章 8: Heartless
"Dr. Olson, what kind of sick shit is this?!"
"It is what it is, captain. The confirmation for Victor's transfer to the police department, the higher-ups, have signed it already."
"I can see that, but why the fuck are we sending a fourteen-year-old child into the damn city?! We might as well send a firing squad to put him out of his misery! Who the fuck thought this was a good idea?!"
"Calm down, captain."
"I cannot calm down, Dr. Olson. This kind of shit cannot stand! I will not send a child into that city!"
"Captain, when you were fourteen you were already working in the army, so I don't see why there is an issue with it."
The captain in anger grabbed Dr. Olson by the collar and slammed him into the wall.
"Listen to me you heartless asshole, I might have put up with your shit during the start of this project, but I no way can I let this happen! That kid is from the past a time where things were safer! That city? It might as well be hell for that kid!"
"He has the A.I, captain. According to my team's analysis of him, we have determined that he has the mental capacity to be on the police force."
"Don't you bullshit me with your "analysis"! He's only been here for a few days, and on the first day, he had a bloody mental breakdown! Only yesterday did he return to normal!"
"And that is why we have determined that he is ready if a fourteen-year-old child is capable of overcoming that kind of shock and stress we believe he will last in the city."
"You bastard." the captain said as he dropped Dr. Olson onto the ground and took out a gun to point it at him.
"Captain, the both of us know that you're not going to pull the trigger so stop trying to look intimidating. After all, I'm a higher rank than you now." Dr. Olson said as he got up and fixed his clothes. "Don't let your parental instincts sway your judgment, Captain. Remember that everything we do must be for the nation, and tell Victor to meet me when you finish talking to him."
And as Dr. Olson walked away, the captain stared at the wall with his hand holding the gun shaking in anger.
-----
The next day Victor changed into his uniform and got down the elevator to the first floor. As he got out, the receptionist greeted him.
"You look rather good in that uniform Mr. Smith."
"Thank you, but you can just call me Victor."
"Understood, Victor. A soldier is waiting for you outside, something about escorting you somewhere."
"Thanks for telling me, I'll be leaving now."
"Enjoy your day, Victor."
Victor walked out the door to see a soldier standing attentively beside the entrance.
"Sir! I'm here under orders from the captain to escort you to test chamber number fourteen!"
"Yes, let's go then."
"Sir!"
As they walked toward the test chamber, Victor noticed some soldiers glancing at him. Was it because he was a new person in the camp? Or was it something else?
"Umm, quick question. Can I ask why is everyone looking at me?"
"Sir, do you want them to stop?"
"No, it's fine if they want to look, but I just want to know why their looking."
"Sir, am I allowed to speak freely?"
"Yeah, go for it."
"Thank you, sir! I believe that most of the soldiers here are curious as to why a young soldier like you is living in the left-wing."
"Is that not normal?"
"No sir, it isn't. The only people allowed in the left-wing are guests from the outside staying in the camp, the scientists working in the camp and high ranking officers are allowed to stay inside the left-wing. No one else is allowed to stay."
"Well that was where I was told to stay at, a soldier under the captain's order led me there."
"Sir, I do not mean any disrespect but hearing that the captain gave you permission to stay in the left-wing is something that no one in this camp will believe."
"Why is that?"
"Sir, the captain is… well very strict when it comes to what a soldier deserves to get. If you're a recruit you're forced to live in tents after that you will slowly gain more privileges each progress you make."
"So if I do badly in the test chamber, I will most likely be kicked out of the left-wing."
"Sir, I believe your guess might be right."
"Thank you for the information…"
"Sir, my name is Gavin."
"Thank you, Gavin."
"Sir, I was glad to be of service."
"Do you need to keep saying sir in front of every sentence?"
"Sir, it's a form of respect here that if you're a lower ranking than the one your speaking to you must refer to them with "sir" before you speak."
"And you're a lower rank than me?"
"Sir, if you're living in the left-wing then you are most definitely a higher rank than me."
After talking with each other while walking, they reached test chamber #014 on time. Gavin knocked before opening the door. Inside was a large room with a fighting ring in the middle and the captain was standing at the side waiting.
"You've arrived, Victor. Good to see you aren't late. I hope the recruit that led you here was alright?"
"Yes, he was very helpful while leading me here."
"Good to hear, because the reason why I called you down here was to test your capabilities."
"My capabilities?"
"You'll be fighting the recruit that you came here with, recruit Gavin. So step into the ring and don't waste my time."
Before Victor could ask another question, he saw Gavin walking towards the ring in a hurry.
"Victor, I suggest you follow Gavin." The captain said in a low voice.
Sensing the intimidation from captain's voice, he immediately followed Gavin into the ring.
When in the ring with recruit Gavin, the match immediately started and Gavin charged at him readying a punch with the clear intent to win. This reminded Victor of the fight in the third memory and quickly ducked down leaving the trainee to swing at air.
'Perfect!' Victor thought as he extended his right arm forward directly into Gavin's stomach stunning him. 'I need to keep the momentum!' Victor thought as he remembered the fight, he made use of the time to stand back up and use his free left hand to swing a hook into the trainee's face. Gavin feeling the full blow of the punch on his cheek stepped back while hissing in pain.
Gavin in frustration raised his right leg high to kick Victor's head. In response to the fast kick, Victor' raised his arm up to guard his head against the high kick. When the kick landed, the impact sent shivers down his arm that blocked the attack. The pain felt the same as the pain he felt in the memories.
Thinking about the situation he remembered the first memory when the boy caught the other kid off guard by rushing at him, using the same tactic Victor pushed himself forward with his legs onto Gavin forcing them both onto the ground. With a loud thud, Gavin laid flat on the ground while groaning in pain. Victor used Gavin's body to cushion his fall and was now on top of him, giving Victor the chance to strike. But before he could attack the captain ended the fight.
"Alright that's enough, recruit! Get your sorry ass out of the room!" The captain said, hearing the captain calling off the fight Victor got off Gavin and stood up.
"B-but sir!" Gavin said as he stood up "I can still fight!"
"Out!"
"Understood..."
The recruit got up and rushed out of the room in fear of the captain's rising anger. Victor, on the other hand, rubbed his left knuckle as it felt rather painful after hitting Galvin's face. The captain sighed as he looked at Victor.
"You're rather good at fighting, Victor. Had any experience before?"
Victor thought for a moment before answering: "I have some knowledge of it, but I don't think it's much."
"Well it's good you aren't cocky just after one fight. Now I'll start the briefing; you can stay and sit in the ring to rest."
With the captain's permission, Victor sat on the ground to relax.
"Victor, what do you think the police is?" The captain asked as he looked straight at Victor.
"The police? Well, they're the people tasked with protecting citizens by stopping crime right?"
"And have you ever thought about joining the police force?"
"No not in particular… why?"
"I'm asking you this because of the science department. They want you and the A.I to be sent out immediately to carry out missions, so your A.I can learn and adapt quickly."
"They want me to be in the police force? But I'm only fourteen!"
"That was exactly what I pointed out to them, that you're a fourteen-year-old boy. But they seem to think that you're mentally capable of entering the police force in the city. The A.I will be your companion as you enter the force. And since you haven't finished your studies yet, I'll be enrolling you into a neighborhood school."
"So I'm leaving here then…"
"Yes, I was hoping to train you here but… It seems that we won't have that luxury. Just know that your survival and well-being comes first. Don't be reckless, and take care of the A.I. Everyone else is more worried about the A.I than your well-being."
"I understand…"
"Take the gun and baton given to you in the package when you leave; you'll need it. And I'll also tell an officer I know in the police force to look out for you. Stay safe alright?"
"Thank you, captain. But may I ask… why do you care about me when everyone else doesn't?"
"Cause I still have a damn heart, now get out of here and prepare yourself. Dr. Olson wants to meet you."
"Yes, captain."
"Good luck, Victor."
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