"Hey Chester, what did you need me for?"
"Echo 1. I've actually got some information that Malachi Abbott will visit an area nearby Silent Echo's next mission."
"So you want me to move the hot zone somewhere else while our boys accomplish their mission?"
"Right on topic, Echo 1. Our topic is Elderich McCain, the man has picked up some dirt on our company. So while foxtrot and Golf squads clean up the data, you'll be moving Malachi Abbott away from the building. Of course, you'll be the one killing Elderich to get his attention."
"Will I get to try out our latest toys for this mission? Malachi by himself is a SSS threat. I'd probably die in just a few minutes without technical support."
"Don't worry Echo 1, our newest tech makes teleportation tech mobile."
"Really!... Even the Frontline doesn't have tech like that yet!"
"Actually, a few important figures at the Frontline have the tech. It appeared just a few months ago. Buuuut... ours have some unique features to it. These discs are condensed with 'magic' and can sufficiently make 150 teleportations with each drone."
"That's a hefty number. How many drones?"
"There's 15 with this vest, then there are five cores powering a shield to protect you from the heavy hitting attacks of Malachi."
"I don't even want to ask what the price of this vest is." "Good... otherwise I might cry telling you."
"Even if you're joking, that kinda worries me."
Chester promptly avoided giving the topic any more thought.
"Then with this mission you will go in loud, so an automatic rifle is a must. The rounds themselves will be chambered .50 BMG, knowing your strength, you could handle that, no problem."
"Chester pulled out a case and placed it on the table. He opened the case, revealing the black rifle. You might be tempted to think it is a sniper rifle because of its enormous size, which compensates for the size of the rounds. But its design was more akin to a fully auto rifle with an ACOG sight. "To let you know Echo 1, this holds 10 rounds, to mitigate that you can hide a pack that you will bring with you to hold the magazines. Pull the last magazine out and a new one will take its place."
"You really held nothing back, but of course Malachi is a hero sent to battle grounds on his own to deal with the Renowned opposition." "If the Renowned didn't have cloning tech, the Blessed would have won long ago with him... Alright Echo the Mission briefing starts in 18 Hours, I need to explain some more things to the other squads. You should start his training today."
"Ah, you're correct Chester, I am worried about his physique. Today I will just be seeing his baseline in different tasks. Seeing that, he doesn't have time to even run through a proper boot camp like the rest of us. Pushing him too much today will only hinder the next mission. Wait..."
"You just came up with a Harsh Idea, didn't you, Echo 1?"
"We can just test his limits today and give him a thorough healing to heal up all the micro tears in his muscles."
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"Good idea, Echo 1. I'm looking forward to the good news."
"Alright, good day, sir."
An hour later…
*BONK!*
"AAARGH THE ABUSE!!!"
Echo 1 completely ignored his suffering, as Cory rolled around holding his head to find comfort.
"Good morning Silent Echo. Today, we will test your limits. We'll be starting with a sprint to exhaustion, then a plank to failure. After those two, you will crawl under some barbed wire. Then you will follow me to the next area."
As Cory Observed the room, he realized it was a massive training space. The facility looks to be more expensive than what one person might earn in a lifetime. The bottom trim was black with gray upper walls and ceiling. There was a muddy track surrounding the entire field.
"Here's your gear and rifle. Try to at least complete 1 lap, which is equal to 2 miles."
Cory noticed the bathroom and went to get his gear on. He couldn't contain his excitement and hurriedly looked into the mirror in the bathroom. His gear covered him from head to toe, and his appearance was all black, with an armor plate and night vision goggles. He couldn't help but turn his head, admiring his new gear.
"I'd better go before he punishes me."
he slammed his forearm into the door and made his way out at full speed.
"One lap NOW!"
With his family on the line, Cory could only complain in his heart as sprinted as though his life depended on it. His right arm held his rifle straight up as he made the sprint. His clothes were fluttering in the wind from his impressive speed. Cory's stride brought him further with each stride than what even the best natural runner could ever do. The mud was the worst thing about the track that accompanied the hills and artificial bumps along the track. His breath was running haggard with the unusual track. But then his ears rang.
*Ba-Ba-Ba-Bang*
His entire world is almost spinning from the nauseating sound as it reverberated throughout his body. His adrenaline spurred him to move even faster, wearing out his legs at an excruciating pace. Each shot would nearly cause him to fall over just from the noise alone, but his heart persisted through the anxiety. He saw the finish line in front of him and collapsed on the line. His ears were ringing, and the world spun around him.
Echo 1 grabbed his wrist and pushed two buttons opposite of each other. His hands glowed a white light. After he walked towards Cory, he clutched his head.
"PLANK! NOW!"
Cory could just make out what he said and his world slowly came back to order as Echo 1 clutched his head. But the healing wasn't potent enough to heal his body, as the excruciating muscle tears flooded his body.
"You'll never know when the opponent will push you to the absolute limit. There will be times when you will need to accomplish your mission under near warlike conditions. Your next mission has the complete possibility of this happening, but I hope for the best!"
Echo 1 silently observed Cory until he pushed his body into complete exhaustion, failing to hold the plank any longer.
"You actually completed the track in four minutes, good enough to break a record from 2000 years ago, but typical renowned can run up to 55 miles an hour in full gear. Here, I'll drag you to our next spot. For this part, ready your rifle now!"
Echo 1 grabbed Cory's carrier plate strap and dragged Cory to the next spot.
"RELEASE THE HOUNDS!"
Echo 1's voice echoed throughout the special training field and an alarm rung out throughout the space. The hounds were howling and barking as they saw their prey. Cory panicked and loaded his rifle to shoot.
"Sometimes you will have absolutely no choice but to fight. Even when you're pushed to the limit, I'll kill the hounds in front. Just worry about the ones behind us."
Cory couldn't even breath without struggling, but now he has to fire at the demonic black hounds. His silent rifle would only make a quiet popping sound as he forced the last ounce of his strength to fire his rifle. His aim was Shakey and sometimes he would miss his shot. Even once a hound bit into Corey's leg, screaming, Echo 1 shot it in his place.
"I had more in store for you, but that will be enough for today. I wouldn't want to scar you before we even get to the field. Rest up. I'll get you when you're needed."
"You sure…*Gasp* know how…."
Cory collapsed from the exhaustion as he couldn't finish his words.
"He he he, I wouldn't be team leader if I didn't know your limits. I want you to surpass them. But maybe you are right. Someday you might just walk back to your room rather than me dragging you everywhere."