Chapter 17: Curious Observations
"Quitting already? Pathetic. I should've had Mal send me one of your older brothers." Wrandok derisively stated while observing the youth who was sprawled across the floor before him. He was in the middle of overseeing the boy's training in a workout room in the Hunter mansion and wasn't pleased with the progress that had been made so far. "You hear me whelp? Get up!" he barked.
Ray slowly struggled to his hands and knees before immediately collapsing back onto the floor while struggling to catch his breath. "I can't…it's impossible."
"Shut up and get back on your feet, NOW!" Wrandok snarled. His pupil once again stumbled on all fours before finally returning to his feet after a furious struggle and a lot of sweat. "We're gonna repeat this as many times as it takes until you get it right. Now grab that weapon and don't drop it this time." he ordered before pointing at a large hammer that was sitting on the floor near Ray, who wasn't eager to lift the monstrous instrument of destruction again.
"Wrandok, that thing was meant to be used by krogan. Even with my focus I can barely carry it, let alone swing it the way you want me to." Ray complained in exhaustion.
"This whining of yours is starting to get old." Wrandok replied disdainfully. "Your big brothers have both handled it without breaking a sweat on their first try and so has your sister. Does it make you happy knowing that you're weaker than they are?"
"Damn it, they're older than me too!" Ray protested in frustration.
"That's no excuse. Do you know how many of my brothers I had to kill in the past in order to survive? Plenty of them had a few centuries on me but that didn't help them in the end." Wrandok angrily retorted. "If you're serious about learning how to fight like me then you'd better start proving it."
Ray continued a few more labored breaths before finally reaching for the colossal hammer lying beside him. After increasing his muscle mass, he gripped the weapon and with a monumental effort, lifted it into the air. Just holding it took every ounce of strength he had and his entire body ached from the exertion.
"Good, now make a barrier." Wrandok ordered. Ray gave him a brief look of annoyance before quickly complying. "Listen whelp and listen well. Right now your older brother is the most powerful cub among you. None of you brats can match Lucas when it comes to strength. But I plan to change that. You're still growing and there's a lot of potential in that body of yours, maybe not enough to surpass him but at the very least enough to match him. Someday I'll expect you to be able to use that hammer with just one hand. Until then, you won't be getting one of your own and there won't any point in teaching you how to use it to harness your biotics or channel tech. The basics, that's what we'll stick to for now. Alright, get ready and try not to scream if something gets broken."
Ray immediately tightened his grip on the cumbersome weapon he was holding while facing down the old krogan warlord. It was going to be another long and painful day.
"Mom, shouldn't we stop Grandpa? I'm pretty sure Mal and Tess will be fairly upset if they come home to find one of their children dead." Zel'me casually mused while observing the scene from a perch atop a bench press on the other side of the room.
"Ray volunteered for this despite my warnings. I'll intervene if necessary but ultimately he'll have to see this through." Nisiz informed her. "The boy seems to instinctively focus his power inward. Interesting."
"You mean stupid." Zel'me scoffed. "What's the point in using biotics just to make your muscles bigger or to fortify barriers?"
"I imagine both will prove quite useful in the future should he succeed in this questionable ambition of his." Nisiz thoughtfully replied.
"Well, I'm bored. I think I'll go see what Jordy is up to." Zel'me cheerfully stated before leaping from her perch and gracefully landing on her feet.
"You're free to observe but don't interrupt him, Zel'me." Nisiz cautioned.
"Don't worry, I won't." she assured her before skipping off.
"That child…" Nisiz quietly sighed while watching her leave.
"What the hell was that?!" Nate demanded while staring transfixed at the smoking remains of a defensive turret that he and Randall had been using as part of their training only moments before inside of an abandoned ore refinery in the Cobalt District of Cartagena.
"You like that?" Randall casually inquired while powering down his biotics. "That little trick saved my ass plenty of times in the past when I had to deal with turrets. It's useful against living targets too but only if they aren't moving."
"I've never seen anything like that before." Nate whispered to himself. "I definitely have to learn how to pull that off."
"Too bad." Randall said gruffly before turning to face his protégé. "You aren't dabbling in anything advanced until I'm satisfied with your other skills."
"Oh come on!" Nate complained. "For the last few weeks you've had me do nothing but run around, slide and do target practice with the occasional pull using my biotics."
"And your point?" Randall casually countered. "You'll move at the pace I set punk." Nate responded by muttering all manner of curses under his breath, amusing Randall in the process. "I learned how to be a soldier and handle wetwork long before delving into biotics. You'll do the same and by the time we're through you'll be lethal regardless of what you're carrying. You may not be able to match those brothers or that volatile sister of yours in hand-to-hand but that won't stop you from being dangerous."
"I have to be ready, Randall. Dad doesn't talk about it, but I know he's got a lot on his mind. And not just pirates." Nate seriously replied.
"You're sharper than you look. Make sure no one else finds out. The weaker the enemy thinks you are, the better." Randall advised him. "Alright, let's get back to it."
"So why exactly did you summon us here? Your message indicated that it had something to do with the twins." Virgo calmly inquired before taking a sip of her tea. She was at that moment holding council with several other senior members of the Terminus Wolves inside the meditation room within the home of a currently troubled colleague.
"I gave Mal my word that I'd instruct them alongside my own daughters but the situation has become…complicated. They've progressed far faster than I ever anticipated and the abilities that they've begun to manifest, it pains me to admit it but even with my centuries of experience I find myself at a loss with how to proceed." Hildy explained with a hint of shame.
"The Shepards experienced similar difficulties when Angelica was younger, fortunately I was on hand to assist them. They weren't all thrilled about it but in the end they consented and we've all seen the results." Virgo cheerfully replied.
"Exactly what sort of dilemma are you facing?" Maura gently inquired.
"Layla and Sasha are both powerful beyond their years in ways that I doubt anyone could've foreseen. They're also quite precocious and not above pushing their abilities further than advised. I had hoped that dividing their studies between engineering and biotics would curb their ambitions but it seems my plan may have backfired. Thanks to myself and Zade, they know far more than any child should when it comes manipulating tech and harnessing biotic power. But their thirst for knowledge is insatiable and I fear that hindering them would result in a lapse in their discipline. Sadly, we've reached the limits of what we can teach them alone and…I find myself in need of assistance." Hildy confessed.
"Hildy, you should have come to us sooner. None of us are omniscient and the children have all benefited from our collective guidance." Taya explained in a sympathetic tone.
"I agree but I won't bother scolding you. Mal's children have consistently proven to be exceptional just like their father." Virgo fondly added. "Vince is all grown up, so I can take over their studies now that I have some free time."
"I'll do what I can as well. I can supplement their lessons with a few science seminars. In fact, they can join Cherish in her sessions. She has also proven to be a fast learner." Taya offered.
"It goes without saying that I'll do whatever I can to help too. I can tutor them whenever Blaze and the boys are away at the shooting range." Maura added brightly.
"Libra already has her hands full with her own children in addition to Leon and Jordy. But she may be able to offer her expertise from time to time. I must admit, she is a surprisingly good teacher. We can also have Gage pitch in. He's never too busy these days." Virgo pleasantly stated before taking another sip of her tea.
"Thank you, all of you." Hildy replied in appreciation.
"You needn't thank us, Hildy. The children are all precious investments for the future. Investments that we can't afford not to nurture, especially with-"
"That's enough, Taya. We wouldn't want to let anything slip around mischievous ears." Virgo warned her before smiling as a small eavesdropping device shaped like a mouse scurried off from the room and returned to its masters who were waiting outside the front door of the spacious house while sitting with their friend on the steps.
"That Virgo, she's too clever." Layla thoughtfully mused after picking up her listening device as it scampered into her hand.
"Which is good since we'll be taking lessons with her now." Sasha agreed.
"I had no idea the two of you were so far ahead of everyone." Cherish curiously remarked while sitting between the pair.
"We prefer not to show off in school. Most people envy us enough already because of who Dad is." Layla explained in an offhand manner.
"Keeping a low profile is also good practice for operating in the underworld." Sasha added.
"So you're both still serious about that?" Cherish asked before glancing at each of her friends.
"And why wouldn't we be?" Layla calmly responded. "Dad has a solid information network and his Shadow Fangs are among the best but there's always room for improvement. Despite the spies he has in the SPECTRES, he still doesn't know all the specifics of their organization or how many of them they're actually are. That's a dangerous gap to have in his intelligence, especially given the history that he has with the Citadel and Council. He doesn't trust them and the feeling is mutual, which is fine. But there's a reason the Council employs SPECTRES in the first place and we'll make sure they don't threaten our family or anyone else around here."
"There's also the Shadow Broker, an omnipotent information dealer who's been operating for centuries and who manipulated Dad in the past. His agents have crossed paths with ours too many times now and it's starting to piss everyone off. Mom, Dad, the senior Wolves, they're all starting to get frustrated and for good reason. Whoever the Broker is, it's safe to assume he's got dirt on all of us. We can't afford to have our secrets be leaked to the highest bidder." Sasha carefully explained.
"You both know way more than you should about everything. And I'm pretty sure none of us are supposed to know about the Shadow Fangs. If Mal knew about what you were doing…"
"Dad has enough to worry about. And he's keeping way more important things from us. But that's okay, we'll learn everything eventually. In the meantime, we'll play the role of sweet and innocent and make sure everyone believes our adorable curiosity only extends to furthering our biotic and tech abilities. It's a useful façade that's already come in handy." Layla continued in a methodical tone.
"Speaking of facades, how long do you think Nate's going to maintain his?" Sasha pondered.
"He'll wear that mask for as long as he can. He might actually be useful someday, assuming he survives Randall's instruction. We'll need a good shadow operative helping us in the future and I can't think of a better candidate than one of our siblings." Layla casually mused before smiling a little. "He really thinks he's gotten over on everyone."
"I'm really glad Jordy doesn't take after you three." Cherish replied in exasperation.
"Babies will be babies." Sasha stated plainly. "He's too naïve but being the youngest means he can get away with it for now."
"You say that like it's a bad thing. Jordy is sweet, kind, noble, honest, straightforward, brave-"
"Ugh, I keep forgetting how smitten you are. Just hurry up and kiss him already." Sasha scoffed.
"I am not! And I won't!" Cherish furiously replied while blushing.
"This again." Layla added in annoyance while rolling her eyes. "Keep this up and Zel'me will swoop in after a few more years and steal him."
"Is that so? By the way, how's Keith Hawkins? Have you told Mal about him yet?" Cherish ominously responded, instantly silencing both of her friends and ending their taunts.
"Well played." Layla finally replied after several moments of silence. "You may not want to admit it but we're actually rubbing off on you." she said in admiration.
"Having to acknowledge that makes me feel dirty." Cherish confessed before cringing slightly.
"Good, if you're lucky, Jordy will like that." Sasha joked causing both twins to laugh while Cherish quietly fumed in embarrassment.
"Your stance has improved considerably and you've already begun to instinctively incorporate your biotics into your attacks. Well done." Libra announced in a complimentary tone as her young pupil sheathed his monomolecular blade.
She and the boy's other teacher were currently occupying an empty battleground at the combat arena where many denizens of Cartagena spent their free time observing and betting on the brutal and chaotic fights that often took place there.
"At this rate, we'll have to upgrade the mechs that we use during practice. We purchased these at a bargain but considering how easily Jordy managed to dismantle them…" Rika mused while examining the destroyed remnants of several LOKI mechs that were littering the area.
"It was inevitable. They are outdated and Jordy's growth is unparalleled. We'll simply have to adjust." Libra added before smiling at her young student. "Mal would be very impressed with you right now, I'm certain of it."
Jordan simply wiped the sweat from his face before taking a seat on the ground and crossing his legs. "I doubt it. Vince and Lou have done better. I'll never be like them."
"Your brothers happen to be older and have a great deal more experience than you. In time you'll catch up and once Zaeed begins teaching you the finer points of marksmanship along with the other tactics and techniques that he's developed over the years, you'll be just as formidable if not more so." Libra assured him but the youth remained unconvinced. Libra exchanged a quick glance with Rika who decided to try her own hand at cheering him up.
"You know, your father knows how to use a sword himself."
"What?!"
"It's true. Mal remains an enigma, even to those of us who've known him the longest." Rika began. "Many years ago during the war, a few of us found ourselves on standby while Tess led an operation to liberate a Volus owned mining facility from Trio forces. Mal, Mason and myself had just returned to Omega after handling another assignment as a favor for Aria. With both of our ships gone and most of our friends with them, we found ourselves unable to make a move until the others returned. My Oaf and Mal tend to bore easily and aren't above resorting to juvenile diversions in order to amuse themselves. And so, one night after a rather ridiculous bout of bickering that was a result of the fools watching a vid program about the history of Earth's greatest swordsman, Mal approached me after my Oaf proposed a challenge. 'Teach me how to use a sword.' I still remember the request like it was yesterday.
"You mean…you actually taught Dad too?"
"Indeed I did. He picked up the basics in a matter of days and achieved what many would consider to be perfection almost as quickly, all for the sake of a few bragging rights and collecting a few credits from my Oaf. And then he simply grew bored and abandoned it. Just like that. The entire ordeal was little more than a passing amusement for him and I'm not ashamed to admit that the whole experience infuriated me. It was such a waste and I told him as much. But of course he waved me off and once Tess and the others returned, we had other business to contend with. I was quite bitter about it for some time until I heard how he'd used what I taught him during his battle with Aries on Sur'Kesh. He hadn't forgotten and even now, I'm certain he still remembers and retains what I taught him." Rika fondly explained.
"I'm not really sure I understand what you're getting at." Jordan replied in bewilderment.
"My point is simple. Your father became even more dangerous than he already is with only a few weeks of practice. Imagine how fearsome his youngest son will be after a few years." Rika responded before slowly approaching him and joining him on the ground. "The youngest cub will be the deadliest if we have anything to say about it." she assured him.
"At the very least, you'll be stronger than those N7 Slayers that the Alliance boasts about." Libra added before joining the pair herself.
"I'm not so sure about that but I never planned to quit anyway. I like wielding a sword as much as I like shooting. Plus, I like having you guys as teachers. You're both the best as far as I'm concerned." Jordy replied earnestly, quickly causing his mentors to fawn over him.
"This child is almost too wonderful sometimes." Rika stated warmly while embracing him. "He's inherited his father's way with words."
"Fortunately we still have a little bit of time left to keep him to ourselves before he leaves us to start dating." Libra joked while gently brushing his hair.
"Alright, quit it!" Jordan shouted indignantly. "I hate when you baby me. I get enough of that from Mom."
"Oh, can you imagine how Tess will react when he finally brings a girl home? Her precious baby growing up and pulling away, our poor den mother." Rika humorously lamented.
"I'll sympathize with her when the time comes." Libra replied before looking down at Jordy. "How is Cherish?"
Both women chose to ignore the furious protests of their student while laughing among themselves as a curious pair of eyes belonging to an impish young asari observed them all from the arena stands.
"I certainly don't appreciate being ignored." Zel'me stated while pouting. "He is coming along nicely though. So many attractive options Mal, I wonder who I should choose? I suppose only time will tell." she playfully mused while kicking her feet back and relaxing in a chair.