Beyond Kombat: Backstage Pass 2 Mortal Kombat

Chapter 3 - Recruiting Again

“So why do I have to be here again?” I sighed, my eyes staring blankly at the wooden floor of the training room.

There were weight benches, free weights, punching bags, and weapons all around, all being used by sweaty men and women, claiming to be the best from their home country. I had been watching them all fight each other and show off how much weight they could lift. It was driving me insane, especially when I saw number fourteen, a very tall and husky twenty year old man, lift three hundred pounds. There’s no way I could ever lift that. I ruled him out that very moment; I don’t want people stronger than me on my team. Although, Keanu was bordering; he could easily kick my ass if he wanted to. That night on the beach was basically a fluke. My power was my mind, my calculations, and my speed; I wasn’t strong or threatening.

“Because you need to find more fighters; a handful isn’t enough to protect a fortress, sweetie.” Keanu explained, holding my hand between our two chairs. He’s been very sweet ever since Johnny left, and I just remain salty and don’t want to talk to anyone. “What do you think about number eleven?” He asked, trying to get me to pay attention. I sighed and lifted my eyes to the blonde woman wearing a tag that said ‘11’ on her shirt. She was muscular, but her strongest point was archery. She sent arrows flying in every direction, but I hadn’t seen her do much else.

I frowned, “She’s relying on a weapon.”

He nodded and called to her, “Eleven, can you do much hand-to-hand combat?”

She shrugged, “I can kick and punch, if that’s what you mean.”

Isn’t that what he just asked? She had the spitting image of a valley-girl voice, and it drove me up a wall. She sounded like a snob and I refused to suffer through it. She was great with a bow and arrow, but what if that was taken from her? What could she do then? Buy them a pair of shoes?

I shook my head with a deeper frown, “She’s out.”

“Why?” Keanu raised an eyebrow at me.

“If she could fight, she would have said so, not dance around the question like a fucking fairy.” I jerked my head in the direction of the door to her. “Leave your number and go.”

The blonde girl’s jaw dropped as she took in my words before finally unpinning her number, put down her weapon, and stormed out of the room. As the door closed behind her Keanu gave a low whistle. I glared at him and without speaking asked what his problem was.

“Damn, Zak, you’re ruthless.”

“This is my team; this is my safety in their hands, I’m not babying little punks like her.” I looked back to the crowd that was still showing off without stopping to look at the dramatic display. Number fourteen was still benching hundreds of pounds, his face turning red and his muscles threatening to pop. I finally told him he was in and said stop, for everyone’s safety. He sighed with gratitude as he put the bar on the floor and went to get water from the mini fridge behind our judging table.

Number five was a small Japanese girl who could flip and spin with ease; kicking invisible people and retreating from imaginary hits. She was fast, and very clever. I immediately told her she was in and had her sit next to number fourteen.

Number seven was less impressive; a tall man lugging large hammers that were obviously too heavy for him, nearly destroying my floor every time he slammed the head onto the wood. My eyes widened as he spun around and nearly hit another person, stopped to apologize, and then continued to struggle with the weapons. Angry, I leapt from my chair and walked straight through the contestants. Keanu jumped up as well, practically on my heels, telling me to be careful.