I can upgrade the shelter-Chapter 783 - 681: The Situation in the Stronghold

After connecting with Chen Xin at the command center, Bob led his squad members to form a combat formation, escorting Chen Xin towards the base where they were stationed.

Unlike the somewhat casual approach on the way in, the return journey was different because protecting Chen Xin, an important figure, meant that Bob and his squad naturally took on the escort mission.

Even though Bob believed that the team of soldiers equipped with more advanced gear accompanying Chen Xin was sufficient to ensure his safety, Bob had not forgotten their need to ingratiate themselves with this distinguished person.

Therefore, Bob seriously aligned himself with the combat formation used for escorting crucial personnel, meticulously executing the task according to the manual’s requirements, guiding Chen Xin and his entourage towards the base.

Compared to the arrival, Bob undoubtedly moved a bit slower on the return trip, but they still returned to the base smoothly.

Along the way, Chen Xin watched Bob’s squad carry out the manual’s requirements as if they were performing, feeling pleased.

Although he also thought Bob’s so-called protection was quite meaningless, he was satisfied with Bob’s serious attitude.

In fact, unless the frontline collapsed, there might be a chance for alien creatures to bypass the defense line, elude the escort ships and the Falcon Titans patrolling the skies, and launch an attack on Chen Xin.

Simultaneously, breaching the protection of a squad equipped with Power Armor beside Chen Xin and the combat formation of Titan team surrounding him would be necessary to truly harm Chen Xin, who was heavily guarded.

Under these multiple security systems, Bob’s squad’s escort carried more symbolic significance than practical purpose, indicating their emphasis on Chen Xin.

Upon entering the base, the major who had been waiting for a long time quickly welcomed Chen Xin, and even formally had the soldiers in the base line up to greet Chen Xin’s arrival.

This made Chen Xin somewhat uncomfortable, and after a brief walkthrough of the process, he let the major disperse the people.

Due to space constraints within the base, only the Power Armor squad followed Chen Xin into the base, while the Titan squad parked their machines outside the base and deployed a protective formation.

Having returned inside, Bob did not disband his squad but kept them alongside the team next to Chen Xin, while he and the major accompanied Chen Xin, following him as he inspected the base.

The so-called inspection was essentially wandering around, spotting some problems, then resolving those issues.

Under normal circumstances, everything Chen Xin could see during an inspection should be arranged beforehand by the major, preparing the content for him to review.

However, before arrival, Chen Xin did not give prior notice, leaving the major little time to prepare, only enough to tidy up the base a bit to avoid too much mess, preventing any dissatisfaction from Chen Xin.

Yet even after a quick tidy-up, the condition within the base did not significantly improve.

This base was a permanent structure made of reinforced concrete, sturdy defensively but uncomfortable to live in.

With many soldiers living here, lacking bathing facilities, and the base’s ventilation being limited, when Chen Xin entered the soldiers’ living area...

He had to put his helmet back on again. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Sorry, Sir, they’re just some grunts, not familiar with etiquette, please excuse us." Seeing Chen Xin put his helmet back on, the major undoubtedly felt very embarrassed and somewhat anxious about any potential dissatisfaction from Chen Xin, promptly apologizing to him.

The major wasn’t wearing a helmet himself, so he could indeed smell the long-accumulated unswept stench due to lack of ventilation and the indescribable aroma from the soldiers’ warm feet mixed together.

Yet, having lived there himself, he had grown accustomed to the smell and found it tolerable.

Clearly, Chen Xin could not endure this smell well.

"Do you not have bathing facilities? You should pay attention to personal hygiene." Chen Xin wasn’t angry, but expressed his concern.

While explaining to Chen Xin, the major also subtly presented merit: "Sorry, Sir, although there are bathing facilities in the base, conditions are limited, so our soldiers can only bathe once a week. Everyone has to fight on the front lines daily, so naturally, we are rather disheveled."

"Forget it, it’s not your fault. I’ll discuss with your superiors later about improving your living conditions." Chen Xin did not delve deeply into this issue, but knowing the impact of soldiers’ living conditions on their combat effectiveness, he intended to address it with importance.

Aside from the unacceptable hygiene conditions, other problems within the base were not as serious.

After the inspection tour, Chen Xin was overall satisfied with his visit this time.

However, he didn’t leave immediately but chose some soldiers randomly, asking them about their living conditions and their views on current weapons and equipment.

Most soldiers reflected on issues related to heating and fresh food, but since Chen Xin already had solutions in mind, he didn’t focus too much on these problems.

Rather, the feedback from soldiers about weaponry and equipment caught Chen Xin’s interest.

The base received considerable equipment from Flame Country, with soldiers using most of it, including the Electromagnetic Rifle, Exoskeleton, and Power Armor, given its position at the forefront of resisting alien invasions, soldiers had developed their own opinions on these weapons.

"The Electromagnetic Rifle is indeed handy, but its fire rate is a bit too fast, an entire magazine of thirty rounds can be fired by pulling the trigger once."

"The Exoskeleton is practical, but the mounts are few; there should be more ammunition mounts to carry more rounds."

"Power Armor is excellent all around, but it leaks air, hoping the warming function could be enhanced by adding additional modules."

"During the frontline defense against alien strikes, major casualties are caused by descending flying units; the base needs a weapon capable of effectively deterring aerial threats."

Chen Xin meticulously recorded the soldiers’ suggestions as a reference.

After noting these down, Chen Xin looked at the major and asked, "Can the base see the frontline? I want to closely observe frontline operations."