After the operational briefing and the pre-mission meeting, time had already neared midnight.
Only a little over six hours remained before the operation.
Originally scheduled to start in the evening, the "Rookie Show"—a characteristic culture unique to the U.S. military that blends the relationships between veterans and newcomers—had to be moved up.
It served as a warm-up atmosphere before the mission!
Under the direct organization of the Major commanding officer, everyone who had just finished lunch gathered in the movie screening room.
Not only Murphy's squad and Long Zhan, but also some members from the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) unit participating in the operation had come to join the Navy SEALs' Rookie Show.
More than 40 people squeezed together in a lively scene.
Although the screening room wasn't very large, its 50 seats downstairs were enough to accommodate everyone.
According to the usual rules of the "Rookie Show," Sean, dressed in deep navy blue physical training shorts and a short-sleeve shirt, paired with a rather mismatched pair of combat boots, arrived last to the theater.
"Sir, I'm ready."
Sean took a deep breath, clasped his hands in front of his chest. Dozens of eyes stared at him, and he looked just a little bit nervous.
Wearing nothing but shorts and being watched by dozens of older men indeed required some psychological resilience.
It was already impressive that Sean hadn't bolted away.
"No! No! No! Wrong."
The Major sitting in the center of the front row shook his head and said, "You should introduce yourself first, not report to me. Say something we don't already know."
"Okay."
Sean swallowed nervously, shifting his feet uneasily in place, scratched his nose, and said, "I'm Navy Petty Officer Sean—"
"Oh shut up!"
"Shut the hell up."
"You're in the wrong place, rookie. You should go back to kindergarten and introduce yourself there."
"That was a total failure. Get out and start over."
Before Sean could finish, the veterans below erupted in raucous jeers, cutting off all the rest of his words.
Though the veterans' behavior looked rude, it was actually the tradition of the Rookie Show.
Here, no one wanted a newcomer to give a report—they wanted the rookie to completely let go and show their true self.
Whether the veterans liked the rookie or not didn't matter; at least the rookie had to proactively integrate into the group.
"Quiet! Quiet!"
With the veterans making trouble, the Major took on the role of the stern disciplinarian.
He stood up, came over to Sean's side, and patted him on the shoulder to give the kid some courage, saying to everyone, "Give this kid a chance. Think about how you all were when you started."
Everyone present had gone through the Rookie Show. Back then, they had been teased and challenged by veterans too, and it was through the Rookie Show that they had fully loosened up.
Plus, the Rookie Show was originally an entertainment event, so the room quickly quieted down.
Sean obviously still hadn't grasped what the veterans wanted him to show and, in a wooden manner, said, "I am Navy Petty Officer Sean Barton—"
"Who the hell wants to hear that?"
"Shit."
"Shut up, shut up."
After waiting so long, the result was the same: the veterans mercilessly bombarded Sean again.
This time it was worse than before; someone even threw an empty bottle that clanged on Sean's head, turning the heckling into laughter.
More empty bottles and crumpled paper balls flew toward Sean.
Long Zhan couldn't stand it any longer and shouted to remind him, "Sean, show your special skills. Put on a show—we need something more exciting."
"Exciting?"
Hearing Long Zhan's reminder, Sean finally caught on and smiled knowingly.
"I know what to do now, guys. Give me one more chance, just one last chance. I promise I'll make you all happy."
Dodging the light objects flying at him, Sean cheekily begged the veterans for mercy.
Hearing such confident assurance, the veterans finally paused their dissatisfaction and cast expectant looks at him.
The Major also said with anticipation, "Go ahead, I'm looking forward to your performance, kid."
"Wait a moment."
Sean turned and switched on the movie projector's amplifier, picked a track as background music, then turned his back to the crowd, slightly sticking out his butt.
That posture alone was unusual, and the veterans' interest instantly piqued.
This kid was finally getting it!
As upbeat rock music started to play, Sean transformed into a sexy dancer, gyrating his hips with all the flair he could muster.
Add to that his 1.88-meter height and well-trained physique—
The whole thing was wildly entertaining!
The moment Sean began his sexy dance, the entire screening room atmosphere exploded with whistles and cheers.
Some even shouted requests on the spot.
"Move your hips more!"
"Neck, neck, move your neck along with it, swing together!"
"Turn around for a front view, let me see that seductive expression."
"Man, you gotta put your heart into it—expression, look like you're intoxicated."
Encouraged by the crowd's shouts, Sean's movements became larger and more flamboyant.
The more provocative Sean's dance, the livelier the atmosphere grew.
Some party-loving veterans in the audience couldn't help but start moving with him.
Long Zhan laughed quietly at Sean's dancing and muttered, "This guy really has talent. If he can't find a good job after discharge, working as a sexy dancer in a bar could definitely make him famous."
Sean danced enthusiastically, the veterans watched excitedly, and the dance ended amid lingering applause.
"Now, time to vote."
Murphy, very satisfied with Sean's performance, stood up and came to Sean's side. Facing the crowd, he said, "Raise your hand if you agree that Sean passes the Rookie Show."
Hands went up one after another—over twenty.
"I only agree with half of it. For the other half, I want to hear you talk about your dreams and why you chose to join the SEALs."
The Major's question was very formal, a sharp contrast to the provocative dance.
Long Zhan had always been curious about the motivations of pure Americans joining the U.S. military, so he eagerly called out, "Sean, come on, say a few words to everyone."
"Enough with the heckling. Be serious now." Marcus also turned serious.
The previously playful atmosphere gradually returned to formality.
Sean took a deep breath, composed himself, and said:
"My decision to join the SEALs doesn't conflict with my dreams.
My dream is to travel the world, experience cultures everywhere, face all kinds of challenges, and enjoy the beauty the world offers.
I can sweat profusely in bed, no worse than anyone else, and fight hard on the battlefield, no less than anyone.
I'm physically strong, with a thick chest hair.
I'm skilled at parachuting, bomb disposal, shooting—proficient in everything.
I've driven all kinds of vehicles, used all sorts of guns; there's nothing I can't do.
There's no unreachable sky, no unfathomable ocean, no impassable chasm.
Meaningful things are worth repeating. Only cowards choose the middle road.
I'm not perfect, but I'm always striving.
I dare to love, dare to break through, and have no fear.
I will use my actions, my efforts, to become the best SEAL possible and the most trustworthy teammate you can count on.
This is my ideal, and this is why I joined the SEALs!"