Chapter 37: Soldier’s Choice

Rick had stars in his eyes when he saw the multiple racks of different bladed weapons hanging on the wall. They scanned them all and dimmed significantly when he didn’t find his weapon of choice.

There was no meat cleaver.

“Is there something wrong with the knives, Private?”

He turned to his right where he found Captain Walker standing next to him. She had noticed his disappointed look. Considering the kind of opponents they may encounter during missions, Rick’s opinion on their arsenal held quite a bit of weight.

“They’re knives, ma’am.” He picked one, a regular military knife, one-edged which was a bit serrated at the base. “Good for stabbing but the durability is really bad and it doesn’t help in incapacitating your target. Slashing power is also very low. Its size is a good thing though.”

Walker nodded, understanding his point. “What do you think is missing and that we should have?”

“Meat cleavers.” Rick answered immediately. “While it’s not meant to cut bones but flesh, it’s strong enough to take joints apart. Its heavier weight makes it easier and with a good swing you can sever or almost sever a knee or a neck. It’s small and does not take up much space on you. Thrown with enough force it can penetrate a skull. Its durability is far superior to a knife because it’s not as thin. Slashing power is far stronger too. Its only issue is the inability to stab. I suppose a small hatchet with a pike for butt would be a good alternative.” He added pensively.

Walker took a few steps to the side and reached for a blade a bit for her. She had to get on the tip of her toes. “What about the machete?” She presented it to him.

“Problem with pace because of its length. A good alternative to a cleaver or hatchet.” He took a moment to think about him using one. “I don’t think it would fit me. I also don’t think we should train in it. Bio-weapons are released in urban areas. I found plenty of cleavers and knives but never a machete. If it breaks or if it’s lost, adapting to another bladed weapon might be a dangerous complication.”

The Captain nodded again and put back the machete on the wall. “At the next briefing, Major Hunt is going to present everything we know about our mission. He expects you to share your experience fighting the diverse types of bio-weapons you have encountered. Lieutenant Valentine already gave him a report about the ones she encountered.”

“I’ll share everything I know. Although, I know nothing about how to take me down.”

One of Walker’s eyebrows rose and arched. It was the first time she had an expression other than stoic and disciplined on her face. “You believe yourself to be a bio-weapon?”

“Am I not? My body's ability to nullify viruses may be natural but what I can do now? It isn’t. It's engineered… In a way. I technically am the super soldier that every nation, every government dreams of having. I have no delusion that I won't be pointed at a target and asked to destroy.”

“Like every soldier. We’re tools of war but you hadn’t been created in a laboratory. A weapon, yes. A bio-weapon, no.”

Rick simply shrugged his shoulders. “Potayto, potahto.” He changed the subject then. “Does the rest of the unit know about me?”

“They do not, no. To an extent, they know about how strong and fast you are but within average human metrics. The Major does hope that you will tell them yourself.”

“A matter of trust, hm?”

“Yes.” Walker turned towards the firearms racks. “Have you already taken a look?”

“Not yet. I admit, I’m not that familiar with firearms because of my age. I also don’t like them very much with how loud they are and it’s a heavy disadvantage to remain stealthy. They are necessary however, depending on a few factors. I’ll have to try them all to have a good idea of what works best.”

His answer seemed to satisfy the woman who nodded for the third time and took her leave. “See to it.”

Rick would do that at a later time. He didn’t feel like doing so after his disappointment over a lack of meat cleaver. He went back to his room, saluting along the way with a curt nord, the other members of the team. Their names weren’t remembered yet, having met them the previous day.

He had in mind to finally go around reading the letters he got. Entering his room he found, to his surprise, Rachel lounging on her bed reading reports. Many were scattered all around her.

“How are you doing?” It was done in concern but not for her well-being. For his. Rachel was the only person he was acquainted with in this place and on more than friendly terms. She was someone he acknowledged and trusted to some regards. Losing her would be a huge blow.

“I still can’t believe… Everything.” She spoke, then put down the folder she was holding on her chest. “I’m even more impressed that you survived all… this,” she waved at every document in a wide circle. “Without any training at all.”

“I’ve lived on the streets for five years before the first outbreak.” When Rachel gave her a look he explained further. “I ran away from a very abusive home when I was twelve. Since the whole town belonged to Umbrella and I didn’t trust them at all, I chose to live on the streets instead of going to CPS or living at the orphanage. Turned out to be the right decision as Umbrella used children there for their experiments.”

“Damn.” The curse that escaped her lips was almost a whisper.

“Rachel… What we’re going to encounter may be even worse than what you read. Everyday secret experiments are probably conducted to create new bio-weapons. Worse than those already existing. With the development of technology and the discoveries in the field… It’s going to be even more dangerous. Are you sure…”

“Oh, yeah.” She cut him off. “I’m not going to lie, I’m horrified but the pay is good and my career will skyrocket from the experience.”

Rick frowned at her answer. “Greed really? I wouldn’t have thought it to be your motivation.”

She simply shrugged. “Not like I have much of a choice. Mom’s dead. Been for a while, that’s why I enlisted at sixteen. Dad left when I was four to start a new life in the UK. Send a postal card for birthdays and Christmas but that’s it. Too busy with his job and new family. Apparently I have a little half-sister. Anyway, I wasn’t studious enough for college and rather good at what I do so I’m going as far up the ladder as I can and when I have a good enough pension, I’m bailing out.”

“Why didn’t… Nevermind.”

Rick was about to ask why her father didn’t take her in when her mother died since Rachel was sixteen at the time but knew better. Some people were just shit parents. He was well placed to know that.

Rachel didn’t leave it at that, however. “Why didn’t I go to live with him? Because he abandoned me. My mother did her best for me but she wasn’t the best person to be around with. He could have taken me with him but he didn’t. He tried to reconnect but honestly it was too late. Another wife and another child. I didn’t think I’d fit had I been able to swallow my feelings regarding him.”

“Never tried to connect with your sister?” Rick began to search his desk for the acceptance letters.

“I did. We’re more like cousins than anything because of the age difference. She’s…” She paused to remember. “Sixteen, I think? Now, what about you? It’s obvious you’re not here because you want to.”

This time, it was Rick who shrugged his shoulders as he sat down at his table. “Escaping Raccoon City took everything out of me. I passed out in a helicopter surrounded by trusted people. I woke up inside a medical tent. With how much I don’t trust doctors and scientists, I immediately tried to run away. Knocked out four of the Major’s guards before I was stopped. I was given a choice, jail or joining the army. My… friend was acquainted with the Major and asked him to take a chance with me and that he wouldn’t be disappointed. Here, I am for the next five years.”

He pulled the letters from their envelopes and had a look. Penn had turned him down, meaning he had to choose between Hopkins and Princeton.

“Which one will you choose?”

Rick considered for a moment. “Princeton. It’s more expensive but it’s an Ivy league while Hopkins isn’t, despite its excellent reputation.”

She chuckled. “It would look better on your resume, once you’re out. What are you going to study?”

“I’m not sure yet. Either computer science or medicine.” He shook his head. “I’m leaning toward the former now. Technology is booming and after all the shit I’ve seen… Medicine doesn’t seem appealing anymore.”

“That’s fair.”

Rick penned two letters. One to Princeton, confirming he would accept their admission and become a student and one to Hopkins, thanking them for the opportunity but that another one had presented itself and he couldn’t refuse it.

He’d have to visit Princeton soon to settle his classes, his schedule and buy the textbooks he needed. February was around the corner and the second semester would start soon.

“So… What do you think of our new comrades?” Rick asked while writing.

“I’ve only talked with Crow, because she’s a woman and Blast because he was with her. They’re both weirdos but nice. Crow is apparently a sniper expert and Blast… His name is pretty telling.”

Rick found it stupid that they all presented themselves with a codename instead of their real names. He didn’t see the point but then again, they were black ops and secrecy was key so perhaps it was for the best. He hoped that whatever ID he’d be given, it wouldn’t be an edgy one.

Signing the last letter, he folded it neatly and put it to the side of his desk. Taking a deep breath he reached for a blank paper and began noting anything he knew about the bio-weapons he encountered and how to deal with them.

It was just the second day of his five year contract and he wasn’t looking forward to the others.