The next day found the Ghost watching the trainees commit to their training. Several of the best performing would get the chance to test out the OIPCS-IV in live combat training against the Ghost. The offer had everyone doing their very best to outperform the others.
In their downtime, the trainees would watch the Ghost who was watching them.
"What do you think he looks for?"
"Probably to see if we have any obvious weaknesses. There hasn't been a true leader in this country for several decades."
"I'm not sure about that man. I mean, just look at him. There's something behind those eyes, something that I'd rather not have unleashed upon me."
Daniel listens in on the conversation looking up at the Ghost, then shaking his head. "If only these fools knew what the hell he's suppressing, what kind of inferno drives him, the depths of the madness from within him."
As the hour of the duel drew near, the air became tense as this would be the first up-close match they'd all witnessed that featured the Ghost. However, someone else had different plans.
The rumble of dirt bikes and a semi's engine gradually began to fill the air. The Army got into a defensive position, but it was there the Ghost simply raised his hand to stop them. Daniel threw the Ghost a second sledgehammer, which he caught single-handedly. His eyes dared not leave the direction of the approaching noise. The Ghost had a two-hundred foot lead on the New Ottawan Army. There, he stopped to make his claim. His breathing was slow, what some would have described as calm. He held the two sledgehammers underneath the hammerheads, awaiting whatever was making such a racket.
Then, a group of armored trucks crested the small incline and stopped. A single person hopped out of a semi's cab and made his way to the Ghost
"By order of the Roadmaster, Governor of Chicago, this area is now his territory. Surrender your lives, and you shall be spared." Said the man.
"What if I refuse?" Asked the Ghost.
"You and your people shall be like cattle to the slaughter. We shall give you a brutal death."
"Is the Governor with you? I would like to meet my challenger face to face."
With a whistle, a larger, muscular man stood up from within the middle of the pack. He didn't move an inch, then yelled. "I SUGGEST YOU SURRENDER LITTLE MAN! OTHERWISE ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE BEHIND YOU WILL WATCH YOU DIE!
The Ghost let out a small breath, then locked eyes with Roadmaster. Without hesitation, the Ghost brought both sledgehammers together on the messenger's head, splattering it across the bridge. Roadmaster growled, but was cut off by the Ghost.
"LET IT BE KNOWN! LET IT BE SUNG FROM THE HALLS OF ANGELS AND DEMONS! I MAY BE MERELY HUMAN, BUT NOTHING WILL EVER OVERCOME THE STRENGTH OF MY WILLPOWER!"
The bikers revved their engines and charged at him. The Ghost slammed the two sledgehammers together before marching towards the enemy rushing towards him.
"Daniel! Sir! The Ghost will be ripped apart without his armor! We have to..."
"You will sit back and watch what happens. Consider this a free lesson from the Ghost. Title it: Numbers Mean Nothing.....Not Against True Willpower"
As the first few raiders arrived, the Ghost ratcheted down his grip on the two hammers. His first strikes took the raiders off the rides and sent their dirt bikes over the unfenced portion of the bridge. The first four were dead in moments, and the Ghost was still standing. One by one, he'd pick them off. On the last raider foolish enough to charge him, the Ghost splintered the handle of one of the sledgehammers. The hammer never hit the bike, never even hit the ground. It was simply due to the amount of force the Ghost put into the swing. The biker took the head of the sledgehammer to the face when the hammer made contact. Even with the handle splintering, the Ghost's swing managed to crush the biker's skull, caving it in.
"COME NOW ROADMASTER! DON'T TELL ME YOU'RE AFRAID TO FIGHT ME IN SOLO COMBAT!" Called out the Ghost, glaring at Roadmaster. The trucker growled under his breath and unraveled a truck chain and cracked it like a whip.
"Well now... This is going to be fun." Said the Ghost, cracking a smile. He gripped the hammer and waited just a brief moment for the Roadmaster to get into whipping range. Roadmaster grinned, but it was short lived as with the screech of a Bald Eagle, the Ghost rushed him, low and fast. Roadmaster yelled as he snapped the whip towards the Ghost. However, the Ghost leapt at the tall man, sledgehammer held above his own head. Roadmaster watched in horror as this seemingly average character put his whole body into this over the head slam. "May that last moment be spent remembering.... ME! THE GHOST OF OTTAWA!" yelled the Ghost of Ottawa, smiling as the head of the sledgehammer came crashing down onto the top of Roadmaster's skull, making it the last thing he'd ever seen.
As he landed on both feet, the other bikers tried to get their bikes started in a hurry. However, the Ghost was already too close. It was a bloodbath, not a single raider survived the Ghost's display of power. As the Ghost made his way back to soldiers and trainees standing behind him. All of the volunteers for the one on one sparring match against the Ghost, backed out.
"There's just something behind these eyes alright." Thought the Ghost as he made his way to a cleanup station.
However, the soldiers had a new take on their leader.
"Dude... The Ghost has to be borderline insane! That was wicked!"
"No, that was psychopathy at its finest. Did you see the smile he made when he wasted Roadmaster!?"
"That's the shit of nightmare man. Glad he's leading us and not standing against us."
As the soldiers turned and looked at the Ghost, he raised an extended fist of victory at them. Ready to tackle whatever came his way.