Marcus learned that even though he spent a whole night in the illusion, it was only a minute in real life. Later on he was told that only 74 people passed the test which didn't surprise him. To say he felt that he barely made it was an understatement. When Marcus asked Porter what he thought about the test, Porter described a completely different scenario, one where he was part of a division of militia holding out against a horde of mutated insects.
What Marcus is more hung up on is Scenarios ability. How does it work exactly? Where does this power come from? Is it similar to the ability that raider boss had where he started to reassemble himself, or are they completely different? Marcus asked his trainers, but all he got was 'if you pass the expert test, you'll be allowed to know.' like its some big conspiracy!
Putting that topic aside, Marcus had to think about what to take for his next batch of classes. Being the 'Expert' test Marcus believes it won't necessarily be a combat oriented test. First test was focused on endurace, survival, and willpower. Second test focused on combat skills, priority management, and ingenuity. In the end Marcus decided to take Ranged Combat, Social Skills, and Maths/Economics.
In Ranged Combat class Marcus was taught how to use a variety of different weapons. From revolvers, and auto loaders, to submachine guns, rifle, and large mounted machine guns. Marcus learned about weapons like grenades/launchers, flame throwers, and rocket launchers, but didn't get to fire the real thing for financial reasons.
Then there were energy weapons. First was laser weapons or 'laz' weapons, while they were devastating against flesh, the damage is nullified when put up against armor, carapace, or chitin. The main benefit of laz weapons was the ammo. A laz pistol's battery holds enough power to fire 100 shots before needing to reload.
Plasma weapons are another story, pound for pound they are the most devastating infantry weapons made by man. When Captain Wolf saved Marcus he was using a plasma pistol. The only downside to plasma weapons are the cost to make and maintain them, and with a serious overheating problem, most plasma guns can only shoot 8-10 times before needing to cooldown.
When Marcus was in the illusion of the second test, having barely any training and hitting two out of three shots, he realized that his talent with ranged weapons might be higher than his talent in close quarters combat. Once he started taking the ranged combat class his talent blossomed into skill.
He became obsessed with mastering the quickdraw. Every time he practiced his quickdraw he thought about Alice being a fraction of a second to slow. Being able to draw your weapon and fire faster than your opponent could be the difference between life and death. At the end of six months his fastest draw was 0.6 of a second. He was also the most accurate of the New Bloods able to hit a chest sized target with a rifles iron sights at 190 yards.
When the trainers saw Marcus's skill in marksmanship in addition to his score during the basic test, he was recommended to take additional sniper classes during his two off days. He learned how to Observe the target to learn their patterns for long periods of time. Learned the best way to conceal himself in a variety of terrains. How to judge, and calculate distance. Most importantly the class focused on emotional stability, and the will to stay focus for hours under stressful conditions.
Social Skills was a class far different than any Marcus has taken so far. How to read a person's face, and how to keep emotion off of your own. How to calm down a crowd, or rile them up. How to make a deal that works in your favor, and how to tell if a merchant is scamming you. What Marcus worked on the most is how to extract information from people. Whether that meant gathering information around town, lowering someone's guard with small talk before asking the real question, to bribery, or torture.
Math was more interesting than science to Marcus. After learning basic arithmetic the class quickly focused on economics. The value of various products and resources, and how the region plus the environment affects the prices of goods. He was also taught how to read the market to see if certain things will rise or fall in price due to supply and demand.
As Marcus trains as hard as ever, six more months fly by, and soon the 'Expert' test arrives. Marcus is sitting in a briefing room with four other New Bloods with a trainer in front of a screen.
"All right New Bloods listen up. Your test is to find and subdue this man, then bring him back here. Once the test begins you will have one hour to subdue him."
The trainer points to a picture on the screen, it's a man in his mid 20's. Short blonde hair, green eyes, and a small scar over his right eyebrow. Dressed in jeans, black shirt, green coat, and a beige shawl wrapped around his neck.
"Goes by Yudal, most likely an alias. This picture was taken by our security camera at the eastern gate this morning. He is suspected to be a spy belonging to one of our competitors. We could have apprehended him right away, but felt it was the perfect test for you New Bloods. You will be provided temporary security uniforms, a picture of the target, and a security level 1 clearance card for this operation. You will also be given a stun baton, taser, and handcuffs. The first out of the five of you that apprehends the target will automatically pass, the others will be rated on their performance. You all will be shadowed by a trainer for this operation, but if they must intervene at any point, the test will be considered a failure. Any questions before we begin?"
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Marcus raises his hand.
"Are we allowed to use other equipment for this mission other than what is provided."
"If you can acquire it yes, but remember we want the target back alive, understood?
"Yes Sir!"
"Then your test begins now!"
The five New Bloods change in to the security uniforms, grab the equipment and run out the briefing room. While the others run towards the gate of the facility, Marcus makes a stop back at the barracks. He quickly grabs the scope off of Fang from his foot locker, as well as the cloak he wore on his way to Devil Maw. Leaving the training facility, he quickly blends into the crowd.
His first thought was to check the east gate, before changing his mind. The guards see hundreds of people everyday, the chances of them remembering Yadal at all is low. Instead Marcus makes his way to the reception office. Everyone that enters Devil Maw is checked in at the staging area, and or the reception office just like Marcus had, there are no exceptions. Entering the office lobby he spotted the same receptionist he saw a year and a half ago. He walked up to her and placed his security clearance card, and Yudals picture on the table.
"Hello there, i'm New Blood A-84. I have been tasked with apprehending one Yudal. He was reported to have entered the east gate this morning. Any records you have on him would be appreciated."
The receptionist looks at the card and picture, then looks over the rim of her glasses at Marcus.
...
She then types into her computer for a few moments then prints out a sheet of paper.
"Hmm... Alright dear, here is his entry records. Hand those back to me when you are done reading them."
"Thank you ma'am."
Name: Yudal
Occupation: Courier
Affiliation: Long Mile Courier Services
Reason for Entry: Delivering package to Rudolf, Owner of Goods and Scrap Pawn Shop in the Merchants District. Package contains antique figure.
After gleaming the important points from the document he hands it back to the receptionist who promptly shreds it.
Marcus then makes his way to the pawn shop in the merchants district. Walking in he finds the owner behind the counter. He has a overweight figure with a balding head and a few teeth missing. Marcus confronts the man while showing his clearance card.
"Hello Mr. Rudolf, i'm with security. I need to ask you a few questions."
"Of course, of course anything for security! What can I do for you?"
Looking him up and down his body language shows that Rudolf is clearly nervous.
"I'll get straight to the point Rudolf, security is looking for this man."
Marcus puts Yudals photo on the counter.
"We know he delivered something to you earlier today. Do you know where this man is staying?"
When Rudolf sees the picture, his eyes widen in shock for a moment, Marcus doesn't miss the tell.
"Ah, Yudal?! No, no I don't know where he's staying. The hotel in residential maybe?"
Marcus takes out his Baton and turns it on, an electrical current streaks across the shaft of the baton making a loud buzzing noise.
"I see, but I didn't tell you the man's name did I? You know this courier so well that you remember his name, yet don't know where he's staying? I'm getting impatient Mr. Rudolf. Tell me where he is before your inventory starts to grow old and break."
"OK OK Calm down, let's not get too antsy! Yudal is staying in a storage unit behind the large repair center connected to the staging area. I don't know what he's doing, I just gave him a place to crash! Here's the spare keycard! Take it and leave!"
Grabbing the keycard, Marcus takes his baton and jabs Rudolf's large belly, shocking him. Rudolf falls to the ground twitching. Marcus drags him outside and hails a security guard. Marcus then explains that Rudolf is a suspected collaborator with a spy, leaves him with the guard, and starts making his way to the storage unit Rudolf mentioned.
The large repair center, and the weapons factory next to it, are both essentially large warehouses with an alleyway between them. In the alleyway are rows of storage units. Marcus stakes out the area with his scope for about five minutes. Seeing no movement he goes to the storage unit Yadal is supposedly residing in, swipes the card and swiftly swings the metal door open, taser at the ready.
Marcus sees Yudal, sitting at a folding table, eating an MRE with a fork hovering in front of his mouth. Marcus and Yudal make eye contact, staring at each other. With surprise written all over Yadals face, he quickly drops the fork and scrambles for the pistol in his holster. Before Yudals hand touches his gun, Marcus has already fired. Two barbed prongs hit Yudal in the chest sending 50,000 volts into his body sending Yudal into a spasm.
Marcus quickly runs up, and hits him over the head with his baton knocking him out. Quickly cuffing him, Marcus sighs in relief. He looks around the unit finding nothing but a cot, a backpack with rations in it, a satchel with various letters in it, and the pistol on Yadals body. Marcus examine the pistol to find it's a CC Mk I Laz pistol.
While not nearly as rare as plasma pistols, laz guns are much rarer than conventional firearms. This one is the most common type being made in Central City, the largest city in the wasteland. While not very powerful compared to other laz guns, its reliable, able to send thousands of shots down range before needing repairs.
Marcus strips the holster off of Yudal and puts it on, he also grabs the satchel of letters. Marcus then throws Yadal over his shoulder then starts slowly making his way outside.
As he walks out of the storage area he spots three other New Bloods 20 yards down the alleyway. The three New Bloods are standing there with there arms crossed with triumphant smug smiles on their faces.
"Hey there 84! Thanks for doing all the work for us! How about you leave him there an-"
~Tss~
A flash of red illuminated A-22's face, looking down he sees a scorch mark in the dirt between his feet.
"The trainer said to bring Yudal in alive, he said nothing about you three A-22. So how about you get out of this alleyway before I blow a hole in your chest."
The three New Bloods faces go stark white. They take a few steps back before turning around and sprinting away.
With a huff, Marcus hosters the pistol, readjusts Yudal on his shoulder, and makes his way back to the training facility.