Chereads / The Starved Rock Series / Chapter 52 - Training Wheels Off

Chapter 52 - Training Wheels Off

In the days following the operation, there was much to do. Despite Dr. Sue's repeated protests for him to take it easy, the Ghost needed to train this body and these new abilities. Most of the Greater Ottawan Population was oblivious to the fact he'd had this done to him. Even members of the Council had been left in the dark on this operation. 

At the crack of dawn, the Ghost was out with his father and the Busch Hunter on the outskirts of the city. They were doing some exercises for sure, but what they were mostly doing was training the Ghost's body and mind to utilize these new abilities. Scott would keep a book on every mark of progression the Ghost crossed and the Busch Hunter would coach him on the different applications of both abilities. 

"Hmmm. So the abilities of a transfer case and a differential. That's simplistic enough." Started the Busch Hunter, "According to Ms. Doctor Sue, the T-case ability allows you to... convert willpower into strength." The Busch Hunter scratched his head and looked at Scott. 

"Any idea of how that works?" He asked the older man.

"If I had to put it into practice, think of it in terms of emotion. I hate to even discuss it, but when he crashed out after Rothschild had executed the..." The Busch Hunter stopped Scott's sentence before it could go any further. 

"Well now, it seems we might have found one way to trigger them." He said pointing at the Ghost who'd locked his piercing gaze on his father. "G of O, your abilities are tied to your heart and emotions. Gotta keep those two in check."

Scott nodded in agreement. "While we can both do our best, we need someone who knows how to tap into those emotions. Not simply anger."

"I know a guy." Said the Ghost picking up a radio and making a call. Several minutes passed and an army staff car rolled into the field they were in. General Daniel stepped out and walked up to them. 

"B.H, Major Scott. How can I help?"

After they explained the situation to Daniel, he nodded and stroked his chin. "Interesting, very interesting indeed. Luckily for you two, the Ghost and I have had several occasions where we've motivated each other, demanding the other step to the challenge of the other." He took off his cover and World War Two-style army dress uniform blouse top. 

"Alright Ghost, once you're ready we'll begin." Said Daniel putting up his fists. "The goal isn't to hit me, rather swing at the air around me. We'll put these abilities of yours through the paces."

The Ghost took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. "Let's do this." 

Daniel gets the Ghost fired up using old motivational quotes they used to share with each other on one of the many social media apps. The Ghost listened to the words as he worked out how to use his differential ability. As he began to sprint at Daniel, a new figure appeared. 

"Wait... I've seen you before." The Ghost's thought seemed to be heard by this figment. 

"I'd hope so. You and your folks lived in my house after all. Anywho, I'm Tyler, another ancestor of yours. You know, your grandpa's father." The Ghost nodded and Tyler watched him. 

"Listen up, growing up on the farm, I learned a lot. You'll have to know when and how to apply the three of these. You have your open-diff, your L-S Diff, and T-V Diff. While Hans told you about the things that come with these abilities and Pat told you about using the T-case ability, I'll walk you through this." 

Tyler went on to explain that the Posi or Limited Slip function of the ability was the most utilized one of the three versions. However, the last one, the torque-vectoring version, could stack on either of the two others, making them much more powerful. 

"While the ability transfer case can turn willpower into strength and pain over to a singular part of your body, the differential ability will give you far more control over how much power is transferred or pain is moved. Listen kid, from here on out, other figments will be guiding you. The three of us will be watching from the background. Good luck." As Tyler finished speaking, he seemingly vanished and the Ghost's mind returned to the duel. 

"Transfer Case: Four High; Posi." Said the Ghost as he swung past Daniel's head. The wind pressure almost flipped the army staff car over and left the jaws of both Scott and the Busch Hunter on the floor. 

Daniel grinned, "My friend, with that ability, the New World Fucking Order doesn't stand a chance."

The Ghost grinned as he called out something else. "Differential: Posi-Max Torque" He flew past Daniel and leapt into the air before firing off a full powered punch that launched himself backwards allowing to tackle Daniel with ease. 

"Very impressive. I'd say you're getting the hang of this."

"It's so different from the normal way I move."

"I bet. Having to think about such things takes you back to being a newborn learning to walk!" Said Daniel as he threw an uppercut the Ghost promptly caught. The two laughed and continued for a few hours before the Ghost headed back into the city to meet up with Dr. Sue. In the Starved Rock Cavernous Laboratory, Sundeep had been working with several teams of engineers to run diagnostic tests on Constitution. Dr. Von Schneider had been assisting him when both Dr. Sue and the Ghost arrived. 

"Any trouble with her?" Asked the Ghost as Sundeep took the last step off of the Gantry. 

"Not even a little. All systems seem to be functional, all checks pass and her mind is as sharp as ever." Replied Sundeep as he disconnected this diagnostic patch. However, as he turned around, the Ghost staggered to his left and collapsed to the floor in a cold sweat. Just before he closed his eyes, an odd looking man seemed to be standing on the cave's wall. His piercing gaze caused the red and blue speckles in the Ghost's eyes to glow and pulse.

"So.... You're the one who shall uphold the legacy we so sought to create. We shall soon see. The Ghost tried to speak, but his eyes rolled back into his head before he went fully unconscious as those around him rushed to help him.