in my eyes!
Don't think your high talent makes you special - here everything depends on real strength!
You only have one identity - soldiers! Reserve soldiers!
All actions must absolutely follow orders!
Instant obedience to commands!
Anyone who dares to feign compliance while resisting, anyone who dares to desert - I'll be the first to shoot them! Understood?!"
After this long, difficult sentence was spoken,
The entire team fell completely silent.
Most students were intimidated by this sudden show of authority, not even daring to breathe heavily.
Liu Ziming shrunk his neck and muttered quietly: "Damn... so fierce..."
Xu Hao nodded in agreement.
Xie Xi and Feng Jue had grave expressions, their bodies instinctively tensing.
Su Zhan's eyes showed no fluctuation whatsoever.
The officer seemed quite satisfied with this effect, snorting coldly: "Now, take your luggage, follow the guides, and get the hell to your temporary barracks! Get settled within half an hour, then change into the military uniforms we provided and assemble on the training ground! One second late, everyone gets punished!"
After speaking,
He gave no opportunity for questions whatsoever, turning sharply and striding away with his soldiers.
The young students from various Awakened academies stood in place, experiencing the first "welcome gift" South Cang Fortress had given them.
"Everyone attention! Now according to the academy and squad order I call out, follow the guides in sequence to the temporary barracks! You have..."
The sergeant in charge glanced at his wristwatch: "Twenty-five minutes to find your beds, change into the combat uniforms issued to you, and organize your personal items! Then return here to assemble! Those who exceed the time limit will bear the consequences!"
Soon, the guides began calling names.
Teams that were called immediately stepped forward, following a soldier to quickly leave the airport.
"Vermilion Bird Academy, Su Zhan squad!"
"Here!"
Su Zhan responded.
The five members of Su Zhan's squad stepped forward.
Following an expressionless soldier, they passed through heavily guarded security gates and entered the fortress interior.
The fortress interior was far larger and more complex than it appeared from outside.
Channels crisscrossed everywhere, filled with busy soldiers and vehicles transporting supplies.
Their temporary barracks were located in a relatively newly built prefab housing area, conditions simple but relatively clean.
A large room contained over a dozen double-decker metal bunk beds, meaning they would need to share accommodations with other squads.
"Your bed numbers are 8 to 11 lower bunks, military uniforms are in your respective lockers, hurry up."
The guiding soldier tossed out this sentence, then stood at the entrance without saying more.
Of course, there was separation by gender.
So Xie Xi was in another female barracks.
The group immediately took action.
Opening the lockers, they indeed found neatly arranged sets of dark gray fortress-standard combat uniforms, combat boots, and some basic personal supplies.
At the fastest speed, they changed out of their academy combat suits and put on these uniforms representing soldier status.
With the military uniforms on, everyone's expressions became much more serious.
Su Zhan was the fastest, after changing into his uniform, he simply organized his personal items into the lower part of his locker.
Then he began helping the slightly slower Xu Hao get organized.
Feng Jue also quickly finished arranging things, checking if the uniform fit properly and if any equipment was missing.
"Quick, quick, quick! Ten minutes left!"
Liu Ziming urged while pulling on his boots.
In the neighboring female temporary barracks, Xie Xi had already finished dressing.
Everyone completed changing and settling within the specified time, glancing at each other.
"Let's go!"
Su Zhan said.
The five followed the guiding soldier back along the same route to the assembly point.
Returning to the airport assembly point,
Many squads had already changed into uniforms and were standing there.
The uniform dark gray military clothing made students from different academies look much more orderly.
The scar-faced officer was already waiting there, his gaze sweeping over the students returning in sequence.
When he saw someone with disheveled clothing, he immediately delivered merciless scolding.
"Rookies, you've changed clothes, looking somewhat presentable now?"
The scar-faced officer still spoke mockingly: "But don't think that's the end! When you wear this skin, you follow the rules here! Now, prick up your ears and listen carefully, I'll only say this once!"
"First! Absolute obedience to orders!"
"Here, superior's commands are heaven!
Whether you understand or not, whether you think it's reasonable or not, once you receive an order, even if it's a mountain of knives or sea of fire ahead, you must jump without hesitation!
Questioning, delaying, feigning compliance while resisting... with me, one offense, and you're off to the confinement room to reflect!
Two offenses, military discipline! Understood?!"
"Understood!"
The students responded unevenly.
"Didn't you eat?! Louder!"
The scar-faced officer roared.
"UNDERSTOOD!!!"
This time, the voices were much more uniform and much louder.
The officer seemed slightly more satisfied, continuing:
"Second! Control your mouths! Remember the confidentiality regulations!
Everything you see here! Everything you hear! All military information you contact, defense deployment situations, weapon equipment parameters, comrades' casualty situations... all count as military secrets!
Anyone who dares leak half a word outside will be punished according to severity, up to treason!
When that time comes, don't say you're some damn genius - even the highest authority couldn't protect you!"
Su Zhan listened silently.
What the other party said was already quite clear - these were relatively basic two items.
Follow orders, maintain secrecy.
The upcoming tasks would be the main event.