Chapter 5

"Wake up." Ahab already nudged him, now he is speaking it, and next is for silva to feel it.

"Five more minutes grandpa…"

"*SLAP*"

"ARGH!!!!" Silva got up immediately "WAT DA FACK!!!!!" Stumbling to the wall in pain and half-awake, nursing the red handprint on his face. Looking at Ahab in incredulity

"I told you…" Ahab got up from his crouched position "6:45 sharp. I'm already cutting small corners getting your training up to the standard in response to the enemies we will be facing as a common occurrence." He was already going straight for the tough love, hence why he slapped him with his bionic arm.

"Ah~ fackin ell…" Silva groaned as he tried to get up. Blinking his eyes clearly at the dawn that has even started setting yet "Even in death grandpa's habits still catch up to me. Urgh." He mumbled to himself. He Got up to his feet and wiped the dust and whatever else would stick to him. He's already ignoring the fact that there are most likely rats scurrying about on the floor that might've gotten past him, not Ahab, during his watch. Best to believe none did anything to his body while sleeping.

He got up groggily as Ahab went into the humid night. Stretching his body quickly for any kinks before wiping away his face of grime and any leftover foliage from the bedding and immediately left the cave for training. He learned on the first day of training that Ahab does not like to be kept waiting. Hypocrisy. But understandable when building up your foundation with THE best of the best. After all, better late than dead right? And building up something to stand against the test of time takes, well. Time. Something they have… more or less.

The fire was practically embers at this point. So Silva was stumbling about in the dark.

'Would've it been too much to feed the fire?' Silva inwardly complained 'I don't need a headache to ensure I stay awake during Nótt's time.' After a couple more misses in the dark and some takes of enlightenment where to put stalagmites into Ahab in the most painful way possible. Minus the crotch and a couple of other sensitive parts. He is training to be a professional. And it's important to have standards, he believed that Ahab had as well…. Possibly.

Look, the games only showed what you were selectively shown. It's what made it so interesting with the storytelling done so right, even the little details that you would never know had so much importance. But it showed the bad more than the good, of humanity. Ahab was going to be known as the villain either way no matter what he did in the end. Even if he was what Ishmael was supposed to be, what he should've been. He spared lives and he did the best he could for those of the most deserving. It was just not going to happen due to his loyalty to Ishmael in the end. Not even remembered by him in his end. Truly forgotten and died a tyrant's death.

It also showed how much of an arsehole Kojima was with his storytelling.

God, he wanted to strangle him. And da fuqin rankings an-and da fuqin achievements and da fuqin lore an-and… you know what? Fack em. Silva would like to see Kojima do a 100% completion on every MGS game of importance and worth their salt in playing and see how he likes it. And do not get him started on the psp version. The content and story made up for it, but it was a bitch and a half for his wrists and some of the game was annoying and low-brow insulting to how a snake should've acted.

'Bah. No use crying over spilt milk. Might as well get used to this line of business and use my frustrations to vent out my anger. Though today is the day my training truly begins. God. I mean oum. I can already feel the anguish my body will go through. But so worth it to be an unstoppable ninja war god.'

It was an oversimplification, but it's the thought that matters

After bumping into the cave wall another 3 times he finally made it outside where he can see Ahab in the middle of the clearing with his back towards him while he watches the slowly illuminating horizon. To Silva, it was the imposing figure of the back of a titan that he can finally join in legend. For Ahab, it was a moment to himself, of contemplation. It's strange not having a goal again. To be without tight sails. Its something… liberating about it. To just go where the wind takes you. Oh sure they have somewhat of a plan, but it's not definite. And El Nino will come on schedule. So it's up to him to decide how he will live his life. He closed his eye in peace

'No Ishmael, no Zero, No more interference….' "OH SHI- *smack* how is there a root barely sticking out of the ground trippin me in the middle of the clearing?! Wat the fa-." 'And the moment is ruined.' "*sigh*" 'Though the future is unclear. It will surely be interesting.' Ahab nodded to himself before he opened his eye and turned around to face Silva who was in the middle of the clearing, brushing his hand and knees from falling over. He was looking back at him with slight annoyance.

"That was you, wasn't it, sir?" He added with reluctance. Silva may be a crass individual in a child's body. But that does not mean he will be stubborn about it and not pay respects to his teacher. Though if he wants to call him master (as a student, not a slave), he will have to wait for Ahab's permission to have permission to call him so. Something he learned from his Grandpa. 'Come to think of it…' Silva thought 'Grandpa taught me a lot of things that were abnormal to teach me during my life straight from childhood.'

"Yes." Confirmed it without hesitation or shame "Do you know why?"

"Maybe." Silva grunted vaguely

"Explain." Ahab gestured with a 'go on' gesture

Silva held in a yawn as he was taught doing so was rude. He may be a perverted, brash, and insane individual (self-believed on that last part. Whether he is or not remains to be seen. At least he is completely open minded) but he has standards. Though it may have taken a couple of beatings from his grandpa to hammer it in the importance of standards, some of them an inch of his life. Though admittedly there were other mistakes added in as well. Though it was words that his grandpa said made themselves stick out in importance to the experiences he had in life. They were not great at all. And his childhood was completely non-existent. Though he tried to see the other side. His grandpa tried to help him with that, helping him enjoy being a child. It happened… But it wasn't real. It was an illusion. His grandpa was all he needed in the end along with acquittances that made some effort even towards the end. But the fact remains, he was different.

And it hurt. It made no sense, no reason, no logic. But it hurt, not having friends, people to relate to, to experience together, to create memories. He never got a real chance to be a part of that. Sure, he may have blown up a couple of chances along the way or ruined it for himself… But it was better than changing himself, killing himself, into something he was not.

So, he got over it. Learned from it and did better from it. But… It seemed he needed time to control human nature and want to socialize.

All these thoughts happened in the span of a few seconds of just thinking about standards and how all that was connected to his life. All because he was a kid again. God, it's going to be hell.

'Just when I already went through puberty. I get turned into a kid again.' Silva groaned inwardly

The split change in temperament was noticed by Ahab as Silva went into 'warrior mode' as Silva called it. But he didn't bother calling it out. It's none of his business and if Silva chooses to share, he would be happy to be his confidant.

Silva straightened up and showed an emotionless face in a resting position with his hands behind his back in a waiting position

"It's to be aware of anything." Silva responded "That not all is what is always what it seems. That I should also keep my guard up no matter what and be aware of any details no matter what." Silva finished

"Half." Ahab said

Silva looked confused but did not respond

He was the student, and Ahab was the teacher.

"You got it half right." Ahab continued "If you had abilities and whatnot, you could've. But you don't. There was no way in the conventional sense that you could have known. The unconventional would be to you have already known, and plan 7 steps ahead of that, then further plan beyond that as well. Beyond the concept of an idea, your opponent can have. I'm sure you have already seen examples of this?" He questioned

Silva nodded to this

It was the complete basis of the main narrative of every MGS, with the setting and main objectives that you set out to do is nothing more than a side quest from the main narrative. The only exceptions to this was MGS 1, and maybe 5. It was how the story was portrayed, and since it was a part of the spy genre, it was clever to work it on the idea that not everything is ever what it truly seems. Does not change the fact that Kojima was still an asshole about it. I mean yeah, it's a timeless classic that is above criticism like the other greats such as assassins creed, halo, god of war, and civilization, just to name a few. Some of them did have an overarching arc that there was more to it as all classic spy stories go (*cough* up to 007 SkyFall *cough* *cough*), most if not all have their story fits a part of "more than it seems". Or as virgin-kun Kakashi-san would say: "Look underneath the underneath." Some lazy sage shit like that

It may be true, but it does not change the fact that the bastard was a half-assed, lazy sonfabitch

So just learn from it and move on

"Yes." Also, Silva took this moment to say something as well "Oh. Before I forget, it's faster to switch to your secondary than it is to reload."

"Uh, ok?" Ahab was confused by that, but it seemed like it was something from the future that was figured out by the military that increased effectiveness then he wasn't going to complain. Though it seems the attention span of those from the future has taken a couple of hits or so as evidenced by Silva. "I will keep that in mind."

"However…" Continued Ahab, making sure Silva has his complete attention on him "Not all battles are determined by a set objective. Staying alive is the most important one of course, but the battlefield will most likely be against your favor every time, especially for those like me who take the initiative. Of course, that's when we feel like the odds are stacked in our favor due to circumstances, gear, skills, experience, luck, etc." He quickly amended "Though the list goes on and on, the important distinction between the best of the best, from the living and the dead, is how well and how fast you adapt on the battlefield. There's also those who are smart enough to shift the battlefield into their favor and change the terms of victory." He concluded "You will learn these things and more. As the battlefield and warfare will always evolve alongside the times but make no mistake. Just because you learned from me, does not mean you should allow yourself to become arrogant to be blinded by its tunnel vision. There is always a higher mountain, a bigger fish, a better opponent. I know you are aware of this, but I cannot hammer in enough that through time if you are not constantly aware, and on your toes, you will become complacent and die and/or pay for it heavily."

Silva gulped audibly to that. Sure, his life right now could very well be fanfic or some form of entertainment of a higher-level entity or perhaps someone smart and aware enough to peer into his current reality and write down what they see. Is it cumulative knowledge and experiences that create reality? Or is it just peering through a window? Or perhaps we are just given the chance to do so by following the paths that are created with no end? Intersecting and leading everywhere but nowhere. Is it none of them? Or all of them at once? He lived to the latter half of the 21st century till it became the 22nd and was there when it went to hell, but it was enough time for him to understand and see a variety of ideas, knowledge, and experiences.

He's just not stupid enough to not think about it if this is all real or not. But it's not enough to risk his own life, he knows that now and he accepts that. This is the reality he will be living in and it feels real enough to the point where he can feel that the land, no. The world is completely different from the one he was on before. And that's good enough for him.

'Though…' He thought 'I wouldn't mind if they threw us numerous boons and "cheats" for us. It's what I would do for my characters. Not sure if we will meet characters from other universes in this world.'

Ahab turned around to face him "It doesn't matter if you're the strongest, fastest, or most intelligent man in the room. If you are not the smartest man in the room, you are just another corpse ready to be put in a shallow grave." His voice sounded strained against coarse gravel with ill intent he is putting in his words.

Yet Silva did not, will not falter. No matter how much he wants to turn and run as Ahab walked closer to him until they are almost face to face

"I don't care if you are an adult in mind. You are a kid again and I will not tolerate having your death on my conscience. Never mind me training you would automatically make you a child soldier." He said

"Are we clear?" Ahab was fully blasting killing intent into him, something that was considered difficult to exist, but Silva felt it all the same.

"Y-Yes!" He Silva stuttered out

"Yes, what?" Ahab did not let up

"YES SIR!!!!" Silva corrected

"Good." Ahab went back to nothingness in a second. Any longer and they would have to move. Hence why he made sure their goods were ready for them to bug out.

"Now let's clear some questions of mine before we begin your training." Ahab said turning around and taking a couple of steps out before he was a breath away from Silva

"I'm sure you have noticed, but our body's recovery is way beyond what should be considered normal for human beings. I increased your conditioning in what should've taken a year and took a month. The only drawback I could find was that your effectiveness taking a small hit was barely noticeable until we were two weeks in."

"I was wondering about that." Silva responded "I felt more energy in my life than I did as a kid. And that's saying something… But~, I don't know any drawbacks to this, not unless we put it under a microscope figuratively and literally speaking. It's either a brand-new body we have, a mass improvement of the old one, or something in this world that is allowing us to recover faster. I believe it's both doors number 1 and 2. Judging by the fact that we both recognized that we died. And since we are not having bits of madness, I concluded that it was clean enough to remember it. Or our mental fortitude is good enough to deal with it. After all, humans were not meant to remember our deaths as it's something to be unknown to the living." Theorized silva as the sky started to turn the softest of oranges.

"Hm." Ahab grunted in acknowledgment "Then we'll put it on the back burner until further notice. Now, onto the next subject. Have you ever killed a person before?"

Silva was immediately startled by the question. Didn't even see it coming and he is already supposed to be planning ahead of his "opponent"

"Ye-…" Silva cut himself off. Looking down intently with his eyes closed thinking with his tiny brows furrowed as he thought it through intently. Ahab gave him a minute to think it through. He would be lying if he wasn't getting antsy and irritable if he gave him another thirty seconds longer. He has a new body, a new life, a fresh set of lungs, a liver, and retired.

He'd be damned if he didn't enjoy every second of it

Though he would have to hold off on the cigars. They are meant to be cherished and respected to last a good damn time. Even chewing on it was a big no to him as well. So it must be saved for special occasions. He even had his secret stash of seeds for his more natural perishables and smoking supplies.

He can come up with something with the kid to make something out of it. Especially if this world's standard is shitty to his standards.

Silva looked up again and straight into his eye with his answer "No. No, I haven't."

"Oh? Why the hesitation from before then?" He inquired

"Because it was moments from my death where I was fighting for my life." Silva responded without missing a beat "I was blasting away at them with nothing in my mind but the thought to survive. I just shot them till I was sure they stopped moving and moved on. I did not check or knew for sure they were dead."

"Were you winning?"

"It was 10 against 1 and I was with an old man who was surviving like me before I took a couple of hits and was not sure if I was going to make it or not against those bandits. That's when I had a front-row seat of how Richmond was wiped off the map from a nuke. The last memory was a gun being put against my head and the old man said: "I'm sorry." Before everything went black. I think he was granting me mercy. Can't blame him." Silva shrugged at this.

Ahab was a doctor, not a psychiatrist. They don't work and 'they' in turn need one at some point which is either poetic justice or tragic irony. But what Silva said set off some very faint bells off for him. The truth is he has no way of helping or even knowing how to help Silva deal with this. Only enough on how to make sure it's not a problem and cope with it. Yesh. Not even a PMC up and now he has to follow the trail of probable issues that would be a very big problem if left unchecked. Especially on the battlefield in volatile conditions with dangerous weapons and very unforgiving circumstances. Nothing is at risk now, so he has room and time to figure it out as he goes.

And he thought they were off to a great start

"So you haven't killed before and yet you have a lust for my line of work." Summarized Ahab, leaving out the mental angst

Lord knows how he will be if Silva knew that he actively knew during his puberty

"Yes sir." Still in 'training mode' Silva was. 'Good. He is learning to be professional when the time comes. There may still be hope for him yet.' Ahab thought

"So not only are you a pseudo greenhorn from how well you take to the conditioning like a fish to water. You are a virgin in killing as well." Ahab stated

Silva sputtered at that

Ahab smirked at that. Apparently, he is a virgin of a sexual nature as well.

"Well, the only way to resolve that, preferably, as soon as possible, is with the dirtiest piece of human trash we can find, and have you end him. Best way to do so is to deal with long-term remorse." Ahab explained it as if it were a simple "how-to" process for dummies

"Uh, o-ok." Silva stuttered out at the prospect of that. He's a kid again and already he is crossing into moral ambiguity. It would be promising if it was as simple as turning it off as he did in his last moments, that he would easily flick off his empathy and kill when need be. 'I believe it was called a two-percenter in Ahab's world as a more common term than in my earth.'

"For now-" Continued Ahab "You will be warming up before I begin to teach you the basics of CQC." He gestures to the clearing "Run 10 laps around the clearing in five minutes." As he lifted his wrist and watched his inbuilt watch in his bionic hand

"Oh come on!!!" Whined Silva, the child in him finally coming out "A warm-up? But I thought the conditioning negated the need for that!?"

Ahab was dumbfounded by it. But unaffected. "No excuses or shortcuts for an excuse for self-development and control over oneself, and this world allows you to go beyond one's limits. Triple so when being a warrior. And I would get a move on if I were you. Your time is going and every minute you go over is another 2 laps."

Silva just grumbled and started running at an even pace to not tire himself too easily

"AND REMEMBER YOUR BREATHING EXERCISES!!!!" Ahab shouted out

He was going to limit up to 20 punishment laps, but there's no need to tell him that. Today was also how he would be experimenting with Silva's regiment to get an idea of how to modify and improve his training ethic. That's the difference between a PMC and a nation's military.

Efficiency

______________________________________________________________________________

"Kill me." Silva wheezed

"No" Ahab deadpanned without emotion as he was reviewing what Silva came up with through his iDROID

"Kill me."

"No."

"Kill me."

"No."

"Kill me."

"No."

"Kill me."

"No."

"Kill me."

"No."

"Kill me."

"No."

"Kill me."

"No."

"Kill me."

"No."

"Kill me."

"No."

"Why not?" Silva broke first

"Because time will take care of that." Ahab quipped back

"That is debatable and you know it Ahab."

"Then life would if time is untethered to us."

"...Fair…"

"Seriously. What did you expect?" Ahab peered over at the slumped form "That was something you didn't go through with the martial arts you learned?"

"Are you facking kidding me?" The anger lingered but could not be enforced "Civies, or rather people as a whole, have weakened to unbelievable lows and there were only two actual masters who were willing to teach me the whole way through with military-grade fighting styles that I was able to at least have some knowledge and defend myself with no problem."

"Which two were those?"

"Systema and Krav Maga. I could've also learned Teukgong Moosool, but I may have insulted the guy after unknowingly annoying him for too long."

"I'm not going to even question why it turned out like that, though it does explain why you had no problem learning the basics of CQC as it is the core, just one meant for specifically the body more specifically while the other is more aggressive meant for unrelenting combat on a very uneven battlefield. All I want to know is how you managed to learn those arts from a true master no less."

Ahab waited two minutes listening to Silva wheezing in pain

"Silva-"

"GIVE ME SAM GAHD DAMN MINUTES YA PRICK!!!! YOUR NOT DA ONE IN PAIN FROM TRAINING!!!" Silva was exasperated as his accent came out in full blast

"That's the point. I make training hell so that war won't be for you. To a certain extent at least."

"Ah yes, mental issues, HOW CAN ANYBODE DEAL WITH THEM!?" Silva laid it thick

'This has gone better than I thought it would be.' Ahab thought. The training that took place in the morning the day before yesterday went without a hitch. Though he soon realized that Silva literally has regressed all muscle development, it was the perfect thing a teacher could find in a student with an unspoiled body at their youngest age. No bad habits or deficiencies of any kind. Though the desirable muscle memory was there. Along with the moves in cqc that took from other martial arts due to usefulness and utility. After all, Bruce Lee said: Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, add what is essentially your own. That's what made CQC the best martial art in his world. It was practically the theory of foundational building which is to say 'adapt or die' in simple terms. But unlike old or outdated martial arts, it was and still can withstand the test of time. No matter what.

"Kill meeeeeeeeee~." Silva moaned out

Ok. He may have gone overboard a bit a day ago, so that is why he let him recuperate yesterday. Though it was to a point that he was in too much pain to do anything, from the bathroom to eating. And since he was not hungry, they rationed what they had left which he and Silva ate first thing in the morning. Now today was the day they hunted.

*BANG*

If it wasn't pouring tears of anger

He was also wondering why it was clear for so long in an area where the jungle and mountains intersect. There was a faint taste of salt in the air as well which explains why most metal-based tools or objects are in conditions of rust due to them being near the coast. Though the rain was dropping by the bucket, it wasn't enough to make a monsoon. Not yet at least, otherwise they are fubar for a while if they don't get to civilization fast enough. He is sure Silva is not prepared to train for that kind of environment or survival instincts to watch over himself, it just will not happen in those settings for him to baby Silva if he has no idea what he is doing in that hostile environment. Though it was amazing how fast Silva recuperated from training, He felt almost nothing after being winded for a moment after Silva's preparations. Though it's probably a good thing he held off the stretches for now. He still wanted Silva to walk the last of the miles till they can reach the city to safely recuperate properly without worry of a very hostile and unknown environment. Though they were lucky enough that Silva was able to recognize this and had some dry firewood set aside for such an occasion.

Though now is time for Silva's training again. Just to instill what he has learned upon himself

"Silva, get up." He said "You can rest when you're dead. I want you to go through the motions I taught you after warming yourself up."

"No. Fack you. I'd rather we do this difficult shite tomorrow than have you beat me up again today." Silva seemed to rasp out

"I didn't say we will spar today." Corrected Ahab "And you're going to be doing this difficulty every time so that the future will be easy. Just warm up and go through the motions then do your reps. You should have no problem doing it since you're not forcing your body beyond its injuries. I know you can."

Silva warmed up at that. Positive encouragement seemed to light a spark of hope in him

"*sigh* Alright, fine." He slowly but surely got himself up from the more comfortable and increasingly familiar bedding, ignoring the need to wince in pain as that will give into weakness from within

He started going into a warmup by stretching his body a bit of soreness and tight muscles

"What are you doing? Ahab questioned suddenly

"Gettin Ready. What's it look like I'm doing?" Thankfully he managed to keep the snark out as that would've gotten him punishment responding as so. They are not equals. Not yet anyway.

"Oh, you're not doing it here." Ahab said

*BANG* *BANG* *(echoing 5 miles) CRACKLE*

"You're doing it out there." Sticking a thumb in the direction of the ominous storm that heralded his correction. Ahab then grabbed that spark of hope and locked it up in the deepest darkest cell he could find and threw away the key into the mariana trench. But hey, it's still there... Somewhere....

Silva looked at him. Pleadingly with the so-called "puppy eyes". Unable to beg as his grandfather taught him to never, ever do so. It was ineffective.

Let it be known that Ahab isn't experienced with positive reinforcement or relationships as of now and before.

"Don't give me that look. There are plenty of trees to act as lightning rods, the water is cold enough to ease your aching body, the wind is strong enough to test you, and your filthy for a day now. Its endurance training added to what you are learning. Afterward, you can clean your clothes and come in to sit by the fire. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Though you better do it correctly or you will be doing laps around the clearing as I will be watching, otherwise it's laps around the field."

Silva nodded sadly, unable to disobey before undressing into his boxers and grabbing a log on the way out to keep feeding the fire before dropping the clothes along with the dirty ones from days before by the cave mouth as he took a breath and stepped into the screaming storm.

The cold tears showering his body were the first thing he felt stepping out into what a normal person would call a hurricane. It's not. It's just one of those hard storms that nature loves to throw that man has forgotten. Or perhaps too weak and scared to face it. Modernity at his time has come with more trouble than worth as morality, ethics, values, and character has become weaker with every generation that passed.

It was truly weak times…

'I was close to being like the rest.' Silva thought as he tried not to shiver in the rain 'Grandpa really did straighten me out well. No matter how long I took or how many times I screwed up, he was there for me.'

He was and still is blessed to this day to have a grandfather that unforgettable, and incredible, and pass on everything he had to him. And he failed. Or could it be argued that the world would be inhabitable due to the constant ruining of the environment in which they live, waiting for the axe to fall and wipe away all of humanity? Did he have the power to do something? Could he? It was one against over forty billion. Maybe the game was rigged from the start, and there wasn't anything he could do about it.

It was supposed to be taken care of the generations before, not left to the future generations to clean up their mess

That's not progress, it was entropy. Prolonged and profitable entropy.

But decay was the breakdown of the system.

'I'll do it…" Silva thought, shivering in the screaming and crying "I'll make you proud grandpa."

Silva was keeping himself warm through his memories as well as letting his body adjust to the cold by letting his body heat itself up. A little unknown fact about the human body is that it would regulate the body temperature to ensure it survives a bit longer. However, overclocking it would be just as bad. That's why people say to not stay wet when you come home and go straight for a shower or to be careful how your body is acting with cabin fever when your body has been overheating like crazy to keep warm while being stuck in an enclosed space for long messes with your senses.

Then, he stepped forward into the storm. Raising his hands in defiance to the anger that is thrown to him, basking in it. Living in it. Moving forward into the field without a care in death

*BANG*

The sky screamed in response to his transgressions, but it mattered not

He had the spirit of the storm in his blood

And there was few, if any, anything in this world that will stop him when he puts his mind to it

When he was in the middle of the field, he began.

Open palmed, he began to go through motions, moving his hips to bring into the strike. Every action was to be accompanied by an exhale of his breath. Brings it in to inhale and not leave out his attack for the enemy to attack him or maim him by disabling one of his limbs.

That was the nice way of saying break or chop it off

Before he would… feel amazed that he would be practicing an age-old practice that would rely on the only thing he had left to fight with. His body. Of course, before he was amazed. But now? In this world? In this type of era? He was ecstatic. 'After everything…. I finally got my chance to become a warrior of my own story.' This further motivated him in the storm.

A world where guns are not prevalent. Where there are equalizing factors to make modern weapons nothing more than ineffective weaponry. Not to mention he could be able to pull all those superhuman, or rather very possible feats of human strength. That includes doing more with a swo- no. Katana. Yes, a katana, than ever thought possible and was believed to only be theory. Not anymore.

'Nothing is impossible, and everything is possible.' Silva repeated to himself as he did a horizontal elbow before following up with a front kick to the chest before taking a couple of steps back to not let his 'opponent' have a chance to strike back and give himself a chance to collect himself before the next exchange. CQC is an art that needs to be trained constantly, effectively, and completely. It allows the user to expand upon the basics they learned into what is most effective for them over the course of learning it.

Everything became nothingness as there was no cold, no wind, no rain, as he grappled his opponent, kneed them while making sure to turn his hips properly, then tripped them to the floor and come above with a punch to the throat before shuffling away through the wet grass. Careful as to not slip on it, yet his eyes did not drift off the visualized opponent.

'I will be able to utilize my whole body like David at one point.' Silva thought as he 'wedged' his opponent before kneeing straight for a cockshot and spaced from him again never allowing a moment to think that his opponent could lure him into a sense of safety should he try to attack him while in pain, tiring him out even further. 'Though the best way to fight would be similar to how Ozymandias fought until I strengthened myself with more than my physical body.'

Then he brings his practicing to a finish by attempting to kick in the face. The attempt was rewarded by cramping and stiffness in the leg along with the flattened grass being slicked somewhat into a smooth surface for him to lose his footing and fall on his back. Not timing it correctly along with not properly landing his body to spread out the impact had him hurting his elbow and shoulder of the right side and his right leg joining in at being dropped down at an awkward angle to further stretch it a way he did not know he could stretch.

"OOoOOoOoOoOOoOoooo~!!!! Oooooooooooooooo fuq. Oh fuq. (exhales) Oh fuq that hurts (groans in pain a couple more times whimpering)."

And the totally cool, super rad, spectacular moment created by an illusion, broke way into reality.

Silva bit his lips and waited for the rain and cold to numb them away. Slowly stretching it faster and faster to ease it away. He can feel cool all he wants; he still has a long way to go.

Closing his eyes, letting the rain pool in his eyes as he lays there a bit letting the cold do its work while reviewing what he has thought

'…. It is no different than what Liquid, or rather Eli wanted it to be. Hopefully… the difference between me and him will be apparent in morality. Though I'm doing this for myself, everything else that happens is just a byproduct of my actions. I don't care if people will know or if my story along with those with us will be passed on. What matters is the here and now. How we live it. Risk it. And end it. Though this is going to be a whole new frontier for me. Fuck ups are no longer allowed.' He thought to himself, reminiscing about his laziness and low effort wasting the immense potential that his grandfather knew he had in him. Even admitting he had the same issue as him at that age.

He took a deep breath before he opened his eyes allowing the cold water to douse his eyes before blinking them out in tears. He got up before stretching his body and allowed the awkward feeling of the pain to fade into obscurity. He's been in the rain long enough before hypothermia would set in and he was already wrapping up with the motions? Katas? Whatever it may be, it was time to "cool down" his body that has been still in 'fight mode'. Time to bring it down. You see, it's something called H.I.T., which stands for "High-Intensity-Training". In which you start slowly warming up, going fast in the middle, and slowing down, in the end, to bring down your heart rate to how it was at the beginning, so you keep your gains. He hasn't reached the end yet, as he has one last thing to train on.

His stamina

Not just for… selfish reasons. Ok, maybe for entirely selfish reasons as it is his own body he is working out. But he was preparing for the eventuality, not the possibility, that he will have sex for the first time, even if he can't rememeber exactly what it is. And it will be amazing and something to remember for the rest of his life. So he wants to maximize in every way possible to make it A-M-A-Z-I-N-G for himself and his partner, as this world was a frontier in every way. Which means? What does it mean? I'll tell you. It means every day could be your very last. So gotta make it count right? And win.

And get laid. Definitely, get laid before dying. Whatever that means

Time for the finisher, 5 laps consecutively with an even pace at high speeds not even relenting. To adapt to the need and possibility to run consecutively without the need or want to stop in the worst of the worst possible situations. Not to mention it was great to practice in the weather for conditions that would easily compromise your footing and injure yourself or even be compromised through the reactions the forest creates in response to the rain, excluding lowered visibility and difficulty hearing properly. But it was not the same for people like Silva.

The kind that thrives and lives in the storm. As they are the storm. The spirit of it is in their blood. It's a rare kind of being to come across, sadly, they easily die out due to weak times…

It's truly a tragedy, that is neither for the best nor the worst, as it is something that a species should never forget, so that when you most need it… you will not have it. To bring change or to hold the line for the status quo.

It changes from every perspective, every story, everyone is right, and everyone is wrong. But to truly determine so is by who wins, and who loses. Disgusting and hypocritical in every way, but history is and always will be determined by the victors. Shaping history to their benefit and need, it's understandable, but will never be right. But… if it's for the future to be in a more positive outlook, then it better have been worth it.

Then again it was always nothing more than a crock of shit with how it looks like a bunch of men feeling inadequate for themselves, so they have to kill each other over it to make themselves feel better.

Or it's probably because God said it was a good idea. Who knows?

The first was a warmup, the second was an increase of speed without stopping to the point where he slowly felt his respiratory system contracting and expanding due to the increased strain he put his body through. It irritated him to no end that all that training and exercising he did before with his grandpa had been wiped clean. Well, the good news is he's no longer an addict anymore to masturbating (if he knew what that was), his right arm is no longer rigid and cramped for doing so for so long of said action, and he no longer has crooked toes because his dumb ass couldn't tell grandpa 'that they were too tight'. But on the third lap? With the lighting cracking and the storms howling with the cold rain?

It made him free to ignite the spirit of the storm in his blood

"GAFFLWN DIHENYDD, O'R FUDDUGOL YN WIRIOL SYDD !!!!!" He shouted when he reached his runners high

"NI FYDD NEB YN EIN DRECHU!!!!!" *BANG*

The lighting roared in this act of defiance

"FALCH YDY NI I DROCHU, TRAED O FLAEN I'R ANNWN, MEWN Y GWYBODAETH FE GODWN NI!!!!!" He screamed before laughing maniacally as he enjoyed it while allowing his insanity to take over as it bled through while running near the end of his 4th lap already sprinting at his top speed to finish off the last lap strong.

"…" Ahab just looked outside while still on the iDROID to contemplate what he just heard from the kid "Weirdo…" He mumbled before turning his attention back on the iDROID

That was a very hypocritical statement unto itself for it to be stated by him, but since no one or even Silva was there to point it out and fix this ignorance, he will be keeping it within himself until Silva or someone else that knows them truly can point it out and fixed the biased bastard. What a lucky idiot, or maybe some magical hand of god just turns down the difficulty for him when it comes right down to it.

Best not to question some things and just will it to happen more often for yourself.

The storm picked up, and the coldness of the rain started to creep upon his bones. It was time to head in

*BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *(ECHOING) RUMBLE*

Natures natural artillery was getting stronger, and the tears congregated into a waterfall

He walked back towards the cave and let it all wash over him as he willed himself to not shiver and show weakness. It was the training of his own will and self-control that he imposes on himself, a testing of his new body to push beyond any limits that did not restrain the body as badly as back home wouldn't be able to do what was considered the new normal. Maybe it was possible back home on Earth and we just forgot or never figured out how to unlock and go beyond the full potential of the human body. Who can truly know? It could be considered walking some very thin lines as the research involved could be considered… Immoral, detestable, forbidden.

It is a very fine line, but where do you balance progress and morality? What would be the price for this knowledge, to learn how to cultivate physical power in oneself? These are the kinds of thoughts that have been going through Silva's mind these days. To live for something that for certain is attainable. It's exhilarating.

He walked into the cave with a shit-eating grin while giving off slight tremors as his body worked on keeping his body heat on which it was reaching its limit, the fire Ahab kept going burned off a considerable amount of firewood, while the rest was either left in the pile they built up considerably days before as there's was evidence of precipitation (the scientific word for rain) in the area as it has been a rather long time since it last did so they prepared in response to that. Replenishing it every chance they got while still in this clearing, though it might be a problem as they must get down the mountain tomorrow to hunt. As the leftovers from what Silva ate of the canned peaches were delegated to him by Ahab no matter how hard he tried to offer.

Ahab explained that he had training in rationing and not eating for days on end so it's nothing he couldn't deal with and wasn't expending much energy as Silva was with how young he was to the point he didn't build up at all to be able to deal with this strenuous situation that he would require more energy than him in keeping up with not only his training but also traveling. He's still a kid in his eyes, no matter what Silva says otherwise, he will get priority in upkeep and care in being in top condition. He may have lost some conditioning when he regressed as well, but he was reversed to the point where he was in his prime, so he didn't have to worry much about being completely 'defanged' like the kid. Though from what he gained from the kid, is that it probably was a blessing in disguise due to what this world will allow them to become the supernatural.

Though he's not sure about this whole "ability/magic" business. He already had enough bad experiences with people with abilities trying to kill him and/or make his life harder than it already is. He's already annoyed at the prospect that he would have to deal with a very discriminatory magic China man. Though he wouldn't mind meeting the friendlier ones, he would rather much prefer not to deal with those that had huge narcissistic personalities in which they saw everyone else as inferior to them or some other shabang. Hell, even the suicidal ones he would rather deal with than those sociopathic, unprofessional, and very murder-happy "colleagues" of the trade.

Hopefully, he will get it mostly right with the kid in his upbringing and at least have some form of professionalism. Mostly…

It's not a 100% guarantee, ok? We are talking about murdering, with a side of some stealing, lying, and cheating. Anything to ensure he comes out alive no matter what. He was serious about not letting the kid die on him in any way. Yeah, it may be his weakness, his Achilles heel, but he has not done anything for himself for a very, very long time. So at least he would like something he could be proud of that he had accomplished.

Though he would at least try to curb his desire to feel enjoyment in killing and equal or greater acts of such actions. He knows he can't stop it, hell, he can't and won't as it would be hypocritical for him to do so. The best he can do is at least make sure that Silva is in control and not to be consumed by bloodlust that would make most men lose practical reason. Or common decency. Or survival instincts. Or- whatever. It's a bad thing to have, that's the point. Not only for oneself but also can and will be a hazard in his line of business that is practically just a death wish. Though it can be used to one's advantage, no longer having cognitive thought or stringent morality as in the direst of situations and should only be done as a last resort.

'I'm not one to talk, but it's the duty of the current generation to pass on and teach the next from their mistakes and continue rising above. At least that was the sentiment-' His thoughts and input on the iDROID interrupted as his first actual student/disciple/basket case/weirdo/kid/personheneedstowatchover came walking in with a stupid grin on his face and body that shows the blazing fast progress of his training and the abnormally sized bulge due to the underwear clinging to his body because of being wet. In "society", that would not be considered ok at all, but let's face it, he's not that kind of guy. It's just that it was abnormal the size of it attached to this kid was not normal at all, though he is slightly relieved that he's not the only one with a bigger-than-average pensis. So, looking at it was practically looking at something bizarre that you really should turn your head away from but you can't because you are looking at something fascinating because of its abnormality. Though it was nothing he hadn't seen before, so he wasn't staring at it for long and felt nothing for it. Shame and unnecessary use of the need for decency can get you killed in the blink of an eye, so it was the first to go in any training with both genders.

He didn't have to do that with Silva. There was practically nothing at all. He laments that he may have to do so in reverse if his behavior was any indication. The kid was a nut job, but a good heart, had a bit of common decency, and was reasonable beyond everything else with a good head on his shoulders. Though he can't shake off the feeling that he is going to be putting his skills as a doctor in practice very soon.

"Been enjoying the rain?" He questioned Silva not taking his eyes off the iDROID.

"Yap." He replied "Though weather conditions are more abnormal than what you would regularly face in the same biome on earth, I suspect it to be the norm here in this area. Especially since this world has been vastly untouched by sentient hands, I would really like to know how it would be if there were volatile conditions. Hell, I would even pay good money to see it in a category five or above and see the full might of nature's wrath."

Ahab paused viewing the iDROID to look at the maniac grin on Silva's face along with the madness that can clearly be seen in his eyes. 'Ok… so maybe I don't have to worry so much about me fucking up the kid's head. Though this probably means more work for me. Shit.'

"Is that why you are naked?"

"Almost naked." Amended Silva "I would love to go bauck neked again, but I would rather have some respect for you unto this budding relationship so that it would be considered normal and not weird OR FOR THOSE WATCHING US FOR SOME FUQED UP SHIT TO HAPPEN!!!" He said while looking exactly where you are peering through, though to Ahab it looked like he was looking at a particular part of the cave wall.

"What the hell are you doing?" Ahab was wary but slowly getting used to… Antics? It was already apparent that Silva was mad. The good kind. Trust me when I say that Ahab has been in the business to the point where you want the good kind of insanity rather than bad. Very big difference. You take what you can get and make life interesting while you're at it. That is how you go with life progressing and enjoying it to the fullest. You can't just stay in one place all your life doing only what you're familiar with for the rest of your life without enjoying life for its bounty for whatever it is that you may come across that would be considered so where and when you are.

You would be guilty of Sloth. The most acted upon sin of the twenty-first century, and the saddest.

So many people died unsatisfied and filled with regret. Your real life doesn't start when you accomplish anything in preparation for the future. It started the moment you were fully self-aware of everything, whether you accept it, knowledgeable of it, or ignorant about it, it is what it is.

There are no second chances. And if you think there is even remotely a chance of being given a new life being rebirthed. By all means… Be my guest. But there's a price you have to pay to gamble.

The Ultimate Price…

Though the author's thoughts stray from time to time. He was not the only one facing those thoughts, as he doesn't exactly follow norms of writing or life, and neither does Silva in life. It just flows through. Because for someone like Silva, who died very young by the way in the most painless yet brutal way to go (i.e. bullet to the head), he is going beyond 100mph in everything he thinks and knows about. There's a reason why Ahab outright thought Silva was insane. It wouldn't exactly be called trauma mind you. It was more like getting over it (death), then being thrown into a godless, abandoned, forsaken world where the people are worse than they were on earth and where truly the dice are weighted against them and can go either way. Luckily, they have been wagering small and winning back those gains. But risking it all big on something they are not even remotely sure of winning or to keep testing that luck is a good way to die horribly.

Why is the author cutting away from the story to explain this? Simple, for Ahab it was business as usual, but for Silva, it was a semi-permanent state of a panic attack and excitement. One could even argue that because of how well knowledgeable Silva is and has stayed in a relatively semi-stable civilization that slowly and sadly became a dystopia, it was still civilization. Now put this into perspective, you are put into a hostile world where recognizable sentient life does not even occupy more than 5% of the known land. And where an absolute, hostile species that evolved in the most monstrous/cruelest of ways with an internal empathy radar to easily hunt said sentient beings to kill and exterminate for no other purpose than for existing. Yet there were still so many ways to die and the biggest of issues is those creatures, the more common variety, are nothing, not even the "field-bosses" such as the big ass ravens, elephants, cursed spirits, scorpions, negativity emitters, the hive, moby dick, or that hot, sexy, witch lady who can direct a whole river of sludge that are made with to envelope and devour an entire kingdom with a swarm of flight based species that ensures maximum lethality or create abominations of her own or whatever other variations you can think of. Even the dragon was just a big fish in a small pond. No~… Those aren't the ones you should be worried about. The ones you should really be what he dubbed "Civilization Killers". Any higher and it would be a planet killer, but the AOD wouldn't want his toy project to become broken easily because he did not limit the capacity the Grimm would grow, so CV is as high as they go. Unless someone was stupid enough to aggravate them and force them to evolve further by breaking through the limits the AOD placed.

Then their fucked

Simple. As. That.

And not one of the kingdoms, not even Atlas, is equipped with the tools to deal with them permanently.

It was never confirmed completely which ones the old man was aware about or even knew they existed besides the ones Salem knew about. Two were confirmed: she knew and controlled (she knew how to wake up the dragon, so it counts) the dragon, which is one of the weaker ones on the list, and the flying moby dick which is one rank above the dragon. Why? Simple. Think of it like this, the dragon was a destroyer ship, it could deal with tougher opponents with ease and deploy smaller units, but its range, mobility, and rate of firepower were sub-par. While the whale was more of an armored carrier, with greater amounts of units to deploy, harder to deal damage, and greater range and coverage with each individual unit that can search every nook and cranny killing everything within range of the 'carrier'. You either hide from it completely or have enough firepower to completely over pace the whale and bring it down. So basically overkill.

Though there were nine others that were known, with 3 hidden bosses. They were either too dangerous or too intelligent for Salem to control. With a "FORBIDDEN" boss that the AOD created himself for shits and giggles. Of the 3 hidden bosses, one is as old or even older than Oz and Salem. Complete with human, or beyond human level intellect along with the whole range of what humans can do but better but with some exceptions that are practically negligent because it found a way to evolve or think around it. The second hidden boss was practically the Kraken which when in water, heals all the damage it received, had a thick hide, and was extremely intelligent. So it was semi-immortal where it was sealed in Vaccuo with the sword beneath the vault by oz where it lay dying slowly being dehydrated until it was killable in about… 7 years? He considered speeding up that time by getting a microwave gun ready by then. Though because it attained CV status, the AOD also thought it would be funny that it can only truly die if dealt a finishing blow in battle. That's just…. Faaaaaaaaaaan~tastic.

And finally, the last one was the meanest sonfabitch of them all. You thought I was going to say hydra or any like-mined dragons. Wrong. What could kill people faster and better than people themselves or any conventional weaponry? Simple. Bio-Warfare. So I don't really need to explain any further the dangers of a literal breathing, talking (it learns from its victims), bio-weapon now do I? Let's keep the details of it a secret, M'kay? Along with the forbidden boss. After all, this is his reality now, so it's best not to think of issues that will be a long time coming to deal with.

This, and everything that is happening to him is not a dream, nor a dream come true. But it could be a blessing in disguise, if he, you know, dig deep enough to hit paydirt. But hey, if you die to the elements, the people, or hostile fauna, it would be a good grave instead.

Let's get back to the story, shall we?

"Trying to antagonize whoever is watching us right now, or somewhere along those lines." Silva responded looking back at Ahab shaking like the wet dog he is (loves the smell by the way, shaking their wet fur in his face? Not so much) before turning away and heading to his 'cot' to change and get ready for bed as it would most likely rain for the rest of the day thus, he would like to continue his projects and review of the database on his iDROID.

"Is that even a good idea?" Ahab deadpanned

"Probably not." Quipped Silva as he got naked in front of him and then proceeded to dry himself "Though most likely not our backers, but more of the audience that came along for the ride. So, I guess it could be considerably reasonable given the disgusting perversion they had with pedophilia or yaoi."

"What's… yaoi." *pfft* Silva puffed out what almost became laughter, trying hard to not let it become full blown

"Oh man… Truly God is great. You are blessed mah good sir." Silva praised while doing his 'praise the sun' pose

Ahab didn't know whether to be offended or confused

"I'm not explaining that shite or removing your shield of ignorance from you. I have decent standards at least, at least." Admonished Silva "It's for your own good, but if you truly want to know you're going to have to remove the shield yourself. You can ask Kaz when we meet up with him on what it means. His country's women created it, so who better to ask?" Silva said while grinning devilishly inside at how this was one of the things, he will start with getting back at Kaz. 'Jackarse was slightly deserving of what was coming to him.' He thought

Ahab turned off his iDROID and gave him his full attention

"…Kaz? How did you know we will be meeting Kaz?" He asked completely neutral tone

"Sorrow said it himself, 'those deserving of another chance-'…. I forgot the rest of it. But you get the idea" Silva waved it off as he finished drying himself before starting with his socks before his underwear, leaning on the wall to check his feet closely for any grime or dirt leftover before putting the socks on, though not before smelling it. He did it when he was younger and his legs were not so rigid, so he's not going to pass this chance up. Gotta have priorities man.

Ahab tried hard not to facepalm or make a face from that. This… this is his student…

'Beggars really can't be choosers…'

"Though I recommend you keep him away from Ocelot. He will not be very happy to see him. A lot. Or just rip the band-aid off and sic em on each other, after they get their pound of meat from each other, break it up and then stop them from killing each other. Or don't, it's your call. Personally, I prefer if they both lived and had their relationship be amicable, minus of course the plots and revenge schemes that at this point will just be childish and unjustified. I rather not have this world be turned into a sandbox for their spat."

"Should I be worried about meeting up with them? Or-?" Ahab trailed off

"No. Well, maybe Kazuhira is who we should be worried about. Or maybe not?" Silva sounded unsure as he finished putting on his clothes and started getting comfortable on his bedding made from nature.

"Why so unsure?" Ahab questioned. Turned the iDROID back on after the blatant act of indifference that Silva has shown. Another thing that may or may not be a problem that Ahab is going to get used to. No use worrying over it now as it's just unneeded stress and unnecessary chaff in their relationship. Especially since he doesn't have the ammunition necessary to deal with this problem in the first place. So, he just must wait for his opportunity and root it out.

If he hasn't solved it on his own by the time it happens, then it's up to him to resolve it.

"Well… Kaz might not have animosity towards you as you two were roughly in the same circumstances unless you two weren't being two rational reasonable men and talked it out instead of stewing in your anger and letting it get the best of you. So did you talk it over like actual adults and talked it over?" Silva said smugly as he pulled the blanket over himself and then picked up his iDROID to continue his projects along with compiling the intel on this world that was not a high-level risk should the iDROID be compromised. Best not to underestimate this world's technological prowess or even the possibility that it can fall into the hands of those capable of breaking in. Oum forbid should the pieces of fascist's shit dare to use the name Atlas ever got their hands on ALL the schematics that are on their iDROIDS, and that's just considering the schematics, all the knowledge, the ideas, all of it, will ensure Atlas's absolute supremacy. Never mind intel that can determine the course of history in this world.

"…" Ahab's silence was telling

Silva didn't even bother to look him in the eye. As something like that was considered so simple, so basic, and yet he failed to even consider it. There was something before he became a phantom. Even if who he was, gone forever lost in the abyss of Morpheus's realm, his loyalty to Kaz has never wavered nor changed. But it's hard to consider that when you wore the face of someone who turned his back on him.

"So tomorrow we are finally going to be able to hunt." Silva decided to change the topic and keep off the cruel memories from tethering Ahab and bringing the grimm to come sniffing about.

"Yes." Ahab blinked and nodded to this "Have you much practice in Hunting for melee range?" he questioned

"Uh. No. Not really." Silva scratched underneath the chin in embarrassment "Always wanted to do so, but I always had a bow and arrows with me, so I never found the need to."

"Really?" Ahab asked befuddled, "So out of all the skills and experiences your grandfather taught and passed on to you, or got you training for, bare-handed survival skills are one of the things you don't know how to do?"

"Look, I know survival skills just fine. The only things I don't know are social skills and how to roller skate. Everything else I either mastered or have a great idea of how to do." Silva was embarrassed but was unable to blush properly due to how cold he was. That's why he's already snuggled up covering up his hands as best as he can while looking in the iDROID.

"I kinda noticed your social skills suck." At which Silva deadpanned at him, but turned into a pout "But roller skating?" Ahab questioned. This time does not look away from the iDROID while settling in in his 'bed' to get ready to sleep. "Now that's something I haven't heard in a long time. How exactly can you not be good at roller skating?"

"Look, I get the motion thing and everything." Stated Silva "The thing I could not get is how to pick up speed. Though I am a pro at skating." He left out the part where skate parks were still safe, and skating should only be used in the most perilous of situations due to how dirty and damaged skating material there was. Though it was a couple of close calls, he broke it on his last close call. Though it was a blessing in disguise as the world's civilization devolved into a less fun world not allowed to have dangerous fun without a lifeline

It was essentially, skateless

And the world was worse for it… From a point of view

"Well, you don't have to worry about it much now. If what you said is true, then we will be moving through a lot of terrains completely unsuited for roller skating. So, take the first watch tonight as I'm going to try to get some sleep. Wake me up when it's my shift. We have a big day tomorrow and we are going to need to get food, or the situation will deteriorate." Keeping it as military as possible to be objective in their survival as he now has a kid to watch over. Again, reminding him at the forefront of his mind as he tucked himself in while the stress was not even shown on the psi, but it was there accumulating.

"Ahab." Silva spoke out without chattering his teeth which is impressive since his body is reaching almost below safe body temperatures.

"… (sigh) What is it?" Ahab really did not want to deal with another one of Silva's thoughts

"… I know what a pensis is. I know what a vagina is. But I don't know what it's for. Every time I try it's hard to remember, and so many memories feel like it's out of my grasp or gone. Can you tell me what it's for besides relieving oneself?" Silva asked

"…No…"

"No?" Repeated Silva

"…No…"

"Why?"

"Because I don't feel like it. Good night Silva." Ahab put an end to that conversation and focused on going to sleep as fast as possible. 'Thank you sorrow for small mercies.'

But Silva's mind was going beyond 100 miles per hour, trying to figure out why his memories of what the genitals of the two sexes are for and why most of them have his grandfather in it. 'WHAT DOES IT MEAN!!?!?' He screamed in his head trying to figure out what it meant before he focused back on his iDROID, finding better things to do than give himself an aneurysm. Though be wary of doing so, getting a bad habit his grandfather had that he made sure to beat out of him. Staying up too late on electronics, though it's not an actual screen, he still hasn't gotten to the end of the manual for the current version of the iDROID. And for good reason. 200 pages plus Video logs from R&D. It's going to be a problem to start with a mind like his in the situation he is currently in. Though he really does not want to be indisposed of what he read if he didn't read it from beginning to end.

So he continues doing more productive stuff reviewing schematics, creating schematics, and writing down intel and ideas.

Better than doing nothing while keeping watch