Down the tray went on the table, I started eating. Quenching my hunger and thirst but still eating slowly like Josh, because this method feels a lot better than wolfing down my food.
Minutes passed I continued eating at a slower pace. Munching slowly and taking big bites to compensate for my slower speed. If I stay as an average explorer, i would just dig and mine if needed and document things. Guards on the other hand just carry weapons, ensuring the safety of the group. Since they said there are no external threats reported. Maybe being a guard is the best task for me, but if I can't choose and they determine. Guess I'll have to be better in shooting and using these weapons. Once I get back, I should get a good feel for the weapons, guess that'll be my start on getting better with these things, if we have to shoot the guns. At least I feel more comfortable firing it.
After thinking to myself, I went back to focus on eating. Finishing my tray just in time for the bell to ring. Oliver and Josh, done with theirs too, immediately stood up walking to the classroom again.
Inside, we returned to our tables. Here on my own set of weapons, I started holding them, the teacher was absent so i can use this short time to try and find a comfortable position. I haven't held one before but i do know you put your dominant hand on the trigger and it's grip. While the other is under the barrel, or holding the grip. I spent a minute trying to find a comfortable position for the rifle, the rifle itself felt too long for me though. Holding the repeater, it felt far more comfortable, holding the repeater by both grips and pressing the stock at my cheek, i did see guards do that before. It felt comfortable to handle. For the weapon with the 9 holes at the end of the barrel, it felt heavier than the others. I struggled to rest it up to my shoulder, pistols however felt the lightest, even the hybrid pistol felt light to carry, no wonder they can use this as a substitute for an smg.
"Alright settle down." The teacher announced, i placed back to the table, getting a good sense on how to handle them.
"Dang Edmund, you like those guns don't you?" Oliver asked me. Josh nudged Oliver's arm, trying to keep him quiet as the period is starting.
"Now for this period, we'll talk about security. The ways of how a guard must protect and the tasks of the guard. Let us begin now with the formations, tactics, and the amount of guards there will be." The picture showed a guard, holding a rifle in his hands. His attire is darker than the other uniforms, and the armband now showed a symbol in the shape of the rifle.
"These guards have darker uniforms than the normal explorers, differentiated by their unique insignia, each group will have 25 to 30 guards. They may select whatever main weapon they desire, but it is advisable to bring a rifle or repeater as the environment has little areas where close quarter combat may begin. The main formation of the guards are as follows." The screen now shows a square, with 10 blue dots at the top, 5 at both sides, and 10 at the rear. "This is the formation to follow for all expedition groups. 5 on both sides, 10 at the front and 10 at the bottom. In the event of any hostiles, explorers among other special units are to compress and the guards to form a circle around the group. One other tactic, when the enemy is from a far range. Guards must quickly locate where the shooter is coming from and form a defense line, the rest of the group will stay behind and retreat to any nearby area for cover, once they moved back. The guards will follow along, it is instructed that all guards must continue engaging with the enemy. These defense tactics haven't been used against hostile targets of the outside because, well we haven't detected any yet. But these tactics act as preemptive measures once we do see them. As guards, you will still be given the same attire with the rest, with the only different. Well like i said before, you have a darker color to your uniform than the others."
"Next up are the tasks every guard will uphold, apart from guarding. You will be assigned to keep inner security of the group not only watching for outside threats, but also internal threats among the group."
"In the event though that the city will have a conflict, all guards returning back from their expeditions will be called into the city to quell the conflicts. Giving time for the academy to resolve the issue. Furthermore, you will still be subject to the same tasks as the normal explorers, with the exception of mapping and navigation. You will though still be ordered to dig and mine an area if the group commander orders it."
"Another thing to note, next week you will begin using the weapons in front of you. If the academy sees you fit to be guards. Prepare to be particularly skilled in a weapon for your future of protecting the group as well as the city. So if you wish to be any class like supplier or guard, show more effort and skill into that subject than the others. You may have a higher chance to be selected for that role. 2nd week when you return, we will have our class in another room, where you will begin using the weapons. Shooting them and handling them correctly." The teacher explained.
"Now for a special topic, advanced weapons. You may have heard of the basic weapons guards use, but there are more unique weaponry in our arsenal. Be it for non lethal or more lethal. So far we only have 6 weapons, due to them being prototypes, i can't disclose them to you. But they have explained that in the event a conflict will happen outside the city, they may perform field tests and start giving some selected guards the prototype weapons."
"I can either be a supplier or guard, but now I think I'm striving to be a guard." Oliver whispered.
"It is unknown if the weapons and tactics explained today will be put to use later on in the future, but we always make sure were prepared for any threats you may face in your expeditions once all of you become the new men and women of the explorers. As time progresses, we may face a new threat to our final city. Maybe a hostile force emerged from the earth to take us out, or we found another settlement of humans just like us. But instead of helping each other in alliance and trade, we'll war."
The bell rings, right after the teacher stopped lecturing us.
"And that's the conclusion of this class, again next week we will start using the weapons. And also for the other classes next week, bring the bags each of you saw on your beds. This concludes our class on weapons and security for today, we will see each other next week, dismissed." The teacher concluded. Bells ring, sending us out to the cafeteria. Leaving the room empty, I looked at the weapons before leaving, I can focus on using the repeater. It feels the most comfortable for me, though the teacher said that those things overheat and have some kick.
"Edmund, I noticed you were examining the guns. Quite closely, even positioning them on your shoulder and cheek. You have a fascination with guns now? Or you want to be a guard as well?" Oliver asked me, curious to my answer. I do want to be a guard now, if i can't then the life of an explorer won't be so bad.
"I thought I could be a guard as a special class in the group." I reply to Oliver, who has a slight expression of shock on his face.
"That's new, well it's time to eat now but at least I end the day knowing more new things from you." Oliver added.
To the table we sat on the chairs, facing the table. Awaiting our dinner for today.
Same meal as every dinner of this week, I started eating emptying the plate off it's contents, eating the same way I did before. Same pace as Josh. It was a quiet time of eating, none of us talked to each other while we ate. Staring at our trays the entire time, finishing the trays.
After finishing, we stood up. Satisfied and nourished from our dinner, now it's time to rest.
"One day left before the end of this week." Oliver declared.
"Yeah, time flew quite fast didn't it?" Josh replied.
"Well were heading faster to becoming explorers now." Oliver added.
"That's right, and also closer to leaving the safety of the city." Josh replied.
Passing the corridor into our room, we all started preparing ourselves for sleep.
Josh turned the lights off, the little light from the outside as the only light left getting inside the room. I close my eyes, ready for the next day, today is done and tomorrow shall commence.