Chapter 4: Training
"tick. tock. tick. tock."
The sound kept going through Alan's head. Time was almost up, there was nothing but anticipation and anxiety following the sounds. Once the clock reached its point, it would all be over. He sat in his chair, with his legs bouncing up and down, as he watched the clock slowly tick away until it finally reached its ending position. A loud ringing sound now surrounded the classroom.
"Well, that's it for the year, class." said the teacher, "I guess I'll be seeing you all at Commencement. Have a good summer."
The rest of the students began to exit the hallway, while Alan waited for everyone to leave, so that he could rush out ecstaticly. He then stood up, swung his book bag over his shoulder, and got ready to take off. He was then suddenly stopped by his teacher.
"Alan, before you go, I was wondering why I didn't get your RSVP to the grad ceremony."
Alan looked at him, wanting to tell him what's going on with his new responsibility, but resisted telling the truth.
"I got a job overseas, actually, and they need me to start next week. I've been wanting to get home all day so I can finish my packing."
"What will you be doing?" The teacher asked.
"I'm working for a charity organization. They want me to do stuff that will help the less fortunate."
"I see. Well, do keep in touch." The teacher said as he offered Alan a hand to shake. Alan accepted the shake, and nodded in appreciation, then left the room in a big hurry.
Upon arriving home from school, Alan dropped his bag off at the door. He ran upstairs and pushed his closet door open, revealing a large camping style travel pack. He pulled it out and pulled it on his back, then walked over to his desk where he picked up a letter with "Mom" written on it. He went downstairs, and placed it on the kitchen table.
"Sorry mom, This was the best way I could tell you about this." he said, as he took one last look around the house. he then departed, and then walked over towards the Baker farm.
The walk was rather simple for Alan this time. The anticipation that flowed into him during his first venture had subsided. As he went through the past conflict in his mind, he wondered what he would be expecting in the coming battle. There was no idea about how many G-Bracelets existed, nor did he know why they were here, or who is making them. The only thing he knew, was that this was the most excitement he has had in a long time. He realized this notion during the carnival a few weeks ago. He felt like he was in a rut, and the instant his computer spoke to him of the bracelet, he felt a new feeling of life within him.
As these thoughts rushed through him, he also began to think about the fight with the Heavyarms. Because of the phase shift armor, that fight should have been much easier, in his mind. The first use of the Freedom was his reason for fighting so sloppily. Which is why his leaving to train was the biggest priority for him.
Alan arrived at the still quiet Baker farm. As he approached the middle of the field, keeping out of view of passers by, he dropped his bag, and prepared for the beginning of a new life.
"Alan Drake! Freedom, Launching!" he shouted with excitement, as the glow of the armor surrounded his body once again. it faded and the Freedom was alive once again. Alan picked up his bag, and leapt into the air as his blue wings thrusted him into the air once more.
"Freedom," Alan spoke into his armor. "Display a map of the world, and show me possible deserted locations for training excercises"
Just then, Alan's eyes flashed with a transparent view of the world. and several islands started to flash with a red light.
"Display my location and current direction" he then said. as the computer created a green light moving towards an island southeast of his position. He veered toward that island as it was the closest.
Freedom's arrival to the island was swift, due to its excellent speed. Alan's bag was set down by a nearby tree, and Freedom moved into an open area.
"Time to start. Begin training mode: Target Practice" he said.
Freedom reached to its back and pulled out his beam rifle. It had a black handle in back with a trigger, and in front for more precise targeting. The top was white with a blue stripe outlining it, and beared a targeting light with a built in scope on the top. His eyes then began to see flashing targets and he started targeting them with his sight, and firing his rifle. There was no beam from the rifle, as it was only a training exercise, however, he was able to tell when a target was hit or not. His shooting was almost flawless, until the targets began to move. Alan had to predict their movements in order to hit the marks. Hitting the moving targets became more troublesome for Alan. Every time he would get used to the movements, they became faster and more complex.
His target practice continued for hours until eventually, it was nightfall. By the time Alan realized that the sky was dark, he realized he had been going for such a long time. He stopped his training for the night, and de-activated the Freedom. The armor disappeared as its energy returned to his G-Bracelet. Alan walked over to the tree where his bag was left, and pulled out some fruit. He took a bite of it and just looked out at the stars.
He eventually fell asleep, with preparations for his next day of training in mind.
A bright light filled Alan's face as morning rose. He awoke and looked at the bright light that was coming from a window. He rose suddenly and looked around. He was surrounded by walls, one of which were bars. A man was outside the bars, dressed in a military uniform, but not one he was used to seeing. It was a bright red, wth a gold collar.
"So, you're finally awake." he said. "Now how did you get on this island?"
