Chapter 15: Base and Recruits

The gentle breeze stirred the emerald lake, creating ripples that shimmered under the bright sun. It was the perfect setting for relaxing by the lake with an umbrella, a cold Sprite or Coke in hand, and enjoying the vast expanse of water and surrounding mountains—truly a blissful moment.

"Faster! Faster!"

"Too slow! My old hen runs faster than you! If you can't get back to the base within ten minutes, you'll be running another fifteen kilometers this afternoon. Understood?!"

"Yes, sir!"

However, a group of soldiers in desert camouflage pants and black T-shirts emerged, running from left to right. As an officer barked orders, the soldiers visibly picked up their pace, heading towards the southeast, indicating they were nearing the end of their morning run.

Following their gaze, one could barely see a military base with walls, watchtowers, and hangars. The red "Λ" symbol embroidered on the left chest of their shirts indicated they belonged to Atlas, a multinational corporation involved in various fields.

Given the hot climate, the brackish lake resembling an inland sea, and the surrounding desert landscape, it was clear that this military base was located in Kenya, near the western shore of Lake Turkana.

Shifting "our view" from the still-running soldiers to several hundred meters up and moving to look down over the base, we could see it spanned about fifty hectares, featuring two 1,800-meter-long, 80-meter-wide runways.

Scattered around the airfield were buildings ranging from large hangars, bunkers, radar stations, and weapons depots to anti-aircraft missile positions, armored vehicle storage areas, cafeterias, supermarkets, game rooms, movie theaters, and dormitories no taller than three stories.

Most hangars were empty, except for an F-16 Fighting Falcon, an AC-130 gunship, two A-10 Warthogs, and several transport planes bought at "friendly prices." However, the tarmac hosted numerous types of helicopters, such as the UH-1 Huey and the A/MH-6 Little Bird, which were "cheaper" than fighter jets and attack aircraft.

Clearly, the scale of this Atlas-owned military base rivaled a standard U.S. military overseas base.

Atlas had signed numerous contracts and agreements with the U.S. military, allowing the latter to use Atlas bases in Kenya, Bolivia, Syria, and the Iraq border during emergencies, including for evacuations. In return, Atlas mercenaries could access U.S. military bases in these areas.

Atlas had collaborated with the U.S. military over 600 times in the Middle East alone, particularly with the Marine Corps. This collaboration allowed Atlas to establish overseas bases and possess military aviation rights, with U.S. military tacit approval.

Moreover, Atlas provided substantial benefits to local areas, ranging from direct investment to infrastructure improvements, boosting economic development.

The primary personnel at the Kenya base, including the soldiers training by the lake, were members of the Atlas Rapid Response Service (ARS) third infantry company, a third of the fifth armored company, and the sixth aviation company. Including ground staff, logistics, technicians, engineers, and regular contract security personnel, the base housed over 4,000 people.

Notably, ARS, with six companies, was the core unit for Atlas' contracted operations and the primary defense force for the three military bases. The elite first company, known as "Hunters," had just over a hundred members, tasked with missions crucial to the company's interests. The second, third, and fourth infantry companies comprised 60% of ARS's total strength, about 2,200 personnel, and handled contracted missions and direct cooperation with the U.S. military.

Atlas established overseas military bases for various reasons. On the surface, they aimed to secure the company's overseas oil fields and mines, protecting staff from insurgent or terrorist harassment. As CEO Shane Wang stated in interviews, the area's abundant natural resources attracted Atlas's investment.

However, the real "core" reason was that Atlas founder Samuel Young, upon learning about Vought, otherworldly individuals, and potential threats, began "preparing for war" before the company's assets exceeded a billion dollars. This preparation included significant military expenditure to leverage differences between worlds and address Vought and other threats.

Upon discovering his own connection to the Emperor of Mankind, Samuel's ambitions might have expanded "a bit." Regardless, Atlas needed "legitimate and compliant" military rights overseas to facilitate subsequent operations.

...

In an indoor training hall on the west side of the Kenya base:

"Recruits! Again... Tsk! Can't you stop with the flashy moves? Are you trying to get killed?!"

The harsh rebuke echoed throughout the training hall, equipped with various weightlifting machines and an area with hanging sandbags and soft shock-absorbing floors for hand-to-hand combat training.

Dozens of cadets in desert camouflage pants and black T-shirts stood at the edge, watching the instructor demonstrate combat techniques against a blonde cadet in the center. The instructor's scolding was because the cadet had tried a flying armbar to end the fight quickly, which the instructor easily countered using leverage.

The instructor, with a muscular build and a preference for berets, was the former U.S. Army Lieutenant Jack Krauser. The cadets were trainees learning from Krauser for nearly half a year to become field agents.

At this moment, the two separated. Krauser turned, visibly angry, and shouted at the blonde cadet, "Leon, how many times do I have to tell you? This isn't a movie or a game! In the field, when your cover is blown and you're facing enemies barehanded, you have to use every means necessary! Stop with the flashy moves!"

Ending his combat stance, Krauser scanned the room and reminded the trainees, "Remember, you're agents. Your job is to infiltrate unknown areas and, in the future, deploy to other universes! You must be fast, precise, and ruthless! Don't forget this, got it?!"

"Understood, sir!"

___________________

Read Ahead

P@treon.com/Mutter