The instructors started discussing amongst themselves. The cadets were getting ready both mentally and physically, some were stretching to get warmed up. And some making up strategies on how to deal with the mutants.
Vlad's gaze was cast on the tall gate that protected humans from the mutated creatures. Some soldiers were preparing the gate for opening.
His attention quickly shifted to Kel looking at him with a smile.
Kel with a playful smirk said:
"The Rad suit looks great on you. Must run in the family huh?"
"You look great yourself. The color suits you really nicely."
The irony of wearing suits made of mutant skin to gain more power just to kill mutants.
Kel threw punches in the air.
"I feel faster and more agile, this is great."
Kaff's steps coming closer took everyone's attention from what they were doing and onto himself - it was time. Looking at the cadets, his gaze sweeping across their faces.
"I hope you remember what was said earlier. Your performance out there will determine your future here. Stay within your perimeters, and try not to get injured."
Vlad and Kel shared confident glances. Kel took out his Neucleon rifle strapped onto his back. Vlad's fingers flexing within his Obsidian-Steel Gauntlets. Everyone grabbed onto their weapons tightly as the time for the gate to open was upon them.
Vlad had fierce determination hardening his gaze. At last a chance to unleash the fury which simmered within him.
A soldier standing next to the gate signalled to Kaff. He nodded slowly, a sense of finality in his gesture.
"Open the gates," Kaff ordered, his voice firm and unwavering.
The barrier protecting the gate slowly dissipated. The creaking of the gate's mechanisms slowly got louder, a sudden rush of stale, oddly scented air gushed out from the panels of the gate. As the gates opened a sudden rush of strong winds blew in carrying a lot of dust.
Vlad looked beyond the gate, running towards it filled with adrenaline.
His attention was quickly snatched by his QC beeping loudly - His eyes darted to the Spectra-Pad. Its usual blue tint replaced by a red glow displaying: [Bio-Rad signatures detected near the host caution advised.]
Vlad stopped in his tracks.
What?
Kel who had been following close behind also came to a sudden halt seeing Vlad freeze.
"Vlad? What's wrong?"
Kel's QC flared red with text showing [Warning! Bio-Rad detected, caution advised.]
"Huh?" Kel murmured under his breath.
Before them stood a mutant with large claws, Its eyes glowing red and saliva dripping from its mouth.
Vlad's eyes widened.
That thing's at least four meters!
Farthest from the rest of the cadets - It was up to them to kill it. The mutant's proximity to the gate added another layer of urgency - if it broke through, the consequences could be dire.
The mutant did not waste time striking first. Its long tail, made of strong muscles, lashed out, a whip-like blur aimed directly at Vlad.
Vlad barely dodged its tail.
It's faster than it seems.
"I'll lure it away from the gate. Give me a hand."
Vlad made himself its target trying to steer it away, creating distance between him and Kel.
Being a Sharp-shooter it wasn't ideal for Kel to be so close to it.
The mutant immediately went after Vlad - his attempt to lure it succeeded.
Great.
Hurling its claws at Vlad the mutant was relentless.
Vlad jumped away as the mutant's claw sliced through the air. In a moment of disorientation, Vlad was slammed by its tail before he could fully regain his footing. The tail was too close for Vlad to evade - using his hands he barely managed to block it. The force of the impact hurled him to the ground.
Vlad rose to his feet.
The fucker hits like a truck.
***
Kel lowered his rifle in frustration.
Damn it! I lost sight of them. I need to change locations.
Using his QC he told Vlad:
"I'm changing locations, you're on your own for the minute."
He mounted his rifle on his back and started moving towards Vlad. Traversing the place which had turned into a full-blown battleground - numerous fights breaking out in his vicinity did not make it easy for him to navigate the alien-like terrain.
***
The mutant closed the distance between it and Vlad with remarkable speed, making him unable to communicate with Kel.
Guttural roars escaped its throat as its claws aimed at Vlad's torso once again. Vlad deflected the strike using its own momentum - pushing its arm aside. Moving swiftly he used his other hand to deliver a powerful punch to the mutant's exposed jaw.
The punch dealt minimal damage.
Damn, it's tough.
Little damage as it may be, the punch made the mutant step back with a grunt escaping its mouth.
"What level is that bastard?"
[ The detected Bio-Rad signatures indicate a threat level of 2.9 ]
It's almost a Ravager!
It reformed itself, the ravager's eyes filled with fury - Vlad's actions clearly angering it.
Vlad got into a guarded stance, anticipating its strike.
A mutant of almost ravager class was no ordinary opponent. It being a category 2.9 meant it was extremely close to having three cores. Each new core significantly increases a mutant's abilities. Vlad had to kill it now before it got its third one.
I need to be more careful, I might actually get hurt.
It roared loudly as it got closer to Vlad. A familiar green beam of energy hit its neck just as Vlad was about to engage - the impact from it twisting the mutant's large body throwing it off course.
Vlad turned his head.
"About damn time."
"The terrain was difficult to navigate, sorry. Also, your little skirmish attracted many other mutants' attention."
"Well, shit. How many?"
"They're being taken care of by others, you focus on the one In front of you."
Vlad turned to see the mutant shaking its massive head. Seizing the opportunity of it being momentarily distracted to attack. A hit in the face sent a spray of foul-smelling saliva flying from the mutant's mouth. The creature roared, its rage intensifying. Its powerful jaws attempted to bite down Vlad. His hands stopped its teeth and jaw so it couldn't close its mouth. His muscles strained to keep the powerful bite at bay.
Vlad let out a grunt.
Another powerful shot escaped Kel's rifle slamming into the mutant's leg. It roared in pain as it lost its balance. Vlad twisted its head the opposite way of its body with all his might - an attempt to dislocate its neck, but it stayed firm. The teeth Vlad held onto broke from the excess strain.
Shit! It won't even budge.
Vlad stepped back instinctively covering his nose due to the vile smell of the mutant's saliva lingering on his hands.
Kel unleashed a brutal barrage of bullets targeted at its head - not letting it regain the mutant footing. Trying to protect its head by covering it with its leg, the bullets penetrated its leg but they did not have enough force to pierce through it and reach its skull. As the bullets stopped flying Vlad swung his fists at it again trying to take advantage of the situation.
One of your core's in your skull isn't it, you fucker?
The core of a mutant is a dense concentration of nuclear radiation. Destroying it will significantly damage or in the case of low-class mutants kill them.
The mutant took Vlad's onslaught, having its legs in a disadvantageous position.
Vlad's QC fuzzed a female voice:
"Back off a bit."
Vlad's eyes rolled towards his QC.
"What?"
The relayed message caught Vlad by surprise, letting the mutant retreat a few steps.
Damn it.
A huge blast from above vaporized the front half of the mutant leaving only its rear legs and an exposed core. As blood sprayed everywhere Vlad quickly crushed the core ensuring its death.
That's that, but...
He turned towards the direction of the devastating attack - a lone female figure stood on top of a nearby cliff silhouetted against the sky.
Kel watched everything unfold through the scope of his rifle. He lowered his weapon, a frown creasing his brow in confusion.
He reached out to Vlad.
"What happened to the mutant?"
"Someone took it down, I haven't figured out who though," Vlad replied, his gaze still fixed on the mysterious figure on the cliff.
"I'm on my way to where you are right now."
The girl jumped down the cliff. Her long blonde hair blew in the strong wind, her mouth covered in a black mask - holding a sleek, dark rifle with a thick barrel glowing with a faint green light and emitting wisps of dissipating energy from the massive blast it had just unleashed.
Kel spoke to Vlad over the comms as he got closer to the scene.
"Oh, it's her! Her destructive powers are as intimidating as ever."