Wolf Team
Chapter 1: Graduation Day
I was in the training grounds looking over the new recruits when a man with my many metal lined his coat signifying he was of high rank far above mine own. I saluted him a thought rushing through my mind (Rather I’m being Promoted, or it’s something else…)
“At ease soldier.” The man said in a old tired voice. I put my hand down from my head resting it a my side. He extended a hand “Congratulations Catherine.”
I shook his hand eagerly a smile forming on my face. “Thank you sir.” The officer had been a friend of my family’s, so there were little formalities between us.
“Now as you know we are spend thin in this time so sadly there will be no ceremony. Do not worry your family and the other soldiers in the army will be notified of your new rank. Now here is your letter, and meet me in my office when you’re ready to start looking for your team.”
I nodded taking the letter in my hand saluting again to the officer as he left. On the outside I seemed like I was calm and collected, but inside I was jumping for joy and screaming. (Yes finally, after all of my time here I get to form my own team instead of being a part of one!) I opened the letter reading each word carefully. I was not going to mess up while I just got my rank. When I finished the letter I read it again just for the heck of it and then again. I folded it up again placing it carefully into the envelope. I looked back at the training grounds remembering when I first joined. (I’m definitely not going to miss this place.) I thought to myself remembering all of those drills I had to do. A shiver went down my spine, but in a good way. A smile formed on my face again as I turned, and walked to the officer’s office ready for my first assignment as a team leader.
When I entered his office he greeted me with a smile, “You can take a seat.” I sat down excitement basically overloading my mind. “Alright Catherine it’s time. I have list here of people that the other officers here believe should be on your team, but of course it’s your choice who's on your team.” He handed me a small stack of holo-pads. I looked over them quickly none seeming to grab my attention. He looked at me, and a smile crossed his features. “Your decisions don’t need to be made right now at this very moment. You may give me your selection later, but it’s due three days from now. You may retire to your quarters Commander Portola.”
I just nodded smiling happily leaving his office. I couldn’t speak any words as they were all caught in my throat. I wish I could have said something, but I was too nervous and too excited to say anything. When I exited the building I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. (I guess it’s time to start looking at these lists.) The sun was about to reach the horizon turning the sky a reddish purple hue the clouds lazily drifting through the sky. When I had reached my quarters I plopped down unceremoniously at my desk. I started to skim the lists trying to find if a name you catch my eye, but none of them did. I started to read their profiles, as I was going to get this right on the first try. I was not going to be a commander who messed up because I didn’t read the fine print. Soon one hour became two then three until. I couldn’t hold my head up anymore and my eyelids became heavier and heavier. I awoke with a start, but I was not in my room. I sat up looking around. I was in some type of lush field. I looked at myself discovering that I was wearing the UEC’s commander’s armor. It was a full body suit with some small armor plates on the chest, arms, and legs. I pushed myself off the ground also discovering I was missing a helmet that completed the armor. I looked around finding the field just stretched on forever. I returned my focus to the front, and saw a collection of structures off in the distance. I saw no other option, but to go forward, so I did. As I got closer I was able to start making out that the structures were actually ruins of a destroyed city. When I entered the city I saw a glint come from one of the destroyed towers. I knew what that was, but I could react in time. A thunderous crack split the air and a sharp bone crushing pain exploded in my shoulder. I was thrown to the ground by the force of gun shot hitting me. I put my hand to my shoulder and when I removed it it was covered in the crimson life giving liquid I knew all too well. I saw three other people in the UEC’s armor. I knew they were my teammates for some reason. I tried to ask for help, but the words were stuck in my throat. I outstretched my hand, as if silently asking for help, but they just kept moving away. Sometimes they looked straight at me, but they never came to help. Soon it was becoming more difficult to keep my hand in the air. When my hand fell to the ground everything became one blackish color. I began to hear the words failure, death, and disgrace being repeated over and over again in distorted voices. Until they stopped, and the word ‘sister’ was whispered into my ear. I opened my eyes to see I was back in my room on the floor. I pick myself up, and picked up my knocked over chair. I heard a knock on my door. I opened it seeing my friend Jerry.
“Hey Catherine I was wondering if you coming to the show, is it still ok with you. Do you think you’re going to be there?” Jerry asked rubbing the back of his head.
I rubbed my eyes “Oh yeah that’s tomorrow uhm…I-”
I was cut off from my thoughts when he spoke again, “No it’s in like three or four hours. Did you oversleep or something you kinda look like you’ve been sleeping on the floor.”
I now just realized that the sun was already almost halfway across the sky, “Oh yeah I just looking over my options for my new team.”
Jerry looked a little confused, “What do you mean?”
“I’ve been promoted! I get to put together a team, and be the commander of it!”
Jerry cracked a smile, “Oh already, it seems you catching up to me pretty quick.”
I smiled back. “Yeah I’ll be there. Who is it this time?” I had watch the tournaments before, but I really had no interest in them. Jerry however could probably predict who would win, and name everyone who was in the majors. You could probably give him one trait of a person, and he’ll be able to guess it right on the first try.
“It’s going to be a three on three battle!” Jerry continued excitedly, “It’s going to be the champions of the Fifteenth Gauntlet versus a unknow team. Hopefully the Gauntlets win, because I got a lot of money on them.”
“Ok I’ll be there, just save a seat for me ok.” I said glancing at the holo pads that were on my table. Jerry nodded turning and walking away. I closed the door leaning against it “How could I have fallen asleep for so long? How much time did I even stay up for?” I asked myself trying to remember, “I have to get these choices in fast, because now there due tomorrow.” I quickly got myself ready to go to the show, and I also looked over the holo pads trying to decide. “I’ll have to deal with this when I get back. I just don’t have enough time.” I told myself putting on the commander coat I had received. I looked at myself in the mirror, and it was a little big, but it was just a coat. However my hair was a mess, which I quickly took care of, and I looked exhausted. I opened the door walking to the mess hall where they were probably airing the show. I opened the mess hall door to see my guess was correct. A big holo screen was projecting the tournament logo spinning. It also showed a flaming gauntlet with the number fifteen burned into it, and a giant white question mark on the opposite of the versus sign that was in the middle. I looked around seeing Jerry waving me over to a empty bench next to him. “Seems I’m just in time huh?” I asked sitting down.
“Yeah, any later , and you would miss the revealing of who these secret competitors are!” he said sitting on the edge of his seats as the black screen went blank, and a image of a man at a black, and red desk.
“Alright ladies, and gentlemen it is now time to reveal our little secret.” the man said seated at a desk, “The two teams that are in this bloody conflict are the well proclaimed champions of the ring Gauntlet Fifteen!” A fury of scream erupted from the holo screen speakers, and from the mess hall I was in. The screen cut to the arena where two men, and one woman walked out they were in wearing silver armor. The armor shined as if just polished. They raised their fists earning a even more louder scream for the arena, and the mess hall. “And the challengers are from Grime Way Maximum Security level zero!” The man said however there was no cheers from the arena nor the mess hall. Then three people came out wearing only the black jumpsuit of the prison. There were two girls who were of different heights, and a giant wolfman. The first girl was a bit short, and the other seemed to be much tall. The wolfman though was taller than the both of them. Also the wolfman had no shirt revealing his grey and black coat that was scared. The taller girl had a full jumpsuit, but the sleeves had been torn off. While the short girl had a untouched jumpsuit.
“This isn’t even a fair fight.” I muttered to Jerry, “They don’t even have armor for god sakes.”
“Well even if they did they would never defeat beat Gauntlet fifteen. They have a perfect no loss record, so I guess this is just going to be a fast, and slaughter of a fight.” Jerry said resting his head on his hands.
The gates behind the fighter closed leaving no way for them to escape. There was laser sword rack dropped in the middle of the ring. The three blades the only weapons in the arena. Suddenly a bell rang, and the fights all bolted for the weapons. The two men of Gauntlet got two sword while the short girl for Grim way got the last one the rack whisked away into the ceiling. The two men ignited the sword fastly twirling them around in a show of their skill. The Grim way women simply ignited the sword holding it with two hands. The taller women cracked her bandaged knuckles. They were not injured, but for some reason they were bandaged. The wolfman simply cracked his neck baring his teeth. The two men with the swords rushed the unarmed girl and wolf. They simply rushed them back tackling them to the ground. The girl started to punch the man’s metal helmet. To the astonishment of everyone in the mess hall she was actually denting the metal, and not breaking her fists. The wolfman however was a completely different story when his fist hit the other man’s armor plates breaking it. “What? How are they breaking their armor without shattering the knuckles completely?!” I asked absolutely astonished looking at Jerry
“I-I- I don’t even know what to say this is insane… In somewhat so a good way.”Jerry said looking in utter shock
The Wolfman wrapped his jaw around the man’s arm ripping them off. The man screamed in pain clutching at the open socket. Then the Wolfman threw it to the side picking up the guy. He tore off the guy’s helmet revealing his face which was cover in pain. Then the Wolfman opened his jaw clamping it around the man’s head. The man trashed around trying to get free of the Wolfman’s jaw, then he slammed his jaw together. The man stopped all movements falling limp. His body fell to the side with no head. His blood began to puddle around his body as the Wolfman spit out the chewed man’s head. Then the view was switched to the tall girl who had his hands around the other man's armored head. He was pulling at her hands trying to break free of her grasp. He let out a scream of agony as the helmet began to cave in under the girl’s grasp. She was crushing the man’s helmet, and his skull would soon follow. He began to pull harder thrashing around trying his best to just get out of the steel prison of his helmet. He had given up on trying to get out of her grasp, and now he was just trying to get his helmet off. The helmet grave way again, and the man started to scream in fear of his death. He began to plead of his life still trying to get the deathtrap off of his head. Then in one groan of the metal it became an almost flat sheet of steel. The man dropped to the floor unmoving. A slow stream of crimson began to trickle out of the crushed helmet. Then all eyes turned to the last Gauntlet standing who was currently in a sword fight with the smaller girl of Grime Way. She did not have as much practice and skill as the Gauntlet women, but her speed prevented her from being sliced in two. Then the two other Grime Way fighters began to close on the fight. When they got behind the Gauntlet women grabbing her arms. The tall girl broke the women’s arm making her drop the laser sword. The women then was picked up by the two Grime Way fighters. Her legs were in the air dangling uselessly. The short girl then raised the blade cutting off her legs. The two holding her up let her go letting her fall to the ground. The girl screamed in agony clutching at what was left of her legs. Then her arms were stretched across the ground, and were cut off as well. She just lay there a limbless torso not able to move. Then she was pick up, and her neck was broken by the wolfman's giant hands. Everyone went silent nobody even dared breath. Then a thought hit me, (I think I got my squadmates…) When I actually processed the though I almost threw up. “I’ll be right back.” I said rushing away to the bathrooms. I threw open the stall door losing the contents in my stomach. I wiped my mouth with toilet paper flushing the toilet's contents away. “What’s wrong with me?” I asked myself not caring who heard me my voice slightly echoing in the room, “Why would I want those- those…. savages on my team?!” I felt more coming up, but I was able to keep it down. “Why did I have to see that, and why didn’t I just look away? I-” I was not able to keep what was coming up down remembering the wounds that the girl had. “I’m able to handle the horrors of wars, but why can’t I handle this?” I asked myself trying to keep down whatever might be coming up next, “Why did you have to eat so much before coming here.” I scolded myself holding my stomach.
I heard a knock on the women’s room door. “Yo Cath you alright in there?” I heard Jerry’s voice calling to me.
“Yup I’m just peachy-” I said before more came up, but not all the way as I was forced to swallow it back down. “I had a thought and I think I’m going insane Jerry, Insane!”
“What thought was that Cath?” He asked worry clear in his voice.
“You know the people who… Slaughtered the Gauntlets?”
“Yeah what about them Cathrine?”
“I think I want them on my team-” I said before depositing more contents of my stomach into the porcelain bowl.
“Insane is an understatement.” Jerry said before I heard the door shut with a soft click.
“At ease soldier.” The man said in a old tired voice. I put my hand down from my head resting it a my side. He extended a hand “Congratulations Catherine.”
I shook his hand eagerly a smile forming on my face. “Thank you sir.” The officer had been a friend of my family’s, so there were little formalities between us.
“Now as you know we are spend thin in this time so sadly there will be no ceremony. Do not worry your family and the other soldiers in the army will be notified of your new rank. Now here is your letter, and meet me in my office when you’re ready to start looking for your team.”
I nodded taking the letter in my hand saluting again to the officer as he left. On the outside I seemed like I was calm and collected, but inside I was jumping for joy and screaming. (Yes finally, after all of my time here I get to form my own team instead of being a part of one!) I opened the letter reading each word carefully. I was not going to mess up while I just got my rank. When I finished the letter I read it again just for the heck of it and then again. I folded it up again placing it carefully into the envelope. I looked back at the training grounds remembering when I first joined. (I’m definitely not going to miss this place.) I thought to myself remembering all of those drills I had to do. A shiver went down my spine, but in a good way. A smile formed on my face again as I turned, and walked to the officer’s office ready for my first assignment as a team leader.
When I entered his office he greeted me with a smile, “You can take a seat.” I sat down excitement basically overloading my mind. “Alright Catherine it’s time. I have list here of people that the other officers here believe should be on your team, but of course it’s your choice who's on your team.” He handed me a small stack of holo-pads. I looked over them quickly none seeming to grab my attention. He looked at me, and a smile crossed his features. “Your decisions don’t need to be made right now at this very moment. You may give me your selection later, but it’s due three days from now. You may retire to your quarters Commander Portola.”
I just nodded smiling happily leaving his office. I couldn’t speak any words as they were all caught in my throat. I wish I could have said something, but I was too nervous and too excited to say anything. When I exited the building I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. (I guess it’s time to start looking at these lists.) The sun was about to reach the horizon turning the sky a reddish purple hue the clouds lazily drifting through the sky. When I had reached my quarters I plopped down unceremoniously at my desk. I started to skim the lists trying to find if a name you catch my eye, but none of them did. I started to read their profiles, as I was going to get this right on the first try. I was not going to be a commander who messed up because I didn’t read the fine print. Soon one hour became two then three until. I couldn’t hold my head up anymore and my eyelids became heavier and heavier. I awoke with a start, but I was not in my room. I sat up looking around. I was in some type of lush field. I looked at myself discovering that I was wearing the UEC’s commander’s armor. It was a full body suit with some small armor plates on the chest, arms, and legs. I pushed myself off the ground also discovering I was missing a helmet that completed the armor. I looked around finding the field just stretched on forever. I returned my focus to the front, and saw a collection of structures off in the distance. I saw no other option, but to go forward, so I did. As I got closer I was able to start making out that the structures were actually ruins of a destroyed city. When I entered the city I saw a glint come from one of the destroyed towers. I knew what that was, but I could react in time. A thunderous crack split the air and a sharp bone crushing pain exploded in my shoulder. I was thrown to the ground by the force of gun shot hitting me. I put my hand to my shoulder and when I removed it it was covered in the crimson life giving liquid I knew all too well. I saw three other people in the UEC’s armor. I knew they were my teammates for some reason. I tried to ask for help, but the words were stuck in my throat. I outstretched my hand, as if silently asking for help, but they just kept moving away. Sometimes they looked straight at me, but they never came to help. Soon it was becoming more difficult to keep my hand in the air. When my hand fell to the ground everything became one blackish color. I began to hear the words failure, death, and disgrace being repeated over and over again in distorted voices. Until they stopped, and the word ‘sister’ was whispered into my ear. I opened my eyes to see I was back in my room on the floor. I pick myself up, and picked up my knocked over chair. I heard a knock on my door. I opened it seeing my friend Jerry.
“Hey Catherine I was wondering if you coming to the show, is it still ok with you. Do you think you’re going to be there?” Jerry asked rubbing the back of his head.
I rubbed my eyes “Oh yeah that’s tomorrow uhm…I-”
I was cut off from my thoughts when he spoke again, “No it’s in like three or four hours. Did you oversleep or something you kinda look like you’ve been sleeping on the floor.”
I now just realized that the sun was already almost halfway across the sky, “Oh yeah I just looking over my options for my new team.”
Jerry looked a little confused, “What do you mean?”
“I’ve been promoted! I get to put together a team, and be the commander of it!”
Jerry cracked a smile, “Oh already, it seems you catching up to me pretty quick.”
I smiled back. “Yeah I’ll be there. Who is it this time?” I had watch the tournaments before, but I really had no interest in them. Jerry however could probably predict who would win, and name everyone who was in the majors. You could probably give him one trait of a person, and he’ll be able to guess it right on the first try.
“It’s going to be a three on three battle!” Jerry continued excitedly, “It’s going to be the champions of the Fifteenth Gauntlet versus a unknow team. Hopefully the Gauntlets win, because I got a lot of money on them.”
“Ok I’ll be there, just save a seat for me ok.” I said glancing at the holo pads that were on my table. Jerry nodded turning and walking away. I closed the door leaning against it “How could I have fallen asleep for so long? How much time did I even stay up for?” I asked myself trying to remember, “I have to get these choices in fast, because now there due tomorrow.” I quickly got myself ready to go to the show, and I also looked over the holo pads trying to decide. “I’ll have to deal with this when I get back. I just don’t have enough time.” I told myself putting on the commander coat I had received. I looked at myself in the mirror, and it was a little big, but it was just a coat. However my hair was a mess, which I quickly took care of, and I looked exhausted. I opened the door walking to the mess hall where they were probably airing the show. I opened the mess hall door to see my guess was correct. A big holo screen was projecting the tournament logo spinning. It also showed a flaming gauntlet with the number fifteen burned into it, and a giant white question mark on the opposite of the versus sign that was in the middle. I looked around seeing Jerry waving me over to a empty bench next to him. “Seems I’m just in time huh?” I asked sitting down.
“Yeah, any later , and you would miss the revealing of who these secret competitors are!” he said sitting on the edge of his seats as the black screen went blank, and a image of a man at a black, and red desk.
“Alright ladies, and gentlemen it is now time to reveal our little secret.” the man said seated at a desk, “The two teams that are in this bloody conflict are the well proclaimed champions of the ring Gauntlet Fifteen!” A fury of scream erupted from the holo screen speakers, and from the mess hall I was in. The screen cut to the arena where two men, and one woman walked out they were in wearing silver armor. The armor shined as if just polished. They raised their fists earning a even more louder scream for the arena, and the mess hall. “And the challengers are from Grime Way Maximum Security level zero!” The man said however there was no cheers from the arena nor the mess hall. Then three people came out wearing only the black jumpsuit of the prison. There were two girls who were of different heights, and a giant wolfman. The first girl was a bit short, and the other seemed to be much tall. The wolfman though was taller than the both of them. Also the wolfman had no shirt revealing his grey and black coat that was scared. The taller girl had a full jumpsuit, but the sleeves had been torn off. While the short girl had a untouched jumpsuit.
“This isn’t even a fair fight.” I muttered to Jerry, “They don’t even have armor for god sakes.”
“Well even if they did they would never defeat beat Gauntlet fifteen. They have a perfect no loss record, so I guess this is just going to be a fast, and slaughter of a fight.” Jerry said resting his head on his hands.
The gates behind the fighter closed leaving no way for them to escape. There was laser sword rack dropped in the middle of the ring. The three blades the only weapons in the arena. Suddenly a bell rang, and the fights all bolted for the weapons. The two men of Gauntlet got two sword while the short girl for Grim way got the last one the rack whisked away into the ceiling. The two men ignited the sword fastly twirling them around in a show of their skill. The Grim way women simply ignited the sword holding it with two hands. The taller women cracked her bandaged knuckles. They were not injured, but for some reason they were bandaged. The wolfman simply cracked his neck baring his teeth. The two men with the swords rushed the unarmed girl and wolf. They simply rushed them back tackling them to the ground. The girl started to punch the man’s metal helmet. To the astonishment of everyone in the mess hall she was actually denting the metal, and not breaking her fists. The wolfman however was a completely different story when his fist hit the other man’s armor plates breaking it. “What? How are they breaking their armor without shattering the knuckles completely?!” I asked absolutely astonished looking at Jerry
“I-I- I don’t even know what to say this is insane… In somewhat so a good way.”Jerry said looking in utter shock
The Wolfman wrapped his jaw around the man’s arm ripping them off. The man screamed in pain clutching at the open socket. Then the Wolfman threw it to the side picking up the guy. He tore off the guy’s helmet revealing his face which was cover in pain. Then the Wolfman opened his jaw clamping it around the man’s head. The man trashed around trying to get free of the Wolfman’s jaw, then he slammed his jaw together. The man stopped all movements falling limp. His body fell to the side with no head. His blood began to puddle around his body as the Wolfman spit out the chewed man’s head. Then the view was switched to the tall girl who had his hands around the other man's armored head. He was pulling at her hands trying to break free of her grasp. He let out a scream of agony as the helmet began to cave in under the girl’s grasp. She was crushing the man’s helmet, and his skull would soon follow. He began to pull harder thrashing around trying his best to just get out of the steel prison of his helmet. He had given up on trying to get out of her grasp, and now he was just trying to get his helmet off. The helmet grave way again, and the man started to scream in fear of his death. He began to plead of his life still trying to get the deathtrap off of his head. Then in one groan of the metal it became an almost flat sheet of steel. The man dropped to the floor unmoving. A slow stream of crimson began to trickle out of the crushed helmet. Then all eyes turned to the last Gauntlet standing who was currently in a sword fight with the smaller girl of Grime Way. She did not have as much practice and skill as the Gauntlet women, but her speed prevented her from being sliced in two. Then the two other Grime Way fighters began to close on the fight. When they got behind the Gauntlet women grabbing her arms. The tall girl broke the women’s arm making her drop the laser sword. The women then was picked up by the two Grime Way fighters. Her legs were in the air dangling uselessly. The short girl then raised the blade cutting off her legs. The two holding her up let her go letting her fall to the ground. The girl screamed in agony clutching at what was left of her legs. Then her arms were stretched across the ground, and were cut off as well. She just lay there a limbless torso not able to move. Then she was pick up, and her neck was broken by the wolfman's giant hands. Everyone went silent nobody even dared breath. Then a thought hit me, (I think I got my squadmates…) When I actually processed the though I almost threw up. “I’ll be right back.” I said rushing away to the bathrooms. I threw open the stall door losing the contents in my stomach. I wiped my mouth with toilet paper flushing the toilet's contents away. “What’s wrong with me?” I asked myself not caring who heard me my voice slightly echoing in the room, “Why would I want those- those…. savages on my team?!” I felt more coming up, but I was able to keep it down. “Why did I have to see that, and why didn’t I just look away? I-” I was not able to keep what was coming up down remembering the wounds that the girl had. “I’m able to handle the horrors of wars, but why can’t I handle this?” I asked myself trying to keep down whatever might be coming up next, “Why did you have to eat so much before coming here.” I scolded myself holding my stomach.
I heard a knock on the women’s room door. “Yo Cath you alright in there?” I heard Jerry’s voice calling to me.
“Yup I’m just peachy-” I said before more came up, but not all the way as I was forced to swallow it back down. “I had a thought and I think I’m going insane Jerry, Insane!”
“What thought was that Cath?” He asked worry clear in his voice.
“You know the people who… Slaughtered the Gauntlets?”
“Yeah what about them Cathrine?”
“I think I want them on my team-” I said before depositing more contents of my stomach into the porcelain bowl.
“Insane is an understatement.” Jerry said before I heard the door shut with a soft click.