B-10: a Ben 10 story

TIME - Chapter VIII

"Ben, can you pay attention? This is crucial. It could save your life someday." Rook said while demonstrating the correct use of weapons.

"I'm paying attention".

"No, you're not".

"Of course, I'm. You just said that VT6G13 is capable of shooting up to thirteen disturbing blasts at a time; they can incapacitate up to sixteen minutes, depending on the weight and mass density". Ben repeated what Rook said, letter by letter. Him and that misused brain of his. A waste of photographic memory.

"And that means?"

"How should I know?"

"Ben", this time he sounded even more like a high school teacher. "There are far better uses for this brain of yours than just mindlessly repeat what I say. Like learn, really learn. The Omnitrix can't be the solution to every problem you face".

"So far it worked pretty well. No complaints".

"Really?" He got his tablet. "According to my notes, the Omnitrix 'timed out' or gave you 'not this one' thirty-two times" Ben was about to say that wasn't much, but Rook finished the sentence. "In the last week. In the last months, it has been a 29,5 media per week. You definitely need to learn new tactics".

Why did he have to be such an uptight nerd? Sometimes Blonko made him terribly miss Gwen.

"Do you have how many times I saved the world too? Because I know they are many".

"I have the data of how many missions you completed, and also how many times I had to save your life, including in non-official missions and daily events".

"What is 'daily events'?"

"Daily occurrences in the life of Ben Tennyson. Let me illustrate". He searched his pad. "Trying to eat an expired burrito. Twice".

"It doesn't count! It was the same burrito!"

"That only makes thing worse! Sometimes I question how you are even alive".

"Just so you know, that burrito was fine".

"It had mold in it!" He put his pad back on place. "Nevertheless, there were too many situations, and there sure will be many more, when you are going to need some knowledge over weaponry, and how to deploy them". Blonko noticed that Ben was totally dispersed. Again.

"Now I want a burrito. And maybe some smoothie. And fries with queso. Maybe some tortillas".

"Ben, may we please continue our lesson".

"How long do you think it will take for Fasttrack to get there and back with some snacks for us?" Ben said, fiddling with his watch. "Oh, maybe XLR8 will be even better!"

Before Rook could say anything, Ben had already transformed into XLR8 and went out of the Plumbers HQ screaming something like I'll get back with snacks!

"Sometimes, I just wished I had someone with a little responsibility as a partner" Rook whispered to himself shooting some targets. "Or that at least took practice seriously".

"I know". And there was him, back again. His hands full with cholesterol filled meals. "I take it seriously. Seriously enough to know I don't need it". He de-transformed and started filling his mouth more than a Gourmand.

"Disgusting".

"You know you want some" Offered Tennyson.

"I want to go back to work".

"No one can work on an empty stomach, not even you Rook. C'mon, just take a break. Five minutes? Please, please". He said, with the purest golden retriever eyes.

"No, that will not work this time. No, no and no".

"Please? Please, please".

And just like that, they ended up filling themselves so much with carbohydrates and fat that they could barely move.

"Why does every training session with you ends like this?"

"Because I'm the best partner you could ask for. And, as my role as best-partner-in-the-universe, I need to keep us fed". He looked at Rook with his puppy eyes and sarcastic grim. "Just the best for you, my love". Rook got up, mildly disgusted at his comment.

"I will go back to my duties. And advise you to do the same".

"I'm still digesting".

"It is not my problem if you eat like Upchuck, but forget you do not possess the stomach for it". He tosses Ben a gun. "And, as soon as you finish digesting you can go back to training too".