This is me

Chapter eight

David watched from his office window as Chad, the ten soldiers, William, the Captain and Jennifer departed into a large metal truck that began to drive down the large main road, once they were all inside. "They'll be all right sir," said Ryder, the only Royal Guard that was in the building, and David nodded. "I know, I trust them to come back safely. I think there were a few Inquisitors inside the truck as well, so they will be fine." Ryder took a seat opposite the desk, and David sat down in his black seat, his head propped on his chin in thought. "We need to start hiring again; we need more people to handle the press companies that have already started booming. Sooner or later other Federations will want to join with us, and we will need to open our planet to them." Ryder nodded, seemingly impressed by the amount of thought David had put into the situation, and then he clapped his hands together. "Considering I'm the only trained person in the building, let's head down to the basement."

David blinked a few times in surprise, realizing that Ryder was serious, and then he leapt to his feet. "Yeah, sure, I will come," David replied, and Ryder grinned, also getting to his feet and then headed out the room, leaving David to follow him. David did follow his adult friend out the room, down the many corridors, into the elevator, out the elevator, down more corridors, and then through the door that the basement hid behind. "So how is it you want to train me?" David asked, and Ryder did not answer. Instead, he carefully put his helmet on the ground, turned, and without warning, he struck at David. David only just managed to stumble to the left, Ryder's fist passing his face. David took several measured steps backwards, his fists raised, remembering the many lessons his father had taught him when it came to fighting. "So you do have the training," said Ryder, "I thought you might have. Which is why I didn't give any warning." Ryder advanced, his fists raised, and David held his ground, remembering the few moves he had learnt.

Ryder struck with his right fist, and David quickly batted it away, dodging a second strike and then landing a right fist on Ryder's side, his knuckle landing on the metal armour with a clang. David winced, withdrawing his hand to observe the bruise, and Ryder shrugged. "I should have made sure to take it off," he said, undoing the straps on his shoulders and then the ones on his side, the armour falling onto the sand-like floor with a thud. "Just using fists, or can we use anything to make the other yield," David asked, and Ryder thought for a few moments before saying, "Use anything." David grinned, spying the weapons wall next to him, but in a blur of movement, Ryder was in front of him, striking fiercely. David ducked the blow and retreated, using his hands to slap away Ryder's punches. "You can't keep blocking forever," Ryder grunted, leaning backwards and throwing a kick at David, who used his own knee to block it. Ryder landed a punch against David's left shoulder, spun on the spot, and kicked him in the chest.

David flew backwards, rolling along the ground, and once he got to his feet, he could see Ryder grabbing a short sword from the weapons wall. David kept his fists balled, the two circling each other, and Ryder then pointed the sword at David. "Remember, I am the one with the weapon, you are not," David shrugged, and dashed forwards. Ryder slashed through the air, meaning to at least nick David, but David ducked the attack, using his left elbow and jamming it into Ryder's side. Ryder gasped, his eyes wide as David span around, his right leg hitting Ryder in the back of his own legs. The force of the kick sent Ryder onto his knees, and David hooked his foot under the hilt of the sword, flicking it up into the air, catching it, and pointing the tip at Ryder's throat. "Where did you learn to do that?" Ryder asked as David dropped the sword and helped him to his feet. "My older sister taught me in her spare time," David replied, picking the sword off the ground and throwing it through the air, the tip lodging into a wooden beam.

"I never knew you had a younger sister," Ryder said, slowly approaching David from behind, and David turned to face him, his eyes red. "I don't. Not anymore." David wiped his eyes, turned, and began to make his way to the exit, only to find Ryder blocking his way. "Mr President. I think we should talk," Ryder suggested, and David knew there was no point in refusing. He also knew he could force Ryder out of his way, but it would not accomplish anything. "So what happened, sir? You said your sister taught you, and then said you don't have a sister anymore." David let a small smile appear on his face. "Anymore," David repeated, and Ryder understood what he meant. "What happened?" Ryder asked, and David walked past him, shutting the door of the basement with a snap, the only light being the dim candles that surrounded the room. "I think it is time I told you," David said."