Around 1942, a German pilot needed to undergo six months of training and two months of aviation subject study before having the chance to enter the A/B-level flight school to train on light aircraft.
After accumulating over a hundred flight hours, the pilot would receive their pilot certificate and wings.
Following that, they would then enter the C-level flight school to train on various aircraft types before being ready to fly twin-engine fighters or reconnaissance planes to the frontlines.
However, as the war situation grew more dire, with fuel, aircraft, and other supplies running short, this situation quickly changed. After hearing Goering's report, the little man (Hitler) immediately ordered the dissolution of the C-level flight school, and soon, light aircraft from the B-level school were replaced by gliders.
It is said that by the end of the war, the average training time for each German pilot before heading to the frontlines was only 160 hours.
160 hours was still a bit much.
In Mosquito's opinion, 80 hours of training would be completely sufficient, and the remaining 80 hours could be spent training over the enemy's head. It would save on bullets and electricity.
The speed of gliders wasn't fast...
As long as they remained calm and followed the methods Mosquito taught, it wouldn't be a problem!
Mosquito spent the entire morning explaining the basic knowledge of flight to his little apprentices.
Some players who had previously flown gliders or played flight simulators occasionally added a comment here and there.
To enhance understanding, Mosquito dragged out his four training aircraft from the hangar and let the players who were eager to soar in the sky take turns sitting in them, explaining how to operate the aircraft.
Although many of them were hearing about this for the first time and were confused, the basic idea seemed simple enough: press the electrical switch to full, go past the white line in speed, and pull the control stick up!
For ground attacks, use the scale line to aim at the target and fire tracer rounds to adjust the trajectory.
It sounded pretty simple.
After a whole morning of explanation, Mosquito was dry-mouthed.
At that moment, two players covered in mud walked in from outside the airport.
Mosquito glanced at them and recognized them. One was Makabazi, and the other was "Going Up the Mountain to Hunt Tigers". Both were farming players who worked tirelessly in the fields, and it was said they had even reached level 5 in farming.
Although the reward for reaching level 10 in farming was tempting, not many players had the perseverance to dig around in the fields like they did.
As for players like them, who treated "Wasteland OL" as a farm simulator, they were even rarer.
Just as Mosquito was about to ask what they were up to, Makabazi raised his hand and grinned.
"Coach! Can we practice together?"
"Going Up the Mountain to Hunt Tigers": "Good buddy! Take us along!"
"Sure, I won't turn anyone away!" Mosquito smiled, of course, not turning down eager students, though he was still a bit puzzled. "By the way, aren't you two busy with farming? Why would you want to learn to fly?"
And they were from the strength class.
Strength class piloting a hammer plane?
Wouldn't it be better to go join the artillery group?
Seeing the curious gaze from Mosquito, "Going Up the Mountain to Hunt Tigers" chuckled and explained.
"We plan to buy a plane to spray pesticides!"
Makabazi eagerly nodded: "Just like this old guy!"
Mosquito was stunned for a moment, ready to complain that they were using his invention for such a low-brow purpose, but quickly remembered that in reality, gliders were indeed used for crop dusting...
He scratched the back of his head and held back his words.
"Fine... anyway, I'll teach you."
Makabazi joyfully threw his arm around Mosquito's shoulder.
"Thanks, buddy!"
"Damn it! Can you wash your hands before taking advantage of me? I'm covered in mud!"
Mosquito pulled away, dusting himself off and giving Makabazi an eye-roll. "So, what do you want to learn? Just flying, or do you want to cover other subjects too?"
Makabazi: "What other subjects do you have?"
Mosquito: "Plenty, there's air-to-ground attacks, close-range strafing, ballistic correction, dive bombing—"
Before Mosquito could finish, "Going Up the Mountain to Hunt Tigers" quickly nodded and said, "Learn! We want to learn that too!"
Makabazi looked at him in confusion: "Why learn that if we're not going to the frontlines?"
"Going Up the Mountain to Hunt Tigers" excitedly replied, "Who said you can't use it if you're not going to the frontlines? Spraying pesticides, we're gonna use it! And what if some wild boar or other mutant creatures run into the field? We can't catch them on foot, so we just take the plane and hit them!"
Makabazi was stunned.
"Damn! That's awesome!"
It wasn't just Makabazi who was shocked; Mosquito, who had been standing by, also had his mind blown. A second ago, he thought they were just some unambitious players, but now it seemed he had underestimated them.
Mosquito excitedly patted "Going Up the Mountain to Hunt Tigers" on the shoulder, completely ignoring the mud on him, and said, "With this kind of determination, you're definitely my apprentice! Don't worry, brother, I'll train you to be ace pilots!"
"Going Up the Mountain to Hunt Tigers" shyly smiled, scratching the back of his head.
"Actually, we don't need to be so exaggerated. We're fine with just being regular pilots."
Mosquito laughed.
"No way, you gotta have what others have!"
"Every student who graduates from here is an ace pilot, and our diploma is an ace pilot graduation certificate!"
"Don't worry, each of you will have one!"
Makabazi: "No way! That's possible?!"
"Going Up the Mountain to Hunt Tigers": "6666!"
"Low-key, low-key, hehe."
Looking at his two new apprentices, Mosquito smiled broadly.
He hadn't expected there to be so many eager learners in the game.
He had made up his mind.
It seemed that no one in this game had yet ventured into the training industry. Military schools and literacy classes were run by NPCs giving and receiving lessons, with few players bothering to attend due to the language barrier.
However, if one wanted to be a hardcore player, how could they not learn some real skills?
Since no one had noticed this market, he decided to be the first one to venture into it!
In the future, every player who graduated from his training would be an "ace pilot," and he would be the principal of the "Ace Pilot Academy"!
...
After the morning's training, Mosquito dismissed the team and, along with his four senior apprentices, went around asking for support and trying to hitch a ride to the frontlines.
During this period, everyone was focused on leveling up their faction, forming teams to complete high-contribution missions, and trying to level up their faction to LV10 before the new expansion, advancing from Stage F to Stage E.
They were also using this time to familiarize themselves with their teams.
This game was different from other MMOs. There were no real "pay-to-win" equipment, nor were there weapons like the legendary "Dragon Slayer Sword" with a 999 damage or the "Undying Armor" with 99% lifesteal. While player levels and equipment could increase the upper and lower limits of combat power, they didn't guarantee invincibility.
Even the heavy cavalry exoskeleton, the endgame equipment of the version, would still have to retreat after taking an HEAT round to the chest. Even a powerful awakened player would be knocked out if they took a hit to the head.
It was said that before the war, shield technology existed, and different types of shields had been developed for different kinds of weapons.
For example, the nitrogen shield on the manager's hammer could effectively weaken or block bullets, explosive fragments, and thrown projectiles.
But those were NPC items.
It was well-known that NPC equipment was purely ornamental; when players could buy them in stores was anyone's guess, probably many versions later.
Therefore, for players who planned to head to the frontlines, cooperating with teammates was more important than simply upgrading their sequence levels.
As for lone wolf players who didn't like fixed teams and weren't interested in socializing, there were still places for them.
The doors of the first and second factions were open to all players above LV5. Many solo players also chose NPC factions, though they usually kept a low profile.
While NPC factions focused on defense, they would still issue missions to reinforce the frontlines or transport supplies during wartime. Completing these tasks also earned merits and medals.
If a player realized they had a knack for command during a battle, they could leave their faction after the campaign ended, bringing their teammates and accumulated merits, and form their own faction.
Chu Guang had designed gameplay for nearly every type of player he accepted, allowing them to find their own niche in the game.
Managing natives with the methods of the natives, and managing players with the methods of players, was his principle that he had always adhered to.
Preparation for the Northern Expedition wasn't only for combat-oriented players. Life-oriented players were also actively preparing for the upcoming new expansion in their own way...
...
On the outskirts of Honghe Town.
Outside the perimeter wall of the Horseshoe Mercantile's base, a truck loaded with goods slowly passed through the wooden checkpoint.
Honghe Town was different from Qingquan City. It didn't have a unified large survivor settlement. The mine owners and mercantile bosses each had their own plots of land and lived separately.
However, compared to the local slave owners, most of the traveling merchants and mercenaries preferred to stay at the homes of the mercantile bosses.
Though both sides were shady, people were more concerned about being collared and shackled in their sleep than being fleeced by unscrupulous merchants.
Slave owners' bases were rarely visited, while the mercantile bases were bustling with customers.
Over time, the latter had gradually developed into a waystation, and as the population grew, it had become what it was now.
"Horseshoe Town" was one of the largest survivor settlements near Honghe Town and the closest to Qingquan City.
But it differed fundamentally from traditional survivor settlements.
Generally, small to medium-sized settlements were often very exclusionary, though the degree of exclusion varied.
In this place, however, the proportion of outsiders made up 80% of the total population.
Even more than that!
Sitting in the driver's seat, Sisi had been observing the pedestrians passing by.
From their clothing, skin color, and demeanor, it was hard to tell who was a local and who was a traveling merchant.
As Sisi was examining the NPCs, the NPCs on the roadside were also examining them.
In particular, the truck and its cargo attracted the attention of many mercenaries and merchants.
"This truck doesn't have a chimney?"
"Probably runs on batteries."
"Electric truck?! What happens if it runs out of power on the road?"
"It's fine for short distances... I recognize it, looks like it's called 'Electric Mule.' It was made by the blue jackets from the northern suburbs of Qingquan City."
"Those blue mole people from the shelter? No wonder it looks so sleek."
"Wait, you're talking about Electric Mule?! The one that costs 50,000 silver coins?"
"It should be!"
50,000 silver coins!
Mercenaries who had been to Dawn City collectively held their breath, many with envious expressions on their faces.
In the northern suburbs of Qingquan City, you could exchange 200 silver coins for an assault rifle!
With this much money, you could arm a hundred-man squad!
What was even more enviable—and even coveted—was the truck's cargo. It was fully loaded with light and heavy weapons and ammunition, worth at least twice the price of the truck itself, if not more.
What made them even more incredulous was that such a truck, packed with goods, was being driven by two young girls sitting in the front seats!
Though female mercenaries weren't uncommon in the wasteland, they looked nothing like these two.
How had they managed to get here safely?
"I… I feel like a lot of people are staring at us." Sesame Paste, sitting in the passenger seat, quietly whispered, tightening her helmet to hide her cat ears.
"Stay calm, let them look if they want. This is a safe zone, we're just following our path."
Sisi glanced at the window while holding the steering wheel.
Though Meat's sequence level wasn't high and her combat power left much to be desired, her massive build still carried a strong deterrence.
Even an awakened player would steer clear when facing a heavy-armored white bear.
Add to that the 10mm "Maxim II" machine gun on the roof and the twitchy tail that always seemed to be aiming around, they were more than enough to deter anyone with ill intentions.
Their journey had gone quite smoothly so far.
Occasionally, they crossed paths with others on the same road, but most just took a detour around them.
The only threat they faced was a pack of hyenas that tried to approach them under the cover of night.
At the time, only the tail and Meat were on the frontlines, and things were indeed a bit dangerous.
But fortunately, the tail reacted quickly, and while Meat bared her teeth to scare off a few of the approaching head wolves, she climbed onto the roof, grabbed the machine gun, and sprayed a burst of bullets.
After dropping several dozen wolf carcasses, the wolf pack quickly retreated.
To be honest, wolf meat was really unpleasant to eat. No matter how they prepared it, there was always a fishy taste.
Later, they sold the game's loot to the junk city's collection station, exchanged it for some supplies from the local vendors, and then continued on their way.
"Wow! Is this Honghe Town?"
"It's totally different from Stone City! No one's scared of me here."
Since passing through the checkpoint, Tail and Meat had been excitedly looking around.
The streets were lined with square earthen houses, and under the stalls on both sides were rows of vendors selling goods. Mercenaries with weapons weaved through the narrow streets, while traders tugged on ropes, haggling with buyers, spitting saliva in their animated conversations.
Sometimes, at the end of the ropes, there were tracked vehicles, sometimes cows laden with burlap sacks, and sometimes people—or even androids.
Everything here was fresh and new to them.
The "Wasteland OL" development team wasn't just making a game!
They were creating an almost real world!
This was amazing!
Listening to Meat's comments on the communication channel, Sisi's smile was somewhat ambiguous.
"Uh, I think they're actually scared, but they don't dare to do anything... How about you wear a rope around your neck and lead yourself?"
Meat immediately protested.
"Wait, that would be weird, at least have someone else lead me!"
Sesame Paste: "…?"
Sisi: "?"
The only one who didn't get what was strange about this was Tail, who was still on top of the truck, lost in the joy of unlocking a new map.
"Hey! By the way, this place is called Honghe Town, but why haven't we seen any rivers along the way?!"
Sisi: "Maybe there was one before the war?"
Tail: "Oh! I see! By the way, I heard there are a lot of bugs here, even those giant ones that are tens of meters long!"
"Bugs?! Where?!"
Nervously, Sesame Paste gripped her revolver under the seat and glanced outside the window, but saw nothing.
Tail: "No, I'm not talking about here, I saw people talking about it on the forum!"
Sisi: "Oh! Cool."
Tail: "Ugh! Sisi, you're so dismissive!"
"Well, I'm driving, the roads are too narrow... Just wait a bit." Sisi comforted the energetic Tail in a child-like tone, but her thoughts inevitably drifted to the official website.
She had heard that if you traveled west from here, out of the River Valley Province and into the Sunset Province, beyond that, there would be a vast desert.
It sounded much more spectacular than here.
"Maybe we'll go check it out when we have the chance."
The trading post in Horseshoe Town was not far from the main entrance.
Sisi parked the truck beside the unloading area, jumped down from the vehicle, and exchanged a few words with the worker at the unloading point in imperfect Human Union language. Soon, a few laborers came over and began unloading the truck.
The man handling the transaction was wearing a leather jacket and a brown scarf around his neck, with a cigarette dangling from his mouth.
Sisi noticed that his left arm was a mechanical prosthetic, and judging by the rust on it, it had probably been used for a long time.
Before reaching the goods, the man automatically extinguished his cigarette and stuffed it back in his pocket, seemingly planning to resume smoking later.
"LD-47 rifles, 88mm mortars, 20mm light cavalry guns, KV-1 exoskeletons, and ammunition—all of these are exactly what we need. But before I give you a price, I need to know what you're looking for? Slaves? Or minerals? Ready stock? Or vouchers?"
VM translates some of the keywords.
With the help of her understanding and some information from the official guides, Sisi more or less understood what he said and responded briefly.
"Minerals, ready stock."
The man raised an eyebrow.
"Do you have a price list?"
Sisi didn't speak, simply pulling out a piece of paper from her pocket and handing it to him.
Before leaving Dawn City, she had browsed other players' posts on the forum to learn about the local market prices and had already calculated and listed the items she intended to purchase.
Compared to arriving at the scene and bargaining with local people in broken Human Union language and dialects, only to be swindled or misunderstood as a novice, she thought this approach would be much more efficient.
The man looked at the list and frowned slightly.
"Copper, nickel, zinc, sulfur, these are fine, but platinum... we don't have it in stock, you might have to wait until tomorrow. Or, I can settle the platinum portion with vouchers, and you can use them to collect the goods from the nearby mine."
Sisi frowned, thought for a moment, then shook her head.
"I'll take the other goods as ready stock, but the platinum should be delivered to the New Alliance military base."
The man was surprised and looked at her more closely.
"You're from the New Alliance?"
Sisi simply replied.
"Yes."
With a hint of caution in his eyes, the man didn't say anything further, took the list, and signaled the workers to begin loading the goods onto the truck.
Back at the truck, Sisi turned to her teammates.
"Plans have changed, the platinum is out of stock, so we'll have to stay here for the night."
"Stay here?" Tail asked excitedly, her eyes sparkling.
"Of course, we'll head back to the nearby save point... By the way, can you sleep here? It's so noisy." Sisi said helplessly.
Tail opened VM to check the map, apparently still unaware of where their military base was.
Sesame Paste curiously asked.
"What's platinum used for?"
Sisi casually replied, "It's for the chemical factory orders, probably used as a catalyst for acid production, most likely for expanding nitric acid production capacity."
Tail: "Making acid?"
Sisi: "To produce smokeless gunpowder."
Meat looked at Sisi in surprise.
"You know about this?"
Sisi's expression was a bit ambiguous.
"Umm… I didn't know at first."
"But after playing this game, you end up knowing everything."
...
At the same time.
In the center of Horseshoe Town, at the Chamber of Commerce headquarters.
The man sitting in his office looked at the inventory list his subordinate had handed him, furrowing his brows.
"Sulfur, copper... and platinum, is the stock all depleted?"
The subordinate standing in front of the desk nodded.
"Yes, most of it was bought by the merchant caravans coming from Clearwater City."
The man pondered for a moment, then got up and walked over to the wall, staring at the map for a long while.
His gaze fell on Xizhou City to the north of Clearwater City. A gleam of excitement flashed in his eyes as he instinctively clenched his fist.
"Great!"
The New Alliance was about to take action against the Bone-Crunching Tribe!
If they successfully captured Xizhou City, the Serpent Clan stationed in TS City would be caught in a difficult situation, surrounded on all sides.
At that point, the pressure on Honghe Town would also be greatly reduced.
Of course, what he saw wasn't just that.
If the war machines in the northern suburbs of Clearwater City were fully activated, they would make a huge profit!
"My lord?" His subordinate called quietly, looking at his back.
The man shifted his gaze from the map, not offering any explanation to his subordinate. He simply gave a brief order.
"Increase the stock of sulfur and copper, that's all."
Suppressing his excitement, the man returned to his desk, took out the communicator from his drawer, and called the mine owner who had been supplying them.
"My friend."
"The opportunity to make a fortune has arrived!"