Hello everyone! I'm back and ready to keep writing. Sorry for the delay between chapter's 2 and 3 and also you'll notice this chapter is a LOT longer than the first two combined. I took some time to look at some stylings and when I was writing this chapter, it came out a bit short for my liking so I combined my ideas for chapters 3 and 4 together. I ended up liking this method a lot more and I found that taking a half-week to write has allowed me to collect and find resources for my writing. Anyway, enough author's note, enjoy the Chapter. C&C welcome!
Chapter 3: Hazing
I found myself standing in the middle of a resistance haven, specifically to the side of the haven square. I can detect the smell of numerous soups and stews being brewed through the settlement, a staple of haven living. All around me are workers and fellow scavengers, rapidly constructing a greenhouse from the bits of scrap and glass that has been scavenged from the leftovers of an XCOM raid.
I can see children 'playing', which I remember was just an exercise to prepare us for scavenging. The scavengers pooled all their loot in a pile and the children played a game to sort the pile out into whatever pieces they could and could not carry. As the children got older, the 'game' soon evolved to helping haul the scrap to projects in the haven and then helping the workers build the buildings. Soon enough, though, the children would wise up and realize that they were just used for extra labor since we did not have that many able-bodied men available. Most of the adults were on patrol, joined XCOM, or perished during the retaliation missions of ADVENT.
Of course, once you came of age, the issue of the 'game' never really mattered since you realized the truth while growing up. The 'game' even had some benefits, the children learned how to scavenge and how to build, key skill necessary for when we had to collapse our haven and move it piece-meal to safer locations. Apart from my mother, almost all the adults had some job that was deemed a 'necessary' job to fulfil in the haven, as was directed by our haven overseer at the time.
Every man and woman had some necessary secondary job in case of unexpected deaths. Mr. Marlen was a builder and a patrolman; Mrs. Tenner was a physician and a laborer. My mother, though, she was a baker and a farmer. If you could call her small cart of movable plants a farm and if you could call a small toaster oven that occasionally sparked her bakery. The overseer never liked that my mother chose an 'unnecessary' job. In fact, quite a few people admonished my mother for being 'selfish' for choosing baking, what they called a simple life pleasure, as a secondary profession. Those that made food all made various soups and stews, which were easily made and transported and could be made without electricity. Baking, however, required a list of ingredients to work, an oven of some type, and needed far too much time to produce food. Even then, the quality of the baked goods never reached the standard to trade. As such, her bakery was labelled mostly as a joke and drain on resources, but my mother let it bother her.
When I was growing up, I wondered why my mother was always talked down to and got into fights with other children who, in retrospect, merely repeated the insults their parents said behind my mother's back. However, it was not until I met my father that I realized why the overseer had allowed my mother to keep her position and did not evict her from the haven like many others.
Our haven was under the protection of the Templars and, in emergencies, XCOM. The Templars would enter the haven on monthly visits, somehow knowing whenever we moved the haven, which led to no small part of suspicion by the havenfolk.
I saw a small youth running with a small bag, his tanned skin laced with sweat as he ran excitedly down the street. I followed the apparition of my youth.
I remember hearing that not just one, but two had arrived when I was sent out to pick up a small bag of flour from the scavengers. The excitement of meeting one was always impossible to suppress, let alone two at once. I could not have been 9 years old when I ran to our shanty house, I saw my mother in a blue apron fiddling with her toaster oven. She was wearing a t shirt that was one size too big her that had a graphic of a nine-sided polygon and long, brown sweatpants on when she turned to me. One downside of being part German was we had pale skin; my mother had said. For her, it was even worse as she had ghastly white skin, almost looked like the pieces of marble I had seen in magazines. She had short, curly, auburn hair that went down to her shoulders and her hazel eyes held a warmth I have never seen anyone ever have since our separation. She smiled and spoke to me in German.
"You're back so early! What happened Siegfried?"
"Mama, mama, the Templars are back, and this time there's two of them!"
My mother's smile, for the first time I had seen, vanished as she looked at me confused.
Suddenly I heard a commotion from outside and I walked to the window as my apparition cowered behind my mother's apron.
I could see two Templars, one in a black and orange training garment and the other in a more regal outfit. The second Templar had a yellow outfit with bright purple accents, small golden pauldrons and knee guards glinted in the midday sun. His helmet was not like the other man's, his helmet had a golden glint to it as opposed to the silver coloring of the traditional Templar helm. A small purple cloak wafted behind the golden man as he knocked on my family's door.
I heard my mother whisper a small prayer in German before allowing the men to come inside.
The orange Templar immediately entered and removed his helm, revealing a fine face with a hard jawline, piercing emerald eyes, and a shaved head. I remember seeing the man walk up to my mother and give her a long hug, which soon settled into a passionate kiss. I was confused, who was this man that came into my house and laid his hands on my mom?
I pushed between them and looked angrily at the man, Templar or not, no one does that to my mother. What caught me off guard was my mother's laughs. Eventually the man crouched down until he was at eye level with me. I noticed he had tan skin, just like mine and his eyes, despite being green when he walked in, slowly shifted to a pale purple color. He simply smiled at me and spoke.
"Mira Stephanie, mi Niño tiene un espirito de un guerrero."
I realized he was speaking Spanish and I could only pick out a few words, like spirit and son.
He laughed and spoke in accented English, "Well my son, I suppose it's time to say hello to your Papa!"
I saw my mother laugh and turn away, while the golden man simply folded his arms and looked on silently.
To my young mind, I could not believe what was happening. I was the son of a Templar? I never took the Templars for liars or being deceitful, so I decided it must be true. But then another question rose in my mind.
"Why weren't you here papa?" At this direct question, my father looked down sadly. "Why weren't you here for mama when the people here picked on her or called her names?!"
"Mi hijo escucha," he said something more is Spanish, but I remember the word 'son' and 'listen' in there.
"I swore an oath to the Templars after you were born. We have been fighting to stop the elders and free us from what they are doing. I do not think you will know what I am talking about, but soon you will. While I was not here, I was thinking about the entire time. To not be here for you, or your mother, was the hardest decision I ever had to make in my life." He cupped my cheek with his hand, and I saw the slight formation of tears in his eyes.
"Now, it's time you join us hijo,"
I saw my mother gasp and covered her mouth. "Alphonse, you can't be serious? He's just a boy, you already left out lives you can't take what I have left in this place!"
That was the first and only time I ever heard my mom yell or get angry. Sure, she got annoyed at a few things, but never angry.
"Stephanie, I know that I don't deserve your forgiveness, or your apology," At this my father's face grew soft, but he retained some grit in his voice, "But Siegfried is in danger here, especially if his powers awaken when we are not here. The prophets in the Templars have foretold that my son would join the Templars as one of their greatest warriors. It is vital we invest in his potential now, before the next retaliation, or worse, the Elders take him!"
The golden man then spoke, for the first time since arriving. "Knight Alphonse speaks the truth Mrs. Ramirez," the man had a commanding tone with a hard, gravelly voice. "The seers are seldom wrong, and while I know this is hard for you, I will make you a promise."
My mother looked at the golden man skeptically, "What promise would that be, that you'll train him to be a perfect killing machine like some of your order? Or that you'll make sure his gifts are used to suit your needs?!"
The man stood silent before removing his helm, revealing a shaved head and a grim, furrowed brow set amongst the most dreadful eyes I have ever seen and known since. This man held a stern look, as If he had never smiled once in his life, or as if he had consigned himself to a life on combat, which he most assuredly had.
The man simply stated, "I am Geist, Lord of the Templars, and I give you my solemn promise that he shall learn at my side; I will bring out his fullest potential, ensuring that once the Elder's corpses lay at our feet and we master the powers they leave behind, all the Templar shall go free to live the lives that were stolen from them by the Elders. Upon your honorable name, and mine own, I swear it." At this he kneeled and bowed his head.
Both my parents were stunned into silence, my father had dropped into a kneel and was trying to convince the man to get up, to no avail.
Eventually my mother sighed, consigning my fate from that day. "Very well, Geist, see to it that no harm befalls my son, and that he retains his humanity, and I will agree to this."
Geist kept his head down as he said, "I agree to the terms of the bargain, Siegfried will learn to be a Templar as my squire, until he comes of age to join us as an initiate. Until the Elders are defeated and as long as Siegfried retains the memories of who he was when he was a normal man, he shall remain a Templar and fight by our side. Once the Elders are defeated, I will allow him to return to you and let him choose his life at that point."
My mother began tearing up and simply said, "Agreed."
With that Geist stood up and motioned for my father to pick me up. Effortlessly I was picked up and started feeling drowsy as I clung to my father's back. Before leaving in the Templar's borrowed transport, which sported an oddly deformed pentagon with an 'X' inside it, my mother grabbed something out of the toaster oven and wrapped it up before handing it to me, giving me a kiss on my check and praying as I was taken away. I gazed upon the skyranger as it lifted off and saw my mother bawling on her knees in the street. As I looked back up to the sky, I saw the skyranger slowly disappear in the sky as it spirited me away from my mother, the life I had, to my new home.
My eyes jolted open as the alarm on my wristcom went off. I turned the alarm off and took a brief shower, letting the water soak into my short auburn hair, a keepsake from my mother, who'd most likely be devastated at how I have had to cut it. I felt a small amount of stubble on my chin, realizing that my father's beard would most likely be growing in again. Although now that I am here in City 31, I could let my beard grow out.
I dried myself and did my morning chants to focus my wild psionics and reel them into line. A burden of many Templars is the controlling of the native energies of the planet and acting as locus of power. One doctrine we followed was the 'Power in Being' doctrine. It stated that every morning when we focus on our energies, we only take from earth what we need to fell as a full being. For some, particularly those that returned from a battle, more than 70% of their innate psionic energy had to be 'redrawn' from the earth, while those who trained their mind and endurance extensively needed to draw in more than their capacity to be a 'full being'.
While chanting I looked in the mirror to judge my power. I saw that my eyes still had some of my father's green to them but were slowly turning purple as my psionics became energized, eventually settling on an intense, amethyst color. Satisfied with my charge I exited my bathroom and found my formal Templar attire, the orange and black outfit worn by my father during his service. Putting the rest of my outfits and the half-eaten gift basket in my duffel bag, I left my room to begin my first meeting of Chimera Squad.
I walked down to the front desk and checked out of the hotel, but not before receiving a coupon for a local diner. I figured I would have to eat actual food at some point, but that would have to wait until I got my housing assignment from Director Kelly, which she mentioned should be given to me by the end of today.
I walked through the streets which seemed just as alive during the day as they were last night. Citizens came out with various collapsible stalls, food trucks, and food carts, peddling their wares. Hollers and calls came from across the boulevard, food, trinkets, baubles, and a whole assortment of goods. I was curious why the Chimera Squad HQ was located so close to this miniature bazaar, but I suppose that the hustle and bustle of the market could mask the more covert actions of the agents and I observed a 31PD station a few clocks away, the people here would not see anything wrong with an APC going through the streets. They took hiding in plain sight to a very literal level.
I arrived at the decrepit looking building, double checking the address on my wristcom. Surely Chimera Squad, no, even Director Kelly would not choose a place like this for their base. I heard footsteps behind me, and I spun on my heel, my right hand brought up in a guard stance while my left hand hovered on my autopistol on my left hip.
I was greeted by a hybrid wearing a large smile on his face, he was wearing some sort of combat garb and had a pistol at his side, the same make and model that Blueblood had. He was happily scarfing down a pastry with chocolate filling when he saw me and put his hands up in a non-confrontational way.
"Woah there friend, didn't mean to scare ya!" He voiced happily, his voice a bit more youthful than what I was expecting.
"You muff be the new guy, iff nife to meet you!" The hybrid tries to enunciate but his mouth is filled with puff pastry and chocolate.
"Are you a member of the squad?" I ask with trepidation.
He swallows heartily and clears his throat. "Yup! My name's Cherub, I gotta say it's a real pleasure to meet you! When Whisper said we were getting someone new, I spent hours trying to find something to get you to commemorate your addition." This hybrid, Cherub, certainly had a lot of enthusiasm and I could not detect any sort of negative emotion on the surface of his mind. The way he smiled so genuinely, it brought back memories of my home, memories that had to stay down until I rested in the night and relived them.
Shaking my head, I relaxed my posture and held my hand out to him, "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Cherub. My name is Siegfried, although you may call me by my callsign, Psion."
Cherub grabs my hand and shakes it energetically. "Well Psion, it's great to have you here. When we get in, I will give you the gift that Zephyr and Claymore helped me pick out. I hope you like it, and the team too. We're all a close-knit family here. Though Torque can be a bit prickly, and Zephyr will probably want to spar with you, but no family is perfect!"
My gaze shifts down slightly as the relived memories of last night come unbidden into my mind. I shake my head vigorously and pose a question to Cherub.
"So then, Cherub, how do we access the base?"
Cherub smacks his head against his forehead like a child who forgot something, "Duh! Of course, Cherub! Here let me show you." He walks up to what appears to be a mail post.
"First thing's first, on the side of this mailbox in a handprint scanner, that disables the proximity alarms on the door." As he says that he puts his hand on the mailbox, getting a small stain of chocolate on the side, and I notice the barest hint of a red scanning line going over his hand. I hear a small click and he walked up to the side door, which has a bulky handle that has a large indent on the top of the locking mechanism.
"Alright now here, you slide your Chimera Squad Badge into this slot on the top of the handle." He took out his badge and slid it down into the indent on the top of the door handle, which almost perfectly fit the groove. After a further click, Cherub was able to turn the handle and enter the building, with me in tow.
Inside, I was greeted with a sizeable open room, with an overhang that I assumed acted as a command center since it had multiple terminals and a holomap. Cherub and I were the first ones there, so he had given me a tour. under the overhang were a series of lockers, with an empty locker between one labelled 'Claymore' and 'Shelter'. Figuring that this was mine, I stuffed my duffel bag inside and followed Cherub. The Chimera Squad APC was on a small, raised platform, its steely blue hull shimmered in the morning light. Next to the APC was an impromptu sparring ring, head gear and boxing gloves laid on the sides of the ring, and I could feel the presence of some residual psionic energy in the ring, curious. I found a small intel board and a city map on a long table behind the locker area.
"What is this, Cherub?"
"Oh, this is the Spec Ops 'room'", Cherub said, putting finger quotes around room, "This is where we go on some mission or do work for Chimera Squad if we aren't on deployment duty."
"I see." Chimera Squad certainly kept its troops busy. In fact, Blueblood mentioned how he was on patrol, maybe that was his assignment while the rest were on deployment.
Following Cherub, we arrived at a small firing range in the back, the walls looked like they had seen better days, but I suppose being exposed to magnetic rounds on a somewhat constant basis would do a number on any structure.
After grabbing some water from the fridge in a lounge area, Cherub told me of some benefits we can enjoy with 31PD.
"So, since we are partnering with 31PD, you can call them for support anytime, you can go to their facilities if you want to train, although give Whisper and them some notice ahead of time, and you can even get some certifications through their outreach and training programs since those are proxies for the City 31 programs. Let's say that you got injured, which I hope you never are, and you can't continue with us in Reclamation, you can go to 31PD and go through some of their certifications to get you lined up on other job offers."
"It is quite a lot to take in, Cherub," I said trying to wrap my head around all the innovations and programs I had discovered the city offered, "but rest assured, I have no intention of leaving Reclamation until my duty here is complete."
"Your duty?" Cherub asked, looking at me with some confused anticipation.
"Yes, do not worry, I was told to explain it to this Whisper, who would them explain it to you all."
At that the side door opened and an older man with a blue jacket, shorts, and a small headset walked in. He was relaying some messages and talking into his headset while sipping a cup of coffee before he noticed Cherub and I conversing. He out a single finger up to us and quickly ended his conversation before fixing us with a gentle smile.
"Hey Cherub!" He exclaimed cheerfully, "I'm surprised to see you here early. And you must be the new recruit, Psion, right? My name's Whisper"
I shook his offered hand and stood at attention. "That is correct, Whisper, sir. My name is Siegfried Ramirez, callsign Psion, and I served with the Templars faithfully for years, I came here to assist you in arresting an individual that presents a threat to the stability of City 31."
Whisper was taken aback by my statement, "Um, okay then. Come with me up to the command room and let us process your intel before Godmother and the rest of the squad arrives."
I nod and follow Whisper up to the overhang where I can more clearly see the holo-display of City 31, various areas were highlighted in blue, yellows, and oranges.
"Ok Psion, give me the rundown." I take up the next twenty minutes explaining the same details I explained to Director Kelly and I see Whisper's face grow more concerned and his expression turning darker as I finish.
"Ok, so this is pretty bad." He finally says as the information finally sinks in. "But what exactly was the technology they stole?"
This was the question I was hesitant to answer. I could barely scratch an excuse to tell Director Kelly what they stole, but to an underling, there would be no excuse. I must think, what can I say to represent the severity of what she stole without giving away too much? Let me tell him about one of our more minor projects and see if that will suffice.
"Well, I'm not one of the researchers, but I think they were experimenting on a device that would alter our psionics."
Whisper gave me a confused look. "Alter? What do you mean alter your psionics?"
Excellent. "Psionics and how they manifest are extremely personal to the person that awakens." I explain, reciting one of the many lessons I gave and learned while studying my own psionics. "The uses are overly broad but can be group under the generalized use they fall under. Enchanters use their psionics to augment their own physical capabilities, Psions manifest volts of psionic force and other offensive abilities, Conjurers create physical objects with their psionics, and finally Seers perceive the flow of psionic energy in the earth to foresee events and actions."
I can see that Whisper is slowly understanding my message. It is no surprise, only those who have psionics themselves can truly 'feel' the distinction between these powers.
"Anyway, the device the researchers were working on would allow you to change the nature of your own psionics. Conjurers could undergo a procedure with this and begin to use the powers of an Enchanter, for example."
"So, what you're saying is that the Progeny can just override people's psionics and turn them all into Psions, turning them into offensive powerhouses?" A female voice said, coming from the stairs.
Whisper and I turned to the source and I saw a stern-looking black woman with short, curly hair looking at me.
"Ah, Godmother! You're here!"
Godmother nodded her head a small degree and walked forward. "I take it you are the new recruit, then? Psion was it?" She held out her hand.
I shook it, noticing how firm it was compared to the relaxed Cherub and Whisper. I stood to attention, noting how she carried herself, evidently, she liked things orderly, and she had a very attentive mind.
"That is correct, Sir! My name is Siegfried Ramirez, but my callsign is Psion. I look forward to working with you and your team and taking down the Progeny and Selina."
She nodded in approval. "You have some strong discipline and a respect for authority, I approve, but stand at ease." I relaxed my posture. "When we are on a mission, I lead the squad, but in here, we need to be treated on an even basis, otherwise the seniority can and will get to your head."
"Understood Godmother. You are quite similar in temperament as many of my Templar siblings and mentors, it is a shame you never manifested psionics."
She chuckled slightly, "I thank you for the compliment, but my place is in the battlefield, not as a religious monk, no offense."
I nod, "No offense taken. However, as you have already stated, the Progeny cannot be allowed to replicate this device. There's no telling how many individuals they have already taken."
"Agreed, however, you are new to Chimera Squad and you will need to undergo some basic training. While I do not question your combat capability, being a soldier is different from being an enforcer of the law or even a mediator for peace."
I understood her sentiment, perhaps that is one of the reasons Blueblood had been so distraught with that Sectoid Marvin, I was simply acting as a soldier, not someone who's goal was to maintain peace. This was some food for tonight's thoughts.
"I agree with your assessment, Godmother. I come from a place where order is expected and virtually no dissidents would resort to open violence. I would happily accept all assistance you provide in giving me proper training as a mediator of peace."
Godmother holds her chin between her finger and thumb, thinking as the side door opens and the rest of the team show up. I am greeted by a strange sight, I see Blueblood walk in, who smiles and waves when he spots me. However, the Sectoid, Muton, Viper, and other Hybrid that walk-in look at me with varying reactions, glad that I am that they cannot see mine own reaction behind my helm. The Muton looks at me with some mild intrigue and amusement while he walks beneath the overhang to his locker. The Viper and the Sectoid both share a cursory glance at each other, the Sectoid keeping a neutral but stern face while the Viper looks at me with a thinly veiled look of smugness and annoyance. The hybrid, though, stares daggers into me. I can feel small waves of annoyance and anger coming from her, which must be much greater should I remove my helmet and let my senses loose. The hybrid wastes no time walking up to the command room.
"Hey!" she shouts, cutting off the greeting by whisper and catching a few peoples' attentions.
I turn to her, "Yes? I take it you are a member of Chimera Squad. Pleased to meet you."
"I wish I could fucking say the same to you! Whisper! Why is there a fucking Templar here?!"
Godmother pipes in, cutting Whisper off yet again. "Zephyr. This is Psion, he was sent here by the Templar to help us take down the Progeny. He is a member of Chimera Squad and you will speak with some decorum. I don't know what your problem is, but you need to deal with it!"
That took a bit of the wind out of Zephyr's sail, but her anger changed subtly to resentment.
"I will tell you my problem with him! He and his 'Templars' all act holier-than-thou and proclaim how they will act towards the betterment of humanity, all the while using the powers of the Elders, the same power that enslaved humanity and all the other aliens!"
"The Elders," I said, trying but failing to keep my voice at an even tone, "Had power, yes, but what that power was used for is determined by who uses them! I wield my power for humanity's progress and to stand ready against its threats."
"Uh huh, is that right?!" As she gets more excited, I can hear more of an accent coming into her voice, but I cannot place it. "That's a load of bull! You Templars only looked out for yourselves. When XCOM came calling, the Reapers were willing to come to the negotiating table and what did the Templars do when XCOM announced itself to 'fight for humanity' like you? You hid and waited. In your high castles you waited for XCOM to come to you and ask for help, so that you could stroke your own egos at someone needing help!"
"The Templars fought for- "I tried to say but was caught off.
"ENOUGH!" Godmother shouted, a plain look of disappointment and anger on her face. "Listen, the war is over and done with. XCOM worked to bridge the gap between the cells and you two seem to want to break that up again just because of something that happened during the war. I understand there will be some tension between formerly opposing forces, look at Claymore and Torque, but I expect you both to put those feelings aside to work together. Siegfried, this will be your training for Chimera Squad and Zephyr, this will be a punishment for your disorderly conduct. Understood?!"
I bite back a retort on Skirmishers not being known to follow orders and simply nod my head. "Understood perfectly, Sir."
Zephyr stares down Godmother before looking away and scowling at me, I stare back at her noticing that she has no pupils at all, just grey globes, betraying no emotion, although I hardly needed to see her eyes to tell what emotions she felt, it radiated off her like one was standing on a sunny day.
"Fine, Godmother! I'll play along with your little 'team-building' exercise, but you just watch out for him."
I can see that Whisper and Godmother have things to discuss so I excuse myself and walk down the stairs with Zephyr, noting now just how large she is. She stands around the same height as me, but her muscles maker her appear to be a miniature muton. I can also sense very, very faint psionics under her emotions. Perhaps what Blueblood mentioned was true about her having similar powers to me. Although the knowledge that a Skirmisher had unlocked their psionics potential and fought like a Templar would make my blood boil.
We step down and see everyone looking at us, minus the viper and the Sectoid.
Zephyr just huffs, "Hey, this isn't a show, you all can piss off with your looks. And as for you, Mr. Templar, come to the ring."
I look to her, "I'm sorry?"
"What? You daft of hearing with that metal helmet on? You and I are gonna spar. We can't 'work on our teamwork' while we have all this pent-up aggression, ya?"
She was far more aggressive and frustrated than I was, however, I had planned on arranging a spar with her at some point anyway. I nod my head.
"Very well, will we be wearing protective gear or go at it as is?
She looked at me curiously, "Bare-bones, you alright with that tin-head?"
I nod, "I am, I simply wished for an agreement on how we'd spar. However, I ask to keep my helmet on."
"What? Why do you have to have that thing on, afraid you'll get hurt?" She added in a voice full of mock concern.
I can feel her goading me, but I cannot remove my helmet, especially when I am dealing with someone that is stoking my own emotions, one must be calm to control their psionics, and I cannot let them loose outside my helm in an agitated state.
"It is a Templar matter, accept it, or the spar won't happen." I state firmly. I begin to strip off my autopistol and my tempest gauntlets from my arms, do not want those going off accidentally, would we?
Zephyr simply rolled her eyes and climbed into the ring putting her hands up in a standard fighting pose.
I climbed in after her and put my hands together in a small prayer stance as I begin to breathe and focus my psionic energies into my limbs. I notice the other members of the squad crowd around the ring. The muton begins whooping encouraging Zephyr. Cherub and Blueblood begin yelling words of encouragement to me, with a bit of advice that I can slightly pick up. The Viper and Sectoid talk slightly, but I can hear the Viper placing a bet on Zephyr.
I stop my focusing and go into my own stance, with my palms open, as we begin circling each other slowly. The downside of her eyes not having obvious pupils means I cannot tell what she plans on doing, although she is also in that boat since I wear a helmet. After about 1 minute of solid circling and probing for weaknesses in her stance.
Then I see my opening she steps forward, preparing to strike a quick jab with her right arm. I quickly dash forward and push her fist to the side, bringing my right fist up into an uppercut. When I notice she is smiling, I realize my mistake. She has her other arm up and crashes her elbow down onto my rising fist. I feel an immense pain in my hand, hearing some popping as I realize she has enchanted her already considerable strength with psionics. I instinctively lean forward from the pain, in time to see her rising knee collide with my helmet. I feel more psionic force in her leg that in her arm as I am launched back into the rope on the ring. I try to flex my hand to return some feeling, but Zephyr is right on top of me and begins jabbing with both hands. I manage to block and dodge a few but I realize she is keeping me in the corner, stifling my movements and keeping me on the defensive.
I remember Geist's words in my mind, 'Never play by the enemy's rules. In a fight, use whatever your enemy is not expecting you to do.'
I project my psionics in front of me and bring up a large psionic shield as Zephyr's fists collide into the hardened psionics.
"OW! Hey, you can't use shields!"
"I do not recall you ever stating we cannot." With that I go further and push the shield towards her, knocking her back and giving me the time to regain feeling in my right arm. With both hands free, I push the advantage.
I go for a low sweep of my leg, hitting her leg, but even with my psionics I barely move her. In response, she follows up with a swift kick to my chest, which I soften with my right arm. Again, her psionics amplify her force in a way that should not be possible. There is an upper limit to how much psionics one can force through a limb and, while I admit she is stronger than me, there must be something else leading into the power.
I need to shake her up somehow. She goes for a straight and I hatch an idea. I use my open hand to grab and deflect her hand downward, with my hand holding hers, I can feel her psionics. They are flimsy, yet firm, like water trapped in a balloon. Focusing on my arm, I draw he own psionics out of her hand, and I notice with a keen fascination how her power flows from my hand to the rest of my body, and then my right hand like a wave. She untangles her hand from my own and I notice the small 'wave' moving back and forth over my arm. As she comes forward for another attack, I decide to punch forward which she readily tries to deflect. However, the 'wave' travels through my hand and into her arm when it makes contact, blowing it and Zephyr back.
"AGHH! Fuck!" Zephyr yelled, holding her forearm.
Seeing the opportunity, I leaped forward and aimed a kick towards her chest. Seeing this, she reflexively bringing up her defensive arm again. My leg collided with her arm and again she grunted in pain, evidently her arm was in bad shape from that blast. I followed up by extending my left arm forward, wrapping it around her good arm and moving towards her back right side, pinning it, and allowing me to throw three punches to her abdomen and a strong uppercut to her jaw.
What I was not expecting was her leaning back with my uppercut and bringing her foot up and around and into my helmet.
We both collapse to the ground, breathing heavily, my own breathing being stifled by the breathing correction filter in my mask, which comes out in a raspy flow. I can faintly hear some sort of talking going on before I realize that my hearing is muffled in my right ear. Dazed, I look to the right and Whisper is trying to talk to me, but he seems a bit fuzzy. I feel something warm dripping down my right side, damn. I stand up shakily and look over to see Godmother picking Zephyr up and talking to her. I begin to make my way to the bathroom before my balance beings to fail me. Luckily, Cherub grabs my arm and helps me to the bathroom. Once inside, I ask him for a medikit and to be left alone. After grabbing one from outside and hesitantly leaving, I remove my helmet.
Sure enough, my right ear is bleeding, there is swelling along my left cheek, and the right side of my jaw is beginning to swell. I can also begin to feel some faint pains in my neck, I am sure my head getting jolted around was probably not the best for my neck. After applying some basic first aid I stabilize my breathing and try to focus my psionics on me to reinforce the weakened areas of my body, I could not focus with my off balance and my helmet off. Instead, I just start feeling the emotions of those around me. I feel concern, worry, apathy, excitement, pride, a bit of disappointment, and some feeling of camaraderie. I put the helmet back on and walk outside. Cherub is immediately there to help me to a seat while Zephyr comes out, her left arm in a makeshift sling and a bandage over her chin. She is placed next to me as Godmother stands before us, her arms folded in front of her chest.
"The medikit will kick in soon, but I have to say, what were you thinking? If your blows were any more precise one of you could've died or been seriously injured!"
I coughed, "I would say it's a testament to our skill that we couldn't afford to land more precise hits."
"Regardless, due to your display here, we are down two agents. Psion, your neck, and ear will require some recovery time and Zephyr, we need to take you to a doctor to see your arm. Ultimately, though, this may be a great opportunity for you both."
Zephyr was about to speak up when Whisper piped in.
"You two are going to be off duty for a few days, we're going to see what the prognosis is on your recovery and hopefully by the time you two are back, your attitudes will be more accommodating."
The finality in Whisper's tone and the look of Godmother showed that there was no room for argument.
I simply nodded my head and went to grab my duffel bag out of my locker. Remembering the status of my lodging I asked.
"uh, Whisper, sir. I have just received my housing assignment from City 31, but I do not know the area well, can you assist me with finding my new home?"
"Oh, sure thing Psion. Here let me see your address." Whisper looked at the address and brought up a map in his wristcom. "Ok, you are staying in an apartment over in Riverside. Actually, your apartment is in the same complex as Blueblood and Zephyr."
A cruel twist of fate. At least Blueblood is there. Speaking of.
"Oh great, so you guys want me to take the wounded warriors over here back to their place?" He joked.
"No need Blueblood, I'll program the APC to drive you guys there." Whisper said softly.
Zephyr, Blueblood, and I clambered into the APC and strapped in as it left the base.
"Blueblood," I said, breaking the awkward silence that settled in the APC, "I met Cherub, Godmother and, well, Zephyr, but who were the others?"
"Ah right, you didn't get a proper introduction before you got a boot to the head. Well, the Muton's name is Axiom, he's a strong as hell fighter and he always been reliable. The Sectoid is Verge, he's a bit odd and sometimes a bit clueless, but he's a great conversationalist. The Viper is Torque, she is pretty distant with everyone and she prickly like a cactus, but I think that she cares deep down, like DEEP down." He chuckled slightly. "You know, I never would've thought that your first meeting with the crew would turn out like this." He motioned to Zephyr who was slowly nodding off in the smooth ride.
"I agree Blueblood, although my Lord Geist would be ashamed of me for my first actions here."
"Listen man, there's going to be people here that don't like you or even outright hostile but dealing with them is something that everyone's gotta learn to deal with. You stood up for yourself when Zephyr started calling you out and even fought her at her own game. I think you've gotten some respect from the rest of the crew, even Godmother."
I smiled, I may not be able to participate in the combat operations, but I can still integrate myself amongst the team, and gather or feed them info while I recover. Of course, the issue still stands that I do not have all their trust. The Viper, Torque, and the Sectoid, Verge, are hesitant towards me. I looked over at Zephyr, who was sleeping in the APC seat. She will be nigh impossible to earn the trust of, but the success of my mission hinges on me earning the trust of every member. Eventually, the APC slowed to a stop and Blueblood nudged Zephyr awake. We all climbed out of and saw a simple 4-story apartment building. It seemed new, not many stains or cracks or evidence od wear like the buildings around it had. Noticing me scanning over it, Blueblood piped up.
"This used to be an advent barracks, then it was used as a storage facility during the early days of City 31. It was recently renovated as an apartment complex, complete with all the modern amenities."
We were all conveniently placed on the 3rd floor, apparently the housing for any law enforcement workers were all set to be in the newer, refurbished apartments. Seems like an easy target if they all have them but I will not. My apartment is across the hall from Zephyr and Blueblood's; in case I need anything, Blueblood gave me his contact information.
Entering my apartment, I noticed a quant kitchenette with a full fridge and an L shaped counter. I noted a gas stove and a dishwasher, both considered luxuries compared to the sanctuary. The living room was comfortable, and I had a small couch with a coffee table and a mounted tv on the opposite wall. I examined the bedroom and saw a full-sized bed with a small dresser. Connected to the bedroom was a bathroom and a washing machine in a small alcove in the bathroom. Overall, it was much too opulent for my tastes, the thought of living here while an initiate in my sanctuary only stayed in a room half the size of my own, not owning much except for their training clothes and an occasional trinket, wore on my conscience. Perhaps I could see if lord Geist would approve of a Templar branch in the City, but no, that is not my logical voice speaking, that is my newly invigorated selfish side just trying to justify living in this place, it must be.
I shake my head, trying to corral my thoughts, but the sudden shaken sends a wave of nausea through my stomach, and I remember the blow to my ear. I also feel the emptiness of my stomachs. Damn, I never got anything to eat. As I ponder what I am going to eat I hear a knock on my door.
Slowly, and notable swaying, I open it to reveal Zephyr holding a box and looking at me with tired eyes.
"Zephyr," I say, more tired than anything else, I have already exhausted myself mentally and I do not wish to exhaust myself anymore by talking with her. However, I do not sense the same levels of aggression in her aura, either she has calmed down or my perception has been dulled by the strain.
She looks at me for a moment then offers me the box.
"Here, I figured you haven't eaten anything all day considering I also didn't eat since we got to HQ. There's some Lo Mein and a cold one for you."
I take the box and nod my head. "My thanks to you, Zephyr. During our sparring session, I noticed your psionics had a quality that I had never experienced before."
At that she looked quizzically at me. "What do you mean unusual?"
"Your psionics enhance your physical blows, but the way in which they do I have not seen. Your psionics is like water, it moves and sloshes around as you move, but when you strike, it surges forward like a wave and amplifies your force. Most enchantment psionics simply 'hardens' an area, but yours doesn't. Its fascinating to me and my people."
Zephyr looked a bit taken aback. "I-uh, w-well I've never really thought about my own psionics, but I guess thank you? Enjoy your food Psion, I appreciate you giving me a run for my money in the ring. Nobody has been able to match me except for Axiom, and even then, it's because he just sort of ignores my hits because of how huge he is."
With that she turned and headed into her room across the hall. I closed my door and sat on my couch, popping my sore shoulders, and removing my mask. For the rest of the evening, I ate and watch some light television, mostly the news to gather whatever information I can.
I showered and retired for the night, eager to go through my memories for more wisdom.