10 Birth of the Crimson Mantis (1/2)
On a road in the Tera Nova main continent, a humvy could be seen traveling at high-speed. Inside that humvy, a driver and 2 men. One short, one tall.
” So, how were your 6 months in hell? Still ready to take on any challenge I throw you? The taller man asked, a grin upon his face.
” If that was your best, there ain't nothing you can throw at me that can scare me, old man. '' answered the shorter one, an arrogant smile on his lips.
” Old man? How dare you? You know you've told me your real age right? You are way older than me. ”
” Well maybe, but I look so much better, Haha. ”
These 2 men were Commander Joseph Landon and Special Agent Henry Calvert. Commander Landon had opened up to Henry quite a bit over the 6 months of his training. He had kept watch over his results and after being thoroughly impressed with Henry's progress, he had contacted him to keep in touch. Henry had become quite the deadly fighter and a very accurate shooter. Of course this was mainly due to his ACC. He had even earned himself a nickname.
” What's this about your weird nickname though. Crimson Mantis. Sounds like an ugly bug I would want to squash. ”
” Yeah Haha, I would like to see you try that old man. ” said Henry, a smug look in his face.
” Hmmm. Is that a challenge Henry? You know I didn't become an officer by twiddling my thumbs right? I earned that in mud and blood. Just like this scar in my face. ” smiled Landon.
” Yeah about that scar, I've heard some stories on how you got it. But none seemed real enough to believe. How DID you get it. ”
” Tell you what smartass, beat me in a duel on the VCP and I'll tell ya. I'll even lower my strength to yours. Make it a fair fight. ”
” Fist fight or armed? ” asked Henry with a smile.
” As you seem fit. Be at your best. I've wanted to crush that cocky attitude of yours since we met. Might as well be now. ” Landon said with an evil grin.
” Okay, but don't you come crying to me later. ”
Landon let out an honest laugh. And with that laugh, they both stopped talking till they got to an army base, located near the coast of the main continent.
The Virtual Combat Platform, or VCP in short, was a tool the military used to train their soldiers in
real combat. It would simulate your body and transmit it in a program to engage in mêlée combat without risking injury.
Henry was looking forward to test out Landon's combat strength. He wondered if he could take him on now. His training had paid off, he knew it.
His best guess was that Landon thought the training has been greatly improved by the AI. But in fact, Henry had only relied on the System the first few weeks. The rest had been mostly his hard work. Of course he still took assistance from it for tough manoeuvres, it was a tool after all. But he had taken his own skills to a new level on his standard. He had asked the System to run simulations with his new skill set against the scout party he had encountered on Earth, and he had annihilated them. He was now a notch stronger than Captain Hart too. Enough for him not to rely on the AI at all if he were to fight him again. Of course that wouldn't happen. Captain Hart was dead.
Henry and Landon agreed on taking a night's rest before their fated showdown. Landon had been sly enough to tell Henry 'he would need it'. They both went to rest after their day spent travelling, both looking forward to test the mettle of their opponent.
The next morning, Henry got up, a pep in his step. He was very excited to face off with Landon. He had heard many stories of his combat prowess during his training and he wished to test out his new combat style on a worthy opponent.
Henry knew that Commander Landon had watched his progress and fight recordings. Unfortunately for Landon, Henry had also been training at night.
At the beginning of his 6 month hell, Henry had discovered he could sap energy from his lifespan to recover from fatigue. He had no need to sleep anymore and had used that to train more. Of course such methods were taxing on his lifespan, but since he was being given blood on a regular basis, that was no problem. Especially since the military scientists in charge of him had calculated the blood he needed from the age of the nanites inside him. What they didn't know, was that the nanites had been upgraded and were running super efficiently.
So he was getting Tamarain blood transfusions every week, as upon their calculations, one dose gave him one week. But he was in fact getting 2 weeks from each dose. And that was perfect for his use, since for every day he wouldn't sleep, he lost a days worth of extra lifespan. He knew he wasn't gaining any time from this hack. But at least he was gaining knowledge and technique.
Arriving at the base's training facilities, Henry saw Landon standing near the entrance, waiting for him.
” You're just on time Agent Calvert. ” said the Commander. They had agreed during the transport to stay official in the presence of other soldiers. This is the military after all.
” I'm always on time Commander. You thought I would run from our fight did you? ” Henry mocked
” Well I had my doubts. ” answered Landon, a cocky smile on his lips.
” Then it's time I show you a man's resolve. ”
And with that, both men went into the facility. People inside saw both of them coming in and heading for the VCP pods. Wondering what was happening, many of them started turning their comms devices to the military grounds channel and logged on to the VCP community. They could all watch the match from the military closed network if they wanted.
In the next moment, both men appeared in a virtual replica of an old Earth monument. The Coliseum. Landon looked at Henry with a smile.
” Nice choice of venue Calvert. Brings back memories maybe? ”