Chapter 74: Inquiries And Teaming Up
“Fall in.”
Gao Zhong Dui held a blue folder, looking at everyone without speaking, until Xiao Zhuang returned to the ranks, then he had Gray Wolf Mada continue with the second round of selection training according to the training plan.
One night of rest made everyone very spirited. The rookies had all changed into Special Forces camouflage uniforms and military boots, looking particularly imposing, just without armbands.
Ma Da smiled: “Looks like you all slept well?”
Then Ma Da’s expression changed: “Since you’re all rested, let’s get some exercise—armed cross-country 5 kilometers! Start!
Move quickly, all of you. If I didn’t know your real ages, I’d think I was facing a bunch of old men.
With you guys like this, on the battlefield you’d just be targets for bullets!”
The familiar shouts rang out. After a week of integration, everyone had gotten used to the instructors’ taunts.
The rookies were already prepared. If Gray Wolf really spoke to them gently at a time like this, that would be the problem.
They prepared in advance, and upon hearing the order, the rookies immediately took off running.
Gray Wolf Mada watched them, picked up the loudspeaker: “When you’re done running, come back here and do 100 push-ups!
Chang Ning, step forward, go to Earth Wolf to get your equipment.”
“Yes!”
Chang Ning was targeted every day, and the rookies had grown accustomed to it.
After getting the new load-bearing equipment from Earth Wolf, Chang Ning, carrying 100 kilograms on his back, caught up to the comrades ahead.
The 100 kilograms of load-bearing weight was just right to make Chang Ning feel the pressure; this was carefully calculated by Gao Zhong Dui and Tong Youyou based on Chang Ning’s training information.
The rookies ran sporadically, and with no instructors’ loudspeakers urging them from behind this time, they ran freely.
Armed cross-country 5 kilometers was no longer a threat to the rookies in the selection; after all, during Hell Week, the minimum was 10 kilometers.
After the push-ups, it was the Special Forces Detachment’s routine questioning of the rookies entering the second round of selection.
In the spacious tent, Chang Ning, with beads of sweat still on his forehead, stood at attention in the center.
In front of him were Gao Zhong Dui sitting behind the long table, along with three black beret colonels; the only acquaintance was Gao Zhong Dui.
Gao Zhong Dui looked serious, stern-faced as he said to Chang Ning: “Soldier, we’re going to ask you questions now. No thinking, answer directly.
Clear?”
Chang Ning: “Clear, Leader!”
“Why did you come to participate in Army Special Forces selection?”
“Report! Two reasons.
First, I’m interested in Special Forces.
Second, to fulfill my platoon leader’s dream; he couldn’t participate in the selection assessment due to physical reasons.
Done.”
“Scribble scribble scribble~”
The three officers beside Gao Zhong Dui took notes while listening to Chang Ning’s answers; these would all be filed and archived.
The answer was standard, nothing special, and Gao Zhong Dui was very satisfied in his heart; now was not the time for antics.
He was afraid Chang Ning would say something strange that could affect his future service in Wolf Fang.
“Good, next question: How do you view Special Forces?”
Chang Ning: “Special Forces are units in the militaries of some countries around the world that undertake assaults on important enemy political, economic, and military targets and carry out other special missions.
Generally directly commanded and led by the highest military command organs, in some countries by the Ministry of National Defense or service branches.
They feature flexible organization, elite personnel, advanced equipment, rapid maneuverability, rigorous training, and strong combat power.
Their main tasks include: harassment and sabotage, assassination and kidnapping, behind enemy lines reconnaissance, intelligence theft, psychological warfare propaganda, special security…”
“Stop stop, I didn’t tell you to recite the definition, just give your own view!”
Hearing Chang Ning start reciting the definition of “Special Forces” at length, Gao Zhong Dui and the other three officers exchanged glances and interrupted him from continuing.
“To put it simply, Special Forces solve problems that are difficult or inconvenient in the way that minimizes cost.
At the same time, the practitioners are also flesh and blood, not as godlike as the legends say!
Report done!”
This response was finally normal. Chang Ning’s initial recitation of the definition had truly caught the four officers off guard.
Who doesn’t know the definition? They could recite it too. The officers wanted to know the soldiers’ true personal views, not textbook definitions.
Gao Zhong Dui continued: “If deep behind enemy lines, one teammate is injured and can’t keep up with the team, what would you do?”
This question was quite tricky; one could reference the Naruto incident where Hatake Sakumo abandoned the mission to save his comrades.
Chang Ning thought about it; this question tested humanity, so he had to take it seriously.
Encountering the situation Gao Zhong Dui described meant choosing between the mission and the comrade.
Gao Zhong Dui stared at Chang Ning, and seeing him silent, urged: “Answer immediately!”
Chang Ning: “Report, I would leave him sufficient survival supplies and tell him to find his own way back.
If that’s not possible, leave him the last bullet in the gun, prepared to detonate the glorious bullet at any time.”
War is no small matter; most Special Forces missions are extremely important, and everyone could calculate this account clearly.
……
Chang Ning was the first to be called in. After he came out and returned to the ranks, Ostrich couldn’t help but quietly ask Chang Ning about the situation inside the tent.
“Hey, Chang Ning, what’s the situation inside? What did they ask?”
Ostrich drew everyone’s attention to Chang Ning; everyone was very curious about what questions Gao Zhong Dui would ask.
After all, this concerned whether they could pass the selection and stay in Wolf Fang. Even the always cheerful medic perked up his ears to listen carefully, wanting to know the situation to prepare.
“Do you think I can tell you guys? Can’t you see Gray Wolf is already eager?
If you don’t mind, pretend I didn’t say anything, but do I dare say it now? Do you dare listen?
Think carefully; if I say it now, we’ll all be eliminated and come back next year together.”
“Then forget it, haha.”
Ostrich laughed sheepishly; he was just momentarily curious without thinking it through—this guy sometimes acted before thinking.
“No talking in the ranks—forgot the rule? Two hundred push-ups!”
Gray Wolf said, pretending to be disappointed at not succeeding.
Whether real or not, the rookies were happy to see the instructor frustrated, even if they had to pay a price for it.
A non-commissioned officer came out of the tent holding the roster and read Xiao Zhuang’s name in front of the rookies doing push-ups.
“Next, Zhuang Yan.”
“Yes!”
“Brothers, I’m going in first; you guys take your time.”
Xiao Zhuang, whose name was called, said with a wink. Push-ups were tiring; better not to do them if possible.
Time passed bit by bit, and the rookies were called in one by one according to the roster for questioning.
In the afternoon, after the questioning ended, the rookies lined up neatly outside the tent.
Gray Wolf Mada first scanned every young face, then spoke: “First, congratulations on completing Hell Week training and smoothly entering the second phase of the selection training camp.
Don’t celebrate too early. In this phase, you’ll form small teams to continue training.
Twelve people per team—this is the standard combat subunit organization of Special Forces.
The team will have team leader, deputy team leader, assault group, sniper group, demolition group, communications and firepower support group.
You’ll divide these positions among yourselves after teams are assigned.”
“Rookies, this is both training and selection, so people can be eliminated at any time—don’t get lucky. Now grouping by the list…” Gray Wolf kindly reminded the somewhat excited young rookies in front of him.
After grouping, Chang Ning, Xiao Zhuang, Lao Pao, and Xi Wa picked up their weapons and equipment and headed to the tent marked Rookie A Team.
The four lifted the curtain and found someone already inside.
Qiang Zi saw Chang Ning come in and immediately stood up, shouting: “Attention!”
The rookies instinctively stood at attention and looked at the four entering. Since Lao Pao was the squad leader of the other three, he entered first, and the rookies were stunned to see him.
Most of them had the same military rank as Lao Pao, all non-commissioned officers, so Lao Pao alone wasn’t senior enough to make them stand.
But when they saw Chang Ning, who entered last, they understood; though he looked younger, the second lieutenant rank of “One Mao Yi” on his shoulder was real.
Chang Ning saw everyone so formal and hadn’t reacted yet, until Lao Pao quietly nudged him.
“At ease, why so formal?”
Qiang Zi replied seriously: “Report! According to the People’s Liberation Army regulations, you’re an officer, so we must stand!”
“What officer? Here we’re all the same—rookies in the mouths of Wolf Fang Special Forces soldiers.
Sit down, all of you!”
Chang Ning took out his folding stool and sat down casually, then gestured for everyone to join him.
Once everyone relaxed and sat down, Chang Ning said: “Starting today, we 12 are Rookie A Team! Since we made it to the second round, I think no one wants to be eliminated.
Gray Wolf said next is team training, which means we’ll need team cooperation from now on. We don’t know each other yet, so let’s introduce ourselves first.
I’ll start: Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company, name’s Chang Ning.”
Then Chang Ning introduced Xiao Zhuang, Xi Wa, and Zheng Sanpao to everyone one by one.
Qiang Zi sat on his folding stool and said: “I’m Qiang Xiaowei from Steel Eighth Company; you can call me Qiang Zi!”
Geng Jihui: “Deputy Squad Leader, First Squad, Second Platoon, Sharp Knife Reconnaissance Company, Geng Jihui!”
Chang Ning glanced specially at Geng Jihui—the future famous Lone Wolf B Group team leader, codename Forest Wolf.
This guy’s personal qualities were outstanding; his grades at the Military Academy weren’t top in every subject but ranked in the top ten.
Before graduating, his articles on special forces soldiers were published in the military newspaper.
Martyr’s descendant, who specially requested the academy to go to a reconnaissance unit to join Special Forces.
Actually, with Geng Jihui’s situation, he had plenty of chances for better platforms, where future development would definitely be stronger than being a Special Forces soldier.
The highest rank among current Special Forces soldiers for reference was He Da Dui (after Wolf Fang Special Forces Detachment upgraded to Special Operations Base).
‘This is another purely driven person like Chen Guotao!’
Chang Ning deeply admired such people in his heart; they were often very persistent, and persistent people mostly succeed.
