Mulan Part 4

General Huā Part 4

Unfortunately, the recruits’ hopes were dashed not long afterwards as they simply jogged through the warehouse. The warehouse was not their final stop. Instead, they passed through another larger gate behind the warehouse and entered the forest once more. However, unlike the usual long run, General Sheng led the recruits to a rocky wall with lots of bumps. Although the rocky wall was like a small mountain, it was closer to the size of a tall hill. One would notice a tiny glinting spark at the top of it.

General Sheng then glanced at the recruits before stating, “This is a very simple test to see if you are ready. Notice the glinting spark at the top of this small rock mountain? That is a beacon we have set up up there, and all you have to do is climb up this mountain with your identity chip. Inserting your identity chip into the beacon will light it up, telling us that you have completed the test. After you complete the test, we will allow you to use the mechas in your daily training from then on.”

The crowd of recruits clamored in excitement as some recruits were already cracking their knuckles ready to try.

“Of course, to help you on your climb, the friendly soldiers at the base decided to provide you with some special tools that you must wear. The friendly soldiers even left their signatures on these special tools. So, you shouldn’t reject their good deeds as without these the signature registered in these tools, even if you make it to the top of the mountain, your results will not count,” General Sheng continued as a couple of mechas descended nearby with large boxes.

The boxes were then opened to reveal racks of what seemed to be metal skeleton suits with a helmet attached to the suit. General Sheng then stated, “These skeleton mecha suits are pseudo mecha suits built for trainees like you. Just like mechas, they connect to your nervous system and brain, allowing you to sync with them as if they were your body. Of course, special adjustments have been made on them to help you learn how to balance yourself when you pilot a mecha. You simply have to wear these suits and climb to the top of this mountain, and you will be allowed to pilot a mecha. Do not worry as we have the suits in all sizes and shapes so that no one will be left out. Today will be a free day where you can try these suits all you want. After today, we will go back to our daily routine and you will only be able to practice with them after our training. So, don’t hold back, go on and give them a try.”

Of course, the hidden implications in General Sheng’s words were ignored as the recruits were raring to try these suits and climb the mountain. After all, the reward will be becoming a mecha pilot! The recruits rushed up to find the suit that fits them and hurriedly put them on. Xiao Huā was no exception as she excitedly put on her suit.

When the helmet of the suit snapped onto Xiao Huā’s head, Xiao Huā heard a voice stating, “Synchronizing…”

Xiao Huā was the most worried about this part as the rumors were that women can’t synchronize that well with mechas. As Xiao Huā waited for her suit to synchronize, she noticed some recruits already moving around in their suit albeit in a weird way. Some of them even decided to simply sit on the ground while some were walking as if they were dancing. Before Xiao Huā can ponder further, the voice in the suit resounded once more, “Synchronization completed. Activating special training program.”

Then, Xiao Huā felt her world turn upside down as her face planted directly onto the ground. Fortunately, the suit had limiters that restrict the range of motion to certain areas or Xiao Huā might have already become injured due to how frantically her arms and legs were flailing about. Xiao Huā hurriedly did her best in calming herself down, telling herself to not move a muscle. Eventually, the flailing calmed down as Xiao Huā laid flat on the ground with an occasional twitch once in a while.

“Wow, your synchronization rate must be very bad,” a gruff voice resounded.

Xiao Huā glanced over to see Xiao Yao slowly crawling over on all fours. Xiao Po was sitting not far behind him as Xiao Po tried to move his hands. Xiao Huā could only smile wryly back in response. It’s not like she can tell them she is a women now can she?

It was at this point that General Sheng’s voice resounded once more, “I’m sure many of you should have noticed by now that you are having difficulty controlling your suit. No worries, this is normal. After all, all these suits have been adjusted to magnify all your thoughts by 10 times, hence any thought you would have of moving will cause a much more exaggerated motion. Although piloting a mecha is not as exaggerated, but it is similar hence this is a good way to train. Feel free to wear these suit anytime, even during the normal training. If you think the suit is too much for you, you can take it off anytime by simply thinking of deactivating it. After a confirmation, the suit will detach itself from you, returning you your normal movements.”

At this point, some of the recruits had already deactivated the suit as they sighed in relief. Xiao Huā was also planning to deactivate her suit; however, General Sheng’s next words stopped her in her tracks, “I know this may be difficult, but let me give you an incentive then. The first person that is able to activate the beacon on the mountain will get to choose their own custom mecha. The recruits department is always willing to fork out a sum for outstanding recruits.”

After that, General Sheng strolled off while stating, “Now, you may choose what you want to do from now on. I will see you all at the training grounds tomorrow.”

Some of the recruits decided to follow the general to head back to base. Some continued to attempt to control their movements, with Xiao Huā being one of them. When Xiao Huā heard about being able to choose her own custom mecha, all thoughts about giving up has flown out of her mind. She began to try to control each part of her body bit by bit in attempt to stand up. Xiao Yao and Xiao Po decided to accompany her as they had nothing better to do anyways. Hence the trio practiced for hours. Eventually, Xiao Huā was able to stand up albeit awkwardly. She then spent another couple of hours learning how to walk. After a couple of hours of falling, Xiao Huā finally was able to take small steps albeit occasionally falling.

By the time Xiao Huā was able to walk normal steps without falling, the sky was already dark. Xiao Yao and Xiao Po deactivated their suits as they decided to head back to base. Almost all of the recruits are gone by this time, but Xiao Huā decided to continue practicing as some of the recruits were already beginning to climb the mountain! Hence, Xiao Po told her that he will save her some rations before heading off with Xiao Yao. Xiao Huā continued to practice into the night as she began to take bigger steps with attempts in running.

Hours later, Xiao Po bumbled back with rations as he told Xiao Huā that it was time for bed. It was then that Xiao Huā noticed that everyone was already gone and she was the only one left. Xiao Huā thanked Xiao Po for the rations before sitting down and consuming them. Afterwards, she told Xiao Po to head back first as she wanted to practice a bit more. Xiao Huā practiced into the night until she was exhausted. Then, she headed back to base and went to bed, even forgetting to take off the suit.

The next morning, Xiao Huā went to the training ground as usual while a lot of queer stares were thrown her way. It was then that Xiao Huā noticed she was still wearing her suit. She was preparing to take it off when General Sheng showed up.

General Sheng noticed Xiao Huā with the suit and he couldn’t help but nod in approval as he stated, “Since you have decided to wear the suit for the training session, don’t take it off.”

That statement simply stopped all Xiao Huā’s thoughts of taking off the suit as she could only exasperatedly sigh. Hence, General Sheng jogged off once again with the recruits following after him. Although Xiao Huā had practiced how to walk, running was still a difficulty for her, but she still ran off after the group. Not long after, Xiao Huā fell for the first time. Then, the second. Then, before she knew it, she was covered in dirt and mud of the forest. Still, Xiao Huā gritted her teeth and continued on as she decided that this was a good way to train anyways. Falling and getting back up, Xiao Huā eventually fell far behind, but she still did her best to keep track of where the group is, and it was fortunate that she was much more familiar with the route now.

The run continued and by the time Xiao Huā made it back to base, it was already past dinner time. Fortunately, Xiao Po saved her some rations which she quickly consumed before heading off for a quick bath to wash off the mud and dirt. Although Xiao Huā was tired and desired to sleep, she decided to head to the small mountain to practice more. Hence, Xiao Huā’s routine continued as she practiced more and more with her suit. Eventually, a week passed and Xiao Huā has finally got the hang of running with the suit on. Hence, Xiao Huā finally decided to try for her goal, climbing the mountain.

Although a week has passed, no one has succeeded in climbing the mountain yet. Some had already gave up while those trying still couldn’t make it halfway. The suit’s special adjustments simply made it too difficult even for those with good synchronization rates to control their body parts. After all, good synchronization does not equal good control. Still, Xiao Huā stared up at her nearly impossible goal as she made the firm resolution to surpass this obstacle.