NERVES OF STEEL

CHAPTER 22- CROSSED THE LINE

                   On arrival, they were both commended on a job well done and the next plan was immediately set in motion. Through the hidden recorder in the gutter, both Russo and Lewis were able to eavesdrop on enemy's conversations without them knowing.

"An attack by some unknown tourist? How was that even possible?" An angry growl could be heard from the other end.
"We doubt she was even a tourist. Could be an undercover agent."
"Fuck! We need to move! Gather the cylinders into the back of the truck?"
"Alright boss. Where are we headed?"
"To Mozhaysk."

                
                        Russo and Lewis exchanged glances with each other. The town was only 110km west of Moscow. They kept listening for awhile. Multiple voices could be heard on the other end. A series of barked orders and finally, car doors slamming shut, tires screeching as they drove away into the distance.

Silence!

"They made mention of cylinders." Russo said, taking off his earpiece.
"They definitely have the Neuroveil." Lewis agreed.
"And in gas form."
"A huge disadvantage on our side."
"We'll be needing gas masks for this mission. Each and every man. We can't risk inhaling that chemical." Russo said.
"I'll inform the others." Said Lewis getting to his feet. "And get them in proper gear." He added.
"Do so immediately."

   
                      That evening, Lewis gathered the men together and informed them of the latest development. After the announcement, he shared the men into a group of two for a brief combat training that night. Diane on the other hand was surprised when Lewis paired her up with himself.

                    Diane stepped forward and stood before the Captain, her eyes fixed on his stern expression.

"Today's objective: hand-to-hand combat," Lewis sounded, his eyes glinting with intensity. "No quarter asked or given."

             The training area was a make shift ring, surrounded by the Soldiers watching the fight. Meanwhile, Russo was also watching from the window of the wooden cabin he was seated in.

               Lewis charged at Diane, his movements were swift and aggressive unlike any energy she had ever encountered but she was used to combat training, wasn't she? Her father had made sure of that.

              Diane parried and countered, avoiding his blows whilst finding an open spot to launch him an attack. However, Lewis had the upper hand as his relentless assault drove her back, she almost fell.

"Defend your damn self!" He barked.
"Keep your guard up!" The Captain bellowed, striking her with a swift kick.

Diane stumbled, pain shooting through her side.
Crap! but Lewis didn't relent.

         Lewis lunged at her and she deflected his strike with a swift block. With a well-timed counter, she sent him a swift kick to the abdomen, causing him to stagger backwards in pain.

"Is my guard up enough now, Captain?" She mocked with a faint smile. "Or do I need to go higher?"

                 Lewis not being able to bear the humiliation that came with the attack, got even more aggressive as he got upset. He charged at her, his movements lightening fast. Diane countered several times. He wasn't even given her a chance to fight back, his attacks came in hard and fast.

"Why the hell aren't you fighting back,Serg.?" He scolded.
"This isn't...."
"You except a fight to be fucking fair?" He yelled. "A battle will never be fair!"
"You're weak!" He shouted lurching yet another kick. Diane fell to the ground on her face. She let out a pained scream that suggested all was far from well. She lay back gasping.

              The men watched with stoic expressions on their faces. Keeping his eyes focused on the scene outside, Russo kept tapping his fingers on the table, looking from Diane to Lewis, his expression was firm and unreadable. Why was she taking time to get up? And that scream earlier. So ear-screeching that it seemed to pierce into his veins and for a man who was used to hearing such sounds given his line of work, he wondered why this one had to have such an effect. Had she dislocated her ankle?

"Get the hell up!" Came Lewis' voice. "You're not trying!"

                  She struggled to her feet, determined burning within. She launched herself at Lewis, send a hard punch to his jaw. It was a perfect bullseye and she was more than satisfied when she saw his mouth bleeding but it took him nothing to get back at her, this time he effortlessly deflected her blows.

"You're fucking slow!" Lewis shouted, engaging her in a series of swift punches. "Faster!" He yelled, urging her to keep up with his pace. "Come on, Alvarin! Faster! Faster!! Faster!!!"

                        Diane's breathing grew ragged, her muscles screaming in protest and the pain in her side since that fall was growing and growing. She could feel the black shirt she had on getting wet in that area. She was hurt and most likely bleeding but Lewis showed no mercy.

Russo's eyes narrowed, his grip on the windowsill tightening.

"E-enough...." She muttered, stumbling back, no longer having the physical strength to continue.
Lewis closed in, his eyes blazing. "You're not done!"

                      Oh goddamn it! Diane cussed. Bracing up the last of her strength, she launched a surprise attack at Lewis, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks. Lewis countered but the young woman's ferociousness caught him off guard. For a moment, they clashed, matching each other's energy and even Diane couldn't tell where the sudden strength came from.

               Her father helping her out, perhaps? Was that even possible? The memory flashed across her memory at that instant, causing her to lose focus and then, Lewis saw the open opportunity and he took it, landing her a crushing blow that sent her crashing to the ground. Looking up, she could see Lewis raised foot about to stomp her to the ground, she held both hands over her head to counter the attack and just as his foot was about to make contact......

"That's enough, Lewis."

Heads turned, only to see that Russo had stepped out of the Cabin. Lewis froze, his foot hovering above Diane's prone form.

"She needs to learn." Lewis growled.
"And thanks to you, she's learned enough for today." Said Russo in a low tone but laying emphasis on the word 'enough'.

              Lewis' gaze locked onto Russo's, a spark of defiance flickering before he backed down. He stormed out of the training ground upset as he walked into one of the cabin. Once out of sight, Russo looked down at Diane on the ground, he held out his hand and helped her get to her feet.

"I could have handled it." She said, defiantly and a little upset he stepped in.
"Ofcourse you could have. You're dismissed."

             He said, turning around and walking away. Once he got back into the cabin, he could see Lewis pouring himself a glass of water. He gulped down the contents, still upset that he stepped in for her. No one ever cuts short his training sessions not even when his father was the General. His eyes fixed angrily on Russo.

"You interfered." Lewis stated.
"You crossed the line." Russo replied.

Lewis' gaze flew open, stunned to the bones.
What the actual fuck?!

"Push her beyond her limits again and I won't spare you."

              He could see The General move across the room, remorseless and unaffected. Russo reached out for the first aid box, took it and started walking towards the door.

"What line?" Lewis asked, spitefully, causing Russo to stop in his tracks.

           He stood still, not looking back as he wasn't sure of a suitable answer to give. Finally, he reached for the door handle and walked out, leaving Lewis alone.