2.26

To read up to 15 chapters ahead: https://www.patréon.com/SlyOW

Also, go check the Auxiliary Chapters, I added one that explains the changes I brought to the novel. Be warned, however, that there are some slight spoilers, so read at your own risk. But it's okay if you don't, everything will be revealed in time even if you don't read it.

-------------

A couple of days passed in a stunning monotony. We would train, eat together, return to our houses for rest and go on repeat.

I did get to know my teammates a bit more through our shared meals, but these were mostly awkward.

As 'perfect' as the Super Soldier Physique had made me, I still remained as awkward as ever in social situations. Although I guess you could call me quiet, I never thrived in social gatherings. I was content enough in my little corner, listening to others.

All things considered, however, this did have a positive effect on our team's dynamic, as my quiet personality helped my teammates settle down around me, no longer fearing me as much as they used to, standing on their tip-toes in all our conversations.

Out of all my teammates however, Chris was probably the one I learned the most about, mainly through one of our conversations.

It was a usual shared meal between the team, and the rest of the team had left, and the Human Creations were in the kitchen, doing the dishes, so only Chris and I were left at the table, and he initiated the conversation.

"I never asked, but why are you spending so much of your time training Jonathan? You see a particular potential in him?"

I was surprised by the question, and replied, "I'm not just training him, I'm training myself as well."

"How so? All you do is run and dodge… or are you building up your resistance to his stunning spells?"

Shaking my head, I explained, "I told you guys about the Genetic Constraint, and the unlocked mode. Although my training with Jonathan also helps me improve my footwork, it is mainly to train my unlocked mode.

"My goal is to become able to enter the unlocked mode at any time, by simply wanting to, instead of having to be in danger, as well as lower the consequences of entering it. And to do that, I need to use it as many times as possible, and so I needed someone to train with me."

Chris snorted, his hand on his shotgun, which never left his side, and said, "I would give you plenty of danger."

That was clearly a joke, but I looked at him seriously and nodded, "I would like to try."

His face stiffened as he warned, "My weapon is no joke. Your Muscle Density might be high, I shoot slugs. Those will tear holes into your body if you get hit."

"That's why they will be useful to my training. Jonathan's stunning spells don't represent enough danger for me, and I can't enter unlocked mode. Your bullets, on the other hand, are more than good enough. I need to feel the danger of death."

Chris' face stiffened as he berated, "We are talking about dodging bullets here. Don't you think this is a little too premature? My aim is good, but not good enough to avoid all vital areas on a dodging target."

I pointed at his gun and said, "I did a little research on the internet, and found that while slug shots are better for armor piercing, they also sacrifice some speed."

"They still go faster than sound."

"I know, but I observed your shots for the past two days, and I can see your shots. Entering unlocked mode would also drastically increase my ability to dodge, and don't forget about my other power, the Force Sensitivity. Jedi and Siths alike use the Force to dodge bolts of plasma from blasters, so this isn't out of my reach."

I believed my argument to make sense. Besides, who is to say our next movie won't have us going against foes using guns? Then, having the experience of dodging bullets would certainly come in handy. And even if it wasn't the next movie, what about the one after, and so on.

Chris, however, did not look so convinced. His grip on his weapon had tightened as he said through clenched teeth, "I'm sorry, but I can't do that."

I knew he didn't mean literally, but I still jabbed, "Yes you can, all you have is to pull the trigger."

Chris looked at me with a blank stare, before his expression crumbled down. He turned his face away, but my enhanced senses were enough to pick up the painful swallow, and the soft wet snorts.

Understanding he wasn't looking for comfort, I simply sat there, remaining quiet.

We both just sat there, me silent, and Chris sobbing softly, probably feeling both ashamed and sad, which I guessed was related to his reason for being here.

I hadn't realized immediately, but through the conversations with my team, I learned that everyone who was sent here had given up on life, one way or another. There were different degrees, of course, me being the prime example.

Saying I had given up on life was a little strong, I was jaded, and tired of the monotony of life, but I wasn't about to kill myself. Chris, however, wasn't in so great of a mental state.

He continued for a couple of minutes, before he finally spoke, "I lied to you."

He was still looking away, and his voice was broken, but I still clearly heard him.

"What do you mean?"

Chris took a moment to answer, "We had been on a secret operation in Syria for three weeks already, tracking down one of the last hidden remnants of ISIS in the country. We found their headquarters, as well as their leader, but things did not go as planned."

Still looking away, Chris let go of his weapon as he continued, "We cleared most of the building, but when we were about to catch the leader, I was hit by a flashbang. I was still half blinded and disoriented when I saw two figures running. I thought… I thought it was Al-Kafir!"

So he had shot Thomas by mistake, killing not only his team member, but his superior, his friend, and most importantly, his lover.

Glancing at the weapon he had now let go of, I asked, "So you won't be able to shoot me… but will you be able to shoot our enemies?"

It took Chris a moment to turn around, his eyes red as he nodded, "Yes. Just… just not my team."

I nodded, before asking, "What about Thomas? Are you the reason he doesn't come to missions with us?"

Chris looked stunned, before he let out an empty laugh, "You can be perceptive for an introvert."

I never said I was an introvert. Should I take it as an insult? Although, I guess I am one.

"I didn't mean it. But when I created him, God took everything I thought too seriously, and among them was the urge to protect Thomas, to no longer put him through any danger… this ended up programming him into not even thinking about ever entering the missions. I'm a monster."

That… was a little messed up. But I couldn't just let him beat himself in silence.

"I assure you, you know nothing of being a monster. You know, in our first mission, Becky had saved my life. And I had nothing against Hunter either. But I killed them both. Not because I was forced to, but because it would benefit me."

That wasn't exactly the truth, and I didn't even view myself as a monster, but experience told me that saying this kind of thing often helped people. It made them feel a little better about themselves, and started a weird kinship of sorts.

People are strange.

And indeed, Chris patted my shoulder, taking me in a hug as he said, "You're not a monster, you did what you had to do to survive!"

I felt extremely uncomfortable, but I did not move, and stayed silent. I wanted nothing more than to get out of the room and be alone for a while, but I stayed in his embrace, goosebumps appearing on my skin as I forced myself through the situation.

What I wouldn't do for my team…

If only I had been comforting Sarah, at least that would have felt better.