The equipment check took over 20 minutes, but fortunately, Long Zhan and Klay had arrived half an hour early, so there was still some time to spare.
On top of that, the compliments sweetened the atmosphere.
When Long Zhan asked Diaz for a weapon change and specified he needed the upgraded M249, Diaz didn't refuse just because this weapon was rare and finding it last minute would be troublesome. Instead, he chose to help the charming young man.
Not long after Diaz returned to the base, members of Team B began arriving one by one.
The first to arrive was B4, Trent Sawyer, the team's medic and door breacher. Although Trent wasn't one of the main characters and rarely had solo plotlines in the TV series, Long Zhan had a deep impression of him. This was because Trent was a real special forces operator, and he came from the prestigious Delta Force—completely playing himself!
The second to arrive was B5, Brock Reynolds, a dog handler and reconnaissance specialist, who always had a military dog named "Hellhound" with him. His reconnaissance method involved using a portable computer to remotely direct the dog with cameras and speakers to search designated areas.
Both Brock and Trent had somewhat arrogant personalities, so they didn't bother greeting Long Zhan or Klay. Instead, they went straight to the equipment area to check their personal supplies.
"Hey, big guy, want some spicy chicken? It'll make your day better," Sonny greeted Long Zhan cheerfully when he arrived, offering some of the breakfast he had brought.
"It tastes amazing. If you hadn't become a special forces soldier, you'd definitely be the best gourmet," Long Zhan said, appreciating Sonny's straightforward, yet controlled nature, as he took a piece of chicken and began chatting with him.
"I'm Sonny, from the Quinn family. I'll gladly accept your compliment. I do like being called a gourmet," Sonny said indirectly, revealing his name. This gesture represented not just his demolition expertise and fire support role but also his violent tendencies, earning him the nickname "The Explosive Barrel." It also marked his acknowledgment of Long Zhan.
Like attracts like, and people tend to form groups with similar traits. It was clear that Long Zhan and Sonny had much in common.
"Hey, good morning, Jedi Knight! What's making you so happy?" Jason asked as he arrived, with Diaz sitting next to him in the passenger seat, returning to fetch the weapon Long Zhan had requested.
"Long, welcome aboard," Jason greeted as he got out of the car.
"Spicy chicken, it'll make your day better. Want a piece?" Sonny said enthusiastically, like a salesman pitching his product, before noticing Diaz sitting beside Jason. He smiled and leaned over, saying, "Spicy chicken, my favorite delicacy. Want to try some?"
Sonny, a single man clearly interested in Diaz, was straightforward about it, but Diaz wasn't interested. With a sigh, she jumped out of the car and said, "Don't you need to check your gear?"
"Wester, I've always thought you were the best logistics officer in the world. The gear you prepare for me, I never check it," Sonny flattered her.
"Good to know you like it," Diaz shrugged and smiled. She then turned to Long Zhan, who had just finished greeting Jason, and said, "The machine gun you wanted is in the back of the car. Go ahead and get it, I hope you like it."
"Thank you very much," Long Zhan replied as he walked to the back of the car. His eyes were immediately drawn to the gun lying there.
Due to time constraints, Diaz couldn't assemble a new one, so she simply grabbed the same model that Sonny used—an Mk46mod1 light machine gun.
The gun was equipped with an Eotech Exps3 holographic sight, an Eotech G33 flip-to-side 3x magnifier, a PEQ-15 laser aiming device, a Grippod grip, a SOCOM556-MG suppressor, a 100-round magazine for easier carry, and a folding stock more suited for close-quarters combat.
The modified Mk46, with all these upgrades, looked both powerful and sleek.
Long Zhan carefully lifted the gun from the back of the car and cradled it in his arms, gently stroking it as if it were an incomparable beauty.
No!
He was even more infatuated than with a beauty.
A beautiful woman couldn't keep him alive on the battlefield, but this heavily modified Mk46 could.
Seeing that Long Zhan's requested weapon was the same as his own, a fellow lover of heavy firepower and big weapons, Sonny, who already thought Long Zhan was his type, liked him even more.
In a good mood, Sonny, who knew the ins and outs of these accessories, eagerly started explaining to Long Zhan.
He shared all his knowledge and experience accumulated over the years using this weapon as part of Team B's fire support. As a professional machine gunner, Long Zhan knew this was a rare opportunity.
So, he seized the chance to humbly ask questions, eagerly absorbing Sonny's experience to improve his machine gun skills.
Seeing the two of them engrossed in their conversation, Jason and Diaz exchanged knowing glances and decided not to interrupt. They walked together into the cockpit.
There was still plenty of work to be done between the captain and the logistics officer.
Finally, the last member of Team B, B2—Ray—arrived, just 5 minutes before takeoff.
But Jason didn't seem bothered.
He understood that Ray's wife was about to give birth, and at times like this, couples were inseparable, wishing they could spend 25 hours a day together.
...
The C17 took off from Florida and crossed the Atlantic, heading to Africa—a long journey ahead.
After takeoff, everyone began focusing on their tasks. The intelligence officer, Mandy, and commander, Eric, needed to stay in constant contact with all relevant parties, monitoring the movements of the mission target.
The makeshift command center in the middle of the cabin became their sole workspace.
Jason, Ray, and the five official members of Team B began checking and organizing their personal gear to ensure they could act immediately once they landed.
Long Zhan and Klay, having already checked their equipment, became the most idle in the cabin.
With time to spare, they gathered to chat.
"I want to add a hammock here. Back when I was with SEAL Team 2, every time we took a C17, there was always a spot for my hammock," Klay said, imagining his new life with Team B.
"Hammock? Klay, you're old school," Long Zhan chuckled, taking out a chocolate bar to replenish his energy. While eating, he teased, "If it were me, I'd want the space right in the middle of the cabin. I'd put down a two-meter-wide bed, lay out a blanket, and cover myself with a quilt to sleep. Why the quilt? Because it's cold up there, and I'm afraid of catching a chill."
In the original script, Klay's idea of adding a hammock nearly annoyed Diaz, who almost threatened to throw him off the plane. Long Zhan vividly remembered that moment, both teasing Klay and warning him not to get too comfortable with such silly ideas.