Cardinal

Chapter 32

I was fucked. Derek was my only hope right now but I don't doubt that the other three trainees either don't know what they're doing or hate me or both. 

Zach, the gossip, was in my group including that bitch, Carina, who had something to say last time we were in training. Brynn, who hadn't talked to anyone here, and seemed to have a chip on her shoulder, made up our group. Judging from our lack of communication and lack of motivation to work as a team, we were screwed. I'll be damned if I get screwed out of future missions and my place with my unit if these knuckleheads can't get their shit together. 

We were still equipped with our regular handgun-an imitation of a Glock- for the purpose of our training. They don't actually shoot bullets though if you hit your target just right, it can make them feel like they just got shot. 

I can see that some of these people here have never experienced the actual pain of being shot since it was like a warzone in the last simulation. People passed out from the pain-me included. Though, it really felt like I was shot in the chest. 

There's also always a dampener in the building and our powers are null and void here. So, plainly, we're all screwed. 

"So we're saving a hostage in this scenario. We have to get the hostage out without making a huge scene. We're all a little green and I don't think we can fight the clubs in hand-to-hand combat at this point and come out on the winning end." Derek explains, pushing up his black-rimmed glasses upwards like a typical nerd would do. Though, Derek really didn't look like a nerd. He just sounded like one. 

Carina and Zach scoff at Derek while Brynn stays silent. Derek ignores all of them while catching my attention, making it known that he really intended me to go along with his plan. He seemed a lot more knowledgeable about this terrain than I was. I nod at him in response. 

"Buildings will be close together and there will be debris everywhere. The advantage is that these buildings are tall and can serve as a vantage point for us as well as hiding spots. The only problem is that these training weapons they've handed us don't have sights where we can accurately shoot our target. We cannot get them close enough for hand-to-hand combat. We will definitely fail. At this point, our best bet is to have Lilac here serve as a sniper and get her to the vantage point close to where our targets will be where we can take them out discreetly. We can't go guns blazing since they will definitely have an upper hand," He explains, looking at each of us, emphasizing his point. 

"How many are we against?" Brynn finally speaks up. 

"5 of us to 15 clubs, from what I know," Derek narrows his eyes at Brynn, his mouth set at a harsh line. Carina gasps and Zach shakes his head. 

"We're not going to make it," Zach whispers, running his hand through his face. 

"Don't you dare talk like that. I won't accept anything less first place." Brynn glares at him. Well, easy for her to say. She looked fit and ready for combat. I noticed her as one of the people in the first-place team as well as one of the top performers on the physical assessment along with Rissa. 

Once it was time for us to go into the simulation arena, I was amazed that they'd crafted an area like this on the grounds. It felt real- like I was actually in a city that was in a warzone. I have to give Bath credit for getting this built. The more I train with the mercenaries, the more I learn how large the academy really is and how much they take this seriously. 

We make our way through the area, forming a diamond, and stealthily trying to get to the building where we were going to camp. My heart was beating furiously and I was trying not to puke. I wouldn't know what to do if anybody got close to me. I berate myself for not learning how to fight hand-to-hand combat sooner, especially with the threats in the outside world. Weapons can only do so much.