The same scene unfolded on the shuttles of various countries.

The federal shuttle was quite far from Rekart and didn't notice the situation right away. At this time, a group of veteran brothers in the power cabin were talking about the epidemic and the trends. A rookie who had just taken over training was chatting with a few fellow newcomers: "Bros, speaking of the epidemic, it's still kind of harmonious in the Capital. One of my buddies lives in Icebird, and I heard that the epidemic there has the locals in such turmoil that they can't even maintain control anymore."

"What do you mean they can't maintain control? We all enlisted in the same year. Our Alpha isn't any more developed than your Icebird. I heard Icebird has been booming for the past two years following the recent reforms, with very rapid economic development."

"It's all messed up because of the epidemic." The new soldier was nonchalantly smoking a cigarette, looking unimpressed: "According to my buddy, the infection rate in Icebird has already passed 90%. Do you understand what 90% means? Fellas, get this: anyone you can see, just don't get near them. If you bump into someone, you're pretty much guaranteed to be infected. No idea when the end of this crap will come."

"Look at you, exaggerating so much. Just the other day, I watched the news saying the infection rate was only 50%, and that's still within the normal range for densely populated planets. As for places like Mardis, it seems like hardly any cases have been found. Regarding law and order, it'll simmer down eventually. I don't believe that, with our physique from the three months in the rookie squad, we should be afraid of any infection."

"What does a three-month rookie squad stint amount to? I heard Icebird's ace troops were the first to be withdrawn. Do you know what that signifies?" The guy hinted with a guess-what tone.

"That's easy, comrade. If that's how you put it then I must criticize you a bit, huh."

"Hey, hey, hey, you haven't answered my question yet. Why criticize me?"

"Ace troops are a national treasure. When something like this happens, it's obviously us cannon fodder who go first. In the eyes of the big shots, it's called 'everyone to their own role'. Plainly speaking, we're just a damn brick, to be moved wherever needed. As grunts, what right do we have to complain? If the higher-ups hear you have such thoughts, they would pull you aside for a little 'thought work'. Anyway, this has nothing to do with me."

Immediately, the soldier grumbled with a face that seemed beyond teaching: "Wrong, wrong. People used to say you had a big mouth and I never believed them, but today I've finally got the picture. What's the connection between these two things? Guess again, why did the ace troops withdraw."

"Who could guess that? I'm not a god," said the soldier nicknamed Big Mouth, as he scratched his head, boasting to himself silently.

Another rookie disdainfully said: "This trivial matter isn't hard to guess. When things go south, ace troops should lead the charge. Ever heard of the Blazing Legion or the God's Thorn Legion? I've heard soldiers from either of these units are of king-level quality, able to finish a 5 km run in 10 minutes."

"Is 10 minutes a lot? It's not like it's a few hundred years ago. Our soldiers can barely complete it in under 13 minutes."

"Buddy, there's a fundamental difference between 10 and 13 minutes. It basically means sprinting at full speed. The next level up might be Rank 3 soldier standard. Rank 3 soldiers are treated as instructors in special forces. Do you think we can compare with that quality?"

"Why can't we compare? If you ask me, those ace soldiers are overhyped. How many of them can really fight? Give me the training and I could do it too. Take mechas for example, isn't it all about gradual improvement? How many are geniuses right off the bat? Do you think we're talking about Revenge Shadow Rider?"

"Bro, you can eat anything you want, but don't talk nonsense. If they're strong, they're strong. Remember the military competition last year? Wasn't God's Thorn Legion the overall champion? What was there for us field troops to do? If it weren't for the urgent mission that came up near Satellite 8, we'd probably still be playing with mud on the ground."

A group of soldiers gabbed about all sorts of things, somehow steering the conversation from Icebird's issues to matters of quality. But when it comes to quality, each has their specialty, right? They're just a bunch of soldiers responsible for maintaining the power cabin. Talking about quality doesn't mean just physical fitness; it's about overall capability.

"What are you guys yakking about here? Look at you all, sitting and standing without any decorum, and puffing on cigarettes to boot. Acting all high and mighty?" Just then, a grizzled old soldier with a corporal's rank silently walked over, a cold smirk on his face.

"Good day, Squad Leader Wang."

Seeing him, the three rookies quickly stood up straight. The smoking guy immediately extinguished his cigarette butt and stood at attention with eyes wide open and focused forward.

Though Squad Leader Wang had been only a year ahead of the others as a soldier, in a military community like this, the hierarchical system was very strict. Squad Leader Wang nodded in satisfaction, smiled smugly with his hands behind his back, and scrutinized them for a moment: "Do you still remember what the 'Three Disciplines and the Eight Points for Attention' are?"

"We remember," the three said in unison.

"Good. Don't stand so stiffly, guys. Squad Leader just came over to remind you because you seemed too relaxed. The barracks aren't your family's backyard, and it's not like you're forbidden from smoking. But even if you smoke, you need to maintain the standard of a soldier."

To hell with the soldier's standard, Old Zhang with the big mouth cursed in his head, yet he responded in unison with the other two rookies: "Yes."

"Don't just stand there like an idiot, come have a cigarette." As he said this, Squad Leader Wang actually took out a pack of cigarettes and started handing them out.

Several new recruits, of course, didn't dare to take them, repeatedly declining with awkward laughter.

"If Squad Leader Wang says smoke, just smoke, what's with all the nonsense?"

"Yes."

The men awkwardly took the cigarettes, but never put them in their mouths. Little did they know, Squad Leader Wang would actually light them up himself, one by one, lighting cigarettes for each of them while casually mentioning that the rules in this unit are actually not that big a deal. Speak when you should, play when it's time to play, but don't joke around with discipline. Eat when you should, drink when you should, but don't overdo it with alcohol.

The new recruits had nothing to rebut, just kept repeating "yes."

Who knew that after Squad Leader Wang distributed the cigarettes, by the time he went to light one for himself, he suddenly realized he was out of smokes, this...

The four men exchanged glances. After a second of silence, quick-thinking Old Zhang immediately reacted, "Hehe, Squad Leader Wang, I've got some cigarettes here, nothing fancy though."

Squad Leader Wang nodded and casually took one.

"Squad Leader, if you're out of cigarettes, just smoke mine. I've still got quite a few in my pack. Take it all."

"How could I accept that?"

Seeing this, the other two soldiers took out their own cigarettes as well, "Squad Leader, I've got some too. If you get used to the taste, feel free to smoke them."

"And I've got mine, here, take it."

"Ah, uh, this... how could I accept this." Squad Leader Wang said so, hesitant and indecisive, clearly troubled, neither refusing nor rejecting the offer.

"Squad Leader, why stand on ceremony with us." Old Wang suddenly showed a sycophantic smile, "I've got several packs in my backpack, I can give you as much as you want."

Squad Leader Wang quickly gestured with his hands, "That's enough, that's enough. It's hard for all soldiers, I'll accept these packs for now. You guys chat, but keep the discipline, and keep your voices down." As he left, Squad Leader Wang's face revealed a warm smile, clearly implying that these soldiers knew how to play the game.

"Hehe, take care, Squad Leader."

Watching the figure of Squad Leader Wang grow distant... the three spat in annoyance, damn it, nearly half a pack of smokes taken by him. Just arrived at the unit and the life of a new recruit is tough, but what can you do? Whether it is easy or tough, you must get by. Life in the army is always this way, Old Wang obviously just came looking for a smoke.

Just as they were chatting, there was a rush of hurried footsteps towards the engine room, the man had come back!

The three new recruits immediately stood up, only to see Squad Leader Wang with an extremely grave expression, his roaring voice left no room for refusal: "Go to the monitoring room now and check the instruments, wait for orders."

"Squad Leader Wang, what happened?"

"Big trouble. The warship is about to enter a special combat readiness state. I don't know the details, just hurry, stop with the nonsense."

Just as Squad Leader Wang was speaking, the entire warship sounded the alarm for special combat readiness, the three new recruits without another word, but already aware of the severity of the situation, rushed towards the monitoring room at top speed.

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