A Hero's Sacrifice: a tale about Noble Six

Dominance

Agent Profile:

Rhode Island

Status: Training

Location: Training Room, Mother of Invention

Nearby: Agent New York, Agent Jersey, Xi, Delta

"Will Agents Maine, New York, North Dakota and Rhode Island please report to the training room at this time?"

With a sigh, I casually finished the program I saw on, then entered the armory. Taking off my helmet and putting a cool rag on my forehead, I noticed the mystery Agent gazing at me.

"He-."

They vanished without a trace. I sighed, then pulled out a "Spartan bar" and ripped it open. Stuffing it in my mouth, I stood up and checked my armor's status.

"Agent Rhode, what was that you just ate?" Xi appeared on my shoulder.

"A Spartan bar. Basically, it's a protein bar with all the nutrients a Spartan need for a week."

"Ah. Is it... denser than normal bars?"

I looked down at Xi, who was sitting on a pile of towels. "You've developed quite a spark of curiosity, Xi. That's good. And no, not really. I mean, it technically is, but I don't see/feel the difference when compared to normal bars, which I've had. Anyways, you good to go?"

"Yes, my systems are operating at 300% efficiency, thanks to your tips and tricks. What about you, Rhode? Are you operating beyond peak efficiency?"

My face became shadowed. "I don't know. I mean, I've gotten better as a fighter, but not as a talker."

"You never were, Rhode."

"Right. Never was. I'm just a soldier; nothing more, nothing less. Let's go, Xi."

I stood up and Xi returned fully to my mind. Slipping on my helmet, I grabbed a pugil stick and stood in my starting box, which was the center of the arena. To my left, my opponents rushed at me.

"Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Round begin."

Maine tried charging me head-on, which I replied to with the end of my staff, knocking him out cold. Spinning around, I hit North with the side of the weapon, then twirled it around and slammed it right into York's gut, who was behind me. Holding it at my side, I looked at the downed Agents.

"Pathetic."

"Round one: over. Pugil training, complete. Point awarded to Rhode Island. Current score is Team One: Zero. Rhode Island: One."

I snorted, then turned around. We went through five more rounds before it swapped to the lock-down paint mode.

These suckers are done for.

Xi whispered in my mind. "I'm beginning to think we should go easy on them and have me log off."

No. This fight is to show what you can do, Xi. It'd be pointless for you to log off.

"If you say so. May I recommend some grenades?"

Nah, too slow.

"Mines?"

Too noticeable.

"Hmm... Ah! How about this?" She stood before a modified Gravity Hammer, one designed to spew out lock-down paint once you slam it into the ground.

Nope. Too clunky and big.

Xi was getting annoyed. "Ugh! How about this?" She stood before the handle of an Energy Sword.