After the Second Fall - Part 1.2
by Simon Underfoot
Copyright 2020-2022, All Rights Reserved
Author's Note:
This is the second part of the first novel in the After the Second Fall trilogy. Thanks for reading.
Cheers,
Simon
Chapter 8
"Do you think he's ready, John?" Director Humbolt asked.
"I'm pretty confident, and I think he is, too. Bringing in Max for training really helped, so thanks again for supporting me on that. I thought Pip's form was already good, but it's better now, and he's picked up some of Max's killer instinct."
Humbolt nodded. "You know, this is really a lose-lose for me; if Pip is successful, I'll lose Ranger, and he's my number four Adam. On the other hand, if Pip gets waxed, we may lose something really special, at least if your hunch is correct."
"I know, Geo, and I'm sorry for it, but it's the nature of the program."
"Don't I know it. Maybe someday we'll figure out a better way to train..."
"Excuse me, Director Humbolt, but why put up your number four if you're reasonably sure Pip will be successful? Wouldn't it be better to... sacrifice -- sorry for the poor word choice, but I can't come up with something better -- anyway, why sacrifice such a promising Adam?" asked Director Collins, who was sitting with the two men.
"This is going to sound heartless, but Ranger isn't actually that promising for the overall program. He's older than most of the pool Adams and slowly declining; he's never going to have a real fight unless we have several significant setbacks in a row."
"Why is that?" she asked.
"Well, Ranger is extremely talented, as you would expect, but he tends to lose his head a bit when he fights. With some of the craftier Adams he has a tendency to get tricked into bad positions. You know that big scar on his side?" Director Collins nodded. "He had several ribs broken in a training fight because he tried some overly aggressive bullshit. His opponent -- it was Max, actually -- caught him with a roundhouse kick. Doc had to cut Ranger open to piece all the fragments back together.
"That said, he's still damn good -- Pip will have to be in top form to win."
"Even if Pip does win, what are the chances he comes through this in one piece?" asked Director Collins.
John considered the question. "Honestly -- and I know this is going to sound conceited -- I think Pip is going to be fine. He doesn't have the size or reach of Ranger, or any of the other pool Adams for that matter, but you've seen the way he moves. I wouldn't be surprised at all of Pip is representing us in the Arena by the end of next year."
Humbolt shook his head, dismissing the idea, while Collins looked quite surprised. "Wait a moment, John, you said --"
John forestalled her objection with an extended hand. "I know, Director Collins, you want him for your publicity machine. I didn't say that him fighting for real would happen -- just that I wouldn't be surprised. After today, when people see what he can do, I don't think either of us are going to have much of a choice if larger circumstances dictate that he needs to fight." Director Collins was not pleased with this statement and sat back in her chair unhappily, considering the impact to her plans. "Anyway, that's all academic at this point. He still has to get through today," concluded John.
"Look, they're coming out now," observed Humbolt. "By the way, John, why aren't you out there with him? You're his handler."
"Yeah, but Max knows a hell of a lot more than I do; he seemed like a better choice."
"Makes sense, I guess," said Humbolt. "Ranger doesn't seem too pleased." Pip's opponent looked absolutely livid. He was already breathing hard while his own handler tried to give him final instructions. "I don't suppose you already knew that Ranger had a personal issue with Max..." John shrugged and smirked, confirming the suspicion.
Director Collins looked at John, her already high esteem for him increasing. "I knew you were a good handler, but you had this planned from the beginning when you asked for Max, didn't you?" John didn't answer, but he did look very pleased with himself. "I don't know if it's brilliant, but it is damn sneaky -- I fully approve," she finished with a smile. "Let's see if your plan works."
"To be clear," said John, "my plan is based wholly on Pip's abilities as a fighter. I was just supplementing his advantage."
"Uh huh, whatever," Director Collins replied, smiling.
In the training arena, Max and Ranger's handler were stepping out of the sand, joining the ring of spectators. Ranger had calmed down some, but still looked like he was ready to charge; Pip was focusing intently on his opponent. For the first time, John saw something beyond cold professionalism in Pip -- it looked like he actually wanted to kill the Adam across the arena.
The first bell sounded and the two Adams closed on each other, Ranger approaching quickly, but in a controlled manner. Pip allowed time to move normally, saving his strength for the few heartbeats it took Ranger to come within striking distance, then squeezed the Effect.
Ranger had rolled his shoulder, making it look like he was going to throw his right hand, but instead shot forward a short left jab. Had time not been moving slowly, it may have caught Pip off-guard, not particularly hurting him, but giving Ranger the upper hand. Instead, Pip stepped right, caught Ranger's wrist in his left hand, and yanked it upward in a single motion. By the time Pip's right foot touched the ground, he was already in the midst of a straight overhand right with the full power of his shoulder, chest, back, and leg behind it.
Pip's fist connected with his target, below and slightly in front of Ranger's left armpit, with dramatic effect. Pip felt ribs break and move inward, even as his own second and third fingers cracked, to be followed by the duller sensation of tissue giving way -- almost certainly the lung and heart.
Time resumed its standard progression and Ranger dropped to his knees, gasping, then toppling over. Pip stood over the body, his adrenaline still spooling up due to the shortness of the fight. The second bell sounded and the folks in red and white rushed into the arena, but as with Pip's previous fight, there was no need. Pip walked back to his starting point without a backward glance at his opponent, receiving a stoic nod from Max for a job well done.
John walked up soon afterward with Directors Humbolt and Collins trailing behind. "Alright, Pip?"
Pip had to take a deep breath before speaking, still trying to get control of residual energy. "Yeah, thanks. I'm pretty sure I broke my hand, but not badly -- probably just cracked a finger or something."
"Glad to hear it," said his handler. "Want me to send for Doc, or would you prefer your friends in blue?"
"Just Doc tonight, John -- I'm not going to be very good company," replied Pip, heading to his room.
After he had disappeared from sight, Director Collins turned to John. "What's wrong with him? I would have expected he'd be thrilled to win so easily."
"I think that's just it, Director," said John, "it shouldn't have been that easy. The truth is, Ranger never really stood a chance, and I think that bothers Pip."
"So he'd rather it have been closer?"
"No, but that probably felt a bit like being the playground bully. He'll get used to it, but it will take some time."
John took a deep breath and looked at his companions for the fight. "Directors -- thank you for joining me, and for supporting Pip. It means a lot to him, although that might not be obvious, especially just now. If you'll please excuse me, I'm going to go find Doc and have him check Pip's hand."
As he expected, John found Dr. Shepard in Surgery-One, examining Ranger. "Same thing as last time, Doc?"
"What? Oh, hello, Mr. Rogers. Not quite, actually." John raised an eyebrow, indicating his surprise. "The force was so hard this time that the heart actually exploded; the walls were blown out in all four chambers. I don't think you could do more damage than this if you jumped on a heart lying on the floor."
"Huh. Well, as lovely as that picture is, I was hoping you'd head over and see Pip -- he said he thinks his hand is broken."
"Not really that surprising given the forces involved. When you think about the thickness of a finger bone compared to a rib, it's entirely possible he has multiple fractures. I'll go there straightaway."
"Thanks, Doc. I'll walk with you, if you don't mind -- I would appreciate the opportunity to pick your brain."
"Of course," said the doctor as he grabbed his field bag and walked with John out the door. "What is on your mind?"
"Actually, that's not too far off -- the mind, I mean. Have you seen anything different in any of Pip's scans? I was thinking that there might be something that could explain the way he seems to move faster than everyone else."
"No, I don't think so, but I generally look for big issues such as malformations, signs of trauma, and the like. I can go back over them and look for smaller differences -- would that help?"
"Thanks, Doc, that's exactly what I was hoping for. If you do find something, please talk with me first."
The doctor smiled at John's overprotectiveness. "Of course. Is there something in particular that I should be looking to find?"
"Not exactly," said John, hesitating slightly. "I suspect that Pip processes information faster -- maybe much faster -- than the rest of us, but I don't know what that would look like on a scan."
Nodding, Dr. Shepard said, "That's alright. A few possibilities come immediately to mind that should be relatively easy to check. I'll come see you in a few days with the results. Is that acceptable?"
"Perfect, Doc."
The two finished their walk in silence, arriving at Pip's room a short time later. John knocked and stepped inside, seeing that Pip was lying on his bed, still dressed only in his fighting shorts, now black, with his right arm propped on a pillow. "Ready to see Doc?" Pip nodded, briefly making eye contact, and then went back to staring at the ceiling.
"All yours, Doc -- see you around."
This task done, John went in search of Madame Bower.
Before the next bell sounded, Ruth was walking quickly down a different hallway in the area of the Adams' dormitories with one of her most experienced ladies. Knocking gently on the door she sought, she slowly opened it a crack, waiting. A short while later, Maggie opened it further and looked out. Seeing her supervisor, Maggie was somewhat taken aback. "Is Pip okay?" she whispered nervously and more loudly than she intended.
"I was told he's fine, Honey, but he does need some cheering up." Maggie exhaled loudly, her relief evident. "My understanding is that he's a bit shaken and needs some company. Hold his hand, rub his forehead -- that kind of thing.
"If you can break away, Jules here can take over for you."
"Okay -- that should be fine -- I was having trouble concentrating anyway."
Maggie soon emerged, having made her excuses to the Adam inside; she hugged her substitute and walked back down the hall with Ruth.
"You'll need to find Rosie -- she isn't on rounds and I'm not sure where to find her, but she should definitely go with you."
