by Riker Kane
I chuckled softly then shrugged. “When you put it that way… Some people fighting for the good of humanity without trying to get caught. I guess we’re vigilantes in a way.”
“Even when the Slayer Project was authorized, it was classified among the LOD itself.”
“That must’ve made it easier when they swept things under the rug.” I leaned against the table and crossed my arms while Redgrave continued to do his work. “You knew my dad. What was he like?”
Redgrave smiled warmly, his laugh thick and hearty. “He was your father. I imagine you know him better than anybody else.”
“But that’s all he was. The only time I ever saw any hint of him being an Omega was when he showed up in his uniform and left for duty. You monitored him when he was in Pandora. What was he like as an Omega? How did he handle being the Slayer?”
“Oliver was a capable fighter. He’d been training since he was a child.”
“Taught me everything I know…”
“He didn’t just know how to throw a punch though. He had instincts and a tremendous battle IQ. He knew when to dodge, when to attack. The man improved his stats and was a one-man army on the battlefield. I said before I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect candidate to wield the gauntlets. But I didn’t realize that until I witnessed Oliver using them.”
I looked over at the gloves on the table. The silvery sheen was bright even under the dusty lights of the warehouse. Considering how powerful I knew they were, the thought of an Omega like my father using them was something I couldn’t imagine.
“But there was something else about Oliver. He wasn’t just the strongest or the fastest or the smartest… There was a time when he almost died.”
“Would that be a big deal? You can recompose him from his Recall Box?”
Redgrave smiled and nodded. “Perhaps I misspoke. What I meant to say was he was on the verge of losing a battle. A great behemoth deep in Pandora when he neared Anarchy. It was his most difficult challenge at that point. A thick outer shell that proved formidable. Your father pushed himself, bloody, muscles gashed, bones broken, and on the verge of death. I know because I was monitoring the battle.”
Redgrave stopped tapping on the tablet. His eyes suddenly stopped blinking, staring blankly ahead as his lips continued moving.
“His HP continued to drop. Then he was poisoned. I knew he wouldn’t last much longer. Even though death is not permanent, the pain is real enough to deter anybody from wanting to treat it so frivolously. I feared for your father because I could only imagine how much pain he was in.”
I swallowed to clear my throat. “What happened?”
“Your father refused to capitulate. He used every ounce of endurance he had left. Something… I don’t know what it was but he stayed on his feet long enough to finally break through. The gauntlets did their work and he defeated the behemoth.
“I’ll never forget the moment he returned through the Junction Gate. He looked like he had just escaped a sea of a million sharks attempting to feast on him. Armor shredded. Face unrecognizable from all of the wounds flowing with blood. I was surprised he was still breathing though I wouldn’t doubt he’d left a piece of himself in Pandora that day. But through it all, he was able to look at me before he was transported to the Medical Bay. Do you know what he did?”
I shook my head, not sure what to expect next.
Redgrave paused for a moment. His eyes remained solemn but he laughed softly. “He didn’t say a word. But he smiled. He just… smiled.”
“Hmm… Anybody would’ve smiled after going through something like that and surviving.”
“Perhaps. But when I spoke to him later that day after he recovered, he told me something else. I asked him why he didn’t leave to come back and fight another day. And he said…”
I moved from the table and took a step forward. “What? What did he say?”
Redgrave looked up at me. His eyes shifted up and down, examining me like a piece of meat. I was confused but I didn’t say anything.
“There’s something I want to show you,” he said suddenly, changing the subject before giving me an answer. He showed his tablet to me.
Available Missions
Defeat 50 Shadows
Reward: $500
“I have access to the LOD database. In addition to their stipend, Omegas are granted bonus missions. I can give you missions like this so you can make some money for yourself.”
“Wouldn’t that make it easier for them to trace us? I thought we were trying to keep this a secret.”
“The Legion dispenses thousands of missions across the globe. They won’t be able to pinpoint this completed mission unless they were looking for it. The funds will be transferred to a different account and I can give you the cash myself.”
“Heh… I can’t lie. It’d be nice to make a few extra bucks. Not exactly the richest man in the world… But you know I’m only doing this for one reason.”
“I know. And to complete this mission, you’ll need to be right in the head. Rest and recovery are just as an important component to your journey as anything else. Look at it this way. This money is intended for the well-being of the Omegas. What Omega is more important than a man trying to save his father?”
Couldn’t argue with that logic. I patted his shoulder and turned for the exit. “I’ll see you around, Doc. You, uh… You okay in here, right?”
“Don’t worry about me, Enzo. I’ll be here when you’re ready to head back in.”
“I won’t keep you waiting too long.”
10: Day Job
Bruce popped his hands forward, snapping his gloves against the training pads.
“Don’t stop… Keep going…”
Words of encouragement might not have seemed like much but they always made a difference. When your arms got tired and you could barely lift them, something had to keep you going. Sometimes it had to come from someone else.
I glanced at the clock. “Don’t slow down now. Keep punching. Your opponent isn’t gonna give you any breaks.”
Bruce knuckled down. His teeth gritted, he breathed hard through his nose as he labored with all of his punches. His face was covered in sweat like someone spilled a pot of grease over him. But there was a determination in his eyes. The kid wasn’t letting up.
“C’mon, Bruce! One minute left!”
His punches were beginning to lose their snap. He wasn’t moving as fast. I kept the training pads up, daring him to keep punching.
His legs were shaky. His chest was heaving. He was on the verge of collapse. Every second looked like agony for him. But it wouldn’t be much longer. Even though I wasn’t the one training, I couldn’t let him give up. This was about my own pride as much as his.
“Ten seconds, Bruce! Finish strong!”
Bruce found a second wind and used everything left in his gas tank to hammer his fists into the pads. The longest ten seconds of his life finally came to an end as the buzzer sounded.
“Time!”
His hands immediately dropped to his sides. He sucked in deep breaths like he was trying to take in all the air in the room. Even though he looked like he wanted to fall face first on the mat, I knew he was satisfied more than anything else.
“Nice job,” I said as I patted him on the arm. “I can tell you’re improving. Your punches are straighter. I can feel the snap.” I took off my pads and tossed them to the side of the gym.
It was the middle of the afternoon underneath the bright lights of the Bloody Guts gym. The day was in full-swing with everybody going through their training sessions. Wrestlers tumbled along the mats while boxers sparred in the rings. Others skipped rope and ran on treadmills to loosen themselves up for the harder workouts. Grunts and groans accompanied the sound of leather hitting the heavy bags. The stench of sweat permeated the room with all of the warm bodies amplifying the musky smell.
Bruce was finished for the day. The kid looked like he didn’t have anything left as he made his way over to t
he gym bag on the side of the room.
“Damn…” he muttered as he sat against the wall.
“Something wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. It’s just… I’ve been training for a few months now. I can tell I’m getting better, just like you said. It’s still hard though. It’s like there’s never anything left in my gas tank when I’m done. Running on fumes over here.”
“A good workout pushes you as hard as they can. That way when it really matters, nothing will surprise you. Sparring. Training. Practice. That’s the work. But it only matters when you’re in a real fight. That’s where all of the work pays off. The reward is the fight.”
Bruce glanced at the boxing ring a few meters away from us. Frankie was busy pummeling his sparring partner in the corner of the ring.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever get into a real fight,” Bruce said. “If I do join the Legion, I figure things will be a little different. It’s not all punches and wrestling. I get to pick a class and they hand me a weapon.”
Bruce was like most kids his age. The obvious options after high school were to head to college or join the LOD and be a part of the new age military. I wasn’t about to make that decision for him.
“Whatever you decide, at least you’re getting a good workout.”
“No kidding,” he scoffed as he rotated his shoulder. “I can’t even tell my arm is there. Don’t even think I have the strength to lift a controller. Probably gonna pass out for the rest of the day.”
“Good work as always, Bruce.”
“Thanks…” Bruce tilted his head back, his brown hair a sweaty mess over his head. His eyes closed and his mouth dropped slightly. The kid looked like he was ready to pass out right then and there. The noise and the smell weren’t enough to distract someone when they were tired.
While everybody else in the gym was busy, I headed to the front counter. To my surprise, I saw someone standing there with their back turned. Some messy-haired blond woman dressed in a pair of jean shorts and a crop top that did barely enough to cover her.
I walked up and she spun around, smiling as soon as she put her blue eyes on me.
“Hey! It’s you!” The younger blond said with an enthusiastically high-pitched voice.
I stared at her, half-confused and half-concerned at what she was thinking.
She seemed friendly enough. Along with her skimpy outfit, her hair looked like it had been combed with her hand. Her eyes wide, she grinned like she was actually excited to see me. Which didn’t make much sense, since I didn’t recognize her at all.
I inched closer to her, looking her up and down to see if it would ring a bell. But the petite blond just kept her hands at her sides as she stared unblinking at me.
“I, uh… I think you have the wrong person…” I looked around but there was nobody else near.
“You’re Enzo Drake, aren’t you?”
I hesitated for a second, not completely sure I wanted to admit it. She could be anybody. Then again, my name wasn’t much of a secret.
“…I’m Enzo.”
“Then you’re exactly the man I’m looking for.” She poked her finger into my chest. I arched an eyebrow at her and her eyes widened. “Sorry about that…”
“Uh… Who are you?”
“Alisa Bosworth. Put ‘er there, Champ.” She stuck her hand out. I couldn’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm as I shook it. “I need your help.”
“I’m just a trainer at the gym. I don’t know what I can help you with.”
“You’re the Enzo Drake. Former MMA fighter. One of the best in the world.”
Her enthusiasm was only making me more suspicious. But I still chuckled at her. “I’m not the best in the world. I don’t think I ever was.”
“You’re pretty good though. We don’t have many former pros here in Newmire.”
“That’s not saying much. I still don’t see what you want me to help you with, Alisa.”
“I’m here for some mixed martial arts training.”
“Right… Well, we’ve got lots of trainers here.”
“But none of them are you. You know what I like about you, Enzo?”
“What’s that—”
“You knocked people out. You packed a punch. That’s how you got every single one of your wins.”
Apparently, Alisa actually did know what she was talking about. And that only made me even more suspicious. But I couldn’t find a reason to turn her away. Not yet, anyway.
“I can train you,” I said. “That shouldn’t be a problem. Any particular reason you wanna learn how to fight?”
“It’s Newmire. I live a few blocks from here on 55th. It’s not the nicest neighborhood in the world. A lady can learn how to defend herself. I mean, I can throw a mean kick to the balls but there’s gotta be more to it than that.”
“When it comes to self-defense, there isn’t. But I see what you’re saying. My fee’s fifty bucks for an hour session.”
“Fifty bucks?” she exclaimed, her round eyes growing even wider.
I put my hands up. “Gotta pay the gym fees.”
She crossed her arms, tapping one of her feet. Her lips twisted like she was thinking hard about it. She hadn’t taken her eyes off of me the entire time.
“You can try one session,” I said. “If it’s not your cup of tea, then you can try someone else or go to another gym.”
“I’m more of a coffee kinda girl… But I see what you’re saying. Let’s do it.”
I scheduled a training session for Alisa on my phone while she looked around the gym. “Do gyms usually smell like this?”
“Spend enough time in here and you’ll eventually go nose deaf.”
The front door to the gym opened up and Jade walked inside. She didn’t look much different than usual, her jeans tight around her hips and her white top hugging her slim physique.
She walked right up to me without hesitating. “You busy?”
“I was just scheduling an appointment with my newest client.”
“Alisa Bosworth.” The blond stuck her hand out to Jade with the same giant, toothy smile of hers. “Put ‘er there.”
Jade glanced at her for a moment before shaking her hand. “Jade. Nice to meet you, Alisa…”
“So, what’s going on with you two? This your girlfriend?”
“Uh…” I looked over at Jade. Alisa’s forwardness left me confused for a split-second before I laughed again. “Jade’s an… associate.”
“Ah, I see.” Alisa reached out and squeezed Jade’s arm between her fingertips. “You’re pretty fit, Jade. You must work out.”
“I try,” Jade said, a subtle grin on her lips.
“The appointment’s scheduled,” I said. “If something comes up, text me or call the gym.”
“Don’t worry, Champ. I’ll be here.” Alisa winked then spun around on the heels of her sneakers. She walked with a slight bounce in her step like she was in a good mood.
Jade watched her leave. “What an excited woman.” The dull tone of her voice made me laugh again.
“What’s going on?” I said.
Jade looked around to make sure nobody was listening then leaned in closer to me. “You look like you’re doing okay.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You don’t have to pretend like going to Pandora isn’t tiring. Between that and balancing working here, you’ve gotta pace yourself.”
“Redgrave said the same thing. Don’t worry. I’ll be ready to go tonight. Won’t catch me sleeping on the job.”
“Good.”
“Is that… all you came by here to tell me?”
“Actually…” Jade put her head down. Her sudden reticence was strange but I didn’t say anything. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“What is it?”
“Omegas living in a District have all the means necessary to make them stronger. It’s not just leveling. There are Drill Rooms to simulate raids and training labs with the Captains to improve their craft.
I don’t have access to any of that here but if I’m gonna be as much as help as I can to you and Dr. Redgrave, I’m gonna have to train.”
“You’re welcome to train here. Try not to use your Festivus Pole on the heavy bags…”
“Every little bit helps. The truth is, I… I don’t have much to do these days. I need to keep myself occupied.”
Jade had a sincere look in her eyes. She was still intense. She always was. But I knew she meant what she said.
“Nothing too crazy,” I said. “We should save ourselves for Pandora. But if you need something to do, the gym’s available to you. You know, there was a time when people got stronger without Red Mana.”
“I’ll be more than just a Harbinger for you.”
“Huh?” I raised an eyebrow at her.
She closed her eyes after realizing what she said. Her cheeks turned pink, her pale skin making it more obvious.
“That’s not what I meant,” she muttered. “I mean—”
“I know what you mean. It’s always good to be well-rounded. Whatever it takes to get to Anarchy.”
Jade’s embarrassment was gone as quickly as it had appeared. She gave me a nod then looked around the gym, sniffing into the air.
“The ventilation in here isn’t very good. Does this place always stink this bad?”
I put a hand on her shoulder and smiled. “Don’t worry. You’ll get used to it.”
11: Deep In The Vale
The wind had picked up, swaying the branches of the trees a little more than usual. The way the green leaves fluttered through the sky reminded me of the coming of the fall back when I was living with my grandma. The grass was tall enough in spots I had to move it aside to walk through. A few more clouds in the sky weren’t enough to dampen the mood, with the sun peeking out to make sure it was warm.
I walked along the dirt road toward my destination. The touchscreen on my wrist told me I was headed in the right direction, anyway. A deep breath of the fresh grass cleared my lungs as I watched a rabbit running around in the distance.
