Codename: Freedom - Book 4 - Chapter 38 part A

How? We spend the first half hour just trying to figure out all the different ways we could approach solving this problem. I got things started by asking about the benefits and drawbacks to relying so much on our psionics during combat. The most important question that came of the discussion was whether training with gear that enhanced our psionics slowed our advancement or not. It was something we needed to find the answer to, and fast. Thankfully, we had Peter and Victoria to fall back on.

After the initial discussion, we moved on to improving our combat proficiency, both personally and as a whole. Since it was our first session, there wasn’t a lot of time to get into any practical experiments. Instead, we began showing each other a few things we’d been working on.

“Alright everyone. We can call it a day.”

After making the announcement, I received a few nods, but no one made a move to go. A minute later, I noticed Mara smirking at me and gave her a questioning look.

“Look around,” she said.

As I did, it took me a moment to understand what she was getting at. Kline and Barrell had summoned matts and were rolling out in the open. They weren’t going hard as Kline walked him through grappling basics from different mount positions. Mara was standing by the wall near the entrance where she had Drool going through wall walking drills as she gave them some pointers. Vector, Harrison and Cornelius wear lounging nearby deep in conversation. It was the same topic they’d been discussing since the group conversation was over. Hwan, Mel, and Heather were close by in a discussion about her stunning ability while she was taking a break from the wall walking drills.

Turning back to Mara, I found her ready for me. “You can take a deep breath now, Mr. Intensity. We’re off the clock. Remember. Have some fun. They are.”

I glanced around the courtyard again, when I saw Kline walking toward me with Barrell in tow. Kline grabbed me by the shoulder and squeezed. What would’ve brought me to my knees half a year ago was manageable as long as I flexed.

“She’s right,” he said. “You need to install a personal off switch. Don’t think that I don’t know what you were doing while you were supposed to be recovering. You and that pretty Colonel of ours never stop.”

“I’m trying,” I replied. “Mara’s been nagging me about it.” I motioned to her with a snicker.

“Give the girl a raise.”

She nodded matter-of-factly.

Motion that my hands were tied, I asked. “Interested in some nutrition shakes?”

“Have anything chocolate, or mango-pineapple?”

“Let’s find out.” Looking off in the direction of my mule drone, it was already flying in our direction. “This is only a small sample of what I have. Outside of sim, I have every flavor made and even those not on the market yet.”

“Mmmm,” she said, walking toward my drone and cutting it off.

“Have you seen Victoria lately?” I asked. “She’s never slept much, but do you think she’s overdoing it?”

“Always,” he replied, shaking me steadily with his grip. “Isn’t that why the two of you get along so well? You’re the only person that can keep up with her.”

I laughed a little. There was something to what he said.

“To answer your question, I’ve only see her once or twice a day. You?”

“Hmmm. I report to her daily, but don’t see her often.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it. Believe it or not, some women find you more attractive than me, babyface. She probably just sees you as more of a distraction than she sees me.”

I feigned studying him closely as if worried he might have overdosed on adrenalin or something. He was one of the few people that knew who Victoria was and how close she and I were. He was better at keeping both secrets than I was so I didn’t even consider that he might have forgotten. Still, his jesting was uncomfortably close to the truth.

“Yeah, that’s probably it,” I replied with a push. “I just hope she’s not keeping me away because the work is wearing on her and she knows I’ll call her out when I see her.”

“Things will settle down soon enough when we hit our rhythm. I’m not really that worried. Approximately a thousand soldiers from Genesis were able to reach rank E psionics within two years. That means that as we near the end of Vanguard Prodos should have a hundred or more of the same rank.”

“The Genesis participants will have three years of psionics by then. Who knows if some of them will reach rank D…”

“Maybe. We’re talking some of the military’s best combat specialists with superpowers. So what? I know that’s not what you’re worried about. Have you even spent the time to study our competition? You know, the people you’ll actually be fighting?”

Mara walked up with a chocolate shake in one hand and manga pineapple in the other. She held them up in thanks but didn’t interrupt.

I cracked a grin and her but was still engaged with Kline’s question. “Not really. Only briefly.”

He rapped me hard in the shoulder with his knuckles. “Of course not, but you should. You started this shindig by asking us how. If you’re climbing a tall staircase, do you gape at the top of the stairs or the ones in front of you? It better be the one’s in front of you or you’re going to trip.”

“I get what you’re saying,” I replied, but just stared at him until he glanced at me to see what was taking so long. “But what if I can do this?”

With what was becoming a simple push, I was soon hovering.

His eyes widened as he looked down to see my feet weren’t touching the ground, then looked back up at me. His eyes narrowed.

The next moment, I was being carried like a sack of potatoes toward the matts. “No more putting it off. It’s time to work on your grappling game. I need someone to roll with that can use that push ability so that I can learn to fend against it.”

I didn’t fight him, but waited until we got close in case he got the smart idea to slam me to the ground. Othisi was ready. This was something I’d been meaning to do, even in Freedom, but had never made the time to train with him consistently. Turning back, I saw Mara with her hand covering her mouth. I waved, knowing I looked stupid.

She heaved over, unable to hold it in.

Hwan added a whistle to her laughter.

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The second part may be coming later today, but I'm going to try to get something posted around 4:00 PM Eastern time most weekdays and Saturday here and there.

Cheers!