“Gotcha…” A white line glided across his display, a small group of infoboxes popping in after a few seconds. “Damn, these are old. They’re all replicas, too…gotta admit, it’s kinda funny that these guns are thirty-year-old copies of guns that are even older.”
“They’re all mag-models too. Use live ammo rounds,” Kaiden noted. “You got anything more on Mr. Happy Hands?”
“Comes from Sweden. Former army captain of the Unified Earth Military who headed up his own division. Apparently, he’s a master in hand-to-hand combat, grappling, firearms, and likes to modify guns and machines in his spare time… a lotta his personnel file is blanked out or locked. I’m grabbing what I can from the Academy directory.”
“Does it mention a criminal record?” Kaiden whispered, really hoping there wouldn’t be an answer in the affirmative.
“No, but you should recall that the Academy seems to not have a problem clearing those.”
Kaiden rolled his eyes. “Shit, good point.”
“A recommendation for the good of us both.” Chief’s avatar turned a pulsing yellow. “But I would say it’s time to man up and try to figure out what this guy wants.”
“Doesn’t strike me as the small-talk type. I might find myself eating a fist.”
“Better you bite a bullet than eat a bullet,” Chief countered. “Besides, you’re an ace now and should probably get used to situations like this.”
“This sort of thing common?”
“You mean you don’t… Whatever. I’ll fill you in once we get the hell out of here. For now, go make nice with the bridge troll.”
Kaiden sighed. The little bastard gadget had a point. He collected himself and walked over to Wulfson.
“Stay in the arena,” the officer barked, and Kaiden froze instinctively.
“Arena? This is an arena?” Kaiden questioned before shaking his head “Look here, you…forget it. Whataya want from me?”
“A fight,” he answered, continuing to type something into the console.
“Pardon me?”
“Not a chance,” Wulfson stated, his tone almost disinterested. He pressed a button on the monitor and the lights in the room dimmed. Kaiden saw glowing patches appear beneath different spots on the mat.
He walked over to one that glowed red, knelt down, and reached out to hover his hand over it. The immense heat emanating from it made him jerk his hand away and spring into the air.
“What is that?” he yelped, clenching his hand to his chest.
“A holotrap—a barrier modification,” Chief stated.
“Modified for what?”
“A good modifier can take a barrier panel or the like and either jailbreak the settings or get a chip that will do it for them. Then they can modify the energy output, activation settings, or whatever they wish. Holotraps are a pretty typical barrier mod and basically do damage to anything in the area when triggered. A fun switcheroo from what a barrier is supposed to do. What the trap is or does depends on what the modder set or the bypass chip that was used.” Chief paused for a moment. Kaiden saw numbers flash across the screen. “I count eight in total—two shock traps, two burn traps, and four snares.”
“You couldn’t have mentioned this before I put my hand over the burn one?” Kaiden grumbled as he flicked his hand back and forth, trying to cool it off.
“Should I also remind you not to stick your dick in a light socket?” Chief huffed his evident annoyance. “Besides, how could you not have come across these things? I’m pretty sure you would have seen at least a few back in your glory days.”
Kaiden placed his hand against his chin, looking off to the side. “I mean…maybe? Most of the traps we had to deal with were a bit cruder. Also, sharper and more explosive.”
“Well, I suppose you should feel lucky I am not trying to have a dead initiate on my hands,” Wulfson called. Kaiden looked back to see him standing at the edge of the arena.
“Could you give me some answers, dammit?” Kaiden demanded. “You said you wanted a fight. Fine, I’ll give you one, but why did you want me?”
The officer crossed his arms. “Tell you what, you win, and I’ll not only let you go on your merry little way, I’ll even answer any question you have, boy.” He then extended a thumb and pressed it against his chest. “If I win, you train with me until you’re worth a damn.”
“I would like to take a moment to remind you that getting your skull caved in will definitely damage my system,” Chief warned. “It’s a miracle it’s working on what little brain power you do have. Let’s not try to tempt fate here.”
“All your bellyachin’ ain’t helping me think.” Kaiden hissed his frustration. He looked Wulfson straight in the eye. “How exactly are you going to enforce that? I’m not gonna sign anything until you tell me what’s going on. I’m cranky enough as it is dealing with the parade of crazies I’ve come across so far. Adding you into the mix is starting to get me real pissed.”
“Then this should be a good opportunity to blow off some steam,” Wulfson jeered. “As for enforcing our little wager, I’m good with a verbal agreement between men of honor.” He returned Kaiden’s stare with ferocity.
“My, my, isn’t that amicable of you,” Kaiden commented sarcastically. “Still don’t see why I gotta stay. I saw you messing with the doors, but I could probably bust through a window, or maybe get my EI to give HR a call.”
“Don’t get me into this.” Chief sighed.
“You’re already involved, you glorified ping-pong,” Kaiden admonished him sharply.
“I’m starting to feel more of a bystander than an accomplice,” the EI retorted.
“Is that how you’re going to be?” Wulfson sneered. He removed a remote from his pocket. “Very well then, go on and get out of here.” He pressed a button on the remote and Kaiden heard a click and the door open in the distance.
“Interesting strategy…I guess?” Chief sounded thoughtful. “I say get out while the gettin’ is good.”
“What’s with the sudden change of heart?” Kaiden asked.
“Who cares?” Chief exclaimed.
“I was promised a chance to have a go at someone who might be a challenge,” Wulfson bellowed. “But I do not have the time to waste sitting here and squawking with a coward.”
“What the hell did you just call me?”
“Coward! Are you deaf as well, boy? Might explain why I keep having to spell things out for you like you were a babe.”
“He’s baiting you,” Chief pointed out.
“So, I’m a coward because I don’t wanna wrestle with some old bastard who looks and acts like an ape? Did you club all your dates over the head too? Or were those nights of passion out of pity for whatever physical disorder gave you that ugly stick-beaten face?”
“Bringing up a list of funeral homes in the area. Take your pick for the aftermath.”
Kaiden tore off his oculars and placed them back in his jacket pocket. “Keep quiet, Chief.”
“Normally, I would be delighted to, but you need to learn to keep your cool. Besides, if we really are gonna fight this guy, then I should probably load up—”
“Audio off.”
“Hold up a sec, you impa—” Chief tried to protest before he was silenced.
“I see you’re all riled up now.” Wulfson chuckled, even the fragments of his laughter coming out like booming bass notes. “If you aren’t a coward, then accept my proposal. I’ll even sweeten the deal and will answer your questions regardless of whether you win or lose. What is it going to be?”
Kaiden continued to stare Wulfson down as he made his way to the door. The Officer’s eyes narrowed in malice. He reached the door and grabbed the handle, slamming it shut before making his way back to the arena.
“How are we going to settle this?” Kaiden demanded, standing back in the center of the floor.
“One-on-one combat, obviously. Anything goes in terms of fighting styles,” Wulfson explained, finally standing on the mat. “No time limit
, no ten count, no points, and no ring out. The winner is whoever is left standing.”
Kaiden could feel the trepidation creep back into him. He was already in serious trouble before, but now, he had no way of getting a technical win over this guy. Even if he could fight as well as his opponent—a doubtful prospect considering he’d had years of training in an army and was the head of the academy’s security and probably spent at least a little time in the Animus training even further—this man-beast had longer reach and at least a hundred pounds on him. Though probably, he thought gloomily, closer to a hundred and fifty.
He clenched his teeth as he took off his jacket and tossed it to the side. It was a bit too late to consider the repercussions, considering how mouthy he had been. But if this guy wanted a fight, Kaiden was angry enough to oblige and determined to make a hole in Wulfson’s stalwart bravado.
“Fine by me. Hope you’re ready,” he challenged, moving a few steps closer to the hulk.
“Pah. Of course, I am,” Wulfson chided. “You aren’t going to use your EI?”
“What for? This is just a regular fighting match. What can it do for me here?” Kaiden asked.
Wulfson smiled slightly, stroking his beard. “You’re quite green, aren’t you, boy? You need to learn all the advantages you have when going into battle. Even the slightest edge could mean the difference between victory and death.”
“Death? Is that an option I should be worried about?”
“Not if you can back up your bark,” Wulfson challenged. “Now then, shall we get to it?”
Kaiden struggled with mixed feelings. On the one hand, he was tired, it was already quite late, and he had now been roped into a second scenario where he had to fight for the amusement or interest of another person, seemingly for kicks. On the other hand, he was able to actually look that person in the eye and punch him in his stupid bearded face.
On the other other hand, for all the insults that he could hurl at this guy, most of them centered on the fact that he was really fucking big and really fucking scary. When the worst thing you could say about a person was that they could probably kick your ass, confidence was a little harder to come by.
Then again, the giant had a point, even if Kaiden didn’t care to accept it. He had trained all his life to be the best fighter he could. Was he simply going to run away now? He had fought others who were bigger than him and probably even had more experience, but he was still standing while most of them were six feet deep.
He also had weapons in those instances.
“I don’t have all night, boy. Fight me or flee. Those are the only two options you have and the only ones that matter,” Wulfson declared, his mocking grin dragging him back into the present.
Kaiden cracked his knuckles and raised his fists. He had already turned down the option to flee, so he was left with fight. He was far better at one than the other.
He shifted around for a moment before taking in a deep breath and stilling himself, his arms placed close to his chest and fists at the ready. “All right, let’s go.”
Chapter Sixteen
Kaiden had barely said the word and Wulfson was on him. He leaped to the side to dodge a wide swing from the heavyweight, landing with arms stretched forward and using his momentum to gain more distance.
“Pretty good moves, boy, but if you hadn’t dodged an attack that obvious, I’d have been disappointed.” Wulfson cocked a mocking eyebrow. “And you’d have been concussed.”
Kaiden tried to keep himself aware of his surroundings, specifically the traps on the floor. He realized those were probably his best bet to do any real damage to this big bastard. He could probably get a good few hits in himself, but if he merely swung wildly, he was more likely to hurt his own hand than his opponent.
Wulfson charged again. This time, his punches were direct, sending one fist flying forward for Kaiden to dodge or block. He pulled it back while the other fist rocketed forward, continuing to advance all the while.
Kaiden kept pace, waiting for the right moment. He was leading Wulfson to one of the shock traps. The opportune moment to dodge would be when they were both right on top of it. A few more punches came his way with relentless ferocity. Kaiden weaved between them, drawing his opponent a few steps closer, then he saw his chance.
His back was to a shock trap. One misplaced step and he’d be caught, but he wouldn’t be the one going in. He waited for Wulfson’s punch. This time, he would side-step it and then move around him, kicking his legs down and then pushing him in. It probably wouldn’t stop him, but hopefully, it would wear him down enough to make the fight a little more even.
“What are you thinking about?” Wulfson asked, a smile creeping onto his face. “That’s a nice trap there behind you.”
Kaiden’s heartbeat sped up. He was really relying on the whole big, dumb meathead stereotype for this.
Wulfson huddled down, his fists unclenching into open claws. “I’m sure you really put your brain through the wringer to think of this. Pity to let it go to waste.”
Kaiden contemplated moving to the side and rethinking his strategy, but he didn’t have the time.
“Don’t worry, I won’t let it, but how about—” Wulfson ran directly at Kaiden, who tried to get away but was caught in the wide arc of Wulfson’s grasp. They now both fell toward the trap. “You join me!”
They landed on the mat, Kaiden’s head bobbing up as he collided with the floor. No sooner did he get his bearings than he could feel the pain of electricity coursing through him. The crazy bastard had thrown them both on the trap, reckless son of a bitch.
Kaiden gritted his teeth and tried to push Wulfson’s arm off him. He didn’t exactly have the greatest control of his extremities at the moment, but neither did the giant. As he slowly pried his heavy arm away, he tried to shuffle along the floor and out of the trap’s area. Kaiden felt the demanding tug on his shirt and looked back to see Wulfson trying to keep him in the field.
“Get…the hell…off…me,” Kaiden demanded through pained gasps. He mustered enough control to turn his body and raise his boot, kicking Wulfson in his face. The giant’s grip fell away, letting Kaiden roll out of the field. He continued to roll for a few more paces before he lay motionless on his back, dragging in large gulps of air, his body still twitching slightly.
“Are you…done already, boy?” Wulfson growled a challenge.
Kaiden looked over to see him already getting to his feet, blood streaming from his nose onto his beard and chest. He grimaced. What the hell was this guy made of?
“This is…new territory…for me,” Kaiden grumbled, getting slowly to his feet. “Don’t think I’ve fought…someone this stupid before. Do you even feel pain?”
“Of course I do. Doesn’t mean I’m going to let it stop me,” Wulfson bellowed, wiping the blood from his face with the back of his hand. “What you need to learn is advantage.” He now walked around the trap and crept toward Kaiden. “It was obvious what you were doing, trying to trip me into the trap if I took another swing. However, if I’d backed up, you could’ve simply strolled away and repositioned yourself. So I took a little dive to make sure you learned better and how costly foolish mistakes are in battle.”
“Oh! How very,” Kaiden grunted as he stood up straight, his muscles contracting and aching as he rolled his shoulders, “kind of you. Do you like to consider yourself a teacher or something?”
“I was a teacher at one time, but too many students coddled by modern tech and prep life took issue with my training methods. My class was shut down, and I was moved to security.”
“A modern tragedy,” Kaiden jeered, raising his fists in a boxing position and taking a few quick jumps to loosen himself up. “So you’re trying to make new friends now? I ain’t exactly a social butterfly, but I could give you some pointers.”
“Save your breath. You’ll want to have as much as you can on hand when I get a solid hit on you,” Wulfson warned, now only a few yards away. “Besides, why are you complaini
ng, boy? We’ve only talked for about twenty-five minutes, and I can tell this is much more your speed.”
“It might be a pleasant change of pace, sure,” Kaiden acknowledged, backing up as Wulfson came closer. “I thought the whole point of this place was the Animus System training. I already got fighting skills.”
“Not worth a damn.” Wulfson chuckled, crouched down, and raised his fists. “You’re tenacious, I’ll give you that, but this isn’t the slums anymore. When you go on missions, you’re gonna be facing some true devils who have a real talent for murder and maybe more blood on them than in them.”
“You’re preaching to the choir, old man. Also, how the hell does everyone know about me?”
“I can promise you that you haven’t faced the worst out there. Hell, I may have never faced the worst. Who knows what’s really out there in that eternal abyss.” He looked up for a brief moment. “But all of that is null and void if you can’t even handle what we got for you. You can train all you want in the Animus, but unless you commit, you’ll only be as good as everybody else.”
“So I should spend my free time getting kicked in the balls by you?” Kaiden snarled, throwing a punch that Wulfson sidestepped.
“Training with me, though, this might happen”—Wulfson kicked low and Kaiden reacted quickly, jumped over the attack, and leaped backward on landing—“if you don’t keep your guard up.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Kaiden scoffed. “So what are you offering me, exactly—a big ass sparring buddy?”
“A mentor,” Wulfson stated, making a few quick jabs that Kaiden blocked. “Someone who will put you through the wringer, get you some grit and scars to go along with all the fancy tech this place is giving you.”
“You think I can’t train myself?” he asked. Wulfson snorted before he suddenly sent a fast, powerful kick to Kaiden’s chin. Kaiden brought his arms together and intercepted the kick but was knocked a good five feet back before stumbling and falling to the floor.
“I’m sure you could run some laps and do basic drills with the rest of the soldiers. Maybe you’ll grow smart enough to take a class in foundations, but that won’t get you much further than you are now,” Wulfson chided, standing straight and crossing his arms.
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