Chiyo was close to finishing her task when she heard the door open. She looked up to see the two hackers from before in the doorway, along with a tracker. They all had their guns pointed at her, the server the only thing protecting her from their blasts.
“You showed up sooner than expected,” she stated calmly while continuing to try to gain access to the server. “I was hoping to be done by the time you came back. I see you brought a friend as well. I wasn’t aware of a tracker on your team. I suppose I should remind Kaiden and Genos to radio that kind of information in the future.”
The three hostiles circled, and the tracker walked up to her and placed the barrel of his sniper rifle against her head. She crossed her eyes to look at the barrel between them. “You are distracting me. If you do not leave, I will ask Chief to make you leave.”
The six turrets in the room descended from the ceiling and the three enemies looked around in surprise. The hackers tried hastily to deactivate them but to no avail. “You should stop wasting your energy. I didn’t simply hack into them and rewire their protocols.”
“Good luck trying to get into me,” Chief declared. “I’m as impenetrable as a dreadnought made of diamond. Your puny hacks only tickle me.”
“Please dispose of them, Chief, and try not to make too much of a mess.”
“Since you asked so nicely…” The turrets fired, tearing through the enemy’s armor with ease. Their bodies disappeared before they even hit the floor.
“Good work. Sorry you had to wait around for so long.”
“Ah, no big deal. It just built up the anticipation,” Chief chirped.
“With them out of the way, can you assist Kaitō and me with finishing this up?”
“Not a problem. Let me deactivate these things and get all up in there,” Chief agreed, and the turrets slid back into their compartments in the ceiling.
“Genos, this is Chiyo. I have almost claimed the server. How is your mission going?”
“Rather well, actually.” Genos related as he watched the large barrier wall that the vanguard erected shatter. The raider droids’ assault continued, tearing into her in a hail of bullets. “Make sure to keep still, Kaiden. They shouldn’t shoot at you, but stray bullets might be a hazard.”
The ace looked up as two bullet holes appeared in the wall above him. “Noted!”
“We will be done soon as well. If the server doesn’t provide enough points for us to win, I can shut down the power core and gain any additional points required.”
“We should be all right. I’ll see you back in reality.”
“Acknowledged.” The Tsuna closed the comm link. The vanguard disappeared, and the raider droids’ guns began to wind down. “Are you all right, Kaiden?”
“I’ll be better in a minute.” Kaiden grunted as he used the console to pull himself up. He walked over to the decker and bent down to pick up his hand cannon. “I’m borrowing this. That all right with you?” he said and fired into his helmet. The enemy finally disappeared. “Don’t bother answering, we just read each other like that.” He pointed the gun at the pilot and fired, taking him out of the game as well.
“Was that necessary?” Genos asked as he walked up.
“Oh, God, you have no idea.” Kaiden sighed happily. “Is Chiyo finished?”
“Just about. She said that she was—” A Mission Accomplished banner appeared overhead. “Well, that should answer your question.”
“Oh, that was beautiful. Got a little close to the teeth and I could have done without the grand slam to my chest, but we beat the odds, and that’s always a damn good feeling.”
“It certainly is.” Genos nodded as the room began to fade into white light. “So, another round?”
The ace took off his helmet and smiled. “Oh, we are going to damn near flog this baby until the test begins.”
“I recommend more challengers next mission. Let them at least stand a chance. Also, maybe give them voice boxes if possible?”
Kaiden laughed, and he clapped his companion on the shoulder as they de-synced from the Animus.
Chapter Sixteen
The evening sky hovered over the glowing lights of the Academy’s plaza. Nearly all the initiates were there, talking, laughing, or yelling at one another with excitement and bravado. It was the night before the Deathmatch, and Nexus had organized a festive dinner. Long tables of food had been arranged in a buffet style—exotic meats of venison, bison, quail, wagyu beef, and elk were spread beside fresh seafood like crab, tuna, salmon, lobster, and shrimp. Many dishes of various cultures were offered at neighboring tables, including a number of Tsuna dishes. A few of the more curious human students were game to try those, apparently.
Kaiden, however, was not one of them. He happily selected a steak, some shrimp, and a lobster tail with a scoop of ranchero beans and two double-baked potatoes and headed to his table. His friends were already there, dining and chatting. He took a seat next to Chiyo and Genos, then looked at his glass of orange juice with a slight frown. For a split second, he glanced at the bounty of beers and wine on offer. Considering the test on the horizon, it was probably wise not go in hammered. He began cutting into his meal and his frown turned into a smile as he observed the festivities around him. There was a palpable thrill in the spring night air.
“So, anyone wanna place bets?” Cameron asked, motioning around the table with his fork, specifically at the human ace and marksman. “Kaiden? Flynn? Who here do you think is gonna drop first?”
“You,” both answered in unison, looking at each other and laughing.
“Funny, but Luke, Raul, and I have made our plan, and it’s a masterpiece,” he retorted and knocked the back of his hand against Raul’s shoulder. “Ain’t that right?”
“As good as it can be, considering we’re going into a map that can constantly change and we’ll eventually face up to two hundred and ninety-seven other initiates,” the tracker replied once he finished chewing a piece of salmon. “Try not to be so loud. Don’t need anyone eavesdropping and learning about our ‘masterpiece,’ all right?”
“I wasn’t gonna give them the play-by-play.” Cameron grunted and tore another rib from his half-rack. “Besides, who’s going to hear us over all this chattering?”
“Well, there could be bugs, invasion drones, or recorders hiding around the plaza,” Genos interjected. “Considering the alcohol available and how loose you humans seem to get once you’ve imbibed some of it, it would be quite an opportunity for some of the more strategic students here to learn more about their potential competition.”
Some of the initiates darted their eyes around cautiously, while others turned their whole bodies to look for any tech around them.
“Not to mention potential hacks of your tablets or EIs,” Chiyo added.
Izzy looked at her. “You find any?”
“Or make any?” Kaiden asked.
Chiyo nodded. “Yes, to you, Izzy, but no need to worry. I’ve taken care of it.”
Flynn took out an EI pad and turned it on. “You feeling all right, Jeeves? Stable, collected, nothing feels like it’s rooting around inside ya?”
“I feel quite well, Mr. Flynn,” The well-dressed kangaroo EI responded.
“You have him call you ‘Mr. Flynn?’ That’s rather haughty of you.” Kaiden chuckled.
The marksman rolled his eyes as he turned the pad off and put it away. “That’s merely the programming. What do you think he should call me?”
“Maybe it should be something more dramatic,” Marlo mused. “Marksman might be too plain. ‘Eagle Eyes?’ Nah, that’s been used.”
“’Lord Longshot?’” Izzy suggested.
“Is he a medieval archer now?” Silas chuckled.
“He has grown fond of that crossbow he smuggled back from your time with Wulfson,” Amber added.
“Sir Bullseye?” Luke jeered.
“That’s somehow better than Jeeves calling me Mr. Flynn?” He grimaced.
“It’s funnier,” the tita
n said with a grin and a shrug.
“Mr. Hidey-Hole would be more spot-on if we’re naming him after his talents.” Cameron snickered, earning a glare from the marksman.
“Something straight to the point. ‘My Happy Idiot,’ perhaps?” Kaiden suggested.
“Nah, that would be Chief’s nickname for you,” Flynn countered. The ace leaned back and shook his head.
“Well, he’s not usually happy. Plus, I don’t really wanna claim ownership of him, so I simply stick with good old-fashioned idiot,” Chief chirped, appearing in the air.
“Good evening, Chief,” Chiyo greeted him with a smile.
“Eh? Where is he?” Cameron asked, looking around.
“You need optics to see him. The almighty orb apparently still doesn’t have the power to show himself without the aid of such lowly technology, as he would deem it,” Kaiden explained, taking another sip of his drink. “Unless you’re me. Then you get to be audience to his assery at any point in the day.”
“I’ve upgraded my EI. She doesn’t do that.” Amber frowned.
“Yeah, but you are not Professor Laurie’s pet project,” Silas pointed out.
“The perks of being the favored student of a crazy person. Nothing but being showered in fortunes and praise, I assure you.” He sighed and took another sip. “I’ve already told y’all the deal. It’s mostly genetics that got me suckered into Laurie’s experiments.”
“And yet those genetics couldn’t do anything for your looks,” Cameron quipped.
Kaiden rubbed the side of his chin. “Can’t comprehend the natural ruggedness you’re seein’? Or livid that anything that’s kicked your ass has always had an ugly stick as their melee weapon?”
“Rotten luck, there,” Flynn added, smiling. “I mean, what are the odds that it’s every time and so frequently?”
“Because I actually get out there and fight,” Cameron retorted.
“Yes, the primary strategy of the bounty hunter. Let everyone know you’re there and what you’re looking for.” Kaiden chuckled. “I swear I’m going to hear about some big bounty you turned in because you simply had to tell everybody, then the next day, I’ll read your obituary where that bounty’s friends show up.”
“Seriously, maybe try out for raider,” Marlo interjected.
“I’m fine,” Cameron grumbled, biting into another rib. “I’ve got my own way of doing things.”
“And we see the effects of it every time you limp out of the Animus pods.” Luke snickered.
“Real positive encouragement, teammate.”
“Ah, it’s only a bit of tough love, Cam. Positive reinforcement,” the titan declared, slapping him on the back. “It’s not like I’ve tried to trade you in or nothing.”
“Was that an option?” Raul asked, earning a glare from the bounty hunter.
“I wanted to ask how everyone is feeling about tomorrow?” Jaxon interrupted, placing his elbows on the table and folding his hands together. “Any nervousness, or something they would like to discuss before we depart?”
“Looking to get some last-minute info on all of us? See if we got any liabilities you can exploit?” Kaiden asked, waving his fork at the Tsuna. “Pretty smart move there, Jaxon.”
He held up a hand. “No. I wanted to simply offer some advice or—”
Luke nudged the ace. “He’s messing with you, Jax. We’ve already made our pact, right? Just some good-natured competitive taunting.”
“Kaiden’s version of good-natured is a bit suspect,” Chiyo commented.
Kaiden held his hands up and grinned. “Hey, I only wanted to lighten him up a bit. This is the calm before the storm and all that. We should enjoy it before it gets all white-knuckled and bloody.”
Genos looked at his webbed, periwinkle hands. “Hmm, is that some sort of human disease I should be concerned about?”
The ace looked quizzically at his teammate. “What? Nah, it’s when the… It just means that something is exciting or tense.”
“Ah, well, that will probably be true.” The Tsuna nodded. “As for the blood, I should make sure my armor choice includes scrubbers.”
“You should leave that stuff on,” Luke bellowed. “Show the others the remnants of those you’ve taken down. Put some fear in them.”
“I believe the explosives and cannon that I carry will be quite sufficient for that,” Genos stated.
“You use cannons now too?” Marlo asked, beaming, “Pretty good weapons, right? Nothing like frying a line of mercs in one shot.”
“I’ve dabbled with them. Chiyo and Kaiden stated that having a heavy weapon would prove useful in the test. I’ve found one to my liking during our last few practice missions, although it is not comparable in size or power to yours.”
“We’ll fix that next year,” Marlo promised, tapping his chest. “Feel like a walking tank when you carry around one of the big boys.”
“Also, being composed of mostly muscle and veins in large metal suits probably helps with that,” Raul said as he finished his shrimp.
“Hey, the chancellor is here,” Silas notified the group. Kaiden looked behind him to see Durand at the edge of the plaza. Monitor screens activated above them and in the oculars of the students wearing them. He raised a hand, motioning for silence.
“Good evening, initiates.” His greeting earned “good evenings” and other greetings from the gathered students. “I was just leaving a meeting to discuss the finals for the upperclassman and wanted to stop by and wish you all the best of luck.”
“He’s quite a delightful fellow,” Flynn mused.
“He’s also the leader of a highly advanced and mostly military academy,” Silas added. “My guess is that under that charming personality, he could probably kill any of us with a napkin.”
“Tomorrow, you will all rise and make your way to the Animus Center, where you will take part in what is possibly one of the biggest tests we have administered at this Academy. Certainly the biggest Squad Test we’ve ever undertaken.”
“Deathmatch,” someone shouted.
The chancellor chuckled. “If the rumors and hearsay from the upperclassmen make you think of it that way, so be it. But if you believe that’s all this is, you are in for quite a surprise. I would also add that it’s not exactly the best way to view this test, nor the way you should look at your potential future.”
“Is he including us in that statement?” Marlo asked, looking at the table of mostly soldiers and ignoring the warning shrugs and silencing looks.
“While it is true that many here are warriors—and soldiers in particular—you limit yourselves with that kind of tunnel vision,” Durand explained. “You have many skills, or you certainly should have at this point. You are here to make the most of yourselves and not only learn what you can do but unleash the inner potential you all have. After all, there is more to you, even if you consider yourself to be the best gunslinger of all time.”
“Has Sasha been talking to him about me?” Kaiden wondered.
“That is pretty much on the nose,” Chief agreed.
“I want you all to go into this test with not only an eye on your enemies but on yourselves. See how far you have all come in the short time you’ve been here.” Durand took a deep breath before standing tall and looking over the sea of initiates. “This is the first year in more than a decade where we’ve had no dropouts or failures. Even those who failed the Division Test and Co-operative Test were able to pass during the make-up tests and by taking extra workshops and putting in more time in the Animus. To me, that shows that everyone here has a passion and drive to succeed. If you bring that same mindset into the test, you will continue your successes. This will not only be a triumphant victory but another proud moment on your list of accomplishments.”
“Meaning they can get more money from our contracts.” Cameron snickered and received an elbow to his ribs from Raul.
“The test will be chaotic. It will push you to your limits both physically and mentally. But you have the
strength of not only yourself but your team, and you all have the spirit of Nexus Academy students. You were each brought here because of your potential, and you have made progress in tapping into it. Now, let it shine.” The chancellor placed a closed fist across his chest, saluting the students.
The plaza was still. Kaiden looked around and sighed. He found a smile as he stood, uncrossed his arms, and saluted back. Quickly, the other students did the same, standing almost as one and saluting the chancellor.
Durand nodded and moved his arm behind his back. “Now, enjoy the rest of your evening, initiates,” he bellowed before a sheepish smile formed on his face. “And if you could do us a favor and pick up after yourselves, it will make it quite a bit easier for us to set up for the Advanced class’s meal on Thursday.”
The students dropped their salutes and yelled out their thanks or good-byes as the man left. Kaiden sat and returned to his meal, finishing his steak as the evening began to wind down. He began to visualize the potential of the test.
Luke, Raul, and Cameron had already left, and the rest said their goodbyes and exchanged good wishes. Kaiden was still eating when he waved farewell to Jaxon, Flynn, and their teams. Genos returned with more punch for Chiyo and himself, saying goodbye to their departing friends as he took his seat next to the ace.
“You are consuming quite a lot of food this evening, Kaiden,” the Tsuna noted.
“When’s the next time we’re getting lobster?” he asked as he finished swallowing.
“Nearly every day in the Tsuna dorm,” Genos confessed.
“Do what?” Kaiden asked, incredulously.
“Yes, your seafood is one of the few things Tsuna can eat on Earth, along with a few of your fruits and dairy products,” Genos explained. “It is not a large or varied menu. Without some of the Tsuna supplies they ship in it would be a rather limited diet, but I have grown fond of lemons.”
Animus Boxed Set 1 (Books 1-4): Initiate, Co-Op, Death Match, Advance Page 76
