The benefit of following the trade route to Highpeak was that there were already designated waypoints to rest for the night. These did not have the protective dome that a Crystal would provide and were purposefully left empty of anything that would concentrate energy. What they did provide was an area cleared of Crust and at times defensive structures that aided travellers. Being the closest waypoint to Southwatch the area around was also often cleared of surrounding Swarm making it relatively safe.
Regardless of the additional protections of the waypoint, Elias was worried about the dangers of their first night. The day had passed without any major incident it was five hundred kilometres to the first waypoint with another spaced a similar distance the entire way to Highpoint. It would take seven days to get to Highpoint this way. A speed convoy with several drivers for each vehicle could, in theory, skip alternate steps and get there in half the time. With a single driver Elias and his group had to take things slow.
To spend the day more efficiently Elias slowed the troop carrier and had the recruits running drill through the day. It took time to show them how their armour would recharge while in contact with the Crust. More time to show them how to run in formation and coordinate to boost their armour and increase speed. This meant that they arrived in ten hours rather than the seven it would have taken driving at full speed. Though they had only been running in half hour bursts every two hours the recruits were unused to the physical activity. This meant they were less than thrilled to be setting up camp immediately on arrival at the waypoint.
The Crust was cleared in a square around a central bunker next to which Elias parked the troop carrier. Rather than setting camp Elias had them once more break into smaller groups to clear back the Crust from the outer edge of the clearing. While not a requirement to use the waypoints it was polite to ensure they were maintained well. Since larger convoys could have ten or more vehicles the small group would not need the entire area so the exercise was once again for training rather than necessity.
Crust cleared camp was set with the bunker and troop carrier in the centre. The edges of the camp were marked and floodlights pointing away into the surrounding area were set up. After ensuring they were prepared for the night Elias had the recruits line up for a briefing. While they all looked ready to rest for the evening Elias had other plans.
"Squad one, you're on first patrol. Squad two, three and four you're with me for training. Squad five, report to Ms Hui."
Slim had told him that they had an obligation to explain the contract to the recruits, something he had quickly handed over to her as he did not understand the details. Mouse had stayed out of the conversation and instead been engrossed in designing and planning the settlement once they arrived.
Elias took the three squads to one side. They had a couple of hours until dark and Slim said she needed about thirty minutes with each group, that gave him an hour and a half training time. Switching into drill sergeant mode he formed all three squads in front of him.
"Right men, and women." He shouted at the assembled group who stood straighter as they realised from his tone that training had begun. "You are fortunate that we have some time before we reach our true objective. That means there is time for me to slap you all into shape. If you haven't noticed yet, your skills from Basic Training are theoretical. You need to apply them in live combat scenarios for them for the skill system to acknowledge them. Once you have the base skill you can then go on to learn and apply further skills in the same chain. You will only be eligible for these at that point." He waited for this to sink in.
"So while your minds may think they know how to fight, that all happened in cryo-sim. You need to teach your body and confirm you are able to apply the skills. Having a physically fit body will make that easier. Which is why squad two are doing laps and circuits." Elias sent a programme via neural link to squad two. They would need to run a quarter of the camp and then do exercises such as burpies; squats and push-ups. Seeing them reviewing the information rather than start their run he clapped loudly.
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"Go. What are you still standing here for?" One recruit jumped at his words and the others quickly started off in a clockwise direction around camp.
"The rest of you are going to be working on basic skills. You have your energy weapons, draw them from the holster and set them to rifle mode." Elias waited for them to follow his instructions. "Now follow me." He had told the recruits to form small stacks with their cuttings from the Crust earlier at the edge of the clearing. Partly this was because it was a sensible way to ensure the material did not spread back over the cleared area but he had also suggested it as it gave some appropriately sized targets for his group to work on. He brought them to the Northern edge of the camp and paced out thirty paces to start the exercise.
"Line up here," he said "you will be working as a team taking on the same role to start. So we will stay here until you can all hit the target every time for an entire charge of your battery. Remember, we are off the Crust so there is no recharge. With your basic skills and your current equipment there will be thirty-two rounds with a fully charged battery. At your current level your rifle should be set to single fire mode only. We have two spare batteries each for combat scenarios; they are in the rear of the troop carrier. Once your battery is empty; stand clear; annouce you are changing battery and then head to the troop carrier to swap to a fully charged unit. On your return, announce you have a full battery and are ready to fire. At my signal, you may resume fire." He could see the recruits checking their weapons and looking at the target, some with apprehension and others eager to prove themselves.
"Well, it's they aren't going to shoot themselves." He said. "Get going." Elias had set the target at an easy distance. With the rifle on semi-automatic he could hit a stationary target with the entire charge at a hundred metres. The rifle maintained a reasonable accuracy up to three hundred metres where it might manage one in three or four hits. At that point it was best to swap to the sniper option for better range. He watched as the majority of the recruits hit the targets with about 80% accuracy on the first charge. To pass basic training they needed a 50% accuracy at 50metres and that was with a slowly moving target so he was not surprised.
The squads rotated as planned every thirty minutes. It was soon clear that the group running circuit training were the one that needed the most supervision to stop them slacking off. Elias was thrilled to return to the squads at the firing range and find the more skilled recruits giving pointers to the weaker ones. He had a smug sense of satisfaction as they were finally allowed to retreat to their tents for the night. At least he was kind enough to make sure those that had completed the fitness session first and had therefore rested longest were given the first watch overnight.
Morning came quickly for the recruits with two squads on PT while individual squads were moved to forty metres at the firing range once they had completed the requirement at thirty metres. In a moment of inspiration Elias had informed the recruits that any who were unable to match their performance from the night before in the PT session would be volunteering for an extra ten minute personal session. Surprisingly they all managed to improve.
Ready to move out, they continued to follow the trading route continuing to break for additional training every couple of hours. Elias had managed to persuade Mouse to try driving the troop carrier. After a slight detour on the first attempt that set them back a few minutes he was then able to join the recruits on the ground and train them to swap energy weapon settings while moving as well as improve their control over the body armour.
"What do you think?" Elias asked during one of the stretches in the cab with Mouse and Slim.
"Of the recruits?" Answered Slim.
"Of our chances?" Asked Mouse.
"Both I suppose." Said Elias. "I didn't have this opportunity in sim; it was just straight into the mission. Now I have time to test their skills, try to get them used to listening to me. I just can't tell if that is good or bad."
"You know that most the recruits aren't as naive as you assume." Said Slim. "It not my first rodeo, and I have talked hundreds through standard contracts with companies. Most know what they signed up for and how they are likely to be treated. With that in mind, quite a few of our group know they are getting a good deal with us."
"They chat around me a little more, they aren't really sure what I do." Said Mouse. "Means I hear a bit more I suppose. Can't tell you they aren't grumbling about the hard work and lack of opportunities to make extra credits so far. At least they seem to know you're in charge, they all perk up a little when they see you coming."
"That's good to hear, I suppose." Said Elias. "About our chances then Mouse?" He asked, wanting their opinions on the second question.
"I suppose that's up to you." Mouse chuckled. "Not meaning to add pressure," he added as he noticed Elias's frown, "we just don't know as much about the fighting side." Slim nodded in agreement with him.
"But this group will give you as good a chance as any to succeed." Added Slim. "Once we clear the ziggurat me and Mouse are here to pull our weight." She tapped Mouse on the stomach. "And some of us weigh more than others."
Mouse pouted in mock shock causing the whole group to laugh.
"Thanks guys." Elias finished.