A New Kind of Army

Chapter 36: Happy Birthday

You are familiar with throwing knives, correct?" Nico said.

I nodded. When I first saw the targets set up on the training field, I knew we would be going over something related to ranged weaponry.

"One of the first things they taught me," I said.

"Good," Nico picked up a silver blade and twirled it between his fingers, "Now let's see if the actually taught you proper form."

I threw three blades, each one hitting near the centers of the targets, but not the bullseye. Then Nico stopped me.

"Alright first off, you'll ruin your shoulder joint throwing like that, second you don't need to have a hard throw," Nico said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Accuracy is the main goal with throwing knives. It doesn't matter how hard you throw the blade if it misses its target and exposes your position," Nico said, "Watch then explain."

The mutant commander plucked up one of the small slivers of sharp metal. He tossed it up, blade shimmering in the sunlight as it spun in the air, before catching the handle in his palm. He turned towards the targets. In less than an instant a small dagger was imbedded into the very center of the bullseye.

"Well?" Nico said, "What did you see?"

"You'd be a hell of a baseball pitcher," I muttered.

Nico huffed, "Oh, the irony. I was taught by a softball player."

I raised a brow.

"It's nearly a carbon copy of baseball, only major differences in terms of play are the size of the ball and field, and the pitching style. However, it is played by mostly women, rather than men," Nico said.

"So, a girl version of baseball?" I spoke.

"More like a substitute that girls are turned towards to play instead. Arrow played for a few years in the local town little league, however once she entered puberty the baseball teams wouldn't pick her up to play anymore. She was a good pitcher too. She played a season of softball, but the coaches we're cruel to their players," Nico shook his head, "I mean no offence to those who play softball, they are strong woman who deserve everything in the world. In fact, you can thank them for my technique."

"What?"

"Biological females, don't have the capabilities to easily develop upper body strength, so they have to draw power from their whole bodies. Legs, hips, shoulders, and arms. It gives them a far more accurate shot."

"Where'd you learn that?"

"My sister-in-law. Alice was a school athlete ever since she was a young child, and her father taught her how compete with boys twice her age and size without using her abilities. So, currently we will need to reteach your body how to throw in a proper form."

"Or in other words," Spoke another voice.

I looked to my right. Arrow was floating over to us. Her still honey blond hair, with darkened roots was tied up in a high ponytail, whipping around in the wind. She was dressed in her usual attire. A sleeve-less high-collar violet shirt, with bright blue leggings and short black boots. Navy cuffs bound around her forearms, wrists and palms that matched her dynamo mask. Black Sheep in her arms.

"Bucky Barnes, you are going to have learn how to throw like a girl," she said with a teasing smile.

"If it keeps me alive, I don't gotta problem with that," I said.

"Now you're catching on," Arrow said.

"Dear niece, I thought you wouldn't be here for another half-an-hour," Nico said.