By the time Richard completed hardening cadet 37’s link to her Power reserve, any anxiousness he felt about his upcoming meeting with the commandant was gone.
See, came a thought from Nickelo. It’s easy to make friends when you try.
Whatever, Richard said. With that, he closed his eyes and went to sleep.
Chapter 22 – Time-Commando Training
_____________________________________
At 0630 hours the next morning, Richard stood in front of hangar 1. He heard loud voices coming from inside. One of the voices sounded angry.
The main doors were closed, so Richard tried a side door. It was unlocked. When Richard entered, he stopped short. Two men stood in the center of the hangar. As he suspected, they were arguing. They stopped when they saw Richard. One of the men was the commandant. The other was TAC Officer Myers. He was red-faced, and he didn’t appear happy to see Richard.
Richard glared at his TAC officer. Why is Myers here?
Now, Rick, said Nickelo who had re-established communications after Richard woke. Don’t stir up trouble. The commandant’s a smart man. He’s got something to teach you. Just go with the flow and see what happens.
Richard didn’t bother replying to his battle computer. He was as happy to see his TAC officer as Myers was to see him.
“Richard,” said the commandant turning away from TAC Officer Myers. “I’m glad you’re here. We were just talking about your training.”
Richard’s apprehension must have shown on his face because the commandant wasted no time in explaining the presence of Richard’s TAC officer.
“I’ve asked TAC Officer Myers to assist me with your training, Richard,” said the commandant. “We’re going to be going over some advanced combat techniques. While I’d like to think I’m as good a wizard scout as I ever was, my body tells me different. There’s things I just can’t do anymore. My Power reserve can’t keep up. It happens to the best of wizard scouts if they live long enough.”
“Sir! Yes, sir,” Richard said in the expected standard-cadet lingo.
“But,” the commandant continued, “I don’t want you to think you’re going to get short-changed on your training. TAC Officer Myers has graciously agreed to help. In my opinion, he’s one of the best wizard scouts the Empire has ever produced.”
“Sir! Yes, sir,” Richard said.
“Now, we’ll have none of that during our specialized training, Richard,” said the commandant as he waved Richard forward. “Our time is much too short to waste time in formalities. One sir will be sufficient.”
Richard stepped forward. “Yes, sir.”
“Good,” said the commandant. He pointed to a black pack on top of a nearby bench. “I had TAC Officer Myers sign out your dimensional pack from the armory. I assume your phase rod is inside.”
Richard gave TAC Officer Myers a sidelong glance. He had no desire to give away any secrets to his TAC officer.
“It’s all right, Richard,” said the commandant. “TAC Officer Myers has been fully briefed. He’s very familiar with the time-commando concept.”
Richard was flabbergasted. He didn’t understand how the commandant could share that kind of information with his TAC officer. Myers had been out to get him ever since he’d been at the Academy. Richard wanted to say those things, but he didn’t. He kept it to a simple, “Yes, sir!”
Richard pictured his phase rod in his mind. He opened the flap of his dimensional pack and pulled out his phase rod. It cost him no Power from his reserve. His phase rod was one of the few items he could summon from his dimensional pack without using Power from his reserve. Richard hefted the phase rod in his hand. It felt heavier than he remembered. He looked closer at the guard at the end of the hilt. The controller ring below the guard looked different. The percentage markings seemed to be spaced out farther.
What’s going on? Richard wondered.
Hmm, said Nickelo. I’d say someone has modified your phase rod. My guess would be the children. The controller ring appears to have a different scale. The percentage markers are in different spots.
The commandant apparently noticed Richard’s stare. “Is something wrong, Richard?”
“No, sir,” Richard said. “Everything’s fine.”
“Good,” said the commandant. “Then we’ll start out with some basic combat moves. I want both of you to set your phase rods to one-quarter stun mode. Keep your speed at half normal. I want to see technique. We’ll work on speed later.”
Richard flipped the phase rod’s switch to stun mode and activated it. The phase rod kicked in his hand as the brerellium rod shot out the end of the handle. The kick seemed stronger than usual. The tiny bolts of lightning running up and down the rod were stronger than they should be. Also, the phase rod gave out an unfamiliar sensation. It was disconcerting.
“Richard,” said the commandant. “I said to set your phase rod at one-quarter power.”
Richard double-checked the controller ring. It was positioned at twenty-five percent.
Using his thumb, Richard turned the controller ring counterclockwise. The phase energy running up and down the rod dimmed slightly. Richard kept turning the ring until the red streaks of lightning were about at the level he remembered being twenty-five percent. He looked at the indicator on the control ring. It read fifteen percent.
Woah, Richard thought. The phase rod’s producing almost twice the energy as it did before.
Hmm, said Nickelo. Then I’d definitely say the children have been playing around with it. We’re going to have to get in touch with them when we get a chance.
I’ll get right on that, Richard said, as soon as I beat Myers.
Facing TAC Officer Myers, Richard brought up his phase rod to a guard position. TAC Officer Myers did the same.
“Now remember,” said the commandant. “Stay at half speed and concentrate on technique.”
Richard got the impression the commandant was speaking to TAC Officer Myers as much as he was speaking to him.
TAC Officer Myers appeared satisfied to remain on defense. Richard’s marine training kicked in, and he immediately went on the offense. He made a series of attacks. TAC Officer Myers parried them easily and countered with an attack of his own. As Richard caught his TAC Officer’s blow with his phase rod, Myers bent down and kicked at Richard shin with his left foot. Richard dodged back a step to avoid the kick. His TAC officer did a low spin. When Myer’s spin brought his phase rod even with Richard’s leg, Myers stretched out with his left arm. The tip of his TAC officer’s phase rod caught Richard on the side of his right knee.
The shock of the blow made Richard’s right leg collapsed. Even at one-quarter stun mode, the phase rod had a hard kick. Richard rolled backwards and made a wide swing with his phase rod to keep Myers at bay. The tip of his phase rod just missed his TAC officer’s belly. Richard jumped to his feet before Myers could attack again.
“Hold!” said the commandant.
Both TAC Officer Myers and Richard stepped back from each other and returned to an on-guard position.
“Your technique is good for a cadet, Richard,” said the commandant. “But, you’d have trouble in full combat with an experienced wizard scout.”
Richard wanted to protest he’d killed a Crosioian scout last year, but he held his tongue. “Yes, sir,” Richard said.
Wise decision, Rick, said Nickelo intruding on Richard’s thoughts. I’m sure the commandant would have pointed out you had a lot of help when you fought the scout.
Richard almost argued with his battle computer, but again he stopped himself before replying. Richard’s self-control surprised even him. He assumed the fact his battle computer was right helped keep his tongue in check.
“That was a hard blow, Richard,” said the commandant. “How’s your leg holding up?”
The stun effect of the phase rod was wearing off Richard’s knee, but it still hurt like all get out. He knew he’d have a bruise come morning.
“It’s fine, sir,” R
ichard lied. He was pretty sure he saw a smirk on his TAC officer’s lips. A flash of anger swept through Richard. He wanted nothing more than to shove his phase rod down TAC Officer Myers’ throat.
Control yourself, Rick, said Nickelo. It’s just training. Remember?
Yes, Richard said. I’ll play nice.
“Now remember, I said half speed,” said the commandant. “Both of you were faster the last time. I want technique, not speed.”
“Yes, sir,” Richard said. He knew he’d been a little fast, but only after his TAC officer had speeded up.
He wouldn’t have hit me if he had stayed at half speed, Richard thought.
Oh, come now, Rick, interjected Nickelo. If you’d been limited to dodging at half speed, he’d still have got you.
Whatever, Richard said dismissively.
“And you, Gaston,” the commandant said. “Richard can’t selfheal yet. If you had broken his kneecap, he could’ve been put out of action for weeks. Richard’s a resistor. His Power prevents any of our healers from helping him. I know you know that. Please don’t make me remind you again.”
“Yes, sir,” said TAC Officer Myers. “I’ll remember.”
The commandant looked at TAC Officer Myers for several seconds. “This is important, Gaston. I don’t have a lot of time. I don’t want to regret asking you to help. Understand?”
“Yes, sir,” said TAC Officer Myers in a more subdued voice. “I’ll be careful.”
“Very well then,” said the commandant. “Richard, I want you to attack TAC Officer Myers again. And stay at half speed.”
“Yes, sir,” Richard said. In his mind he added, I will if he will.
The commandant pointed at TAC Officer Myers. “And you, Gaston. I want you to use your wizard scout abilities to defend yourself. Do you know what I mean?”
TAC Officer Myers nodded his head. “Yes, sir.”
Richard didn’t like the glint in his TAC Officer’s eyes or the half-hidden smile on his lips. Richard approached his TAC officer more warily this time. He wasn’t sure what the commandant’s instructions to Myers meant. Obviously, he needed to watch out for a trick of some kind.
“At half speed,” said the commandant. “Begin.”
Richard released a volley of blows at his TAC officer. None penetrated TAC Officer Myers’ defenses. Richard crouched and tried to sweep his TAC officer’s legs out from underneath him. TAC Officer Myers jumped in the air and swung his phase rod at Richard’s head. Richard dove to the side and easily avoided the slow attack.
It’s too easy to figure out what the other guy’s doing at half speed, Richard thought.
Apparently, the commandant thought so as well. “Pick it up to three-quarters speed,” he commanded.
Richard didn’t have to be told twice. He made a feint at TAC Officer Myers’ belly. When his TAC officer lowered his phase rod to counter, Richard jumped in the air and aimed a kick for Myers’ head. His TAC officer took two steps back to avoid the kick. Richard made a thrust with his phase rod straight for this TAC officer’s breast bone.
Suddenly, Richard sensed Myers reach out with a small amount of Power and wrapped it around the hand Richard was using to hold his phase rod. Richard felt as if his hand was moving through water. Myers easily dodged Richard’s slowed thrust. His TAC officer made a counter thrust and caught Richard in the belly with his phase rod.
“Umph!” Richard’s lungs discharged their air. He bent over in pain and fell to his knees.
TAC Officer Myers rushed in as he raised his phase rod for a downward stroke at Richard’s head. Richard could swear he saw a wild look in his TAC officer’s eyes. Richard lifted his phase rod in a weak attempt to feign off the blow.
“Hold!” yelled the commandant.
A few seconds later, Richard felt someone pounding on his back. The air rushed back into his lungs. He could breathe again. The pain in his stomach was agonizing, but at least he could breathe.
“There,” said the commandant. “Is that better?”
Richard nodded his head. He wasn’t quite ready to speak yet. The stun effect continued to cause his stomach muscles to spasm.
The commandant waited patiently while Richard caught his breath. “Did you see what TAC Officer Myers did?”
Richard shook his head in an affirmative motion. “Yes, sir. He used telekinesis to slow my thrust down.”
“Yes, he did,” said the commandant. “Did you notice how he did it?”
Richard stared at a small crack on the floor for a second as he tried to visualize his TAC officer’s maneuver. “Sir, he wrapped my hand in Power and used a standard-levitation maneuver.”
“Ah, ha,” said the commandant. “That’s where you’re wrong, Richard. You are correct in that telekinesis is like levitation. And like levitation, telekinesis can be an expensive draw on your Power reserve. The greater the mass and speed of an object, the more Power you’ll need to use to move the object. Or in our case, the more Power TAC Officer Myers would need to slow down the thrust of your phase rod.”
Richard nodded his head. “I understand, sir. My battle computer’s lectured me often enough on how expensive it is to levitate my own weight.”
The commandant laughed. “I’m sure he has. Using telekinesis to slow down an opponent’s swing can be dangerous if not done correctly.”
“Sir?” Richard said. “How is it dangerous?”
Richard could see why it would be expensive in Power usage, but try as he might he failed to see how it could be dangerous.
The commandant made a simulated thrust with his right hand. “A fast weapon’s thrust can require just as much force to slow down as it would take to levitate several times your own weight.”
Richard nodded his head. “I understand that, sir. It’s not efficient to use TAC Officer Myers’ maneuver during actual combat.”
The commandant smiled. TAC Officer Myers did not.
“You’re almost right, Richard,” said the commandant. “If you were fighting someone in a battle suit or a large creature, you could quickly drain your Power reserve. Especially yours since it’s so small.”
Richard felt his face flush red. He always hated it when anyone reminded him his Power reserve was the smallest of any wizard scout. He hadn’t expected the commandant to remind him as well.
The commandant either didn’t see Richard’s embarrassment, or he chose to ignore it. In any regarding, he continued talking. “As I said, you’re almost right, Richard. Even fighting soldiers armed with just swords, you’d eventually drain your Power reserve if you tried to impede every blow. However, the technique can be very useful if you pick and choose when to use it.”
“Yes, sir,” Richard said unconvinced. If he’d tried using the technique when he’d fought the Crosioian scout his sophomore year, Richard was sure he’d have been drained dry of Power even faster than he had been. Richard doubted he’d still be alive today if he’d tried emulating his TAC officer’s maneuver.
The commandant smiled. It was almost as if the commandant knew what Richard was thinking. “Watch this, Richard.”
Without any other warning, the commandant drew his phase rod and activated it in full destructive mode. In a blindingly fast maneuver, the phase rod headed straight towards TAC Officer Myers’ unprotected head.
TAC Officer Myers was holding his phase rod at his side. In a split-second calculation, Richard knew Myers would never get his weapon up in time to parry the blow. Richard tried to move his own phase rod up to intercept the commandant’s swing, but he already knew he’d be too late. As much as he disliked his TAC officer, he didn’t wish to see him killed in a training accident.
At the last moment, a line of Power from TAC Officer Myers wrapped itself around the commandant’s hand. Richard sensed Myers use telekinesis to slow the commandant’s strike. His TAC officer’s maneuver bought him enough time to bring his own phase rod up. He easily parried the commandant’s attack.
At the same time, Richard sensed another line of Power le
ave his TAC officer and wrap around his own hand. Richard felt pressure as TAC Officer Myers’ telekinesis slowed his hand just enough to allow him to strike Richard’s phase rod out of the way. Following through with his strike, TAC Officer Myer’s thrust forward until the end of his phase rod rammed into Richard’s exposed belly.
“Umph!” The air was forced out of Richard’s lungs once again. He fell backwards and hit the hangar floor hard on his buttocks.
Richard tried to breathe, but he was unable to draw a breath. A moment later, he felt the commandant pounding him on the back and helping him to his feet.
“Are you all right, Richard?” said the commandant. “That was a pretty hard blow.”
Richard nodded his head affirmatively. At the same time, he bent over to relieve some of the pain in his belly. Two hits to the belly in less than five minutes were more than he could readily ignore.
The commandant whirled to face TAC Officer Myers. “Gaston, that was uncalled for. Unless I miss my guess, Richard was trying to prevent me from murdering you.”
“Sorry, sir,” said TAC Officer Myers. “I assumed cadet 832 was attacking me. I defended myself as I thought appropriate.” After a short delay, he added, “I did use non-deadly force, sir.”
The commandant continued to stare at TAC Officer Myers until Richard thought even Myers began to look embarrassed.
After several seconds under the commandant’s withering gaze, TAC Officer Myers said, “Sorry, sir. It won’t happen again.”
“See that it doesn’t, sir,” said the commandant. “Or I’ll show you some attack techniques you won’t soon forget.”
TAC Officer Myers’ face turned red. Richard didn’t think it was from anger. His TAC officer looked more embarrassed than angry. In his five years on Velos, Richard had never seen the commandant chastise any of his TAC officers in front of their cadets. As a former sergeant, Richard knew it wasn’t a good leadership technique to do so.
Wizard Scout (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 3) Page 23