Variant by T C Edge

Author:T C Edge [Edge, T C]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-09-11T16:00:00+00:00

18

The old hospital was structured around a large central courtyard at the heart of the building, with several floors of galleries surrounding it. It was once the main entrance foyer, and provided a lot of space to train, whether practicing fighting techniques, weapons training, or other speed and agility drills.

Elsewhere, the corridors and maze-like network of rooms across the various floors allowed for stealth training, and hunting challenges. Ford explained that I would be engaging in all of them in the coming days and weeks, and should make quick progress if I listened closely and acted on what he told me.

"How quick," he finished, "is up to you. Let's see how much of a natural you really are, shall we?"

I grinned at the prospect, forgetting the dour thoughts I'd had outside. There was no need to dwell on the past, or curse the world for how it had treated my people. The only recourse we all had was to take action. Here was where it would begin for me.

"OK, we'll start with the basics," Ford said. "A few simple throws, rolls, and holds that will help you use your enemy's bodyweight against them. Using your speed, you should be able to get yourself into good positions. That's all it's about really - positioning, angles, and leverage. It won't work against the more formidable opponents, but against the weaker ones it will help you take them down quietly and effectively from close range. So, good for both stealth, and if you find yourself up close and personal with someone, and need to take them down quickly."

I drew a breath as we squared off, right there in the middle of the foyer. It had clearly been quite a modern, cutting edge hospital in its day, with this open structural shape and design. Now, the various floors were stained and chipped and hanging with vines. It was a vision of what a lot of the world would be like now. Countless cities probably lay abandoned all across the globe.

"OK, you ready?"

I looked at Ford, expecting him to take me through a few simple techniques first, as he'd suggested. He didn't. With a sudden, flashing movement, he sped in close to me, flipped me over onto my back, swung around to my leg, and bent me into an ungodly shape. I let out a sudden squawk and he immediately relented, flashing back up to his feet and standing before me.

I sat on the floor, stretching my right knee where he'd threatened to pop it. "What the hell, Ford! Give me some warning next time, will you!"

"Like your enemies will?" he asked calmly, standing tall above me. "You think they'll tell you when they're going to attack?"

"That's different," I grunted, standing up again and brushing myself off. "I don't know anything yet. You haven't taught me how to even defend myself."

"Oh, I will. I just wanted to see how you'd react. I'm guessing you'll be ready next time now, won't you?"

"I...maybe," I huffed. "I'd just rather you.

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