Devil in Black
Chapter 3 : The Test
As he made his way up to Armitage's office, Josef's mind raced through the possibilities of what they might test him on. It could be purely academic, although that was doubtful. It could be stealth or espionage. That was possible, but the thing which the pieces of his mind agreed most upon was a physical test. A martial test. Yes, in all likelihood he would have to fight someone. Maybe many people; it was all in their hands. He wasn't afraid of this kind of test. His superior's opinions of him were not kept entirely secret, and he knew that his combat skills were far above average. However, he had no idea what the standards of the client would be.
Dr. Armitage looked up from his computer screen as he heard the chime ring. "Identify," he said, and a synthetic voice ran of the name Josef Wood. "Enter," said Armitage. The door hissed and opened as Josef walked in. "Ah, Wood," spoke the doctor as he closed the applications open on his computer. "On time as usual."
"Yes, sir." Josef's tone had returned to the clipped one that he used when speaking to his superiors.
"The client is, thankfully, on time as well." He stood from his chair and walked to the other of the two doors in his office. "This way."
Josef silently followed the doctor, asking none of the questions that incessantly flowed through his mind. Most answered themselves the farther they went, as possibilities cancelled themselves out with rooms passed but not entered. As Armitage slowed to a halt, Josef's suspicions on the type of test were confirmed. Armitage pressed the entry button for the Fourth Floor Gymnasium and stepped inside.
Josef followed the smaller man into the room. The fourth floor was occupied mainly by officers and scientists, generally those who did not use it as much. As a result it had been built much smaller than the other three, and was only large enough for a one-on-one fight. Assuming, of course, that that was what they had planned.
The door at the other end of the gymnasium opened, and out stepped two men. One was short, not overly so, but about a head's length less in height than his partner, who was about as tall as Josef. Both of them had dark hair and looked like they were from Midgar. They both wore dark suits, with white shirts underneath and red ties. Typical businessmen. Josef looked them over without showing any opinion of what he saw.
The short one spoke first. "Doctor Armitage, is this the soldier who is to be examined?"
"Yes. Josef Wood, trainee number 184. As requested."
"Very well." The man looked over to Josef. "My name is Ian Park. This is my associate, Darien McLloyd."
Josef was surprised that they would tell him their names. After all, what were they to him whether he made it or not?
"In an attempt to ensure the quality of our buy, it has been deemed that you will be tested on the basis of your combat skills. We are your judges."
Josef nodded stiffly at this, still slightly confused why they were telling him this. All that they needed to tell him was that he would have to fight.
"And his opponent?" asked Dr. Armitage, growing slightly impatient from the long spiel.
Park reached and opened the door. As it slid open Josef couldn't believe what he saw. There, with his face expressionless, stood Wallace Lee.
For the first time, Josef let astonishment crack his cool exterior, and he stared, mouth wide open, at Wallace for a second. Wallace gave him no glance back, but instead walked towards Park and McLloyd and bowed stiffly. "I'm ready," he said, and then turned towards Josef. Josef closed his mouth, and gave him an inquisitive look, before frowning and adopting an aggressive fighting stance.
"Hold, trainee Wood," said McLloyd, putting up his hand. "You will have a few minutes to stretch and prepare before combat commences."
"I am ready now," said Josef, adding, "I have recently returned from a workout, and am already stretched out."
"Very well," said Park. Upside: trainee is already prepared, he thought. Downside: he has let his anger and confusion at seeing his friend as his opponent prevent him from properly readying for a fight. "If you say so."
He clapped his hands twice and the two fighters walked to the middle of the room. He and McLloyd sat in two chairs placed in the middle of one of the walls. Doctor Armitage stood to the side, eagerly awaiting the commencement of the fight. He was not only worrying whether he would make the sale, but also wondering which of the two, both of which far above average, would prevail.
Josef's eyes bored into those of Wallace, who had finally met his gaze. However, Wallace's showed no emotion. And suddenly, Josef knew that he should be the same. Wallace was following orders. A good soldier always followed his orders. Josef's orders were to defeat his opponent. His opponent was Wallace. It did not matter who Wallace was, other than he was the man whom Josef had to defeat. Josef set his jaw, and his eyes became not those of himself, but those of the perfect soldier.
He heard the command to bow, and bowed to Wallace, as Wallace did the same. Their eyes never left each other's. The command was given to step back into a fighting stance, which they did. Their stances were different. While Wallace's stance would give him the most power, Josef's stance would give him the most speed. Both fighters had their preferences, and both knew how to use them with deadly efficiency. And that was exactly how they would be used today.
At long last the command was given to commence, and Josef's body instantly forgot itself and became the perfect killing machine. He no longer focused on the eyes of Wallace, but Wallace as a whole. He saw everything, he read every motion a fraction of a second before it happened.
Wallace, his hands up defensively, was waiting for him to come after him. Josef knew that Wallace was not as fast as him. Wallace, on the other hand, was much more powerful. Josef had seen him punch through cinderblocks five at a time. Seems that my job is easy, he thought wryly to himself. Don't get hit.
All of this went through his head in a second, and in another second he was in action, feinting one way and then another, trying to make Wallace flinch. Wallace was steady as a rock, eyeing him with a look that could see into your soul. Josef suddenly attacked for real, bringing his fist forward in an arch which would have ended in Wallace's face, but the larger man instantly blocked it. However, Josef had planned for this to happen, and with Wallace's hand out of the way, he spun around and brought his heel crashing into the side of his head. Wallace ducked the kick enough so that it hit his cheekbone instead of snapping his jaw, but the force still sent him reeling. Not wasting any time, Josef landed several more blows on his stunned opponent before Wallace backfisted him in the side of his head, putting a temporary stop to the string of attacks. The power of the move sent Josef flying to the side, and he hit the ground. He was only there for a second before rolling backwards as Wallaces heel hit the ground where his head had been a second ago.
Both fighters were now on their feet. Each had underestimated the other, and their minds churned as they tried to outhink their opponent. They were only apart for a few seconds before they were back in combat. Back and forth they fought, each not able to land a hit, each unable to best the other's skill. Then, just as Josef thought that he had the perfect opportunity, Wallace's hand came out of nowhere and smashed into his head. Dazed, Josef didn't block the second one, which slammed into his stomach. He gasped for air and dropped to his knees. Wallace picked him up and threw him across the room.
Josef groaned as he struggled up. His body felt like it had been run over by a truck. Where had that punch come from? He looked over to Wallace and saw a small smile on his face. He had underestimated Wallace's speed. His opponent knew that he expected him to be slow. Well, now he had more to worry about. He breathed in and out a few times and was back in fighting shape. He wouldn't be caught by surprise again. He ran towards Wallace, who stood with his side towards him, one arm out for defense. However, this time Josef used his speed to his advantage. He grabbed the arm with his right hand and used his momentum, spinning around before Wallace could react and ramming his left elbow into the base of his skull. Wallace toppled, his vision swimming. He had just started to get back up when Josef grabbed him from behind and judo-threw him, flipping him onto his back and bringing his elbow into his temple. Wallace's vision went black, and he knew no more.
Author's Notes
Tralala! Josef is the victor! Well, I hope I did a good job writing the fight scene. I tried not to go into too much detail, because sometimes when I do that the whole thing just sucks. Anyway. Well, Josef has defeated his opponent. What will happen now?? Sorry for the long time it took to get this chapter up, but it is a lot longer than the other two up so far. I'll start writing the next chapter right away! Please review if you haven't already, please!! Anyway, tune in next time!
Abayo! --Green