Chapter 3

Chapter Three

1230 Hours, June 9, 2563 [Military Calendar]/

Theta Uradis System, Madilion UNSC Military

Complex, Planet Madilion, Johnson Cadet Academy

    "Three minutes," chimed the A.I. Jake was pacing around the room, thinking, nervously rubbing his hands. He was going over plans in his head, Cinna sat quietly and watched him. "Two minutes," she chimed again.

    Jake stopped and looked up, "Thank you Omicron." He said then went back to pacing and thinking. He turned, facing Cinna, and looked up. "If we...no...what if...no...we...damn..." He punched the wall and made a three inch dent.

    Cinna looked at him. Jake is very nervous. He thought, then he got up and took out a Battle Rifle. "Jake," he said. "I have an idea." He puts the Battle Rifle on his back and takes out a Sniper Rifle. "It's a Sni-"

    "Sniper Rifle System 99-Series," Jake cut him off. "6 Anti-Material- Manufactured by Misriah Armory and equipped with a 4 round magazine, the Sniper Rifle is a semi-automatic, gas-operated, magazine-fed weapon with outstanding accuracy and is capable of simultaneously breaching both energy-shields and high-density armor, providing nearly effortless immediate kills when it is operated properly."

    Cinna let out a low whistle, "Like I said, I ha-"

    "You have an idea. I know," he stared into his soul. Cinna looked into his eyes, which burned liked the Devil's. "Give it," he demanded and Cinna tossed it to him, and took his hand out of the wall and snatched it out of the air. He went to the ammo table and picked up six mags and attached them to his belt, then grabbed a DMR and attached ten round of ammo to his belt.

    "Grab an AR," he said and headed out of the room. Cinna grabbed one and went after Jake.

    "Capture the Flag. You are on Blue Team. Begin." Jake looked at Cinna and they nodded. Both ran to the middle, Jake jumped up to the top middle and unleashed two stun rounds into the bodies of Buck Childs, and Josh Simmons. He flips over their bodies and went straight for the flag. Cinna hopped up to the middle and took out his AR; when they got up, he unleashed two burst rounds into them and headed to Jake.

    "Your flag taken," Buck moaned, picked up his shotgun, and got to his feet. He nudged Josh in the leg and helped him up. "Look," he said. "We need a plan, if we just go at it we will lose."

    "But what?" Josh said in disbelief. "Nothing we do will matter. Matthews is too good today, let's ju-" Jake dropped on him and shot him in the back. Buck went for his flag, but Jake smashed it into him. Buck grabbed the flag and pulled with him as he fell, Jake was brought with it and landed face front next to Buck. He got up and shot Jake in the back, then grabbed his weapons and tossed them away. Cinna ran up to the middle and saw Jake but, before he could do anything he was shot by Josh and fell with thud.

    "Josh, get our flag. I'm gonna head to their base." Buck left and jumped off the middle and went to Blue flag. He grabbed the flag and took a rest, then heard the sound of someone running. He turned and saw Jake's fist make contact with his face, he was sent flying back a few feet. He got up and studied Jake, his movements, strength, then went in. He slid and hit Jake's feet and flipped him, then got up and grabbed him by the feet and flipped over. Jake kicked his arm and got himself up, then threw a few punches to his face and landed a hard one to his stomach. He was sent up a few inches and grabbed his stomach, he saw Jake about to kick him and rolled to the side. He sprinted and speed punched Jake a couple hundred times and sent him down.

    He grabbed the flag and shot Jake in the chest. Started to the outside of the base and stopped, he was staring straight down the barrel of a M6H Magnum.

    "Shi-" he dropped with a thud.

    Jake struggled to get up and looked around. He saw Cinna and was helped to his feet. Cinna was carrying the flag and he handed Jake the flag, and they headed to their stands. They placed them in and waited for the lights to dim. "Flag scored. Gained the lead. One point to win."

    "What?" Jake yelled. He walked over to the entrance and picked up Buck, who was coming to. He shook his head and blinked his eyes to wake him up.

    "Uh," he muttered, then saw Jake. "Didn't win?"

    "No, apparently we have to get two points to win. Cinna," He came quickly to Jake. "Go get the flag, and don't waste time. And you," he tossed Buck down and got ready to fight. "I want a rematch."  Buck ran straight for him, Jake sidestepped, spun around, grabbed him by the waist, and slammed him back. He got up and stumbled, then headed straight for Jake. He had his fist ready but, Buck flipped over him, landed behind him and then slammed into his back. He felt a sharp pain go up his spine then he fell.

    He heard footsteps getting closer, Buck knelt down to him, "What a shame. You can't get two points." He got up and was leaving when Jake grabbed his ankle and pulled him down. He landed flipped on his back moaning, Jake got up and walked over to him. He cracked his knuckles and neck and Buck got to his knees.

    Buck stared at Jake, straight into his eyes, then out all the strength he had into one punch. Jake caught it with his right hand, and squeezed on it, forcing it to bring Buck down. He readied his left hand pulling it back, Jake saw all hope of winning this lost in his eyes. His fist made contact with Buck's face, his helmet was knocked off and he was out cold.

    Cinna left the base and went to the other base. Good luck Jake. He thought. Don't die. He arrived at the middle and was stopped by Josh.

    "What's up," he asked and smashed the butt of the rifle into his side. Cinna went down and looked at him. "So, how's Jake?" He slammed his foot into Cinna's stomach, and pointed his weapon to his head. "We can do this the easy way, or the fun way."

    "You crazy son of a b***h," Cinna looked up and tried to grab for his pistol but Josh kicked him in his face and sent him flying back. He got up and charged for Josh, he swung right but was blocked and Josh landed a left hook. Then a right, Cinna whipped his face and looked at Josh.

    Josh ran straight towards Cinna, he tried to tackle him but Josh flipped over him and landed a punch into his back. He gasped for air and tried to steady himself but fell on his knees. Damn it! He thought. Jake I'm sorry. Josh raised his weapon to Cinna's back, he steadied, and was about to pull the trigger but, was stopped by the sound of running feet. He looked up and barely got to see Jake before he was welcomed by his fist.

 

    Jake picked up Buck's helmet and tossed it aside. He picked up the unconscious body and walked over to the nearest wall. He lay it next to it and picked up the pistol.

    "Well," he said. "He has no use for this now." Jake headed out of the base and started towards Cinna's location. He reached it in a few minutes and watched as Cinna fought Josh. He's getting his a*s kicked. Jake thought, he headed closer and watched. He saw Cinna fall to his knees and rushed in. He ran straight for him he tapped the palm of his hand with his right fist and ran and keep going a few feet after he made contact with Josh's face. He turned and grabbed Josh by his chest plating and punched his unprotected stomach. He grabbed his head and slammed it on his knee, Josh went down.

    Josh wobbled as he tried to steady himself. His head bobbed and looked up, he stared at Jake. He dropped to his knees and breathed in and out, his breathing was regulated and his strength returned. He got back up and whipped his face and cleaned the blood from it. The visor of his helmet was broken, cracked all the way, so his tossed it aside and cracked his knuckles.

    He sprinted for Jake, who was looking at Cinna. He turned and blocked with his arm just in time. He kicked him, and Buck ran up behind Jake and tried to grab him. He dropped down, turned and kicked him with both of his feet. He landed on his back and got up.

    "Cinna," Jake yelled. "Get the flag," he punched Josh's unprotected face. As Buck swung at him, he ducked and it hit Josh. "I can...handle myself," he and Buck started punching and blocking each other's punches. Jake hits him in he face, stomach, and finally turns him around and kicks his back. He tripped over himself and slide a few feet, Jake pulled out the pistol and shot Buck in the back.

    "Son of a b***h," Josh ran for Jake and tackled him to the ground, Jake kicked him off and got to his feet. His fist hit Josh's jaw, and he went back. He pulled the trigger and Josh was out.

    Cinna ran by him, and went straight for the base. A few seconds later Jake heard the announcer, "Flag scored. Red Team won. Game over." The lights dimmed and Jake headed out, he saw the same thing he saw after his first match. A crowd of cadets cheering and applauding, he just looked at Cinna and patted him on the back.

    He looked over the crowd and saw a distortion of that area, something was here. They were not safe, and Jake needed to tell the Lieutenant, but before he could his knees started to go weak, he started to sway a little, back and forth. He felt a war of pain shoot through his mind, and blacked out. They caught him before he hit the ground and rushed him to the med center.

    He woke up and looked around. Mallory was in the seat next to his bed, she had fallen asleep. Jake sat up and saw that he was in the med center. A medic walked in, "How are you feeling," his voice was calming.

    "What happened?"

    He checked his clipboard, "Stress induced coma. You had so much action, and pain in the training you almost worked yourself to death. Well," he looked outside, if trying to find a reason to leave. "I have to go. Just rest, you will be fine in a few days."

    "Thanks." He left and Jake lied down and closed his eyes, Is there something I should remember? He fell asleep.