Disclaimer: See first chapter
AN: Man, this thing's like doing a history report sometimes. But I won't give up until it's completed
Chap. 32
Massachusetts, 1775
The fighting of what would soon be known as the American Revolutionary war was at its start. In the cool autumn weather outside, soldiers was training for battle in the fields. The numbers were large, but many of those numbers are untrained for military. Because of this, some of those who had trained for combat were there to assist the training. One of such ones was roving across the shooting range, examining the would-be-soldiers. He soon stopped behind one of them, adjusting his glasses as he watched the young man ready his rifle. The youth soon fired, but he missed his target. Moving up to him, he spoke to the young man
"Pull your shoulder back a little and ease into it."
The man blinked and looked up at the speaking. Seeing that it was a superior officer, the youth immediately turned back to the target and did as ordered
Bang!
The shot rang true and hit the target dead center. The officer nodded slightly, but then return to his previous mindset. He had not come to this particular man simply because. Part of training was discipline, and from what he had heard about this fellow, he needed it.
"You seem to be a little young for these ranks."
"I am twenty years...!" the younger man snapped. But he soon regretted it and lowered his head. "I apologize, sir."
But the older man didn't seem to accept it. "Twenty, huh? You must consider yourself a man then, huh?"
"Yes, sir! I mean, no sir! I mean..." the young man went quiet again while the elder one simply looked at him.
"As I said, you seem to be a little young for these ranks."
"...Yes, sir."
The officer folded his arms. "In fact, the only reason I can think of that someone like you would be here is because you have nothing else, but to fight. What of your parents?"
The younger man seemed unsure at first and the officer thought he saw a glint of anger in his eyes. "My dad...was killed in Concord. And mother died from fever a couple of months afterward."
"I see."
"If I am to survive, I have to be strong." The young man then raised his eyes to the officer's "So I have to fight."
"So you want to be strong so that you can survive..." Inwardly though, the man nodded with understanding. It was pretty much how he lived his life up until now.
His five-hundred and thirty four years of life...
"What's your name?"
"Guile, sir." the young male saluted partly. "William T. Guile."
"Will, huh?" he nodded. "Well, what you say is a sensible enough path, but you shouldn't fight for that reason alone."
Guile frown partly. "Then, how can I be strong?"
"Be a patriot."
"A patriot?" Guile's frown soon changed to match his confusion. "But...isn't that what I am doing here?"
"That's not what I mean." The older man knew what Guile was saying, that being a soldier indicated that he was fighting for this country. But… "To be a patriot...it's not just loyalty to a country or a people, but to an idea. Nobility, justice, honor...this is what it means to be a patriot." Unfolding his arms, he placed a hand on Guile's shoulder. "Remember that, and you'll always be strong, Will."
"Yes, sir."
The officer smiled. "The name's Nash. But my friends call me Charlie."
"Colonel Guile. I am Chun-Li Xiang of Interpol."
The woman lent out her hand to shake his, as it was customary in his country. But he simply looked at her, his face a solid stone glare.
"And?"
Chun Li blinked at his abrupt response, but simply spoke on. "I have been assigned to be your partner in the Shadowloo investigation."
His face didn't change a bit as he replied. "I'll make this short then. I don't need a partner in tracking those vipers down."
Now she frowned. While it was somewhat comforting to know that her partner felt the same way she did about this situation and about Shadowloo, his outright rudeness was really unnecessary.
"Whether that is the case or not, I have my orders as do you, I venture."
Her voice was still civil, but there was an edge to it this time. It was just a short way of her saying 'I understand how you feel, but if you don't learn proper manners, I will make you regret it'. How she would make him regret it was left up to debate, but she hoped it would not come to them crossing blades. The large man seemed to understand this and move to her side.
"Orders or not, I will bring Shadowloo down." He bent slightly, so that only she would hear his next words.
"...One way or another."
Unknown
He watched...
He had been, for the longest time now. Every one of them was on various monitors, set before him, each displaying place from all over the world, as they should be. Their every movement was known to him quite well, for his servants were everywhere. It had taken him quite a while to set them all up. And it wasn't until recently that he acquired the technology to create newer, more loyal slaved. But the time didn't matter to him. He had time for it after all.
Many lifetimes worth...
However, there was a momentary scowl on his features. The one that he had taken an interest in had disappeared once again. It was annoying that this particular person could do that every time, but it wasn't so bad. He knew who his compatriots were. He knew who his friends were. He will reappear. All he had to do was wait.
Speaking of friends and compatriots...
On one of the monitors, there was a visual display of a Chinese airport, showing him a scene of the two immortal that had come together there. A dark grin formed. 'So they finally decided to unite and try to take me down, heh?' It was an absurd thought in his mind, but it would be entertaining to see them try. It wasn't as if they could find him. And even if they did, they wouldn't be able to do a thing to stop him.
No one could...
So he would watch; watch their pathetic efforts to try and take him down. They were certainly motivated enough, so it would be a great show. Perhaps they will find them. Or would it be better if he let himself be found. That was such a delicious idea. They were certainly powerful enough, but they need to be tested. And he had plenty of things to throw in their way. And if he found them worthy, then he will allow them to see the face of their enemy.
Just before he takes their heads...