Chapter 3: Its like GBO in real life.
"Your awesome Sempai can you carry me to Sargent first class," said the female avatar 9SkysPavillion over the coms.
"No, LaserGunner sighed his avatar shifting uncomfortably. "but here is a tip. Keep the coms clear if you want to rank up."
"Your no fun," pouted the female avatar.
"I have movement in sector 4," came Xeno's voice over the coms. "I've two enemies trying to come up behind our base."
"I hate these base capture missions why couldn't it be a regular 5v5," Complained NegaDave. Though he was complaining he was completely happy. 9Skys had taken her attention off of him. He had helped her/him to rank up to Rank 3 Staff Sargent. Only to find out she was a guy after he ask for her Link Contact. "What people do to rank up" he mumbled.
"Shut up already," responded the final member of the squad KillShot69 "First class what's the plan? Are we going to send three and hit them hard while two defend the base?"
Kayden thought for a moment before responding. If he was on the attack what would he do.
"ManB3ast." he said calling Xeno's avatar name. Set up a dummy turrent at your position then retreat. They prob have a sniper behind those two. They are most likely trying to smoke out some targets for thier sniper. Make your way to sector 7 and flank em."
"Yes sir," Xeno replied. He then procceded to setup the turrent quickly. The turrent came with a dummy that looked like the avatar of the user who set it. With the turrent set up, and a passable replica of himself behind it Manb3ast retreated. It would fire on movement after 30 seconds.
"KillShot make it to the hill outside our base in sector 8. You get 1 shot. Take out thier sniper when he bites on the dummy." KillShot69 didn't respond but his location on the map was moving from the base to the hill at a very fast pace.
"NegaDave you flank em as well from sector 8. Fire only after the enemy sniper takes his shot it'll make him hesitate as a new target appears and gives KillShot another second or so to aim.
"No problem," replied NegaDave. Clutching his gun. He raced as low to the ground as he could, to flank the scouts who were still making thier way toward the turrent's area.
"B3ast fire on them after NegaDave. Keep em pinned till the sniper is down, then finish em. 9Skys stay at base. Cover sectors 2,3, Im going to head to sector 1 to take care of the other two. Keep an eye on Sectors 5/6 just in case thier approach is different from what I expect."
"Thats too much for me, complained 9 skys. How am i supposed to cover all those directions at the same time."
"Ill take care of any enemies in 5/6," responded LaserGunner. "You only need to react to sector 2\3. They are to far away for me to respond to quicly. 5/6 I'll take care of but keep any eye out for movement there."
"Ok," Huffed 9Skys, but before anymore could be said A hail of gun fire exploded from the Dummy turrent as it locked on to enemy units. The enemy scouts were immediately pinned down by turrent fire. 3.5 seconds after the turrent started to fire a red Laser Beam came blasting through the dummy's head as it melted all the way to its solar plexus, arms falling to the ground. The turrent immediately halted. Shortly after the dummy fell, a flurry of blue plasma bolts slammed into enemy scouts flank as it dawned on them it was a trap. They didn't get a kill notification when thier sniper took out the turrent. Almost immediately after the first few plasma bots hit the scouts flanks. A Bright blue streak flew from a hill near LaserGunner and company's base. Followed shortly after by the sound of a First blood notification to everyone on the map. At the sound of the notification the scouts immediately panicked. Requesting backup. In sector one the two remaining team members felt the pressure. It was now 4v5 and thier teammates were being pinned down behind the enemy base. The other Two members tried to rush the base to take pressure off of their scouts, but before they got there they saw a lone gunman running up to them.
"Waste him", said the first avatar with juggernaut amor as he rushed toward the charging gunner. The charging gunner released a barrage of fire on the juggernaut. Blue plasma bots rained down on The tanks armor but it did no damage.
As the second avatar followed the juggernaut he began to pull up his rifle to return fire. The charging gunner threw out a square device that glowed purple. It traveled a few feet before creating an 8 foot tall 4 feet wide energy shield in front him. Plasma bots from the second avatars rifle impacted the shield even as it appeard.
Thr juggernaut snorted as he sped up to close the last 30 ft. Before he could barrel through the energy shield. The Gunner leaped left a sniper rifle in his hands. His pulse rifle had been discarded on the ground. The last thing the second avatar did was try to dodge as his chest exploded into countless pieces. A large caliber bullet passed through his avatar's chest. From such close range he was dead before he hit the ground
The juggernaut wasted no time to close the rest of the distance intent on bludgeoning the gunner to death. He barrelled down on the gunner swinging his armor enforced fists. He hit nothing but air as The gunner dodged his onslaught. Before The Juggernaut could halt his momentum to launch another attack a loud bang along with a flash of light disoriented him.
"Flashbang", he thought. trying to orient himself in the direction of the gunners last position. Taking his Hammer out of the armor's spacial storage. The Juggernaut's weight immediately increased taking away all his forward momentum. That enable him to swing his hammer he turned behind him hoping to connect with the gunner. The juggernaut assumed the gunner used the flash bang to get behind him. The power armor kicked in helping him swing the hammer as a small energy shield layered itself over the whole armor making him harder to deal with. He hit nothing but air but his vision was returning. As the Juggernaut stepped forward to find the gunner he stepped on something hard. That instead of being obliterated by his weight sunk in to the ground.
"Not good" Thought the juggernaut as the grenade he stepped on exploded making him stumble forward landing on his chest and disabling his shield. What happened next he was only able to see on the kill cam replay. The gunner had retrieved his sniper rifle that he had probably dropped to increase his dodging speed when the juggernaut swung at him. With The Juggernaut disoriented on the ground he ran up to him placed the muzzle of the sniper rifle at the back of head where the armor meets at the neck and pulled the trigger."
The juggernaut respawned in a base that was now thiers. It was now the second round. They had been team wiped in under 45 seconds from the first to last shot.
"What just happened", said the juggernaut's teammate who had been with him when he tried to storm the base.
"We got our asses kicked", replied Juggernaut in an exasperated tone.
****
Almost half a day later, Kayden logged of and UnLinked from the GalaxyNet. He and Xeno had ranked for hours. Xeno ranked all the way to Rank 2 Staff Sargent. They ended up adding NegaDave, KillShot69, 9SkysPavillion as friends. They had spent a majority of the time ranking as a 5 man squad. They were 23-1 on the day. Each member having went up 3 ranks except for Kayden who only went up 2. The only way to become a Rank 4 Master Sargent was 7 consecutive wins at Rank 1 Sargent First Class that one loss messed up his promotion.
'I should go to bed early,' He thought to himself. Looking at the time it was already quarter to 11. 'I didnt exercise today', he thought as he got up and stretched. He wasn't tired yet so he headed down to his basement to the home gym that his dad had set up. Speaking of his dad, A 6"3 Black hair brown eyes middle aged man was sitting on a workout bench as Kayden entered the gym.
" Just getting a work out now?" His dad asked looking at the time.
"Yeah, figured I'd do some cardio and stretches. I was to stagnant today." Kayden replied as he headed over to the treadmill that looked like a moving walkway found at airports on old earth.
"Ahh," replied his dad with a knowing sound. "Mom says you got a part time job."
"How bad did she make it sound," Kayden asked as he chuckled. "Scale of of 1 to 10?"
"Defcon 12 if there is such a thing," replied his old man looking amused at his own joke. "She wants me to talk to Finley since she said that she promised you she wouldn't".
Kayden turned around to look at his dad smiling like he was watching a very funny sitcom on his Link. " Yeah, I hate when she pulls political moves on me," he sighed. "What did you say?"
"Nothing much," His dad shrugged. "Just thanked him for hiring you and told him to put you through the ringer so you get some real world experience. Then we complained about our wives. You know guy stuff, but then again you've never had a girlfriend so i guess you don't know." He chuckled again as he saw Kayden's offended face.
Kayden rolled his eyes and retorted."Mom says Im a lot like you. I wont be able to get a girlfriend till one gets smart enough to chase me". Kayden for his part immediately was offended by his own joke. Recanting what his mom said was mutually destructive. He sacrificed 800 to slay 1000. His dad was laughing out loud as he looked at his sons face.
"Hey hey im not as bad as you. By 17 your mom couldn't resist my natural charm, he said as he passed is hand through his hair. "By 18 she was practically hinting marriage., His dad said with a smile. "You already lost kid. 17 in two weeks and not even a potential confession."
"Natural Charm was it?" came a woman's voice from the intercom in the gym. "If i remember correctly someone told my best friend to put in a good word for them because they were to shy to say hello"
Kayden and his dad both look terrified. Both were wondering how long she was listening.
"If you are wondering how long i was listening dear you can sleep at Finley's house so you can continue your conversation about your wives. she said sarcastically before she continued. "Kayden sweety have a good day at work. I wont see you for a few days. so good luck" she said as the com beeped to indicate that she had hung up.
"Great now you got us both in trouble," sighed Kayden.
"Yep, the kitchen is definitely closed," mumbled his dad.
"What?" kayden said not sure what his dad was talking about.
"Nothing, Go get some rest. I have a feeling your. going to need all the energy you can get the next few days he sighed.
"Why?" Kayden asked. Even more confused.
"Do you think anyone can go to earth? Especially without training? Good luck son, don't quit and make me look bad."
"Im still trying to figure out how you guys guessed where we were heading," Kayden sulked. " Why was mom even listening"
Dad just shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. On his way out he said, "Nothing like this happens on the ark without approval, your age group is the not in the know, but its actually a pretty big deal for everyone else. You just lucked out and got an opportunity to go. As for your mom who told u to be online all day. Clearly she wanted to talk to you, but kept it short since i was here. Get some rest." he said before he left.
Kayden stood dazed for a moment before heading back to his room. It didn't take long for him to sleep. That night he dreamed of GBO. He had finally gone pro. His name was famous across the galaxy, but his dream ended on a sour note thou. After all the fame and money he never got a girlfriend.
****
A group of four young people. Stood before a spectacled man in an extremely large hall filled with exercise, training equipment, an obstacle course, firing range, and equipment room. For there part though the quartet was focused on the man before them and his glasses. Glasses in this day and age was more of a fashion statement than for corrective vision. A link could directly record your surroundings and send it to your mind bypassing your eyes completely or filling in the blurry details your eyes couldn't differentiate.This was the thought on the mind of the four teens as they watched the man observe them.
" Welcome to Griffon City Construction, Im Finley Griffon. Xeno's uncle you guys can call me Uncle Fin."
"Good morning Uncle Fin," the quartet spoke in unison.
While they were greeting thier new boss a tall sort haired woman dressed in loose sports attire walked into the hall and made her way over. Turning to her Uncle Fin smiled and said "Right on time. Everyone I'd like to introduce you to Ms. Natalie Graham. Ms Graham. Will be your trainer over these next three days as we give you a crash course on everything you will need to have a safe and productive trip when we head to earth. Xeno has made it clear to me you guys are looking for some real world experience, but i must warn you this is not a field trip, to keep you safe one must follow protocols at all times. If Ms. Graham says your not ready you wont be coming on this resource mission. Ms.Graham I leave them in your hands." He said turning to the stoic woman.
"Mhm" she affirmed nodding her head as Uncle Finley who smiled at the quartet before he turned and left the hall.
"Alright for the next three days you will be living here at these facilities..."
"What!" three of the four exclaimed. While Kayden looked unsurprised by this development. He was sure his mom had something to do with it.
"That interruption was for free." Ms. Graham continued. "The next one will cause you to lose points on your evaluation. If your score is to low you wont be joining on this mission."
The twins and Xeno instantly halted thier complaints that were on the tip of thier tongues.
"Follow me," she said as she turned around and headed to a gated area in the hall. After giving her Link credentials the gate door gave a beep and unlocked for them to enter. Inside of this section was all kinds of gear. Fully enclosed body armor and all sorts of scanners and tools. What caught the quartets attention was the slew of weapons that hung on the wall.
Xeno let out an excited voice and asked, "Will we be able to use this stuff?"
Ms. Graham nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders. "If you get through the next few days you'll be allowed to keep a weapon for our mission. The harsh environment and radiation Isnt the only threat on the planet."
Lina's eyes were glowing as she approached the Tactical rifle and said, "Its Like GBO but in real life"
Ms. Graham rolled her eyes. She didn't really want to be here training these teens, her boss Mrs.Butler didn't really give her a choice though. She didn't work for Griffon City Construction, but the ark council. Her instructions were not to go easy on them for this assessment. She gave the group a wry smile before saying. "Suit up. Your going to be eating sleeping and in these armors for the next few days and weeks if you pass. Get used to em." She turned around to wait for them in the hall.
"Wait," cried the twins in unison. " Where do we change."
"Here. Where else would you change." responded Ms.Graham. "You have 6 minutes before you start lossing points. You'll be starting in the negatives if you don't hurry up"
She walked back out the gated area. Hoping this would be the quickest three days of her life.
Weekly Power Status
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