Re: Apocalypse Game
chapter-146

The US military had dispatched a contingent of 1000 troops to participate in the game, with 50 of them belonging to the support units. These support units comprised individuals with various roles: some handled rations, others managed logistics, and a few worked in medical teams. Additionally, there were small units dedicated to secretive and specialized projects.

This special unit was started in the second year of the games. A group of the brightest minds the US had to offer; professors, doctors, and engineers, took on the role of founding and leading the special units. Their mission was to bring innovative problem-solving to the challenges of the game.

However, the initial foray of these brilliant minds into the game was met with a lack of adequate preparation. Tragically, the entire special unit was wiped out in the third round, failing to achieve any significant breakthrough.

Undaunted by their initial setbacks, the US military persisted and sent another group of the world's brightest minds in the third year of the game. This time, they were provided with better protection and support. They embarked on a variety of successful projects, including leading experiments on units like the Bloodhounds.

A handful of these exceptional players managed to reach the fifth round of the game. Regrettably, with the dwindling number of players and insufficient protection, none of them ultimately survived the challenges of the game.

In their final moments, these valiant individuals left behind a legacy for their successors, consisting of valuable notes and late-game items. This precious inheritance was entrusted to the current support team, which was under the capable leadership of the African-American Sergeant, tasked with continuing the noble work of their predecessors.

[Dylan O Connor, Male, 29 years]

[Level 25: 42,240/45,000]

[HP: 270/270]

[Strength: D-]

[Agility: E+]

[Endurance: D]

[Perception: D-]

[Intelligence: D]

[Spirit: F]

[Jobclass: Soldier]

[Common Skill: Medium firearm (Expert), Big firearms (Expert), Small firearm (Novice), (Hand to Hand (Novice)]

[Uncommon Skill: Piloting (Basic), Engineering (Novice)]

In the confined space of the guarded workshop, Dylan and Alan delved into a conversation. The sergeant began by sharing his own background, revealing,

"You see, Alan, I held a bachelor's degree from MIT before I enlisted in the army four years ago. That's why they chose me for this project. But honestly, man, I'm in over my head here. I don't really know where to start."

As they moved further into the room, they were greeted by a group of four soldiers diligently disassembling various electronic components.

"Here is my little crew, Johnny, Simon, Naymaar, and Gaston"

Similar to Dylan, all shared the distinction of being US soldiers with engineering degrees. This assembly of minds was the military's answer to the previous failures of deploying doctors and professors in the game. They decided to entrust this important mission to soldiers with both intelligence and battlefield experience.

Gaston, one of the members of Dylan's team, was visibly surprised by Alan's arrival. He couldn't help but express his curiosity, blurting out, "A civilian?"

Dylan swiftly confirmed Alan's presence and introduced him to the group. "Yes, this is Alan. He's... well, he's a science teacher."

Naymaar, an Indian American among the crew, raised a concern. "Has he been cleared for this, Sergeant?"

Dylan's reply carried a tone of authority and loyalty. "Hey, I'm still your team leader. I decide who's got clearance and who hasn't." His unwavering confidence was a testament to his trust in Alan's capabilities.

There was an initial, somewhat skeptical look exchanged among the team as they assessed the newcomer. However, once they learned that Alan was the leader of the Wolverines, a quickly rising militia, their expressions warmed considerably.

In reality, Alan had a history with these soldiers, dating back to his previous lives. After departing from the Blood Patriots and joining the militia, he had crossed paths with Dylan. The two of them had quickly bonded over their shared passion for science, which had cemented their friendship.

However, it wasn't until the fourth round of the game that Alan had the opportunity to meet this special team. Unfortunately, his interaction with them had been brief, as all four of these players had met their end during the game's fifth round. Their untimely departure had thrust Alan into the core of the special project, working closely with Dylan.

Dylan sensed that it was time to get down to business. He cleared his throat and addressed the team. "Alright, now that you're all acquainted, please fill me in on the current project you're working on."

Gaston's area of expertise revolved around communication devices. He was responsible for maintaining and improving the communication equipment used by the military during the game. Just like the military radio that Alan had acquired, Gaston diligently collected any findings related to communication equipment, fixed them, and ensured they were fully operational for the soldiers in the field. He was currently absorbed in the process of constructing more of these essential communication devices, resourcefully piecing them together from multiple spare parts.

With his impressive [Engineering (Expert)] skill, Gaston had the ability to craft additional [Common] communication devices for the army. However, he wasn't content with just maintaining the status quo; he had taken on a secondary project to develop an amplifier that could increase the number of users on the communication devices and extend their range. This technological advancement could potentially provide a significant advantage to their military unit, allowing them to coordinate more effectively during missions.

Simon was immersed in energy-related projects. His primary focus revolved around the efficient utilization of power sources. This entailed scavenging [common] batteries and ensuring that all the essential devices, including radios, were consistently charged and ready for action. His meticulous work played a critical role in keeping the military's equipment operational during the game.

In addition to his role in managing and optimizing power sources, Simon had undertaken a more ambitious endeavor: constructing a power generator. The importance of this project couldn't be overstated. A reliable and portable power generator could provide a lifeline in the game, ensuring a steady energy supply for their critical equipment and communication devices.

Johnny was deeply entrenched in the weaponry and armament project. His primary mission was to explore unconventional means of weaponizing various items that came into the unit's possession. He reveled in the challenge of turning ordinary, everyday objects into potential instruments of survival.

At the moment, his focus was on a particularly ambitious project: the mechanization of a turret gun. Such a device could prove invaluable in providing added firepower and defense during critical moments in the game.

In the process, Johnny had also came across an enigmatic energy weapon that had been left behind by a predecessor. Its origins and potential were still shrouded in mystery, and none among the team had yet found a way to harness its power effectively.

Neymar, the Indian American engineer of the group, faced a particularly intricate and challenging project. His expertise was primarily dedicated to drone projects, both ground-based and aerial, and his current mission involved resurrecting and enhancing advanced, high-tech drones that had been left behind by their predecessors. There was even an imposing giant humanoid drone, lying dormant in the corner of the room.

These drones were anything but ordinary. Classified as high-tech items, they held the potential to be game-changing assets within the virtual world. However, their condition was a far cry from ideal. Damaged and battered, they were essentially high-grade pieces of junk. Neymaar had invested countless hours into meticulously restoring and improving them, collaborating closely with Dylan throughout their journey since Port Town.

After the tour concluded, Dylan turned to Alan and inquired, "Alan, do any of these projects pique your interest?"

Alan couldn't help but smile in response. The intricate and challenging nature of these projects had drawn him to this special unit. Any success on these projects had the capacity to dramatically enhance the player's chances of survival in the next round.

As the night wore on, Alan lost himself in the whirlwind of creativity and innovation, shuttling between Dylan's workshop and his own, each project a puzzle to solve and a step closer to securing an advantage in the game.

Eventually, the morning sun's gentle rays crept through the windows, signaling the dawn of a new day. Realizing the time, Alan acknowledged that he was now due for a military briefing, summoned by none other than Captain Carter himself.