Chapter 74 - Elite team

*( mood song: "Starset - Die For You")

Timberly then commented "I can help you with selecting the team, almost all of the best warriors we have are my descendants alter, in fact, the Leader is one of them, her spear and evasion techniques are really good"

Erik nodded and said "okay, I accept the help, but we will have to test them though to see-"

Inky interrupted him hitting the table then though "why just warriors? why not others too, the test results are all that matters!"

Erik was surprised but nodded, she used to be a scout after all "alright, we will select those that pass the tests the best" he was slightly curious about something though, so she turned to Timberly and asked "by the way... how many kids do you have?"

Timberly blanked out, not really knowing what to answer "actually... I have no idea by now..."

Erik whistled as he was impressed, he kinda understood a bit why they didn't use names now, having thousands of kids... it would be a nightmare to remember them all, and only make the kids feel bad.

He then went to the genetics and getting on top of a table, got his body scanned and a DNA sample taken, seeing the results he could only be impressed "well, seems like Timberly's *training* did do something, let's see, this chains should be related to lipids processing and metabolism... no wonder I'm always munching on something these days..., and this is my stomach... another chain in my skin?, okay this DNA chain is starting to get complicated, sigh... better just see the scanners results" he opened the 3D model and run a simulation to detect differences with the last body scan, the model illuminating in numerous parts, as the test detected various changes "well let's see... a reinforced immune system... yep I will need this eating so much almost raw food, what else... WOW! a vitamin-producing gland! humans can't produce much and lost the ability to produce Vitamin C so long ago due to the L-gulonolactone oxidase gene getting blocked..., this will surely come in handy... damn if I ever go back to earth I would get torn apart by scientists ja-ja... ugh... okay what else, a change in the structure of the skin and intestines..., yeah, kinda figured that already... more muscle mass... well that's just due to exercise, then a slight reinforcement on the bones adding mineral chains in the structure, a slight change in the shape of my balls and a thickening of the balls sacks skin... well, not like I'm gonna ever swim naked on this planet but its handy..." he closed the model and stood up, went to the armoury, putting on the power armor, he needed to prepare the tests for the trials as agreed with the elders... 'wait, I'm an elder now too' *chuckle*.

--- Crash site sand dune ---

There on the sand dune, hundreds of octopeople waited in formation as Inky and the elders, Erik included explained the tests.

Erik: "the first test will be lethality and markmanship" he pointed to a nearby table that had dozens of his new rifles and lots of plasma spears "this is the new weapon I've created, those or you that already use my harpoon guns should already know how to aim, but this is way more powerful so be cautious, to be fair with you all, I will give you the next 4 hours to practice before the true test starts" he pointed 100 meters further were there were car sized crabs trying to eat bait Erik had left inside cages "those crabs are your targets, you can either use the spears or the guns, I've set these baits every 100 meters untill 500 meters, every 100 meters will give 10 more points per crab, at 100 meters just 1 points each, 10 at 200 and so on, that would be good for a markmanship test, but we will also test your lethality so choose your weapon wisely, the rifle is stronger and is able to reach further away, while the spear shoots faster, but doesn't have even half the reach, well then, the 4 hours start... NOW!"

He then sat by the side with the other Elders and Inky.

Erik: "any favorites?"

Timberly: "well... the Leader should do pretty well, her spear techniques are excellent, her expertise is more related to close range though, so I'm not really sure"

Jennifer: "Hmm... I believe one of my apprentices could do well in marksmanship, she's just a hunter, but she has steady hands and does really beautiful carvings"

Erik: "oh really? this will be nice then"

They observed as the Leader grabbed a rifle first, she had a slight advantage as she had seen it already, she kept the pressure and heat button on, seeing the pressure indicator rapidly going up and the temperature indicator reaching 1000°C, she pulled the trigger.

*BANG!*

With a trail of steam behind the bullet quickly cut through the water, impacting a crab, going in through the mouth, and exploding a big hole out the back, an instant death, the surrounding crabs excitedly starting to eat the fallen one.

The Leader then smiled and left the rifle on the table, grabbing a spear and rapid-fire killing the other 8 crabs in the first bait trap.

Erik whistled impressed, he was sure he couldn't do that "she's really talented damn..."

Megan: "well, we trained her to be one of us in the future, so it is to be expected".

Lots of tests followed as some overcharged the rifle to no result as they had a safety pressure release valve, and just aimed too far away to end up failing, there were also impressive results of hunters that were more used to aiming, while warriors did better with the plasma spear.

4 hours later, after the trial time was over, Erik asked them to do the same, more crab targets having emerged out of the sand to eat their dead kind so there was no shortage of targets.

Similar results happened, Erik gave them 1 minute to each, with the Leader proving herself with both weapons, hitting a crab 200 meters away with the rifle and 26 on the 100 meters mark using a plasma spear, getting a total of 36 points.

The next one selected was a petite hunter barely a bit bigger than a scout, but that after 10 shots nailed a crab 300 meters away, earning her 30 points. Most of the next spots were then filled with warriors using spears to mow down big numbers of crabs. There was one exception though, one burly warrior that although aimed way too fire and couldn't hit anything in the end, Erik had plans for her, 'she could be a tank with a tower shield, or with a bigger weapon like a trebuchet cannon mow down any enemy in front of her... yeah, I like the cannon idea'

When there was just 1 spot left on the team, Jennifer touched Erik's shoulder and pointed at the octogirl hunter examining the rifle fascinated, more eager to make one herself than to shoot it "that's my apprentice".

Erik just nodded and continued observing her, prepared to start the countdown when she said she was ready, he wouldn't judge someone just because of their masters or their genes, this was a fair competition after all "come on girl, I'm gonna have to start the counter soon!" he saw the girl flinch and drop the weapon to the floor, seeing that, Erik equally dropped his expectations on her already 'sigh... another overestimated student I guess' "come on girl it's fine, pick up the weapon, are you ready? 3, 2 -"

At that moment the girl shouted "W-WAIT!"

Erik was a bit annoyed by the pause and answered a bit moody "yes? what now?"

girl: "I would like to know how this rifle was made! please teach me!" and bowed.

Erik hearing that facepalmed, then had an idea and chuckled though "I tell you what since I'm an elder now..., if you hit a target in the 500 meter line, I will not only make you my apprentice, I will even think of a name for you, what about that?"

She eagerly nodded and went to her earlier position, laying on the floor with the rifle, and taking deep breaths through her neck as she carefully aimed.

*BANG!*

Erik sighed as it only hit a crab on the 100m line, she reloaded though.

*BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*

She hit a target on the 200, 300, 400, and 500 lines, earning a total of 101 points, she then looked at the stunned Erik happily "so? did I pass?"

Erik then absentmindedly said "yeah, just join the group" still stunned by the impressive performance 'wow... maybe I am the one too soon to judge, just wow... she's definitely a gem'.

He then turned to the ones that weren't selected "the rest of you don't get discouraged, you will now be trained in tactics with the Second Elder, in the future, you will be divided and introduced to your team leaders that will be the winners from the chess tournament as they are still being instructed by the Fourth Elder" he then turned to the selected 12 "as for you all, you will be under me, an elite team under my direct orders, we are gonna be fighting inside caves so the warriors will also be given a shield and everyone will be given poison filtering neck masks, as my main weapon down there will be a poison thrower, now everyone go back and rest, tomorrow we will start the training"

as he turned his back to them to go back though, he heard a voice behind him.

"what about my name?"

Erik turned around to see the hunter crafting girl there looking at him eagerly, he gave it some thought and lazily chose a name "what about Jeny?"

The girl frowned though "isn't that almost the same as Jennifer?"

Erik: "okay fine... hmmm... what about Jana?"

The girl slowly nodded "Jana... Jana... I like it! I will be Jana then!"

"good then" Erik turned to the rest "now, all of you go back to base its time to train and make new equipment"

When the others were gone, only the 5 elders and Inky were left. Erik turned to the others "well now, and just for fun, why don't we have a small shooting competition?"

Shana immediately stepped forward smiling, her fins standing in excitement "you read my mind, but what should we bet on though, a competition should always have bets to be interesting right?"

Erik: "you are right... so what should we bet on?"

Shana gave it some thought caressing the rifle "I would like some new equipment"

Erik: " well, that's reasonable, if I win..." he looked at Inky "I want you to make Inky an elder too" they all flinched at that, with Timberly narrowing her eyes and Inky blushing, but they finally nodded in the end "what about the rest?".

Timberly then snorted and somberly said "well then, if I win, I want you to finish my training"

Inky frowned at that and was about to retort, but Erik just shrugged and said "okay, i accept" thinking 'i might not win, but she won't either anyway' he looked at Jennifer and Megan "what about you?"

Megan looked disinterested "fighting and shooting ain't my thing anyway, I'm more suited for telling others what to do, but for funs shake I will say... --she looked at his crotch -- I want you to give me a good fucking, is that alright?"

Erik looked at Inky who confidently nodded "okay, that's fine" thinking inside 'she will probably be way too loose though, I might need to use a leg jajaja'

They all saw him chuckle for no reason as he composed himself and looked at Jennifer "what about you?"

Jennifer didn't doubt and said "I wanna learn how to make the rifle too!"

Erik wasn't surprised by her answer as she had always had her eyes glued to them "well, I have to teach your student now so I can just teach you both" he clapped "well then, let's shoot some crabs, who wants to go first?"

Megan raised her hand "let me get it over with first"

They all nodded and she came forward grabbing a riffle.

By now the sand dunes were full of craters and crab corpses, it also looked gloomy as due to the ice sheet on top, not much sunlight filtered through, the crabs seemed endless through the sand plains as they devoured the bodies of the already dead hundreds of crabs, luckily there seemed to be no shortage of targets at all, so much that Erik even wondered using them as a food source.

*BANG!*

The bullet hit the corpse of a dead crab on the 100m line, attracting the rest as they used the gap to eat the insides faster.

Megan loaded a new solid steel bullet and charged the rifle.

*BANG!*

This time it hit, blowing a big fortress crab's head through, an instant kill "woohooo! did you all see that? I'm satisfied with this"

Erik: "okay... so Megan 1 point, who's next?"

Inky came forward with a smug smile "hehe~ guess I will do it" she grabbed a rifle and charged it to the maximum pressure.

*BANG!*

A crab 300 meters away got its head blown up, she then grabbed a spear and rapid shot killed 23 crabs.

"Time!" Erik stopped her as she was about to shoot again.

Inky was annoyed "what? that can't be right, I just get 43 points?"

Erik sighed "that's just how it is"

Inky pouted and stood aside.

Timberly proudly came forward, easily picked up one rifle with just one hand, and aimed"

*BANG!*

It blew up a crab on the 200m line, before Inky could mock her though, Timberly loaded 2 more times quickly.

*BANG!* *BANG!*

Two more headshots at the 200m mark.

She then grabbed two spears and quickly got 15 kills on the 100 meters line, getting a total of 45 points. She then turned around and looked smugly at Inky.

Inky instantly erupted "SHE CHEATED!" looking at Erik with an angry face.

Erik: "well, I never said you can't use both hands so her 45 points are valid"

Timberly: "there's strength in numbers too... Inky"

Erik came between them and quickly changed the topic " well, let's keep going, wanna try Jennifer?"

Jennifer nodded and came forward, grabbing a rifle and taking her time aiming.

*BANG!*

She had aimed at the 500m and missed though, she had taken a gamble and failed. She quickly reloaded and aimed again.

*BANG!*

This time it hit a crab on the 400m mark, then she grabbed two spears and quickly hit 6 crabs, getting a total of 36 points. She sighed disappointedly at having missed the shot.

Erik turned to Shana "your turn, I will go last"

Shana calmly smiled at him and grabbed a rifle, laid down, and charged the shot.

*BANG!*

It blew up a crab on the 500m mark.

Then she calmly put the rifle down and smiled back at them "well, that should be enough, Erik I believe it's your turn now" calmly walking back to them.

Erik came forward stunned while thinking 'wow... she's way too humble and low key..., she could have easily won...' he calmed himself and slightly cheated, starting the counted only when he had grabbed the rifle, he quickly went down and aimed at a crab in the 500m line, it was blurry with all the blood and waste floating around, and there wasn't much light, he calmly exhaled and aimed at the biggest crab around, a ban sized crab cheerfully having a cannibal feast.

*(like this level of light, but way deeper https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.spaceref.com/news/2019/oobrinciles.jpg)

*BANG!*

The bullet went through its head 'luckily I was trained in marksmanship, now...' he then calmly aimed at a crab in the 200m line.

*BANG!*

"hehe~ headshot! I won!" he then looked at the rest and then at Inky "now I hereby declare you in my authority as the 5th elder as the 6th elder!"

Inky was excited and came forward, wanting to take his helmet off to kiss him.

Erik: "wait wait! calm down, I need air!"

Inky paused and was shocked at herself "I- I'm sorry! I was just so happy..."

The elders chuckled as they started going back, with Timberly looking at Inky with a mocking smile and saying "such an airhead"

Inky could only grit her teeth as she had totally forgotten at that moment.

*******************

Final puntuation:

1- Erik (50p)

2- Timberly (45p)

3- Inky (43p)

4- Shana (40p)

5- Jennifer (36p)

6- Megan (1p)