July 1, 2075
2008 CDT
Outskirts of Alejandro, Mexico
Luke Miller's Point of View
“Do I really intimidate you that much?” she chuckles as she whips her hair back. “Maybe it’s because you’ve never been face to face with a mature woman of my status and figure such as me before, but you should know,” she says as her face slowly shifts into an angry glare. “That it’s eminently rude to keep a lady waiting.”
Keep talking…
“Wow! The rumors are true!” She says in surprise. “Red eyes, dry skin, and superhuman-like powers! I suppose the chase can be worth it from time to time. Now then, peasant, I’ve been ordered to capture you dead or alive, but I’ve learned that people are the real threat in the world. Henceforth why I shall be delivering your head to my superiors. Don’t take it personal. People are much, much simpler to deal with when they’re not breathing, but first…” she reveals as she continues to give me a cold glare. “Properly introduce yourself to me, child.”
“My name is Luke Miller, and I’m the guy who’s going to kick your crazy ass, Angela!”
My harpoon wounds have healed! Regeneration is one, damn good blessing.
Now time to wipe that stupid smirk off your face.
What?! My punch sent you back by at least six meters, yet you’re still standing.
“Impressive,” she chuckles with that damn smirk of hers as she takes off her cape.
No way! Th-that punch had the same amount of power as the punch I used to save Teresa. I’m sure of it! Did I underestimate your reactions or am I not moving as fast as I think?! I went straight for your jaw, but you still managed to block in time. Damn! But luckily for me, you’re very prideful, which means I won’t have to worry about the Death Angels for now.
“Time for the main course,” she says as she puts on her helmet. “Let’s dance, honey,” she says as she enters a fighting stance.
No weapons? You’re too arrogant, but powers or not, you’re clearly an experienced fighter, which means I’ll have to rely on the element of surprise to defeat you.
“Heh heh. You fool,” she says with a quick burst of speed as she rushes towards me.
Shit! You’re faster than I thought. I have to block.
You… would’ve broken my nose if I didn’t block that punch.
“Foolishness, child!” She shouts as she prepares to attack.
“Agh!” I yell.
She kneed me in my groin. Oh no. Not the face.
“Ugh!” I yell.
A kick to the face. Fuck! My nose! You… almost sent me flying back all the way to the harpoons.
“Pathetic. Truly pathetic, Luke Miller,” she arrogantly chuckles.
How are you so strong? And fast?! You have no Halo as far as I can tell, and it doesn’t appear to be the suit’s doing. Could it be?
“My vigor, equivalent to my allure, is name brand,” she boasts in arrogance. “You, Luke Miller, however, are of the nonproprietary merchandise!” She points and laughs.
“You talk too much!”
“Then come and shut me up!” She says with that smirk as she reenters her fighting stance. “If… you think you can, child!”
All I have to do is knock off your helmet and then knock you the hell out. My next move will be a lunge, followed by a barrage of punches.
“Oh, come now, child!” She says as she dodges my flurry of punches. “Fight like your life’s depending on it! Maybe your friends will provide me with the entertainment I seek! I hear… one of them is a traitorous Royal! And the other… a former Black Scorpion!”
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I managed to hit her right in the chest. That got you to shut up!
“Ugh! D-did I strike a nerve?!” She asks in annoyance, as she starts to go on the offense.
Stay focused. I’m… adapting. Blocking more. Following your footwork, maintaining eye contact, reading her body language. Ah, damn it! It is a dance. You have a superb advantage over me in every aspect, except raw power.
Time to go for a headbutt.
“Damn it!” She yells out in frustration.
You’re wide open.
Got you! Right in the mouth. Another blow that sent you sliding back by another six meters. But wait? Your armor didn’t even crack?!
“Heh heh,” she laughs as she readjusts her helmet. “Humanity’s greatest threat? Such utter foolishness! More like humanity’s greatest pet because you fight like a bitch!”
“I would think that the fancy Royals would have good dentists, but your breath said otherwise, Angela,” I say as I begin to mutate my right arm into a blade.
That armor can absorb anything, but what happens if I try to cut it?
“Is this truly how you wish to continue this dance?” She snickers as she pulls out a katana. “Utter foolishness. En garde, peasant!” She yells as we both advance.
A clash of blades. How did your sword not break? I’m using all my power!
“Tsk. Olympians are so heroic!” She yells, retreating with a quick back-step.
“Royals are so arrogant!”
We’re both trading blows with our swords, trying to gain an advantage over one another, but neither of us can land a solid hit.
I don’t know shit about kenjutsu, but fortunately, I can rely on my power, toughness, and heightened reflexes for the moment, and because of that, I’ve found a weakness. You may be able to defend against my strength, but you’re incapable of overpowering me, and you know it. And that armor must be weak against cuts, hence the blade. You’re an extraordinary fighter, Angela, and I hate to admit it, but you’re even better than Sonya. Unlike Sonya, who specializes in close-range combat, you are an excellent all-around fighter who prefers long-range combat, because of your low-risk, high-reward fighting style. You have peak athletic physique, as nimble as an acrobat, as strong as a lioness, and as smart as a world champion of chess. My heart is beating so fast. I’ve never fought anyone like this before in my life.
But I feel a strange sense of calmness, and… and fun? It’s like we’ve both entered a different dimension, focused only on the fight and nothing around us, and for good reason. One mistake will cost either of us our life. I hear nothing. Nothing except me and you. I can hear your heartbeat, your breaths. I can hear my heartbeat, my breaths. Ironic how we’re so different, but so synchronized like a pair of swimmers. We have the same goal in this fight but are polar opposites of each other, and it’s so sad. If you weren’t a psychotic, super soldier, assassin lady trying to kill me and my friends, I think you would’ve been a great mentor, and maybe a friend. Unfortunately, life has dealt us a different hand that’s led us to this intense battle of our fates. Nobody gets to choose what life they’re born into, but everyone has the right to choose what they want to do with it. My choices have led me to this conflict, and if I don’t defeat you and the Death Angels, then not only will I have failed in my mission to find Veronica, but everyone I know and love will be made an example of with a “swift execution!” That’s why…
“It’s time to end this!” We say in unison, followed by another clash of our swords.
I’ll power through this time!
“It’s over, Angela!!!” I yell.
With more power, I can…
“Impossible!” She yells out in disbelief as I disarm her.
Yes! Your blade went flying.
“Ah. Looks like you’ve been disarmed, Angela.”
“Tsk,” she says as I rush forward to deliver the final blow.
Damn! She pulled out a knife and blocked my attack?!
“Utter…” she says as she does a backflip. “Foolishness!” She says as she kicks me while in the middle of her backflip.
That hurt! But you’re still unarmed! I can still end this.
I’ll turn my left arm into a second blade and lunge at you for the final attack of the fight! You won’t even see it coming.
“You’re not getting away, Angela!” I yell, followed by a powerful lunge.
“How foreseeable, peasant!” She mysteriously states.
What?!
“AGH!” I yell.
My left arm. You fucking cut it off. It hurts! But when did you…?
“Heh heh. Always keep your eyes on the prize, honey,” she chuckles as she steps forward. “Acrobatics are such a great tool for sleight of hand.”
The backflip! You used the backflip to conceal the retrieval of your sword.
“Well, it looks like you’ve been disarmed, Luke Miller,” she mocks with a shrug. “Allow me to lend a hand in your swift execution,” she says as she spins her katana.
No! Not like this! I’m fucked!
Ow! She kicked me in my kneecaps!
“Kneel, peasant,” she says as she winds her left hand back.
Not the backhand smack!
I can’t move.
“Feel the wrath of the Archangelic Royals!” She yells as she prepares another attack.
“Agh!” I yell.
What the fuck are the Royals feeding you?! You… sent me flying about three meters into the air with a rising up-kick!
Ugh! A deep cut from her sword… across my chest.
“Adios (Goodbye), Luke Miller,” she says as she whips out a grenade launcher and fires.
*
Interior of an Empty Cabin, Inside Alejandro
*
Damn. I… I can’t regenerate! Everything hurts.
“We’ve located the target, ma’am!” Three Death Angels notify Angela as they approach me.
No… No!
“STAY BACK!” I yell.
The only thing I can do now is surround myself in a shield of armor with my hands, but… then what?!
“Roast him!” A Death Angel orders.
I smell fuel.
“Like a barbeque!” The hostile continues as they fire their flamethrowers!
No! I… I don’t know what to do! Veronica! Mom! Somebody save me!