6 Close Call

Setting his body into overdrive, Captain Hart had pulled out every ounce of power from his Galvanic gland and shot it into his legs. The burst of strength it gave him, though temporary, had enabled him to launch at an impossible speed and almost instantly catch up to his prey.

Henry on the other hand, ducked as soon as the System had told him to. Just in time also, as he felt something pass over him. Wind rushed past a second later, almost sending face first into the ground.

Lifting his head, he finally understood what that was all about. In front of him was the arrogant Tamarain that had provoked him. Wearing an officer uniform, he invoked a mix of fear and respect inside Henry.

'' What is your name, human, before I slaughter you for your crimes! ''

Not wanting to respond to his taunting words, Henry blandly responded '' Henry. Henry Calvert '' .

Still using his alias was the better option he thought. Probably every Tamarain soldier new about the name Hampton and he didn't want to unleash all hell upon himself saying he was one.

'' Well, Henry Calvert, for the crime of murdering 4 Tamarain soldiers and suspicion for the murder of 4 others, I hereby sentence you to death. Any last words? ''

'' Yes. You will make a fine addition to that list. '' Henry said, smiling in a sadistic way.

While the man had been speaking, Henry had thought about his son's death. He came upon the thought that his son might have been slayed by men like him. Arrogant bastards, who thought they were better than most. Men that took liberty to act as judge and executioner for all they judged unworthy of living.

The thought had riled him up and he was now ready to die, just to see this man and all others like him, burn in the pits of hell.

With the Tamarain dashing again at a horrendous speed, he punched Henry in the stomach, sending him flying into a nearby tree like no more than fly that had been swatted away.

'' Host has suffered heavy trauma, do you wish to activate passive combat healing? Healing cost is doubled but can be performed while fighting. ''

'' Yes, activate it. ''

Henry got up, ready to lunge back at his opponent. He could feel the pain coming from the back of his head and from his left side ribs. He figured he had at least 1 broken rib, but he couldn't stop to ponder about it now.

Getting clipped again by the crazed speedster, Henry went flying yet again, stopping on a rock this time.

'' Host has suffered heavy trauma. Cost of healing has gone up. Current cost : 5 months of lifespan. ''

'' Shit! Already back under a year's time. '' He thought. This battle was not even one. The Tamarain officer was clearly playing around with him. When the Captain charged at him again, he managed to duck under the punch. Proud of his reaction time, he was quickly brought back to reality, seeing a kick coming in from his right.

* PANG *

The kick sent him hurtling through the air for 10 meters. He then landed and tumbled for another 10 before coming to a stop. The kick had unhinged his jaw and broke many teeth along with it.

'' Host has suffered heavy head trauma. Healing cost now up to 1 year. Does Host which to keep passive combat healing operational? ''

'' Yes! I don't have a choice. If you don't heal me, we'll die anyway. Don't stop even if it kills us. ''

'' Affirmative ''

On Captain Hart's end, this fight felt like a game of tag. He hadn't had this much fun in a while. Playing with this weak human was entertaining to say the least.

He knew his crew was watching through his body cam, so he was showing them what could happen to the weak. He had thought he killed the weak human on the first hit, but it kept getting back up. So he kept hitting. This time he charged at him with normal speed, switching his galvanic energy to his fists. When he reached his target, he threw a punch in his chest. Feeling the ribs crack under his knuckles, Captain Hart knew the fight was over.

'' This is what happens to weaklings who dare challenge the Tamarain Empire. '' The Captain said, speaking to his crew through his body cam.

'' I hope you imbeciles get the message. ''

Just as he was about to leave, he heard a branch crack behind him. Turning around, his jaw dropped when he saw the human get back up.

'' I'm not done. '' Henry had said, coughing blood as he spoke and got up. He refused to fail here. He had so much to do to avenge his son. He couldn't possibly die here.

'' Critical threshold reached. Host has only 1 month of lifespan left. Any other hit from enemy will bring an end to Host's life. ''

'' I know. Shut up and help me instead, you dumb AI. ''

Henry was barely standing at this point. To the Tamarain, there was no point in tormenting him further. Walking up slowly to the human, he picked him and head butt his face. Feeling the man go limp in his hands, he cranked back his left hand, clenched his fist and focused his electricity in it.

'' You endured well, Henry Calvert. You are weak, but you are not a coward. You deserve a warriors death. Embrace it. ''

Giving the man a speech and thinking he was being just, Captain Hart failed to notice the small movement of his enemy's hand. As Henry let the System take over his arms, all he did was look the Tamarain in the eyes, wanting to imprint his face into his mind. He vowed he would never get beaten this bad again. He would do anything and everything to get stronger.

In a swift motion, the System grabbed the knife still strapped to the back of his belt, by some kind of miracle it hadn't flown away like the second one, and brought it back forward at a speed he didn't himself capable of. Reaching the head of his enemy in a matter of milliseconds, Captain Hart didn't have anytime to react. The knife lodged itself through his ear and into his brain, killing him instantly.

Crumpling to the ground, the Tamarain's face was stuck into one of utter shock, fear of death embed in his eyes.

Choosing to consume him right away, Henry yanked the knife out of the Tamarain's brain, cut the inside of his hand and slapped it to theman's ear. Feeling the suction from his hand again he closed his eyes and relaxed. He hoped that killing that officer had scared the rest of the ship's crew enough to lead them away.

After 1 minute, he heard 2 distinct notifications in his head, the second one raising his brow.

'' Research progress on Galvanic gland 10% . Genetic material assimilated. New life span being calculated. Lifespan now estimated at 2 years. ''

'' 2 YEARS!!? What the hell. That's a huge jump. ''

'' Host has consumed class C fighter. The blood of a class C fighter is richer in energy due to a larger development of Galvanic gland. ''

'' Wow. Perfect, just perfect. ''

Meanwhile on the ship, there was utter panic. Their commanding officer gone, no one wanted to take command. The 3 lieutenants were pushing responsibilities to the next, in a never-ending cycle.

What brought an end to their quarrel was an alarm going off. It was the proximity alarm. A human ship was incoming and they had to leave ASAP.

Going back to the their usual disciplined selves, a Lieutenant took charge.

'' Drop a bomb to eliminate the human called Henry Calvert. Then we are leaving. ''

'' Sir Yes Sir!!!! ''

Back on the ground, Henry noticed the ship flying closer over head. Seeing a drop door open on the underbelly of the ship, he had an ominous feeling. Looking around, he spotted a crater caused by one of his latest victim's fly bys. Painfully dragging himself and the Captain's body over, he rolled into the hole and covered himself with the body. Shortly after he heard a whistle in the wind, growing louder until... nothing.

* BOOOM *

Fire blazed in every direction when the bomb detonated, leaving nothing behind but a burnt forest and charred remains.