First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 18
Chapter 18: Rupture
Lu Mingyuan felt like a bunch of dark helmeted heads were all turned toward him. Though he couldn't see their expressions through the visors, the situation was still extremely awkward, and the scene was somewhat surreal.
He tried to touch his face but was blocked by the protective gear, so he withdrew his hand sheepishly.
These people had completely refreshed their understanding of support personnel - they were far more capable than they'd imagined.
In normal system simulations, as combat personnel, they received orders directly from the commander, so their perception of data analysts remained vague and generalized.
When forming random teams for simulations, they mostly relied on brute force suppression. Mainly because they rarely encountered analysts of this caliber - their requirements for support personnel were limited to statistical feedback. What truly demonstrated skill was the analytical reasoning built upon that foundation.
This time... they were genuinely enlightened.
Zhao Zhuoluo thought their team should also have a strong command department backup, but unfortunately, they couldn't afford someone of Lu Mingyuan's caliber.
Though Lian Sheng didn't understand his methods or terminology, the results were clearly presented. While unfamiliar with local standards, she believed anyone who could deduce such clear conclusions must be highly skilled.
Moreover, what Lian Sheng valued in Lu Mingyuan wasn't just his technical ability, but his qualities.
Lu Mingyuan remained sufficiently calm and analytical. Importantly, he was extremely responsible.
He mostly maintained a low profile, objectively offering suggestions without flaunting his knowledge or engaging in their arguments. His calm demeanor and big-picture perspective made him reliable and stabilizing for morale.
The facts proved he was indeed exceptional.
Lu Mingyuan asked: "So? Should we detour? Though even if we do, we might not avoid the instructors."
This was obvious - the battlefield was ever-changing with no absolutes.
Lian Sheng held her gun ready, guarding their front as she asked: "Is the combat zone close to the target point?"
Lu Mingyuan nodded: "Close. Probably right at the edge of the designated area."
"Then no need to detour," Lian Sheng said. "From this perspective, Ji Fangxiao chose that location specifically to participate in the melee. Since we're planning to cooperate with him, the outcome would be the same either way."
She glanced back at the crouching group. Too bad she couldn't see their expressions to gauge their thoughts.
Zhao Zhuoluo and the others remained silent.
To go or not? This direction clearly contradicted their original plan. But making conclusions without meeting the person felt unfair to Fang Jianchen.
Knowing their dilemma, Lian Sheng said: "Let's proceed carefully and assess the situation first."
One should be magnanimous - they'd eventually realize Ji Fangxiao wasn't suitable. Taking some detours wouldn't hurt.
The group nodded in agreement. They rearranged their formation.
The main threat came from ahead. Zhao Zhuoluo's team took point while Meng Jiangwu's group stayed back to adapt, with Lu Mingyuan providing guidance.
They encountered many students along the way. Anyone carrying a sniper rifle fell to Lian Sheng's shots. Without supply crates, securing sufficient equipment meant no mercy.
The fallen students looked at them with tearful resentment. Attacking without warning violated revolutionary camaraderie.
They encountered one small skirmish where the instructors immediately relocated upon seeing their numbers. True to principle, Lian Sheng didn't pursue fleeing enemies, especially when rushing to rendezvous.
The journey unfolded largely as Lu Mingyuan predicted until they reached the combat zone.
The group stopped at a distance.
Lian Sheng pressed her ear to the ground, then reported: "Heavy fighting ahead."
Meng Jiangwu asked nervously yet excitedly: "Do we engage?"
"Stay back and hide if you value your lives," Lian Sheng replied.
Lu Mingyuan, knowing his limits, waved Meng Jiangwu's group toward cover.
But Lian Sheng advanced with her rifle.
"You have a death wish?" Meng Jiangwu exclaimed.
"No," Lian Sheng coolly replied without turning. "I don't die."
Meng Jiangwu: "..." How impressive.
Lian Sheng followed Zhao Zhuoluo's team while the other four took cover in a blind spot shielded by trees and bushes - a decent position where approaching enemies would be visible.
Huddled back-to-back, they felt inexplicably secure.
Meng Jiangwu gazed at the peaceful clouds drifting by, marveling at this unprecedented relaxed exercise experience.
Guiltily, he asked: "Are we... too useless?"
Lu Mingyuan said: "We're not combat specialists."
Zheng Lei and Shen Yu nodded.
"But neither is Lian Sheng," Meng Jiangwu grumbled.
"Everyone has their role. As command students, our job is rear coordination and support. Real battles have proper equipment." Lu Mingyuan patiently explained, "Lian Sheng shoots well but lacks stamina. You each have your strengths."
The trio nodded.
Meng Jiangwu weakly asked: "...What are our strengths?"
Deafening silence.
Zheng Lei and Shen Yu grabbed his head in frustration: "We were sparing you the embarrassment! Why ask such painful questions? Are you insane?"
The four scouts searched for vantage points but found none ideal - either unsafe or inconvenient.
Attacking uphill from low ground was disadvantageous amidst dense gunfire and opportunistic students. One misstep could mean elimination by stray bullets.
—No allies, only hidden enemies. This was why Lian Sheng disliked melees - the difficulty was too high.
A near-miss bullet made Lian Sheng's heart skip. Such terrible aim!
She flattened herself, sighing at the disorganized rabble who'd likely eliminate themselves before the instructors.
The five instructors (now four visible) maintained excellent spacing, covering each other while competing for kills. Their disciplined positioning and coordinated movements highlighted the vast skill gap.
Zhao Zhuoluo's team moved to create better firing positions.
Lian Sheng set up in a poor sniping spot with only occasional glimpses of targets. With ample ammo, she fired ten quick shots before reloading.
Her awkward position made return fire difficult. Harassed by her accurate shots, the instructors withdrew further until disappearing from view.
As targets consolidated defenses, Zhao Zhuoluo aggressively advanced while Lian Sheng observed.
Outnumbered by increasingly skilled students, including troublesome snipers, the instructors signaled to split the engagement.
Lian Sheng didn't pursue - their primary objective remained meeting allies, not scoring.
With instructors gone and most students dispersed, the area became safer.
Zhao Zhuoluo called out: "Fang Jianchen! You here?"
A figure emerged from bushes, sprinting toward them: "Yo—! It's your Fang-ge! You finally came!"
Several tall males approached as the groups cautiously convened in a relatively secure corner.
Fang Jianchen greeted Lian Sheng uncertainly: "Oh, Meng... Meng something?"
Lian Sheng shouldered her rifle: "The name's Lian Sheng."
Recognizing her voice, Fang Jianchen exclaimed: "...Quick-Eyes?"
Lian Sheng: "..." What terrible naming sense.
"Why are you together?" Fang Jianchen asked.
"Cooperation," Lian Sheng pointed. "Same as now."
Fang Jianchen bragged about their scores, only to be met with silent disdain from unimpressed teammates.
Ji Fangxiao, waiting patiently, finally interjected: "Since we're two teams, there should be eight? Or did you split up?"
Lian Sheng indicated their four hidden comrades. After summoning them, the full group crowded together.
Ji Fangxiao skipped introductions, diving straight into planning: "With you, we have twenty-eight - numerical and skill superiority to actively hunt instructors for points."
Lian Sheng objected: "Direct confrontation isn't optimal. Unlike the first exercise, instructors can coordinate and outclass us. This approach would require sacrificing members for limited gains."
Ji Fangxiao countered: "We just succeeded without losses—"
"You can't guarantee that every time," Lian Sheng interrupted. "Chaotic battles have too many variables. Other students would join unpredictably. Losing any of our four is irreplaceable."
Ji Fangxiao argued that inaction meant no scores either, suggesting leaving one member behind as insurance.
"For last words?" Lian Sheng scoffed. "Different squads are still competitors. No one would pass up scoring opportunities. My teammates won't sit out - lacking firepower means certain death regardless."
"You're too conservative," Ji Fangxiao said.
The discussion grew increasingly tense until Lian Sheng concluded: "We're incompatible. A team needs one commander."
Ji Fangxiao agreed, both looking to Zhao Zhuoluo's team for allegiance.
Fang Jianchen tried mediating: "Men should yield to women!"
Zhao Zhuoluo requested private discussion, dragging his teammates away while Fang Jianchen protested their exclusion.
Zheng Lei's group exchanged nervous glances - without Zhao Zhuoluo and refusing Ji Fangxiao, their exercise would effectively end.
Thank you for the update~~~
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