Chapter 3: A New Beginning
The sun rose slowly over the dense jungle, casting streaks of golden light through the thick canopy. The aftermath of the ambush lingered in the air—empty shell casings scattered on the ground, faint scorch marks on trees, and the strained silence of cadets avoiding conversation.
Ethan Cross sat by a small clearing, his rifle leaning against his leg. His mind was still racing from the events of the night before. It wasn't just the fact that he'd survived—it was how he'd survived.
The Super Soldier System had transformed him. The memories of his body moving with precision, his mind calculating threats in an instant, felt both foreign and exhilarating. He'd gone from being the weakest in the squad to single-handedly taking down more enemies than anyone else.
But that wasn't what weighed on him now.
It was the looks.
The stares of his squadmates, some filled with curiosity, others with resentment. Logan's glare was the worst of all—cold and calculating, as though he were trying to solve the puzzle that Ethan had suddenly become.
"Cross."
Ethan looked up to see Sergeant Mathers approaching, his heavy boots crunching against the dirt. The man's face was as stern as ever, but there was something different in his eyes—a glint of interest Ethan had never seen before.
"Yes, sir?" Ethan stood, stiffening to attention.
"What happened out there last night?" Mathers demanded, his tone clipped.
Ethan hesitated. How could he explain something even he didn't fully understand? "I... I just reacted, sir. I guess the training finally clicked."
Mathers studied him for a moment, his gaze piercing. Then he nodded. "Whatever it was, keep it up. This squad needs someone who can pull their weight—and last night, you finally did."
"Yes, sir," Ethan replied, trying to hide the surge of pride that bloomed in his chest.
As Mathers walked away, Ethan exhaled, his shoulders relaxing. For the first time, he'd received acknowledgment from someone who mattered. But he knew it was only the beginning.
---
Later that morning, the squad regrouped for their next drill. The jungle's humid air clung to their fatigues as Sergeant Mathers barked orders, instructing them to move through a simulated battlefield and retrieve a "critical supply cache" hidden in enemy territory.
Logan sneered as the squad prepared to set out. "Let's see if Cross can keep his streak going, or if last night was just a fluke."
The other cadets snickered, but Ethan ignored them. He didn't need to prove anything to Logan—or so he told himself.
As they moved through the jungle, the Super Soldier System's interface flickered to life in Ethan's mind.
---
New Quest: Retrieve the supply cache and ensure no squad member is left behind.
Reward: Beginner Ability – Force Dash
---
Ethan's heart quickened. A new ability? He wasn't sure what "Force Dash" meant, but the thought of growing even stronger filled him with determination.
The squad advanced cautiously, their rifles at the ready. Logan led the way, his usual confidence on full display, but Ethan could sense the tension in the group. The ambush from the night before had shaken everyone.
When the attack came, it was sudden and brutal.
Enemy combat drones burst from the underbrush, their mechanical limbs moving with inhuman speed. The squad scattered, diving for cover as simulated gunfire erupted.
Ethan ducked behind a fallen log, his grip on his rifle tightening. The system's voice rang in his mind.
Multiple hostiles detected. Suggest immediate action.
He peeked over the log, counting three drones advancing toward his position. His squadmates were pinned down, unable to move without drawing fire.
"Damn it," Ethan muttered. His pulse pounded in his ears as he weighed his options.
Then it happened.
A surge of energy coursed through him, his vision sharpening as the system's interface expanded.
---
Force Dash unlocked.
Description: A rapid burst of speed, allowing the user to close distances or evade threats. Cooldown: 10 seconds.
---
The knowledge of how to use the ability seemed to imprint itself in his mind, as natural as breathing.
Ethan grinned. "Let's see what this can do."
Without hesitation, he activated the ability.
Time seemed to slow as his body moved in a blur. He darted out from behind the log, weaving through gunfire with ease. The drones struggled to track him, their sensors unable to keep up.
In an instant, he was on the first drone. He swung the butt of his rifle with all his strength, smashing its sensor array. Sparks flew as the machine crumpled to the ground.
The second drone turned, its weapon locking onto him, but Ethan was already moving. Another burst of speed carried him to its side, where he fired a shot point-blank into its power core.
The third drone hesitated—a split-second delay Ethan exploited. He launched himself forward, his enhanced reflexes guiding his movements, and delivered a crushing kick to its legs. The drone toppled, its systems sparking as it hit the ground.
"Holy crap," one of the cadets whispered from behind cover.
The rest of the squad stared, their shock evident. Even Logan was speechless, his mouth slightly open as he watched Ethan move with impossible speed and precision.
"Cross!" Mathers's voice cut through the chaos. "Keep moving! The cache is up ahead!"
Ethan nodded, snapping out of his daze. The thrill of the fight still buzzed in his veins, but he pushed it aside. There was still a mission to complete.
---
The squad regrouped, Ethan taking point for the first time. With his enhanced vision and reflexes, he spotted traps and enemy patrols long before they became a threat.
When they finally reached the cache, it was guarded by another squad of drones. This time, the entire team fought together, their movements coordinated under Mathers's barked orders.
But it was Ethan who stood out.
Every time a cadet faltered, Ethan was there—using Force Dash to close the gap, taking down enemies before they could retaliate. By the time the last drone fell, the squad was battered but victorious.
Mathers retrieved the cache, his expression unreadable as he turned to address the team.
"Good work out there," he said, his gaze lingering on Ethan. "Cross, whatever you've been doing, keep doing it. The squad's lucky to have you."
Ethan's chest swelled with pride, but he kept his expression neutral. "Yes, sir."
As the squad began the trek back to camp, Logan fell into step beside him.
"You're full of surprises, Cross," he said, his tone guarded. "But don't think this makes you a leader. You're just lucky."
Ethan didn't respond. He didn't need to. For the first time, he felt like he belonged—not because he'd been accepted, but because he'd earned it.
---
That night, as the camp settled, Ethan pulled up the system's interface once more.
---
Name: Ethan Cross
Level: 3
Attributes:
Strength: 5
Speed: 6
Endurance: 4
Intelligence: 5
Abilities:
Basic Combat Reflexes (Passive)
Enhanced Vision (Passive)
Force Dash (Active)
Next Quest: Unlocked at Level 4
---
Ethan stared at the screen, a new determination burning in his chest. The system hinted at an ultimate potential, something far beyond what he'd already achieved.
And he intended to reach it.