Jack told Keith the gym he was going to, and Keith showed up at the gym on time.
The two of them walk to the boxing area, where the boxing ring is. They put on boxing gloves, and Jack asks Keith if he wanted to wear braces.
"No need, just for fun, don't be too serious." Keith grins.
"OK."
They are both ignoring the fact that Jack is probably on a lighter weight level than him.
As they start, the two men look at each other without punching. Finally, they test each other's reaction rate with a punch. Keith keeps Jack out of his arm length.
Jack does practice punching frequently. He even fights on his left fist from time to time. Keith tries to punch but does not hit Jack. Each attempt is blocked. After repeatedly failing to punch at Jack, Keith looks tired now. Keith then suddenly lunges forward for a close-up scuffle with Jack.
Jack turns away to dissolve the attack, and then he takes the opportunity to steal a punch in. Jack remembers what Bob just told him. Wait for the opportunity. Let Keith come to him.
Jack concentrates on attacking the body to further detract Keith from making more moves. But Keith finally comes up with a heavy punch. Jack, once again, easily defuse it using a defensive frame.
"OK. You are good," Keith finally says, panting.
"Let's stop for now?" Jack smiles.
Keith appears to have run out of strength. But he shakes his head, "No, let's try another minute. I didn't come all the way to your neighborhood for a five-minute fight."
Keith tries a few more punches, but does not cause any injury. Jack starts again, stepping forward to Keith. Keith then tries to do a close range scuffle. But then, Jack seizes Keith and beats Keith's body again. Jack is in complete control now. Jack is within Keith's range, but Keith cannot fight back.
Keith then suddenly fights back now that Jack reveals his chest. Keith punches fast and hard, attacking Jack's heart position.
"Shit!" Jack backs away and coughs.
"Aren't you glad I didn't hit you in the head, you little shit?" Keith laughs.
Keith didn't hit Jack in the head, but he did just punch Jack in the chest for a dozen times, causing Jack to cough heavily now.
"Lesson number 1, surprise your enemy. I think there's a saying: "Attack him where he is unprepared." From Sun Tzu," Keith grins, seemingly being very proud of himself for quoting that.
Jack is utterly confused. Why is everyone around him fricking quoting Sun Tzu every chance they get? Is he trapped in some video game where he needs to learn Sun Tzu to pass the levels? He wants to ask Keith why he knows the Sun Tzu quotes, but, he thinks it will only make Keith prouder than he is already.
"OK. I guess you won. Let's go somewhere to talk. I don't think I can work out with my wounded lungs now."
"Ha! You sure like to pretend you're more hurt than you really are. You were whining about your thigh that I shot. But you are apparently fine right now." Keith waves, "Your lungs will be fine. You are much younger than me."
So they leave the gym, and go to a nearby restaurant to sit down. It's a very old, small restaurant, where there are no customers sitting around. If anyone comes in, they are just going to do a carry-out.
"My treat," Keith says after they sit down. "Get whatever food you want."
Jack looks at the menu and orders the most expensive seafood dish. Keith orders the same.
"You guys have to come to the counter to order," A girl standing by the register yells at them, "Sorry, but this is not really a full-service, sit-down restaurant."
"Sure, that's fine." Keith says and walks over.
"I remember you," The girl says, "You usually come in here every Thursday. You kind of stop coming." She says.
"Yeah. I have been a little busy," Keith looks a little embarrassed. Jack thinks that's very interesting. Jack then also remembers that he wants to ask about Keith's background story a little more.
Keith orders two seafood specials, pays, and then they walk back to their seats.
"So, Sergeant, why did you leave the military? You are such a good... human weapon. You can shoot and you can punch. I'm sure you can kick, too." Jack starts with some flattery. He also makes sure to address him as Sergeant, because Jack thinks Keith likes that title.
"Well, there are other callings in life." Keith says, shrugging.
"I bet you have lots and lots of medals. Why would the military let you go? They should at least keep you as a teacher, an instructor of some kind."
Keith thumps the table with his fist. He didn't do it heavily, but it is enough to make the utensils on the table jump up a little.
"I hate being a teacher. A teacher is the worst thing a capable person should become."
"Wow. Really? But back in the gym, you just said to me "Lesson number 1," that sounds like you like teaching people. I did not expect you have so much hate towards a teacher. I'm sure you learn things from teachers, too."
Jack is not afraid of intense conversation. Jack is definitely not a stranger to talking to people who are angry. That's basically Jack's job, talking to people who are upset. He does not back away just because Keith thumps the table. Jack has seen a lot worse and a lot more hostile situations.
"I did learn some from teachers. But I also learn many things on my own. I practice. I practice hard. That's how I become skillful. Not some teachers."
"OK. You don't like being a teacher. Do you not like being in the military anymore? I know you just said that life can have different opportunities, but, there are also different things you can do in the military."
"Because I shot someone. More accurately, I shot a lot of people. So, they thought I was dangerous. So, they kicked me out." Keith says. He doesn't seem to be too regretful about it.
"Ah. I see. But, you probably shot the people who were bad. I'm guessing that's why you didn't go to jail and serve time or anything."
"I do think the people I shot were bad." Keith nods. He seems to be proud of what he did.
"OK." Jack also nods. He is not going to pass any judgement on that. He only wants to find out why Keith was discharged. Now he knows. Keith seems to like to act on impulse. He has his own sense of justice and he does whatever he pleases. And, interestingly, he hates teachers. Jack thinks he will tell Bob all about that.
"So, I bought you lunch, Jack. Let me tell you the first assignment on the list." Keith says.
"Well, I already know. Don't you want me to watch Nitte, find out what Nitte is up to, and then kill Nitte? I haven't even done it yet. Is there anything else you want me to do?"
"Of course. Killing Nitte is not going to be something you can complete within a short period of time. I should've clarified. I meant to start telling you the first short-term assignment on the list. I want you to finish this assignment within a few weeks. The sooner the better."
"OK. What is it?"
"I need you to kidnap a man and get the ransom successfully and then we will kill him after we get the ransom."
Jack is shocked. But he tries to look calm.
"Who is this man?"
= === === == Author's Thought == == ==
Hi! If you have any suggestion, comment or even criticism, please, feel free to leave one for me. I want to know what you all think. It's more important for me to write something readers like!
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