Chapter 17: Equipment and Purpose
Standing on the podium, Krauser watched as all the trainees ascended the steps and took their seats in order. He spoke solemnly:
"Everyone, when you joined Atlas and learned that the Boss is an immortal and that there are portals leading to other universes and Earth, your knowledge and understanding were challenged, perhaps even shattered. I wasn't an exception.
But now that you're sitting here, it shows you're ready to step into the unknown, for the company, for the Boss, and for all of humanity.
As investigators, you must always be aware of your responsibilities and maintain absolute loyalty and rationality.
Remember, your lives don't just belong to yourselves or your families; they also belong to the company.
That's why I've subjected you to rigorous training, honing your physical abilities and combat skills. Only by surviving can you maximize your value.
In other words, you are all important assets to the company."
Krauser paused deliberately. Then, two other instructors, also former U.S. Special Forces now training investigators, entered the steps.
The two instructors began either opening equipment boxes or assembling a mannequin designed to simulate damage. This mannequin, realistic with bones, blood, and organs, had skin and muscles made of transparent silicone.
Soon, a mannequin dressed in a suit appeared before everyone.
Krauser continued, "Among all the factors that increase your chances of survival—skills, experience, and luck—are largely influenced by your individual efforts and the environment. These are beyond others' control. However..."
He stepped off the podium, took a P90 submachine gun from an instructor, and stood five meters from the mannequin, aiming the gun away from the seated trainees and towards the wall.
He disengaged the safety, aimed at the torso, and pulled the trigger.
Bang! Bang!
The rapid, sharp gunfire echoed. Despite being supported, the mannequin couldn't withstand the force and fell backward.
Krauser showed no intention of stopping. He adjusted his shooting stance, switched to full-auto, and...
Bang! Bang! Bang!
In a blink, Krauser emptied the 50-round magazine, filling the room with smoke and the pungent smell of gunpowder.
After finishing the shooting, Krauser secured the P90 and placed it on the podium. The two instructors quickly lifted the fallen mannequin and began removing its suit.
The trainees, including Leon, were initially puzzled. But when they saw the mannequin, now stripped of its wrinkled suit and vest, they immediately understood that their instructors were demonstrating equipment.
The mannequin's state wasn't good—its silicone skin showed bruises and swelling, the bones were cracked or broken—but the vital organs were largely intact.
In other words, if a person were wearing that suit, they could likely survive a P90 burst.
!!
Realizing this, Leon and the other trainees felt an indescribable excitement.
Despite being a submachine gun, the P90 uses 5.7x28mm rounds with a muzzle velocity of about 650 m/s, designed for high penetration. It can pierce helmets at 150 meters, at least 48 layers of Kevlar at 50 meters, and a 3.5mm steel plate at 30 meters.
Of course, these specs pale in comparison to 5.56x45mm rifle rounds, which can lose velocity over long distances due to their lighter bullets. But this wasn't a concern for Leon and his peers.
After all, it was just a suit!
A suit that could be worn in most situations without drawing attention, while significantly increasing survival chances if caught in a gunfight.
Moreover, the suit's design was aesthetically pleasing, combining appearance with excellent defensive capabilities—a true "treasure armor."
Krauser, seemingly aware of the trainees' thoughts, returned to the podium and said, "Though some factors are beyond our control, the company can still intervene.
For instance, the bulletproof disguise worn by the mannequin, as you saw, easily resists 5.7x28mm rounds. Its protection level is rated above NIJ (National Institute of Justice) level III, almost reaching level IV standards.
However, I don't recommend you wear it and taunt guys with AKs, saying, 'Come on, shoot me if you dare,' or you'll bear the consequences."
"Ha ha!"
Known for his strictness, Krauser rarely cracked a joke, causing the trainees to pause before bursting into laughter.
The atmosphere lightened, and Krauser's slight smile showed he was in a good mood.
Perhaps because this batch of trainees was about to graduate, he didn't call for silence.
Once the laughter subsided, he continued, "The disguise is a protective gear specially designed and developed by the company's research department for investigators, made from some kind of carbon nanofiber or carbon nanotube fabric... It's an artificial material not available on the market.
The suit is a basic version; theoretically, there will be various styles, but you must be rated as elite to access them. Moreover, the basic version's manufacturing cost alone exceeds $100,000."
!
The trainees were shocked, not expecting the bulletproof suit to cost as much as a house or a sports car.
"Don't worry," Krauser, accustomed to such figures, reassured them. "Not only the disguise but when you officially become investigators, the company will also provide sunglasses with HUD displays, ultra-thin personal computers, and other equipment.
As I mentioned, you are invaluable assets to the company. Your primary goal is to survive and successfully complete your missions. The company will fully support you without hesitation.
As for money? Atlas is never short of cash, so there's no need to worry. The company will always be your backer, but remember, all of this is contingent on your absolute loyalty to the company and the Boss. If you betray..."
Krauser's tone turned cold as he scanned the trainees. "The company will relentlessly hunt you down until you become a corpse.
And, one more thing, there's a rumor that the Boss has telepathy, so don't think you can deceive or outsmart him, understood?"
"Yes, sir!"
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Meanwhile, Samuel Young, who was rumored to possess telepathy, was aboard a private business jet, crossing the North Atlantic, currently at an altitude of 10,000 meters, having just entered U.S. airspace.
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