In response to Suzuki's challenge, the soldier-class drew its rifle. It trained the gun at the opposing gladiator,and then squeezed the trigger. Faced with the impending onslaught, Suzuki rapidly took stock of his surroundings.
Small room, no cover. The maimed sentinel-class and the destroyed soldier-class were the only things in the room aside from Suzuki and the gladiator class. Suzuki looked at the gun. Without cover, he could not afford to allow the soldier to seize the momentum.
Bang! Rat-ta-ta-ta!
Suzuki kicked up the destroyed soldier's torso just as the first bullet exited the chamber. He grabbed the corpse, and then charged, holding it in his front like a shield. Bullets tore into the makeshift shield, the impact threatening to push Suzuki back. However, the young man pushed ahead, even as the shield began crumbling to pieces.
The soldier's eyes flashed. It pointed the gun towards Suzuki's feet .
Boom!
But just then, as if sensing their intentions, Suzuki kicked hard against the ground. He folded himself into a ball as he leaped into the air, greatly reducing his possible hit areas. The soldier, in retaliation, sprayed non-stop, perhaps hoping to decimate the shield before Suzuki landed.
Warning! Suddenly, the soldier stopped shooting as it perceived a major threat. Suzuki's trajectory currently ended right behind it. If it continued like this, Suzuki might just land a sneak attack!
"Too late!" Suzuki spun in the air and then flung the tattered shield. This forced the soldier to block the projectile. Suzuki took advantage of this to explode past the soldier with his thrusters. The second his feet hit the the floor, he spun around and then swung at the soldier's exposed back.
Boom! The soldier smartly blasted forward, barely dodging the most fatal of blows. Clang! But not before Suzuki's blade severed the assault rifle still on its back. The blade travelled further, but was rebuffed by the soldier's broadsword.
Suzuki did not fight the recoil. He spun with the blade, and then once again burst forward. He chased after the retreating soldier and swung down, aiming to slice it two from the head down.
The soldier, in response, turned to face Suzuki. It then raised its assault rifle above its head just as the blade came crashing down. BANG! The katana crashed into the rifle. The blade cut deep, but before its cut all the way through, the soldier bent the rifle at and incline and then let go.
The incline forced Suzuki wide, which then bought the soldier time to retreat even further. Once again Suzuki chose not to fight the new path. He allowed the blade the travel downward, then spun in place as he brought the momentum to a slow stop.
Suzuki did not mind surrendering the momentum he had built up as he had achieved his primary objective in that exchange. Suzuki's street fights against dishonourable hoodlums had built up his fighting ethos. First, always aim to get rid of long-range projectiles even if you suffer a small loss. A broken finger or busted eye was a good price to pay for getting rid of someone's throwing knives or some other asshole flinging bottles or broken glass from afar.
Suzuki watched the soldier as he shook the blade loose of the rifle. The young man then slowly raised the sword as the gladiator across drew its buster sword. Another thing Suzuki learned. What to do when faced with an opponent physically and technically stronger than you?
Steam leaked from Suzuki's mouth, as he simulated slowly breathing out.
Boom! The soldier suddenly burst forward, and then swung its blade at Suzuki's midriff. It had learned from the previous one's mistake. Suzuki's horizontal draw was too quick. Suzuki, would definitely cut it in half, if it went for a typical overhead swing. This time, it too opted for a horizontal swipe. Suzuki had to either dodge or block. This should prevent him from counter-attacking.

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Parallel Vol. 4 [LEGACY EDITION]
Science FictionStill reeling from the Adjudicators' punishment, Kashi turns his attention to the promised appointment at a certain mountaintop. What awaits him atop the mountain? And will he finally find the answers to the questions he seeks? Meanwhile, spurred on...