Chapter 55: Formation of the Elysian Militia

Within the week, Yuki had rallied the citizens of Elysium behind Dean’s cause. She began to speak as the Oracle, and her decrees were followed to the letter. The day that followed saw all of the available population gathered for two hours of basic firearms training.

Since Dean was occupied training the Peltasts, Daniel took charge, and the Hoplites assisted him.

They handed out rifles, without ammunition, first walking the boys and men of Elysium through basic functions.

How to zero their sights, how to insert a magazine and load a cartridge, how to operate the safety, and eject the spent magazine.

Most of what was taught was basic firearms manipulation and safety. Drilling it through their brains with dry fire exercises rather than live ammunition.

Rifles, pistols, and shotguns were the general weapons given out. And most of them had been scavenged from the corpses of Lorenzo’s war band.

The largest problem that the Militia faced currently was ammunition shortage. While the Hoplites made use of 5.45×39, 7.62x54r, 9x19mm, 12 gauge, and the occasional 12.7 × 108 mm rounds.

Many of these weapons scavenged were chambered in either Union of Columbia government standards, or various civilian hunting cartridges.

From Dean’s perspective, he had prepared a stockpile of ammunition for his chosen weapons, and the ability to reload more in his workshop.

But ammunition supply was definitely a long term problem for Elysium’s ability to defend itself. Especially when they no longer had a standardized supply chain.

This became abundantly clear after the first day of basic training. And Daniel approached Dean, requiring a solution. To this, Dean’s method was simple.

He had already spent a considerable sum of ammunition ensuring that the hoplites received the training necessary to defend Elysium and the frontier beyond the safety of its borders.

While dry fire had been used where ammunition could be spared. The fact remained that the militia had still required to burn thousands of rounds over the course of the last month, to ensure their training became muscle memory.

But for the Elysian Militia, such advanced training was not required. Instead, Dean had taught Daniel how to model their training after that famously used by the National Liberation Front during the Dai Viet War.

Three rounds per day, that was the limit to each member of the Militia. The rest of the two-four hours of daily training was spent with dry fire across the big five disciplines.

It was an effective way to raise a militia, assuming one had enough time to cement the training into their minds and nervous system.

Eventually the week came to an end, and with it, so too did the time Dean had to properly prepare for the hospital raid.

That night he arrived at his home and quickly found himself soaking in the hot tub. As always, his focus was elsewhere when he sat there in the steaming water. The bubbles and jets gently messaging his aching joints.

He was gazing off the balcony into the distance towards the vast frozen world beyond, when he heard the door creak open.

“I was wondering if you were coming to join me tonight….”

However, when he saw the foot dip into the water, testing its warmth, Dean was surprised when he looked up and saw Katherine standing there, blushing while wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around her figure.

Dean was stunned into disbelief as she sank into the water, holding the towel tightly to her body, and refusing to look in his eyes as she forced the conversation forward.

“Don’t look at me like that… You didn’t give me much choice. You have been so busy this week we were never able to meet up to discuss my swimsuit. And I needed to speak with you alone.”

Dean didn’t say a word. Instead, he simply allowed himself a very long look at the woman, and her full figure barely concealed beneath the towel. She could only sneak glances at his shamelessness, her embarrassment quickly being replaced with anger as Dean did not look away in the slightest.

But she restrained herself and sighed heavily while trying desperately to move things along.

“I needed to talk with you about the hospital…. You haven’t forgotten about what we discussed have you?”

Dean instantly snapped his attention back to reality when he realized the real reason behind Katherine’s arrival. And composed himself accordingly.

“Not in the slightest, what do you think I’ve been preparing for all week? Tomorrow morning I’ll lead the Peltasts on a reconnaissance mission to scout out the hospital. We’ll make sure there are no surprised waiting for us, and map out the area.”

Katherine was slightly perturbed that this was all Dean was planning to do, and was quick to press him on the issue.

“That’s it? You’re just going to map it out?”

Dean nodded his head, he could tell Katherine was impatient, and she had every reason to be. But he had his own reasons for being cautious.

“Yes… We’re going to gain intelligence on the current status of the hospital. And then we’ll formulate a proper plan on how to proceed. For all we know, another group of hostile survivors has already established the premises as their base of operations. It’s been weeks since you came here Katherine, things can change drastically in that span of time.”

Katherine immediately realized she had been a bit impulsive, and sighed heavily, her chest swaying in the water as she did so.

Dean instantly took notice of it, but chose not to be so shameless this time around as he focused his attention on the woman’s eyes.

He had made the right move, as she was watching his movements the entire time and tracking his gaze. But she didn’t comment on this.

“I understand… Now more than ever it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you have any questions at all, you should find me in my room before departing. I know the layout of that building like the back of my hand. I spent the majority of the last few years of my life inside its walls.”

Katherine didn’t say another word, she got out of the hot tub and scurried away, while Dean watched. He couldn’t help but sigh and shake his head, voicing his thoughts out loud only because he knew he was safe to do so.

“Damn… that woman is fine….”

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