A/N: This chapter is handled differently, as it's on the 3rd person POV. It's a cockfight between CEDA and the Military and one of the Survivors gets to, in so many words, tell them "fuck you." Don't be hatin' on who gets to be that. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: all recognizable characters (c) VALVe
Chapter 6: Demonstration
Just as he commanded, Sergeant Nathan Cole oversaw both the 30-man Regiment Foxtrot and the 4-civilian Team November file out in a single-file line at the secured yard. He had both Dr. McKinley and Dr. Holden at his left side, both women quite displeased at the interruption. "Is there a point to this?" McKinley hissed rather halfheartedly; this was just a dick competition and even though she physically lacked one, she knew she had Cole beat. "Just trying to get you scientists off your high horses," the California native soldier spat back with a boastful sneer. He then commanded both companies to make a circle, like good children, but turned to him.
"I see here a travesty to the Army and do you know why?" He yelled from his post. "No sir!" Everyone exclaimed in unison. "Because I see here thirty men and women who've trained under the Army's Code of Honor, under Old Glory herself, and made the cut mixed in with unqualified and undeserving civilians, that's why!" Cole made his point perfectly clear, making all four Survivors the targets of his 'demonstration'. "CEDA here thinks it can take over when it wants just because it got itself new toys. War!" The sergeant pointed at Rochelle and yet she learned never to break eye contact. "Sir, yes sir!" Cole then stepped away from his post and started to circle the young woman, "Do you think you deserve to be here?"
"Yes, sir!" Ro replied hardened; she and her friends didn't survive all that zombie shit and the experiment to get told off by this man. "Oh? Why's that?" "Because me and my comrades fought the Hordes by ourselves to get here, sir!" She could see Nick smirk defiantly while El and Coach nodded in agreement. "So if you're so good, why did CEDA make you into these things?" She couldn't help the smile when she answered, "Because CEDA royally fucked the situation and are trying to cover their asses, sir!" Cole and a few soldiers held back a laugh at the scientists' expense until she said, "And we ain't 'things' sir! We're human beings too, sir!"
Suddenly, Rochelle heard handcuffs slapped onto her wrists, binding her hands to her back. "Ro-" Ellis almost darted but was held off by Nick's hand and "Don't worry about it." "Is that so, War? Then let's put that to the test. Pvt. Warner and Vernon, stand in front! You two are going to demonstrate what proper training can do over the amateur," was the last order Sgt. Cole called out then stopped in his retreat. "Oh and one more thing," before he pistol-whipped her stomach.
"By the beard of Zeus, that hurt," Rochelle groaned to herself but had no time to recover as she could hear both soldiers' feet take off the ground and try to kick her while she was down. She skillfully dodged both by kneeling down in a split second, using her own momentum to stand up in front of them. Even with their abilities, Cole was right; they were still civilians who got a crash course. Wasting no time, Ro spun a roundhouse kick to knock both men to the ground. Dr. McKinley smiled satisfied at her creation's results. "Game to me, sergeant," she mocked while the soldier stood watch, unimpressed. "Something tells me that if you don't keep a check on them, you'll lose more than the game."
Both representatives of the two government agencies then quietly observed as their best products regrouped; one to congratulate their teammate and the other to see if they were still breathing.