Steampunk CTs

Three months have passed since the 20th's first day of the academy and classes were moving along just fine. Jack and the others have become close friends with Ori and I and Derris doesn’t mess around with me anymore. In fact, we only chat when Ori wants to buy more food from the cafeteria.

"We're going to have a quick review. Question one: What is the most important rule of counter-terrorism?"

"Never negotiate with terrorists." Ori shot her hand into the air and answered.

"Excellent. Question two: Name two prevalent terrorist groups in Holia."

"The Samukami group and the Bulbo gang." Derris stood up to answer the question and sat back down.

Everyone has been soaking in Instructor Matthews's teachings like sponges. I'm kind of jealous of how quickly they pick up on things.

"Trainee Arno. This next question is yours. What is the Holian definition of a terrorist?"

"An enemy of the…country?"

That's when Anna applauded me and Instructor Matthews gave me a thumbs up with that ever so intense expression.

"Good job, trainee. That's enough reviewing. You all have proven that you know the rules, guidelines, and mantras that make up the average counterterrorist. Now it's time for your training pistols."

"T-training pistols?!" Jack rose from his seat in excitement. Realizing that he disrupted the class with his excitement, he sat back in his seat. "Cool, I guess…"

That’s the most excitement I’ve seen out of Jack since we met. I guess everybody has something they’re passionate about right?

While we filed out of the classroom and went to the academy's range, Rono whispered to Ori. "I'm sorry but I'm a bit lost. What are training pistols?"

"They're basically stematas on training wheels, but they can’t kill anyone. At best, they render them unconscious.” Jack butted into the conversation. I underestimated how excited he was for this. “Each stemata has its very own blue crystal that is placed in the stemata. With these training pistols, there’s a very small crystal that is placed within its side. It only shoots when the user applies their stem system to it. That’s pretty much the basics, but it gets more complicated though. Like the different types of stematas."

"Excellent explanation, trainee. Do you mind reminding the division what a stem system is?" Instructor Matthews asked.

"It's…hm…" Jack put his hand to his chin to help him think of the answer, but it didn't seem as if he was going to come up with an answer.

"I can answer!" Anna sprung her hand up before answering. "Just like any other system in our body like the digestive or nervous systems, there's the theoretical stem system. The stem system is designed to look like the nervous system and through channeling the energy from our bodies, we can use the crystals that are placed in stematas.”

“Very well explained, trainee.” Instructor Matthews flung the double doors in front of us open and revealed what he called the shooting range.

As we walked into the room, we walked to a long table that had a row of guns on it. Beyond this table was a field that had various cardboard cutouts of prevalent terrorists. Poorly drawn, mind you.

“Today, we’ll start your stemata training. You're probably wondering why you're getting these training pistols instead of your own customized stematas. It's due to the fact that making you all stematas would take asur plus of time and resources. If you make it halfway through the year, that is when you’ll get your stematas. In terms of using a stemata, it’s very simple: all you have to do is remember what you've learned about stem systems."

On top of what Anna explained, Instructor Matthews went on to explain that in the stem system theory, there is a flow of energy constantly flowing through our bodies. In order to use a stemata we have to focus on channeling this energy into the palms of our hands when we hold the pistol.

"One final thing: when you fire the pistol, a number will display on the crystal. It's called an aptitude score and it is a sort of estimate for your potential with stematas. It goes from 0 to 100 with 50 being a general average. Keep note that once you get your aptitude score, the most you're projected to improve over the course of your career is by 10 points. With that out of the way, everyone grab a training pistol. It's time to practice."

Once the instructor told us what to do, we each reached for a pistol. Jack began messing with his pistol and didn't hesitate to point at one of the targets. As he did, the crystal on the side of his gun began to glow brighter and brighter with a slight whizzing sound. Jack then fired the weapon at one of the targets and shot its head off with a booming shot of air. Looking very satisfied he looked at the crystal on the gun to see his aptitude score.

"57…" He narrowed his eyes on the number.

"57 isn't a number to sulk about, trainee. That's above average. With enough training, you'll easily make it to the 60s." Instructor Matthews put his hand on Jack’s shoulder.

I glanced over at Gollie to find that he was looking at his pistol with a very saddened expression with Anna there to console him. I eavesdropped a bit and overheard that he got a 43.

"Don't worry! You'll just have to get a stemata that plays into your strength! I'm sure you can pull it off Gollie—"

"Trainee Hotch! Stop trying to comfort the giant and worry about yourself!"

"Y-yes sir!" Anna quickly readied her pistol and fired a shot that resounded throughout the complex. I looked over at her number and was taken aback when it read 65! That’s the highest one so far!

“Congratulations, Anna! You’re gonna be a great counter-terrorist!” I couldn’t help but give her praise.

“You think so? I’m not all that good at fighting, so I was just thinking of trying to get a support stemata—”

That’s when Ori stepped right in between the both of us. As she eyed down the target in front of her, It could visibly be seen that she was annoyed. I wonder what for?

“ARNO!” Ori yelled out my name.

“Y-yes?!” I jumped out of shock at her suddenly calling my name like that.

“Watch this!” Ori leveled the gun as her face changed to one of determination.

I see what she's doing. She's gathering everyone's attention. After all, we have to prove that we have what it takes to stand on the same playing field as the rest of the division.

As everyone's eyes were on her, the crystal of the gun glowed brighter than any I’ve seen prior. When she fired it, she staggered back a couple of steps as a pocket of wind tore through the air and pierced one of the targets through the chest.

She spun her gun around before catching it and looking at the aptitude score on the crystal. She grimaced at the number she received. Instructor Matthews looked over her shoulder and commented on her score.

"A score of 30…any lower and I would be leaning toward kicking you out of the academy. After all, trainees with a score of 20 or lower are considered to be too weak to stand with the common CT."

"I already know that…" As she muttered under her breath, she looked to me as if I was her final hope. In a way, I sort of was her final hope. If I don't score well, the Holians will have another reason to look down on us.

“Here I go!” I leveled my weapon to a target that was lying in front of me. As I did so, I could feel the eyes of every person in the room on me. Were they scared of our potential? Regardless, I’m expected to do well here, so I will!

I concentrated on shooting the pistol by trying to channel the energy they were talking about. When I did, the crystal began to glow…here goes nothing.

I pulled the trigger and then…nothing happened.

I looked at the side to see if it even gave me a number and was horrified at what I received…

“A one…” I muttered.

Derris began to laugh and went back to practicing while Anna tried to cheer me up.

“The pistol is probably on the fritz, Arno!” She said to console me.

This makes no sense! I understood the entire stem system thing! Mr. Terrance made sure Ori and I knew about how stem systems worked so why is my score so low?! This has to be a mistake, right?

“Trainee Arno! Let me take a quick look at your weapon!” Instructor Matthews began to walk over. I handed him my weapon, he aimed it directly at a target and fired it with no effort. His aptitude score was a solid 80. He shook his head as he put the training pistol down.

“Trainee Arno…it disappoints me to say this…”

…what is he talking about?

“You’re a trainee with an abundance of potential. However, your aptitude score says otherwise. If a trainee has a score of 20 or lower, I’m advised to immediately kick them out of the academy. You however…I’ve grown rather fond of your spirit. You have a week to attempt to improve your aptitude score. If you can’t get above 20 by then, I’ll have to expel you from the academy.”

Are you kidding me? After everything Ori and I went through, I’m gonna be left behind. I can’t have it end like this…It was supposed to be the two of us! If I can’t become a CT, how are we supposed to reach our dream?

Ori

This is the first time I have ever eaten at the academy’s cafeteria without Arno. It’s a good thing he won that race. I can eat the entire buffet and the rich racist will handle the bill. I could already hear Arno judging me…

You shouldn’t call him a racist, he became super nice over the past couple of months!

Speaking of Arno, he’s probably still there…

I peeked into the shooting range briefly and saw Arno aiming at a single target.

He attempted to shoot the training pistol over and over and over. Each time, yielding little to no results. He looked to the floor with a saddened and dejected look. I haven’t seen Arno this downtrodden in a while…

Not long after, he glanced over to the entrance and saw me watching him. He quickly changed his expression to a happy one and waved at me. I guess I have no choice but to go in.

“Hey Ori! I think I’m getting the hang of this! Any minute now, a HUGE wave of air is gonna come from this gun!” He made gun sounds with his mouth as he rapid-fire pulled the trigger.

“Listen, we might as well go back to Terrance’s place. He has a training hall we could use.”

I’ve already made a plan with the others to try and get Arno to unlock some latent power. It’s far-fetched, but I’m willing to try anything at this point. If Arno truly believes his life is in danger, maybe he’ll awaken or something…

I hate to be a downer, but this is all I could think of. From what we know, your aptitude score is pretty much something you get from birth. It’s an exact estimation of your potential and limits. Maybe if he goes beyond those limits, he’ll get a more decent aptitude score?

Geez…his optimism really rubbed off on me over the years…