March 23, 1981

Perseus Base

Moscow, USSR

For the past few days they had endured intense training. From harsh temperatures to precise aim, Perseus wanted to make sure that they would be prepared for nearly every scenario in the field. After another stop by the docotors office the other day Benedikt had began to remember even more. He recalled having to endure this training when he first arrived and how brutal it was.

"Get him!" Perseus shouted as he and other soldiers surrounded the Benedikt and his oponent. Today they were sparring one another outside as it rained. There was no mat beneath their boots, just grass. If he could finish his opponent off this would be his fourth win today. But he knew Perseus wouldn't let him stop until there was one remaining. Portnova stood beside Perseus, silently watching, waiting for her turn.

The droplets of rain kept blurring his vision but he could still see enough to kick the back of his opponent's knee down. Seeing the other guy forced onto one knee he decided to finish him off with his boot colliding with the other man's skull, sending him into a state of unconsciousness.

"Excellent Comrade Romanov but you have another challenger." Perseus stepped aside, putting the spot light on Portnova.

"Your that new recruit?" Benidikt asked, catching his breath.

"Yes."

"The KGB has nothing on me, let's see what they taught you." He said standing tall.

He went in for a right hook as dodged and countered with a swift kick to the ribs. She watched him stumble back some, realising that was going to be a weak spot.

"You have this Ben!" Park shouted as she stood beside Perseus.

"Your next, for your sake I would hope that he wins."

"I could take both of them." She said confidently.

"Very well then." He shoved her inside the crowded circle of soldiers. "Everyone for themselves!" Perseus shouted to the three of them.

Keeping his focus on the target infront of him he charged Portnova, tackeling her to the ground. Tossing his feet to the side he landed in punch after punch until she finally decided to switch up tactics. Grabbing hold of his head she bashed it against her knee as she stood up. Park watched, trying to see which would come out on top before interferring.

He felt drops of blood trickle down his face, mixing with the rain he saw red. To make her advantage even greater, Portnova grabbed a hand full of mud and forces it into his face. With his view obstructed she came up from behind him and brough his arm back, while silmutaneously kicking his leg out from underneath him. She snapped his shoulder out of place, causing him to let out a loud and painful yelp.

She planted her boot into the back of his head, forcing him into a puddle of muddy water. He began to inhale the dirt and water. Coughing, he felt himself growing even more tired, but he wasn't finished. Trying to stand back up, he got on his hand and knees. She forcefully placed her knee into the side of his ribs, as he yelled. Now on his back, he picked the perfect moment as he used his hand to jab it into her throat. Quickly stumbling to his feet and got behind her and locked in a chokehold. Fighting through the pain of his dislocated shoulder he managed to gain the win as she tapped in defeat. He tossed her aside and placed his hands on his knees, trying to regain strength. He looked up and saw Park standing on the other side of the circle.

"You know at any time you could have helped out." He said joked.

"Seeing her nearly beat you was entertaining."

"Give me someone else." He looked over to Perseus.

"Your that scared to fight me?" She teased.

"Whatever, but I'm giving you an out now." He smiled.

"I don't need it."

"Until I tap or become unconsciouss then." He said, letting her know when the match would end.

Using his aggression he went in for a sloppy right hook. He could feel the muscles in his body aching and losing energy. They wrestled back and forth for what seemed like ages. Finally he got the upper hand and landed his boot across her face.

"Watch this." he muttered loud enough for the both of them to hear.

Fortunatly he didn't use enough force to knock her out but he knew she was done.

He held out his hand to help her up. As he he did, she grabbed his arm and yanked hard. Her fist met his jaw with a smooth uppercut, knocking him unsconsciouss and winning her the match.

When he woke up his head was pounding. Rain fell in his eyes as it continued to mix with blood. Standing above him were Park and Perseus.

"Did I win?" He askes them.

"No, of course not. I handed your ass to you." Park smiled.

"Oh." He said.

"On your feet." Perseus said, helping him up.

"Portnova, and you." He pointed to her and another soldier. "Grab those kalli sticks, use them until they're broken."

"Him, or the sticks?" Portnova asked.

"Both." He said firmly.

One of the soldiers tore his shirt from him.

"Remember Romanov, don't flinch." Perseus nodded to the two to begin.

Benidikt gave Park an assuring glance before they began laying in swings.

His body stiffened and became tense. It felt as if each impact dug deeper and deeper into his skin. Trying to steady his breathing patterns he kept his gaze with Park and held it there.

He felt the first stick break against his back after a few moments. He felt tears slowly escaping his eyes as he clampped his eyes shut. Moments later he felt the second stick break, this time on his abdomen.

"Thats enough." Perseus said calmly.

Benedikt fell to ground, letting out a loud scream. He rested on his head and knees, holding his brusied ribs.

"Romanov, Portnova, and Park, meet me for a breifing in two hours." The old man said leaving his right hand in pain.

"You alright?" Park asked, knealing down beside him.

"Yea. I just need to chose my last words more carefully next time." He joked, slowly standing to his feet.

"Good fight." He said to Portnova, sticking his hand out.

"Just wait for round two Comrade." She smiled before walking away.

"We'll get you patched up in the medical bay, come on. She helped him as they walked there."

"Another day of training sir?" The doctor asked.

"Unfortunatly, yes." Benedikt replied, wincing as he tended to his wounds.

"Nothing but a few cuts and bruises. Oh and your dislocated shoulder of course. How did you manage not to break your nose?" The doctor chuckled.

"I wasn't trying to give him an even bloodier face." Park spoke up.

"I see. Well your all finished. Heres a spate uniform, and uhm. Would you like me to relocate your shoulder or are you not ready for that yet?" The doctor handed him the clothes.

"I'll just take care of it later. Much appreciated comrade." He said before the man left the room.

He tried slipping over the last peice of his uniform when his shoulder became even more painful.

"You sure you don't want to relocate that now?" She asked him.

"Fine, just tell me before-" he was caught off gaurd as he winced at the sudden surge of pain.

"Thanks." He said, rotating his shoulder.

"Your welcome, but it looks like we have a brefing to attend to soon." She looked at her watch seeing that Perseus was expecting them very soon.