"Jason, what do you think we should do?"
Malcolm, uncertain for a moment, decided to pass the hot potato to the outsider, the team leader from the Red Team, Jason.
These rookies would eventually join the action squad, and as a team leader, Jason definitely had a say.
"I think before we discuss this interesting new recruit, shouldn't we first deal with that guy? I imagine he must be feeling pretty bad right now," Jason said, gesturing toward the large Black man lying on the ground.
"Of course."
Malcolm shrugged, not commenting further, and turned his gaze to the assistant instructor standing beside him.
The assistant instructor, receiving the signal, immediately shouted toward the outer field, "Medical team, get in here and move the injured man out."
"This year's batch of rookies has a strange little guy. The usually laziest medical team is going to be busy now, haha."
Lei chuckled, then suggested, "Considering this new recruit's performance, do we really need to continue the evaluation? I don't think a few words from the officers would scare him. We could just announce that he passed."
Jason added, "The third round tests for independent thinking. Sir, do you really think he's lacking in that area?"
Jason didn't give a direct answer but instead glanced down at Long Zhan, still waiting below, then turned and smiled, walking off the elevated walkway.
Lei jogged a couple of steps to catch up, his expression still one of satisfaction.
Clearly, after watching all the rookies' evaluations, both of them were pleased with the trip, each having identified a promising recruit for external support.
As soon as they exited the Killing House, Lei couldn't wait to ask, "Hey, Jason, who do you think is more suitable for the external support role?"
"I prefer Jibril. He's bold, meticulous, and has solid basics. He doesn't seem like a rookie at all. This is exactly the kind of person we need."
Jason took off his helmet and held it in his hands, speaking with lingering admiration, "Especially that final move of his, it was so interesting. It didn't look flashy, but the way he utilized his own strength was ingenious and brutally powerful. To accelerate less than two meters and manage to knock someone flying with just his own body's force—I've never seen anything like it in my life. Truly unbelievable. If I get the chance, I'd like to learn from him. I hope he wouldn't mind, haha."
Long Zhan's Iron Mountain Clutch had a strong visual impact, and for a special forces veteran who believed in lifelong learning, his technique was certainly worth studying.
"That kid really is strong. His overall strength surpasses the other rookies by a step. Once his training is completed, he'll definitely become a sought-after candidate for all the team leaders."
Lei agreed with Jason's assessment before switching topics, "But there's another rookie, Clay Spencer. I think his performance was also outstanding. In some aspects, he's just as good as Jibril."
"You're talking about the guy whose father wrote a book? I don't think he's ready to join us on this mission," Jason frowned.
"Not ready? Maybe, but I have to say, he's quite the clever one. Our Team B is full of old-timers, and we need someone sharp like him," Lei argued.
"Hah, just a smart aleck. We all saw him get killed by a woman, while Jibril managed to survive," Jason countered.
"Do you remember when we were in Green Team? You and I both know this situation is unwinnable. Jibril is different; he's a freak. He never should've been in Green Team. If he becomes a first-class combatant tomorrow, I wouldn't be surprised. What we need is to promote rookies with potential."
"Alright, you make some good points, but I still think Jibril is more suitable for the external support role this time. Since we're not getting anywhere arguing about it, how about we leave it to the boss to decide?"
"Oh, that's a great idea. I like it."
...
As Jason and Lei discussed the external support candidates, the departing Green Team prepared to return to headquarters to let their action squad commander make the final decision.
Meanwhile, inside the Killing House, the S&T course evaluation officially concluded.
Long Zhan, having completed the second round perfectly, catching all the evaluators off guard, didn't have to go through the third round.
In the final ranking of the evaluations, Long Zhan remained in first place, as usual.
Clay, with a combination of skill, luck, and coincidence, had gained an early advantage by starting the evaluation first, securing second place in the rankings.
This result was enough to ensure he wouldn't be eliminated in this round due to being voted into the bottom five by other rookies.
As for who would secure the external support spot, all the rookies, including Long Zhan and Clay, would have to wait for Team B's notification.
Long Zhan had thought the notification would be delayed, and he was already planning to head to a bar with Clay and Brian later in the evening.
Since the following two days were the weekend and they had completed the second phase of training, he planned to unwind and take care of his physical needs.
If he could run into that cute girl in a camisole from last time, that would be even better.
But just as the three of them finished changing into casual clothes and were about to head out for dinner, a strikingly sexy, yet undeniably alluring, E6-level officer—despite being Black—approached them.
Clay and Brian didn't recognize the woman, but Long Zhan immediately recognized her.
Though her appearance meant that his chance to relax and unwind that night was gone, thinking about what was about to happen made his physical needs seem trivial.
The woman was Diaz Davis, the logistics sergeant of Team B, in charge of handling all logistics for the team.
She managed everything from preparing operational supplies to conveying various requests from the team members to higher-ups and relaying information from the higher-ups to specific team members.
Now that Diaz had appeared before Long Zhan, it meant the external support slot for Team B was about to be revealed.