It was a cold February morning in 2000 when John Hawke received an unexpected call. He was in the middle of a routine of daily training with his Green Beret team, testing his new physical and mental limits after the serum experiment.
Each day, he felt more in control of his enhanced abilities. However, this call was no ordinary summons. When he answered, he learned that he had been selected for one of the most challenging courses in the military: the Delta Force Operator Training Course (OTC), the elite special operations force.
"Captain Hawke," said the authoritative voice on the other end of the line. "Your name has been selected for Delta Force selection. Report to Fort Bragg Base next week. Needless to say, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity."
John hung up the phone and took a deep breath. Delta Force was known for selecting only the best of the best. He knew the course would be a brutal test of his capabilities, but now with his new skills, he was eager to see how far he could go.
A week later, John found himself at Fort Bragg, surrounded by other experienced operators, all ready to take on the challenge. The OTC was renowned for its physical, mental, and psychological demands. Candidates were subjected to assessments that tested their resilience to extreme stress, their ability to make quick decisions, and their ability to lead under pressure. The elite of the elite.
The chief instructor, a muscular man with years of combat evidenced in his rigid posture, approached the group.
"You're here because you're the best in your units," he began, looking directly at each of the candidates. "But that doesn't guarantee that you'll be good enough for Delta Force. From now on, forget about your medals, decorations, and reputations. Here, you're just numbers, and the only thing that matters is what you do from now on."
The tests began immediately. John was subjected to a series of physical challenges that seemed designed to break the body of an ordinary man. Long-distance weighted runs, forced marches over rough terrain, and obstacles that required not only brute strength but also precision and strategy.
But John, with his body enhanced by the super-soldier serum, overcame each of these challenges with disconcerting ease.
While the other candidates panted with exhaustion, their clothes soaked with sweat, John remained calm, focused, as if the challenges were merely daily exercises. This did not go unnoticed by the course commanders.
During one of the training runs, he and his platoon had to cross rough terrain carrying 50 kg sandbags. The course was long and the load exhausting, pushing many of the candidates to their limits. John, however, carried his bag with ease, maintaining a fast pace.
When one of his companions began to slow down, visibly exhausted, John immediately approached.
"Do you need help?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
The soldier, panting, simply nodded.
Without hesitation, John picked up the extra sandbag and slung it over his shoulder, now carrying the weight of two men. Still, he didn't slow down. When the chief instructor took in the scene, his gaze narrowed, but he said nothing. John knew he was being closely monitored, so he couldn't afford to make a mistake.
Later, in combat exercises, he demonstrated a remarkable ability to anticipate his opponents' movements. His serum-enhanced reflexes allowed him to predict and neutralize attacks with near-superhuman accuracy. During a hand-to-hand combat simulation, one of the instructors, a highly respected Delta veteran, decided to test John himself.
"Hawke, in front of me!" the instructor ordered, pointing to the combat area.
John walked forward calmly, observing the man in front of him. He knew this was more than just a training session. It was a test. The instructor attacked him quickly, trying to take advantage of the surprise factor, but John blocked each blow with impressive fluidity. His mind processed every movement, every shift of his opponent's weight, and he reacted before the attack was even fully executed. In less than a minute, John had disarmed the instructor and pinned him to the ground.
The entire room fell silent for a brief moment before the instructor gave a slight smile and stood up.
"Very good, Hawke," he said, straightening his posture. "You're fast, that's undeniable. Let's see if you can maintain that speed under pressure."
The days turned into weeks, and the course continued to test every aspect of the candidates. John, now known for his exceptional physical and mental capabilities, had attracted the attention of the highest echelons of Delta Force. Command discussed his performance in closed-door meetings.
"Hawke is something different," the unit commander commented to one of his superiors. "He goes through each test as if he were in a simple training routine. Not even the psychological pressure shakes him."
"What about the others?" — the superior asked, looking at John's file.
"The others are at their limit. Many have already been eliminated. But Hawke… he remains unshaken. We have to find out what's behind this."
After another day of intense exercises, John was called to the commander's office. Upon entering, he found the commander sitting behind a heavy wooden desk, his hands clasped as he looked directly at John.
"Captain Hawke," the commander began, his voice firm but with a hint of curiosity. "Your performance in this course has been… exceptional. So exceptional that we began to wonder how you manage to remain so calm and efficient while the other candidates struggle to stay on their feet. Is there anything you would like to tell us?"
John knew this moment would come. He had kept the secret of his enhancement a secret, as had been ordered by the experiment's superiors. However, he also knew that Delta Force's command was not made up of men who were easy to fool.
"Commander," John began, keeping his gaze steady, "I am a soldier, and I have always given my best in every situation. I know my capabilities may seem above the ordinary, but everything I do is the result of years of training and dedication."
The commander watched him for a long moment before speaking again.
"I am not doubting your dedication, Hawke. In fact, it is because of it that we are so interested in you. I have received orders from above not to ask any more questions about how you are achieving these results. And, honestly, I don't care. What matters is that you are a valuable asset. And Delta Force wants you in its ranks."
John felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He knew he was being accepted, not only for his skills, but also for the trust he had built throughout his career.
"It will be an honor, sir," John replied, maintaining his composure, but feeling excitement grow within him.
"Very well, Captain Hawke," the commander said, standing and extending his hand. "Welcome to Delta Force."
As John shook the commander's hand, he knew he was about to enter a new chapter in his life. Now, as a Delta operator with skills that went beyond the ordinary, he was closer than ever to becoming the ultimate weapon he had always wanted to be a protector, a leader, and, above all, a soldier ready for any fight.
From that moment on, John knew there were no limits to what he could achieve.
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