Chapter 17: The Squad Leader!

The next day, the new recruits of Class Three woke up early in the morning. The assembly time was seven o'clock, but they arrived at Training Ground Number Three half an hour early. Not only Class Three, but also the other classes did the same. Looking around, all ten recruit classes were squatting in their respective training grounds, waiting for the instructors to arrive.

Today was the day for the recruits to receive their weapons, and everyone was looking forward to it, including Zhou Yuan. After all, it was free. They could practice their marksmanship with unlimited ammunition and save their durable weapons for when they went into battle!

As for why humans were still using firearms that relied on gunpowder and gas energy to launch bullets, even though they had entered the interstellar age... Well, they could blame it on the Arachnis Zerg. It's not that humans didn't have energy weapons. But the exoskeleton of the Arachnis Zerg had strong energy absorption and resistance capabilities. Most of the energy weapons that the Federation currently possessed were high-energy concentrated weapons, which belonged to beam energy weapons, and the technology was not yet fully mature.

So, compared to energy weapons that were technologically immature and expensive to use, firearm weapons, which were cost-effective and could be mass-produced, were clearly more suitable for killing bugs. The Federation had conducted multiple experiments before. A single shot from a high-energy laser cannon could only kill a thousand bugs, relying on the explosive shock waves and collision fragments generated by kinetic energy. But exchanging the same cost for firearm weapons could kill at least ten thousand bugs. This cost-effectiveness difference could drive a group of scientists crazy.

Before energy weapons with larger attack ranges were available, firearm weapons could not be eliminated. Of course, not all firearm weapons could penetrate the exoskeleton of the Arachnis Zerg. Small-caliber pistols and submachine guns were ineffective. But compared to their magic resistance, their physical resistance was not as high, you could say it was their weakness.

In the eager anticipation of everyone, Xin Mu finally arrived. "Shut up and follow me." Seeing the expectant eyes of the recruits, Xin Mu didn't waste any words and waved his hand, leading them towards the entrance of the recruit camp. "Go!" The recruits formed three columns and followed closely behind.

This base was called Mars, the first military base established by humans on Mars, and currently the largest military base on Mars. There were many camps in the base, and the recruit camp was just the tip of the iceberg. They were now heading to the armory, which was located at the center of the base. It would take about ten minutes to drive from the recruit camp to there.

"Wait for me on the vehicle." When they arrived at the armory, Xin Mu got off the vehicle first and went forward to inquire. The armory was huge, like an endless steel shed. Each entrance was filled with queues of recruits who came with their instructors to receive their weapons.

"Guys, get off the vehicle." After a short wait, Zhou Yuan saw Xin Mu waving at them in the front, so he opened the car door and called everyone to get off. Under Xin Mu's command, the twenty recruits formed two teams and took turns to register. Zhou Yuan was not in a hurry, so he lined up at the end.

"Kid, you know the rules." The staff at the registration desk was typing on the keyboard and gestured for Zhou Yuan to speak. "Saw-S8, S500, Kukri-R." Zhou Yuan handed over his identity card and stated his pre-planned equipment selection. "Light machine gun, large caliber revolver, and a hook-shaped Nepalese knife. Another rookie who thinks killing bugs is easy." The staff chewed on gum and commented.

Zhou Yuan's equipment selection belonged to a sustained damage type of armament. Only recruits who believed they could kill a large number of enemies on the battlefield would choose such weapons.

Most new recruits are assigned standard rifle kits without much choice. 

"I want to be a machine gunner," said Zhou Yuan, shrugging his shoulders. There was no argument from anyone.

In fact, it is possible to apply for a change of weaponry if you feel that the one assigned to you is not suitable. Just report it to the instructor. 

After completing the initial training period, the recruits will be reassigned, and that's when they will need to consider what weapons to use on the battlefield.

"Alright, go to the next room," said the staff member after registering Zhou Yuan and returning his ID card. He pointed to the left direction.

Acquiring weaponry is not a one-time process. First, your identity needs to be verified, and the required armaments need to be recorded before you can receive them. You have to go through several weapon depots, collecting them category by category.

Ten minutes later, Zhou Yuan returned to the vehicle carrying two boxes. One was a square box with a side length of about thirty centimeters, and the other was a long box over a meter in length, containing armor and weapons, respectively.

After receiving the weaponry, Zhou Yuan realized that the privileges of new recruits were indeed limited. What was supposed to be a standard armament was missing a large number of equipment.

Tactical lights, noise suppressors, individual radios, multifunctional tactical goggles—all the delicate and vulnerable items were nowhere to be found among the new recruits. They must have thought we would break them easily or something.

"Zhou, can you take a look for me?" Ron suddenly ran up to Zhou Yuan, holding out his hands with a distressed expression. In his hands lay an s500, the same model as Zhou Yuan's, but the magazine had fallen off.

Zhou Yuan froze for a moment, his clenched fist relaxing and tightening again, before finally extending his hand.

"Don't worry, it's fine. Press this button first, then put the magazine back in, and finally release the button."

It was precisely because of idiots like Ron that the military didn't issue too many sophisticated small items to new recruits.

"You're a genius!" Ron exclaimed excitedly, holding the reassembled s500 tightly before hugging Zhou Yuan and returning to his seat. "You're truly exceptional..."

Zhou Yuan shook his head silently, sighing helplessly.

...

"Alright, stop messing around with your worthless junk without even bullets," Sim suddenly stood up on the way back to the recruit camp. He held a tablet and swiped on it as he spoke.

"You rookies, your second phase of training starts today."

"Firearm tactics are different from physical combat. You can't train individually like headless flies anymore."

"From now on, I will divide you into three squads, and all future training will be conducted in squad mode."

Upon hearing this, everyone instinctively straightened up.

Today marked their 17th day since enlistment, and during these past 17 days, they had heard quite a few rumors.

But there was only one important announcement that the instructor would make after the new recruits received their armaments!

The instructor would appoint several recruits as squad leaders and only one as the platoon leader!

"It seems like you all know what I'm about to say," Sim said, noticing everyone's gaze shifting towards Zhou Yuan. He put down the tablet and left the co-driver's seat, walking towards the back.

"Zhou, you're the platoon leader and also the leader of the first squad."

"Rico, you're the leader of the second squad."

"Ace, you're the leader of the third squad."