13.Preparing for Departure

The next morning, Wang Ben gathered all ten recruits early and lined them up in front of him. "Now, let's test your proficiency with the armor. Qin Hu!"

"Present!"

"You're up first!"

"Yes, sir!" Qin Hu stepped forward, but before he could make another move, several voices from the ranks shouted in unison, "Permission to speak, sir!"

Everyone, including Wang Ben, was caught off guard. He pointed at one of them. "Luo Shuangxing, you speak."

"Sir, request permission for us to go first!" Luo Shuangxing responded loudly.

Wang Ben frowned. "Why?"

Luo Shuangxing's voice suddenly dropped an octave, sounding extremely unconfident. "If he goes first, we'll lose all confidence."

Wang Ben glanced at the others. "Do you all feel this way?"

Several recruits nodded simultaneously. The rest, though silent, clearly agreed.

Wang Ben sighed. "Alright, Qin Hu, you go last... Wang Zhen, you're up first!"

"Yes, sir!" Wang Zhen stepped forward and performed a series of tactical maneuvers as ordered.

He had trained tirelessly all night, never sleeping, but his movements were still stiff. Wang Ben had no choice but to lower the sensitivity of Wang Zhen's armor.

One by one, the recruits completed their tests. As expected, every single one had their armor sensitivity reduced.

However, Wang Ben didn't blame them. Instead, he reassured them repeatedly. Mastering armor control in a single day was unrealistic. The fact that they had made any progress at all was already impressive.

As for Qin Hu... Wang Ben didn't even know how to describe him. The best approach was simply to stop treating him like a normal person.

When it was finally Qin Hu's turn, he flawlessly executed every maneuver. Though his body endured significant strain, no one noticed. They all assumed he was simply gifted, able to master the armor in just one day.

To avoid discouraging the others, Wang Ben announced that Qin Hu wouldn't need any sensitivity adjustments but emphasized that no one should compare themselves to a "monster" like him.

Qin Hu listened in silence, unsure how to respond. In just one day, he already felt isolated. Even Wang Zhen seemed distant. If he had known this would happen, he would have pretended to struggle a bit more.

After the test, Wang Ben led the team to a cavern even larger than the training ground.

Upon arrival, they found over a hundred armed soldiers, all wearing the same armor.

Qin Hu immediately spotted Ye Jingwen—there was no way he wouldn't. To him, she was like a beacon in the dark. Unless she was completely out of sight, ignoring her was impossible.

At the same time, Ye Jingwen also noticed Qin Hu. Her elegant brows furrowed slightly as she silently questioned why recruits were being brought along.

She glanced at him, only to find his burning gaze locked onto her. Her heartbeat inexplicably quickened, though her face remained indifferent as she quickly looked away.

Qin Hu felt the urge to move closer to her, but at that moment, a sharp whistle blew, followed by a loud shout. "Form up!"

The entire group moved instantly, forming a neat formation within moments.

Zhao Ding stepped to the front, raising his hand in a solemn salute. "I won't waste words. Our mission is to infiltrate Lan Jing and locate individuals with ancestral ties to the colonial fleet's leadership. If any of you fit this criterion, step forward now."

The soldiers exchanged glances, searching each other's eyes, but no one moved.

"No one?" Disappointment flickered in Zhao Ding's eyes. "Very well. Proceed to collect your ammunition and supplies. Departure in thirty minutes!"

Officers stepped forward, directing their troops to gather supplies.

Wang Ben split his group into two. He sent Wang Zhen and Qin Hu to collect bullets while he led the others to retrieve battery packs.

Wang Zhen and Qin Hu each received 240 rifle rounds, 60 handgun rounds, and four cylindrical multi-purpose grenades.

Despite being called grenades, these devices had multiple functions. Thrown by hand, they worked as conventional grenades. Fired from a rifle, they became grenade rounds. Buried underfoot, they acted as landmines. Twisting the fuse turned them into timed explosives. For added power, multiple grenades could be linked together. A perfect tool for destruction.

Qin Hu noticed that not many soldiers were taking grenades. He hesitated, then stepped up and asked, "Can I take a few more?"

The middle-aged officer handing them out glanced at him and nodded. "If you want to carry them, take up to eight."

"Only eight?" Qin Hu pointed to his gear slots. "Doesn't this fit twelve?"

"Carrying too many will weigh you down," the officer replied gruffly.

"I can handle it. I'm strong!" Qin Hu grinned, looking expectantly at the officer.

Wang Zhen, surprised, leaned in. "Why are you taking so many?"

"For a last resort," Qin Hu shrugged. "Trust me, if we get captured by the Viesen, it's better to go down fighting."

Having survived Lan Jing's ruins, Qin Hu understood the Viesen's cruelty. Many victims never even got the chance for a final stand.

Wang Zhen was stunned. "A last resort?"

The officer, however, seemed to understand. He sighed. "Take them, kid. Just try to make it back alive."

He had seen too many sacrifices. If carrying extra grenades gave this young soldier a better chance, why stop him?

Qin Hu's face lit up with gratitude as he packed twelve grenades into his gear, thanked the officer, and walked away.

Once regrouped, Wang Ben led them to collect their rations—each soldier received a small, palm-sized metal tin.

A curious recruit tried to open his but was stopped by Wang Ben. "These are concentrated nutrient capsules. Each one provides a full day's sustenance and suppresses hunger. Listen up—these are for emergencies only. If you don't use them, you'll have to return them. No one is to open them unless necessary."

Everyone quickly stored their capsules, understanding the significance.

They had never seen concentrated capsules before, but they had heard of them. These were standard issue for the colonial fleet, used during long interstellar voyages. However, due to their tasteless nature, they were unpopular. After arriving on Lancang, the capsules became restricted to military use, only issued in extreme situations.