Okay everyone let me tell you that I love the winter. I know however hate snow and I want it to never come around me again. This whole...winter vortex thing completely obliterated whatever schedule I had planned for myself with, power outages, freezing over my porch and not only that but it proved that it can also affect my schedule drastically.
I think this may have also heaved a damper on my writing skills as I feel somewhat...unfulfilled by this chapter. Like I got to where it needed to be but it could have used more.
So I am going to apologize for the 2 month delay on this chapter and find it in your hearts to not ram down my door with pitchforks and torches.
Enjoy the chapter and have a happy day...less snow filled.
South's Room
South didn't like being kept in the dark, especially when it concerned her. The thought had occurred to her just as her fist went through the second punching bag today she'd busted today. "Stupid friggen equipment..." She mumbled.
South set up another punching bag and wiped off another bullet of sweat. Getting a nice break from work meant more time to kill, since the ship ended up needing repairs and Kale was sent into...a coma or God knows what, there was time to spare. Already South had broken her own record on the training room floor for paintball targets...nothing close to Carolina's but still it was a start. Now with time to waste she really had nothing to do but punch or think. Since the last video...that was all on her mind.
Everyone was acting differently around her now...even North who never...did he judge her at all? All she could tell was that something big had gone down while she was gone and her brother had been informed instead of her. "The golden boy." She said starting another round of punches. "Good little North."
She knew it wasn't fair to use North as an outlet for her own frustrations but man did it make her feel better. Why couldn't she do it anyways? He was her brother...she could do whatever the hell she wanted with him. Did people think she couldn't handle it? Sure she went a bit off during the Washington incident but...
A ping interrupted her thoughts as a message went through in the helmet on her bed. "Need to put that thing on silent..." She grumbled walking over to the object. "No South that's against protocol..." She said with a pretty good imitation of her brothers voice.
Picking up her helmet she sighed as she saw it was another message from the Director. It wasn't very bad to get something from him but mostly when it happened it caused stress and insomnia. To the team that was normal anyway so who really cares?
Opening the message up her eyes met the subject of the message. "Phase 2..." She mumbled to herself as she read.
Dear the team of Project Freelancer
It has come to pass that our project will be soon taking leaps and bounds into the breach and taking the universe by storm. I hope you are willing to join me and the men already signing up for the next phase in our project. Over the course of your missions you have been collecting data from the resistance in hopes that we would be able to end whatever mad aspirations they might hope to accomplish in this fine galaxy of ours. Today is the day you finally learn what they have been doing.
The pupils of South's eyes widened as she read. So they did it? South knew that they had been trying to decipher whatever plans they had in store but to actually physically be sure...the thought was just amazing.
As some of you are already aware the resistance has been taking a significant interest in computer technology and alien equipment to further their own goals. To the shock and horror of us that already know...we have found that the resistance has been in the works of creating an army.
South narrowed her eyes and clenched her fists. Those bastards...but how had they been hiding this for so long?
We do not know why they are massing their forces like this but they have already strengthened their grip while we were indisposed. They have done very legal and hostile takeovers of many companies that are concerning of weaponry and alien technology. Soon it may be possible for their own power to rival ours and possibly overtake us completely. For we at the project have discovered that they are researching artificial intelligence otherwise known as A.I.
That made her lose her breath. A.I. "Those bastards..." She whispered realization going in her eyes. "It all makes sense...everything going wrong..." Her eyes darted back to the message.
In our time of crisis we have already started making preperations to locate and eliminate those responsible for their creation. Of course with this new threat we have gathered more allies to our cause. I have already added agents Florida and California onto the ships occupants and am gaining support in the sub committee so we may have more freedom when hunting them down. Rest assured we will find them and we will bring these criminals to justice.
If you wish to join our newest phase there will be a meeting held on the training room floors upper deck in 1 hour. I hope that none of you miss it.
Sincerely the Director of Project Freelancer.
By the end of the message South already put her gear and was running out the door. South wasn't going to let herself become that monster in the future...she was going to kick the enemies ass and score a win for the good guys. "I was getting tired of waiting around anyways..."
The Directors office
Florida looked over the files the Director handed to him with great speed. The two sat alone in his office making the occasional small talk as he read them over. "So this...phase 2...how is Kale involved?" He asked putting them down on his lap.
"Kale is one of our researchers and testers for the equipment at Project Freelancer. He is an integral part of the process I assure you." The Director said a straight on his face.
"I see that in the report but isn't he a little young to be in the military? When did we start having kids fighting our battles?" Florida questioned him.
Folding his hands on the desk he smiled at Florida. "I must admit though he is young the boy seemed quite adamant about helping us. I saw no reason why he should not be able to come along for this adventure." He sighed and looked to a picture of himself on his desk. It seemed like that was taken a million years ago. It was a photo of him receiving his degree of science from the university he went to. "He hasn't seen any bloodshed yet."
"I hope he never does sir." He said sincerity in his voice. "I wouldn't want anybody to see that...there shouldn't be any of that."
"Exactly my point. The resistance has made it clear that they want bloodshed." The Director said his voice raised to an angry tone. "I want to make sure they are put away to a place they can never be heard from again." Regaining his calm composure he adjusted himself. "So that's why I'm asking you to look after the boy for now. He is an irreplaceable asset to us now with the knowledge he holds."
Looking a little reluctant he nodded. "But sir won't his parents be worried about him?"
"His parents have...met an unfortunate fate. From what I have gathered he doesn't like to speak of his home that much." The Director said fake sympathizing.
"Oh that's not very good at all sir." Florida said worry creeping into his voice. "Is his mind okay? I mean I have spoken with him and he seems fine-" The Director put a hand up to silence him.
"The boys mind was in a bit of a chaotic state when he first arrived. It's only been a short time since he's been here. But I assure you my implant will help him in ways that are simply unimaginable." The Director gave him a kind smile. "I know your good with children Flowers. That's why I called you here, to make sure the boy is kept safe and sound. I hope your up for the task."
Pondering on that for a moment Florida nodded and saluted the Director. "Absolutely sir, you can count on me!"
The Director gave a genuine smile as Florida offered him a handshake. It was all to easy fooling Florida. He was to emotionally attached to most of his jobs and was perfect for guarding the boy. After all now that he was in charge of a mere child he would protect him with his dying breath. Exactly what he called him for. "Can you please send in your partner? We need to discuss a few things."
"Yes indeedy sir right away! Hey California the big man wants you!" He called walking out the door.
The Director sighed at his carefree attitude. That wasn't the one a soldier was supposed to have.
California walked in a pitiful look on his face. "Sorry for Flowers Director he can get kinda...excitable." Sitting down in the chair Florida was in he got comfy.
"It's perfectly fine to be excitable in a time like this Florida. After all with the next phase in the project coming I to am very excited myself." His face lighting up a bit at the new things he had planned. "No tell me how is our side project coming?"
California sighed and pulled out a data pad. "Not good but I have been able to trace which of the video feeds come from where. Seems that it's mostly from the teams quarters. Probably just messages from home, nothing to worry about." He said lazily handing the pad to the Director.
"Keep up the work...also I may have to ask a favor of your skills." The Director said scrolling through the data pad with ease and reading at increased pace. "How are you in hand to hand combat?"
He blinked but nodded slowly. "Fine sir...wait...why?" He questioned knots going in his stomach.
"I have a new recruit coming in and he needs a little training in it if he is to be kept alive." He smiled and California swore he could see fire in the old mans eyes.
Training Room Floor Upper Deck
York stared down at the training room floor and sighed looking to North next to him. "Wyoming's late..." He muttered tapping his foot slightly irritated.
"Calm down York he'll be here soon." North wanted to say more but really he was worried that the fellow sniper wasn't coming. Usually he was the first to check in at meetings waiting for the rest of them to arrive, not the other way around.
"Don't coddle him North if he's not gonna come he's missing out." South said in her normal mean hearted tone. Most of the freelancers were very glad South seemed to be going back into her normal self but she could see the little tensed up look on their faces. They still were hiding something from her.
A little bang over from the walls over the room got their attention. "Enough." Carolina said her voice a neutral tone. "I don't want any bickering here like a bunch of recruits, now if you all would kindly shut up and let us wait for Wyoming in peace..." She left the room silent.
Maine growled in the corner in what seemed like a chuckle.
C.T held a smile underneath her helmet as she looked around at the group stopping a little short at Wash. His posture was a little saggy and he could be seen slumping against the wall not saying a word to anyone.
Truth be told Washington hadn't gotten enough sleep for the past few days. Of course with his experiences in the last few days who could blame him. If they took his helmet off they could see rings under his now hardened eyes. Like he been thinking non stop for months at a time. Strangely he hadn't had any nightmares about what happened in the videos...maybe he hadn't slept at all.
Not to mention she could feel the tension on South. Everyone wondering when to tell her...who would tell her...probably North but at this point nobody was sure on that little detail. North had driven himself into his work to avoid the topic like the plague.
Almost a moment later the white soldier in question came walking into the room. "Sorry I'm late chaps-" Wyoming was cut of shortly by Carolina.
"Sorry doesn't cut it in the military Wyoming." She snapped quickly trying to get everyone as quiet as possible. "Just sit down and be quiet." Her voice lowered as she noticed some of the people in the room flinch from the quick little outburst.
Wyoming wrote this off as Carolina just being her usual self again and tried to play it off walking over to York. "In quite the mood today?" He said nervously glancing at Carolina.
York shrugged. "Can't really tell you Wyoming but apparently she wasn't notified by the Director that this was happening before hand. All she got was the message..." York mused crossing his arms. Carolina was by far the Directors favorite agent and everyone knew why. She was one of the best soldiers to come into the military and was one of the best leaders the team had ever had. She usually got a private message from the Director to prepare herself for a mission of a briefing...not this time though.
"Yeah he was to busy complain about you being late to notice." North joked.
Wyoming sent a little glare at York. "I was late this one time..." He said looking pretty miffed off at the locksmith but he sounded kinda tired. He'd taken his death pretty well all things considered. He realized that death in his work was only natural and hoped that it was a good one. That didn't stop his worrying and insomnia.
Raising his hands York stepped back. "Easy man can't you take a joke?"
Carolina stamped her feet again and growled out. "I. Said. Quiet." Everyone stood dead silent as they could practically feel the malice and venom coming off of her words.
The Silence was broken however as the Director walked in with the Councilor coming in behind him as the door to the room closed. "Agents." He said his voice loud and confident. Soldiers that were relaxing suddenly stood at attention as they heard him speak. Looking around once more he nodded. "At ease." He said folding his arms.
A sigh of relief came from most of the soldiers as they thought he was going to chew them out.
"As you all very well know today will be a very historic day in the history of the project." He looked to the floor below seeing a few troops setting up what appeared to be turrets on the training floor. "This will be the day that we all take a step forward in the light and out of the darkness. Today we begin the true battle against the resistance and hopefully restore order to where chaos has taken over."
Th Councilor looked to the agents and held a smile. "We will be introducing to your already elite arsenal of weaponry a new selection of equipment." He tapped a few times on the data pad he held in his hands. "First off your armor will receive upgrades to make sure your action is made by thought before physical reaction. This will allow for better strategical movements and enhanced combat ability."
South and Maine smiled under their helmets at the mention of their favorite pastime. Oh the things they could do with that...
"Next we have the new range of tactical equipment which...you may choose at your leisure. The Director finds that you have earned the right to choose which ones you will take." The Councilor said looking at the Director with a nod. "Very generous sir."
The Director said nothing as he adjusted his glasses.
Looking back to the pad he gave it a quick flick and scrolled down the list of equipment to what he needed. "One piece of equipment that may cause...a bit of...disruption among you is the option of an A.I."
The room immediately was tense as the mention of the word pulled a low growl out of many in the room. "Now...as you may know Artificial intelligence has the hazard of making mistakes for all of the human race if used..." The Councilor tried to find the right words. "Improperly."
"Yeah that's a word." Washington said under his breath and most the people in the room nodded their heads in agreement.
"But we at Project Freelancer will assure you that will not happen. We have run our tests, checked malfunction probability and can only see that this will help our project. It is up to all of you if one of yourselves wants one." He tried to give the angered freelancers a reassuring look. "It is a slow process to make and manufacture an A.I so please think this over before you say anything."
The Director thought at this point it was time to step in. "While you all think about that I want to make a little...demonstration. Agent Carolina we have two new agents about to enter the training floor, both have had certain equipment put on them, one of which is an A.I. I want you to run the simulations and add as much...difficulty as you think is necessary for them to come onto your team."
Carolina searched the Directors eyes almost wanting to know if this was some kind of test for her. "Yes sir." She said moving to the controls of the room.
"The rest of you may watch and observe what our new agents can do on the battlefield." The Director suggested to them. "If you think that this is quite unnecessary and wish to remove the demonstration then please say the word... " He offered to his soldiers.
The freelancers looked at each other all wondering who would be the first to speak up. North looked to the ones who had the most damage, which was South and Washington. Even though they didn't know it, they probably held the deciding votes...
"I want to see." South practically demanded looking around at everyone. "Guys the Resistance is researching this stuff! If we don't get there first then they have the upper hand and we need to make these assholes pay!" She said stamping her foot to make a point. "What was the point of Kale coming here? To stop them! To help us!" She said pointing over to Washington. "You see what happens to him! To me! We have to change things and this could help!"
North went over to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "South you need to calm down." He said his voice tense at the mention of her in the videos. "Your making good points but stop shouting you look like your throwing a tantrum."
"Yeah be careful or Carolina will court martial your bloody ass." Wyoming said trying to crack a joke and break the very strong amount of tension.
Carolina shook her head pressing a few buttons on the command console. "Shut it Wyoming." Was all she had to say a little smirk going to her face. "Some things never really changed around here." She thought to herself.
Maine growled in what seemed to be annoyance and banged his fist on the wall. That was his signal for "Get on with it."
C.T rolled her eyes but had a little gleam of hate in her pupils and patted his shoulder. "Easy Maine."
York drummed his fingers against the side of his armor. "Look we don't know for sure if these A.I are going to be used against us or not. Frankly I would like to have them on our side before the bad guys have a chance to."
C.T clenched her fists ever so lightly at the mention of that...that despicable lie. The people she worked for would never manufacture something like that! Even then they don't even have the power to do it! It would take millions of dollars just to get the right equipment...but she couldn't risk losing her cover...not now. "Yeah, same goes with me." She said nodding slowly.
South smirked and looked over to North. "You see? We do want to have these things! C'mon North!" She said giving him a punch to the arm. "Don't be such a baby about this and just vote."
North rubbed his arm and looked away from his twin. "I want to see these new guys in action. Then I decide." He said firmly. North saw his sister was about to argue and in a serious tone he responded. "That's my final answer South."
Realizing that he was staying firm on the situation she backed off. "Jeez North don't throw a fit." She said crossing her arms but still held a smirk to her face.
The Councilor looked over to the Director and nodded. "No votes have been cast against the demonstration unless anyone else wants to speak up?" He said eyes traveling over to the silent Washington.
He and the other freelancers said nothing as the Councilor looked at him.
"If the team has nothing against it then let the simulation commence." The Director said with a smug smile. Looking up to one of the computer monitors he called out. F.I.L.S.S please tell Agent Texas to report on the training room floor."
Carolina looked over at the training floor with a flash of hatred in her eyes awaiting for the mystery girl replaying their last encounter.
"My name is Texas." She said coldly to her. "What? You think that just because your the best it gives you the right to boss me around?" She offered circling in the opposite direction of Carolina. "I think you oughta get off that high horse of yours and take a seat. Someone just might shove you off at this rate."
Her hands clenched into fists and her teeth grinded together.
"Texas? Isnt that the one that-" York started but was sent a hard glare by the Director. "Uh...nothing sir." He stated nervously returning his view down into the training floor. "I just thought that Florida and California were going to be the ones, my mistake." He said sweat going down his face as he tried saving his ass from the Directors anger.
The Director loosened the glare to a cold stare that went down to the training floor. He was done waiting around...he wanted to see her...and he wanted to see her now.
Training Room Lockers
Blood. That's all she could see was blood. Her eyes caught the faint glimmer of the sun but was quickly darkened by clouds...nothing...nothing.
"Nothing." Texas murmured her memory fading away as soon as it appeared. Since her very strange flashback with...Carol. Texas had decided to try and see if maybe triggering anymore memories could help her. Unfortunately nothing helped...in fact she may have just taken a sledge hammer to the head. All her memories were...horrible.
In each one she would be humiliated by her bunkmates in the military or hell even down in the battlefield. Texas could barely recall anything before the military and definitely couldn't remember any of her black ops missions...was she just that bad? "No I'm not." Texas protested to herself. She was the best one here and everyone had to know that...especially the Director. She found him...admirable...if he wasn't such a cold dick all the time they might become friends. No...that was one thing she remembered from her time in the military...she had no friends but she didn't wine about it. There was only one person that mattered and that was-
"Texas?" A voice sounded from above her.
Looking up and breaking out of her thoughts she sighed and got up. "Yes F.I.L.S.S?" Texas said cracking her knuckles to relive herself of any kind of stress.
"The Director has ordered that you be on the floor immediately for the simulation. Have you selected your equipment of choice?" The computer sounded off like she was reading a grocery list to a child.
"Yes." Texas said going to the door opening to the arena.
"Agent Texas you do not appear to have chosen a weapon, would you like to postpone-" The computer was cut off by Texas punching a hole into the nearest speaker box getting quite fed up with it.
"I don't need a weapon." She muttered to herself going to walk slowly to the center of the arena. Looking to the upper decks Texas could feel the eyes of almost every freelancer on her as she stood there weaponless. They would see soon enough...
She heard the speaker in the room speak up first. The Director himself. "Agent Texas in the simulation the objective is to take out as many of the turrets as you can without getting hit. As a word of caution the rounds will be live and if you get hit you will get hurt. If at anytime you wish to quit then just say the word and the simulation will end."
Texas nodded and could hear the turrets whirring up around her obviously cloaked.
"Simulation will commence in 3..."
Adrenaline was pumping through her head.
"2..."
She started to think faster and faster.
"1..."
Half a dozen turrets popped up around the arena all at different angles but before any them had the chance to find the target Texas had vanished into thin air. She had activated her cloaking armor enhancement and it worked like a charm. Heading for the nearest one mounted to the floor on her left she grabbed the top of it and ripped it straight out of the ground and into a turret mounted onto the ceiling above her.
"Holy crap!" C.T yelled from the deck taking off her helmet and rubbing her eyes. She wasn't the only one left in awe as stunned reactions came from all freelancers however small.
York snapping out of his shock looked over to Maine and winked. "My good man it looks like you finally have competition." He said chuckling and looking back to the arena.
He growled in annoyance but had to admit her strength was very impressive.
Back in the action the turrets had begun to fire rounds seemingly shooting in all directions as if that would give them some kind of hope in hitting Texas. Said agent then used this to her advantage as she ran up the wall and jumped herself on top of her newest weapon of destruction. Punching the thing straight out of the wall she dropped down and began shooting down her wall mounted targets with the hi-jacked weapon.
Carolina banged her fist down at her console muttered. "Damn it..." She said switching the targeting system to thermal and getting nothing. Looks like she had some serious stealth armor...not even a freaking pulse on her monitor. She tapped in a few more commands and started moving the ground mounted turrets closer to their target.
Texas was to fast however and ran right up to the nearest turret seeming to dodge bullets as she went to it. Calculating the distance the distance in her head of where the next turret was going to be after this one she smirked under her helmet. It was time to show off. Raising her current weapon she hit the turret like a baseball and sent it hurtling into the final one on the ground making it fly straight up into the air. Raising what was left of her turret she shot the flying target until it was scrap metal as it hit the floor.
"All targets have been eliminated in 59.4 seconds." The computer sounded out in her usual cheery tone. "Excellent job agent Texas."
Every freelancer was in complete awe. The way Texas moved was...like she was in zero gravity and no rules applied to her. Her speed was amazing able to outrun bullets and computer calculations. Not to mention that equipment was like magic with being able to disappear in a split second.
All of this made Carolina one very ticked off freelancer. How dare she show them up like that. How dare she walk in here and completely make what Carolina does on a daily basis look like...like...like freaking child's play!
C.T was horrified at the prospect of the Resistance fighting a soldier like her. Most likely she would have a talk with Jeris about this when they next called. They really needed to work on this problem...but...there was always the next soldier.
"Good work agent, you may go to your quarters for further evaluation." The Director said smiling down at the agent which he rarely ever did to any of his regular soldiers. As Texas walked out of the arena The Director's smile turned back to his usual business like look. "As many of you are probably guessing that Agent Texas was using her A.I unit in that simulation in truth she simply used her armor enhancements to their fullest capability and nothing more."
York let loose a wolf whistle at that announcement and looked to floor. Thank God he was never going to fight that chick...she was plenty damn scary. Looking over to the fuming Carolina at the sound of his whistle he decided that they were both pretty damn scary.
"F.I.L.S.S bring in Agent Nevada for his evaluation." He stopped and thought for a moment. "Prep the arena for the paintball simulation I want to run a few tests with the equipment set in his armor."
"Of course Director, he will be out shortly." The voice replied very cheerfully. "I do hope they make a good impression."
Training Room Lockers
"Okay are you sure your ready to go? If you wanna quit and get shot out the nearest airlock we can do that to." Alpha said his voice loud and clear through Kale's head as he put his helmet on. "I honestly wouldn't mind that much."
Kale wore what appeared to be a smaller version of York's freelancer armor with a green paint job. As he put the helmet on the hud for it came with it. It was like everything became sharper and clearer to him. He could hear a little bit of radio chatter from the hanger of the ship along with a standerd tutorial that Alpha shut off. "Hey I could have gone running off anytime I wanted to."
Alpha scoffed in his head. "Yeah right you'd probably trip and fall out the door with your luck." A holographic image of him popped up next to Kale. "In all seriousness though you probably have a better shot at this with people shooting at you then running off. With me on you, these guys would hunt you down. Hard."
"I get the message...so what the hell are we doing anyways?" Kale muttered.
"Well we've got a few options, first-" Alpha was interrupted by the voice of the ships computer which scared the crap out of them both.
"Hello agent Nevada. We will begin setting up the paintball simulation training. You have a few minutes to prepare yourself." She paused for a moment and giggled. "Good luck Alpha, I hope you do well!"
Kale turned to the hologram with a smile. "Looks like somebody has a girlfriend. I wonder how fast you can mess this up."
Alpha groaned and disappeared into Kale's helmet. "I hate you...I really hate you Houdini." The A.I sighed and managed to bring himself up on Kale's helmet. "Okay so here's how this suit works, usually your physical body movements are the first thing to move it and then you kick ass and take names. Unfortunately your body is not really up to shape to move this kind of armor so we have to use the new system which is that we control it by thought." The suit suddenly glowed a bit blue along the edges. "Now since I'm plugged in here I will be helping you with the combat and all that bullshit."
Kale raised his arms and felt no real difference between his physical and mental behavior. "I don't really feel all that different." He said waving his hand in front of his face.
His hand then changed course and crashed into his helmet sending him flat on his ass.
"HAHAHA!" Alpha laughed hysterically in his head. "Man I have been waiting to punch you for ages! It feels so good to hit stuff with actual hands!" He cheered giving Kale a headache...more then he was already feeling. "Okay, okay...I'm helping you move around. I'm doing the thinking and your doing the walking. That simple enough? Only problem is now your almost bulletproof." Alpha said sadly.
"Oh yeah cry me a river..." Kale murmured.
Alpha had a fist crash into his head again and tried to conceal his laughter. "This is from the guy that chose Nevada for his state name? Whoever heard of anyone from Nevada anyways? It sounds like a restaurant then a state." He said like it was actually a funny joke.
Kale getting up shook his head lightly making sure he had his armor movements down pat. "Okay so what equipment did we get?" Kale asked wanting to know if he got a jet pack or not...it would be really cool to fly in the air but seeing as what happened to Georgia in the show...
"Finally a question that matters well Tex already took the cloaking and-" He was shut up the immediate out cry of Kale.
"Tex?! How is she here? She's not supposed to be here yet!" He cried looking up and around the place like the room may crash around him. How had he let this happen? Had Alpha fragmented while he was in a coma or was it before that? No it had to have been when he went under...nobody knew who she was! "Alpha are you okay man? Do you feel fine?"
Alpha had to make sure Kale wasn't having another panic attacked and locked down his movements in the armor. "Will you calm down? Tex has been here for the last couple of days recovering from a firefight she had-" Alpha stopped as Kale's heartbeat kept going up. "Houdini calm down." Alpha said slightly panicked. "What's wrong with Tex? We can prevent her death now Kale just-" His rambling was stopped by the ships computer.
"Agent Nevada please report to the training room floor." It said almost in a stern like fashion.
Alpha groaned and looked over to Kale struggling in the suit. "Okay Houdini here's the plan. We do this first then we talk, it'll take 5 minutes with me?. I think you can wait that long for whatever you have going on." This seemed to calm him down and stopped his heart rate from going to unhealthy levels. "You good?"
Kale took a breath in and out heaving heavily. "There had better not be anymore surprises today Alpha." He muttered to himself angrily resigning to the deal. "Otherwise I might actually die of a heart attack, my next one I get a free yogurt from the devil."
Alpha snickered and said nothing as he unlocked Kale's armor. "Showtime Houdini let's show them some magic tricks."
Kale started out in small strides as he went to leave the locker room. Little butterflies danced around in his stomach as he thought of the live paintball rounds going to his face...they were going to sting like hell! At least he had Alpha...and he was at least talking up a good game. Maybe he wouldn't do so bad with him around.
Getting out of the room the exit opening up before him he saw the familiar setting of the paintball floor. Seeing a metal table to his side as he walked out he looked over it and his worst fear was suddenly shoved in his face. He'd never held a handgun at anybody before. But there it was just sitting there...clip filled in. Even if it was just paint he couldn't help the knots in his stomach get bigger.
"Agent Nevada." The Director's voice called from above dragging his attention away from the gun. "Your objective is to eliminate your enemies at the end of each round. I suppose you have heard of our paintball bullets but they will not hurt or kill you. Although they will hurt." The voice sounded amused at the thought of Kale getting a beat down by whoever they sent out.
Kale shook his head trying to clear his mind and picked up the gun. His hand immediately tightened around it like a magnet his fingers curling around the trigger. This was probably his little friend in the back doing this. Taking in a deep breath he sighed and responded much louder than intended. "Ready sir." He was shocked at his own voice. It was like puberty had run him over with a train, silky and smoothly deep.
Looking over his shoulders he found that the other team had entered trough another door on the side. He counted five in total with one glance and blinked at how fast he calculated that. "Don't worry." A voice whispered in his head. "Just a little effect of me in here. Over analyzing situations was in more core programming. These guys are pushovers Kale, let me take the reigns."
Kale shook his head lightly. "Not happening." He whispered as he went to ready himself. Looking up he found the Director looking down at him. He found himself get angry at him. Angry for putting everyone here, anger at putting everyone as his scapegoat and anger for placing Kale as his little new soldier. Growling he clenched the gun hard and waited for the round to begin.
"Houdini?" Alpha said worried.
"Round 1 begins in 3..."
Kale growled and took a step forward in a running motion. "Alpha?"
"2..."
"Kale?" The A.I responded a little nervous at his attitude.
"1." The computer finished and the other soldiers running forward.
He grinned under his helmet and ran forward. "Start shooting."
Well I think it's time to let my cliffhanger rules state that I am a jerk that should never be allowed to write. I write intense stories that have 2 month wait periods on them for God's sake.
But in all seriousness I am hoping that nothing like this happens again. EVER.
To lighten the mood let's see our Rooster Teeth quote of the week! This week we take a look into one of the teams many VS battles as Michael challenges Geoff to the unthinkable! Peggle 2 with a twist!
Ryan: This seems like an unwise choice.
Michael: Yeah I know but here's the twist, I know I stand no chance as Ray stood no chance. Here's what we're gonna do this time we're playing with the Kinect.
He gestures to the Kinect on top of the Xbox 360.
Geoff: Awww shit.
Ryan: A change in controls?
Ray: Is that even legal?!
See you guys next time when I update which hopefully will be a lot quicker than this time. Review, spread the word to Rooster teeth and get their attention! I still want this on the podcast! Living the dream baby! Living the dream!