What happens when a squad of military-trained personnel are notified to a near frozen research station by a distress signal? What happens when the reason that distress signal was sent was because of frozen, supernatural beings? What happens when som...
Nothing too plot progressive happens here, but it's a chapter after a long time so my brains got cobwebs in it
–lol–
The tremor that runs up Medic's spine doesn't escape Sledger's gaze. The familiar slash marks don't escape him either, this room just gives off a bad vibe. Well, it's something BEYOND a bad vibe, something that tells him: ‘enjoy your last minutes being able to breathe without a machine!’ or something along those lines. He fears for whatever he may be faced with beyond this foreboding door, something like a gateway to hell.
The shaky exhale of air from Medic is all that Sledger hears before she knocks on the door,
“I'm coming in, and uh.. I got someone…”
The door opens with a harsh creak, like the screams of the damned. The room had a similar layout to the other rooms he's seen, but there was one particular difference: who was in there.
Sledger's heart dropped at who he saw just a few feet away from the door.
Gladiator slouched over a portable blade sharpener, only sitting up when he had heard Medic,
“Why do you stop here today, fair maiden-”
Gladiator's words are cut short when his eyes catch on Sledger, to which his face practically splits into two with how wide his grin grows. Sledger's mind comes to a halt when he sees the crazed look in Gladiator's eyes.
Nonono… no fucking way.
Why would Commander do this?
The desk and chair Gladiator had been using before the duo had arrived fell to the ground easily as he quickly got up,
“Destiny just keeps bringing us together! Then we must fight, it's fate!”
His words are as deranged as the excited look on his face at the thought of besting his colleague in combat,
“Hey, wait! Gladiator no–!”
Medic's attempt to rush in and stand in front of Sledger is a bust as she's practically thrown to the side, her body slamming against the floor,
“I apologize, maiden, but this is between me and my destined opponent!”
Holy fucking shit. This might just be it. No longer will any of these other towers hold the title for "Worst Beatdown from Gladiator”, it’ll be him. He won’t even get the medal because he’s going to be dead!
Sledger could feel himself back away unconsciously but it’s no match for Gladiator’s unmatched enthusiasm and speed. The next second the back of his head is swelling with pain as Gladiator pushes him against the wall roughly, without a care of what harm befalls what should be his comrade. Sledger nearly keels over from just how loudly Gladiator’s fist connects with the wall above him, a sign of how Sledger was trapped, his body now caged between the wall and his pursuer,
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“Fighting you is going to be an honor!”
There’s a shing as Gladiator draws his blade, a menacing(but admittedly dumb) look on his face. Does he have any clue what breed of fear he strikes into innocent people? Sledger did nothing to deserve this!
Without thinking, Sledger puts his hands up, one last desperate attempt to quell the beast in front of him,
“Wait- wait!”
The large, maniacal grin finally leaves Gladiator’s face as he looks down on Sledger, a hint of curiosity in his expression. He stays quiet for once, letting Sledger continue,
“I uhh…”
Sledger can feel his chest tighten with regret, what was the plan now? He tried to go over any excuse he may have. No.. couldn’t say he wasn’t a part of the team, ‘cause he damn well was. It took what felt like an eternity before he could respond. The excuse he planned didn’t even sound believable but… here goes,
“You want a good fight, right..?”
He can tell he caught Gladiators interest with just those words alone, seeing how the man furrows a brow,
“Well, you won’t get it if you fight me right now, because uh.. I still need to recover! Medic says I’m underweight and that means I need to get stronger.. Hehahahhh…!”
Nervous laughter bubbles in his throat at Gladiators determined gaze,
“Tell him, Medic!”
Medic, who had been frozen on the ground, finally gives a sign of life. She blabbers for a moment, shaking her head before finally looking up at the bulk of muscles,
“Uhm.. yeah! He still needs to bulk up, you know..?”
It was clear that Medic’s nerves were just as shot as his. Sledger could feel his own heart rate spike as he saw an ounce of hope, Gladiator… was thinking! He was considering it!
With a hearty chuckle, Gladiator pulls away, grabbing Sledger by the shoulder and jostling him,
“You’re right! How am I supposed to test your strength if you’re not at your best! Thank you for saving me from disappointment!
I’ll just have to wait until you’re stronger!”
He retreats fully, but not before turning back for but a second,
“Then by the time you return from your first mission, you should be well! Then we shall fight and see who comes out on top!”
The tremors that had only stopped for a second coil themselves yet again in his bones. Now he has a time limit! He can’t tell whether this was better or worse than getting his ass kicked immediately! Now he’d have to wait in terror as the days ticked by,
“Yeah.”
His voice sounds much more dead than his much-too-alive thoughts.
He nearly passes out when he hears the voice of the person on the top bunk,
“Ugh, shame. I was hoping he’d kill your ass, you damned wannabe.”
Gladiator’s head turns, that broad, dumb grin still on his face,
“Freezer! You must remember that I have a code of honor! I will not hurt any of my comrades-”
“To the point of death. Yeah, yeah, I know. You recite it to yourself every night. Even while you sleep.”
“Of course! I never want to forget it! It would be dishonorable if I did!”
Sledger and Medic, who had silently gravitated towards each other during that discussion, looked back and forth between the roommates. Sledger might just sleep in the janitor’s closet if this is what dorm life was looking to be like.
Sledger’s forced out of his thought as he feels a rough slap on his back, a telltale sign of the Gladiators presence that he can only hope he'll grow use to,
“Welcome home, comrade! Let us vanquish many evils together!”
