Steel Ethereal

Ch. 13 Honor's Brutalization

            

Rob

Over the next two months, us recruits took to sparring. Hand to hand combat was our focus day in and day out. There were other teachings, but most of our days consisted of beating one another senseless in the unforgiving cold. My knuckles dried and cracked painfully along with the ruining of the skin on my knuckles.

I took a hit here or there, but I fared well. I couldn't tell if I did well because of my spars before with Riley or because my switch activated every time I entered a spar. Whatever the case, I usually won my matches.

As it turned out, Charlie could hold her own before I eventually pinned her to the ground. I disliked hitting her, but occasionally my fist would meet her from time to time. She'd grit her teeth and attack more furiously than before.

On day, the officer in charge arrived donning a tool on his arm.

"This device is the officer's standard issue arm weld." The officer flexed his arm. The tool looked like an arm bracer for leather armor. As he flexed his arm, a sharp, pointed blade shot out in a fraction of a second. The blade ran parallel with the officer's pinky finger.

"It is a tough, durable blade that will not break and can be adjusted in length. At the touch of a finger..." The officer gently touched the bracer where the blade began. A loud click could be heard. The tip of the blade retreated in and the sharp edge seemed to transform into a blunt object.

"Now it's a stun baton. The gentlest touch to living flesh will administer a nasty shock of electricity. Enough to cause the body to seize up. A truly brilliant weapon."

The officer flicked their wrist again and the blade retreated into the bracer.

All us recruits stood mystified.

"Each recruit to graduate will receive one of these. Play your cards right and you may receive a custom built one."

I felt my hand rub up to my dominant wrist, where my own arm weld would rest.

I had contemplated graduation. With only three months left, I was nearly through with my training. I was one step closer to where Riley had planned for me to be. I'd have more responsibility and my life would go on some sort of direction.

Still, I worried about the decisions I'd have to make. Would I act correctly? Would I be forced to make a decision that would keep me up at night? My mind often got the best of me.

The days grew longer and warmer as winter dissipated. Snow and sleet was replaced with flower blossoms and pollen. Rain showers and hail came with the harshness of spring's coming. It was as if spring had been angry for waiting too long.

The extension of day was a constant reminder that I neared graduation.

I excelled at the teachings that came alongside our training. I was required to learn ceremonial movements. Deaths, political assemblies, things like that where I'd be present in a clean, pressed uniform. I was incredibly clumsy and couldn't seem to nail down the proper turns and shifting of the ceremonial rifles.

Charlie, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. With every command, she snapped and performed it effortlessly. She agreed to help me and broke down what each command meant. She shouted command and I did my best to follow through. I grumbled when she went as far as shouting in my ear.

Luciana

            "Hey," I greeted, waving to the man in the dark. He was adorned in a leather jacket that outlined his squared shoulders. His face was covered in stubble. The sides of his heads were shaved and his wavy hair was pushed back handsomely. His eyes were a deep brown that scanned me up and down.