Jacked - Chapter 1

 Augmentation: An addition to a coat of arms granted to a person by a sovereign power in recognition of a notable action.

Upper cut, in to a leg sweep, then attack the ribs.  Adrenaline pumped through my body as if it had completely taken over my bloodstream, energizing my mind, making way for clarity, strength, and agility.  My attacker's name is Frederick, and we both have everything to lose in this fight, including each other, but if we don't fight we will both be stripped of our Augments and, if we survive that procedure, live the remainder of our lives branded as Normal, cast out and destined for a life of beggary.  So today, in the dust beneath the stained glass windows of Monastery North, we pray as each fist finds it's target.  We raise hope heavenward as spittle and blood drip from cracked and split lips, asking God for intervention before the victor is decided.  I will fight to survive, but I will not take the life of my brother.

Frederick charged once more, teeth clenched behind the bloodied mess of his mouth, leaping in to the air, propelling his momentum forward.  Now!  Launching myself upward, I hurled the flat of my palm in to the base of his jaw, stopping him cold, and stunning him for a few moments.  I followed through with a swift sweep of his left leg, stealing his balance; sending him to earth with a loud combination of "thud", and "grunt".  As Frederick struggled to regain his breath, I lashed out once again, this time striking his left side with the point of my knuckles.  The crack that sounded from beneath my fist told me I had succeeded in breaking a few of this ribs.  His back arched as pain overtook his body, squeezing a sound from his throat that reminded me of the stray cat fights we hear taking place in the alleyways every night.  I got to my feet, standing over my friend, tears slowly welling up in my eyes.  What have I done!? Frederick heaved, vomiting a mixture of breakfast and blood on to the dusty ground.

"Finish it CAPTAIN Lionz."  Captain Sebastian Lark, with a sickening pleasure in his eyes, glared back at me, hungry for the slaughter he expected.  "Only the strongest can truly be destined for greatness as Captains of the Royal Police.  Prove to us that you truly yearn for that greatness.  Prove your loyalty to His Holiness.  Show mercy to the suffering man lying before you.  Will you allow him to endure a life of poverty and Normality, stripped of the Augmentations that brand him as useful to society and the crown?  Will you rob him of his dignity?"  Captain Lark smirked, his bushy, pepper colored mustache lifting to one side.

Before I could offer my rebuttal, a strained and scratchy voice cut in from behind me.

"I'm--not done yet you chumps." Frederick had pushed himself up to a sitting position, resting on one arm, the other raised and pointing directly at my chest.  "I'm sorry--COUGH--Zach, but I can't go back to the li--cough, COUGH--the life my family once endured.  I'm ending this now.  Ready your courage my friend."

The augmentation implanted in Frederick's hand had already reached a full charge and in a matter of seconds would release a crack of energy similar to a lightning bolt, rendering me a scorched and smoldering pile of failure.  I stared back at him, my heart crumbling inside my chest. I couldn't believe it still had the ability to beat with so much pain attacking it's every cell.  I locked my eyes with Frederick's, unwilling to swallow pride and plead for my own life. 

"It's been an honor brother.  Courage stands at the ready."  I  saluted my friend but then noticed something strange.  Frederick's eyes darted to his right only for a millisecond, but the movement was there.  He had broken his focus and that was very unlike him.  I moved my eyes in that direction, knowing Captain Lark could not seem my face at the immediate moment, but saw only more RP Cadets and Captains standing and watching the scene play out.

"With God I send you brother!"  His hand only twitched as the thunder sounded and my world shifted in to slow motion.  Would I be able to dodge his attack?  I had just upgraded my augments.  A shred of split second hope swelled in me as I willed my augments to activate.  I closed my eyes, and made my move move.