Once they were set to start, Archer found himself grinning.It had been a long time since he’d done anything like this outside of a video game.
A buzzer sounded overhead, signaling the start of the exercise.
Atticus started moving instantly, keeping close to the outer wall, ducking down behind several rows of metal barrels that were stacked three high.
Archer watched as a soldier passed by.He had an assault rifle propped against his shoulder, and he was puffing on a cigarette as he scanned his surroundings.He looked so real, Archer expected to smell cigarette smoke.
When the soldier continued his patrol, Atticus’s voice sounded softly in his ear.“Three … two … Go.”
Without hesitation, Archer moved with Atticus.He went on full alert, years of training kicking in.He kept an eye on Atticus, looking to take direction from the lead, while watching their six, ensuring no one was sneaking up from behind.When Atticus stopped, he stopped.When Atticus moved, he moved.They weaved their way through rows of storage containers set up to look like various rooms.They cleared them one at a time, encountering two soldiers.Atticus took one out with a knife, while Archer got the other in a choke hold and sent him to sleep it off for a bit.
He couldn’t believe how real it felt, as though he’d actually met resistance when he was choking the guy out.How they did it, he had no idea.Wasn’t sure he wanted to know because then it wouldn’t be quite as cool.
Back in the hallway, they found a set of metal stairs that led up to the second floor.With hand signals from Atticus, Archer remained on the lower steps, keeping his eye out for anyone approaching on the first floor while Atticus ascended slowly, weapon at the ready.As soon as Atticus reached the first landing, a shot rang out.
Archer spun around in time to see Atticus take a bullet in the shoulder, knocking him back and down.He knew the blood was only a special effect from the virtual reality, but it was so fucking real, it caused Archer’s blood pressure to increase.
From there, he went on instinct.He was up the stairs, positioning himself to protect Atticus, weapon aimed at the second floor.They were blown, so stealth was no longer an issue.
Mindful of the amount of ammunition he had, he traded gunfire with the man at the top of the stairs.He managed a shot to the guy’s right leg, dropping him.As the shithead was falling to the floor, he got another shot to the head.
Then he was helping Atticus to his feet.
“I told you it hurt like hell,” Atticus said, grunting.
“Don’t take any more, ’kay?”
Atticus chuckled.“I’ll do my best.Go on.Lead the way.”
Archer headed up the stairs to the second floor.He followed the sight of his weapon, clearing the area.From somewhere nearby, he heard shouts and arguments, figuring it was the bad guys trying to figure out what to do next.Checking that Atticus was behind him, Archer continued forward, pausing at doorways, scanning the two rooms they bypassed for more baddies.
Before they reached their destination, they encountered another soldier, this one armed with a knife.Archer learned what Atticus was referring to when that knife sliced his right arm.He knew instantly that it didn’t cause real damage, but the shirt he wore was designed to send a shock that simulated the pain he would’ve endured if it had been real.
To be honest, he would’ve rather taken the slice from the knife.
Ignoring the pain, he focused on taking the guy out.He was dodging and weaving to avoid another stick and lost his rifle in the melee.He spent far too much time entertaining the bastard before snatching his Sig from its holster and firing a shot to the guy’s kneecap.Once he was on the ground, he put another in his head to end him once and for all.
With the threat eliminated, Archer holstered his Sig, picked up his rifle, and stepped over the body, continuing forward.He had the door in sight, but another soldier was standing in front, firing random shots in rapid succession and shouting obscenities.It would’ve been comical had Archer been watching it on TV.
“I’ll distract him,” Archer told Atticus.“You go low.”
“Ten-four, good buddy.”
It took effort not to laugh, but somehow he managed.He shouted at the soldier, surprised when the man stopped hollering incessantly.
“We’d just like to talk,” Archer lied.“Do you think we could do that?”
“No!”
He should’ve known it wouldn’t be that easy.It never was.
“What if I talk and you listen?”
“No!”
“All right.Don’t say I didn’t try.”Archer leaned out of the doorway, flashing a grin at the soldier.The guy was surprised by the movement.Enough that he couldn’t get his weapon raised before Atticus slid out into the hallway and took a shot that hit the guy center mass.
“Nice,” Archer praised, wincing because his arm was still hurting from that virtual slice.He figured the shirt was continuing to send electrical pulses to simulate what an untended wound would feel like.He couldn’t imagine what Atticus was going through.
