One week later
Saturday
Well, that had been a fun week!
Firstly, on Monday, Chloe was in tears! The reason? She missed Curtis, who had gone home last Friday! Monday was Curtis' tenth birthday and Chloe had wanted to be with him, strange considering she usually can't stand the sight of him! Thankfully she got over that; I don't really know how to cope with crying teenagers, that's more Dave's kind of thing!
Also on Monday, Marcus went home! It was good having him to stay, but he still had a lot of mess to clear up in New York, some of which was mine!
Secondly, on Wednesday, we had reached the next anniversary: The Funeral, The Van and The Warehouse fight, closely followed on Thursday by the anniversary of my kissing Dave and leaving New York, for what I thought was for good!
Talk about emotions! I couldn't stop the damn things, I just hugged Dave and cried. Marty was having flashbacks and kept his sanity by explaining everything he knew to Kim and Chloe. Chloe had never heard the story about what had occurred that day, so was enthralled by the whole thing. She was particularly amazed by my antics on top of that van, while rescuing Dave! Not to mention my threatening to rip a man's cock off! Chloe actually asked permission to reuse that one, one day!
Josh had also survived his first week with us, too! Jack has been dropping Josh off with us, on his way to work each morning. Like Marcus he still has some clearing up to do in Chicago, some of which was Dave's mess!
Dave's little fun day, a couple of weeks ago actually proved very useful. Ignoring Dave's, unwarranted, revenge against sweet, innocent, Mindy Macready, I did learn some very useful things; archery, was one of them. According to Kim, she was very good at archery, when at both high school and college and had mastered the compound bow. I was also talking to Dr Bennett and learnt that Chloe was a competent archer, too; the little minx, hadn't mentioned that, not even when we were fighting The Archer! Dave also mentioned that among his many hidden skills, knife throwing being one of them, Josh could also handle a crossbow! Now, I am familiar with the crossbow; Daddy taught me how to use one, when I was ten. I have never used a compound bow though, but I thought that I would look into them and maybe get some for training and maybe to use operationally. They would be relatively silent as a weapon, as I learnt with The Archer!
Anyway, back to the present...
Between us all, we had discussed making changes to our combat suits.
Chloe needed a new top, as her's was wrecked by Ralph D'Amico. Marty needed some proper armour for his Battle Guy costume and Josh needed his first combat suit, as did Kim. Dave and I already had newer, more advanced armour, so we would be okay for now, at least that was what I thought, until The Armourer showed me some of the items that he could supply!
Hit Girl: This new combat suit would be very different! My upper body had different armour, that would still allow me to flex and move as I could before, but the protection was now up to Type III-A around the chest, stomach and back, the extra protection also wrapped around the sides. This new armour was black, with a purple tint and trimmed with purple and fitted on top of the under-suit, in a similar way to Kick-Ass' current suit. I had new gauntlets that were slimmer than previously, but still able to handle blades without injury. On the back of each gauntlet was an extra layer of purple armour, to allow me to deflect blows from swords, or other melee weapons. The gauntlets extended up my lower arms to the elbows, with extended sections to protect the elbow joints. These connected with armour that extended down from each shoulder, protecting the shoulder joints with Type III-A armour and extending down over the upper arms. The gauntlets were black, but the shoulder and upper arm armour sections were purple. Additional armour extended up from my chest to protect the collar bones and neck.
The under-suit was like that worn by Kick-Ass, but it was in two halves. This was mauve and made of a composite material that provided Type II protection. I had additional armour on my thighs, which also supported my Tanto, on the right and three throwing knives on the left. The purple armour from the thighs, extended down to just above my knees. My combat suit boots, were as before, but Mauve and provided good grip and protection for my feet and ankles. Type III-A armour wrapped around my lower legs, connecting with my boots and rising up to protect my knees, before connecting to the thigh armour. The lower leg armour was black, with purple highlights.
I had a separate utility belt that went around my waist and attached to the armour, at the rear of my combat suit and to points, on the front armour, just above my crotch. On this belt were my new, larger pistol holsters, as I had changed my pistols. I had various pouches, including a custom pouch for the communications gear at the back. My Katana swords had mountings for their Sayas, on the armour at the back of the combat suit.
The combat suit was finished off with my mask. This covered my entire head, except for my jaw. There was armour protection around the top and back of my head, extending down to the nape of the neck and around the sides. There was also protection for my cheek bones. The mask was dark grey and supported my purple wig that I had abandoned at the end of last year. Also back was a newer cape in a very deep purple, I believed that they called it 'tyrian purple'. The cape was a made of the same composite material as the under-suit, but in only two layers, making it light, but still able to deflect bullets and blades. This attached around the back of my neck, while still allowing me to seize my swords.
I mentioned changing my pistols.
In New York, I had selected the Glock 19 Gen4, as it had more stopping power than my SIG Sauer P232 pistols. I had decided to continue with these pistols and now had a pair of Custom Glock 19 Gen4 9-millimetre pistols, with purple grips, of course! This pistol had a fifteen round capacity and could take additional items, such as a light and laser, plus a suppressor.
Shadow: Shadow was a challenge, as usual! Her combat suit had been damaged and soaked in Josh's blood, so needed to be replaced. Chloe was also growing in height, as well as broadening out in other places, so needed a larger size anyway!
There was a new under-suit, just like mine and this was slate grey. The extra armour was the same for Shadow, as were the gauntlets, except that instead of purple, slate grey had been substituted and the armour and gauntlets were navy blue. Shadow had the same boots and lower leg protection, again with navy blue instead of purple. The mask was also the same as mine, although Shadow would retain the black ninja scarf, over the combat suit mask.
There was also a new aikidogi, in navy blue. Shadow's utility belt was attached in the same way as mine and carried her communications and other equipment. Her pistol holster was fitted on the left side, so that the pistol could be drawn with her right hand, across her body. Her left thigh had attachments for a pouch that could hold two fifty-round magazines for her P90. As Shadow would, eventually, be riding a motorcycle, the hakama would no longer be compatible and was, therefore, omitted.
Battle Guy: This was a challenge, too. I obtained a SWAT style combat uniform in cobalt blue, but made from the same composite material, that provided Type II protection. Over this there was Type III-A armour for the lower legs, knees and thighs. There was a combat vest that had Type II protection, but with additional panels of Type III-A over the chest and on the upper back. There was also Type III-A protection for the shoulders and upper arms. Gauntlets covered the hands and lower arms. These were dark grey, as was the other armour. The combat vest was black. The combat suit was finished off with a pair of black combat boots and his current mask.
A black webbing belt, had pouches for communications and other items. There was a holster for his Glock 17 and another for a Taser, the same as Kick-Ass'. I had added the Taser, as he obviously seemed capable of using one properly! He would also carry a Type III shield, in navy blue, with a white five-sided star in the centre. As far as a melee weapon was concerned, I was going to train Battle Guy on the Gladius, or short stabbing sword. There was an attachment for this on his belt.
Hawk: Now, the difficult one! Hawk basically had the same suit as Hit Girl and Shadow, except that the highlights and trim were chestnut brown and navy blue. The utility belt had a holster for a Glock 17 and a Taser, as well as the usual pouches for communications and other equipment. Her mask had a more beak like point to it, over her nose and had feather-like highlights, in a combination of chestnut and roufous browns, on either side.
The intention was to train Hawk to use the bō-staff. I had had a bō-staff made for her, very similar to Shadow's, however this staff was designed to be stowed in two halves and attachments for these were provided on the back of Hawk's combat suit. They could also be used independently or joined together at the base to form the staff.
Jackal: Now for the little twat that likes to throw himself in front of bullets! I decided to have some fun with his combat suit! There was a tan and reddish-brown under-suit, over which was the Type III-A armour. This heavier armour covered the chest, stomach and back, wrapping around each side. There were also extensions to protect his collar bones. Additional Type III-A armour extended over the shoulder joints and down the upper arm, joining up with the armoured gauntlets. Lighter armour ran around the pelvic and groin regions. Armoured combat boots attached to Type III-A armour that covered the lower legs and extended up, over the knees. This then joined onto Type III-A armour that protected the thighs. There was no utility belt, instead pouches attached directly to the combat suit. There were attachments on the upper thighs for two pistol holsters, configured to allow the pistols to be drawn across the body. Low on the back, above the equipment pouches were a pair of combat knives, mounted horizontally with a grip pointing in each direction. On his back was a mount for a single ninja-to sword.
The back armour was black, with silver highlights. The front armour was black, with tan highlights. The arm and leg armour was a reddish-brown, as were the gauntlets.
The mask was very different! The main mask was very similar to Kick-Ass' and generally of a tan colouring, with black and silver highlights. The shape of the front of the mask, was along the lines of a jackal with a distinctive tan coloured 'snout', which protected the jaw and extended out a few inches. The upper parts of the front of the mask were the same colour as the rest of the mask, tan with black and silver highlights. The other, very distinctive, feature of the mask, were the ears! Now Chloe might kill me, but I thought it would make Josh look both cool and much more sinister.
Why more sinister? Because when you look at Josh, you see a young kid of about twelve, even though he is actually fourteen! He is the same height as Chloe, which is below average, like I was and still am! Most criminals and cunts would look at him and probably ignore him. It doesn't help that Josh's voice hasn't fully broken yet, meaning that he doesn't sound very menacing, not like Kick-Ass, who can instil fear into anybody, with just a well worded snarl! I am hoping that the mask will instil some fear on it's own, without Josh having to use his voice, which I'm sorry to say, may be cute, but definitely not scary! The snout is not solid, but could be used as a blunt weapon, the main reason is the addition of voice changing technology, which Josh would be able to choose to enable or disable as required. This would make his voice unrecognisable to anybody who knows him and should hide both his age and his British accent.
Anyway, back to the ears!
They stick up about four inches and are flexible, so they won't get in the way and are made of a material that will resist them being chopped off! The ears are tan on the back and black, with silver highlights at the front. The entire combat suit was topped off with a black and silver hood, which attached at the rear of the base of the mask, covering the jackal mask and putting it into shadow, increasing the fear that the mask could instil.
Safehouse A
Everyone put on their new combat suits, except for me of course; I felt a little left out, but I already had newer armour anyway!
"Damn you look hot, Shadow!" Jackal said, in a deep voice, that sounded nothing like Josh.
"Keep your mind out of the sewer for a few minutes, Jackal!" Hit Girl laughed.
Jackal ran his hands, appreciatively, across Shadow's new armour and I noticed that Shadow seemed to be enjoying it. I cleared my throat, loudly.
"Er, kiddies, let's control the hormones and leave the petting till later, shall we?" I growled and Jackal rapidly removed his hand, which had been resting on Shadow's backside!
"You never pet me like that!" Hit Girl pouted.
"I prefer to ravage you naked!" I growled and saw Hit Girl's eyes almost pop out of their sockets!
"Far too much information Kick-Ass!" Shadow growled.
Battle Guy and Hawk looked on and Hawk giggled! Eisenhower was examining the new combat suits and having a good sniff. She seemed to approve.
"I love the ears, Jackal, but where's your tail?" Shadow teased.
"I don't have one!" Jackal growled back, sounding annoyed.
"You did, the last time that I looked..." Shadow replied, facetiously.
"Do I need to separate you two?" I growled, dangerously. "I'd say 'get a room', but that is not where you two should be, at least for another two years!"
Hit Girl brought out Jackal's weapons.
"Now Jackal, this is a pistol, the bullets come out of this end..." Hit Girl started and then laughed, before she passed two FN Five-seveN pistols to Jackal.
Jackal checked the pistols were clear, before placing them into his holsters. Hit Girl then handed over two Fairbairn-Sykes fighting Knives, these Jackal inspected before inserting them into their special locations on his back.
"You get your Ninja-To when I am convinced that you won't injure yourself or any of us, while using it!" Hit Girl said, with a smirk and received a steady look from Jackal, but due to his mask, we couldn't see his expression, which was probably for the best!
Later that afternoon
Safehouse A
"Okay, let's go through everybody," I suggested.
"Hit Girl, any problems?"
"No, Kick-Ass, the new suit is perfect, feels good too!" Hit Girl replied, grinning like a Cheshire cat and she did look hot, too!
"Shadow?"
"Fits like a glove and feels awesome!" Shadow replied with a giggle.
"Battle Guy?"
"Love the new armour, comfortable too," Battle Guy reported.
"Hawk?"
"Feels like a glove, can't wait to get out and about!" Hawk said, smiling at Battle Guy, causing Hit Girl to roll her eyes.
"Lover boy... Sorry, Jackal?"
"Frickin' Awesome, dude!" Jackal growled, making everyone laugh. That voice thing was really weird. Marty says it would do Darth Vader too, as well as C-3PO and a Goa'uld from Stargate!
"Turn that damn thing off!" Hit Girl laughed.
We had spent the early afternoon practising moving in the new suits and getting used to them, including testing the communications, which for Hawk and Jackal were new. So far nobody had any issues, which was good. Apart from Josh, everyone else would be able to go out and test the new combat suits, Josh would stay at the safehouse with Abby. The six of us: Kick-Ass, Hit Girl, Shadow, Battle Guy, Hawk and Eisenhower, would be going out tonight. Kick-Ass, Shadow and I, on two wheels, the rest on four.
..._...
"Now Jackal, keep you hands to yourself! You too Hal!" Shadow cautioned, as she climbed onto the Fat Boy, with Kick-Ass!
Jackal had removed his mask, but was still wearing his combat suit and looked a bit unhappy about being left behind, but his wounds prevented him coming with us, plus he needed trained first.