'The Irish Elk. A majestic creature, completely unspoiled by human hands shown by its thick hide, not taught to fear humans similar to its modern descendants, and finally, its large, majestic horns with more grooves into a larger fit piece looking more like a glass sculpture than bent rods.'
The elk in question has just pulled grass from the dew-ridden ground and began chewing completely peaceful and unafraid of its own rare predators besides the blight to nature, peaceful and believing it was at its most guarded, which proved to be its undoing at it was at its weakest.
'Sadly, its lack of awareness and exposure to a species such as humans is its downfall.'
Ahab dropped down on top of it, near its neck- "EUGAH!!!" before grabbing its horns forcing to turn its head to the side as it panicked trying to get him off itself. It was already determined that resistance is now futile in these last few seconds of its life. Ahab pushes its neck as far to one side as possible before jerking it to the other and- *SNAP* killing it. A clean, effortless, quick kill. Just patience, opportunity, and simplicity. A clean kill for an unspoiled meal.
Silva, finished with his planet earth narration, jumps down into the grass below and attempts to spread out the impact rolling in front of where he landed. *fwump* Falling miserably unto his face. Sadly, Ahab was able to witness it.
"Srnk…"
" *groan* I eard' that!" He grunted out from his slumped form on the ground as he picked himself up. "Urgh. Why did I fail to roll out? I had no trouble doing so before." As he brushed himself off and his hands of the dirt that got on his hands through the cracks of the grass that became more apparent under the tree. "The motions were pretty simple unce I was confident enough and had enough practice." He continued "So what's da problem now?" He concluded impatiently
"Brand new body." Reminded Ahab "Or have you already forgotten?"
"I get that- *ptoh*" Silva said before spitting out some of the dirt that got in his mouth. "But I know how to go through the motions and everythin. So why can it just click?"
"In my medical opinion, it's because your body is both not synchronized, and your muscle memory is not yet built up adequately yet." Ahab explained "So you can't exactly move around like a spider monkey yet, but you are building up quite well. Quite quickly, might I add. But you're not going to do anything strenuous any time soon."
Silva looked at him in awe
"What?" Ahab looked at him as he felt weirded out by the look Silva was giving him
"Look atch ya~. Using big boi words aren'cht ya?" Silva was not mocking him, he just hasn't heard Ahab use big words like that, ever. Excluding the difficulty pronouncing country names and what he repeated what was spoken to him, he quite never heard him say it on his own.
"Uh yeah. How do you think I got to be the best doctor on MSF? Ahab questioned a bit bothered
"No no. Nothing to be offended about." Silva amended "It's just that I never heard you use words like that on your own."
"Ok~?" Ahab responded, confused. Unsure what to feel about this
"Also, in response to your question-" Silva said as he finished dusting himself off "-a lot of practice and experience, I'm assuming." As he stood up straight and was facing Ahab directly
"You're not wrong." Ahab cannot recall how many times he had to patch up the boys and girls of MSF where it was an annoyance that they couldn't just completely sit still and become restless while healing up naturally and most of the time had to be tranquilized or strapped down forced into a medical coma until they healed completely. It had gotten to the point where he had to start using poisons and higher-grade tranquilizer not meant to be used for humans.
The kind used for horses and elephants
"Thought so, no wonder he saw you as an equal along with Kaz." Silva said "Though I can tell by the grimace in your face that it was a bitch an a half to patch them up constantly."
"Urgh. Don't remind me" Ahab scrunched up at the idea of having to deal with that through a trial and error process of maintaining the medical ward on mother base dealing with these warriors who have been trained to the point where it's ingrained in them to keep moving. Never sitting still. Always being active. At least he got proper control of this. Now how to pass that on to Silva…
"Yep." Silva popped the p and just clapped his hands together swinging them back and forth before exhaling and looking around waiting for Ahab's response while becoming awkward due to how premature he ended the conversation, not knowing what to do or continue it
Ahab relaxed and looked at the dead elk before looking at Silva who was looking around everywhere until he decided to "skip the cutscene"
"Silva." Ahab spoke up
"Hm?" Silva looked at him completely unbothered to just standing there doing nothing
"The elk? Skinned. Now?" Ahab was already experiencing the joys of parenthood… I think…
"Oh!" Silva jolted at that "Right right right, sor- I will just get righ to it." He amended already getting next to the elk "Can I use your knife? The ones I have are not meant for this and I would rather not risk hurting myself."
"(sigh)" Ahab just pulled out his blade before doing a little toss in the air to catch it by the blade before reaching out with it with the handle facing Silva who reached out and grabbed it with a small 'thank you' before getting to work on the elk with expert precision cutting the skin at the ends of the hooves the cut it in half between the underbelly area from the rest of its more exposed fur. Easy to already separate the good parts of the fur from the rest of the undesirable which could be used for more dirty purposes while being tougher and durable due to being more skin than fur.
Ahab just leaned back on the tree keeping watch around the area while having his eye dart back to see Silva work on the elk expertly. He was a little impressed, though he has yet to see him hunt. It was supposed to be Silva, but they didn't have the tools to hunt properly without sound and they couldn't waste too much time trying to find a village while completely empty of food supplies. Nothing more dangerous than running on fumes in the wild.
After peeling off the hide, Silva then started to make incisions along the body to start letting the excess blood out before he started digging into the stomach to start separating all the organs from the body before he started the rest.
"We are going to have to move fast." Silva decided to have a little small talk while informing Ahab, though it felt more like an intel briefing than an awkward attempt to have small talk. Damn him and all his time fantasizing about being in cover ops military and the like. As soon as his grandfather found out about his romanticized feeling of war and violence, he got him to play the Modern Warfare trilogy on the realistic veteran difficulty (and mod a long-time fan of it took painstaking effort to be able to play the game like you were truly there, with even a fully realized VR setup).
What a way to make a 14-year-old cry
But it got the point across. Especially the most important lesson of all when it comes to war. What's the point of living and winning if you have no one else to enjoy it with people you love and care about?
Does that sound like a victory to you?
Not even a pyrrhic victory and it still felt like one
"Seeing this kind of wildlife completely unspoiled means its predators are of the same or higher quality. So those with extraordinary senses have now been scaled up to measure. I have no doubt predators have already been attracted to our location. I don't know for sure, but it would be safe to say five minutes, tops." Silva explained as he pulled the lungs out 'Man they are huge.'
"How soon can you take the prime cuts?" Ahab thinks that's what they are called.
"Less than two minutes, and I will have ourselves an entire elk to have. Any longer and I be doin me grandpa shame." Silva's speed was consistent and practiced as he was taught to be. Wasting no time or hesitance on his part.
"How exactly are we going to take the whole thing?" He questioned before gesturing to the carcass. "Weighs half a ton by the time you're done."
"Well-" Silva put down the set of lungs before wiping some of the blood on his face off "Grandpa made sure that I kept a 'waste not, want not' mentality when it comes to huntin. Otherwise, I'd be insulting not only nature but the creature I hunted to feed myself. So just wait an see. Plus, it should be easy to do so now that this fella got bigger and greater bones than its modern counterparts so we can take all that can be eaten no problem."
"I see." Ahab did not see. 'Still haven't answered my question.'
"Don't worry, I will be done in a jiffy." Silva said as he cut off the pensis of the elk balls and all "Leedle-leedle-lee." He said shaking the appendage in Ahabs, some of its fluids flying off and landing dangerously near Ahab, which Silva held in a breath as he wasn't sure if it would hit him, as he didn't want to know what punishment training would be like
Ahab just looked down and saw how close it was to his boots before looking up and seeing Silva perked up in fear with the appendage still pointing in his direction and now flopped down somehow in the same mood Silva was
"Don't do that." He admonished the adult-minded child, holding in a sigh of disappointment
"Ok~…" Silva said a little too quickly and focused completely on the task at hand without any more inappropriate behavior
*2 minutes later*
"I am both equally disturbed and impressed." Ahab said completely void of emotion trying to stay numb to what exactly he was looking at standing next to Silva while being given back his cleaned knife to put away
"Thanks? I guess?" Silva was a little worried about Ahab acting completely numb to what he did
Plenty of hunters did this. Right?
What Ahab saw was practically Santa's sleigh but re-skinned for Krampus, literally. Bones were sawed and cut at specific parts to build the bottom of the sled with the magnificent horns being the sides while the leg bones being the back part of the sled leaving the front open, and the curved bones Silva forgot the name for being the bottom sled to move seamlessly across surfaces. All the meat harvested with the rest of the hide on top of the bottom part of the hide is the 'floor' of the sleigh. All done with remarkable craftsmanship using muscles, organs, tendons, and the skull is the only useless thing to carry with them as it was close to twenty pounds. Making an effortless sleigh to pull along with the intestines fashioned into a rope after cleaning it up at a river they passed by earlier.
His early psychological profile on Silva was proven correct and he really needs to find a trusted hand to fix him up. It only takes one enraged screaming bid for survival for Silva to start making human necklaces. Not in the style, but more in the material. It shouldn't have even happened, but it occurred in MSF, DD, and OH more times than he liked to admit. It's also exactly the reason why he only had the warden of the prison in OH manage it by himself not just because of his skills. But because he resisted getting psychiatric help which just helped build up his reputation to put fear in the prisoners, he guarded well because of the brutality of what he did to escapees and even what he did to the living and dead alike. Was it morally wrong? Yes. Yes, a thousand times. Was it effective in cost and management, also yes. Thankfully it was a godsend that he didn't do anything of sexual nature which is where he drew the line.
It's downright repulsive for Ahab to remember men, men, who haven't been with a woman in months or even years to turn their sexual frustrations into becoming gay men with no sensibility or respect for the word no
'Great talent was wasted because we didn't have proper shore leave or had a brothel.' Ahab thought remembering those memories where he had a newfound respect for the opposing gender and their importance to the men. Trying very hard to block them out, and succeeding for now
It's not straight men or women who can only be murderous, ruthless, and downright oppressive to any person regardless of standing, religion, ethnicity, or even nationality.
It's depressing that it happened on his watch in his family no matter how hard they trained or kept disciplined. It's why he never allowed troublemakers or bullies in his army, that's what the world was for.
And ocelot for other reasons.
Yes, it was important to have torture resistance training, better to become stronger men (and women, but they were sadly very few in-between those times. But he was proud to say they were all the best and worked hard to prove they deserved to be there just the same as any of the other men while all being top-notch experts in their respective fields) than to pray for easy lives.
"Uh- Yes. Well done I can see we will have no effort pulling this along with our cargo." Ahab was in full military mode right now 'What the hell was he teaching this kid? What kind of grandfather would teach his grandson… 'this'?' Ahab knew Silva put a lot of effort into it, so he just compliments when he can to give himself ammunition when he is harsh on Silva
Something he read in a book to care for children after the whole mess with Eli and his band to avoid that kind of thing happening again because they weren't treating them properly.
Especially since they were doing nothing, which is completely wrong as he has learned that children need constant attention. Though that may be hard to do considering they were child soldiers. Some of which stayed with Diamond Dogs all the way to Outer Heaven
Though the pilot they kidnapped was not happy with the whole experience, he turned out just fine after they let him go (purposely with his iDROID) to contact them where they were located. He lived, though he didn't appreciate them drawing a dick on his pilot's helmet. But it gave some of R&D the reason to finally figure out how to deal with and remove stains of the sort. The product they made, later on, provided a third of all their budget. Who knew an actual stain remover that takes everything off the target location with no problem whatsoever would make so much money? With even further applications in making clothes proofed to stains and the like.
That would explain why everyone looked their best without looking dirty or sweaty easily in the future of his universe. It satisfied Silva who pestered him to no end on why it's so
"I was thinking of using the skull as a décor, but than I thought it was too much *squish-squish-squish-* ust xrtra ight four usz to carre." He spoke while chewing "ant one? Got soeme protaein init." He offered the other eye to Ahab
Ahab just side-eyed him before looking down at the large elk eye in his hand
"*sigh* What the hell, hand it over." He stood his arm out to catch the eye as Silva dropped it into his hand. Smelling it before getting it over with it and shoved it all in his mouth in one go before chewing it and savoring the flavor
"*hm* " He finished chewing it before speaking up "Not as bad as I thought it would be." Ahab commented
"*gulp* Yep, bein hungry would do that to you. Now come on, time's a wastin." Before he put his bags and started dragging the metal-looking sled
______________________________________________________________________________________
They walked on for hours until it was around two past midday. The safety of the area was at safe levels since they waited out the Grimm that was beyond their current level to deal with. They then stopped for a break to satisfy themselves on some elk. Though Silva was annoyed he couldn't use the seasonings and ingredients he managed to scrounge up from the villages since they were short on time and they really cannot risk strengthening the aroma's to bring the attention of nearby predators. It was reinforced by the state and existence of the Irish Elk, for all they know dinosaurs walk the earth once more.
It was a Gross overestimation, but Silva's paranoia coupled with Ahab's really did not really want them testing the waters the deep ocean waters when they couldn't even see the summit of the mountain
Though the meat was simply amazing, it felt lacking by Silva's standards
But it did feel like he was eating anime meat
The party of two went on, the weight they carried not only started to bite into them, but the beauty of this primordial forest helped them ignore it. But it did remind them depending on the terrain
The rule of nature is a simple rule of thumb, the prettier and more colorful it is, the more dangerous it is. It is usually for marine creatures and biological life, but it can fit on any part of nature's domain.
But that's not the only thing they should be worried about
"Ahab." Silva nudged Ahab
"Hm?" Ahab stopped to turn to Silva as he saw him pointing into the distance as the sun was lowering itself to the underworld as its predestined journey of rebirth
Silva pointed in the distance a towering column of black smoke slowly drifting to the soft winds as the decaying sun painted more shades of mass as a definite ill omen
"Please correct me if I'm wrong (bites lip before continuing) but that's not a good sign, is it?" Silva really was hoping he was wrong
"*sigh* No Silva. No, it isn't." He turned to Silva after determining it was 3 klicks out from their current location "Will be arriving closer to the bandit camp as close as possible without alerting them to our presence before we strap our cargo up to a tree. Then we will be reviewing your loadout for this… Incursion." That was the best word he could use for dealing with this kind of event. It wasn't ever considered a training op, side op, or anything of the sort.
'Its just taking out the trash. As simple as that.' He looked at Silva seeing him in excitement and caution 'I rather he did not have to face this at all, but the earlier the better. Though it might also be a blessing in disguise to finally deal with a long-standing problem.'
"Come on." Ahab nudged Silva "Might as well go see what's going on. Might even find something to make it easier on ourselves. Just follow my lead and do exactly as I say. You still have a lot to learn, but if something goes unplanned, just make sure it doesn't get out of hand." Ahab tried to find any form of positivity to keep Silva's mind off what they would find. Though he had enough experience to the point where he had a pretty good idea of what he may find
"A-alright." Silva already gets the idea, he has played MGSV multiple times. And he gets how not seeing one person can screw everything up and did multiple times where quick acting stopped from the whole thing into a mess. But he still cannot beat the number one in the world with the highest espionage score in the game VENOM 5NAK3. He has reached over three hundred million in espionage score. Truly worthy of his gamertag and Big Boss ranking of the final metal gear solid.
Though he would like to avoid killing everyone because of a fuck up. Especially since there are no 'restart' buttons to work with. 'I'm pretty sure Ahab would not appreciate me being a mass murderer with a genocidal tendency to kill at a hair trigger.' If it got out of hand….. Ahab would put him down. No question about it.
He wants his legacy to be better than him. NOT, the cursed path already walked.
A repeat of Ahab's world will not be allowed as long as Ahab lives and breathes in this one
They accelerated their pace towards the enemy camp until it was about less than five hundred meters or so away, Ahab gave the sign for 'halt', then pointed to a tall sturdy tree of the pinecones, 'this where cargo will be left. String it up above ground level' he continued in signs and gestures
'ok' Silva gave out, not complaining anymore because he was already used to it. He got the rope out and began hosting four duffel bags worth of survivors' loot. The idea was it was hidden out of view and could not be taken easily by other or other animals while also allowing the owners to take their time until what they have completed in the area. Only downside to this is a forest fire going in the direction of their stuff. Though it could also be set up in a way that, say, is skilled with throwing blades, could easily bring it down with no effort whatsoever. Which wasn't a problem for Silva per say. The issue was climbing up the tree in the first place, then HE is the one who has to remember where the tree is, and practically be responsible over it.
He didn't like that. Didn't like he had to be responsible for something. Ahab didn't give a damn. In his eyes, it's character-building and ensuring he stays humble
Silva had to bite back a couple of comments of Ahab being an old man
So, there's no point complaining about it, lest he truly test Ahab's luck
After he finished strapping it to the tree, he got down from there landing on the tips of his feet, not rolling forward, avoiding hurting his body while waiting for the shock from dropping to disperse to avoid any lingering damage to himself
'Cargo/stuff secure. Ready to move/wave.' Silva needed practice for this sort of thing, so what you are getting is an approximate what he is saying
'Good. Show weapons.' Ahab replied
'Ok/affirmative Silva began taking out his primaries along with his .38 revolver 6-shooter, Chiappa "1887" lever-action shotgun, made for close quarters though he has the normal variant for mid to long range, and 1886 Winchester rifle, all loaded and ready to go with AP rounds such as level 3 dust rounds and single slug. Then he gestured to the assortment of knives on his makeshift utility belt along with the melee weapon that is a mechashift axe that he still is reading the manual for. A lot of it is explaining how to repair and understand it before they go to the next trick it could do. Probably for good reason. Until then, it's just a run-of-the-mill-axe
'All loud? No silent' Ahab signed
'No. Could not find/get a good/better bow. All spoiled/bad.'
'Then we might have to use this.' Ahab gestured to the Last Whisper
To which Silva involuntarily responded with an air pump and a stupid grin on his face
'I said 'maybe'. You're not going to waste ammunition just because you finally got the chance to use it. Only when necessary. Not made of money.' Ahab corrected the "miscommunication
To which Silva replied with a downtrodden face of exasperation. The suffering intensified due to him not being able to let out a whine of disappointment
It truly was the saddest of times
With a silent 'tch' he nodded along with dissatisfaction marring his face. He will get over it. Sooner or later, he will fire that beauty, and it's going to be amazing. 'He's probably right anyway. No point wasting high-quality rounds on a random schmuck anyway.'
'Fine.' He signed 'shall we/let's go then?' Silva signed
They slowly made their way till Ahab spotted a hill overlooking the area they snake crawled up once it was clear it was sparse of trees to the point it would be blanketed with dead leaves that would give away their position. Then they snake crawled up the hill towards the crest.
For ahab it was a light jog, Silva was just crawling through glass
What they saw clearly was not a naturally made clearing but rather manmade. Broken straight through the dirt making a big wedge into the natures skin. Which led to the cause of the smokestack in the sky, it was an unfamiliar airship reminiscent of a bullhead. Though more seem more geared to be bigger and meaner to either be a gunship variant or pick up heavy cargo. Think of it as a paladin from advanced warfare. Just bigger and shitter
The clearing was not naturally formed as apparent by the destruction
Destroyed trees and what used to be naturally weathered boulders scattered the area. Or rather, used to as well since it seems it has been cleared of hazardous debris made obvious by the moving figures, though no alarm or enemy alert has been sounded. It was a mostly open area with the bizarre or unmoved stones and wrecked trees and some shredded tall grass in between unspoilt tall grass that would give plenty enough cover if utilized correctly
Ahab nudged Silva while taking out his int-scope 'Get the (int-) scope, count how many there are then relay back to me.'
'Roger that/ok/affirmative.' Silva gestured back in response while taking out after having a bit of trouble with the knot that held the cover on where it was held in place before managing to take it out. Luckily for him, Ahab was engrossed in spotting, so he was at least spared the embarrassment of fumbling something so simple
Thus, he began right to left of the encampment since Ahab was to the left to right. He spotted one guy completely unarmed heading away from the area, next was another guy lounging on a beach chair (they weren't near the ocean at all, and why?), two were appraising the contents of crates that were stacked together in their own area, another 3 off to the side of those two a while away facing the opposite direction from the hill seemingly very engrossed with their conversation not keeping watch, and the final one-
"*BANG*"
They both got down even further in anticipation of being shot at, with Ahab covering Silva while keeping his head down with one head curling up onto him to protect him as much as possible. When no further shots were heard, Ahab peeked up while he made sure to keep Silva's head down to survey the direction in which the shot was heard. Ignoring Silva's discomfort as he tries to squirm out of Ahabs bionic arm while he kept on peering through the int-scope, picking something up through the parabolic microphone incorporated into it, sending the sounds through the nanomachines for silent listening.
"*squelch* *squelch* *squelch* *squelch* *squelch* *squelch* *squelch* *squelch*"
Disgust and discomfort marring his face into an angry scowl on what he was seeing that would be just another memory that he would have to remember along with all the other horrible things he has seen. Though the one's he had done are few and far in between, sometimes it seems to be a contest on which is worse when he remembers these moments
Silva still struggled against the arm, until he realized it was futile and he can see Ahab being completely engrossed into whatever he is viewing through the scope. Seeing how he is forgotten and ignored, he did the next best thing a (supposed) child his age would do to attempt to get what they want.
Being annoying
So, he started nudging Ahab (he hates being tapped on, so he doesn't do the same), and kept doing so increasing in intensity and force until finally Ahab was brought back down to earth (the ground, not the planet) and looked at Silva's annoyed face that was automatically a pout. He doesn't pout, but that's how human kids are built. So, he's stuck with it. Also, he has never seen or recognized another person pouting. So what exactly is he looking for when a person is pouting? Questions for another time.
'Let go/release, please?' he signed
Ahab nodded and saw what he was doing before releasing him from his grasp robotically while slowly forming a fist with said arm in nervousness as it may be that he, coddled him a bit too hard. While Silva just slowly rubbed the spot until the discomfort went away. A little frustrated at the physical contact
'I can duck and cover/protect myself/one you know/feel. What did you see/perceive that has got your underwear/panties in a bunch?'
'… I think it would be better if you didn't see…' Ahab nervously signed 'I don't know much about raising a kid. But I'm pretty sure letting one see such acts is not ok.'
'I can handle/grasp it. I have seen/perceived some things. I can handle/receive it a bit.' Before looking through his scope to see what it was that garnered such a response. 'Oh…' Regret instantly flooded his neurons due to him seeing a scene he did not think he would be viewing again so soon.
There were dead bodies, some of them piled up unceremoniously wearing the tell-tale signs of Atlas while being in various forms of undressing, decay, and/or ugly death etched into their face. Signs of torture, malnutrition and even inhumane cruelty by elements judging by how dirty their clothes were damaged and how severe the condition their bodies were due to the grime, dirt, stain marks, marks of injuries, torn and slandered uniform that seems to be stripped as all of the possible use that these raiders could find such as body armor, precious metals made from military merits, not even the patches were spared. No modicum of respect or decency was spared upon the defiled bodies.
To the side where the rest of the bodies were propped up on a crate, five in total. The one furthest to the right way from the pile that was to the left was "occupied". Where smoke was still steaming out of the corpse as the man-. No. This 'thing' was furiously pumping away into the corpse of what was most likely the last living member of whatever group from atlas they were, or rather was. 'Can't believe I'm fuckin correcting myself in wat terms of the grammar of what tense over someone dead and defiled.' Silva berated himself for priorities in the situation, what his mind is focusing on instead of what is supposed to be paying attention to. He thinks he's bipolar, but he never searched up on what it means, so he's just assuming.
Since 'it's' back was to them and was covered completely in its act of defilement, he wonders knowing what gender the poor soul was. He wasn't sure if knowing would make it better, only worse
Ahab nudged Silva 'You ok?'
'Yeah…'
Ahab thought that this was the best time as any to keep Silva focused 'Focus. I counted seven how many did you get?'
Silva was immediately jostled out of his daze 'Eight. One went/walked to our right/east in that direction/turnabout' He gestured to a thick trove of trees as the said bandit disappeared into them.
Ahab nodded 'Test now?'
Silva nodded in response as he got into position paying attention next to him while getting ready to scope while Ahab was already back on his scope after 'Go'
"I don't see any Faunus. Though these bastards are completely lax, it's not hard to see why." Silva spoke up, immediately going back to the scope "Though these are some of the stupidest twats I have ever seen."
"Hm." Grunted Ahab, as they both quickly scanned the village for any reaction to their conversation. Though their worries were soon unfounded as they saw all the bandits did not even react to the words uttered. You see, Silva came up with a plan earlier to see if there are those above their weight class who could hear beyond normal levels of human hearing as it is believed by Silva that those of a greater combat power would most likely have better hearing along with other senses greatly upgraded beyond their norms.
Though after a quick look they saw no change from what they saw before. Not even the one who went by himself without even making sure they knew where he was or where he was going. Nothing more than just parasitic thugs who take advantage of the worst.
'Though now that I think about it…' Ahab mused 'This is the perfect opportunity to further Silva's training…'
After waiting a couple of minutes watching their behaviors as well as cover in the area along with keeping in mind the layout where he can move through, nothing he needed to worry about, and their actions are practical to a standstill. Making it all the easier for a master of stealth to completely take advantage of. But first… Time to get confirmation and training material
"Stay here." He said, unslinging TLW and handing it over after loading in 7 regs from the bandolier strap loading it in before handing it over to Silva who looked in surprise. Being handed the half-a-trillion rifle with care until he is sure that Silva won't drop it by accident. Kids are known to have a poor grip. So thankfully when he let go it was when Silva held it with both hands slinging the strap over his head. They may be on the ground of the hill, but he would rather not damage it in any way possible for as long as possible.
Ahab started getting up and dusting himself off after putting away the int-scope
"Where are you going?" Silva asked as he still did not want to test so soon and risk dying to a behemoth of an opponent that they didn't have to gamble risking in the first place. Ahab may be extraordinary, but the supernatural was more common here than back in his world. Quantity is after all a quality of its own, and it's more than enough to overwhelm them without any crowd control they can utilize
"Down there." Ahab stated the obvious, not knowing that was a moment to utilize sarcasm
"I am coming with you." Silva said with wanting in his voice
"You will stay here and provide overwatch. You will not, will not, fire if it is less than 5 enemies, and only if I'm spotted or the situation has become very critical. Do you understand? I'm trusting you with this." As he got up and check himself one more time while getting all the safeties off.
"But I can do more than this!" whined Silva
"And you will." Affirmed Ahab "But you are not ready yet to be on the battlefield. For now, watch over me and see how I move about through the scope. You will learn to move as I do, for now, you're not in the best condition for any frontal assault. So, until further notice, you will be focusing on nothing else but stealth and guerilla warfare tactics. You cannot face anyone head-on until I say so. You will run, hide, do whatever it takes to survive, and come out on top. Do you understand?" Ahab looked down to see Silva in the eye
Silva got grumpy at that, but he understood the logic behind it. Not to mention Ahab's promise to him earlier. " *exhales* Yes…" It was frustrating. Being in a whole brand-new world, being free of any norms or restrictions, and yet he's treated like a child again with a very weak body. Doesn't matter if it has unlimited potential, he can't nor is he allowed to put the metal to the pedal.
"I'm going to the one that you said went by themselves, pay attention to that direction as it's where I will be coming in from."
" *sigh* yes sir." He went back to The Last Whisper. Testing the feeling of it, along with fixing the scope to make it easier for him to view through
Ahab took one last look at any bravado or want of glory by paying attention to Silva's posture along with his body language before he was satisfied with leaving him there. He jogged down the hill leaning back so as not to fall forward before going left, which is Silva's right, into the forest as its shadows welcome one of its own backs into its realm.
Not even making a sound when he took out his Delta Pistol with his right while sliding out his knife in their position of holding with the knife below easy to stab out in a backhand grip, with the pistol resting on top to steady the aim. Already moving through silently, while his mind completely hardened to a firm grip into an emotionless, hyper-lethal, beast made by man.
He was on the move, and the hunter seeks to shave off the dust, to ensure the hunt for tomorrow.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Maybe it was because of all the things he went through and what he was told by Silva he thought he was going to find something different. He didn't hope or have expectations of anything, he leaves that to the kid. But really, why else would a man need to go by himself in the forest?
Loads of reasons. Though the simplest and most practical is to go to the bathroom
"*Tssssssssssssssss-*"
Which would be the only reason.
Now granted, it may be because of stupid reasons that the idiot in question that it was a good idea not to tell his band brothers, is that the word? Or the leader that he was going to relieve himself. In what unstable situation in a questionable line of work would you even think that was a good idea to go by yourself? Alone, guard completely down, and unarmed no less? No amount of military training, tactical training, or any kind of training for that matter is going to instill the basic common sense you lack that you willingly remove with your own free will.
'No matter where I go or how many times it happens. It's always the fact, not a possibility, the fact these guys exist, are around no matter where I go, these idiots exist.'
He thought as moved from tree to tree keeping his ears wide open while following the sound of someone urinating. Moving from tree to tree with not even the rustle of underbrush being disturbed, only he can feel it as he moves about. Not even felt as an intrusive invader to the forest as those who commit unspeakable acts in its boundaries.
"*-ssssssssssssssssss-*"
'I mean really. How do I keep encountering these kinds of people? Is it in every gene pool? Is it some form of genetics that is more favorable to the opposite gender? Is it because there are not any other choices? Is it desperation? Honestly, when Silva went into the idea of how it could be. He really did not describe enough in detail, but what he did assure was that we held the advantage over all in this world. Or at least this part of it as he was sure it was bigger than it seemed and conditions, Gravity, all manner of strange anomalies, dangerous variant Grimm, and different species along with different species from both sci-fi and fantasy and even of common understanding or conception. This place is just getting wilder by the day.'
Ahab was slightly distracted in thought as he swept from tree to tree ensuring that there was only one… Tango? Hostile? Enemy? It's hard to keep in mind that you are facing the opposition alone and not in any official sense. Or any form of common opposition. It's hard to do so when their so-called enemies are just a bunch of lower than a low-level bandit reaching a rats ballsack
It was humbling, in a disappointing wave hitting a sand pillar kind of way. You don't send an expensive scalpel to do a rusted grime encrusted hammer job. It just wasn't cost-efficient at all to do so at all. Of course, if you wanted the job done right and done correctly the first time without any complications or problems and had the foresight to do so, then that's a whole different story altogether.
It's what you called a "wise investment"
"*-ssssssssssssSSSSSSSSSS*…. *ZIP*"
'Just in time.' Ahab rejoices 'I'm not willing to risk like the previous times. Better to wait until he has finished with his business. After the second time, I already learned my lesson.'
Ahab crept up on him swiftly and soundlessly. Not even a sneaking suit was necessary for him to crutch the level of skill he exudes without effort. Though one would wonder what would happen if he were to wear one. How far would it take him? Or would he even need one? He was back in his prime better than ever, filled with age and experience that would multiply his gains beyond initially when he started with his body as Ahab. Granted it's more like a second time, but this time it was a definite clean slate. What was that old saying? "If youth only knew; If age but could." He recalls it to be said by French scholar Henri Estienne, a printer by trade. He was considered (by scholars) to be the greatest and last prominent printer as editor and publisher of the Renaissance. Not as famous or important as the Masters, but since his experience and ideas with words were considered just as important to Ahab.
Yes, admittedly he wouldn't be reading that kind of heavy stuff that normally would be considered boring and unimportant to him usually. He was that bored, especially when he had to wait at specific moments to act out his part, or when he wasn't supposed to be where Ishmael was or seen in the same room together. It was just more convenient to have his impromptu vacations in the library that almost all of Diamond Dogs didn't know existed. Either they were satisfied with whatever occupied their time, was a workaholic and admittedly a meat head in the warrior sense or was just rather do nothing until they realized they can't do anything and would hunt for any form of entertainment.
Suffice to say that embarrassedly, there were a couple of riots over entertainment venues and the sort, which he would've been more than happy to accommodate and requisition, but it was also because some of them wanted to be a part of a riot and experience it. A real one, not an instigated political riot. If you ignore the injuries, the property damage, and the odd major and slightly lethal injuries here and there, everyone had a good time and worked on getting what they wanted. Of course, he was lenient this time because they easily played dumb and were smart about it such as removing identifying tags and turning off the security system while doing it, but he had to punish them the next couple of times due to how many that participated that he was sure 80% of all of Diamond Dogs being apart of it. With 90% percent of that number being male. So, punishing them would be more effective since it's not possible to single out every single one involved, and would rather not have them turn on each other by offering rewards to rat out others.
That would ruin cohesion and the tight ship he has been running, and he has seen stupid acts done for less, better to be a mental/physical punishment than a moral one
Better to have the female population, lovers, mothers, family members, and close friends with benefits take care of the rest for him. More effective and less effort on his end, as well as being the ultimate form of psychological warfare to a certain degree. No problem, the gay men and men of reason will take care from the other side. Or those who love to give any reason to give a good thrashing, especially when they are pissed off
"Scream, and you die now."
Whoops. His body was on autopilot while he was in thought. Let's see… he waited for the man to zip up his fly before immediately restraining him and putting his knife to his neck. So, there wasn't anything that he missed
The man was frozen stiff, not to mention he was sweating already to fear, but not the humidity in the area which means either he was in the area for a long time or a native of these lands.
It makes no difference
"You're going to tell me exactly what I want to know and you're going to be as accurate as possible. Failure to be truthful comes with a painful death. Do you understand?" Ahab said in a simple calm voice, which increased his fear factor in the eyes of the mook even further
Getting no response from him and refusing to repeat himself again, he pressed his knife a little deeper into his neck, drawing a very thin line of blood that "motivated" the bandit to speak
"Y-y-y-yes w-w-w-whatever y-y-you s-s-say." He stuttered out, already shaking quite pathetically
"How many are there in your little group?"
"E-e-eight, i-i-including m-m-me." He was shaking uncontrollably at this point, but Ahab kept a firm grip on his neck, though the smell of the idiot was becoming more apparent to Ahab of how filthy he is. He didn't react to it much, but he did wrinkle his nose to the foul odor that invaded his nostrils. Either it was a non-existent practice of hygiene, or this man's foul deeds tainted his body along with his body and mind. Or more likely a combination of the two. 'Urgh. Might have to clean my blade thoroughly later, might be disease-ridden and infected my blade with tuberculosis, meningococcal, G.A.S. infections, or even Creutzfeldt-Jakob. Never mind Hepatitis. Might make me a more lethal fighter, but it just breaks down the rules and common cruelties of warfare, evolving into something far worse, and then no one will live a life free from fear. Of course, there are exceptions, but I'd rather it be quick.' Ahab thought to himself in that moment
"Are there any of them that are notably dangerous, anyone I should watch out for?" Ahab continued with his nonchalant questions, pressing his knife in further, which just continued to unnerve the bandit who we won't bother naming or identifying because he is not even a nobody to be considered anything more than nothing in this world's eyes.
The bandit shook his head quickly though awkwardly, again due to the tight grip Ahab kept on him "N-no w-we're are just c-com-m-mon bandits-its, nothing any huntsman w-would b-ba-bother with a-as w-we are far out into the w-w-wilds to be d-d-d-ealt with." The bandit answered quickly but his stammering increased, and it seemed he was about to cry
'Huh, he was quick to sell out his comrades. And they were let be because they were too much of a bother to be dealt with? Silva said that's what it would be like a good portion of the time, but to see it happen when humans are on the brink of extinction, do they not take it seriously? To even think that a weak stomach, false peace, stupidity, lies, and hypocrisy would dominate this world just as easily as earth with these weak times. Though the stakes are higher now, you would think with everyone speaking the same language against a common enemy. Instead, humans and the divergent species of humans with animal traits instead saw this as a common thing in life and chose to accept it and live around it. Allowing them to set out and continue with their stupidity and petty squabbles being selfish greedy creatures with no resemblance of self-control. As disgusting as Silva said it would be, and to think this isn't even the tip of the iceberg.'
"Anything else?" Ahab decided to probe a bit further to see if there was anything of interest to set themselves upon. Yes, he sought to profit or gain something off something illicit that people most likely suffered under. The difference is he is using it for a better future and will avenge those wronged, it doesn't make it right, but Silva was right, they are on the clock, and they need to get started as soon as possible.
The bandit told him of their involvement with a crime ring, getting very detailed with what exactly they were doing, who was in control of it, how it was then, why it was successful, then sharing more information than Ahab needed or wanted on their dark deeds that this group also followed along. The amount was damning, but the bandit misinterpreted Ahab's slowly scowl-infused face for not telling enough of his deeds and the deeds of the dirty many. before he could continue telling of his dark deeds without an ounce of shame, not even crying because of that, but because he could die right now. 'Pathetic. I didn't even try too hard to intimidate him, and he is already selling out his own and more.' Before he would react and snap the man's neck, he actively put him in a chokehold before having him pass out, holding a little longer to ensure he would be knocked out for a longer period before willing himself to not give in the want kill him and let go of the filth to the earthen floor
He wouldn't kill him now… He's got better uses than this waste of human infestation taking life than it could ever come up with on its own miserable parasitic existence. It would have been better if it were guilty of sloth, but alas, it is guilty of greed, avarice, lust, pride, and envy. All of them in the worst and most corrupt of ways, think of human trafficking rings, combined with slavery, sex, and child, even further used as living pack mules regardless of if they survive or not. Everything and everyone involved with this is tainted one way or another, willingly, or forced.
It was best not to dwell thoughts on such things and allow them to disturb you further than they should have any right over you. Because then you start stupid thoughts such as "what if" or "it could" and allow them to dominate your mind, clouding it and distracting you from the current reality of what you can do 'here and now'
*whompf*
He then grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt, which seemed to be the cleanest part of anywhere on its body, and started dragging him closer to the encampment across the forest floor without care if he was hitting rocks or pointy snags (wildlife trees, basically dead biomaterial from trees), injuring him and getting splinters all over his exposed fleshy bit, mainly the arms and face if the whimpers were any to go by
He was just dragging 'it' closer so he can keep an eye on 'it' while making it a one-way trip, so he didn't have to come back for 'it', he isn't wasting any more effort on it than it deserves, and he prioritizes his well being before 'it' so he doesn't need to make two trips. Not to mention he can ensure 'it' is watched by Silva in the open ground far from any cover, leaving him be before taking his gun out again and moving past a brittle boulder, going prone snake crawling through the ripped-up prairie grass, thankfully it wasn't elephant grass, otherwise he would be having a real hard time sneaking through the grasslands, slow and steady as to disturb the shrubbery into rustling it too much, causing loud rustling noises that would give away his position and be counterintuitive to coming up on his next target quietly.
He saw it lounging on its chair, with a big stupid smile on its face with that tanning tool that you hold to get the sun underneath his neck. He never figured out what they were called when he saw them used by his comrades. But never bothered to have a need to tan himself and was just fine the way nature has nitpicked his body in every condition, so intentional skin cancer was not something he would find a need that he had to fulfill in any way
He reached the beach thing, getting up from his snake crawling before dusting himself off a little lighter without letting his target that he was right next to him, checking around for any others in the area before covering flipping him over quickly restarting him to the floor putting him to the floor with the gun to its head keeping it quiet, not wanting to touch it as it was almost naked with just its blackened underwear that used to be white, making it consider it to be more important to be alive now. Looking quickly at its fat-ridden back, filled with pus and gunk that clamored to its skin as he kept his attention on the non-person in a hardened eye, the need for remorse cut off completely for this 'thing'. He then proceeded to do the same interrogation as before to ensure that his first victim spoke to him, making sure he didn't miss anything.
"We have l-loot that you can take, you can kill the rest. J-just spare me L-liv- *MpHf*." "Shut up." Ahab spoke coldly, putting his gun away to use both hands on his knife to have enough force to break through as a stake- "*SHICK* " stabbing the knife at the back of the neck of blubber, his body going slacking instant going completely still into the ground floor.
He pulled it out with some effort before cleaning it along with the front of the pistol on a raggedy towel left next to the chair before sneaking his way out of the remaining grasslands gave way to what could only be described as a modern artist's warzone. He moved by what seemed to be an umbrella tree though broken in half as he went around the right corner to a freshly felled pine tree stripped of his branches, awkwardly leaning towards the ground to which he followed its flow and bent under it to get to the two appraisers. He stabbed one in the back where the heart would be before backhanding the other with his bionic arm, pulling the knife he stabbed up-righting it from its reverse grip before quickly swiping deeply into the backhanded one's neck before turning back to gapless mook trying to breathe in the breath that wasn't coming, having the knife back in a reverse grip, letting his arm fly like a snare trap sprung with the full momentum stabbing into the Adam's apple, or what scientifically accurate doctors call a laryngeal prominence. Holding onto him to wipe it as best as possible on the forest version of mad max-ish clothing to wipe the blood away before dropping the last of the twin assayers. All happening in the span of a second in one fluid motion.
'Three down, four to go.' Ahab thought to himself, keeping track of enemies remaining 'Though might need to listen carefully when the incapacitated one may wake up, I may have choked him out a bit longer to ensure he stays down until this blows over, but I have no idea if it was enough to keep him down if I have no idea how different our biology is. If what I did was a light tap or a swift death.'
He crouched down again and started slowly moving toward the trio, crawling underneath a burnt dead trunk wedged between two rocks before he shuffled slowly through a creek that went through the area, picking up a rock smaller than the palm on the way towards them. Only a mound with a tree on top behind where they are situated looking out into the forest, not taking the highest point to be on the lookout because it wasn't flat lands and wouldn't fit all of them together sitting and conversing or whatever it is they are doing. He's about to capitalize on it.
He snake-crawled up the mound until the optimal point, before throwing the rock in the direction they wouldn't see the arc from the actual direction it came from
*Thunk*
"What was that?" The far right replied "Probably your mother." "Have you not paid attention at all? I told you numerous times how I got into this life because I killed her in anger. Bitch got what was coming to her." The middle one said "Then who was the one I got screaming last night?" The last one to speak said "Not this shit again… Look, someone has to go look at what that was-" "How bout you do so mr. all hearing? You and mistah cool here?" He gestured to the smart aleck who thought he was being original with the yo mama joke "Fine then, maybe whatever it is we find has appreciation for the joker of the mother. Come on son." The idiot in question went into the direction of the sound "For the last time, shut the fuck up about my mother, and I'm not your son." The one in question was stupid and did not realize responding that he was allowing himself to be miserable while the other finds enjoyment in it. Showing they had no love or care for another as the horrible bottom rung you could find in a human being. Leaving the third by themselves as they walked over the mound that made a natural wall up the larger mound, walking down into the forest completely unbothered or without a care in the world. Most likely not doing it to be checking out the disturbance he created
'These guys are idiots, but that does not mean I should ever underestimate them. But now it makes sense why the first one was so quick to sell out the others. Because they would do the same to each other regardless, this band is nothing more than an alliance of convenience and necessity, especially since they are so far out from civilization so they can avoid the authorities and these… Huntsmen may be government-sanctioned special mercenaries, just not in the conventional sense that they are to be at the behest of the people and government no matter what. It's nothing more than a mockery of a specialized soldier who is expected to do everything without complaint or some personal freedoms. Just cheaper to focus on a few and have them divide themselves further through nationality or stupid morality that creates hypocrisy. Continually perpetuating these weak times without end in the hopes of creating strong, but vain men. It May be due to circumstances…. Or more likely as Silva explained, the weak few take advantage of the top by bringing those strong in body and spirit through the governance they swore to the people, instead furthering their agendas and hunger for power to trump those they cannot beat or control physically. It truly is the worst of times.' Ahab was in thought again as he snuck up on the idiot in question who was attempting to whistle but all he got was spit for his troubles. The information was being processed in his mind as it updated his understanding of this world, though there wasn't much to consider interrogating again since these people are as far from credible sources of information on current events as possible.
So, into nature's colin they go
He decided these things weren't worth the trouble along with wasting ammunition on these schmucks, so he holstered his pistol but left it unlatched, and left his bionic arm open-handed while twirling his knife to hold it in reverse grip and switched his pistol arm as his knife-wielding one instead so he can avoid getting it on his clothes and possibly skin contact that will infect him. He knows it's the right choice because he can already smell the rot and filth from these shallow beings that are supposed to be considered alive. Not anymore.
He got up from prone silently and half duck walked his way to number tres, waiting for the moment that would come. "*Yawn~*" There, while he has his eyes closed and his arms above. Quickly wrapping his bionic arm before he can react quick enough and through the front jugular.
Over in a second, covering his mouth so he doesn't make any low noises before laying him low on the ground before he went after dos and uno.
He didn't need to bother being silent anymore since the last 3 are preoccupied in their own little world completely neglectful to the world at large
Their loss, his gain
He stood upright and started to walk calmly and softly toward the two soon-to-be-departed comedians
"I don see nothin…" dos said "Yea? Well check harder, I was certain I heard somethin. I ain't going back till we do so I don't look like ah fool." Uno replied annoyed
Stopping just short of dos, he twirled his knife again into a forward saber grip before grabbing him and forcefully turning him to face himself, stabbing him immediately through the throat before he can even formulate a sound, noticing how easily it went through due to how malnourished he was. Dead before even hitting the ground, leaving the knife in as he swiftly moved to the next "*Whump*" the body being loud as it flopped completely slack, drawing the attention of the last uno.
"I swear to Oum. If I turn around again and find you down on the floor because "you didn't eat enough" again I swear- what the-?! *GACK*" Ahab immediately throat punched him before grabbing his head while he was preoccupied with his breathing, "*SNAP*", Ahab ended him immediately with a twist of the neck. Now it's usually the best way to kill someone and not leave evidence such as blood to be found, but not as quiet as a knife. Due to it being a bit loud snapping the person's neck, but time it right in the right conditions, and you can make a whole base a ghost town with no one knowing how or why.
'And then there was one.' Ahab mused to himself. Heading back towards his knife crouching on his knees (NOT his back) before flicking off the excess before he started cleaning it again on the clothes of the one he killed 'Why did I clean it again? I should have done it once, not twice, or maybe subconsciously wanted to ensure that there was no way of getting infected.' He flicked it again just to be sure he didn't miss anything before doing a quick wipe, getting off his hunches, and started stalking his way towards the dead defiler, twirling it between a frontal and reverse grip, showing that he was contemplating on what he would do to the unforgivable. Passing by the 'loot' assorted through racks, crates, tables, or just lazily tossed onto a pile. He picked up some high-techish-looking flare and considered using it to finish off the bastard by sticking it in his mouth, an extremely painful yet quick death. Just to bring peace to the wronged, while ensuring that his mind would not comprehend fast enough to get out negative emotions for grimm to snag on to.
The urge for great violence in the name of retribution sang through him. He saw that these were soldiers that became victims of these unfortunate circumstances, but even then, nobody deserved this. But the difference was that these soldiers had resources, training, and effort put into being made for a purpose greater than yourself, to support and ensure a future for the people you consider your own. 'But…' He looked up the hill, to his trained eye, saw the very small speck that was Silva '…I must set an example for him. I can't just do as I please anymore, even if his innocence is gone. I must be better than that, no matter how deserving of a horrible death.'
So with great yet simple reluctance, tossed the flare back onto the table. Holding the knife now in a frontal in a vice grip. Walking closer to the sickening sounds of flesh hitting slackened and unresponsive flesh.
His grip tightened further as he got closer and clearly heard the disgusting sounds along with a corrupted joy to be heard as the thing slammed away, pants literally down, with the fabric of the fresh corpse torn off, not even bothering to get the pants down as it lewdly touched and grasped the body all over in depraved molestation as to enjoy the sensations of the rapidly cooling flesh as to savor the little things that weren't theirs.
" *SLAP* *SLAP* *SLAP* *SLAP* *SLAP* *SLAP* *SLAP*"
He could hear it clearly now, further testing his self-control and emotions as he could clearly see its glee in depravity.
His pace quickened so that he was already behind him. Quickly yank it back by its hair and slit its throat deeply in one fluid movement. Blood flowed as quickly as a waterfall before he pulled it back away from the body it had been defiling and tossed it to the floor with as much force as possible. The idea was that being thrown at the floor while inhaling a breath would be like punching in the stomach if you don't exhale at the right moment. Deteriorating its situation even further as it gasped for breaths and desperately tried to stem the huge gaping wound that was just slowing it down by a bit as it flooded out a bit faster due to the force of the fall. Its eyes completely flailed about, trying to figure out how or whom it was dying to. It was in vain, for it died a couple of seconds later. Not even able to exhale one last breath of life as it was choking on its own blood.
After waiting a minute silently to ensure it was dead in the possibility it may have other tricks or abilities to utilize, he went to the body. The small dying wisps of a bullet hole in the head, along with the look of dread that adorned the face, showed the man's last moments. He sighed in sadness at the life gone, so much potential to be had as he looked no older than his 20s.
'What a waste…' Ahab lamented
He covered his eyes while smoothing out his features carefully into a peaceful expression. 'I may not know who you are, or what you did in life, but your suffering is at an end. May you find the peace that I have granted to you in the knowledge that your assailants are dead.' Even in his own thoughts he still had social awkwardness speaking a prayer as it was not his strong suit or speaking with emotion or even having a common understanding with other people, to empathize with them effectively, but he knows he got the point across somehow.
Of course, he wasn't sure, but he liked to believe it went through
He turned for the hill and waved down Silva that it was all clear, before grabbing some rope as some of the supplies were put in a pile along with the numerous crates and varying types of loot. Also taking in the look of the ship, appraising its manufacture before heading back to the one he incapacitated earlier. Walking calmly through the outpost he has secured. Nothing phased him, the bodies, the looting, or the devastation that the wreckage has scared this area into the ground.
He stopped for a moment and closed his eye while looking up into the horizon, taking a deep breath of all the smells, failing to react to the unpleasant ones that were so familiar to him. Before finally exhaling. This was a taste of what was to come, of where he stands now. He may have been rusted a bit, but it seems he is in his prime on a new slate. Something to consider is that he will be able to go even further than his best. After all, man should always strive to carve himself into seeing beyond the full potential of what he can become. It excites him, especially since he thrives and lives off the battlefield. Thankfully it's not all that he is good for, but he learned a long time ago that it is the most potent drug man can conceive. He opened his eye now, showing a soft peaceful blue eye, the sea within a calm, soothing, full of deepwater beyond what one's own perception can never reach.
It truly was proof that Ahab was remarkable and unique, separate from Ishmael. And the only person who knew and understood that was Silva. No one else
"AHAB!!!" he turned towards Silva, the smiling idiot, who was calling him out, internally berating himself for not teaching him to still be wary of others that might only be gone for the moment for supplies, hunting, patrolling, etc. But he was still a kid (and he did confirm how many there were from two of them), no matter what he says otherwise, he still deserves to be a kid a little longer and enjoy life as he should. As he could, to have memories to look back on without regret or misery. Only good things to remember and help push him forward, for you are only a kid once, but you're an adult forever, and life will try its hardest to fill it with bad ones to warp you into the person you detest most
Cruel and unfair, the way life always has been. That's why you cheat and take it back so you make it fair yourself. To have meaning, to have a purpose, to feel alive.
He was running as fast as he could towards him before screeching to a stop, heavily breathing loudly until he had it under control and was silently breathing through the nose with barely a sound. 'Good. He has his breathing exercises down. Don't need to worry about teaching him properly or beating out bad habits.' Ahab was happy with what was one of the more essential things that were important to have control over. You would not believe how important control over your breathing is. Especially in the most volatile of situations.
"That was amazing!" Silva gushed "To see you in action was exactly what I was expecting! So how was it?" Silva already was unslinging the TLS and handing it over as his face blushed in the excitement of what he saw. "Seems you are back in action better than ever! Or was there some rust I couldn't notice?" He questioned as he walked with Ahab who gestured to start moving back into the direction where he started his infiltration.
Ahab nodded regarding the accurate assessment of his current skills "As best as they could be, no regression whatsoever." As they passed the dead trunk but instead of going through the trouble of going above or under it, they went around "The only "rust" I came across was starting the motions, afterwards it was just smooth sailing from there." His voice may have dialed back from being aged and lost some of the gruff that came with it, but his pragmatic tone that was to the point was simple enough that you would think he was just confirming an assessment he received from his peers. Though the last actual time that happened was considered somewhat void due to him completing a stealth course without letting the testers know he started in the first place until he already finished. It was kinda embarrassing, but it just added more to the legend he solidifies. Though he wonders If anyone else has reached that level of skill, sadly he wasn't around long enough to know
Silva's face hardened a bit, barely enough for Ahab to notice, but he did and paid close attention to him now. "And tha last bastard you killed. Did he suffer in his final moments?" Silva asked with his tone getting darker with disgust filling in the rest
Ahab didn't know how to respond to it, or how to answer properly to this kind of hostility in a child. So he went with the oldest policy in a situation like this: Honesty was the best policy. So, he nodded as they continued wading through the tall grass as they slowly reached the edge of the clearing as the still unconscious thing where he left it, not even moved a single muscle from where he was dropped
"Good." Silva then spat on the ground "Bastard got what was comin to em. He deserved worse than that, but tha is as best as we can get in these conditions." As he gestures doing a circle in the air in reference to the world there in
Ahab just felt the beginning of his worries starting to formulate that comes with raising a child