Venom Coursing
Disclaimers: See previous chapters, I do not own Garland 'Berserker Demon' Durev he belongs to Tempest Dynasty and I do not own James 'Silent Scorpion' Masterson either. And special thanks goes to Tempest Dynasty for his permission to use segments from his fic Bloody Hands.
Interlude 1 – Shade's report"Yes…Bulgarin and his people have been eliminated." Shade reported over a cell phone and paused to listen to what the man he was talking to had to say. "…What? The WOTAN scientists escaped?"
"…"
"I see, so that fool Osbourne has been eliminated." Shade smirked. "I did frequently warn that moron that he would one day be killed by his own stupidity, but a fool is always destined to die a fool's death."
"…"
"Yeah, I know the guy was just a military bureaucrat…I know it couldn't be helped with what happened with an office manager in charge of a corps just before the operation commenced. It's too bad about General Harriman's heart attack…"
"…"
"I see so the data I got was…yes…yes…its unfortunate my time ran out. Yes, Bulgarin never had any idea about my true intentions and it was a good idea sending me considering my past as a mercenary for the Soviets."
"…"
"So what now?" Shade asked and then the reply came. "I understand, so you have yet another assignment for me. Very well, you can consider it done…I agree it takes people like yourselves to rule the world. Thank you and good night…Mr. Chairman."
Meanwhile:
General Carter Drake paced in his office thinking about how the whole operation of obtaining WOTAN and SURTUR had gone. If he hadn't been called to another important operation, Drake would have personally led the operation to recover WOTAN himself, so he left it to one of his best and most trusted officers, Harriman, but it turned out that luck was not on his side and Harriman had a heart attack. Drake realized now that he should have taken into account Harriman was now in his late sixties and should have had him undergo a physical and left it to one of his younger officers.
Instead, the operation had to be left to that fool Osbourne who ended up screwing up most of his objective, but the bright side was that they did have SURTUR and Shade had gotten them more data on WOTAN than expected, but it would still take years to develop another model, let alone apply the technology required for it.
Drake turned and looked at a picture on his desk it was one of him and his best friend Dr. Curtis Matthews who died a year before the 2nd Impact. For a while he did not know what had become of his friend's son Gregory except what Dr. Clark had told him. Drake had heard that some policewoman named Rio Kinezono had adopted Gregory and he seemed to have been raised well surrounded by this elite police unit called WARRIOR.
(I'm sorry Curtis, but I'm afraid that I'll have to use your son within a few years for 'that' operation.) Drake thought at his late friend. (I wonder what you would think of me now for going through with this…no, actually I don't have to. If you knew what was planned for Greg, you truly would be horrified, wouldn't you Curtis?)
Subchapter 1 – InductionMany of FOXHOUND's requirements were tough to pass for the average soldier but Michael had the advantage of many years of training and experience behind him, so he passed every test with very little difficulty.
"Welcome to FOXHOUND Mr. Hansen, your code name will be Venom in light of certain facts that have been brought to my attention." Colonel Campbell said as he was officially welcomed into FOXHOUND. "We are most grateful to have a soldier of your calibre and experience."
"Thank you Colonel." Michael replied politely and the two men shook hands.
"I do hope that you live up to your…reputation, Hansen." Lieutenant Matthew Reese, who was also in the room, spoke. "
Michael sighed as he turned and saw Reese.
"Why hello, Lieutenant Reese how are you doing? More to the point how is your cheek?" Michael said with mock respect and pointing at Reese's still plastered cheek. "It was sort of my fault that happened after all."
Reese glared hatefully at Michael who returned the glare, indicating that the two men would never get along well at all.
"Um…I think it would be best if you had a look around the facility, Venom." Roy spoke, sensing hostility between the two men and not wanting any quarrelling between them.
"I think that's an excellent idea, colonel." Michael replied and excused himself and left the room.
Subchapter 2 – Meeting a FriendMichael wandered through FOXHOUND headquarters and didn't bother asking Reese for a tour of the building as he obviously would have refused but just then he saw Riku talking to a middle aged man whom Michael suspected was older than he looked they both saw Michael.
"Hey, Michael!" Riku greeted Michael.
"Hi Riku!" Michael greeted him in return.
"Mr. Hansen, welcome to FOXHOUND; Riku has told me a lot about you. I'm Takeshi Ishida my code name is Night Owl." Ishida said as they shook hands.
"You too Ishida, my code name in FOXHOUND is Venom." Michael replied.
"Venom? Why's that?" Riku asked.
"I have immunity to all types of poisons." Michael answered. "It's an ability I was born with."
"Well, that is a useful one." Riku said. "I mean ninjas need to develop the ability to be immune to a poison, and you're being born with immunity to every type…"
"That would be very handy, especially in situations where the enemy is using stuff like nerve gas as one of their weapons." Ishida spoke. "Anyway, Riku's told me that you're actually a skilled tactician, and I have to admit we need someone like you in our unit. Especially since we have a certain 'problem' in our commanding staff."
"Yeah, Reese." Michael agreed, and then turned to Riku. "Do you have any suggestions on how to deal with him?"
"I usually just ignore the guy, unless of course the orders are convenient for me and whoever's with me." Riku replied. "But all in all, pissing Reese off has become something of a hobby for me. Who knows, maybe one day all that stress I give him will pay off and the good Lieutenant will get a nervous breakdown."
"I look forward to that day." Michael smiled.
"As does everyone else in FOXHOUND." Ishida added, indicating he didn't like Reese either.
Subchapter 3 – FamiliarityIt was the day after another one of his missions at FOXHOUND and more crap from Reese which Michael never bothered listening to and he has learned to tune him out…with good reason.
(That moron doesn't have ANYTHING useful to say at all so is there any reason I should bother to listen?) Michael thought and chuckled at this self question mainly because it was such a good one, as Michael himself felt nothing but scorn and contempt for the man.
Michael decided to go into the library and there were a lot of computers with digitalised books there, but Michael preferred a good old fashioned book and never cared much for digitalised books.
After a few minutes of looking he detected someone behind him, the man seemed familiar somehow and Michael tried to place him.
"Oh hello, I haven't seen you around here before are you new?" He asked, a tall and muscular man who looked to be in his late twenties with black short cropped hair and blue-grey eyes.
"Hey. No, I've actually been apart of FOXHOUND for three years now, but I've been on missions for a while." The man answered.
"Ah. I see so you're my senior."
"I guess you could say that. I'm Garland Durev, codename 'Berserker Demon.'"
(Of course I met him when I was with Heidern!) Michael realized. (So this is the man once known as 'Bloody Hands!)
"That's it! I knew I saw you from somewhere. I'm Michael Hansen AKA 'Venom.'"
"Right, you were that new guy with Team Ikari and Heidern." Garland said. "Interesting to see you here. Did something happen with Heidern and them?"
"No, I just felt like going off on my own."
"I see. Hey, you like chess? I'm pretty bored and I could use a good partner."
Michael smiled and nodded, "Of course. I love chess."
"Excellent. I call white."
Quickly and efficiently the two soldiers set up their respective pieces across the table. Michael had a feeling it was going to be one of the many games played in the future.
"So why did you join FOX-HOUND?" Garland moved his pawn.
"I got an invite from Campbell. Apparently my skills were in need, and since I had nowhere else to go, I accepted," Michael countered with his own pawn.
"Hmm… Same way I got here. It's nice to see a familiar face; especially one that I have no doubt is experienced."
"Thanks for your confidence. At least one person thinks so."
"Let me guess, Reese?"
"Is he that notorious?"
"Worse. Ever since I joined I've been on a mission every month. Reese assigned Ninety percent of those missions, and they were all not suited for me. I'm a close-combat specialist and an instructor for FOX-HOUND, yet Reese wants me to be 'good all-around.' Heck, the last mission I was on I had to be a counter-sniper against professional assassins. You don't send a CQC specialist on a sniping mission."
"I see. Check." Michael then lapsed into his own thought as he waited for Garland's next move. (Does Reese have any grasp of tactics of any kind? Not surprising considering what Heidern told me about him.)
"Wha? Already? Damn," Garland quickly shifted a piece.
"Any other warnings?" Michael asked.
"Yeah. I'm the hand-to-hand combat instructor. I'm not nice to anyone."
"Haha, I'll keep that in mind."
(Indeed.) Michael thought to himself.
"Check."
"What goes around comes around…" Michael murmured as he took a moment to strategize.
"There's another person in FOX-HOUND you might like."
"Oh?" Venom shifted his bishop.
"Maggie Thompson, a good friend of mine. She loves chess more than I do…" Berserker Demon used his rook in response.
"Great, I'll have to hunt her down then."
(This will be interesting…) Michael thought.
"Are there many other recruits?"
"Yes, sir. There are a lot of younger people coming in."
(A lot of young recruits…) Michael considered.
"Really? You worried about them?"
"Not really. If they could make it into FOX-HOUND I'm sure they can survive out in the battlefield."
(They may be young but their training is never for show…)
"Do they have much experience?"
Michael sighed, breaking his focus from the game, "That's their biggest weakness. Despite having the latest and greatest of VR simulation technology, nothing can replace actual experience."
"Well then, it'll be up to us older guys with actual experience to guide them."
"I won't let them fail."
"You'd make a good father, Hansen."
(Really…?) Michael wondered and didn't say anything as he was lost in a sea of memories, memories of Maria how things could have been if not for certain factors, he and Maria were to be married in 2 weeks before she was killed by Shade if that hadn't happened they might well have had a family…
"It could have…" Michael half mumbled to himself.
"Hansen," that brought him out of his thoughts. "I'm sorry if I brought back any bad memories."
"No, no, it's okay. It was actually a good memory…" Michael said shaking his head
"I'm sure you'll find someone that needs you. All you need to do is wait."
"But for how long?" Michael asked
"…I can't answer that. But I feel that it's soon."
"You know what? I believe you," the two soldiers shared a laugh.
The game continued on for nearly an hour, neither man getting the upper hand. Pieces were lost, sacrificed, and gained. Finally, Michael trapped Garland's king in a three-way ambush. A rook, a pawn, and a knight prevented the king's escape.
"Checkmate."
"Damn. Good game, Hansen."
"Please, call me Michael. All my friends do."
"Very well. Shall we play again?"
"Could we? I haven't had a game like that in a while."
Garland smiled, and reset his pieces as did Michael and a bond of brotherhood formed between two men through mutual understanding
Subchapter 4 – Meeting Dark EdenMichael was in the library a couple of days after meeting Garland but then he saw a woman who he recognised as the woman who was with Reese in the aftermath of the incident with WOTAN, and she was also someone Garland had mentioned before and then it all clicked with Michael.
"Oh hello there you must be Maggie Thompson I saw you with Reese the other day and Garland told me about you." Michael spoke, causing the woman to turn to him.
"It's nice to meet you Michael, Riku has told us a lot about you." Maggie replied as she shook hands with him.
"I noticed you smile when I punched Reese, so I doubt any of you think highly of Reese." Michael smiled slightly.
"We don't believe me…" Maggie said rolling her eyes.
"I can see why he's still a Lieutenant even in his forties." Michael replied. "There's no way someone as incompetent as that would have very much success in the military."
"You've got that right." Maggie agreed. "There's even a rumour that Reese actually used money to pay to get his current position."
"I wouldn't be surprised if that's actually true."
"I have noticed that Reese has committed quite a few offences including dereliction of duty yet he has never been disciplined I often wonder about it, though I have to admit I never asked Colonel Campbell. Also he seems to keep deferring to him."
"I often wonder about that myself…probably he's wary because he was assigned for political reasons." Michael agreed and then frowned before he shook his head and continued. "That, however, should not be Campbell's primary concern. If he keeps this up he is going to make himself look weak and ineffectual as a leader and it's also going to make people in the unit start to question his authority and I can go on and on about what could happen then."
"Yes indeed." Maggie nodded.
"Weakness is never tolerated in a commander, I remember my first command I was a 2nd Lieutenant back then, it was an operation in Africa I made a mistake that got a few of my men killed one of them was a friend of mine from training." Michael sighed and then continued " As you can understand, I couldn't permit myself to dwell on it or grieve over him, that had to come later, as it wouldn't have helped to have broken down in front of my unit they would have thought 'Damn, something is terribly wrong. The Lieutenant's breaking down' and they probably lost faith in me and with good reason. Because that would have qualified as a display of weakness. I mean surely a veteran officer like Campbell should realise this."
Maggie shook her head. "Well at least there haven't been any mutinies or anything towards Campbell though sometimes things are tense."
"That's certainly good news." Michael replied. "Anyway that's enough about Reese…"
"Yeah, you're right…"
Michael and Maggie were like brother and sister afterwards…
The next day they Michael and Maggie were playing chess on the common grounds.
"Maggie, there was something I was wondering about." Michael spoke as he was deciding his next move.
"What is it?" Maggie asked in reply.
"Well, I was wondering about what spirits are actually like." Michael answered and then saw her flinch slightly. "I mean…if it's a sensitive subject to you then…"
"I guess it wouldn't hurt for me to tell you." Maggie said. "Don't worry, I was just a little surprised by your question. Not very many people ask me about that." She then noticed Riku, who had just walked into the room.
"You can listen too if you want, Riku." She said. "Besides, you yourself have eight spirits bonded to you so this might be something you should know too."
"Alright." Riku nodded and moved closer to the two of them.
"Well, there are many types of spirits." Maggie began. "Most don't really interact with the living very much. The kinds that do are the ones that you need to be careful with."
"What do you mean?" Riku asked.
"Those types are the kind that needs guidance." Maggie answered. "Filled with grief over their own death, they refuse to face their fate. They yearn to live on, and some eventually come to resent those still alive. You see, they envy the living. And in time, that envy turns to anger, even hate. Should these souls remain they'll try to possess or prey on the living."
"And they'll usually end up like the kind you hear about in ghost stories, right?" Michael asked and Maggie nodded.
"Yes, unfortunately." She answered. "The dragons Riku has are bonded to him so they're an exception. A spirit in a symbiotic bond with someone is a lot better off than one in a parasitic one."
"It sounds like being a necromancer is a tough experience." Riku spoke as he considered what Maggie probably had to go through with the nasty kind of ghosts.
"You have no idea…" Maggie replied.
Subchapter 5 – The Graceful EagleMichael was walking through the corridor when he suddenly bumped into a young woman; the young woman was strikingly beautiful with a very generous figure.
"I'm sorry are you hurt?" Michael asked the young woman, helping her up.
"I'm fine thanks, hey are you new?" She asked in reply.
"Kind of, I'm Michael Hansen my code name is Venom." Michael introduced himself.
"Hansen...? Aren't you the new guy here in FOXHOUND?" The young woman asked.
"Yeah that's me I'm pleased to meet you…" Michael trailed off as he realised he did not know her name.
"Linn Aramaki. They call me Silver Eagle."
"Pleased to meet you Linn."
"I only heard vague details from Campbell about you. You sound like an experienced and talented guy."
"I've been around…" Michael shrugged
"I can imagine. I had only just gotten into this kind of life for something different, you know...so I'm hoping I'll be able to adjust."
Michael simply smiled and patted Linn on the shoulder reassuringly. "You'll do fine, I'm certain of that."
"Really?"
"You think so? I'm still having a few doubts..."
"Of course."
"But now I know...it's not going to be that bad. You're starting to become the second reason why I'm giving the thought of staying here some serious thinking."
"Like I told you, I know you'll do fine here."
"Thanks very much, I needed that. I remember when I first got signed in here, one of the higher ups didn't really approve of my...attire."
"Let me guess Reese?"
"None other. The looks he was giving me…" Linn shuddered at the thought. "It wouldn't take a genius to guess what kind of dirty thoughts he had running in his mind at the time."
"Did he ever try something with you?" Michael asked arching his eyebrow, he was a man who thought highly of women and despised any form of male chauvinism.
"No but if he had, let's just say he'd be two olives short of a martini." Linn answered with a smile.
"That's the spirit!" Michael laughed. "Actually that kind of reminds me of an incident after Leona completed her training…"
"Leona? As in Leona Heidern?" Linn asked in amazement. "So it is true after all...you know the Ikari Team?"
"That's right." Michael nodded "I met Heidern over 11 years ago. It was during a mission in Kosovo where he saved my life and he took me under his wing. I tell you, the training he gave me definitely added to my own skills and I've also known Ralf and Clark a long time. I've known Leona since Heidern took her in."
"I see, what about that incident? You know with Leona and that officer?"
"Oh yeah, when it happened I thought of intervening, but it turns out I didn't need to anyway." Michael began. "That officer got a real nasty surprise when he tried to make a rather rude pass at her."
"Really? What happened?" Linn asked.
"Leona flipped him over and gave him a VERY nasty kick between the thighs."
Linn cringed and then asked "Did Leona get into any trouble?"
"No." Michael shook his head "I was there and the officer was the one who had the book thrown at him even though he needed surgery to his groin."
"I hope Reese gets the message."
"I hope so." Michael agreed. "If you ask me, he's just another rank amateur, someone who didn't earn his position obviously and Maggie mentioned to me a rumour he got his position with money."
"Could be true."
"Yeah it could be from what Heidern told me about him."
"Anyway, enough with Reese...I never really liked him from the start, I tend to avoid him most of the time."
"Yep me too the guy never has anything useful to say, so I just tune him out whenever he says something which probably annoys him not that I ever take notice."
"Same here...anyway, where are you off to now, Michael?"
"The VR Training room."
"Hmm...Same here. I was going to stop off to look for Greg first, but I can visit him afterwards. Say, how about we go on a spar when we get there?"
"Sure thing, I'll see you later." Michael then took Linn's hand and kissed it and then walked away with a warm smile at Linn. The attractive woman simply blushed at Michael's act of chivalry and began to think to herself as she headed for her direction.
"A very decent and generous person in his own sense, that is." Linn said to herself. "He seems most interesting enough, but I doubt his charm will meet the likes of Greg. Now that I think of it, where is he anyway?"
Subchapter 6 – The Ferocious PantherMichael headed for the training room after talking to Linn. Just then he entered it, he saw a tall young man with light dark skin and brown eyes who was obviously in the middle of training. The young man saw Michael and Michael had the feeling he saw him somewhere before.
"Hey there!" Michael said. "Do I know you from somewhere?"
The young man scowled then he seemed to recognise Michael "Hey! Aren't you Michael Hansen the guy who was with the Ikari Team?"
"Yes…ah, I recognise you now, Greg Kinezono right? I heard you were a student of Kyo, Iori and Geese right?" Michael asked.
"Hey how did you know that?" Greg asked in reply, clearly surprised.
"I am acquainted with Iori through Leona; I also know a lot of people from the King of Fighters tournament."
"Really...to tell you the truth, I was a bit surprised to hear that someone from the Ikari Team was now part of FOXHOUND, but don't get any impressions that I'm hanging out with Geese just to cause trouble...I'm only doing it for the training." Greg said
"Of course!" Michael said with a smile "Though a few people I know won't believe you."
"That's for sure...but enough about me. I heard from the old men that you're the new tactician of FOXHOUND, am I right?"
"That's right."
"What a coincidence. Even Geese told me how formidable you are in battle...how about you and I go a little one-on-one right here to see if that's true?" Greg said as he took off his shirt.
"You're on." Michael replied.
The two FOXHOUND combatants got into their own familiar fighting stances, staring at one other with stares full of determination and anticipation for a good fight. There was a brief stand off between them until Greg's shout cut the tension between him and his new sparring partner.
Greg charges head on at Michael with a charged punch from his right nano mesh, but Michael easily was able to see it coming and evades it in time to counter with his Gunner Blow attack.
"Gunner Blow!" Michael shouted, hitting near the back of Greg's neck area a bit, causing him to stagger forwards. He stumbled as he was hit across his back, but managed in time to stand up right, showing that trademark grin on his face, despite the fact the attack Michael placed on him made him cough up some blood.
"Heh...you managed to land the first blow." Greg said, wiping his chin. "Lucky you...but I doubt you will be able to deal with this! God's Hammer!'"
"What the…!" Michael looked on as Greg lifted his leg to perform an axe kick, but he never expected that as simple Greg made it look, it came down hard and heavy on Michael as he even deflected it in time.
"That's not all!" Greg said, as after seeing his kick was blocked, he then lifted his body to spin his leg, which he was using to stand on, and proceeded to kick Michael while he was blocking from Greg's God's Hammer. As Greg did this, he suddenly used both his hands to perform a handstand as he fell and rolled backwards away from Michael, who was a bit stunned by Greg's kick to the left of his lower abdomen.
"So, how did you like that?" Greg asked, getting up from one knee and staring at Michael. He was starting to enjoy the fight, but he has yet to show his real stuff.
"Impressive, I must say, Greg. Quite impressive…I take it that your style is based of taking advantage of an opponent's open points, am I correct?" Michael asked coolly.
"Damn straight." Greg replied. "I don't like to waste time in a fight unless my enemy is a formidable fighter like I heard you're supposed to be."
"Allow me to prove that to you then." Michael simply said, suddenly charging Greg before he recognized that Michael was on him almost too late, as he simply started to lift his arms in time to deflect two of Michael's punches, before he send a roundhouse kick that Greg didn't detect in time to defend or evade from. After receiving a brutal kick to his sides that pushed him a few feet from Michael's position, Greg merely stopped his footing and rushed his new sparring partner with his set of signature attacks.
"Panther Claw!" Greg shouted, throwing his clenched, right nano mesh arm in a side blow at Michael. But, Michael just by a mere fraction, evaded Greg's Panther Claw and then uses his Sliding Blade technique, which Greg had a good chance of evading in time before getting hit. Seeing an opening, Greg decided to mix up his attacks once more.
"Too easy! God's Hammer!" Greg shouted once more, executing his powerful drop kick, but Michael was already out of the way his kick was coming, only to see Greg spinning around in time, ready to perform another attack.
"Judgement Kick!" Greg shouted, as he started another one of his kick attacks, but Michael was on his feet and was able catch him with his Vulcan drop technique, dropping a serious weight on Greg's body.
"Gaah!" Greg screamed aloud, feeling the pain he was getting from Michael's attacks. Michael didn't want to be so hard on Greg, but he had to show him that he was not just another man to be taken lightly in FOXHOUND, particularly in the battle areas.
"Sorry I have to do this to you, Greg…Vengeance!" Michael shouted, as after Greg was juggled from the ground after the Vulcan Drop, and using his Heidern style techniques, comes down on Greg with a 'V' type slash on his body, creating a small combustion that exploded across Greg's chest area.
"Nnnnnngggghhh!" Greg shouted feeling as if his body was on fire, but the sensation lasted only lasted for a few seconds as Greg was still feeling the painful sting about his body. He lay defeated on the floor for only a brief moment, and to Michael's surprise, Greg simply got on one knee to catch his breath, having only suffered from some minor burns about his body which could be healed using FOXHOUND's nanomachines.
Michael was impressed by the younger man's ability and his brash level of confidence, which was no less then what he expected from someone who studied under Kyo, Iori, Geese and also one Aika Sumeragi. Michael has finally confirmed his curiosity about the young man before him and offered a hand for Greg to stand upright.
"Hey, you'll be okay?" Michael asked, with his hand outstretched to Greg. The young dark male looked up and grabbed it in the form of a handshake and stood up, still grimacing in pain.
"Yeah, I'll be just fine. That was one hell of a move you pulled on me." Greg replied, still clutching his chest. "I kind of gotten a bit sidetracked back there and you took advantage of the opening, didn't you?"
"You sound like a fast thinker in combat, but you really don't consider how the opponent can take advantage of your brashness." Michael said to Greg. "That could prove a mistake if you depend on attitude alone to win a battle."
""Are you saying I should be rational from now on?" Greg replied.
"That's right." Michael said, patting Greg's shoulder.
"That sounds like an excuse for taking away the fun from the battle if you think too much in a fight." Greg simply spoke.
"That kind of thinking you have is no good in a battle, no matter if it's a spar or in an actual war zone. You will only be placing yourself and those around you in even more danger if you don't get a clear head and focus on the situation in front of you. The only things that count in a battle like this are to survive and win, but to get over your head with how you progress in a battle."
"Che…I'll remember to keep that in mind then." Greg replied, taking up his jacket and resting it on his left shoulder. "I'd better get to infirmary before the burns get worse."
"Need my help take you there?" Michael offered.
"Thanks, but I'm covered." Greg answered in a confident grin, all the while bearing the pain. "I really enjoyed the fight, we should do this more often."
"I'm looking forward to a rematch then, Greg. I'll be seeing you around." Michael said, as the door closed in front of him. (He's still young, so I can understand that he's still inexperienced in some areas, but he shows a lot of capability and promise. I will take my time to teach what I know about battles to him if he wants to be as good as me and Garland.)
From the other side of the door, Greg was leaning against it, thinking of what just transpired. Looking at the unusual substance that covered his right wrist, Greg simply smirked as he thought of Michaels' words of advice to him.
(Be rational from now on, huh?) Greg thought. (I guess it wouldn't hurt to do it at least ONCE in a lifetime. Besides, the last thing I want to do is get sensei Rio upset because I went against her teachings because of Michael's advice…)
Before Greg can finish thinking, his Codec rang and the frequency was surely Team WARRIOR's.
"I guess I should get to my quarters and tend to my wounds and answer this call when no one's around. I do hope Rio won't overreact when I tell her I got my ass kicked again by another vet in FOXHOUND…" Greg said, as he left the VR training area. Along the way, he met Linn, who suddenly saw the bruises and cuts he got from his spar with Michael.
"Greg? What happened to you?" Linn asked, approaching her partner.
"Got into a spar with that new tactician and lost, that's what." Greg replied.
"You really shouldn't be stirring up this kind of trouble for your amusement, you know. Serves you right."
"How cruel you are." Greg smirked, only to grimace when the pain in his body stung him one more time.
"Let me take you to the infirmary then, you big baby." Linn simply smiled and linked her arm over him and helped him walk to the infirmary. As they did, Greg and Linn shared their own thoughts about both of their meetings with Michael, whom they both find was such a more of a modest character than they originally thought.
"You know…he's not so bad once you get to know him." Greg said. "A little too bit on the serious side, if you ask me, but still a cool guy to hang around with…"
"Yeah, I agree on both counts." Linn replied. "Still…I can't help but feel sorry for all the stuff I heard he's been through."
"True, I sensed he went through a hell of a lot before we even joined FOXHOUND. I didn't have to use my powers then, he just…radiated that feeling you know?" Greg said. "A man with that amount of experience is not to be taken lightly so easily. We better be watchful of him from now on...he could bring good fortune in this team, aside from old man Reese."
"I hoping for the same thing too, Greg." Linn said, with a nod.
Subchapter 7 – Little ScorpionMichael was on his way to the library when he heard the sounds of someone practicing in the training room. Since all the other FOXHOUNDers he had met were either out on missions or on leave today, this was likely someone he hadn't met before.
Michael then entered the training room and saw that the occupant was a young boy practicing with combat knives. From the looks of how he was using the blades, the boy obviously had training and Michael wondered if he was a child soldier. Michael remembered fighting child soldiers on a few campaigns in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Michael watched the boy until he was done training with his knives, and followed the boy as he moved on to the shooting range part of the training hall.
"Excellent attitude to training your CQC skills are good and you are excellent with a knife." Michael spoke to complement the boy, but the young sniper said nothing Michael could see that the young boy was obviously the quiet type. "What's your name kid?"
"Silent Scorpion." Came a muttered reply.
"I asked for your real name." Michael replied.
"It's James Masterson." The boy replied.
(Hmmm, I remember that Heidern once told me about a Victor Masterson, could this boy…?) Then Michael disconnected this train of thought and spoke. "I'm Michael Hansen my code name is Venom."
"I see…so I suppose that make us colleagues." James noted. "I'd shake your hand but I'm a little busy right now."
"No problem, I understand." Michael nodded.
"I'm curious, your skills look very fine tuned for someone at your age." Michael said. "I was wondering…"
"Did I get these skills because I was a child soldier?" James finished, turning to face Michael. "Yes." The boy then studied Michael to see his reaction. "You don't seem to be surprised…most of the recruits I've met usually are, but then again most of them are people fresh out of the academy. So I guess that means you're a veteran."
"Yeah, that's pretty much it." Michael nodded. "I've also had experiences with fighting either alongside child soldiers as well as against them."
"Yes, it's more common than most people believe." James said. "So what was one of your experiences?"
Michael then went onto the story. "It was an operation in the Middle East; we were on a rescue mission, and it was a tough operation to say the least, but not all of the terrorists we fought were adults…they were children, their ages ranged from 9 to 17 generally those who are old enough to carry a gun. It was when we went in that we fought them in combat, it was bad and I have to admit I had mixed feelings about shooting kids, but if I didn't defend myself I would die and also those people we had to rescue were counting on us. There is one in particular I recall he had an automatic rifle aimed at one of the people we were supposed to rescue…I had to act immediately so I shot him…"
"You were doing what you had to do." James shrugged.
Michael nodded said "Anyway that's enough you've definitely got talent James, how good are your hand to hand skills?"
"I can use a knife in close quarters combat." James replied. "It was pointed out to me that over reliance on weapons can be a crutch."
"Precisely, such points were made to me before I even became a soldier…" Michael said thinking on his sensei Yukimura's teachings and what he said 'Don't rely on a weapon too much…' then Michael said "I always try to keep myself as well rounded as possible even though my specialty are strategy and tactics. Using the same stuff over and over like a pattern will eventually lead to the enemy discovering a weakness."
"And weakness in battle is death." James finished, and Michael nodded. It was barely noticeable to Michael, but he suddenly saw James' lips seem to move just slightly in what might have been a smile.
"You're not so bad, Michael." James spoke. "I think we'll get along just fine."
"I should hope so." Michael smiled in reply suddenly his eyes caught something. There were a series of many small scars on James' right arm.
"I assume that you've just noticed and you're curious as to how I got all of these on my arm." James spoke calmly as he indicated the scars on his arm.
"Well, if it's a sensitive subject for you…" Michael began.
"I'm afraid there aren't very many things that I'm sensitive about, and just to let you know this isn't one of them." James replied. "I'm not sure if I can put this into words right though, so maybe it would be best if you wait since you'll know why I have these scars soon enough."
"Alright." Michael nodded.
(But still…that look in James' eyes when he was talking just now. I know it all too well.) Michael thought to himself. (Those are the eyes of someone whose only true home, the only place he can truly find his existence, is the battlefield. I just hope something can prevent James from becoming like that forever, it's too sad a fate…)