Hunters, titans, and warlocks practiced and sparred with each other as Kendrick oversaw their progress. "I am looking for the very best of you! This raid won't be easy, and I don't need any dregs whimping out once we're inside!" He exclaimed.
A huntress and titan were battling with staves. The clank of their weapons annoyingly echoed in Kendrick's head but he watched nonetheless. The huntress spun around, hitting the titan in the gut. When the Guardian hunched over, the huntress weaved the staff between the titan's arms and the back of his neck, then threw him to the ground.
"Good work," Kendrick said in a dull tone. The huntress nodded her head, then helped the titan up.
Kendrick walked over to a couple of titans that were boxing with each other. Kendrick crossed his arms as he watched the two dish it out. The titan wearing red armor punched his opponent in the gut, picked him up by the waist and chunked him across the court. The titan wearing blue armor tumbled a few times before resting on a hand and a knee.
The titan in blue pushed back to his feet, and rushed back with a couple of jabs. The other titan's head went from side to side as he took the blows. Finally, the titan in blue flew into the air with his jetpack, and kicked his opponent in the chin!
"Good work, to both of you..." Kendrick said before moving on.
"That was a cheap move, Shark, and you know it!" A warlock down on his knees said as he held his stomach.
"It doesn't matter, Akilah, I still beat you!" The cocky exo exclaimed while he danced.
Kendrick helped Akilah up, then faced the hunter. "All right, Shark. Let's see how good you are," the titan stated.
The exo, Shark-3, got into a fighting stance. He threw a punch, but Kendrick effortlessly caught his fist. Shocked, Shark threw another punch. Kendrick blocked it, punched the hunter in the face. While the exo was stunned, Kendrick spun around and kicked his knee, snapping his leg!
"Ahh!!" The exo screamed as he fell to the ground. "You son of a..." Shark said angrily.
"Sir, I could've taken--" Akilah started.
"I'm sure you could've," Kendrick turned to the damaged exo. "Don't get cocky. As soon as you think you can beat everyone, you'll find the one guy you can't..."
Kendrick walked to the front of the court. "So, I've seen some of your fighting styles, but that doesn't tell me anything! As soon as everyone gets rested, head out into the woods! It's time to see who can survive the wilds, and who can't!"
Kendrick walked back into the base and searched around. He peaked his head into various rooms, including the cafeteria. "Mr. Frost, how is training coming along?" Lysander asked as he appeared from seemingly nowhere.
Kendrick took a step back. "Ah, yes. It's coming along. I actually have the recruits heading out into the woods for a survival exercise..."
"I see," Lysander replied. "Oh, I saw your partner--Lafayette, is it?--in the barracks earlier..." the man continued.
"Yeah, he's friendly, but very introverted. He's not one to stay near large gatherings..." Kendrick said, quickly thinking.
"Someone like that wouldn't make a good Raider..." Lysander stated. His very posture--tall and slim, arms locked behind his back, and his soul-piercing gaze--intimidated the titan.
"That is true..." Kendrick replied, realizing he was beat. "I guess I'll have to talk to him, then find someone to take his place..." Lysander slowly nodded his head before strutting away.
Kendrick released the air he was holding in. His ghost, Oliver, got a tissue and dabbed the sweat off of his Guardian's head and face. "I'm not sure what scares me more... If he's on to me; or if he's on to me for the wrong reason..." the titan said.
"Lauffe, are you in here?" Kendrick said as he walked into the barracks.
"Whaddya want, Frost?..." the warlock, laying down and reading a book, asked in a disdainful voice.
"Lauffe, Lysander is on to me; to us! I'm not sure what he knows, but he has his suspicions, I can feel it..." Kendrick whispered as he walked over to his old friend's bunk.
Lafayette rolled over. "Oh really? You didn't expect the man who started an uprising against the Concensus, convinced people to [b]fight[/b] the Concensus, held his own against New Monarchy, and built a little state outside of the City... to see through you?!" He exclaimed.
"Lauffe, quiet!" Kendrick exclaimed. "If he were on to me, I'd be okay... I got us into this mess, it's my responsibility. But he believes something's up with you! I couldn't bear knowing I caused whatever Lysander might do to you..."
Lafayette slammed his book shut, and shut his eyes tightly. "What do you need me to do?..." he reluctantly asked.
"I told him you were an introvert, and he thought that you would be bad for the Raid--which covered me getting someone to replace you..." Kendrick said.
"Okay, so why do I have to get involved, then?" The Awoken asked.
"I need you to help train these guys. I'm afraid if you don't, Lysander might think you're snooping around..." the titan answered.
"All right..." Lafayette swung his legs around and sat up.
Kendrick placed a hand on his friend's shoulder and pushed him back down. "Not right now. We're heading into the woods, and I'm not sure when we'll be back..."
"But when you do, I'll train them? Fine by me, it gives me some private time, I suppose..." Lafayette said before laying back down and picking his book back up.
"Whatcha gonna do during that private time?..."
Lafayette's eyes shifted toward the titan. "Read... I'm gonna read, you sick bas****..."
Kendrick laughed, then walked out of the barracks. He looked down the hallway in both directions, then bolted outside.
-
First bump.