STRIKE Team Omega

The year 2001 began at a frenetic pace. Field operations continued to rage, but for John, the battle to master his new abilities became a personal mission. Not only had the serum transformed his body into a near-perfect fighting machine, it had also accelerated his mental capacity. He absorbed information and strategies with astonishing speed, a skill that would become crucial to his development as a warrior.

While his missions with Delta Force were his priority, John knew that to be truly effective, he needed to refine and further improve his control over the enhanced body he now possessed. And with that, a new focus was born: mastering hand-to-hand combat. It wasn't enough to be stronger and faster than his enemies. He needed to be smarter, more calculating, transforming every move into a tool of lethal precision.

In early January, during a lull in operations, John sought out the best hand-to-hand combat instructors Delta had available to its operators. Among them was Sergeant Major Ramirez, a veteran instructor of various martial arts and military combat techniques, renowned for his ability to train soldiers for any close combat situation.

"Captain Hawke," Ramirez said when he met him on the mats of a makeshift gym on a base in the Middle East. "I hear you're looking to hone your skills. I'm curious to see what you can learn, considering what I've seen you do in the field."

John smiled, aware of Ramirez's respect, but also his curiosity. Ever since he had begun to show off his new talents, rumors of his abilities had spread quickly.

"Sergeant Major," John replied, adjusting the cuffs of his training gloves. "What I have now is a physical advantage, but that's not enough. I want to know how to use it with precision and technique. Brute force won't solve every situation."

Ramirez nodded, recognizing the wisdom in John's words.

"That's right, Captain. Strength is only part of the equation. Let's see how you do with some technique.

The two men took up positions in the center of the mat, and John braced himself. The sergeant major moved forward quickly, delivering a series of jiu-jitsu strikes mixed with Krav Maga moves. In the past, John would have blocked the attacks with strength and endurance, using his enhanced body to absorb the impacts. But now, he began to move with the fluidity of a true martial artist, dodging and responding with precision.

His reflexes, enhanced by the serum, allowed him to anticipate Ramirez's attacks, but technical skill was still something he needed to master. Over the course of the sparring session, John began to understand the difference between simply being stronger and using that strength intelligently.

After a few intense minutes, Ramirez paused and laughed, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"I was right. You're more than just a bunch of enhanced muscles, Hawke. You're learning too fast."

John, without losing his breath, shrugged.

"The serum did more than make me stronger. My mind is also functioning at another level. But it's like I told you before: I still need technique."

Ramirez crossed his arms, looking carefully at John.

"What you want to learn goes beyond the basics, doesn't it? You want to become a master at this. A true warrior. That takes more than a few sparring sessions. It will take months of dedication."

John nodded with determination.

"I have the time. And, honestly, what I need. The more I am in control of my abilities, the better I will be able to protect my team."

Ramirez smiled again, this time with a glint of respect in his eyes.

"Okay then, Captain. Let's get started for real. I want to see what you are capable of."

Over the next few weeks, John dedicated himself to his training with unwavering discipline. When he wasn't on duty, he spent hours on the mat, learning and perfecting combat techniques from around the world. From Muay Thai to the Russian wrestling system known as Sambo, he absorbed every move like a sponge, training to the point of exhaustion.

During one intense sparring session, Ramirez noticed something that left a lasting impression on him. Not only was John learning the moves quickly, but he was also adapting and creating new combinations of strikes based on what he had already learned. His mind seemed to be in constant analysis, processing each technique and finding ways to improve it.

At one point, while they were training in close quarters combat, Ramirez attempted a submission move. It was an advanced technique that few soldiers could counter. But to his surprise, John not only escaped the move, but reversed it with an efficiency that seemed impossible for someone new to fighting.

"How the hell did you do that?" Ramirez asked, panting on the ground as John held him in a blocking position.

John smiled, releasing the instructor and extending his hand to help him up.

"I can't explain it. When you made that move, my mind was already two steps ahead. It was like I knew what you were going to do before you did."

Ramirez looked at him with admiration and a hint of unease.

"This… is something beyond what any normal soldier could do, Hawke. You're not just fast, you're thinking at a speed that's not human. This serum… it did more for you than we ever imagined."

John was silent for a moment, pondering the sergeant major's words. He knew his abilities were growing at a frightening rate. But at the same time, it put him in a unique position. He was a living weapon, a fighting force that could change the course of any mission. But contrary to what many might think, John didn't care about power. His only concern was to ensure that he used these skills to protect his team and fulfill his duty.

"It doesn't matter how fast or strong I become, Ramirez," he said finally. "At the end of the day, I'm just another soldier. My responsibility is to my men and the mission. These skills are just enhancements. I need to be the master of those enhancements, not the other way around."

Ramirez nodded, understanding the weight of John's words.

"You're right, Captain. A warrior's true strength lies not in their body, but in their mind and heart. And from what I can see, you're in complete control of that. But never forget, Hawke. Sometimes power can make you question where your duty ends and your own will begins. That's the real challenge."

As the year progressed, John continued to hone his hand-to-hand combat skills. His missions became increasingly challenging, but his ability to adapt and respond quickly kept his team achieving continued success. Even the most intense and close-quarters combats, where any mistake could be fatal, were now opportunities for John to put into practice everything he had learned.

On the few occasions when he faced enemies in direct combat, he moved like a ghost, disarming opponents with precision, using techniques he had mastered with an ease that left his enemies perplexed. His teammates were already used to this, but they knew there was something different about John. They called him "Captain Invincible", an affectionate joke that compared him to Steve Rogers.

"You're becoming Captain America himself," his teammate joked after a successful mission.

John smiled, remembering his visits to Peggy Carter and the stories he had heard about Steve Rogers.

"I still have a long way to go," he replied humbly, as he adjusted his helmet. "But I'm working on it."