Cyber Chronicles 2: Prime Voyage

Chapter 14: Past

Two months had passed since Lincoln's return to Ontario and his life had undergone significant changes. After a few weeks of rest and settling in, Lincoln, already experienced in combat and being physically fit due to his intense self training in the facility, was able to enlist in the army with no issues.

Upon joining the military, Lincoln found a renewed sense of purpose and a platform to further hone his skills. However, he made the decision to keep his newfound power a secret, revealing it only to his trusted friends, who reacted similarly to Dexter upon learning about it. Recognizing the potential consequences his power had on his memories, Lincoln chose to focus on honing his combat abilities without relying on his ability.

Fate had its way, placing Lincoln in the same squad as Dexter, alongside Destry. Ash initially was assigned to a different squad as he faced physical limitations, however he later improved at an alarming rate and was reassigned to a more advanced squad. Despite the initial differences, Lincoln wholeheartedly embraced the opportunity to connect with his fellow soldiers, forging deep bonds and finding solace in the shared experiences and common missions they undertook together. The camaraderie and support of his squadmates became a wellspring of strength and comfort, serving as a pillar amidst the challenges and rigors of military life.

Every day, Lincoln pushed himself to the brink, determined to conquer the trials that military life presented. His prior training and unwavering resolve propelled him forward, ready to confront any obstacles that crossed his path. With each passing challenge, he inched closer to his goals, never losing sight of his mission to uncover the truth behind his past.

Today marked a significant day for Lincoln as he was summoned for an examination that focused on a new arsenal of weaponry, specifically energy tools, which Dexter's squad specialized in.

As he entered the training facility, he observed Dexter's squad, along with other squads, confidently maneuvering with energy tools in hand, demonstrating their expertise. Their fluid movements and precision showcased the power and effectiveness of these advanced weapons. Lincoln couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation mixed with a hint of apprehension, knowing that he had much to catch up on. He also couldn't help but wonder if these tools would boost his ability's performance. 

A man approached him, Lincoln recognized him as the instructor assigned to guide him through the examination. His black hair, black eyes and a hint of a tan didn't stand out much yet the instructor himself exuded an air of authority and experience. "Greetings, Lincoln Blaze, my name is Dino. Follow me."  Meeting the instructor's gaze, Lincoln nodded in response, signaling his readiness to begin.

Accompanied by the instructor, Lincoln entered a room linked to another through a glass wall. Dexter was then summoned into the room, adorned with various devices positioned strategically on his body. Surprisingly, these gadgets seemed to have little impact on his mobility. Lincoln pondered whether Dexter's proficiency in training allowed him such freedom or if the devices were specifically designed to avoid restricting his movements. Amidst the array of unfamiliar equipment, Lincoln's attention was drawn to a peculiar object strapped to Dexter's back, resembling a sword yet possessing unique characteristics.

"The shield will be the first demonstration by Dexter," the instructor announced, then turning to the other individual present in the room. The man nodded in acknowledgement and issued the command, "Activate the turrets." In response, two turrets emerged from the walls of Dexter's room. Dexter engaged the wrist guard on his left arm, causing a shield comprised of vibrant green electrical energy to materialize. Immediately, the turret unleashed a barrage of bullets in Dexter's direction, causing Lincoln to flinch involuntarily. However, to his astonishment, the bullets were effortlessly deflected by the shield, regardless of their trajectory. The shield expanded automatically, adapting its size to intercept the incoming bullets from any direction.

"Observe the futility of bullets against this impregnable shield," the instructor explained confidently. "Equipped with cutting-edge sensors and advanced artificial intelligence, this shield conserves its energy by maintaining a constant size until expansion becomes necessary. You wear one device on your forearm for frontal protection and another on your back for rear defense. These devices are interconnected, so activating the wrist guard will simultaneously activate both shields. This defensive system proves effective not only against bullets but also in shielding against explosions, impacts, and even falls within your range. It is rightfully hailed as humanity's best shield." 

"Sir, may I ask a question?" Lincoln respectfully requested, to which the instructor nodded. "What is the shield's weakness, then?" Lincoln inquired, eliciting a pleased response from the instructor. "I'm glad you asked," he replied with a proud nod. "The shield's vulnerability lies in electromagnetic disruptors. A weakness shared by all such devices, isn't it?" the instructor explained.

"Indeed, sir. However, wouldn't it be challenging to disarm the shield in the midst of battle?" Lincoln continued to probe. "Unfortunately, not so," the instructor responded. "Our resources are limited, and as a result, we only assign these energy tools to highly proficient squads deployed at the frontline, acting as both our shields and spears. Meanwhile, we have gunners and snipers positioned in the rear. But here's the catch: the enemy possesses the same shield technology. So how do you think we solved this?" the instructor posed the question to Lincoln.

After a moment of contemplation, Lincoln ventured a guess, "You have something capable of disabling the shields during battle, sir?" he inquired. "Precisely, Blaze. That's where the sword you noticed earlier comes into play. It's embedded with electromagnetic disruptors that activate upon swinging. However, the range is limited, so at most, it can deactivate two or three shields in a single swing. Even accomplishing that requires significant skill. Furthermore, the shields only remain deactivated for a brief period. Do you grasp the implications?" the instructor queried.

"Yes, sir. That means we must engage in combat to disable the shields," Lincoln replied, comprehending the strategy. "Exactly. Our frontliners disable their shields, creating an opening for our gunners to eliminate the enemy. This is our formation, which we adjust slightly based on the battlefield's layout. However, we always maintain a consistent frontline and backline structure," the instructor explained, emphasizing the tactical approach.

"Yes, sir," Lincoln replied, his mind processing all the information provided by the instructor.

"On your other arm, you'll find a standard wrist guard equipped with the ability to project that electrical energy. The range is limited, nowhere near that of a regular pistol, but its potential for lethality is higher. We offer two modes for the energy blasts, kill and stun. Depending on the selected mode, the voltage of the blast varies. Additionally, the wrist guard includes features such as a flashlight and a communicator that caters to those who do not possess mindchips," the instructor explained. "Depending on your skill with the wrist guards, you can perform a variety of actions beyond just blasting," the instructor added.

"Yes, sir," Lincoln replied, acknowledging the instructor's explanation. As he contemplated further, he couldn't help but notice the similarities between the energy tools and his own ability to manipulate energy. However, he understood that the wrist guards only generated whereas his own power involved a much deeper level of energy manipulation. Nonetheless, there was a curious resemblance that made him wonder if the tools were somehow inspired by the concept of energy manipulation. 

Did this mean that there were more people who could manipulate energy like him? The question lingered in his mind.

"Now we'll commence your training. Your task is to demonstrate your proficiency with these weapons. You have a week to showcase your abilities, as we are preparing for an upcoming battle and cannot afford to allocate any more time. Next week, we will conduct an evaluation to determine your suitability for Captain Dexter's squad," the instructor declared before exiting the room.

With anticipation, Lincoln made his way to the armory where an array of tools awaited him. He began suiting up, his mind filled with confidence, convinced that this training would be a breeze.