Chapter 28: Training Center
Upon entering the training center, I was guided by a senior officer to my dormitory, which housed four people, including myself. The other three were absent, serving their punishment after a skirmish over a pot of curry—an incident that seems trivial yet left its mark.
As I unloaded my belongings, I stashed a secondary bag beneath my bed with caution, then diligently checked the room for hidden recording devices or any signs of surveillance, finding none. Relaxing onto my bed, fatigue settling in, the room remained silent until my dorm mates returned.
"Hey, are you the new recruit here?" one of them called out.
"Yeah, I am," I replied without moving from my reclined position, tired from my journey.
Seeing I was slow to respond, the leader approached and extended his hand. "You can call me Lucas. I'm the leader of this fireteam."
I shook his hand with a nod. "Nice to meet you, Lucas. I'm Han-Min."
Lucas gestured to the other two members. "This is George and Harry."
George responded warmly, "Nice to meet you, Han-Min."
"And you too, George," I replied, acknowledging him.
Harry, on the other hand, lingered behind, seemingly shy.
Lucas broke the ice, "Harry's a bit reserved, but he's a good guy."
I nodded toward Harry. "Nice to meet you, Harry." He merely nodded in acknowledgment, confirming Lucas's introduction.
Returning to Lucas, he dove into logistics. "Alright, with you on the team, we'll assign you as the grenadier. Harry's our sniper, and George is the gunner."
"Sounds good," I replied, curious about their ranks. "What's the rank lineup among you guys?"
"Well," Lucas answered, "I'm a corporal. Harry and George are PFCs—Private First Class."
I acknowledged with a nod, my gaze drawn to a poster on Harry's wall. "I'd say you guys certainly have a thing for propaganda posters—they're even in the restroom!"
Lucas laughed at my observation. "That's HQ's call. They want posters everywhere. Heard they might consider putting them on our faces next."
I chuckled, adding, "Might as well wear the posters as masks!"
The room filled with laughter, easing the air as we exchanged personal details and settled into camaraderie.
Soon, curiosity prompted me to probe deeper. "How do you guys feel about this ongoing war?"
Lucas and the others exchanged glances, their expressions shifting into apprehension. "It's complex. We don't endorse the commands for civilian genocide. It's horrific."
George chimed in earnestly, "Our team stands apart. Others act with monstrous impunity. They revel in it—no empathy."
I nodded, empathizing with their stance. Recognizing their minority within the GOC, where many take pride in brutal actions, yet some dissent, powerless against the majority's grim orders.
Meanwhile, in Sector Bacardi, construction surged ahead. New frigates and destroyers took shape at the southern ports, under the watchful eyes of HFC engineers. The estimated completion in three years or more aligned with hopes for no delays, as HFC's technology accelerates the fleet's emergence.
The Reincarnator observed the growth from the ground up, envisaging a counterattack on Sector Delta's western port. The marines underwent training with HFC instructors, progress steady and promising. Upon fleet completion, the operation at Andalusia port will commence.
The advisor recommends launching an attack immediately after the fleet is completed. With the advanced HFC technology, the construction is expected to be finished in a year or even sooner. The process could be expedited further due to the main factory in Guangzhou, where 15 destroyers and 20 frigates are being built. Once completed, these ships will be dispatched promptly to Sector Bacardi.
To be continued...