Wrafton, Devon
Day 6.5
"So what just happened today mate? You guys were in a fucking near enough continuous fight for fucking HOURS and barely built up a sweat from it. What the hell Fish?"
Marine Fisher sighed, having answered similar enough questions from Higher.
"You know I can't explain any of this Jonesy. Ask the Nod", Fish waved to Colin dismissively.
Colin stared at Fish, having had enough of her contempt for him. It wasn't like he had sort out the fucking British Military to join up. THEY had found HIM. Literally issued standing orders to find people just like him.
"Ive put down HUNDREDS of those Dead fuckers out there Fisher. With NO guns and NO combat training. And today I carried YOU. But you know things that I don't, so I'll listen. IF what you have to say is constructive. Otherwise, just fucking shut it!"
Turning to the other Marine, he held out his hand "Jonesy was it? Colin Braithwaite, so here's the deal, you other lads listen up too, and tell whoever asks cos I don't wanna have to repeat this stuff to every nosy fucker who asks.
I've got a text bar, only visible to me that I can see all the time. You might call it a HUD. It gives me daily tasks to do, from some kinda Operating System run by The God's of the Multiverse.
When I complete them, I usually get a physical boost to my overall health. Strength, endurance, Agility. With combat Gear drops and melee weapon upgrades. Things like that."
"No anime Status Menu."
"No magic Inventory to store shit."
"No Stats List."
Colin sat back, sighing.
" I'm a royal marine Recruit in name only I reckon.
I'll get the job done, but I doubt I'll do in a way some Brigadier will be happy about "
Jonesy just looked at him for moment then laughed " Mate, we're Royal Marines Commando's, we always get the job done, and they ain't ever happy about how we did it."
RMB Chivenor, Devon
Day 6.5
Exiting the transport back at three barracks, Colin stop Emerson. " You got a minute?"
"Don't expect some hug and make up here Braithwaite" she said, though very little venom was in her tone.
"Not that, have you looked at your combat gear? It's Been upgraded." Colin start pointing out the changes.
Her standard issue Battledress was more form fitting. The Multi-cam pattern was still there, but subdued.
The plate carrier ingredients battle vest now appeared closer to a heavy material bodice, where the single plates had been was now a series of heavier panels.
"I'm starting to look more like you, as if I wasn't already different enough from the rest of "The boys". Just what I need" a mix of frustration and anger crossed her face.
"We ARE different now Emerson, and I wanna see how much. Got a track round here?"
"The runway I guess. But it this gear?" Mostly she looked at her combat boots.
"May as well run in the gear we fight in eh?
They made their way over to the airstrip, not heavily used currently.
" OK, fast as we can to then end? Speed and endurance test?" Fish nodded, setting her watch.
So they started running. Fast. Colin new they were running at exceptional speed, but it was hard to tell on the airstrip without a real reference. Fish kept up well enough, a little more out of breath than Colin, but neither collapsed at the end of the runway when they reached it, heavy breathing was the worst condition they suffered.
Fish was staring at her watch, then back at the way they had come.
"What was our time?" asked Colin, not having any reference to what a fast time was in these circumstances anyway
Emerson looked at her watch again.
"7 minutes 35 seconds. Not as fast as the mens world record, but about 30 seconds fast than the women's record"
Shaking her head in disbelief " we also ran an extra 600 metres further than what the records times were set on"
" Well you're definitely different now Fisher".
When they got back to the Barracks, Colin had some visitors
" Colin!" Two young voices screamed. Triss and Bradley came running from the lounge area for hugs. They were both so exited to tell him all the new things they had seen they were talking over each other.
Bradley was looking at Marine Fisher and her equipment.
"Is she a Hero too?" He asked, with more than a little awe in his voice. Colin smiled at this, not really feeling like a hero.
"Yes she is actually" hoping the Marine would take this inaction as a compliment, as it was intended.
"Marine Fisher. This is Bradley and Teresa. We met in the Village before we came here."
The Marine solemnly shook their hands. "I'm pleased to meet you two. How are you finding the civilian section? I hope they are taking care of you there?"
" everyone's very nice there" said Triss
"Sergeant Connelly asked the people to take special care of us. They looked a bit surprised when he asked, even though he didn't sound angry or anything"
Fisher laughed at this "People always listen when the Sarge asked them to do something". A gruff voice from behind them spoke at that moment. "Yes they do Marines, if they know what's good for them.
Children, would you mind if I take these two, Marine and Recruit, to talk about what we did this morning?"
The two kids nodded, gave Colin another hug and headed back to the lounge area.
"This way you two, unless you feel like taking another run down the airstrip?"
It wasn't a question, the Sergeant turned and headed for his office, the two trailing behind him.
"Want to explain that little sprint down the runway?" Again, it wasn't a request.
"Testing our limits Sergeant. We wanted to see what we could do." Colin told him honestly. He was here to train, and for the military to learn what they were capable of.
"Kindly let me know before you repeat any more tests. So I do not have Higher asking why there are two individuals setting world records on their base of operations."
"Yes Sergeant " was the only reply to the Sergeants words. It always was.
W
"Was that your top speed?"
"No Sergeant "
"Add that to this ever growing list of "things Higher " wants to know then"
"So next on the list will be combat training. Higher wants to know what you two are capable of. We got a look at what kind of damage you can do to the Cursed today. We'll be testing that further tomorrow. "
Sergeant Connelly had a stack of manuals on his desk, which he pushed towards Colin.
"Some reading material for you Braithwaite. Manuals on communications, tactics and protocols. Enjoy" Colin took them, flicking through them. No fancy covers. All basic antiseptic military form.
[Contender Arcanium Quest Available].
Clear All Cursed from Village [Wrafton] and Village [Braunton].
Time Limit - Open
Cull Count - Open
Arcanium Ability Reward.
"Uh Sergeant. They might also want to know about this too"