Chapter 10
" So, how were your 6 months in h.e.l.l? Still ready to take on any challenge I throw you? The taller man asked, a grin upon his face.
" If that was your best, there ain't nothing you can throw at me that can scare me, old man. '' answered the shorter one, an arrogant smile on his lips.
" Old man? How dare you? You know you've told me your real age right? You are way older than me. "
" Well maybe, but I look so much better, Haha. "
These 2 men were Commander Joseph Landon and Special Agent Henry Calvert. Commander Landon had opened up to Henry quite a bit over the 6 months of his training. He had kept watch over his results and after being thoroughly impressed with Henry's progress, he had contacted him to keep in touch. Henry had become quite the deadly fighter and a very accurate shooter. Of course this was mainly due to his ACC. He had even earned himself a nickname.
" What's this about your weird nickname though. Crimson Mantis. Sounds like an ugly bug I would want to squash. "
" Yeah Haha, I would like to see you try that old man. " said Henry, a smug look in his face.
" Hmmm. Is that a challenge Henry? You know I didn't become an officer by twiddling my thumbs right? I earned that in mud and blood. Just like this scar in my face. " smiled Landon.
" Yeah about that scar, I've heard some stories on how you got it. But none seemed real enough to believe. How DID you get it. "
" Tell you what smarta.s.s, beat me in a duel on the VCP and I'll tell ya. I'll even lower my strength to yours. Make it a fair fight. "
" Fist fight or armed? " asked Henry with a smile.
" As you seem fit. Be at your best. I've wanted to crush that c.o.c.ky att.i.tude of yours since we met. Might as well be now. " Landon said with an evil grin.
" Okay, but don't you come crying to me later. "
Landon let out an honest laugh. And with that laugh, they both stopped talking till they got to an army base, located near the coast of the main continent.
The Virtual Combat Platform, or VCP in short, was a tool the military used to train their soldiers in
real combat. It would simulate your body and transmit it in a program to engage in mêlée combat without risking injury.
Henry was looking forward to test out Landon's combat strength. He wondered if he could take him on now. His training had paid off, he knew it.
His best guess was that Landon thought the training has been greatly improved by the AI. But in fact, Henry had only relied on the System the first few weeks. The rest had been mostly his hard work. Of course he still took a.s.sistance from it for tough manoeuvres, it was a tool after all. But he had taken his own skills to a new level on his standard. He had asked the System to run simulations with his new skill set against the scout party he had encountered on Earth, and he had annihilated them. He was now a notch stronger than Captain Hart too. Enough for him not to rely on the AI at all if he were to fight him again. Of course that wouldn't happen. Captain Hart was dead.
Henry and Landon agreed on taking a night's rest before their fated showdown. Landon had been sly enough to tell Henry 'he would need it'. They both went to rest after their day spent travelling, both looking forward to test the mettle of their opponent.
The next morning, Henry got up, a pep in his step. He was very excited to face off with Landon. He had heard many stories of his combat prowess during his training and he wished to test out his new combat style on a worthy opponent.
Henry knew that Commander Landon had watched his progress and fight recordings. Unfortunately for Landon, Henry had also been training at night.
At the beginning of his 6 month h.e.l.l, Henry had discovered he could sap energy from
So he was getting Tamarain blood transfusions every week, as upon their calculations, one dose gave him one week. But he was in fact getting 2 weeks from each dose. And that was perfect for his use, since for every day he wouldn't sleep, he lost a days worth of extra lifespan. He knew he wasn't gaining any time from this hack. But at least he was gaining knowledge and technique.
Arriving at the base's training facilities, Henry saw Landon standing near the entrance, waiting for him.
" You're just on time Agent Calvert. " said the Commander. They had agreed during the transport to stay official in the presence of other soldiers. This is the military after all.
" I'm always on time Commander. You thought I would run from our fight did you? " Henry mocked
" Well I had my doubts. " answered Landon, a c.o.c.ky smile on his lips.
" Then it's time I show you a man's resolve. "
And with that, both men went into the facility. People inside saw both of them coming in and heading for the VCP pods. Wondering what was happening, many of them started turning their comms devices to the military grounds channel and logged on to the VCP community. They could all watch the match from the military closed network if they wanted.
In the next moment, both men appeared in a virtual replica of an old Earth monument. The Coliseum. Landon looked at Henry with a smile.
" Nice choice of venue Calvert. Brings back memories maybe? "
" Aha, shut it Landon. We both know I'm not that old. "
" Well who knows. You might have seen this structure in your young time. I know I haven't. "
" Are we going to fight, or are you gonna trash talk me to death? " said Henry with a c.o.c.ky tone. He knew Commander Landon was a patient man, but he still wanted him to attack first.
" Okay then, but first, will you be armed or are you going bare fisted. " asked Landon.
" I'll be armed. Double kukri. There are a few tricks I would like to try on you. "
" Fine, I'll go bare fisted. I'm sure I don't need my weapons on you. You're still wet behind the ears anyway. "
Henry smiled. He wasn't going to go easy on him. To him, it was a mistake from Landon's part to underestimate him.
" Hah, don't regret it later then. " and with that, the fight began.
Both men lunged at each other, their speed equal, as Landon had lowered his body's physique to have an honorable fight. Getting closer to each other, the Commander threw a punch at Henry's face, at a speed still barely perceivable for the onlookers.
But before it hit, Henry had already s.h.i.+fted his body out of trajectory, as if he had never meant to go that way. Bringing in his knife towards Landon's face, right before it hit, Henry moved the blade away from it. At the same moment, Joseph had leapt back, resulting in Henry's wrist and blade forming a perfect V shape behind Landon's neck, latching on to him and following him in his jump.
In the process of flying with Landon, Henry brought his other knife in a V opposite to te first one. He also s.h.i.+fted his body to the side and plunged his right knee into Landon's side. When Joseph landed, that momentum and positioning transformed into a spinning force, which in turn, flung Henry around Joseph, his knives latched around his neck.
The head was hewn cleanly off of Joseph's shoulders, flying into the distance. Henry spun another turn in the air and landed on his feet a few meters away.
The spectators were voiceless. Most of them thought it was a fluke. Some with more experience thought it was little more than a lucky guess.
But to Landon, who had reappeared in the center of the arena, things had gotten serious. He had seen the killing intent in Henry's eyes the second he had thrown his punch. It was that look, that had made him try to fall back. He had seen the knife coming but had thought he could dodge it. He understood the real intention of Henry when he had unfolded his wrist and locked onto his nape. He had played right into his hands.
Now he was willing to go in with more focus. This had just awakened his intent to fight for real. He was not going to fall for that twice.
" It seems I might have underestimated you Agent Calvert. Do you mind if I also arm myself this time? "
" Sure thing Commander. I was hoping you would take me seriously the first time though, answered Henry, with a faked tone of sadness. You should also fight with your real strength. " he added.
" Don't get ahead of yourself now Calvert. I still have way more experience than you. It just simply wouldn't be fair. " Landon said.
A pair of gloves with steel knuckles appeared on the Commander's hands. He also brought out a pistol, which he attached to his hip.
" I wont go easy on you this time, rookie. "
" Ohh? Do you mean I can get serious too? " asked Henry with a smirk.
" I guess I'll stop fooling "
Landon didn't let Henry finish his phrase. He dashed right at him clenching his fists. The moment his fists were fully closed, electricity started streaking off the gloves. With shock, Henry's eyes opened wide. Jumping back to dodge the lightning covered fist coming straight for his face, he instantly realized he wasn't fast enough.
* BANG *
Henry's head blew up in a messy red mist. It was now his turn to re-appear in the center of the arena. Commander Landon didn't let Henry time to regain his composure. He landed, pivoted towards Henry, and dashed right back at full speed. Henry barely gasped for air and saw Landon coming right back at him. He understood that Joseph was trying to teach him a lesson. But he wasn't ready to abandon just yet. Making a plasma rifle appear in his hands, he started firing at his adversary while backing away. Trying to keep a safe distance from the Commander, he fired at him, taking strong side steps sideways and backwards.
A plan suddenly came to Henry's mind. Stoping right where he was, he continued firing on Landon, letting him get closer. His rifle suddenly mis-fired.
* click * * click *
Landon wasted no time. Lunging on his foe, he cranked back his arm for another deadly punch. Reaching his target, the fist was only a few centimeters away from colliding with Henry's face. But Henry suddenly dropped down, smiling at Landon. However, Commander Landon had a lot of combat experience. He knew his opponent would try this kind of tactic. He un-holstered the pistol from his hip and fired at Henry. The smile on Henry's face transformed into a grimace of pain. He took the hit in his left shoulder and crumpled to the ground. Landon picked him up and brought him at face height.
" Seems like you still lack enough cunning to trick me. You don't have experience yet Agent. Maybe in a few years. " Landon said, smiling. But his smile suddenly went sour. He heard a few clicking sounds and saw 3 metal pins drop to the ground. Henry smiled, revealing a grenade belt strapped at his waist.
" WHAT THE!! "
* BOOOOM *