Fractured

Chapter 46: Escalation

2 weeks later...

The former students now known as Apex squad were training in the HQ gym. They had put themselves through harsh training and enhancements to make sure they were at their peak performance. The squad were all wearing standard gym training attire. Each of them looked rather different from when they first started.

Damian and Seth were going at it with Seth using his speed and the power in his mechanical legs to his advantage. However Damian was easily keeping up with his overall bulkier build, his muscle mass had increased even more since 2 weeks ago and his overall attitude seemed different as well. He wasn't as serious as he was before, some of his cocky attitude had come back and he seemed to feel more at home. Especially while with his other squad mates.

Seth on the other hand had already been through most of the program before the others even started. His skills at this point were at their peak but he wasn't Seth from back before he lost his legs. Like he was two weeks ago, he was more chill and kinder but was serious when things needed to be. He was just overall a lot more fun to be around. Damian and him in particular got on a lot more.

"You look kinda slow there Damian, something wrong?" Seth teased as he dashed around him as Damian stood firmly.

"Haha You know you should really be worrying more about ya self." Damian saw an opportunity and went in for a powerful uppercut while Seth was suspended in the air from one of his kicks.

He quickly scrunched up his legs making them take the impact of the punch as he was launched into the air. He went into a somersault before landing on his feet perfectly. "If I wasn't so quick on my feet you might have just knocked the living shit out of me."

Damian wound up his fist as he got ready to attack. "Like me said worry about yourself."

Alex was over in the corner doing push ups while Rachel beside him doing pull ups on a metal bar. The two over the course of the program had a lot of focus put into their physicals working primarily on their body strength and prowess. Alex despite still being the skinniest of the group had become more defined in his body and had even grown a few inches. As for Rachel she kept her lean physique as well as becoming a little more defined and gained a bit more muscle but without compromising her flexibility and agility.

"Wooh, crazy to think at the beginning that I could barely do 5 of those. Now I can knock out 100 easily." Alex said as he picked himself back up and grabbed some water.

"Same, strength training was never my thing but now I barely break a sweat." Rachel descended from the bars as she also took a break for some water. The two sat by and watched Damian and Seth go at it for a bit before returning to their exercises. Both had gained a lot more confidence over the course of the program. Especially when it came to them as a group it never felt awkward for them to talk to each other. It was easy.

Julia was on the treadmill in a full on sprint. She had set it to its max setting and despite that was showing no signs of struggle or fatigue. As she ran she also watched as Damian and Seth duked it out. For her the program simply enhanced her balanced style and way of things. Focusing on boosts in all fronts maintaining her balance between strength and speed, power and agility and so forth. Along with overall stamina to maintain it all. As far as she was concerned she had to train harder than everyone else as the leader of the group and so she did.

She took every enhancement, every bit of the program she took head on with no questions or doubt. As long as she was capable enough to be the leader she felt they deserved.

"Apex Squad come to my office." Chace's voice came through the intercom causing everyone to pause what they were doing and immediately make their way to Chace's office as ordered.